The Sandal That Started It All: Xero Shoes' Genesis Marks Its Biggest Year Yet with Literary Sport Collab

The barefoot sandal that started as a cult-favorite for runners predates the "quiet luxury" rope sandal trend by more than a decade — and its momentum is only building

Xero Shoes launched its latest collaboration on July 8: a refined edition of its iconic Genesis sandal with Literary Sport. The partnership marks the second major collaboration of the year for the Genesis, following a collaboration with J.Crew, and comes as the fifteen-year-old sandal design experiences a cultural moment few footwear silhouettes ever reach.

A Design Born from Necessity, Not Trend

The Genesis traces back to 2009, when Boulder runner and Masters All-American sprinter Steven Sashen cut a piece of rubber, laced it with cord, and strapped it to his feet. Sashen, plagued by chronic running injuries, had taken up barefoot running and found his pain disappearing — a discovery inspired in part by the huaraches worn by Mexico's Tarahumara runners, popularized in the bestselling book Born to Run.

What started as a personal experiment turned into the global footwear brand, Xero Shoes. Sashen and his wife, co-founder Lena Phoenix, began selling DIY Sandal Kits from their Boulder home, building a devoted following among barefoot runners, minimalist hikers, and early wellness converts. A 2013 appearance on Shark Tank introduced the brand to a mainstream audience for the first time, and customer demand for a ready-to-wear sandal followed. This sandal was refined based on customer feedback, with the official Genesis debut in 2018. 

The simple design has remained unchanged since and focuses on Xero Shoes’ minimal to the  max philosophy: a sole just millimeters thick, and paracord lacing that moves with the foot rather than against it. The idea was never to add support, it was to let the foot do what it was built to do.

From Cult Favorite to Fashion Moment

The Genesis stayed under the radar until 2024, when Miu Miu released a strikingly similar rope sandal priced more than $800. The comparison sent the Genesis viral, not as an imitation of a trend, but as proof that health, wellness, and performance continue to shape fashion.

Vogue has since called the Genesis an "unexpected fashion hero," GQ featured the sandal with linens and menswear summer style, and this summer Xero Shoes followed with a collaboration with J.Crew.

The Literary Sport collaboration continues that trajectory. Guided by a shared appreciation for restraint and considered detail, the collaboration reimagines the Genesis's signature paracord with navy leather cording and a polished silver bead, arriving in a custom mesh drawstring bag with dedicated shoe compartments.

"We're honored to work with brands like Literary Sport and J.Crew," said Kristina Funck, Design Director at Xero Shoes. "It's powerful when partners with that level of cultural influence recognize both our brand's authenticity and the strength of our iconic silhouette. Over the last two years, our team has focused on evolving the brand's aesthetic and product direction while staying true to the minimalist principles Xero Shoes was built on."

Why the Genesis Endures

More than fifteen years after its first prototype, the Genesis remains one of Xero Shoes' most recognized products because it delivers on a simple promise:

• Ultralight and packable — built to disappear into a bag, not weigh one down

• Easy to slip on and off — no fuss, no laces to fight with

• Adjustable for a customized fit — the lacing moves with the foot, not against it

• Versatile enough to style with anything — from trail to travel to everyday wear

What's Next for Xero Shoes

The Genesis's momentum reflects a broader shift underway at Xero Shoes, as consumer interest in health, wellness, and performance continues to reshape fashion.

"Our goal is simple: get more people into minimalist footwear so they can experience those benefits," said Megan Elias, Director of Product Merchandising. "To do that, we need to meet consumers where they are and create products relevant to how they live today."

While much of the barefoot footwear category has focused on lifestyle use, Xero Shoes is pushing further into performance, with adoption from elite athletes including a basketball shoe worn by NBA and WNBA players, and a pickleball and court-sport shoe that launched in spring 2026.