The Shoenami is a minimalist shoe that allows an outdoor runner the barefoot feel but still protects the runner from the elements in nature. The shoe is made of  thin layers placed under the foot.  

Many people love to run but  big soles in their shoes make it almost impossible to run the correct way. My partner and I wanted to make a bare minimum shoe that allows the runner to run with the correct technique.  We were able to meet with a New Balance designer and talk about the different pressure points in the human foot. After testing this(cardboard test) we chose to put thin padding where the most pressure was being applied. The  bare minimum shoe called for very thin straps to make ultra lightweight. 

The Shoenami: A minimalist footwear that protects the wearer's feet from the elements when a runner wants the barefoot feel.

Many runners love to run barefoot because it is healthier for joints. Experienced runners develop calluses over time but novices have a difficult time starting to run barefoot. Even when built up over months, calluses just might not cut it. Thus the creation of Shoenami.

After researching shoe design and speaking with a shoe designer from New Balance, Shoenami started to take shape. The construction of Shoenami consists of three layers of a custom sized foot pad made of leather. Above the leather there are  multiple layers of decreasing sized foam at pressure points at the front and back of the foot. When combined, these layers resemble a topography map. This is all held together with two straps, one that is stationary and one that has an adjustable buckle.  This minimalist design  protects the wearer's feet from the elements when a runner wants the barefoot feel.