Edinburgh Napier University

Fourth year product design student and keen triathlete Kathleen Craig has looked at the area of minimalist and zero-drop running shoes as part of her final year project at the University.

Minimalist running shoes are loosely defined as shoes that, compared to “traditional” running shoes, more closely mimic the way we naturally run when barefoot while still providing some protection from hazards on the ground. It features less ‘sponge’ than a regular running shoe.

As part of her final year project, Kathleen has designed Sapiens – a sustainable minimalist running shoe that helps a runner transition from using regular running shoes to zero-drop running shoes.

Her shoe – which is made from a range of sustainable material – aims to aid this transition by being worn down over time. This allows the runner and their body to adjust gradually to minimalist running, helping prevent injuries during the transition.

Kathleen’s concept would see the runner remove certain sections of her shoe’s sole over time, so that as the runner gets stronger, the shoe also moves towards a more minimalist approach.

With the shoe being made completely out of sustainable materials, it also means that Sapiens brings with it a number of environmental benefits. Less shoe means less waste going to landfill, with the removed sole made from 100% compostable material.

Kathleen, who is originally from Donegal in Ireland, is a keen triathlete herself and has worked with her teammates at Edinburgh Napier’s Triathlon Club along with students for feedback and guidance on her shoe design.

She said: “Minimalist shoes may be a bit of an unknown entity to many runners out there, but I’ve been ‘barefoot running’ for a number of years now and I find lots of benefits of using this type of shoe – both physical and environmental.

“Transitioning from a regular running shoe to a zero-drop shoe can’t just be done overnight. It has to be a managed process and that’s why I designed Sapiens. 

“Although just a concept at this stage, the idea would be that the shoe would resemble a regular shoe in the first instance, but can be cut down over time to help transition to a minimal running shoe. This could be done by the runner or a cobbler.

“The materials used in Sapiens are 100% sustainable so there’s a big environmental benefit to the shoe too. Minimalist running shoes regularly last longer than normal running shoes so it really is a win-win in my eyes.”

Although just at the concept stage of development, Kathleen hopes to continue with her Sapiens idea now that her time at Edinburgh Napier has come to an end.

Later this year, she will also take up a role with sports brand Wiggle as she continues to pursue a career in creating sustainable running wear and shoes.

She added: “I think the sportswear industry could be doing more in terms of creating items that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Nature is so good to runners and people who exercise outdoors, so its time for us to start being good to it in return.

“Little changes – such as using more sustainable materials in clothes, along with cutting down the amount that we buy and use – can have a massive impact and that’s something that’ll be in the forefront of my mind when I begin working in this area.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Wiggle later this year, and I can’t wait to get started and play my part in helping shape the future of sportswear.”