Minimalist Shoes Get Dressed Up

If the induction of Hall and Oates into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is any indication, yacht rock is back. So it was inevitable that this fashion-conscious genre would eventually bleed over into performance-oriented footwear. Lems Shoes already released the Mariner Sand, which evokes a boat shoe vibe with all the advantages of minimalist footwear. And this month, they up their fashion game. TheNine2Five ($125) is a semi-professional kick targeted for those who live in the boardroom, made with a wide toe box to deliver the comfort typically reserved to your favorite pair of running shoes. At only 8.6 ounces, they’re remarkably light, made of full-grain leather with an air-infused rubber sole and zero heel-toe drop. The shoe also compresses incredibly small, rolling into an almost-fist-sized package, which makes great for travel. All that remains to be seen is whether or not the new trend toward maximalist running shoes will also trickle down into work-friendly designs. We’re hoping not.
—Nathan Borchelt