BMW Designs New Running Shoes Using Car Technology First it’s a condom company designing athletic apparel and now a car company is creating a new kind of running shoe. In collaboration with Puma, BMW’s Designworks created the Puma X-Cat DISC, the latest edition to Puma’s DISC footwear franchise. The shoe is inspired by a 2008 concept car called the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model, which is made of a fabric outer shell, consisting of a flexible material stretched over a movable substructure. The material of the shoe is made of the same flexible, ergonomic and lightweight fabric used on the GINA, paired with Puma’s DISC technology in which traditional laces are replaced by a rotating disc that pulls on an internal wire to close and open the shoe. “The approach was to look at every aspect of making a shoe and try to reimagine it,” said senior vice president of BMW Group Design, Adrian van Hooydonk in a press release. “Freeing yourself of what is here now can be an enjoyable and rewarding exercise, typically it also speeds up change.”

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When it comes to comfort, sneakers are at the top of the list. Ankle and arch support are must-haves for the active lifestyle. And in so many colorful styles and designs, there are plenty of options—whether you're working out or going to work. Macy’s helps you Rule the School with Back-to-School deals on the coolest gear for the new school year! For an amazing variety of shoes, shop Macy's. And remember to check our selection of handbags and accessories too!Looking for huge savings? Shop our Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday Gift Guide! Shop customers' top rated Vince Camuto Prisintha Caged Sandals Thalia Sodi Joya Toe-Ring Flat Sandals, Only at Macy'sAn online business that began in Dallas is up and running in its new headquarters in Richmond. Natural Running Store, which sells minimalist running shoes, relocated this summer to a warehouse in Manchester. Founder Patton Gleason launched the company almost two years ago out of his garage in Dallas but moved to Richmond after seeing the bulk of his orders come from the East Coast.

“We sold our house in Texas on May 15, drove across country the next day, and by May 20 we were set up in the new warehouse,” said Gleason, 33. “It was a big leap of faith.” He leases a small warehouse and office space from Fountainhead Properties on 715 E. Fourth St. Gleason said the building met the needs of his four-person company and didn’t require any renovation. Natural Running Store sells six lines of minimalist running shoes and other training accessories. The shoes are all lightweight, with little to no padding or heel elevation, and emulate barefoot running while protecting feet from cuts and scrapes. Gleason said the natural fit promotes better running technique and can help prevent common injuries. “The connotation of natural running is still evolving,” Gleason said. “It means different things to different people. I think it’s really just about enhancing the really great things your feet already do.” Before going out on his own, Gleason spent several years with Texas-based fitness chain Luke’s Locker.

He launched his own store to focus exclusively on natural running gear. For the first few months, he said, orders were few and far between, but sales started picking up through word of mouth. He declined to share sales figures. Natural Running Store ships products globally. Some of their top-selling items, from brands such as Altra, Inov8 and Newton, range in price from about $60 up to $175. There’s no shortage of options for Richmond residents looking for natural running gear. Carytown-based Road Runner, a running shop that’s been in business since 1983, also sells minimalist shoes, and online retailers such as REI and Rogue Fitness carry comparable brands. Gleason said he plans to stand out by combining the convenience of online shopping with the personal advice of a brick-and-mortar store. About 20 customers contact the store every day, asking for tips on which shoes to buy or how to train. Gleason said answering these questions is a big part of his business. Spencer Beasley, a sales associate at Road Runner, said that the shoes were popular when they first got them in stock but that sales plateaued.

Beasley said minimalist shoes allow for a more natural feeling and engage more muscle groups than traditional shoes with more padding. But the change can be jarring for casual athletes or experienced runners who are used to padding and heel elevation. “People who’ve been running 20, 30 years try to jump right into long distance runs with these shoes,” Beasley said. “You can’t really do that, and we’ve seen a few injuries from it.” For the past three to four years, manufacturers have tried to develop more lightweight shoes, said Jon Lugbill, executive director of Sports Backers. His nonprofit company hosts several races around Richmond every year. He said minimalist shoes can enhance performance but don’t necessarily prevent injuries. “There are people who really love them, and people who really don’t,” Lugbill said. Gleason, the Natural Running Store founder, said that natural shoes are the reason he’s running today. In 2004, he tore his Achilles tendon while training for a marathon.