Softstar Shoes is an American shoe manufacturer and retailer based in Philomath, Oregon.[1] It is known for its minimalist or barefoot-style shoes and has been recognized as an early participant in the movement to encourage minimalist footwear.[2][3][4]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Handmade shoe manufacturer |
| Founded | 1984 Laguna Beach, California |
| Founder | Tim Oliver, Jeannie Oliver |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Owner | Patricia Salcido |
| Website | softstarshoes |
History
editSoftstar Shoes was founded in 1984 by husband and wife Tim and Jeannie Oliver.[5] They founded the company after being unable to find minimalist shoes for their daughter and learned to sew their own from a local artisan. They began selling the shoes to their friends and neighbors and introduced the brand Softstar Shoes at the Sawdust Art Festival in 1986.[6] Softstar Shoes relocated from Texas to Oregon in 1991.[6] The company was purchased by current owners Patricia Salcido and Larkin Holavarri in 2005.[7] Holavarri sold her interest in the company to Salcido in 2018, leaving Salcido as the sole owner of the company.[8]
Shoe styles
editSoftstar Shoes manufactures minimalist or barefoot-style shoes, which attempt to promote natural foot function by allowing feet to move, stretch and flex as though they were barefoot.[9][10] In 2009 the company launched their RunAmoc line of minimalist running shoes,[11] which coincided with the release of Christopher McDougall's bestselling book Born to Run,[12] which increased interest in barefoot running and minimalist shoes.[13] Softstar also manufactures minimalist shoes for children,[14][15] and a variety of styles of moccasins.[16][17] Its shoe line includes minimalist athletic shoes, minimalist adult casual shoes and minimalist children's shoes. It is also the only manufacturer of children's shoes based in the United States, with all materials sourced from the United States.[7][6]
References
edit- ^ Fugua, Brad (15 February 2017). "Soft Star Shoes completes move into historic, eco-friendly building". Gazette-Times. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Katovsky, Bill and Larson, Peter (2009). Tread Lightly: Form, Footwear, and the Quest for Injury-Free Running, Skyhorse Publishing, New York. ISBN 1616083743.
- ^ Glassman, Adam (November 2010). "On My Radar: Barefoot Running". O, The Oprah Magazine, p. 90.
- ^ Adam Brix (2012). Barefoot Running - The Movie: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth (2012) (DVD). Runbare Productions.
- ^ Richards, Craig and Hollowell, Thomas (2011). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Barefoot Running, Penguin Group, London. ISBN 1615640622.
- ^ a b c Filipovic, Nedim; Berry, Olivia (29 June 2012). "Corvallis small business makes footprint in worldwide running trend". Oregon Live. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ a b Hatch, Cheryl (15 May 2010). "Local footwear company finds runaway success". Gazette-Times. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Fuqua, Brad (14 March 2018). "Softstar's eco-friendly parking lot attracts attention". Gazette Times. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Soft Star RunAmoc Dash Review " Archived 2014-10-14 at the Wayback Machine. College Tri.
- ^ "Review: Soft Star (Leather Mocs)". Barefoot Runner.
- ^ "Soft Star DASH RunAmoc Review". Technically Running.
- ^ McDougall, Christopher (2009). Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, Vintage Books, New York. ISBN 0307279189.
- ^ "Minimal Shoes, Maximum Comfort: Soft Star Takes Barefoot Shoes from the Running Trail to the Boardroom" Archived 2015-04-28 at the Wayback Machine. The Los Angeles Fashion Magazine, November 20, 2012
- ^ Bowman, Katy (2011). Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief: The New Science of Healthy Feet, p. 153. Benbella Books, Dallas. ISBN 1936661071.
- ^ Sandler, Michael and Lee, Jessica (2013). Barefoot Walking: Free Your Feet to Minimize Impact, Maximize Efficiency, and Discover the Pleasure of Getting in Touch with the Earth, Three Rivers Press, New York. ISBN 0307985911.
- ^ "Roo and Rambler Soft Star Shoes Review". Birthday shoes. Dec 13, 2011
- ^ "Soft Star Moc3 RunAmoc Review". Technically Running.