Zems

 Update time.  There was so

Update time. There was so much feedback and response from the Running Event that some changes were made to the design of the running shoe. I also got to chime in while there and the changes will make the shoe a lot better. So sadly that means that the release date has been pushed back a bit. Look for ZEM to be releasing the running model the first part of next year instead of rushing to get it out before the end of this year. It will be worth the wait.
 
Adding my 2 cents, again

Adding my 2 cents, again ...

Now that I've had the ZEMs for about a month, and after the recent snow, I've been able to run in them on several kinds of surfaces in cold conditions (roads, asphalt greenway trails, dirt trails, grass, ... dry and wet cold). They are great for dry cold surfaces, even in snow. This weekend I ran on snowy dirt trails (2 to 3 inches of nice dry powder snow at about 25 degrees) and enjoyed the run immensely. I also had wool socks on, which kept the feet really warm. I had no trouble with rocks, roots, etc. Even though the ZEMs don't provide any traction, to speak of, it was no problem since I was keeping my feet under me and not pushing. If you push-off, though, you might experience some slipping.

As predicted, they haven't been good for cold wet roads or asphalt greenway trails because the material wicks the cold water right up, which cools my feet more than I like - even with wool socks. I find them especially cold on roads with salt melted puddles. Water shoes, and even "normal" running shoes, will get wet on cold wet roads, but not as much as the ZEMs. It's because the ZEMs actually wick the moisture from the sole up, whereas most water shoes have a wrap-around sole that at least keeps the water off the sole; you actually have to splash the top of the shoe to get wet. I'm very much hoping the new ZEM running model will also have a wrap-around sole and be more water proof!

Looking forward to seeing the new model!



Thanks, Jimmy, for representing all of us crazies who'd rather not wear shoes, but have to find a good - and not too expensive - cold weather alternative!
 
My first pair of Zems are

My first pair of Zems are pretty much toast. The plasti-dip has helped but its time for more drastic measures. I've seen the post about using an old mountain bike tire for a haurache and have been inspired. I'm going to use some urethane adhesive and stick it to the bottoms. It'll be a rough version but might last me a few trail runs. Looking foward to the running model Jimmy. Get some pics up dude...we're chompin at the bit here :)
 
I wish I could post pics but

I wish I could post pics but right now no. They posted a short video on thier site showing off the new sole and it caused so much interest that the offices were flooded with calls and emails. they took it down to try and slow the response down since some changes were made to the design.

I'll see if I can get an exclusive for everyone but I was told on my call with them that in the next few weeks I would have a nice christmas present! hint hint :)
 
 I have put a few hundred

I have put a few hundred miles on my ZEMs and they have held up well. They now have some small holes in the sole.

Only complaints are on one of my feet the TPU straps push the shoe forward on my feet as I run which makes the seam on the inside in the heel slide forward under my heel. Not a big deal but annoying.

The opening has stretched out on mine so debris sometimes gets into the tops while running.

The sole material is hard plastic-like weirdness instead of rubber so they can be slick on damp surfaces and they are slightly noisy while running.

There is an interior seam that when the ZEMs get wet, they are like a sponge so they get wet easily, gives me blisters.



Hopefully the ZEM 360 addresses these as ZEMs are awesome. If the sole was rubber instead of plastic and wrapped around a little and they got rid of the interior seam these would be the ultimate minimal shoe IMHO. They could have one of the TPU straps for the heel to keep things from shifting on the foot too. Maybe a more structured stretchy opening too to keep them from getting stretched out.

The pros are as other people mentioned; great barefoot feel, highly flexible, extremely light, sock-like upper that will never chafe.

I have a pair of Zoot Ultra Speeds that have a similar upper and are also pretty great but suffer from too much cushion and to much heel toe differential. Morph the Zoot with the ZEM and I will be super happy.

Bonus would be some anti-fungal interior, or more breathability. My Zoots which are designed to be run in barefoot came with silver, but they put it in the insole, which I of course took out. Now the interiors are a nasty stank mess. My ZEMs have faired much better but some treatment is good to keep the interiors from becoming a science project gone mad from hot SoCAL summer running.
 
 I like the thoughts goat and

I like the thoughts goat and can answer some of your thoughts. we tried the strap around the heel and it did more to make the shoe uncomfortable than anything else. The running model has a new strap pattern and I think it works really well.

the original was not meant to take the pounding of running so the opening does get a little loose. i've found that a washing helps tighten it back up but this is also something that has been addressed in the new models that are coming out. that's right i said new models....

the sole is an actual rubber on the runner. it's a blend of blown rubber and eva so it's going to still be really flexible and comfortable. the drawback is that there really is not a way to make them more durable and keep the same thickness but we worked hard to keep the same feel and i think you guys will appreciate the efforts.

i think that's about all i can say right now but i hope it helps guys :)
 
I'm excited...did you say

I'm excited...did you say early 2011, Jimmy? Altra Adam/Eve is due out in April; will it be before then?
 
Welcome, Dru!

Welcome, Dru!
 
Thanks TJ!  I've been lurking

Thanks TJ! I've been lurking for about a month. I've been in VFF's for a year and a half (actually VFF and regular shoes mixed). Trying to switch to purely minimalist shoes, and so far going good. I'm up to 12 miles in the VFF's. But enough about me, let's get back to pestering Jimmy about the Zems.
 
Looks good, can't wait to get

Looks good, can't wait to get my feet into them to give them a try.
 
I forgot about my Zems this

I forgot about my Zems this morning. It was finally a dry Winter day, so they would have been perfect. Also, given that I took off my aquasocks after a few miles and finished my run barefoot, the Zems would have been a lot easier to carry in my hands.

I hope the new Zems are quieter than the current model.
 
Not to be critical, because I

Not to be critical, because I am really excited for the Zems, but whoever wrote that blog has a typo. They state ".... I gotta believe 2010 is going to be a hot year for barefoot running shoes and ZEM!".... I gotta believe they meant 2011.
 
Jimmy Hart wrote:alright

Jimmy Hart said:
alright guys you've been asking me for months now and ZEM has started the slow leak of info and pics for the new ZEM 360 running shoe! You can go to their blog link here to see pics of the sole! Let me know what you think

http://www.zemblog.com/sneak-peek-zem-360s/

I'm thinking "I hope they come in that great sand-blue colorway that was discontinued awhile back. That was the only Zem colorway I liked".

And now I'm asking "Will they have ventilation and, not be made of lycra?" I don't like how lycra takes a long time to dry. If they're ventilated, you can just add a wool sock if you need insulation from the cold.