Minimilist Shoes for Work: Zem O2 vs Minimil

Zem O2 vs Minimil, a photo by CaptainShen on Flickr.

Ding, ding! That was a boxer's bell. You got that, right? As you may know, I have had quite a time finding minimalist shoes that are "Slip-Resistant" to wear at work. Today I finally am able to speak with the authority of someone who has purchased two pairs of slip-resistant shoes and worn them to work. Actually, I don't know that this gains me much authority. But here it is:

ZEMgear Oxygen 2 VS Belleville Mini-Mil

First and foremost, a huge shoutout to the folks at ZEMgear. I never saw an actual name, but the ZEMgear support team blew me away with their attention to inquiry #553191. Not only did they address my question with knowledgeable responses, they weren't afraid to tell me that something 'might not work' for my particular situation. They didn't try to make a hard-sale, they didn't try to trick me, they were just honest, prompt, and complete. They kept up communication and even emailed me a few days later to see if I'd found one, how I liked it, etc. What a follow-up. I mean, they were really brilliant to work with. These little shoes do not come cheaply, though, so I waited a little bit and-- to my surprise-- saw them pop up on my secret addiction Fab.com, with whom I had a small amount of credit for something, and grabbed them there. It took a long time for them to come in.

Minimil: 5mm Drop

Belleville Mini-Mil

In the meantime, I had purchased my Belleville Minimils online, for more than double the price of the Zemgears. I expected them to perform well and be tough-- definitely boots-- as Belleville knows what they're doing with military gear. When I received them, however, I had quite a shock. It has been a very long time since I had to break-in a pair of shoes. And boy oh boy, was this a break-in. I mean, these shoes have a deep, painful, stiff heel cup. They have all kinds of ankle-support. They are sturdy and rugged-- I don't think I'll have (another, cough cough) mesquite thorn enter the arena of my foot while wearing these guys. But HOLY BLISTERS, Batman, this was a painful break-in. I referred to my favorite military-man, who told me to soak them in hot water and wear them while they're wet. I did this twice. I hiked in them, walked in them, wore them around the house. It was a long and painful journey. At the point they're in now, they're alright-- but still not very flexible. They look great and I feel safe in them, but I need you to know: This is not an easy transition for someone used to minimalist shoes. Be prepared. Also, they're a little tight-- I wear a size 38 Fivefinger and I'd probably have been better one size up.

ZEMgear Oxygen 2

These guys took forever-and-a-half to come in, probably due to my buying them on Fab.com (meaning that the company ships to Fab after a certain period and then Fab sends them to me). I finally got them today and wore them for the first time tonight. First impressions: WOW!! Awesome! Great! I felt totally aligned and honestly, quite energized. Simultaneously, I observed: These probably won't last me very long. As you can see in the photo below, the fabric on the edges doesn't actually touch the ground, but only by a scarce millimeter or two. If you're walking on anything with less clearance than linoleum, this could be problematic. For example, simply walking up concrete stairs with grit on them for grip, I worried for my shoes. These feel great. They are snug and comfortable, neoprene, and feel like Fivefingers without the toes (I do truly wish I could've gotten the tabi 'Ninja Style' shoe as well, for my own daily wear, but that wouldn't be legal for a work-shoe. Sad day). They're comfortable and super-light. I love them very much and felt like dancing all day. I mean, I may or may not have skipped everywhere I needed to go at work. Quickly, with zest, fervor, and a happy back. Be aware, though: These will indeed soak up the moisture the moment you mop the floor or drop an ice-cube on your foot (yeah, that happens). They felt like water-shoes on the drive home but I didn't care. I feel like hugging them. After all, they feel like secure little foot-hugs. Did I mention they made me prance? I got a lot of double-takes, so they're not subtle shoes (though I thought they would be) and many people asking about them. Lots of people thought they were "cool," lots of people thought they were "sooo cute!" I even had an enthusiastic "Shut UP!" (I hope that was the New Orleans style of "Shut up" that really means "with all due respect, chum, this is unbelievably neat.")

Please ignore the swollen scarred ankle. It ignores you.

Final Notes

All in all, I'd say that I am actually quite pleased to own both of these, even if it put me out quite a bit of money. My vote is both. I know I'm not supposed to do that, blah blah, and its not like I owe anything to either of these companies. I am pleased that they both had something available and helped me figure out if these shoes would work. I feel able to work better and within the guidelines of my workplace. I vote the ZEMgear O2 for daily wear, ease, cost, and minimalism. I vote the Minimil for durability and protection. They both have very sure niches: If you work in a wet or dangerous enviroment, go with the Minimil. If you have a softer job that can handle a light shoe, go with the ZEMgear. I'd say its my favorite, but I fear the day when I wear it out. Fortunately, my job rides the line between the two so that both have their benefits-- but both definitely have their quirks. I'd be happy to work with some company somewhere to develop the perfect work-shoe. Until then, mi amigos, enjoy the images of my dirty floor and silly little foot. Keep on truckin... and let me know if you need to know more! Certainly if you'd like to send some shoes my way............ mwahahaha. 

Lifestyle and Something Publicly Paleo: A tangent?

You know, something that I've come to realize is that when people can categorize something they tend to analyze how they feel about it and either approve or shut it down. Categorization makes things easier. OK-- so that is a little vague. I believe the "paleo/primal" crowd tends to be more quiet about their eating than many of the other (categorized) eaters of any particular food-choice, but it seems that the general public has this instant urge to tell you how they feel about it. If you met someone and said "I prefer chocolate pudding to vanilla," they would probably take it at face value. If you told someone "I don't eat spicy food," same gig. As soon as yous start with "I try to avoid grain..." or anything of the sort, they will immediately become defensive and, surprisingly, quite self-righteously expert on the subject. Can you imagine in the first case if you told someone that you prefer "Chocolate Pudding" if they quickly scowled and said "What are you, on a diet? You are wrong and Vanilla Pudding is perfectly fine and actually it is better for your health. I'm just saying. You are wrong."

For some of us (I'm trying to avoid the self-righteous, hipsteresque "I did it first" feel here) Paleo living is a nice kind of thing to have a name for because it organizes and categorizes what we largely already believed. It makes it easier to find your lifestyle compadres and recipes you trust or activities you'd like. I remember when I was a little kid, growing up with mom's old Tabi socks and an affinity for Tabi-boots, designing three-toed (like a paw) boots that would help you run while letting your toes spread out, and then a foot-shaped shoe as well. Cool, Vibram made a move years later and made such things available. I remember making my favorite dinner, Salmon and Broccoli, as soon as my parents had somewhere to go in the evening. It doesn't mean I knew everything, or that I "was there first," but that primal living definitely was not a difficult transition for me. I always wanted to be strong and I believe my best-friend and I were the only girls in the high-school weight-training class. I went dove-hunting with dad. I live the way I live because it is my lifestyle, tried and true, and I would hope that most humans can say the same-- though every day we are faced with things that make us wonder.

Now why is it that the general public seems bent on belittling the choices of the other part of the general public? I don't mind if you're a boxer. I don't care if you like country. I'm alright if you're a vegan, just don't preach to me. Part of what I like about 'this' 'lifestyle' is that I have seen, thus far, the lack of general evangelism-- but as time progresses, and popularity increases, there will inevitably be those radical 'Primal Preachers' that give us a bad name. Please, guys. Leave the preaching in your dining room and eat with the world in peace. And certainly-- if you and I eat differently-- either have an intelligent, open-minded conversation, or better yet... shut up and eat.