4 Jul 2012 by Damien Tougas

Sole Runner Now Available in the USA

One of the stand-out brands to join the minimalist footwear market in 2011 was Sole Runner - a small company based out of Germany. The first pair reviewed here on Toe Salad, the FX Trainer, has now become one of my favorite everyday shoes. They are often the first shoe I will reach for when heading out the door.

Sole Runner recently sent us some product photos to share, as well as some good news: they are now available for purchase in the USA through Amazon. (that is an affiliate link - if you purchase shoes through that link, you will be supporting Toe Salad)

If you are looking for a shoe with very high levels of ground feel and exceptional durability, you will be hard pressed to find another shoe that combines as thin a sole with as much abrasion resistance as this one.

Disclosure

Sole Runner is one of the donors for my Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trip. That being said, I really do love their shoes - I am not just saying that because they sent me money :-)

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Comments (17)

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coachslemmons 7

July 5, 2012, 1:55 p.m.

These shoes look great...really, but why the $100 price tag? While I understand that minimalist shoes are basically the artisan/farmer's market/independent version of shoes, and are therefore a little pricey; however, I have a hard time justifying spending more on a shoe made of less to mimic walking with no shoe at all.

I love that the love is spreading, but we have got to break the price barrier to expand beyond the niche market...somehow.

cody r.

July 5, 2012, 2:56 p.m.

it's all about how long they last for the most part, like if vibrams were really cheap, they would go bankrupt because they last so long, some people have one pair for about 3 years before they buy another

sure, some are stupid expensive, but 80-100 dollars is alright considering they last a long time and don't fall apart

although it is nice to find others that do last a long time for cheaper, but think about how often they are bought

Damien Tougas 953

July 5, 2012, 3:11 p.m.

Another thing to consider is where they are made. Sole Runner shoes are made in Europe, not China, so that may factor into the price as well.

coachslemmons 7

July 6, 2012, 2:12 p.m.

Noted, although I've had bad luck with my minimal shoes falling apart (all vivo's)...so while the individual parts may last a long time, the composite shoes have not really proven to have better longevity than my old, traditional shoes.

coachslemmons 7

July 6, 2012, 2:20 p.m.

I'm sure it does. I don't really have a problem paying more for a quality product...and I understand the economics of why, essentially boutique shoe manufacturers have to charge more.

My main interest is mass-market infiltration, not so I can personally save money, but to get more minimal shoes on more feet. And the only way to do that is to: 1) have shoes that look like shoes; 2) have them priced near the price point of "normal" shoes.

Blah, blah, etc: sketchersgo.com/gobionic is introducing a shoe that may bridge the gap...but who knows.

Damien Tougas 953

July 6, 2012, 2:29 p.m.

Raul - our running editor - has a Bionic on review, it will be interesting to hear what he thinks of it.

coachslemmons 7

July 6, 2012, 2:52 p.m.

Looking forward to it.

Anonymous

July 18, 2012, 2:54 p.m.

These look great.

Two questions:

Damien, on previous posts you have indicated you have wide feet (mine are 13EE). The Sole Runners are listed at D width on the amazon.com site. Does this D width fit your feet well?
The largest size listed is 12D, are there any plans for size 13 to be offered for sale in the USA?

Great to see such a wide range of reviews for the minimalist shoe life style on your website.

Thanks for getting much needed info to a larger audience.

Damien Tougas 953

July 18, 2012, 3:07 p.m.

Thanks! Glad you like what we are doing here, it is always good to hear when people find the information helpful!

My feet generally fall in the 9.5EE/EEEE area. I find these shoes fit me great, but I don't know how that fit scales to the larger sizes. My gut feeling is that they would probably be fine, especially considering how flexible they are, they mold to the shape of your foot. Sole Runner has told me that the T1 Allrounder and FX Trainer (the first two models they released) have a wider last than the Flash and the Pure. The T1 Allrounder is currently the only model available at Amazon.

I don't know what the plans are for a size 13, but I will ask.

Damien Tougas 953

July 18, 2012, 3:14 p.m.

Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention... the Altra Adam and Samson are both available up to a size 16. I am not sure how the width would be for you (the Adams fit me pretty well, I haven't tried the Samson yet), but that may be another option.

RevTieDye 2

July 24, 2012, 4:34 p.m.

I agree that how long a shoe lasts helps justify the pricetag. But I live in Central California, so I almost can't be objective. In the past 2 years, I've spent maybe 100 days in shoes of any kind.

My VFFs are my most frequent choice, and even so, they look like they'll last me at least another 2-3 years at this pace. My Merril trail gloves suffered an unfortunate accident* 2 months after purchase (about the 10th time I'd ever had them on). My "dress shoes" are a pair of black water shoes that I've owned for 5 years, that I wear to weddings, funerals, and when I'm on stage at church.

Is there a way to objectively measure durability?

*Kids Camp Rules: everyone wears shoes at all times. I'm leading worship, singing a song called "Spin." I do a one-foot spin in my trail gloves on indoor carpet, and a chunk of the sole peels back. My foot wasn't hurt, but my shoe got a blister! I've glued it down a few times, but it doesn't last.

Anonymous

July 24, 2012, 10:54 p.m.

Hi , How do these shoes run if I am a womens size 9?? On Amazon the sizing is "B" and "D" ---what does this mean? Thanks for your help.These shoes look so much like the FEELMAX brand which I think is hands down the best minimalist shoe out there. Thanks!

Damien Tougas 953

July 25, 2012, 9:10 a.m.

They are very much like the Feelmax of the past (I haven't tried the new ones yet), but more durable. I don't know anything about those crazy B and D sizes. I have forwarded on the question to Sole Runner. If/when I find out more info, I will let you know.

Robert

Aug. 9, 2012, 11:04 a.m.

I'm a 45 in VFF and 45 in Vivo Evo's and 46 in anything Vivo boots and a 46 in the Vivo Ultras (so that the liner fits without being too tight). What do you recommend in the Sole Runners? Is 45 a good bet to try?

Thanks, Robert

Robert

Aug. 9, 2012, 11:19 a.m.

Decided after reading a couple of other reviews to snag the 45 from Amazon Prime. Should be here Saturday. I've been waiting for these to be available in the US since the original article in Toe Salad and finally it has happened. Cheers!

Robert

Jan. 12, 2013, 11:07 a.m.

Been wearing the T1 for a while now and am very happy with the purchase. They have definitely held up to normal wear and tear much better than some of my other shoes. Overall I probably have 500 miles on them and cannot tell any wear.

My problem now is that they have the Transition model which is basically a boot version of the T1. By the time I import them, they will cost $180. I really want these but not for that price. I HOPE they are available from a US distributor sometime soon.

Cheers, Robert

Damien Tougas 953

Jan. 12, 2013, 4:41 p.m.

I'll pass the word on to them and let them know!