It is that time of year again: time for you to head out in a frantic last minute search for gifts for your family and friends (and perhaps yourself!). And by last-minute, note that it’s Tuesday before Chrisstmas! Time to get on the ball!
We here at BirthdayShoes.com got together and thought we would share our recommendations for this holiday season. If you have a minimalist footwear lover in your family then these gift ideas just might strike their fancy.
To read all about our gift recommendations and find out where to to pick them up keep reading after the Jump!
Leah’s Gift Ideas
Icebreaker:
If you want to give something high quality that will perform well and last a long time, you can’t go wrong with anything from Icebreaker. When the weather gets chilly, I always reach for this long sleeve crew. Their products are made of 100% merino wool which is naturally breathable so it keeps you warm in cold conditions, but also keeps you from overheating in warm temps. It also resists odor naturally so you can wear it over and over again without washing it. Plus they’re designed really well and look great on. I’m a big fan.
Icebreaker Link(Price: $100)
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running:
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is an inspiring memoir written by the best selling author Haruki Murakami. He participated in numerous marathons and triathlons after selling his jazz bar to pursue his career in writing. Part training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, he shares his insight and the influence that running had on his life and his writing. Great gift for that hard to buy for person. Available in both Hardcover and Paperback at Barnes and Noble.
Book Link(Price: $7-$17)
KomodoSports:
If I had to just pick one style of VFF to give, the KomodoSports would be my top choice. They’re my “go-to” VFF since they’re great for most activities. I wear them running, walking, hiking, and for cross-training. They’re incredibly comfortable, lightweight, and have a robust sole for an increased amount of protection and traction on all types of terrain. They never let me down.
KomodoSport Link(
Tim’s Gift Ideas
Garmin GPS Watches:
One of the essential tools that I use when running is a Garmin GPS watch. Having distance, pacing and heart rate data (among many other measurable fields like elevation, grade, heading, etc…) on my wrist as I run, is a necessity for me in improving my running ability. Garmin offers a whole range of GPS devices that vary in price and sophistication. For the more basic casual runner, check out the Forerunner 110 and for the runner who occasionally likes to bike consider the Forerunner 305. Other online retailers like Amazon.com usually having better pricing than the Garmin website.
Garmin GPS Watches Link(Price: $100-$400)
Headsweats Winter and Summer Hats:
A couple summers ago I got my first Headsweats visor as part of a race swag bag. I didn’t think I’d like running with something on my head, but after trying it out, my preferences have definitely changed. During the summer, I use a visor which allows for plenty of ventilation and cooling while keeping the sun out of my face and the sweat from running into my eyes. In the winter, I love their beanies because they keep my ears warm while wicking enough sweat to keep me from overheating.
Headsweats Link(Price: $14-$24)
Trigger Point Therapy “The Grid” Foam Roller:
After a long run, or even after sitting at the computer or in the car too long, I use the The Grid foam roller to loosen up my leg and back muscles through myofascial release. Think of it like laying on a rolling pin to work out the tightness and knots. It is a type of self-massage that I’ve found to be extremely efficient at keeping IT Band Syndrome under control—it hurts, but it’s definitely a good kind of hurt! While there are cheaper options out there I’ve found their durability to be compromised. The Grid’s reinforced center and patterned surface have held up spectacularly to aggressive use, even during high volume Ironman training. If you find self-massage to be helpful, Trigger Point offers a number of other massage tools as well that are worth checking out.
Point Therapy “The Grid” Foam Roller Link(Price: $40)
James’s Gift Ideas
Luna Sandals:
Want to surprise someone with a custom pair of top-of-the-line huarache sandals like the LeadCat? You might have to trace their feet while they are sleeping, but It will be worth the effort to give them some great handmade sandals from Barefoot Ted and Luna Sandals. You can can also order them in standard sizes. Sandals start at $50 and go all the way up to $125 and beyond depending on options.
Luna Sandals Link(Price: $50-$150)
Vibram FiveFingers:
With so many models in so many colors, nobody could possibly have them all right? One thing is for sure — a VFF wearer is a VFF fan, and a VFF fan would certainly welcome another pair. My all-around favorite is still the Injinji socks — you can never have enough.
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Vibram FiveFingers Speed (
Price: $100— on sale for $80 with free 2-Day Air shipping using code Get2Day — women’s Speed - all other Vibrams are on sale at TravelCountry with the coupon code for 2-day shipping
- finally, if you’re after some Men’s Sprints, KSOs, or TrekSports or women’s Sprints or Classics, you can’t beat LeftLane’s flash sale)
VIVO BAREFOOT Shoes:
Do you have someone on your list that’s intrigued by a barefoot/minimalist shoe, but not so crazy about toe shoes? Check out the vast catalog of more conventional looking footwear from Vivobarefoot. They have everything from athletic shoes like the Neo Trail and Evo and boots to shoes for dressy occasions like the Oak. They’ve got unconventional covered as well with a modern take on the huarache called the Achilles. To help you out they are running a 30% off sale on everything (except the Ra — drat!) — use code HHVB.
Vivobarefoot Shoes Link(Price: $60-$200)
Justin’s Gift Ideas
Vibram FiveFingers — Well, what can I say? Can you ever have enough? Yes. Theoretically, anyway. I just got another pair of Classics for the Mrs. and some Sprints for my sister-in-law via the LLS flash sale. That said, if I had to pick one pair of FiveFingers as the gift to get for an enthusiast, I’d go with the Trek LS (for men, only, sorry ladies). And if that’s what you’re after, get’em now with the 2-day shipping deal for $112 (MSRP is $140).
The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge
The Brain that Changes Itself (Price: less than $12 on Amazon)
Soft Star Roos
While it’s probably “too late” to pick up a pair of Soft Star shoes in time for a gift for Christmas day, I have to recommend the Soft Star Roo as an awesome gift for any barefoot or minimalist enthusiast. Most folks will buy them thinking they will only wear them as house slippers — but if you’re like me, you’ll find the need to wear them outdoors because they’re just too comfortable not to. Soft Star Roos (Price: $65)
Robert’s Gift Ideas
Correct Toes:
The first gift I wanted to talk about is a great gift for both the minimalist enthusiast as well as someone who is new to the whole minimal scene. I am talking about the Correct Toes toe spreaders. They were invented to help place your toes in their natural alignment. You simply slip your toes in the mold and it places and holds your toes in proper alignment. You can wear them barefooted as well as over toes socks. If you have a shoe with a wide toe box you can also wear them inside of the shoe. These feel really great when worn inside a pair of Stems. I have been wearing mine over injiji toe socks for a few weeks now while I am lounging around the house. I think they feel great and time will tell if there is any significant improvement in my toe alignment.
Correct Toes Link(Price: $60)
Toe Socks:
Believe it or not injiji is not the only company that makes toe socks. I have been trying out various types of toe socks for awhile now. These pair of Terry Loop Wool Walkers Socks are so comfortable it should be illegal. They remind me of those luxurious toe socks I used to wear before I switched to toe shoes. Now I can have that same plush comfort back while still being able to wear my Vibram FiveFingers. These are also tube socks so there is not defined left or right socks. Just flip the sock over and it can be used on either foot. Great for it you buy multiples of the same color and loose one. They do run a little thick so they may not fit very well in a tight pair of VFF.
Toe Socks Link(Price: $20)
Sunnto Quest Heart Rate Monitor:
This is an excellent heart rate monitor. If you have a runner or fitness enthusiast in your family and they don’t have one of these then I can’t recommend it enough. They are expensive but the quality is through the roof. It has so many different modes it will make your head spin. I took me a few days to learn how to get the most out of the watch. It helps you keep your heart rate and makes it easier stay with in a target zone by alerting you when you go above or below the range you define. It will also dynamically track your exercise and let you know how long you should cool down for to gain the most benefit from your workout. You can download custom work out programs from their website to help you train. The watch also tracks and stores the statistics from all of your workouts on their own website. (movescount.com)
Sunnto Quest Heart Rate Monitor Link(Price: $249)
Final Thoughts
Those are just a few suggestions that the minimalist enthusiast in your life might find interesting this year. Hopefully these gift ideas make finding that perfect gift for your loved ones just a little easier. If you think you have a gift idea that tops these then please leave a comment below. We hope everyone has a fantastic Holiday Season this year. We here at BirthdayShoes.com wish you a happy Holiday Season and a Fantastic New Year!
About the Authors
Leah lives in southern California and writes a creative lifestyle blog about adventure, travel, and photography. She interviews inspiring women and feature travel tips such as how to pack a backpack. She can’t live without avocados, standup paddling, mountain biking, and cameras.
Tim is a bicycle advocate by profession and an Ironman triathlete for fun which keeps him healthy and fit. He got into minimalist footwear during the summer of 2009 after dealing with injuries resulting from running in “normal” running shoes. Check out what’s going on in Tim’s life through photos at www.TimKelley.net or follow him on twitter: @TimKelleyDotNet
James’s life was changed forever when he tried running in Vibram Five Fingers in July 2010. He’ll occasionally go barefoot, but he primarily runs in his homemade huarache sandals. He loves to experiment with different types of minimalist footwear and has previously reviewed huaraches (homemade, Invisible Shoe, and Luna Sandals), the Teva Zilch, and the VIVOBAREFOOT Achilles running sandals.
I founded BirthdayShoes.com in April 2009 on realizing just how much I enjoyed having “free feet” – I mostly wanted to use them for weights, sprints, and plyometrics (I’m not much of a runner!). I’m a Googler by day and minimalist footwear aficionado by night; you can find me ’round Atlanta. If you want to catch up with what I’m doing outside of the site here, follow me on twitter @bdayshoes or @justinno or check out my personal site JustinOwings.com.
3 replies on “2011 Barefoot and Minimalist Holiday Gift Guide”
Great article everyone! I even put some of the things on my own Christmas list 🙂
I picked up the Garmin 305 last spring. I’m very happy with it. I can also attest that it will work on Linux (see: garmintools).
If you ever have occasion to run indoors (or anywhere else the gps signal is very weak), the garmin foot pod is a nice accessory.
I love my Vibram Speeds also! They seem to attract many more compliments than my other Vibrams.
The best gifts in my opinion are Vibram FiveFingers and What I talk about when I talk about!