This document summarizes a review of the Sockwa G2 minimalist shoe. In 3 sentences: The Sockwa G2 is an ultra-thin and flexible minimalist shoe that provides excellent ground feel like being barefoot. It offers a thin layer of protection from abrasions and debris on road runs. While lightweight, it can protect feet from hot asphalt and gives some relief from sharp surfaces like chip seal roads, making it a good option for runners transitioning to minimalist shoes.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sockwa G2 Minimalist Shoe Review
This article was originally published in the blog section of
www.barefoot-running.us. Enjoy!
Barefoot/Minimalist Miles 2012
Barefoot/Minimalist Miles 2011
Barefoot-VFF Mileage Log 2010
As a barefoot/minimalist runner, I run over 85% of my miles barefoot. I
am very particular about any “shoes” that I wear for a run. In extreme
weather (hot or cold), I will run in huaraches. For very rugged trails or Followers Nike Free Running Shoes
gravel levees I might wear Vibram KSOs. The Sockwa G2 offers Amp Up Your Run. Shop Nike Free
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When the Sockwa G2s arrived, my first thought was that they were Women Shoe
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basically water shoes. One of my co-workers that I train with runs in » Fast, Free Shipping & Returns, 365 Day
water shoes. Her shoes and the ones I examined in the local mega-store Returns on Women Shoe
www.Zappos.com/Womens-Shoes
have fairly thick, inflexible soles. Water shoes are difficult to fold in
half. The Sockwas can be rolled into a small tube. There is also a Barefoot Running
noticeable weight difference. Run efficiently, faster recovery Learn
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About Me
Blog Archive
► 2012 (20)
▼ 2011 (25)
► December (3) Terry Orsi
Northern California
▼ November (1)
I'm a barefoot runner.
Sockwa G2
Minimalist I've been running
The first evening I had them, I wore them around the house. They are Shoe Review barefoot since
January 2010. I ran

2. very comfortable. They quite literally feel like you are wearing socks. I January 2010. I ran
► October (1) my first barefoot race
made sure to trim my toenails. Because of the snug fit, I was concerned
► August (2) in May 2010 (5K).
that any sharp nails might wear quickly on the neoprene uppers. Since then I have run
► July (2)
a a barefoot 10K trail
► June (2)
run and two barefoot
► May (1) half marathons. I
► April (1) finished my first
barefoot
► March (4)
ultramarathon, the
► February (2) Skyline 50K, in August
► January (6) 2011. Currently, I am
training for a repeat of
► 2010 (14) the Skyline and will
make a second
attempt at a barefoot
Great Links 50-miler.
Barefoot Running View my complete
Construction: University profile
Barefoot Ted's
The G2 has a ultra-thin 1.2 mm TPU sole. (For comparison, my
Adventures
huaraches are 4 mm.) The snug neoprene uppers offer some protection My Shirt Designs
Running Barefoot -
from debris that might be kicked up on the road or trail. The top of the Harvard Skeletal
shoe has a breathable spandex-type material. Biology Lab
The Barefoot Runners
Fit: Society
Like the name implies, the Sockwa G2 fits like a sock. It is snug, but
very comfortable. Due to the ultra-thin sole, the shoe is extremely Blogs I Follow
flexible. I was concerned that the snugness of the upper material would Barefoot Running
inhibit toe splay. However, during my runs my feet did not feel University Barefoot 10K
The 100 Miler
restrained.
Bucket List: Seeking
Challenges
Footbed: 9 hours ago
The foot bed has a very thin layer of neoprene material. It is cushy, but Running Naked
not overly padded. on Sharp Pointy
Stuff
One Small Risk at a
First Test Run:
Time Barefoot Running
3 days ago Keychain
I took the G2s out for their first trial on a 10-mile morning training run.
My intention was to only wear them for about a mile. They turned out to Barefoot Ted's
Adventures
be so lightweight and comfortable that they stayed on for the first four The Monkey Spirit:
miles. At that point, I felt a slight hot spot developing on the tops of my A Chinese Folktale
two smallest toes on my right foot. I removed them for 2 miles and then 2 months ago
I tried them again for another mile. Another light hot spot developed Barefoot Ken Bob
under the inside ball of my right foot. So, I figured that was enough for Surf City Beach
Derby (2011
their first trial. November 06)
Go Bare or Go Home
Shirt
11 months ago
Additional testing:
A couple days following the first run, I took them out for a 4-mile night view more products by
run. I wanted to determine the cause of the “hot spot” issue. I started out barefootterry
with a quick mile (7:45 pace – fast for me). Next I did 2 miles very easy
(12-minute pace). I closed out the run with another fast mile. Not once
did I sense a hot spot developing anywhere on either foot. It appears that
the initial “hot spot” issue on my toes could have been from some
International
Barefoot
rubbing against the stitching toward the outside of the shoe. However,
Running Day
there were no issues on this and subsequent runs with the stitching.
Shirts 2012
In addition to my first two runs, I took them out several more times on
runs as well as wearing them for an afternoon at work. They provided
protection from warm/hot asphalt on an 80-degree California afternoon.
You can feel the warmth of the asphalt or concrete through the soles.
The G2s are very comfortable to wear at work if nobody minds you
wearing moccasin/sock-like shoes.
The G2s can give a slight measure of protection from chip-seal asphalt.
The chip-seal that these were tested on was pretty horrific and barely

3. tolerable in bare feet. Since the Sockwas have excellent ground feel, you
definitely feel the gravel. However, the shoes give some relief from the
really sharp stuff.
I did receive one blister on the ball of my foot during testing. However,
in all fairness, I must state that the blister developed after I finished
running a barefoot half marathon. I had gone back to run some friends to
the finish during the last mile. The G2s had gotten wet and my feet were Men's Performance
already slightly tender. Microfiber IBRD2012
by
Pros: Cons: BarefootRunnersSoc
Create a custom tshirt
Extremely lightweight Possible blistering at zazzle.com.
Ultra-thin, flexible sole
Comfortable feel
Overall, I feel that the Sockwa G2 is an excellent addition to a
barefoot/minimalist runner’s arsenal of shoes. They allow for excellent
ground feel and are extremely flexible – both musts for a barefoot
runner. The G2s offer a thin layer of protection from general abrasions
during road running.
If you are a regular road-runner who is looking for minimal protection
from the surface and are not satisfied by the weight of other minimalist
options, you will likely be pleased with the Sockwa G2. For those who
are not ready or able to make the barefoot leap, this might be just the to
get that maximum barefoot-feel without being truly barefoot.
Posted by Terry Orsi at 10:50 AM
2 comments:
Janice November 15, 2011 4:04 PM
You've piqued my interest in these shoes. I may get a pair to tuck in
a pocket for a long barefoot run where I might want to throw
something on at some point. Hmmmm. Food for thought.
Reply
David Zasloff December 13, 2011 8:53 PM
We are glad that you like the Sockwa G2. It has a super thin, 1.2
mm base thickness of the sole. This allows extreme tactile feel
when navigating anywhere.
We have just announced the introduction of our Sockwa G3 that will
ship in February 2012. It has 5 New Colors and 3 NEW sizes.
Now Women size 9 and Men size 12 and 13 have a barefoot
footwear solution.
Stay tuned for more, as we are always listening, creating, and
selling.
David Zasloff
Founder
www.sockwa.com
www.sockwablog.com
Reply
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