NEULO's shoes are designed not to add flashy features, but to draw out the natural power of the human foot. Here, we introduce six functional features that support this philosophy.
Zero Drop - Returning to your natural center of gravity
Many shoes employ a heel-drop structure, where the heel is designed to be higher than the forefoot. Even a slight incline can cause your center of gravity to shift forward, affecting the position of your pelvis and spine.
NEULO has adopted a horizontal sole, parallel to the ground from heel to toe. This prevents your center of gravity from shifting forward, creating a sensation that your head is naturally balanced over your pelvis. It resets the starting point for standing and walking, allowing your body to return to its natural position. These shoes help you maintain good posture without conscious effort, allowing you to stand tall.
Wide Toe Box - Freeing your toes
Human toes are naturally designed to spread out like a fan, each moving independently. However, many shoes adopt a shape that tapers towards the toes, resulting in compressed toes that lose their natural spread.
NEULO's wide toe box allows your toes to be freed and spread out freely within the shoe. Your toes, liberated from constriction, grip the ground, and you regain the sensation of a firm push with every step. You'll experience less fatigue even after long walks and comfort without toe stress. It's a liberating fit that allows your feet to remember their natural shape.
Minimum Toe Spring - Pushing off with your own feet
Many modern shoes incorporate a toe spring, where the forefoot of the sole is significantly curved, allowing forward movement with just a shift in body weight. While convenient, this design can also mean that the shoe's shape takes over the propulsive force that would ordinarily come from the toes pushing off the ground.
NEULO has kept the toe spring to a minimum. You won't be excessively propelled forward; instead, you'll feel yourself pushing off with your own feet. You'll gain the sensation of walking under your own power, rather than being carried by your shoes. The subtle curve, which doesn't hinder the natural movement of your feet, encourages a natural walking rhythm and helps you reclaim each step as your own.
Midsole (13mm) - Protected yet perceptive
This is a feature we introduced previously. Human feet are originally designed to walk on soft ground like soil or grass. However, in modern urban life, we spend most of our time on asphalt and concrete. If the sole is too thin, the soles of your feet will receive excessive impact; if it's too thick, you lose the sensation of the ground itself.
NEULO has adopted a material for the insole midsole that directly touches the sole of your foot, offering both appropriate rebound and cushioning. The 13mm thickness provides an exquisite balance, allowing you to absorb impact while still perceiving information from the ground. It reduces strain on your feet during long walks and supports a comfortable walking experience with natural propulsion.
Last with a snug heel fit - Designed for Japanese foot shapes
Many people have probably experienced discomfort with foreign-brand shoes, where the heel tends to slip or the width feels too narrow. This is because Japanese foot shapes typically have relatively narrow heels and wider ball areas.*
NEULO has designed its unique last based on a last developed by Japanese last makers. It provides ample space around the toes while firmly supporting the heel and instep, achieving an exceptional fit. Of course, a structure that fits everyone perfectly doesn't exist, but the feeling of the heel conforming snugly when worn is a characteristic feature of these shoes.
*Kouchi et al. Foot Dimensions and Foot Shape: Differences Due to Growth, Generation and Ethnic Origin, 1998”
Easy-entry heel design - Eliminating daily stress
Shoes are tools that we put on and take off many times a day. Especially in Japanese living environments, putting on and taking off shoes at the entrance or when visiting others is frequent. Despite this, many shoes have stiff heel areas or overly upright openings, making it a hassle every time.
NEULO has devised a shape for the opening and heel, achieving a heel structure that allows your foot to slide in smoothly, adapting to daily use. We have considered not only ease of putting on and taking off, but also fit and stability during wear. These shoes eliminate daily stress from something you wear every day. It's a design that removes yet another psychological hurdle to walking.
Functions exist to bring out the foot's power
NEULO's functions are designed not to replace the foot's capabilities, but to draw out its inherent power. It's about walking with your own feet, not being walked by your shoes. These shoes are designed to bring that natural sensation back into your daily life.
