Minimalist Shoe Review: Birchbury Bramfords Shoe Review

Birchbury Bramfords Shoe Review

Since minimalist shoes became a thing in the running world and other athletic niche communities, hundreds of different varieties of shoe models have been produced by dozens of shoe manufacturers in order to meet the widely-varied needs of active folks with a taste for light-weight footwear that doesn’t interfere with their natural movement patterns. *deep breath* Having run either barefoot or in minimalist shoes myself since 2006, I’ve kept a fairly close watch on the minimalist shoe “industry,” and there’s something I noticed years ago: There have always been many more options for running and other sports than there has been for formal situations or the workplace. This gap in offerings leaves folks to either pay outrageous prices for boutique brands, modify their fancy (and probably pricey) footwear, or wear clunky, heavily-heeled, inflexible “traditional” shoes.

That is no longer the case.

Enter: the Birchbury Bramford shoes. Birchbury is a newcomer to the shoe market, and they are currently running a Kickstarter-style, early ordering window to earn discounts on a pair of Bramfords, their first shoe offering. You can pre-order here. Their website touts their minimalist bona fides, like a wide toe box, zero arch-support and motion control nonsense, no stacked heel, and simple construction. Features-wise on paper, they definitely check all the boxes I personally desire from a shoe of this type. Disclosure: Birchbury contacted me and provided me with a pair of Bramfords in order to review here.

First Impressions

I let out an audible “wow!” when I pulled these shoes out of the box. They just looks great. I’m no leather connoisseur, but the Bramfords upper definitely feels and appears very high quality. In fact, all of the materials just feel solid, and the construction appears strong without being overly bulky. I was impressed. The sole of the shoe is flat as a pancake with a grippy-feeling, classic, zig-zag waffle tread. I like the use of a black rubber outsole because, since the outsole tends to get the most abrasion on most shoes, the Bramfords will likely show less wear over time.

One big surprise was the lacing system that is built into the shoes. The Bramfords sport a flexible lacing system – similar to the Xpand® system that I use on almost all my running shoes. I absolutely HATE tying laces, so I was super excited to try this feature out. I did notice that the system was “fixed”: there is no option for adjustment, which could be a problem for folks with oddly shaped feet.

The overall appearance of the shoe screams “business casual” to me. My typical work attire is khakis or slacks with a polo shirt, so I anticipated getting lots of use out of these shoes if they worked as advertised.

Fit and Feel

The first time slipping the Bramfords onto my feet was amazing. The interior feels seamless, and there is nothing to hang up on, which makes taking the shoe on and off a breeze. Like I mentioned above, I absolutely despise laces. I resent having to tie shoes every time I put them on for a few reasons: it adds time to my daily routine, it’s inconvenient if you have to rapidly slip shoes on for something, and it’s very aggravating when I can feel that I’ve tightened the laces unevenly – which necessitates that I untie and retie them to “balance” them like some kind weirdo. This is the reason I have replaced the laces in almost all of my running shoes with speed laces.

Probably the most delightful part of the Bramfords is the foot bed, which features a foam, leather-topped insole. It’s cushioned, but not so much as to feel squishy or memory-foamish. The lack of contour or arch support is also as-advertised, and that’s great because that is something that is an absolute deal breaker for me. The overall effect is right in the sweet spot for how I prefer a dress shoe to feel with each footfall.

One element that is noticeable on first wear is that the Bramfords are heavier than most of the other minimalist shoes that I wear regularly, though they are not as heavy as the boots or other dress-casual shoes I typically wear for work. If someone is used to a wispy, slipper-like shoe, they’ll probably have to take time getting used to these shoes.

After a Few Weeks

I’ve been wearing my Bramfords regularly for the past month or so, and I must say that I am still in love with this shoe. The leather has started to “patina” into a lovely, worn look, which is expected. I will probably use some leather conditioner/protectant on them at some point in the near future just to keep them looking fresh. The sole shows no real signs of wear so far, and as I expected, the black outsole stays looking sharp and clean.

One minor problem that I wound up having with the shoe that wasn’t apparent upon first fitting is that the shoe fits slightly loose over the top of my foot. This could be blamed on the lacing system and the lack of adjustability, but it’s worth noting that I have a very long, slender foot (size 12). Most shoes have to be cinched down nearly as tight as lace adjustment will allow in order to fit snugly around and over the top of my midfoot. I spoke with the Birchbury representative about this issue, and they said that they will provide my feedback to their factory. My solution for my pair of Bramfords is to swap out the default laces for a set of Xpand laces (which look almost identical, by the way). Unless your foot is built like mine, I suspect the Bramfords will fit just fine.

Now for the breakdown:

Pros

- Classic styling

- Checks all the minimalist boxes (wide toe box, zero drop, no intrusive support)

- High quality construction and materials

- Amazingly comfy footbed

Cons

- Lack of adjustment (for my long, skinny feet)

- Slightly heavy

The Verdict

The Birchbury Bramford meets all the essential criteria for a minimal, comfortable work and casual shoe. It’s absolutely my favorite shoe for on-the-job, and it’s worth a look for anyone in the market. You can check out their website and order your pair HERE. (Note, they're running special promotions in the weeks leading up to the shoe's release, and you can save up to $50 by ordering now.)

Minimalist Shoe Review: Inov-8 Bare-XF 260

Well, I've done it. I have officially gone whole hog into Olympic-style, free weight cross training. Don't worry, though; I have not drunk the CrossFit Koolaid (Not that there's anything wrong with that. /Seinfeld). I have, however, started getting serious about my personal strength, and that means new gear to try out and write about in my blog! This latest review is about a shoe that is completely and totally targeted at the CrossFit sheeple, but, as I found out over the last six weeks or so, Inov-8's most focused minimalist cross trainer is good at more than just box jumps and kettle bell swings.

First Impression: Straight-Up Purpose-Built
The Inov-8 XF-260 makes no bones about its intentions. Heck, it's right there in the name: the "XF" is a crude approximation/abbreviation of "CrossFit." This, I presume, is because they can't officially use the CrossFit name; Reebok landed the rights to that cash cow a while back. So Inov-8, definitely one of the early favorite shoe makers of CF practitioners, has to flip their terminology like a tractor tire. Certainly, though, no other shoe maker has such a symbiotic relationship with CrossFit. The Inov-8 F-lite 195 and 230 can still be seen on the lower appendages of box-dwelling meat heads the world over - remarkable considering their age. Despite initially offering shoes designed primarily for the trail, the signature low profile and secure fit (along with a lack of similarly-featured competition) have made Inov-8 a crowd favorite for the past several years. The XF-260 carries on that legacy with the addition of a few key features that make it a home run for those looking for pure minimalism in their workout footwear.

The appearance of the XF-260 is quite no-nonsense and unique amongst minimalist shoes. The pattern is described as "Kettle bell Camo" due being made up from kettle bell profiles in varying shades of gray. The pattern works, too, giving the shoe a slightly military feel - appropriate for its intended application: suffering! It seriously is an eye catcher. If you walk around in these puppies, be prepared for a few glances of familiarity from Crossfitters you encounter. The logo emblazoned in large font on the side can't be missed, either. The 260 is also available in a (less-interesting) gray/black color scheme as well as a more eye-catching blue/black setup.

Few features are as controversial on a minimalist running shoe as the inclusion of hook-and-loop closures (otherwise known as Velcro®). I have had bad Velcro experiences in the past usually involving limited adjustment range, insecure fit, and/or frustrating lack of wear-and-tear durability. The Velcro on the 260 is quite intriguing and appears to be part of a very well thought out system featuring Rope Tec: Inov-8's system designed to allow wearers to shimmy up and slide down ropes with aplomb while not ripping the uppers or soles to shreds. Also, it adds a futuristic element to the look of the 260.

Criss-crossed for security of fit.

Fit and Feel
The XF-260 is built upon the same platform as the rest of Inov-8's minimalist offerings: all have the "Bare" prefix, are built upon the same last, and have the same outsole/lack of midsole. The outsole is zero differential from heel-to-toe and only three millimeters thick and siped with a "Metaflex" channel running from one side of the forefoot to the other. This means they are delightfully flexible, especially at the toes where our foot does the most flexing. There is a significant increase rigidity, however, in the heel which I assume is for increased wear resistance during heavy lifts or whatever. It's not noticeable during normal use, though.

The skeletal pattern is a nice touch and included on the sole of all the Inov-8 Bare-X line.

The anatomical last is nice but not quite the toe box I would hope for. The midfoot and toe box are sufficiently wide - enough to be comfortable in everyday activities, running, and working out, but they could stand to be a tad wider. I would rate the forefoot width and height better than most; they are very comparable to New Balance's Minimus line, but I definitely prefer the volume of makers like VIVOBAREFOOT (Neo, Aqua Lite) and Altra (Adam, Instinct). I have not received any blisters on my toes or elsewhere due to fit, but take into account that I typically wear socks with my 260s. 

So far, the XF-260 does not suffer from any of the three typical hook-and-loop closure issues I mentioned in my initial impressions: lack of adjustment, insecure lockdown, and limited durability. Admittedly my foot shape and how well it matches the last may have something to do with it, but I love how this system works. I have lifted, run, jumped, cut, done plyometrics, performed yoga, and done quite a bit of yard work with nary a slip. *For what it's worth, these aren't the best shoes for use with a shovel.

The triple-closure Velcro is delightfully simple and quite functional. The straps are exactly where they should be for maximally secure fit and placement during high-intensity movements.

Model name emblazoned on the toe cap.

Super flexy - as any good "minimalist" shoe should be.

Perforated, thin, flat insole. No support, no arch. Perfect.

The unstructured heel cup is quite nice.

Zero drop, Baby.

On The Road and Trail
The XF-260's sole is, as I mentioned above, one of the thinnest in the business, and as such provides outstanding ground feedback for maximum proprioception. The well-ventilated upper breathes nicely aided by the perforated footbed. I have run many times on various terrain and can say that they are right at home on surfaces from smooth sidewalk or pavement to dry, hard-packed dirt or gravel. That is to say, this is not a trail shoe. Making the shoe as nimble and stable as possible in the gym has the tradeoff of limited tread depth and thus limited off-road bite. Nevertheless, I would still describe the 260 as a "versatile" offering.

One small issue I ran into when doing sprints and plyo in the 260: chafing at the front of my lower leg (at the upper edge of where the tongue is on a normal shoe). I am certainly this had to do with the fact that the top strap was cinched down pretty tightly for the dynamic movement, and I have never gotten the same discomfort since. I typically wear socks with these shoes because that's just how I roll, but the chafing is in a place where my low, crew socks would not have made a difference. I have, however, run and worked out comfortably in the 260 on several occasions with no problems despite its less than buttery-smooth interior.

The perforated insole (as if you couldn't tell by looking).

In the Gym
This is where the 260 is really supposed to shine, and it is definitely solid in all manner of cross training that takes place on a solid, fairly dry surface. I found the rubber sole to be especially grippy while on the boxes and quite adept at plyometric movements. Jumping rope was a real pleasure in these, but beware the thin upper; you should be okay if the rope hits the to cap or one of the straps, but anywhere else... look out!

One clever feature that I did not discover until a few weeks after I had already been wearing them:

What's this? Built-in motivation?

It's like the soul of my drill sergeant from basic training is built into each shoe strap. Scary thought.

Nevermind the grass and debris. That didn't come with the shoes. That was me.

The upper is almost burrito-like: no tongue to speak of (ya get it?).

The upper wraps the foot nicely.

The Verdict
When Inov-8 decided to produce the XF-260, they went out on a limb to make a unique, delightfully minimal, super-focused CrossFit shoe. Mission accomplished, but in the process they also made a very strong all-around minimalist road shoe. I thoroughly enjoy almost everything about this shoe. The only things that may scare away would-be wearers are the Velcro and the "Meet-me-at-the-box, Bro" design.

Pros
- Unique, unmistakably CrossFit-focused look
- Very innovative design
- Secure fit
- Great outsole/ground feel
- Versatility on the road and the gym

Cons
- Not so great sockless comfort
- Retail price tag ($140!)
- How do you feel about Velcro?

Inov-8 XF-260s (along with several other Inov-8 offerings) frequently go on sale at The Clymb and LeftLane Sports. Keep your eyes open, and you can find them for over 50% off!

Click on the links to sign up and enjoy the savings.

Super Simple Shoe Surgery

A few weeks ago while moping slowly blasting downhill on a Land Between the Lakes trail, I found the wrong end of a pointy stick with the top of my foot. The results are below:

Oh, Noes!

Yep, we're going to have to operate. He may never run a trail again!

Being the frugal fellow that I am, I broke out the thread and needle. The results were rather pleasing - that is, they were hardly noticeable. Everybody has war wounds - on their gear and themselves - if they have spent any time on the trail, but hopefully those gear-busting stumbles will all be as easy to remedy as this one.

So, have you every had any gear busters? Post up your stories and pics.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Stuff I'm Super Excited About (Part 2)

Altra is on a roll! In just a couple years, Altra went from a few drawings and ideas (I distinctly remember the drafts of the Adam being posted on Runner's World barefoot/minimalist running forum asking for feedback) to a name synonymous with zero-drop, anatomically-shaped footwear. They even sponsored the Naked Foot 5k series and Crossfit Games last year. In short, the brand has exploded, and the future is looking even brighter - both literally and figuratively (see below).

Perhaps Altra's most distinctive key feature is the toe box - a foot-shaped, super wide shape that allows for maximal toe splay. Even now, there is maybe one other shoe company on the market that offers a full-coverage, non-toe shoe that features this kind of free movement (VIVOBAREFOOT). I find that kind of confusing in light of Altra's remarkable growth and success recently, but flat, zero-drop footbeds definitely caught on. Maybe the spacious, anatomical toe box will be the next big shift in shoe design (New Balance and others are already creeping that way).

Here are a few shots that I scavenged off the web of the new wares: the Altra One (racing flat), and the Altra 3-Sum (Triathlon-targeted racer). I would definitely love to get my hands on a pair for testing, so hopefully I can make that happen and bring the review to you! Enjoy the pics.

Altra One.

Loving the day-glow coloration. Altra began with a very subdued lineup, but you can see that they have left that behind.

The 3-Sum. Looks like a minimalist triathlete's dream!

More on the SKORA Phase and Core

I was directed toward some more great pics of the SKORA Phase and Core. These shoes really have me stoked. I hope they live up to the hype I have built up inside my brain. The big question for me is the toe box: Will it be wide enough? Let's hope so. Enjoy.

Men's Phase model.

Women's Phase model.

Women's Core colorways. 

Men's Core colorways.

Stuff I'm SUPER Excited About in 2013! (Part 1)

Things are great for lovers of minimalist shoes right now. Really great, and they are only getting better! Here is the first in a series of posts that will display just a few bits of news that I have scavenged from across the web that really get my blood pumping.

I dig Skora's slogan.

The rowdy upstart company that goes by the name of Skora burst onto the scene in 2012 with two models of minimalist shoes targeted at zero-drop-demanding athletes and triathletes. The Form and Base, their flagship laced and tri-friendly velcro-strapped offerrings respectively, garnered a strong following with runners ranging from track junkies to the ultra crowd. I was lucky enough to get to review Skora's Base and write about here. Although the shoe was less than perfect (still haven't found one that is), it was an impressive first offering for the new company. (Click to read that review.) I have grown fonder or my Skoras since modifying the strap to allow me to snug them up a bit more, too. They see regular service in my shoe rotation - mostly during barefoot-unfriendly conditions. If they produced such a solid shoe in their first try, I can only imagine how great their follow-ups are going to be.

There are two new Skora models set for release in February:
The Phase is a lighter shoe with an upper made from synthetic mesh.

The Core is features a combination of goatskin and mesh upper.

Both new models feature a new outsole design fashioned from Injection Blown Rubber (IBR) which purportedly provides greater flexibility and comfort without sacrificing weight. Both models also feature asymmetrical lacing, which I totally dig. Skora is not resting on the apparent success of their first line of shoes and is pushing the limits of innovation and design. I am eager to see if these two new models fit my foot a bit better. If so, I'm definitely on board. Perhaps most importantly, price gets the axe on the Phase and Core: $110 and $155 respectively.

*See more about the Core and Phase at Minimalistrunningshoes.org, or head to Kyle Kranz's blog, Running on the White Line. Click either link to take you to the preview. While you'r at Kyle's blog, go ahead and check it out. He is an ultra runner who also works with/for Skora as a social media coordinator (I believe that is the official title). His blog is worth exploring, and I am certain he is more than willing to answer any and all questions you may have if you post up on there.

I forsee great things from Skora in the near future.

Minimalist Shoe Review: Skora Base

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about how Skora, a newcomer to the shoe market, is one of the "next big things" in minimalist running. A representative from Skora was kind enough to contact me and ask if I would like to review a pair of their Base model (that's the actual name; it doesn't mean is has roll up windows and no air conditioning), and I was happy to oblige.

I was feeling a bit adventurous when placing my order, so I decided to go for the yellow colorway. Warning: in the pictures on Skora's website and elsewhere, the color is listed simply as yellow, and the pictures look like a pale canary. This is just a tad misleading because this yellow shoe is freaking retina-searing, fluorescent highlighter yellow. This is not a complaint; I needed a high-visibility shoe in my arsenal. It's just something to be mindful of when ordering yours. Note: The color is not accurate in my pictures either. The flash washes them out a bit. They are seriously bright.

First Impressions
Out of the box, the Base looks really well constructed with sharp design and high-quality materials. Putting on the shoe initially proved rather quick and easy - exactly what you would hope for and expect from a shoe that appears to be marketed directly at the triathlon crowd. The interior lining of the shoe is a perforated synthetic material which provides sufficient comfort for sockless wear. The insole is removable, of course, which allows for better ground feel and more room on the interior of the shoe. A bit puzzling is the design of said removable insole with its reverse dimpling. It feels like a golf ball turned inside out which I didn't find especially comfortable, but it was not even noticeable walking around. The upper, overall, is more structured than many of its competitors, but I don't necessarily see this as a negative. Weight is also on par with the competition - slightly better than the Altra Instinct.

Pretty sweet looking shoe.

A laminated toe cap of sorts. I assume this is to prevent excessive wear from toes contacting the roof of the toe box.

Insole in.

Without insole - smooth as butta.

You cannot see the reverse dimpling here, but it's there.

The insole is contoured, but I had no discomfort in my arch from it at all. No support, thank goodness.

Fit
One of the most prominent features of the Base is the X-style velcro strap. I like this idea a lot, and it really sets the shoe apart aesthetically from other minimalist offerings. However, as attractive and clever as it may be, this was my first indication that fit issues would plague my experience with Skora's shoe. Full disclosure: I have a long, thin foot except at my toes. I prefer a slim-fitting shoe through the arch with a super-wide toe box. The Base is the exact opposite. While the toe box on the Base is respectable for a traditional shoe, it is not sufficiently roomy for my preferences. I would place it somewhere between my Mizuno Wave Musha 2s and the New Balance Minimus Trail (MT10). The width of the ankle and arch portion of the shoe, however, is crazy wide on my foot - a size 11.5. To make the problem  a bit worse - and this is an issue with many shoes that feature velcro closures - there is not sufficient adjustment to fully tighten the shoe. The velcro strip on the shoe is too short/not low enough to cinch the shoe down.

You can get a good look at the toe box width ratio to the rest of the shoe in this pic.

This is the adjustment strap in the "fully taut" position. I'm not sure why shoe companies do this, but Skora is certainly not the only one.

Here you can see the strap adjusted to the "neutral" position. Notice the slack.

Slack.

Rear adjustment strap provides a surprising amount of fit modification.

All is not lost, though. There is an elastic adjustment strap on the back of the shoe to allow wearers to tweak the fit a bit, but this didn't fully resolve the issue for me. Instead, I took matters into my own hands.

My handiwork. I will post another pic later.

On the Road and Trail
Running in the Base took a bit of getting used to. The knobby rubber outsole and thin midsole is a bit on the rigid side, but I have noticed a good deal of break-in over the time I've worn them. There was an initial *clip-clop* that worked out of the shoe within the first 20 miles. The fit and construction of the shoe, with my foot shape, make it great for running on hard surfaces and little else. I would be hesitant to suggest the Base for running on technical trails because of the slop in the fit; the shoe moves around a lot on my foot if I have to cut or torque in them. I just can't cinch them down like I would want. For casual wear, the Base is fantastic. The yellow is extremely eye-catching, but I am fine with that. It matches my personality, and I am more confident in low-light out there on the roads. There is also prominent toe spring present in the Base, which may bother some. I have never had a problem with it.

Very well designed sole. The rubber outsole has proven quite durable. The little island in the heel felt a bit annoying initially, though.

Toe spring.

Notice the curvature of the sole. Toe spring does not bother me, but some people don't dig it.

The Verdict
The Base is an excellent first effort from an upstart company with tons of promise. The shoe certainly has its flaws: it's bit traditional in the toe box and wide in the rest of the shoe with limited and flawed adjustability, but its positives certainly outweigh its negatives. If you are a wide-footed runner or triathlete looking for a shoe as a first foray into minimalism, I would definitely recommend the Base. They go for $110. Check them out at Skora's official website.