Running is good for health, but strains runners’ feet to the limit, submitting them to constant stress and bumps on the ground, making them sore and stiff.
The “functional footwear” specialist Joe Nimble has developed his first recovery sandal for runners, with the assistance of Footwear Innovation Lab and the chemical company Huntsman Corporation. The so-called “RecoverToes” sandals, which are designed to rehabilitate tired feet after exercise and are made from polyurethane, were developed during the last half of 2020.
The “recoverToes” sandals can provide relief as they optimise the alignment of the big toes with a special footbed that spaces out the toes to significantly improve foot shape and structure, ease plantar pressure and stimulate foot nerve endings to improve circulation. Easy to slip on and off, and available in three colours, the sandals feature an adjustable “ToeRite®” toe spacer based on Joe Nimble’s TOEFREEDOM® technology.
Sebastian Bär, Joe Nimble’s CEO says: “Around the time I launched the brand, I contacted British biomechanics expert Lee Saxby to help fix my own running injuries. A friendship developed and, in 2017, we decided to combine Lee’s foot function knowledge with our “Functional Footwear” expertise. Our first collaboration resulted in our “nimbleToes” running and trail shoes. Now we’ve developed “recoverToes”.
The latter is made using Huntsman’s polyurethanes. Their DALTOPED® Aqua PUR technology, a low-density polyurethane, was used to make the soft inner part of the sandal. For the outer surface, which has an intricate design, Huntsman and Footwear Innovation Lab adapted a DALTOPED® Grip grade to work with the Stemma RPU spray concept. This unique system allows complex bottom designs to be realised without having to worry about potential air bubbles.