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Former CEO of Vibram USA Launches New Running Shoe

Discussion in 'Biomechanics, Sports and Foot orthoses' started by NewsBot, Dec 12, 2012.

  1. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    This is all the buzz today with lots of media outlets reporting:
    Press Release:
    Former CEO of Vibram USA Launches New Company: Topo Athletic
     
  2. Paul Bowles

    Paul Bowles Well-Known Member

    "We are committed to the ongoing study of physiology, environments and emerging technologies that enable athletes to constantly improve by amplifying the superb design of the human body."

    ...because that worked so well for Vibram. The research I mean, not the fact that they tell you to run barefoot then make you spend $200 on a shoe to do it in. Go figure.....
     
  3. Tony Post also got interviewed, along with me and Dan Lieberman a few years ago by the Boston Globe reporter who got a metatarsal stress fracture from running in the Vibram Fivefingers shoe.

    http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/01/09/youre_crazy/?page=3

    Tony Post.....since Vibram Fivefingers sales are dropping each month.....he will now go where the money is....away from Vibram....:rolleyes:

    Need some Vibram FiveFingers on Clearance?.......http://www.travelcountry.com/shop/vibram-fivefingers/sale-clearance

    Innate amplification?.........here we go again with more meaningless slogans to sell overpriced shoes....:deadhorse::craig::sinking:
     
  4. BEN-HUR

    BEN-HUR Well-Known Member

    An interesting place to base one's new shoe company ;).
    (I take it "Mass." is the Massachusetts kind).
     
  5. Admin2

    Admin2 Administrator Staff Member

    More snippets coming out about this:
    From BizJournals
     
  6. Paul Bowles

    Paul Bowles Well-Known Member

    Yes, yes yes we have heard it all before. We don't need to inherently change anything we do, we just need to leverage the way your natural biomechanics work.......like current running footwear already does and has been for many years, and like Podiatrists have been doing with orthoses for many years, and like Physiotherapists have been doing with rehabilitation for many years............and like Vibram.....oh wait maybe I should re-think that last one! This should turn the "barefoot Running" community on its head. What happens when Jesus comes out and plainly says what the devil does is right? ;) I'm so wary of all this!!!!
     
  7. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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  8. Dana Roueche

    Dana Roueche Well-Known Member

    Kevin, maybe you can come up with a slogan to sell the Asics Gel Kinsei 4, they are moderately priced at $189.99 US.

    Edit: Nevermind, Asics has this one covered, here are the features listed for this "inexpensive" shoe:
    Impact Guidance System
    Guidance Line
    Heel Clutching System
    Discrete Heel Unit
    Propulsion Heel Unit
    Cuprothermo
    AHAR
    Comfordry
    Durasponge outsole
    PHF
    Solyte

    With 11 "technical" Buzwords, that comes out to $17.27 per buzword. But that's not all, these shoes come with the American Podiatric Medical Association's Seal of Acceptance!

    Simon Spooner, talk about clown shoes, take a look at these, would you see someone in London wearing these?


    Dana
     

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  9. Yep, they're pretty garish. At least they don't have those stupid looking toes in them though, then they'd really have that comedy value. Never got on with Kinsei, they hurt my heel. As I recall they did a tri version of the DS in a similar colour-way a few years ago. We used to put them on in the running shop I worked with just for the comedy value.
     
  10. Nike "ninja slipper" clone. Prettier than five fingers though.

    All of which banter raises a serious research question: does the colour-way of a shoe and the perception of the wearer as to how it "looks", i.e. do they like the look of it's design characteristics, impact on the wearers performance? If someone thinks a shoe looks rubbish and is in a colour they don't like, will it make them perform worse than in a shoe that they think looks great and are in a colour they love? Bet it does. Beauty is in the subconscious eye of the beholder.

    Easy study, take identical shoes in different colours, ask participants to rate colour 0 = hate, 10 = love, then have them run in different colour shoes and measure metabolic cost.
     
  11. Dana Roueche

    Dana Roueche Well-Known Member

    Matt, it's close to the Vibram USA Headquarters and close to Rockport HQ. I guess Tony Post didn't want to move. But I suspect you might have been thinking about the location of the Boston Marathon.

    Dana
     
  12. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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  13. Former CEO of Vibram USA Rips Off 60+ Year Old Idea from Onitsuka Tiger and Then Boldly Claims He Has Designed a New, Unique Running Shoe with a Split-Toe Design and Thin Soles!

    "Nothing New Under the Sun"
     
  14. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    .... but this time round the topoathletic shoes
    and
    In all seriousness, I have set up a number of alerts on this and read everything I can on exactly what these shoes are and still have absolutely no idea what these two quotes actually mean!
     
  15. Dana Roueche

    Dana Roueche Well-Known Member

    In addition to the Classic Onitsuka Tiger version, Zemgear shoes have been around with split-toes and thin soles for the last few years as a modern example of an idea that is already out there.

    I would think that trying to start a new shoe company in a shoe segment that has become totally saturated over the last few years is a bit risky. There are currently 100's of models of shoes classified as "minimal" on the retail shelves. Adding a few more will be difficult to attract any attention.

    To organize the bombardment of minimal shoes in my mind, I like to separate them into 3 categories 1) Vibram FiveFingers, 2) Racing flats, 3) everything else. Because there are so many models in the everything else category and they all seem to offer the "Me Too" characteristics, when considering the purchase of a minimal shoe at this point, the best place to start looking is in the clearance section. Most of the early entry companies are already on their 2nd or 3rd iteration of their models. By design, there isn't much to a minimal shoe so there isn't going to be much of a difference between one minimal model and another minimal model. Since shoe companies like to add bells and whistles to subsequent models of shoes, often the better model is the first model, especially with minimal shoes. If you are a savvy shopper, you can find minimal shoes for under $50. It might not have a split toe but oh well.

    Dana
     

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  16. Five quid... But please note these are a velcro version, back in the day these were strictly slip on with an elastic gusset, or lace up. These manufacturers just keep tinkering, jeez. Leave a classic design alone for pity's sake. These shoe are minimalist, provide thermal protection and protect the wearer from those annoying bit's of rock, glass and dog crap.... But still allow the wearer to be in touch with the ground and feel all warm and fuzzy inside (man). Which reminds me: how many people does it take for a long, long distance runner to wear a pair of vibrams?
     

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  17. Dana Roueche

    Dana Roueche Well-Known Member

    How well do they work with orthotics?
     
  18. Dana Roueche

    Dana Roueche Well-Known Member

    If the only place you've ever eaten out at was from the drive through of a McDonalds hamburger joint, how could you ever expect to understand what someone is talking about when describing the dining experience of a fine restaurant?

    When I speak of running to many on this forum, I feel like I'm trying to describe what it is like to eat in an exclusive French restaurant to someone who has never eaten out anywhere but in the front seat of their car while driving home from work.

    This is not a running forum, I'm not seeing a lot of people here who really get running so it is pointless to try to describe the nuances from wearing different running shoes. It is like trying to describe color to a blind person.
     
  19. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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  20. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    Press Release:
    Topo Athletic Gears Up for Summer 2013 Footwear Launch With Premier Retail Partners
     
  21. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    It now seems odd that anyone would launch a new product in a shrinking market. They taking a huge financial risk.
     
  22. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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  23. toomoon

    toomoon Well-Known Member

  24. Paul Bowles

    Paul Bowles Well-Known Member

    Hold the phone! Maybe barefoot isn't dead like we think - look at this amazing new design!

    CLICK HERE
     
  25. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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  26. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    Press release
    Topo Athletic Brings Fitness and Running Footwear to Athletes Nationwide
    New Performance Shoes Featuring Split-Toe Design and Lightweight Seamless Construction Now Available for Purchase at Select Specialty Retail Stores

     
  27. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    Press release:
     
  28. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    Press Release:
    Topo Athletic's Innovative Design Wins "2013 Shoe of the Year"
    Topo Athletic Expands Its Line of High Performance Athletic Shoes With New Models in Outdoor, Training and Running
     
  29. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    I see they seem to have dropped the split toe design
     
  30. BEN-HUR

    BEN-HUR Well-Known Member

    I wasn't familiar with the Topo Athletic ST... the following review (here) is quite informative on its specs & the look of the shoe...

    [​IMG]

    Sounds pretty good in my view... must see if it retails in Australia... or require to purchase online.
     
  31. W J Liggins

    W J Liggins Well-Known Member

    Speaking as a historian (medieval period), the problem with chain mail was that it was not only vulnerable to the 'bodkin point' arrow (a narrow, sharp pointed head, rather like a nail) but it did not absorb trauma well. Hence the change to plate armour. I imagine that very similar negatives will relate to these wondrous shoes. Ah well, wait for the influx of German runners with penetrating wounds and traumatically induced problems! :rolleyes:

    All the best

    Bill
     
  32. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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    Press Release;
    Topo Athletic Ultrafly Awarded "Best Debut" in Runner's World Fall 2016 Road Shoe Guide
     
  38. NewsBot

    NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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