Terra Plana: Eco Running Shoes

Terra Plana is a shoe company that is based upon the ideals of environmental sustainability and ethical business dealings that make their shoes melding traditional artisan shoe making techniques with modern technology. Their Vivo Barefoot series of shoes highlight Terra Plana’s belief that the healthiest feet are barefeet. This line of shoes adhere to the stripped down, back to basics ethos of the Paleo Diet and feature a super thin puncture resistant sole that allow your feet to be as close to that of our barefoot Paleolithic ancestors as possible.

I bet you’re skeptical about barefoot running/walking. Well so was I until I did some investigating and found that there is a basis for thinking that barefoot running can be beneficial. First of all, man has been running for about 2 million years and running shoes, as we know them now, weren’t invented until the 1970s. Our ancestors were able to hunt down animals for food without New Balance so why should barefoot running seem like such a foreign notion to us?

It turns out that when humans run without shoes, we run differently than we do with them on. Rather than striking the heel, which causes more shock to the lower extremities and back, bare foot runners initially strike the ground with the front of their foot near the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, towards the outside of the foot. This forefoot and midfoot striking lessens the amount of impact placed on the body and, therefore, theoretically reduces the risk of repetitive stress injuries.

How To Start Barefoot Running

I live in the city, so the thought of running truly barefoot isn’t all that appealing. So when I say barefoot running, I don’t really mean barefoot running. I mean running with the Vivos on your feet! That puncture resistant sole will protect your feet from any foreign objects that you may encounter (think broken glass).

Experts will tell you not to come rushing out of the gate. Although you’ll be enthusiastic to try a new regimen, like most new exercise, you need to take it easy at first; it’s going to take awhile for the muscles in your feet to adjust. At first, it’s probably best to use the Vivos in your house for a few hours at a time before graduating to running or long walking sessions.

Once you ease into the shoes you’ll probably notice a few benefits which include but are not limited to:

• An increase in strength of the muscles in your feet, lower leg and ankle area as well as farther up the body to the knee, hip, and core too.
• A decrease on the amount impact on the feet and knees. A normal heel strike equates to an impact equivalent to about 2 times your body weight!
• Better posture due the elimination of added heal height on a normal shoe.
• Stimulation of nerve endings in the foot that connect the foot to the brain and the rest of the body, resulting in increased balancing ability.

Now that you’re ready to enter the world of barefoot running and walking, let me introduce you to the Vivo Barefoot line of Terra Plana shoes. Not only are these functional shoes but stylish too! I really like the design and aesthetic feel of these shoes, not to mention the wide array of colors that are offered—everything from plain brown to funky multi-colored combos to neon (gasp!).

Women’s Terra Plana Shoes (Men’s Shoes listed further down)

Terra Plana Evo

The flagship minimalist running shoe. It’s completely vegan and features microfiber reinforcements and a breathable mesh with 4mm soft rubber sole. Available in yellow, pink, black, blue, or white and red combo.

This is the best selling women’s lace up trainer.  These are really cute and show a lot of style.  Available in 5 different colors.

Super cute ballet flats with an elastic ankle collar.  Casual but you could probably get away with wearing these to work as well.  Available in black, brown, or lavender printed nappa leather.

Another cute, casual slip on which features all vegan materials. This sporty flat is available in beige or green canvas.

If you’re looking for boots, well Terra Plana has you covered there as well.  These casual lace up ankle boots are available in black, brown, or green vegetable leather. 

Men's Terra Plana Shoes

Terra Plana Evo

This is the flagship minimalist running shoe. It’s completely vegan and features microfiber reinforcements and a breathable mesh with 4mm soft rubber sole. Available in yellow, green or a white and red combo.

This is the best selling model and has some cool color choices.  These are definitely the most stylish shoes in the men’s line. You can get this casual sneaker in green or beige nubuck, brown or white leather, and brown, green, or black suede. 

A variation on the classic Oak, the Lesotho has a 4.5mm thick sole and is available in vegan black or white canvas and non-vegan dark brown/green, grey, or brown suede.

The fun casual everyday styling is similar to the aqua but with a Velcro twist.  If tying shoelaces isn’t your thing then you’ll love the Root!  Vegan version vailable in two tone white or its evil twin black.  Suede version available in funky dark brown/yellow, dark brown/green, blue/grey or dark brown/grey.

If you’re more into the classics then the Oak is for you.  Traditional styling with a thicker 4.5mm sole, the Oak is available in black or dark brown veg tanned leather, grey suede and vegan black or beige canvas.

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