VIVOBAREFOOT advocates restoring the natural functions of the human foot. Recently, an increasing number of skiers and snowboarders have become fans of VIVO. To find out why, we visited VIVOBAREFOOT TOKYO @VIVOBAREFOOT.TOKYO
WHAT'S VIVOBAREFOOT - What is Vivobarefoot?
"Today's shoes have cushioning and pointed toes, which inhibit the natural functions of the human foot. The foot is originally made up of an arch mechanism that provides cushioning, balance, mobility, and propulsion. Shoes restrict these functions. So let's walk using the natural power of our feet once again. We are working to spread the
message 'BACK TO NATURE.'"
These are the words of Hiroki Hamada, manager of VIVOBAREFOOT TOKYO,
which will open in September 2024 in Aoyama, Tokyo, as a directly managed store of VIVOBAREFOOT.
The interior of the store is made up of natural wood tones for the floors, walls, and interior decor, creating an incredibly cozy space. The store is filled with natural light and decorated with plants, and perhaps because of the small windows that allow the breeze to blow through, the scent of wood and moss wafts through the air
The interior was all DIY (handmade) and carefully crafted. Based on the brand concept of "connecting with nature from your feet," the store was conscious of creating a space where you can experience nature with all five senses
WHY VIVOBAREFOOT?
One thing that really catches your eye inside the store is the rocks, pebbles, plants and tree branches spread out in the middle of the floor. What is this?
"This is a 'Structure River' that was handcrafted using a variety of materials. When you walk on it in VIVOBAREFOOT, you can feel the hardness of the rocks, the softness of the wood chips, and the fluffy texture of the moss. I think you'll be able to sensitively sense the information that your soles pick up."
Try them on and you'll understand. It's hard to believe you're wearing shoes; it feels like you're walking barefoot. You can feel each pebble and tree branch on the handmade river from the soles of your feet
"VIVOBAREFOOT is not called shoes. It is natural footwear. If you can use the natural functions of your feet, there is no need for cushioning in your shoes. That's why we don't call them shoes, but rather footwear, based on the idea that they wrap around and encase the feet."
I see, that's the philosophy behind VIVOBAREFOOT
"The foot is a masterpiece of ergonomics" - Leonardo da Vinci
The VIVOBAREFOOT website
the human foot as a masterpiece of biomechanics, with "26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments." The human
foot is essentially a sensory organ with thousands of nerves, capable of performing tasks as delicately as the hand. However, wearing shoes with high cushioning or that are solely focused on fashion can rob the foot of its natural functions.
Check out this one-minute video that gives a good idea of the functions your feet are missing when wearing sneakers and other regular shoes
Research has shown that wearing VIVOBAREFOOT can strengthen your feet by 60% in just six months. Therefore, in order to restore and fully utilize the amazing capabilities of your feet, VIVOBAREFOOT is designed to allow you to move freely, just like when you are barefoot.
Its features are the following three "Fs."
Three features of VIVOBAREFOOT
1. FIT - A wide form that naturally fits the natural shape of your foot
Foot width varies from person to person, and just as there are ski boots with wide "last widths," many people have wide feet. VIVOBAREFOOT is designed to accommodate a wider foot width
By conforming to the natural shape of your feet, your toes can move freely, improving your balance and creating a stable base
2. FEEL - Thinner sole for more natural sensory feedback
The thin sole of the VIVOBAREFOOT allows information to be transmitted directly to the foot, enabling sensory feedback from the tens of thousands of nerve endings in each foot to the brain, supporting smooth movement
3. FLEX - Flexibility that strengthens your feet
VIVOBAREFOOT is extremely soft. It's so flexible that it bends easily in your hands and rolls up into a ball. When you wear it, it feels like your feet are glued to the ground.
This flexibility strengthens your feet by applying appropriate load to muscles and tendons and developing their recoil force. The soft sole allows your feet to bend, balance, and have flexible elasticity.
Some people may find it difficult to get used to the thin sole at first
On the other hand, VIVOBAREFOOT's features do not suit everyone right away
"Because they are thin, some people find it painful at first when they step on stones or tactile paving blocks. Some people experience muscle pain for about a month. But once they get used to it and overcome that, it becomes more comfortable, so we make sure to tell them, 'This kind of thing can happen, but if that happens, go back to wearing regular shoes for a while and gradually transition to them,' or ' Try doing a toe training program called TOE-GA.'
Behavioral change brought about by VIVOBEARFOOT
What kind of feedback have we received from users who actually wear VIVOBEARFOOT?
"The first thing we hear a lot is, 'My toes have spread out.' Because VIVOBAREFOOT is wide and has plenty of space, my toes start to spread out, which activates their movement. This makes it easier to maintain balance and encourages a more natural way of walking without straining my feet, which results in people saying things like, 'My knee pain has decreased,' or 'My bunions are straightening out.'
But there's something even more interesting. That is, it can cause a "behavioral change." For example, after wearing VIVOBAREFOOT and finding walking enjoyable, you might think, "I used to commute by bicycle, but now I commute by foot," or, "I've started to enjoy walking itself." In this way, your behavior can change with just one step
"Some people say that they enjoy the feeling of being connected to the earth and the ground, and that their lives have become richer. I think VIVOBAREFOOT is a very interesting tool that can also affect quality of life (QOL)," says Hamada
The value of VIVOBAREFOOT for skiers and snowboarders
VIVOBAREFOOT's soles are incredibly thin and soft, without compromising the barefoot feeling. What does that mean for skiing and snowboarding?
"Because you have to wear hard boots on snow, you'd think that plantar sensation (the general term for sensory information input from the soles of your feet) would inevitably be reduced, but senses are actually receptors all over the body. These receptors send all information to the brain, such as the bending of your feet, the movement of your knees, and the tension in your muscles, allowing you to recognize your body's current position in space. You then reflexively or consciously adjust your movement and posture, such as shifting your centre of gravity a little more to the left, stepping in harder, or relaxing your knees to prepare for impact. In other words, if you don't receive sensory information, you won't know how to move your body or where to put your centre of gravity, and your performance could decline
In skiing and snowboarding, the position of your body's center of gravity is very important when you're sliding, and I think it's a sport where you move while constantly checking the position of your center of gravity. Getting sensitive feedback from the soles of your feet, such as whether your center of gravity is too far back or too far forward, can change how you slide
Sensory information from the soles of the feet is extremely important for skiing and snowboarding, as skiers and snowboarders pick up various information about the snow surface, such as snow quality, terrain, and slope, and glide or fly with body movements that are appropriate for the conditions
The more sensations you receive from the soles of your feet, the better your body will respond, and your muscle output will increase. Muscle output indicates the degree to which your muscles are moving with neural activity. Muscles move according to neural commands. Increasing neural activity will change the muscle strength you can exert. To achieve this, it is important to receive sensory information such as the position and posture of your limbs and body
Therefore, it is important to be able to receive sensory information on a daily basis. That's why we recommend wearing VIVOBAREFOOT on a daily basis. Doing so will lower your sensory threshold, allowing you to sense even the slightest changes in your body
As Hamada says, when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, nothing is more directly related to your sliding position and instantaneous reactions and movements than the sensation in the soles of your feet. And then there's speed. The harder you push down, the faster the board will move and the faster you will go. Considering that the propulsion of the board comes from the power transmitted from the soles of your feet, it's easy to imagine how far your feet can move and how important mobility is. The soles of your feet also play a major role in absorbing impact from the snow surface and maintaining balance
The soles of your feet also play a role in making the most of your gear's performance. You need to be able to sense the flex and torsion of your board and how you can ski to make the most of its performance and achieve the ideal skiing. The sensitivity of your soles will affect your skiing
Arata Suzumura from Hakuba is a professional snowboarder who also serves as an ambassador for VIVOBEARFOOT
"Back to Barefoot Journey" VIVO Community Action
The thin and soft soles are not just a feature of VIVOBAREFOOT, but are a common feature of other brands that promote barefoot shoes. However, VIVOBAREFOOT has one feature that sets it apart from other brands
"VIVOBAREFOOT has a very strong message. We have a sense of mission as a natural lifestyle brand that uses barefoot shoes to communicate what is happening to people's feet today and how it affects their physical health, and to propose healthy living starting from the feet.
In order to pursue essential health, we educate users on the function of their feet and how to walk, and we also put a lot of effort into building a community and raising awareness by promoting "VIVOHEALTH," an experiential educational content created in collaboration with experts in areas such as exercise and nutrition. For the past five years, we have been working directly with customers to convey the VIVOBAREFOOT concept and the power of their feet through a nationwide tour called the "Back to Barefoot Journey." When contacted by a place we have connected with, the Journey will visit them at any time to introduce our products and hold foot knowledge seminars and "Barefoot VIVO Walk" events.
I think the spread of this grassroots activity is one of the results. We connected with highly responsive users and it spread by word of mouth. I think VIVOBAREFOOT's strength lies in the fact that we were able to create a community like this and the circle grew bigger and bigger."
There are two directly managed stores, one in Tokyo and one in Kyoto. Nationwide, there are five or six stores that specialize in mountain equipment, but recently the brand has been attracting more attention from the media, and it has become a popular choice among surfers, skaters, powerlifters, and others. It is becoming increasingly popular as a "footwear" that is distinct from sports and outdoor shoes and is an item for daily use that is integrated into lifestyles
"The important thing is to wear them regularly. Make it a habit and let them naturally blend into your daily life. The thinner sole gives you more sensation, which increases your body's reaction and output, making you more sensitive. This in turn affects your actions and mental state, enriching your days. Plus, being almost barefoot simply feels good. The feeling of touching the earth and having roots makes you feel connected to the earth and nature, and it actually makes your feet feel more comfortable. I encourage you to give them a try."
VIVOBAREFOOT is an item that will fundamentally change your body and your skating, and is definitely worth checking out
The person who taught me
Hiroki Hamada,
Manager of VIVOBAREFOOT TOKYO
He has been involved in medical care and education as a physical therapist for around 15 years. Wanting to do what he loves as a job, he joined VIVOBAREFOOT TOKYO from its launch and became the store manager. He uses his expertise as a physical therapist with rehabilitation techniques for restoring physical function and improving athletic ability, as well as his educational experience, to talk to customers about medical matters and provide technical support to staff, while conveying the appeal of VIVOBAREFOOT
VIVOBAREFOOT TOKYO
OPEN: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday (12:00-19:00) Sunday (12:00-18:00) | CLOSED: Tuesday, Wednesday
3-7-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo h+ Jingumae 1F
03-6447-0436
Official website: https://vivobarefoot.co.jp/Official
social media: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube