Thorlo Inc.

If you were able to walk barefooted on grass or gentle terrain all the time, you would not need Thorlos. But since most of us walk on man-made surfaces -- concrete, asphalt, hard floors [and let's not forget that man-made surface called the shoe or boot] -- we need protection from those surfaces. Inside the shoe or boot, the foot must move dynamically within a limited range in order for you to walk or run effectively. During all moving activities the foot is subjected to three main forces: Pressure, impact and shearing force. These three forces are responsible for virtually all the damage your foot incurs during standing, walking, running, and other sports and activities that involve bodily movement. In addition, the movement of the feet in moderate and strenuous activities generates perspiration. In fact, during strenuous activities, the feet can produce about 2 pints of sweat in a day . Too much moisture inside the shoe is not healthy for the feet. Moisture that is not evacuated from the shoe provides an environment in which bacteria and fungus can grow, and compounds the effect of the three damaging forces on the feet - pressure, impact and shearing force. Thus, it is critical to control moisture inside the shoe. Pressure is simply direct force applied to the surface of the feet when you place your weight on them. When standing still, this pressure is static, with about