A mom and active runner, Jennie lives in New Jersey but hails from London, England. When she learned that a young woman in her congregation was affected by Niemann Pick Type C she wanted to know what she could do to help.

Jennie is running to raise awareness and dollars for research on May 18th, 2014. The 1/2 marathon she is running is in Morristown, NJ and is known as the Superhero Half Marathon. Her racing fees support Meals on Wheels but she is hoping to “RUN” a secondary campaign to support Nieman Pick Type C.

Show Jennie some love so she can help us Chase the Cure for NPC!
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND MOST APPRECIATED

*International participants must pay shipping cost if chosen as winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whether you’re hiking the trails or just going for a walk, GladSoles will get you where you need to go in style and comfort. GladSoles come in 4mm, 6mm, and 8mm Vibram® soles. The lace is recessed into the bottom of the sole, and very easy to swap out.

Sizing:
Every pair of GladSoles is completely custom-made by hand, based on tracings of your feet. Take it slowly when you trace your feet, as an accurate tracing ensures a perfect fit.

The GladSoles Trail Specs:
Weight: 3.2 oz (per sandal, laces included, size 9)
Thickness: 8 mm
Tread: aggressive tread – durable, oil resisting, non-slip
Ground Feel: very good – slightly muted feel compared to GladSoles Original
Does it float? yes
Other: Vibram Newflex 8mm is a rubber/foam composite blend with an advanced traction pattern on the out-sole. Lightweight and overall the most comfortable sole material we offer.

Comparing the different GladSoles models:

• GladSoles Lite – As you can tell from the name, this is our lightest weight and thinnest (4mm) model. Great for the pool & beach. This model has less structure than the Original or the Trail. Best suited for those of you who really want to feel every little nook and cranny that you might encounter on and off-road. Kids really love this model.

• GladSoles Original – This is where it all started. The GladSoles Original is our most versatile sandal. It’s 6mm thin, really light weight and works well on many surfaces. Recommended for all first time, barefoot sandal wearers! This sandal has some structure to it, and will mold to your feet after you wear them around for a few days. Perfect for running, walking, hiking, casual wear – it’s a great all-around sandal.

• GladSoles Trail – This is our most secure and rugged sandal. It is 8mm thick, but will mold to your feet within a few days. Great for all of your off-road adventures. It has an aggressive tread that really grips the trails well, but will wear down a little quicker on asphalt and other man-made surfaces. The Trail model is made for all you trail runners out there, plus it’s an all-around, really comfortable everyday sandal.

Warranty:
It’s really simple. If you have an issue with your sandals, just let us know and we will fix it. We take great pride in our sandals and want to make sure that you love them as much as we do!

Shipping to all countries

Dr. Dr. Nicole Rivera D.C. & Dr. Nicholas Carruthers, D.C., explain the benefits of being barefoot with GladSoles.

Whether you’re hiking the trails or pounding the city pavements, GladSoles Trail will get you where you need to go in style and comfort. GladSoles Trail has a 8mm Vibram® sole with tread for extra traction. The lace is recessed into the bottom of the sole, and very easy to swap out.

Each pair comes with an eco-friendly and reusable natural fiber bags. Our bags are a green alternative to plastic, paper, cotton, and canvas bags. Our burlap bags are produced from sustainable resources offering a bag that minimizes the harmful impact of plastics on our beautiful planet.

• GladSoles Lite — As you can tell from the name, this is our lightest weight and thinnest (4mm) model. Great for the pool & beach. This model has less structure than the Original or the Trail. Best suited for those of you who really want to feel every little nook and cranny that you might encounter on and off-road. Kids really love this model.

• GladSoles Original — This is where it all started. The GladSoles Original is our most versatile sandal. It’s 6mm thin, really light weight and works well on many surfaces. Recommended for all first time, barefoot sandal wearers! This sandal has some structure to it, and will mold to your feet after you wear them around for a few days. Perfect for running, walking, hiking, casual wear — it’s a great all-around sandal.

• GladSoles Trail — This is our most secure and rugged sandal. It is 8mm thick, but will mold to your feet within a few days. Great for all of your off-road adventures. It has an aggressive tread that really grips the trails well, but will wear down a little quicker on asphalt and other man-made surfaces. The Trail model is made for all you trail runners out there, plus it’s an all-around, really comfortable everyday sandal.

Dr. Nicole Rivera D.C.
Doctor of Chiropractic, Nutritionist specializing in Chronic Illness, Wellness Coach

Dr. Rivera graduated cum laude from Life Chiropractic College West after completing an undergraduate degree from Widener University in Psychology Pre-Med. While attending Chiropractic College, Dr. Rivera developed her expertise in chiropractic neurology, sports chiropractic, pediatric care, and blood-hair based nutrition. Integrative Wellness Group’s state of the art technology and highly specific whole body technique provides the ultimate approach to getting people well. Dr. Rivera is committed to providing a solution to as many families as possible to get well and stay well.

Dr. Nicholas Carruthers, D.C.
Doctor of Chiropractic, Sports Nutritionist, Wellness Coach

Dr. Carruthers acquired his doctorate degree from Life Chiropractic College West, one of the leading chiropractic colleges in the country. Dr. Carruthers also obtained a Bachelors degree in Fitness Management from Wartburg College. Dr. Carruthers has extensive knowledge in sports rehab including kinesiotaping, neuromusclar re-education, and rehabilitative exercise. Dr. Carruthers treats every patient as an individual understanding that each person has different needs, which require a care plan specific to him or her. He promotes total wellness, including an emphasis on nutrition and the importance of exercising properly.

Enter to win any pair of GladSoles minimalist sandals by using the widget below. Contest ends next Monday March 31st, 2014 at midnight. The winner will receive one pair of GladSoles (any model: Lite, Original or Trail)
*International participants must pay shipping cost if chosen as winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whether you’re hiking the trails or just going for a walk, GladSoles will get you where you need to go in style and comfort. GladSoles come in 4mm, 6mm, and 8mm Vibram® soles. The lace is recessed into the bottom of the sole, and very easy to swap out.

Sizing:
Every pair of GladSoles is completely custom-made by hand, based on tracings of your feet. Take it slowly when you trace your feet, as an accurate tracing ensures a perfect fit.

The GladSoles Trail Specs:
Weight: 3.2 oz (per sandal, laces included, size 9)
Thickness: 8 mm
Tread: aggressive tread – durable, oil resisting, non-slip
Ground Feel: very good – slightly muted feel compared to GladSoles Original
Does it float? yes
Other: Vibram Newflex 8mm is a rubber/foam composite blend with an advanced traction pattern on the out-sole. Lightweight and overall the most comfortable sole material we offer.

Comparing the different GladSoles models:

• GladSoles Lite – As you can tell from the name, this is our lightest weight and thinnest (4mm) model. Great for the pool & beach. This model has less structure than the Original or the Trail. Best suited for those of you who really want to feel every little nook and cranny that you might encounter on and off-road. Kids really love this model.

• GladSoles Original – This is where it all started. The GladSoles Original is our most versatile sandal. It’s 6mm thin, really light weight and works well on many surfaces. Recommended for all first time, barefoot sandal wearers! This sandal has some structure to it, and will mold to your feet after you wear them around for a few days. Perfect for running, walking, hiking, casual wear – it’s a great all-around sandal.

• GladSoles Trail – This is our most secure and rugged sandal. It is 8mm thick, but will mold to your feet within a few days. Great for all of your off-road adventures. It has an aggressive tread that really grips the trails well, but will wear down a little quicker on asphalt and other man-made surfaces. The Trail model is made for all you trail runners out there, plus it’s an all-around, really comfortable everyday sandal.

Warranty:
It’s really simple. If you have an issue with your sandals, just let us know and we will fix it. We take great pride in our sandals and want to make sure that you love them as much as we do!

Shipping to all countries

GladSoles is giving away a pair of their eco-friendly t-shirts. That means one for you and one for your friend. Or you could keep both for yourself. The contest starts on Wednesday February 19th, 2014 and ends on Thursday February 28th, 2014 at midnight. International entries must pay shipping fees if they win. There can only be one winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We are running another contest to giveaway a pair of our GladSoles barefoot running sandals. The winner of the contest can choose any pair of our sandals as a prize. The contest runs from today to Monday February 17th, 2014 @ midnight. We will announce the winner on Tuesday, February 18th, 2014. This contest is for U.S. residents only. Use the widget below to participate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

When I first laced my sandals, I felt that they were somewhat loose; they were shifting a bit, and not staying pressed against my foot. After retying them, keeping my heel towards the back of the sandal, and pulling the laces tighter, I corrected the issue. They now stay snug against my foot, and I know that they won’t be going anywhere.

Take your time with the sandals when you first get them. Test out several tying methods, seeing which one works best for you. You may even want to do a few “test runs” before deciding which one you like best. The great thing about GladSoles is that you can always change it up later on.

The biggest concern that people have with sandals, is the ability to run in them (and rightfully so). I wasn’t sure if I would be able to maintain my pace and distance in them. But, after my first run (stats to the right), I knew that GladSoles could keep up with my demands (even during marathon training). Actually, I’ve run some pretty quick runs using my new GladSoles, and topped 13.5 mile distances. I’ve even considered using them in my upcoming marathon.

The best thing about running in barefoot sandals is that you get incredible feedback from the ground. With GladSoles, this feedback is even greater because the tread fits right up against the bottom of your feet. Unlike other sandals that I’ve tried, GladSoles are extremely flexible, allowing them to act as a second skin. So, instead of the tread smacking the pavement with every step, you hear almost nothing. You feel that you are truly barefoot. This is one of the biggest reasons why I’m loving these sandals.

Customer Service

Something we often overlook when picking a product is the quality of customer service that comes with it. I’ve been amazed at the level of engagement that I’ve received from Rich since ordering my sandals. He has been there to answer my questions, and help me through every step of the ordering process. He’s even checked in with me to see how I’m enjoying my new footwear.

I would also like to mention that the folks at GladSoles treat you like a person, not a customer. Speaking to Rich has been like talking to friend. He is very laid back and fun to talk to. Now, I understand that most of us aren’t looking to make friends when we’re ordering kicks, but it’s nice to feel like more than just “another order.”

This Sunday I decided to venture out with Rich for his latest New Jersey 5K race.  It was the 13th annual “Maplewood in Motion” 5K Race, with proceeds going to benefit the Maplewood Lions Club charities and Rent Party – an organization dedicated to fighting hunger in Maplewood and South Orange.  It’s an event that I’ve run a few times over the years.  My first time was in 2003 — when I first decided to get on a post-babies fitness kick.  Back then I ran it in New Balance sneakers, this time in my barefoot running sandals. 

On race day it’s a good idea to get up as early as possible so that you have time to get some nutrition in your system, but stop hydrating well before the race starts (See Rich’s take on that here, in his blog post – GladSoles CEO Comes Within…).  I got up at 6am, ate, cleaned the kitchen, folded laundry, watched some tv, and took my time to get ready.

Conditions were perfect: sunny, but breezy with a little fall chill in the air.  Rich and I “represented” with our GladSoles on our feet, and our logo on our shirts.  I’m a much slower runner than Rich, so this was an opportunity for people much further back in the pack to see our running sandals in action. At the start of the race a little girl who was running in sneakers and a pretty dress asked if I was really going to run in my sandals.  At the end of the race a fellow competitor asked me about the slogan (“Make Your Feet Happy”) he’d been reading on my back during the race.   

Rich posted another excellent time of 19:59, coming in sixth place overall.  With my slow pace of 10:56 minutes a mile I finished the race in 34:05, which goes to show that you can enjoy minimal running at any pace:)

–Jennie

Maplewood 5K Race in Minimal Sandals

The Newstead 5K Race benefits the local public school system and this year hopes to raise $15,000 dollars for this wonderful cause. GladSoles is a local mom-and-pop business, that has been producing custom-made, minimalist sandals since 2011.

A record 430 racers turned up and finished the race course, which winds through the leafy streets of the Newstead in South Orange. “The conditions were pretty good for a fast time, although maybe it was a bit humid for this time of year.” Gladstone, wearing his trademark sandals sporting orange laces and white locks, looked determined. “I was running a little late this morning, and only got to the race about 8 minutes before the start.” “I noticed some pretty impressive looking runners at the start line and knew that the winning time would be fast this year.”

The race ended with Gladstone finishing 2nd in his age group. It marked the 3rd year in a row that he finished in the top 10 overall, including first in his age category back in 2011. “I tried my best, but there were a lot of good runners out here today. Next time, I will definitely use the port-o-potty before the race, I was bursting by the end!”

Now that’s good advice for all runners.

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.