First Thoughts on Luna Leadville Sandals

     I just did a quick training run in the Luna Leadvilles I received last week.  I ordered these for a backpacking trip I have planned and when I mentioned my intended use for them, Luna Sandals were nice enough to offer me a 25% discount on them.  To test them out and put them through the "paces" I decided to wear them on a 5k run today and I can't believe how quickly I took to them... I know it sounds cliche but it was like a fish taking to water.  I have experience when it comes to barefoot/minimalist footwear and running style, but I am amazed at how much I enjoyed these.

     I have Merrell Sonic Gloves that I love and Invisible Shoe Huaraches that I hate.  The Leadvilles are a happy medium between the two.  I bought the Sonic Gloves last fall and chose them over the Merrell Trail Gloves because I intended to use them for cold and wet weather.  I wore them during the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon and my feet overheated due to the shell on the uppers of the sneakers.  Running in the Leadville's felt a lot freer, my feet were out in the open and able to breath and sweat naturally.

    The Leadvilles are 10mm thick, more than twice as thick as the Merrell Sonic Gloves, and an ounce heavier per foot but they make up for less ground feel with what feels like a more pliable rubber and the ability to glide over the gravel strewn cinder trails of Rockefeller State Park Preserve with not so much as a thought as to foot placement.

     I had ordered two sets of Invisible shoes going with their thinnest Vibram rubber but was left wanting with both pairs.  The original huaraches I ordered from them were cheap and felt it.  The rubber slapped and wobbled strangely no matter how tight I tied them.  The nylon/polypropylene laces are a poor choice as the braiding provide for a constant scratch almost wool sweater like.  I also could not get used to the knot beneath my toes and tried my best to melt down and flatten it.  I ordered their Connect version but was equally disappointed, though I liked the idea of the rounded edges to keep out gravel.  On this run I did with the Leadvilles I did get some small pebbles slipping under my heal but as the rubber is pliable, it didn't really hurt or effect my run and they slid out as easily as they entered after a few strides.

     Off the bat, I am surprisingly very happy with these and might make them my standard running shoe as I train for this Sleepy Hollow Sprint Triathlon.  I can't imagine a faster bike to run transition than slipping on a pair of sandals (well other than going straight barefoot).  You should definitely check out Luna Sandals, it's a great company run by great people... and I'm not just saying it because Barefoot Ted helped my fine tune my    barefoot running at last falls NYC Barefoot Run, I met Steven Sashen there too and he was a cool dude.  The Leadvilles are just better -- period.

     Stats from the run -- not to shabby considering the hills and being a first run in the huaraches  --       Endomondo Run