9. They’re Ultra-Light
GladSoles weigh practically nothing. Even Nike Frees feel heavy by comparison. It’s a pleasure to walk and run without feeling weighed down below the ankle. They’re also easy to pack since GladSoles lie absolutely flat. My GladSoles take up almost no room in my suitcase or backpack.

8. No Knot Underneath
Some minimal sandals have a knot underneath the sole, ours don’t. Smooth, flat and awesome.

7. Machine Washable
I was out running in the rain, and just at the end I splashed through a mud puddle. I threw my muddy GladSoles in the washing machine with the rest of my clothes and let them air dry. They’re as good as new!

6. Room to Move and Breathe
Letting my toes move freely, and letting the skin on my feet get fresh air and sunlight are what got me hooked on barefoot running. It just feels so good. GladSoles give me just what I need: a little protection, but nothing to encumber me.

5. Rain or Shine
So I was out on a walk / hike / run and it started to rain. My feet got wet of course, but the Vibram® sole didn’t noticeably absorb any water, and the nylon lacing wasn’t phased either. Other shoes get squishy when wet. But in my GladSoles, the rain comes and goes and my feet are perfectly fine either way. No chafing or discomfort.

4. Easy Lacing
Yes, I had to follow the instructions to figure out how to tie them. And it took a little tweaking to get the tension just right. Now that I’ve found the right lacing for me, I can slip them on and off without re-tying them. I wasn’t sure if I’d have to re-do them each time. I don’t! Yay.

3. Zero-Drop = Full ROM
The sole is perfectly flat, which means I enjoy full range of motion in my ankle joint. That means I get full extension of my calf muscles, because my heel fully descends. It’s more functional, and better for my strength and flexibility below the knee. Plus, it just feels good.

2. Vibram® Soles
Vibram® knows a lot about how to make a sturdy, non-slip sole. They’re thin, flexible and ultra-comfortable. They protect my feet without getting in the way of my natural gait.

1. Custom-Made by Hand for My Own Two Unique Feet

Get Ready for the 7th Annual Global Mala Peace Event this Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013 from 9am – 3:30pm (doors open 8:15am) at the Newark School Stadium in Newark, NJ.

After sponsoring Yoga Festival by the Sea’s beautiful sand mandala last year in Asbury Park, GladSoles (

custom made sandals

) is returning to the Newark location for this year’s peace event. This is the 3rd year in a row that we will be supporting the mission of the Global Mala Project to raise both funds and consciousness for some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.

Since its inception, this annual event has helped so many wonderful causes around the world from AIDS, War, Poverty, Environment, Children, Education and more. This year, 70% of proceeds from the event go to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund NJ! Global Mala NJ has become the largest Global Mala event in the world.

The purpose of the Global Mala is to unite the global yoga community from every continent, school or yoga approach to form a “mala around the earth” through collective practices upon the sacred cycle of 108.

Global Mala coincides with UN’s International Day of PEACE as well as the Fall Equinox. If each of us imagines and believes in peace and if we each do our part, no matter how big or small, we will all see meaningful differences and together we will manifest peace. Peace is Powerful!

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” –Mahatma Gandhi

In the barefoot shoes industry, we would like to consider ourselves the best running sandals maker.