Topo Athletic Brings Fitness and Running Footwear to Athletes Nationwide

NEWTON, MA--(Marketwired - Jul 17, 2013) - After much anticipation, innovative footwear brand, Topo Athletic, announced today that its first line of performance shoes are now available at select specialty retailers nationwide. The 2013 summer collection promotes innate amplification -- the philosophy that a shoe should enhance (amplify) what our body does naturally. Starting with:

• An anatomical last shape: snug through the waist but roomier in the toe box, the foot feels securely fit inside the shoe, with plenty of room for the toes to splay naturally.
• A split-toe design: based on the traditional Tabi shoe, the split-toe design allows the big toe to move independently and work as a key stabilizer. By pocketing the big toe, the foot is anchored in place, minimizing lateral movement and allowing the remaining toes to spread naturally.
• A zero-drop platform: when the height under the heel and the forefoot is the same, the foot is on a level plane, encouraging a more natural midfoot running form.
• Medium stack heights: ranging from 12mm-15mm, Topo's soles deliver more underfoot protection than a typical minimalist shoe, but more ground feel and flexibility than traditional running shoes. Small amounts of rubber co-molded into an EVA bottom keep the shoes light and flexible while providing good abrasion and slip resistance.
• Materials and construction: From soft microfiber to breathable mesh, the shoes' materials are adhered with high-frequency welding for weight and seam reduction.

"We believe an athlete's shoe should do nothing for them," said CEO of Topo Athletic, Tony Post. "Instead, it should do everything with them. We are committed to developing innovative products that feel seamless and connected to the body. Athletes put in the hard work to become better, faster and stronger -- we're excited to be part of the journey."

Meet the remarkably lightweight RT, RX and RR -- new companions for the road and the gym:

• RT (Road Train) - MSRP $100: built for daily road running, the co-molded rubber EVA sole offers 13mm of soft underfoot protection with great ground feel.
• RX (Prescription) - MSRP $110: designed exclusively for functional fitness and strength training, the RX's secure stable platform provides more rubber traction and underfoot protection (15mm). A lateral stabilizer is integrated into the hook and loop forefoot strap for additional lateral support and security.
• RR (Road Race) - MSRP $130: our lightest, fastest and most responsive running shoe -- weighing in at less than 7 oz. (M9) -- features the dial-in premium Boa Closure System to provide a secure, customized fit when running and racing.

"Boa Technology and Topo Athletic both share a strong entrepreneurial spirit, which is one of the reasons we've enjoyed partnering with them on their launch of their initial performance shoe line," says Boa Technology's vice president of sales and marketing, Chuck Mason. "We are excited to see their innovative designs become available in retail stores."

As part of the launch, Topo also partnered with Injinji to produce a technical split-toe sock to power Topo's split-toe shoe design. The socks will be sold in three colors and sizes for men and women in one "no-show" height.

"It's been an exciting experience collaborating with Tony Post as he launches Topo Athletic's line of split-toe shoes. Even though Injiniji has previously produced split-toe 'tabi' socks, we welcomed the opportunity to design a more technical piece that could power Topo's innovative footwear and contribute to the company's innate amplification mission," said Russell Nadel, general manager at Injinji.

Topo Athletic shoes are available for purchase online and in select retail stores.

About Topo Athletic

Topo Athletic is an athletic gear company created for and by athletes. Topo products are built with humble innovation, an acknowledgement that the most impressive thing that will ever go into our products is the athlete. We are committed to the ongoing study of physiology, environments and emerging technologies that enable athletes to constantly improve their performance. Topo Athletic was founded in 2012, and is based in Newton, Mass. For more information, please visit www.topoathletic.com.