Forbes features Xero Shoes' Alpine and Gracie as Best Lightweight Boots
latest News
Xero Shoes Expands Executive Team with Industry Veterans to Drive Rapid Expansion
Shaun Aharam, Tom Curran, and Jody Eichler bring decades of experience in product management, sales, and digital marketing to top-performing minimal shoe company Broomfield, CO (July 7, 2022) – Xero Shoes, a leading provider of natural movement footwear, announces the hiring of three seasoned industry professionals to join the Company’s leadership team. Shaun Aharam, Director of Product Management; Tom Curran, Director of Sales; and Jody Eichler, VP of Digital bring an array of experience to propel Xero Shoes’ rapid sales expansion and support digital and creative marketing efforts. “We're thrilled to have people with this level of talent joining our team and accelerating our growth,” says Steven Sashen, CEO of Xero Shoes. “With their combined sales, marketing, and creative expertise, we look forward to helping more people discover the comfort, health benefits, and FUN of Xero Shoes.”Shaun Aharam is a curious creative with a background as a Creative Director and Product Designer for Khul, Nautica, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Target Corporation, and The North Face. At Xero Shoes, he joins as Director of Product Management, where he will lead product design and development. “I have a passion for design and storytelling, and this mindset allows me to ground the product in practicality and purpose, with the intention to always create something new,” says Aharam. “My position with Xero Shoes allows me to align my personal passions of wellness and fitness with decades of industry experience.”Tom Curran joins Xero Shoes as the Director of Sales and will oversee Xero Shoes’ rapid expansion in the U.S. wholesale channel and international marketplace. Tom built up an impressive sales portfolio at Newton Running, where he grew into the role of VP of Sales at Newton Running.“I’ve been involved in the natural footwear industry for more than 12 years, and with Xero Shoes continually expanding their lifestyle and performance footwear, I look forward to pursuing new avenues for sales and distribution,” says Curran. “We’ve seen the adoption of minimalist footwear grow and I’m looking forward to developing strong retail and distribution partnerships.”Jody Eichler, Xero Shoes’ new VP of Digital brings more than 20 years of experience in digital marketing where she’s led interactive, full-scale B2B and B2C campaigns. She’s a pioneer in the SEO field and her marketing tactics have improved campaigns and led to increased sales leads.“Now more than ever, digital marketing is pivotal to scaling a successful brand,” says Eichler. “We already have a loyal fan base of repeat customers that really love their Xero Shoes and interact with us through the web, email, and social media. I’m eager to help amplify Xero Shoes’ strategic marketing efforts with next-level, digitally connected brand interactions and customer-centric marketing journeys.”Xero Shoes plans to make more strategic hires over the next year to meet customer demand and industry growth in the minimalist footwear industry. In 2021, the Company grew 45% year-over-year, with annual net revenue of $33.5 million.###About Xero ShoesFounded in 2009, Xero Shoes manufactures comfortable, lightweight, performance and casual footwear built with a “foot-first design”. The company’s mission is to help people experience the comfort and benefits of barefoot-inspired footwear that lets them move naturally so they can “Live Life Feet First”. Co-founder and CEO, Steven Sashen, started Xero Shoes out of necessity after discovering that running barefoot solved years of running injuries, but that being actually barefoot wasn't ideal in many situations. Xero Shoes launched in December 2009, in the EU in November 2021 and now has a complete line of casual and performance shoes, boots, and sandals that customers ages 2-92 in 97 countries wear for almost any imaginable occasion and activity. Xero Shoes is the footwear partner for two USA National Teams - USA Artistic Swimming and USA Archery. Sashen, along with co-founder and President, Lena Phoenix, appeared on ABC's hit reality-business show, Shark Tank, where they turned down a $400,000 offer from Kevin "Mr. Wonderful" O'Leary.
WIRED: Z-Trail EV Best Barefoot Trail Running Shoe
WIRED's list of "Our 6 Best Trail Running Shoes" includes Xero Shoes' Z-Trail EV as the best barefoot trail running sandal. Editor Scott Gilbertson swears by these in many other WIRED reviews. The Z-Trail EVsandal stands out from other similar sandals because it's 70% lighter. The sandal's triple-layer sole, which includes a foam layer, offers protection and comfort while still allowing you to feel like you're barefoot. READ MORE
Travel + Leisure Names Xero Shoes' Z-Trail the Best Lightweight Hiking Sandal
It's summertime and that means some of us are hitting the trails in our hiking sandals. Travel + Leisure listed the Z-Trail EV as the best lightweight sandal in their roundup of Best Hiking Sandals for Men.
Which 2 Xero Shoes Made Runner's World Best Minimal Shoes?
Runner's World lists Xero Shoes' Prio as the Best Stylish Comfort Minimal Shoe and Xero Shoes' Mesa Trail as the Best Road-to-Trail Shoe in their article featuring the Best Minimal Shoes.
Xero Shoes ranks #39 on Inc. Magazine’s List of the Rocky Mountain Region’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
With 5 years on the national Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America, Feel The World, Inc. (dba Xero Shoes) adds another feather in its cap, ranking #39 for fastest growing private companies in the Rocky Mountain region.Co-founders Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix say, "We are SO grateful to our customers and employees who've helped Xero Shoes not only grow at this rate, year after year, but who've discovered the benefits, comfort, and FUN you experience when you get out of 'normal' shoes and Live Life Feet First!See more about the Rocky Mountain region's fastest growing companies here > https://www.inc.com/regionals/rocky-mountainAnd check out Xero Shoes' profile at https://www.inc.com/profile/xero-shoesSteven and Lena love to show what the company looked like at the beginning, back in late 2009, in this artist's rendering:Sashen points out, "This is not totally accurate... we only had 2 cats."But the company did start on the floor of a corner of a spare bedroom, making DIY barefoot running sandal kits that quickly sold to customers in more than 90 countries.Things have changed quite a bit since then (no more cats :-( ) ... Xero Shoes still sells the do-it-yourself sandals, but the product line now includes casual and performance shoes, boots, and sandals that people wear for almost every imaginable activity, from a stroll on the beach to climbing Kilimanjaro, to running ultra marathons, to a night on the town, or a day on your feet at work.
What Trail Shoe did Runner's World Recommend from Xero Shoes?
Xero Shoes' Mesa Trail was featured in Runner's World's Tester Notes column in the March print issue. RW Shoe Tester Don Kuntzman wrote about the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail running shoes after testing them out on a marathon. A small excerpt: “These are a good bridge for runners who want more grip on trails but also need a shoe for flat and even surfaces.”
Local Company Xero Shoes Donates Funds to Marshall Fire Recovery
Denver-Based Footwear Brand Offers Support to Those Struggling in the Aftermath of the Deadly Boulder County FiresBroomfield, CO (February 15, 2022) – Xero Shoes, a Colorado-based footwear manufacturer, has made a $20,000 donation to the Marshall Fire Recovery in support of the Boulder County community and the many who tragically lost their homes over the holidays. With more than 1,000 homes lost and nearly 10,000 people displaced, Xero Shoes hopes the funds can help recover from the devastating impact on local families. Additionally, Xero Shoes will also be taking applications from victims to receive a special 50 percent discount off a pair of Xero Shoes.“Xero Shoes’ donation will provide health, hope and a ‘home away from home’ for those who are getting back on their feet,” said CEO Steven Sashen. As a local to Boulder, and with nearby Denver the hometown of the Xero Shoes’ headquarters, the team is stepping up to serve others. “Throughout this devastating time, our team is working with local organizations to help those who lost everything in this fire. We depend on our community, and without the help of local companies like Xero Shoes, we would not be able to provide the love and support these families need each day.”Those who are interested in applying for a discounted pair of shoes can visit: https://xeroshoes.com/pages/were-you-affected-by-the-marshall-fire/ The Marshall Fire Recovery with the Boulder County Wildlife Fund has assisted victims by offering a range of access to services including property loss and filing claims for assistance, financial and food assistance, mental health supports, transportation, and more.To learn more about Xero Shoes and its corporate philanthropy initiatives, please visit https://xeroshoes.com/.###About Xero ShoesFounded in 2009, Xero Shoes manufactures comfortable, lightweight, performance and casual footwear built with a “foot-first design”. The company’s mission is helping people rediscover the comfort, fun, and benefits of natural movement so they can “Live Life Feet First”. Their goal is to get people out of thick, padded, motion-controlled shoes and into natural, barefoot-inspired footwear with their patented FeelTrue® soles. Xero Shoes was born out of necessity when its co-founder and CEO, Steven Sashen, discovered barefoot running as a solution to his constant running-induced injuries. Now a Masters All-American sprinter, Steven immediately recognized the value of natural movement and was determined to share that with the world. Xero Shoes launched in December 2009 and now has customers ages 1 to 92 in 97 countries who wear their shoes, sandals, and boots for all kinds of activities.
Xero Shoes' Zelen Named in Women's Health Sneaker Awards
Which of Xero's shoes made it into Women's Health Sneaker Awards? Our newest shoe, the Zelen, one of our performance running shoes.
Xero Shoes' Hiking Boots featured in Field & Stream
Xero Shoes' DayLite Hiker Fusion is listed as one of the Best Hiking Shoes of 2022, according to outdoor magazine Field & Stream.If you like the comfort and streamlined fit of trail running shoes, our lightweight hiking boots are among the lightest on the market, weighing in less than 1.5 pounds total for the pair.Xero Shoes is changing the shoe industry by helping its customers “live life feet first.” The DayLite Hiker Fusion surprises many hikers with its lightweight design paired with extreme durability. It provides plenty of grip and traction for hiking on well-maintained trails, and the upper is durable enough to protect and support your feet. The minimal 10mm FeelTrue® sole features a 3.5mm lugged dual Chevron tread as a redesigned feature to provide more grip and traction when hiking.
Good Day DC Talks about Minimal Shoes for Marathons
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Our Life Logs, Xero Shoes and Animoto Announce: Remember My Story - Video Diaries from the COVID-19 Pandemic
(September 22, 2021) - Our Life Logs, an international story project sharing true-life journeys of resilience from around the globe, has partnered with Xero Shoes and Animoto for an inspired story-telling initiative. Together they will launch the Our Life Logs video library with Remember My Story: Video Diaries from the COVID-19 Pandemic, inviting the public to share their own inspiring stories from this unprecedented time. Our Life Logs believes that humans have the strength and power to overcome adversity in unique and wonderful ways. Xero Shoes’ line of barefoot running-inspired shoes encourages natural movement, helping people to feel more fun and freedom in their lives - something everyone has been longing for during the isolating COVID lockdown. Watch the project video here.Remember My Story will encompass a wide range of pandemic related stories told in the form of Video Diaries: a first responder or other essential worker at the frontlines, a parent with children learning remotely, someone who has lost a job or loved one, a student handling major changes or anything else - all stories are welcome. These stories will showcase the power of the human spirit to persevere through incredible circumstances, creating empathy and connectivity to support everyone living through these transformational times. These stories will be enshrined in COVID history. As a way to support the creators, the first 100 video diaries accepted into the archive will each receive a $100 grant, and the first 50 will also receive a $50 Xero Shoes gift certificate. To read all the details, the submission guidelines and rules, visit the microsite here: www.ourlifelogs.com/rms Remember My Story is also presented in partnership with Animoto, a video editing platform that makes it easy for anyone to create powerful and professional video, no experience required. Animoto is offering a free month of Animoto Professional to Remember My Story video creators for a limited time - just email hello@blueloopllc.com with the subject line ANIMOTO to receive the promo code with more details.Kent Savage, Founder of Our Life Logs shares, "We all feel more connected when we hear stories from others who have overcome challenges similar to our own. That's the foundation of Our Life Logs - sharing our triumphs with others can uplift us in times of adversity and bring hope at a time when we can all use some positivity and good news. Since he shared his story with us in 2020, Xero founder Steve Sashen has been a source of inspiration to all of us. We're proud to be adding video to our collection, and to partner with Xero Shoes to bring even more impactful stories to the world during a time when so many of us have felt disconnected."In 2020, Xero Shoes CEO and co-founder Steven Sashen shared his story with Our Life Logs, called ‘No really, can you run in those?’ (Our Life Log #498), chronicling the twists and turns his life had taken before he found the inspiration to start Xero Shoes. You can read Steven’s story here. “Xero Shoes was inspired by the best-selling book, Born to Run, about how the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico run pain- and injury-free without traditional footwear. That sparked a worldwide movement in barefoot running. We know the power of storytelling and we're thrilled to partner with Our Life Logs to amplify personal stories of resilience and triumph from all walks of life," says Steven. "Just as the COVID-19 pandemic changed many people's lives, Xero Shoes is excited to give a voice for people to share their experiences with Our Life Logs' video diaries."Xero Shoes also donates a portion of their proceeds from their DIY Sandal Kit to the Tarahumara Children’s Hospital Fund. The Indigenous people of the Copper Canyon in Mexico, the Tarahumara have been suffering under drought, food shortages, lack of access to health care, and other challenges. We’ll be sharing a story from the Tarahumara community as part of this project, in the coming weeks.# # # #About Our Life LogsOur Life Logs® started in the summer of 2017 in Mason, Ohio, with the goal of collecting inspiring stories from people of all different backgrounds. Since then, they have shared almost 600 stories from over 50 countries around the world. Struggle is universal, and Our Life Logs believes that when people share their journeys of overcoming the adversity in their lives, they have the opportunity to inspire and comfort everyone else as we all navigate to our own destinations.About Xero ShoesFounded in 2009, Xero Shoes manufactures comfortable, lightweight, performance, and casual footwear built with a “foot-first design”. The company understands your foot is the foundation of human movement and the company's mission is helping people re-discover the fun and benefits of natural movement so they can “Live Life Feet First™”. Co-founder and CEO, Steven Sashen, created Xero Shoes after discovering that running naturally, without traditional footwear, resolved his constant running injuries and helped him become a Masters All-American sprinter. Xero Shoes has thousands of customers ages 1 to 92 in 97 countries who enjoy their products for almost every imaginable activity. Xero Shoes appeared on ABC’s hit reality-business show, Shark Tank, has made five consecutive appearances on the Inc. 5000, and is the official footwear supplier of USA Artistic Swimming and USA Archery teams
Xero Shoes Makes the Inc. 5000 for the FIFTH Consecutive Time
Colorado-Based Xero Shoes Tops Inc. 5000 for the Fifth Year in a RowInc. Magazine Reveals Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc. 5000Broomfield, CO (August 17, 2021) – Inc. magazine today revealed that Xero Shoes ranked No. 1498 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. This is the fifth year in a row that Xero Shoes makes the listing, as the company has grown by 316 percent over three years, from 2017 to 2020, and added 20 jobs.Says co-founder and CEO, Steven Sashen, “Given how challenging the last few years have been, we’re grateful that both our incredible team and passionate customers have allowed us to continue growing at this rapid rate.”Xero Shoes has been a recipient of several other 2021 awards: Sashen was named on the 2021 Titan 100 list featuring Colorado’s top 100 CEOs and C-level executives. Xero Shoes ranks number three in BizWest’s Mercury 100 and number 11 on Colorado Biz Magazine’s Top 100 WomenOwned Companies. Xero Shoes is the official footwear sponsor of the USA Olympic Artistic Swimming Team and USA Olympic Archery Team.Not only have the companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but this year’s list also proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020’s unprecedented challenges. Xero Shoes in particular has overcome supply chain challenges while still growing their revenue by 88 percent in 2020.“Being named to the Inc. 5000 demonstrates our team’s resilience and commitment to provide the best customer experience to our community,” said Lena Phoenix, Co-Founder and CFO of Xero Shoes. Among the companies named by Inc. 5000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.About Xero ShoesFounded in 2009, Xero Shoes manufactures comfortable, lightweight, performance and casual footwear built with a “foot-first design”. The company’s mission is helping people rediscover the comfort, fun, and benefits of natural movement so they can “Live Life Feet First”. Their goal is to get people out of thick, padded, motion-controlled shoes and into natural, barefoot-inspired footwear with their patented FeelTrue® soles. Xero Shoes was born out of necessity when its co-founder and CEO, Steven Sashen, discovered barefoot running as a solution to his constant running-induced injuries. Now a Masters All-American sprinter, Steven immediately recognized the value of natural movement and was determined to share that with the world. Xero Shoes launched in December 2009 and now has customers ages 1 to 92 in 97 countries who wear their shoes, sandals, and boots for all kinds of activities.
Find the Shoe That Moves Like You Do.
Take the Quiz
Want to Win a $100 Xero Gift Certificate?
Click Here!Popular Reads
