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ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:39 pm
by Pinky
Previously discussed here.

I got a pair of the split-toe, ninja-style shoes from them. They are basically neoprene slippers with a very thin rubber sole. I've worn them on three short runs and while punching and kicking heavy bags in my basement, and I like them.

They are very minimalist. You can feel every crack in the sidewalk. You can feel how cold the surface beneath you is. If it's cold and wet outside, your feet will be cold and wet.

My only concern is durability, which is mentioned in most reviews you'll find online. The neoprene folds into the rubber sole in a way that allows it to touch the ground. On the other hand, at $30 they don't have to last too long to make them a good purchase.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:45 pm
by judobrian
How's the grip on flooring / surfaces? If you are using them with heavy bag work, I imagine it's decent. Thinking about squat / deadlift use.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:52 pm
by Mountebank
Mine are coming in several weeks after the backorder issue is dealt with.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:07 pm
by Pinky
judobrian wrote:How's the grip on flooring / surfaces? If you are using them with heavy bag work, I imagine it's decent. Thinking about squat / deadlift use.
The grip is pretty good. My basement floor is mostly old, cracked cement. They also do well on wet sidewalks and hardwood floors. They would be fine for lifting.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:39 pm
by DrDonkeyLove
I ordered myself a pair of the "Comfort" series with round toe and a slight cushion. Ordered on 12/23. Will report when they arrive.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:13 am
by DrDonkeyLove
I got the Comfort series that's supposed to have a cushioned insert. I ordered a size 10-11. My shoe size is a 10.

The good:
>> They seem well built and are comfortable.
>> Forefoot strike running on a treadmill is comfortable.
>> They are as light as air
>> They will accomplish exactly what I need which is to take up next to zero space in a carry on bag.
>> I think they'd be great to wear doing anything where you'd prefer to be barefoot but would like a little protection - if the fit is right.

The bad:
>> They forgot to send the cushion insert.
>> The bottom doesn't cover my whole heel and the way the neoprene rolls across the bottom would really bother me if I walked in them on anything but sand or grass.

The service:
>> They arrived quickly even though I ordered over a holiday weekend.
>> They respond to emails quickly.
>> They claim that they'll credit my account for the inserts they forgot to send.
>> They are developing a something with a thicker sole for running and hope to introduce it to the market in a few months.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:27 pm
by Pinky
They have something on their site that you can print up, tape together and use to measure your foot. One complaint that I didn't mention before is that I don't think they have enough sizes. Mine are slightly longer than I think they need to be, but it seems not to matter.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:42 am
by Fat Cat
Your style. I like it.

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Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:05 pm
by Shapecharge
That's got to be cool as hell Pinky when you're dressed in your business suit and ninja shoes scaling the wall at the Federal Reserve bank you work at then climbing in through your fourth story office window and go, "what's up bitches!" as you hop in your chair and fire up the computer. Everybody's all like, "damn bro, can't you use the elevator like everyone else?" And then you go, "you wanna know why? FUCK YOU THAT'S WHY!"

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:26 pm
by GoDogGo!
I'd just like to point out that one of the Hong Kong Cavaliers was wearing tabi in the end credit sequence of "Buckaroo Banzai: Across the Eighth Dimension."

This is how we know they're cool.

Re: ZEM Gear Foot Mittens

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:47 pm
by Pinky
Shapecharge wrote:That's got to be cool as hell Pinky when you're dressed in your business suit and ninja shoes scaling the wall at the Federal Reserve bank you work at then climbing in through your fourth story office window and go, "what's up bitches!" as you hop in your chair and fire up the computer. Everybody's all like, "damn bro, can't you use the elevator like everyone else?" And then you go, "you wanna know why? FUCK YOU THAT'S WHY!"
Ninja shoes are nothing new at the Fed:
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