I caught wind of this new Patagonia Minimalist moccasin at the Outdoor Retailer Expo.  It's expected to come out in Spring 2010.  This is the only photo available that I've found.  Patagonia markets it as a packable moccasin that can be worn around the camp area. 

John Stewart interviews Christopher McDougall, author of "Born to Run"

Contribution to the Barefoot Running Movement
Having McDougall on the Daily Show was a breakthrough for the barefoot running community.  McDougall's book "Born to Run" tells about his findings of the Tarahumara tribe that run hundreds of miles a week BAREFOOT!  The Tarahumaras are people of the remote mountainous terrain of Mexico.  They are known to run day long, hundred mile runs through the mountains for FUN!  Upon meeting with a few of these unbelievable runners, McDougall discovers that as human beings we are "born to run."  He claims that he found the answer to the question that every athlete asks: injuries?  The human body is more incredible than he ever expected.  He found that our body's are built for running and that all we need to do is not put limits on it.  We need to be more natural with everything we do from the food we eat, to the shoes we put on our feet.

There is a need out there for a new shoe.  I've searched far and wide for the perfect minimalist shoe but still have yet to find it.  A handful of the minimalist shoes have met most of my criteria: thin-sole, lightweight & breathable, however none of them have a wide enough toe-box.  This rule almost always applies: the more minimal the shoe, the more snug fitting and tight toe.  Width is my number one issue with shoes and my feet aren't even that wide.  Where I'm going with is that we need to start a new brand.  The need is there, we just got to make a product .

I know there are others out there with this same dilemma.  If so, please comment or email me: barefootrad@gmail.com

Pros:                          Cons:
   - thin & flexible sole        - $100+
   - durable sole                - hard to find
   - fairly lightweight          - poor breathability
                                     - heavily padded upper

Pros:   - ultra thin sole
          - lightweight
Cons:  - narrow fit
          - hard to find