Former Crocs Exec and Avia Co-founder Joins “Barefoot” Start-up Xero Shoes
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Best Barefoot Xero Shoes, According to Media
Barefoot shoes provide a natural, foot-shaped design that allows toes to spread and feet to relax while allowing you to feel the ground beneath you. Media rave about Xero Shoes' barefoot shoes, citing the lightweight design, wide toe box and zero-drop sole as some of the key differentiators. Check out the list below of media's top-rated, best Xero Shoes barefoot shoes for walking, casual wear and more. WIRED: Prio Neo Best All-Around Shoe - Prio Neo: "They're trim, light, flexible, and well ventilated, making them good for a run, but they're also nice enough to wear around town as a casual shoe." Travel + Leisure: Prio Best Overall - Prio: "These barefoot “cross trainers” from Xero Shoes can be used for running and working out, but they’re also perfect for walking." NBC SELECT: Dillon Best Wide Toe Box - Dillon: "These shoes have a wide toe box with soft, flexible upper materials. They are flexible in the sole, bend well at the toe joint and offer enough cushioning to be comfortable even on hard surfaces.” ELLE: Kelso Best Wide Toe Box - Kelso: "This sneaker stands out for its spacious toe box, offering a stylish solution for those seeking both flair and functionality." Good Housekeeping: Tari Best Boots - Tari: "Who said barefoot shoes can't be stylish or worn in colder months? If you're looking for barefoot boots, this pick from Xero Shoes features a zero-drop heel that allows your foot to bend and flex as you walk around." Forbes: Sunrise Best Lightweight - Sunrise: "They’re the one item in my bag that, as a self-proclaimed over-packer, I never have to question because they take up so little space.. Plus, they feel like a dream on bare skin, so socks are optional." Marathon Handbook: Scrambler Low Comfortable Pick - Scrambler Low: "The shoe is breathable and perfect for running or hiking on the road or gravel paths... Overall a great shoe if you are looking for a comfortable and versatile minimalist shoe." Modest Man: Genesis Budget Pick - Genesis: "The Genesis combines elements of a flip-flop and a sandal, offering a practical barefoot sandal design." Sports Illustrated: Prio Neo Best Barefoot Running Shoes - Prio Neo: "The design is meant to be slipped into seamlessly, such that Xero claims some users even forget they’re wearing the shoes. ...if you’re looking for a simple zero drop shoe to walk around in daily, these are a great choice." Outdoor Gear Lab: Prio Prio: "An attractive minimalist shoe that's comfortable on or off the trail."
Xero Shoes Expands Operations, Moves to a New Office in Broomfield, CO
Xero Shoes Expands Operations, Moves to a New Office in Broomfield, COBroomfield, CO (November 11, 2023) - Xero Shoes, a natural footwear brand, moves to a new office location in Broomfield, Colorado to support the brand’s growth and market traction. The new office address is 320 Interlocken Parkway, Suite 100, Broomfield, CO 80021.At 15,615 sq. ft., the new office is more than double the size of Xero Shoes’ previous location, which measured 7,316 sq. ft. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's journey. Net revenue from January 1 through June 30, 2023, increased by 24 percent over the prior year for US and Europe. The additional space accommodates the growing team: Xero Shoes now has 96 full-time employees in the US and EU.Xero Shoes' commitment to providing natural, foot-shaped, comfortable footwear has led to substantial growth in recent years. Xero Shoes opened its first customer-facing retail store in April 2023 at 11777 East 55th Ave. Suite 101, Denver, CO 80239. In January 2022, the brand expanded to a 86,200 sq. ft warehouse, six times larger than the former.###
Xero Shoes Launches New Barefoot Shoes for Running, Hiking and Casual Wear
Broomfield, CO (August 22, 2023) – Barefoot shoe brand, Xero Shoes, just launched eight new styles: two updated running shoes, two trail runners, a workout trainer, a waterproof hiking boot, a men’s casual moccasin, and a faux wool slipper. Now with more than 45 styles, Xero Shoes adds styles for every occasion to meet the growing demand, as worldwide searches for "barefoot shoes" have steadily risen since 2021, currently at “peak volume” according to Google Trends. “The talented designers on our team developed our brand into a full-fledged line that appeals to the masses,” says VP of Product Development, Shaun Aharam. “Our Chief Product Officer, Dennis Driscoll, established the foundation of our Xero Shoes’ DNA, which prioritizes natural movement, and with his guidance, we've maintained this focus while incorporating creative design elements.”Xero Shoes’ new styles will be 20+ percent off during the launch sale from August 22 through September 5. Shop and buy at xeroshoes.mom/fall23sale in the US and xeroshoes.eu/fall23sale in Europe.Xero Shoes’ Fall/Winter lineup includes updates to bestsellers and new styles:RUNNING SHOES Scrambler Low – An ultra-lightweight trail runner, unparalleled lightness and flexibility are guaranteed by the fiberlite technology in the Michelin sole. HFS II - An evolution of the best-selling road running shoe, with a more aggressive tire tread-inspired outsole for comfort. Mesa Trail WP – A waterproof version of the best-selling trail shoe, Mesa Trail. This version keeps your feet dry on cold or wet runs in a surprisingly lightweight package. Speed Force II – The “closest-to-barefoot” racing flat. Co-founder and Masters All-American sprinter, Steven Sashen, uses this for training, racing, and everyday wear. WORKOUT/ATHLEISURE SHOE Nexus Knit – Provides comfort and style to wear for workouts and everyday activities, with a premium knit booty design that’s sleek, stylish, and breathable. HIKING BOOT Ridgeway – A waterproof mid-height hiking boot with a classic, retro look that strips away every bit of unnecessary weight and stiffness. CASUAL SHOES Pagosa – This slipper is light as a feather, the vegan-friendly synthetic wool keeps you cozy in cool weather. The collapsible heel lets you wear it as a slide if you like. Kona – A coastal-style slip-on moccasin for men, made with lightweight, breathable chambray cotton. As Xero Shoes’ founders and co-CEOs, Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix discussed on the “How I Built This” podcast, the brand may have started with just a “barefoot running sandal kit” in 2009, but now has a cult-like following of people who never want to wear anything other than the brand’s lightweight, comfortable, foot-shaped shoes, boots, and sandals.Xero Shoes distinguishes itself from other brands by prioritizing natural comfort through a foot-first design. This includes a wider, foot-shaped toe box, a non-elevated “zero-drop” heel, a flexible sole that allows feet and toes to bend and move naturally and that’s so durable it’s backed with a 5,000-mile sole warranty.###
Xero Shoes Makes the Inc. 5000 for the 7th Time
Your browser does not support the video tag. NEW YORK, August 15, 2023 – Inc. revealed today that Xero Shoes ranks No. 1,861 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Xero Shoes' had a three-year revenue of 302 percent. Co-CEO Steven Sashen said, "We're thrilled to be honored again and couldn't do it without our dedicated employees, who go above and beyond: whether they're designing natural footwear, servicing our customers, marketing our products, or picking and shipping boxes of shoes." As Co-CEO Lena Phoenix said on the "How I Built This" podcast earlier this year, "We have an evangelical customer base that is eager to grow with us, and we're excited to see what's next." The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. This year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years. ###
Xero Shoes Partners with Team Novo Nordisk through 2024
Xero Shoes Partners with Team Novo Nordisk through 2024Barefoot-inspired Footwear Benefits both Athletes and Staff(Broomfield, CO) August 8, 2023 – The world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, Team Novo Nordisk, has partnered with Xero Shoes as their official off-bike footwear.Cyclists wear rigid sport-specific shoes while riding, but off the bike comfortable footwear that allows for a natural range of motion in the feet and toes could benefit riders. For example, according to Dr. Sarah Ridge’s research, walking in minimalist shoes has been shown to build foot strength as much as doing an 8-week foot strengthening exercise program. Xero Shoes’ wider, foot-shaped toe boxes and flexible soles could help with active recovery, whether that’s for riders after a day of training or racing, or for their support staff who are on their feet all day.“We’re extremely pleased to be working with Xero Shoes,” said CEO and Co-Founder of Team Novo Nordisk, Phil Southerland. “Xero Shoes are an up-and-coming American brand and with their ethos and the thought that goes into their whole design and manufacturing process, it’s a perfect partnership for Team Novo Nordisk.”"We're thrilled to help Team Novo Nordisk not only perform better on their bikes by integrating our footwear into their lives but also to spread their inspiring message of resilience and determination," says Xero Shoes CEO, Steven Sashen.Adds Southerland, “It’s important for us as a team to work together with partners who share our goal not only to inspire, educate and empower but also to stay true to the natural aspects of performance and we feel that Xero Shoes will be a great fit for us.”With a shared commitment to promoting health, wellness, and athletic achievement, Xero Shoes and Team Novo Nordisk aim to redefine what is possible.Team Novo Nordisk’s only US athlete, Logan Phippen, has raced on the team for the past seven years, two years at the WorldTour level with the pro team and five years on the development team. Phippen was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 24, and with the guidance of his medical team, was back on the bike within a week.###ABOUT XERO SHOESXero Shoes was founded in 2009 on the floor of a corner of a spare bedroom by husband and wife co-founders Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, offering a simple “DIY sandal making kit”. Today the company offers a complete line of 39 casual and performance shoes, boots, and sandals. Xero Shoes has customers ranging in age from 2-92 in 97 countries who wear their shoes for every occasion and activity. Xero Shoes’ barefoot-inspired designs let your feet function the way nature intended while giving you the protection and style you’re looking for. The company’s mission: Providing the comfort and benefits of natural movement footwear so people can “Live Life Feet First”. ABOUT TEAM NOVO NORDISKTeam Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team. In 2012, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate, and empower people around the world affected by diabetes and promote a healthy and active lifestyle. For more information, visit www.teamnovonordisk.com.
The Denver Channel: "In Good Company" with Xero Shoes
Colorado shoe company expands with first showroom, new warehouseJust why do so many people love Xero Shoes? Watch the latest "In Good Company" segment from Brian Sanders at The Denver Channel to hear from Xero Shoes' founders and learn more about how we're bringing natural movement worldwide
Xero Shoes’ New UK Website Offers Customers More Products, Robust Support
Broomfield, CO (1st May 2023) – Xero Shoes, a worldwide natural footwear company, is thrilled to announce an even better customer experience in the UK market with the takeover of XeroShoes.co.uk. Customers can now browse and buy a broader selection of Xero Shoes, and will have dedicated customer support for the UK.XeroShoes.co.uk had been operated by an authorised UK dealer, Silent Running Ltd. On May 1, 2023, the company behind Xero Shoes (Feel the World, Inc. based in Colorado, USA) will be taking over the domain with a freshly designed and optimised site.Benefits for UK Xero Shoes’ customers include: A more robust, better product assortment (also available on Amazon.co.uk), including new colours and more women’s styles Additional sizing for men and women (Xero Shoes will now offer half sizes in the UK) For the first time in UK, youth styles and sizes are now available Immediate access to Xero Shoes’ sales and new product launches Direct assistance from the Xero Shoes Customer Happiness Team for faster, more convenient support “The UK has been one of our top-performing markets for over 10 years, so we're thrilled to provide a much improved and expanded experience for our UK customers,” says Steven Sashen, Xero Shoes CEO. “We look forward to making it easier for our UK audience to experience the comfort, benefits, and fun that our naturally-inspired shoes, boots, and sandals offer.”After launching XeroShoes.eu in late 2021, this international launch marks an exciting new chapter for Xero Shoes and its commitment to providing comfortable, high-quality footwear for people of all ages and lifestyles.Customers in the UK can purchase shoes on www.XeroShoes.co.uk and www.XeroShoes.uk. ###ABOUT XERO SHOESXero Shoes was founded in 2009 by husband and wife co-founders Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix in a spare bedroom in their house. The company started with a simple “DIY sandal kit”, assembled by Sashen and Phoenix, who appeared on ABC's hit reality-business show, Shark Tank in 2013, where they turned down a $400,000 investment offer. Since then, the brand but has evolved into a complete line of more than 39 casual and performance shoes, boots, and sandals. Xero Shoes designs barefoot-inspired footwear that lets your feet function the way nature intended while giving you the protection and style you’re looking for. The mission is to help people experience the comfort and benefits of natural movement footwear so they can “Live Life Feet First”. Xero Shoes expanded to Europe in November 2021 and UK in May 2023, and has customers ages 2-92 in 97 countries who wear their shoes for every occasion and activity.
Fox Denver Features Born to Run and Xero Shoes Partnership
Great Day Colorado's Chris Tomer visits Xero Shoes' new warehouse to meet with his friends, our partners Christopher McDougall and Eric Orton.Watch the video to learn more about WHY they partnered with Xero Shoes for the new "Born to Run" line.And check out the article here.
Xero Shoes Ranks No. 203 in Financial Times’ Award: “The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2023”
March 28, 2023 – Financial Times announced “The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2023” ranking, and Xero Shoes ranked No. 203 on the list, reporting a compound annual growth rate of 283 percent. This is the second year for Xero Shoes to be named to “The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2023” ranking, which lists the top 500 companies in the Americas that have achieved the highest compound annual growth in revenues between 2018 and 2021. Xero Shoes’ net revenue grew from $8.7 Million in 2018 to $33.6 Million in 2021. "We're honored to be recognized by Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas,” say Xero Shoes CEO and Co-Founder, Steven Sashen. “The ongoing demand for natural movement from our international customer base has been one of the reasons we continue to expand into new footwear categories, offering shoes for anything they do.""Our continued growth is thanks to the hard work of our team and the support of our customers, who are passionate about our mission to change the world, one pair of shoes at a time,” adds President and Co-Founder, Lena Phoenix.The data was collected via desk research in official sources like publicly available earning presentations, investor relations, websites, and annual reports. Across 20 countries, over 7,000 public companies were examined.
Xero Shoes on "How I Built This" Podcast
Xero Shoes founders Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix were recently featured on the immensely popular NPR podcast and radio show How I Build This, hosted by Guy Raz. How I Built This dives deep into the origin stories of iconic brands, sharing how visionary entrepreneurs weather the trials and failures on the road to success. Six years and just over 500 episodes in, it’s a top-five business podcast on Apple, and number 14 among business podcasts on Spotify. So yes, this is right up there with the time Steven and Lena appeared on Shark Tank. The interview lasts nearly 90 minutes, and covered a wide range of personal, professional, and philosophical topics. Even if you think you know the Xero Shoes story, you’re going to learn something new. A few revelations from the interview include… Steven’s jobs have included: Standup comedian - he even opened for Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld Designer of screenwriting software Cable TV host for a show about diagnosing computer problems Real estate investor SEO and website builder Lena moved to Boulder, Colorado, to study dance at a Tibetan Buddhist university Lena’s engagement ring from Steven came out of a gumball machine and cost 50 cents Steven was inspired to “go barefoot” by running 5k without shoes around Boulder One reason the couple began making barefoot sandals was to keep Steven’s bare feet from staining a white carpet The original name of Xero Shoes was Invisible Shoes Steven and Lena only sold DIY sandal kits for the first 4 years of the business The original Xero Shoes “customer service department” was a dining room table Xero Shoes’ original foot-shaped shoe designs were based on a composite of foot tracings from hundreds of customers Get the full story by listening to How I Built This. APPLE SPOTIFY AMAZON WONDERY
Forbes features Xero Shoes' Alpine and Gracie as Best Lightweight Boots
Snow or rain? There's a minimalist boot for you! "These Alpine Women’s Snow Boots by Xero Shoes are phenomenally lightweight yet still warm thanks to their heat-reflective insole and 200g of insulation. They also provide surprisingly good traction while keeping feet close to the ground for natural movement." "No snow, no problem.... Unlike many other rain boots, the Gracie is designed for comfort with a zero drop heel and a flexible sole to promote easy movement and balance for all-day wear." Read writer Olivia O'Bryon Mackey's Forbes roundup of Best Lightweight Boots for the Family Featuring Xero Shoes' Alpine snow boot and Gracie rain boot.
SGB Media Interviews Xero Founders Steven and Lena
BIG things are happening at Xero Shoes and SGB Media caught up with our founders, Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, to learn more about how Xero Shoes got its start, how our product lineup has evolved, and what new products are on the horizon.Read the full EXEC Q&A.
