It has been an exciting sea son for Earth Runners having transplanted to a new workshop in the Santa Cruz Mountains with Mount Madonna Park out the backdoor! Our inspiring new headquarters combined with a great deal of very helpful feedback from our tribe has led to furious experimentation. Trying to come up with the perfect sandal that incorporated all your input in a simple. durable, grounded package, we soon realized that there was no way to create one sandal that covered everything. We expanded our view and came up with three!

Slip-on Laces

Simple is sexy! Many people love the simplicity and comfort of our huarache lace design but valued more ease in daily slipping on and off the sandal, rather than using their sandals for the intense physical activity that our normal laces support. Incorporating your input and requests for a more casual option, we created a one of a kind slip-on lacing system with grounded and ungrounded options. This fashionable new design is super simple to adjust and easy to slip on and off. So easy in fact, a three year old can do it (Video). The thong is made from the same nylon as our original lacing and attaches to an elasticized material which makes up the remainder of the laces. The fit is adjusted with a metal buckle on the outside of the ankle.

eXtreme Sandals

For those Earth Runners that live in their sandals and find themselves backpacking, base jumping, or signed up for a 50+ mile trail race we developed the X (eXtreme) series. The X models offer more protection and longevity than the originals and utilize lacing routed directly through the sole for added security. The Circadian X has all the attributes of the original like the best grip, unsurpassed durability, and detailed ground feel while adding an extra 2mm of protection with an 8mm tread. This may not seem like much, but 2mm of this high quality Vibram tread goes an incredibly long way in terms of protection without sacrificing proprioception. The Circadian X is available with or without: bedding, conductive inserts, and is compatible with any of our lacing styles. Similar to the original Alpha, the Alpha X delivers incredible moldability and ground feel for a thicker sandal, while adding a stiff dose of durability and traction to the mix. The Vibram Woodstock tread has become a staff favorite for its all around daily comfort in a sandal that excels at more demanding tasks such as an impromptu backpacking trip. This model particularly shines in long distance walking/running applications. The Alpha X is available with bedding only, and any of our lacing styles.

Premium Leather Laces

In response to the folks who wished for a more natural looking/feeling sandal we developed premium leather laces. They feel wonderful, are amazingly durable, and they look fantastic. Our new leather laces utilize our locking buckle to make securing these laces a cinch. Check out our new comparison chart of all our models.

In early 2012 I created the first Earth Runner prototype and realized that this simple design was the solution to our obstructed connection to Earth’s grounding effects. Insulating rubber soles were introduced into the footwear industry in the early 1900’s as a result of its superior grip and wear resistance to that of leather. To this day rubber continues to dominate the market due to its high performance properties and moldability. Our straightforward design features conductive inserts that run through the sole at low-impact-zones, allowing the feet to tap into the vital energies of the Earth, and restore one’s natural electrical state.

To compliment the concept of reconnecting with the Earth we paired our unique grounding system with the ancient minimalist running sandal design of huaraches. The elegant and timeless design of huaraches originates out of North Western Mexico from a tribe renowned for their long distance runners, the Tarahumara Native American Indians. The minimalist nature of these sandals allows for an experience similar to that of going barefoot, while still enjoying a measure of safety from varied terrains or street hazards. The ground feel provided by minimalist sandals encourages a more natural gait and articulation of the foot muscles, allowing one to build their inherent foundational strength and regular nerve function. For more information on this, check out Neurological Deficient Epidemic.

By combining these two concepts we are excited to offer minimalist earthing sandals that allow access to the Earth's harmonizing effects anywhere. Just as the energy of the sun contributes to our optimal health and wellbeing, recent studies revile that our connection to the Earth, via grounding, is just as important. Earth Runners now have the freedom to explore the vast expanses of the Earth, while maintaining an intimate symbiotic connection. An old Tarahumara saying reads, "When you run on the Earth and run with the Earth, you can run forever."

Here at Earth Runners we believe that the earthing movement is just getting started, and we feel privileged to help others tap into the source energy present in the Earth. As a pledge to help reconnect the world, we are happy to donate a pair of Earth Runners to Seva Sandals for every 10 pairs sold. Last September, the founders of Seva Sandals hand delivered a load of sandals to Mother Miracle School in Rishikesh, India. These donated sandals help the children maintain their quality of life by preventing infections from soil-transmitted diseases, while still allowing them to stay connected to the Earth. After seeing the glowing smiles of these children in their new sandals, it put all my prior hard work into perspective and fueled my drive to continue developing Earth Runners! 

This week I have been busily working on the first batch of Indian kids’ sandals as a part of our company’s donation fulfillment to Seva Sandals, a nonprofit providing sandals since 2007 to impoverished children ages 3-16, in Rishikesh, India.

For every 10 pairs sold, Earth Runners gifts 1 pair of handcrafted bedding-free Ultralight sandals to this worthy cause. Donated sandals help the children maintain quality of life by preventing infections from soil-transmitted diseases and injuries from common hazards like broken glass, metal, etc. 

Next week, Seva Sandals founders fly from California to India with a ‘hand-carried’ load of donated sandals. Let’s help load up their suitcases! Please consider adding on the “Pledge $30 or more” to provide sandals to a child in need in this community. Your $30 pledge is uniquely independent of Earth Runner’s charitable commitments. 

A big SHOUT OUT to 6 people who’ve already jumped in to pledge a pair for a child. We’re told the kids are thrilled to receive this essential protective footwear. Your generosity is an experience lived every day a kid puts on that pair of Earth Runners, and as we all know too, the real gift is in the giving. 

Thanks to all our backers so far! The campaign (at 88% funding) has been a steady upward progression towards our goal and trending to surpass it, as more people become aware of this unique product. We’re grateful for you spreading the word. A nod also to backer, Jason PC who shares this link to Earth Runner experimental graphs on kicktraq.