END Footwear: The Beginning of Sustainable Footwear (Part 2)
Back in July, iRunFar featured Part 1 of its profile of End Footwear nee Outdoor. At the time we thought we'd post Part 2 a mere week later.... but that didn't happen. The upside to the delay is that we've since had a chance to meet with the key players at END in person, got to try two forthcoming Spring '09 END models, and can point you to END's fancy, dancy new website and the products it features. So here we are with Part 2 of iRunFar's END Footwear company profile. Below we give you the skinny on END's website, running outreach, current shoes, and future products.
END's Website
The consideration that END puts into its shoe design and manufacturing extends to its marketing efforts. First off, over at END's flashy new website you won't read anything about END "greening" this or being the "greenest" that. Nope. END simply and succinctly states what the company's principles are (i.e., Our Commitment, Design Ethos, The Four Rs, and Corporate Responsibility) and how they implement those principles in particular shoe models (i.e., the Stumptown 12 oz page).
Running Outreach
Despite being an affordable brand that could limit its early activities to trendy environmentally conscientious folk, END is reaching out to the trail running community. For one, they've contacted numerout top ultrarunners with opportunities to try END's shoes. They've also brought on ambassador's like Canadian tough man, Bruce Grant, who ran the 2008 Hardrock 100 in the Stumptown 8.5 oz. Recently, END Footwear also began its involvement in the racing scene ...
Back in July, iRunFar featured Part 1 of its profile of End Footwear nee Outdoor. At the time we thought we'd post Part 2 a mere week later.... but that didn't happen. The upside to the delay is that we've since had a chance to meet with the key players at END in person, got to try two forthcoming Spring '09 END models, and can point you to END's fancy, dancy new website and the products it features. So here we are with Part 2 of iRunFar's END Footwear company profile. Below we give you the skinny on END's website, running outreach, current shoes, and future products.
END's Website
The consideration that END puts into its shoe design and manufacturing extends to its marketing efforts. First off, over at END's flashy new website you won't read anything about END "greening" this or being the "greenest" that. Nope. END simply and succinctly states what the company's principles are (i.e., Our Commitment, Design Ethos, The Four Rs, and Corporate Responsibility) and how they implement those principles in particular shoe models (i.e., the Stumptown 12 oz page).
Running Outreach
Despite being an affordable brand that could limit its early activities to trendy environmentally conscientious folk, END is reaching out to the trail running community. For one, they've contacted numerout top ultrarunners with opportunities to try END's shoes. They've also brought on ambassador's like Canadian tough man, Bruce Grant, who ran the 2008 Hardrock 100 in the Stumptown 8.5 oz. Recently, END Footwear also began its involvement in the racing scene ...
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