kigo footwear Introduces Shoes for the Barefoot Lifestyle

kigo is footwear for the barefoot lifestyle and minimalist athletics. With the Fall/Winter 2011 lines, kigo footwear introduces shoes for the barefoot lifestyle. These lines offer total versatility in function and design that is simultaneously ultra lightweight, flexible and significantly more durable than industry standard. The new kigo flit and drive are the result of extensive research and design sessions with recognized experts in minimalist footwear, natural running and POSE Method, biomechanics, physiology, and outdoor specialty.

The flit and drive represent a major evolution for kigo footwear. Since launching in late 2009, the team has taken an outward look at shoe functionality, purpose and design. Working with customers, the social media network and industry professionals, the kigo team identified the critical elements of a truly minimalist shoe. Using that checklist as a guide, the company has redesigned its offerings and has hired a manufacturing team that is working at the forefront of minimalist footwear and post-consumer production.

“The whole of 2010 has been ground shaking for kigo footwear. We had spent our first six months testing our brand with a small amount of inventory, listening to feedback from customers and retailers, and becoming knowledgeable practitioners of minimalist activity,” said Jan Kuramoto, co-founder of kigo footwear. “Since August of 2010, we’ve put those learnings into play. The Fall/Winter 2011 shoes tick every minimalist box and we’re excited to provide customers in this rapidly growing market with a purely designed, totally green super minimalist shoe.”

The flit and drive are almost as light, spacious and flexible as no shoes at all, in a style that blends in and works for everyday attire, and construction that is durable enough for virtually any activity. The drive is a laced unisex shoe engineered for active wear including running, hiking, walking, cross fit, paddle and gym wear. The flit is a more purely lifestyle shoe, featuring a mary jane style and incredible durability that makes them an option for everyday, yoga or Pilates, gym wear, hiking, paddle and more.

Product Highlights Include:
– +/- 4oz average per shoe weight
– Zero drop outsole
– 2mm flexible compression rubber outsole
– Anatomical footprint
– Zero toe spring
– Adjustability via speed lacing on the drive and elastic panel on the flit
– Low carbon output production via PLUSfoam Technologies
– Post-consumer construction via CYCLEPET uppers, and recycled rubber insoles and outsoles
– Certified non-toxic dyes, glues and water/stain resistance

The drive is offered in black with grey accents, or grey with yellow accents. The flit is offered in black with silver accents and grey with blue accents. Retail pricing on the flit and drive is $87.00 and $91.00 USD, respectively. Wholesale information, incentives and orders are available via rachelle@kigofootwear.com. Shoes are available at retail in August.

About kigo footwear
kigo is footwear for the barefoot lifestyle and minimalist athletics. Shoes that are stylish enough for everyday wear, sturdy enough for athletics and almost as lightweight and flexible as bare make kigo footwear the shoe of choice for barefoot lifestyle. Every kigo footwear offering is constructed to be as good for the Earth as for the body, with responsible construction that features lightweight, durable post-consumer and non-toxic materials. View kigo footwear Look Books at http://issuu.com/kigofootwear and for more information, please visit us at www.kigofootwear.com.

VISIT US AT THE SUMMER OUTDOOR RETAILER SHOW BOOTH 29196W
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