Seasons Greetings from Andrew, Ben and the entire END Team here at HQ as well as our sales and distribution partners around the US, Canada and Japan. As the year winds down, our hope is that you get a chance to throttle down for a few days and recharge the batteries as we all head into what promises to be a very interesting 2009. As with any new venture, each day brings a surprise (or two) and a deep appreciation for all of the love and support END has received from all of you in our first year. END’s mission has always been to serve the everyday athlete who is out there doing extraordinary things and this season is no different. I invite you to this month's newsletter to read about spectacular people and organizations committed to great change in the world! Last, did I wish you all a “Happy Festivus?”
Style Points...We knew we had style all along but now it’s verified. END Footwear wins Ideal Bite’s 2008 Best in Green (B.I.G.) award in the category of STYLE! The B.I.G Awards is a new awards program that will annually recognize those companies, products and services that are true leaders and innovators in the green space. This year, Ideal Bite’s editorial staff selected just seven companies across the country to be B.I.G. Award Winners. Full story in the END Blog.
Stocking Stuffers...The bigger the stocking - the better the gift. END sandals (yes, people do wear sandals all year!) and trail shoes are true to size, give ample room for wide tootsies, and will most likely fit into your special someone’s stockings. However, if they wear a men’s size 14, we recommend wrapping them in newspaper. Purchase a pair or two of high-end END performance trail running shoes, hiking boots, or sandals at any of these better retailers: Backcountry.com, RockCreek.com, Zappos.com, REI.com
The Means...An estimated 300 Million children are walking the planet without shoes right now! Hard to believe that many kids as well as millions of adults around the world are doing without something so basic. What goes untold is the healthcare crisis this creates, especially in third world countries where diseases like Hookworm parasites can do serious damage to a young body. So you wanna help END be part of the solution? To start, just ask yourself, how many pairs are sitting in your garage, inside a shoe bin or on a rack in your closet that those in your household truly do not wear anymore? Maybe it is a pair that is in need of new laces, is out of style or is just plain ugly! Instead of putting them in your annual trip to Goodwill, can we ask you to consider another sustainable alternative? END is pleased to introduce you to our friends at Soles4Souls, a group dedicated to eradicating this desperate and basic need of all humans. For our part, all END sample pairs are being boxed up at year end and being sent to Soles4Souls. In addition, Ben is working with student leaders at West Linn, Oregon’s, Three Rivers Charter School, in an effort to collect at least 300 pairs of gently worn adult and children’s shoes that will be donated to Soles4Souls. If you would like to help, please visit Soles4Souls Donations to find out how those shoes you clean out over the Holiday break can be put to great use!
New World Record Marathon (in our shoes!). Can you beat it? That’s the challenge from END HQ and shoe product tester, Sean Meissner (cooling off his legs in the photo above), who bettered his 2:42:30 Spokane Marathon from last month with a 2:39:06 at the California International Marathon (CIM) last weekend wearing the same END test shoes. “As in Spokane, I once again wore my END Footwear YMMV shoes (it stands for Your Mileage May Vary). And once again, they completely rocked! I just love how light, cushy, and responsive they are. Many cushy shoes aren't responsive, but these are very responsive. The soft upper is so nice and accommodating, too. Watch out for these puppies soon - I think they're a Spring '09 shoe.” Sean is a vetran marathon runner and Fleet Sports running store manager with access to numerous shoe brands at his store in Bend, Oregon. The fact that Sean chooses END for his key races is what motivates us. The fast performingYMMV is available to everyone starting January 5, 2009. Visit our latest blog entry for more on this story.
In The Media...Trail Runner Magazine’s December issue is dedicated to Going Green! If you haven’t picked up a copy of Trail Runner lately, the editorial staff is among the best in the business for trail running expertise. Here’s what the wear testers at Trail Runner had to say about END’s Stumptown 10 oz., “This lightweight trail shoe from END’s debut line promises the best of two worlds – green materials and high performance design – and it delivers. Recycled components in the midsole and outsole perform on par with those made of new materials, and the soft heel counter and pliable upper folds and molds to your foot as you run. The bamboo-infused upper fabric proved breathable and is reinforces with recycled webbing instead of heavy synthetic nubuck overlays. The Stumptown 10 oz. is ideal for runners with a neutral footstrike who like a soft, responsive shoe. Need a little more support? Try the Stumptown 12 oz.”. For more END press, visit In The Media.
NO RESTRICTIONS contest runs through December 31st! What's your story? What's your definition of sustainability or building performance shoes responsibly? What are you doing to reduce your footprint, or go Off the Grid? What's your idea of fastpacking? Can vegan's run faster? How many trees have you planted? What are five things you wish to end in the world? How many days in a row have you run? Answer me or pick your own topic. It’s your show. Speak to us via the written word, song, video or art. We have $500 cash + free shoes in prizes. Visit the END Blog for all the details.
