Lightweight Shoes for Cushion and Support
Ever felt dragged down by a pair of heavy footwear? Maybe your back starts to ache mid-hike or you feel like your feet are dragging on a long walk.
Lightweight shoes keep you moving with airy materials built for comfort and endurance. In fact, studies have shown that for every 100 grams (3.5 oz.) of added weight to the foot, the energy cost increases by 1 percent!
Let’s dig into lightweight footwear and how KURU can support some of your daily activities!
What are Lightweight Shoes?
Lightweight shoes are footwear of all types that use quality, lightweight materials that can cushion without adding too many extra ounces.
The best lightweight running shoes, lightweight hiking shoes, and lightweight tennis shoes can keep you moving with less effort for better stamina for all-day wear.
KURU shoes feature high quality, airy materials with our exclusive pain-relieving technology, so you can get cushion and comfort without the added weight.
Types of Lightweight Shoes
Make dressing for any activity a breeze with our stylish and lightweight shoes.
Walking shoes: When taking your dog on a walk or heading out for your latest errand, keep comfortable and energized with stylish, lightweight walking shoes. KURU offers some of the best lightweight walking shoes with heel-to-toe cushion, a lightweight EVA midsole, and a roomy toe box for extra comfort, including the ATOM for women and men and the women’s STRIDE.
Business casual footwear: Lightweight work shoes can keep you moving between meetings with less effort and more comfort. Try our men’s PACE or women’s TEMPO for lightweight, comfortable options for your next day at the office.
Outdoor work shoes: For a day of yard work, gardening, or house projects, pick a work boot like the QUEST or outdoor shoe like the CHICANE for added rugged durability and stable comfort.
Athletic sneakers: Whether you need a stability trainer, lightweight cushioned running shoes, cross-training shoes, or a pair of walking shoes, it’s smart to research the shoe’s weight before purchasing. KURU offers the FLUX for women and men that offers lightweight supercritical EVA foam that offers 15% more bounce and lasts 3X longer than traditional foams.
Hiking boots: KURU offers some of the best lightweight hiking shoes on the market. At about 1lb each, the QUEST for women and men is a full pound or two lighter than the average hiking footwear—plus superior arch support and cushion for backpacking trips and hikes alike.
Shoe Care Tips
Simplify the process of finding a pair of lightweight shoes that fit will with these helpful tips from our KURU GURUs.
When looking for the perfect pair of lightweight shoes, step one is making sure they fit well!
At KURU, we recommend shoes fit snug and secure around the forefoot without any pinching or tightness in the toes, heels, or bunion area. Plan to allow a finger-width of length between the end of your toe and the edge of your shoe. Ultimately, your feet should feel comfortable in your shoe!
For a few more tips, take a peek at how to find the right fit at KURU.
A Brannock device is an industry standard tool to determine your true shoe size. We recommend getting fitted at your local shoe store for the most accurate sizing, and never hesitate to reach out to a KURU GURU for tips on finding the fit for you!
FAQs
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What is considered a lightweight shoe?
Most shoe types on the market have an average weight. For instance, the average hiking shoe is between 2 and 3 lbs, whereas KURUs hiking shoes are less than 1 pound or a little over 1 pound, depending on the size you get. A lightweight running shoe, however, may hover around 11 oz or less.
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Why are lightweight shoes good?
Lightweight shoes help you experience more efficient energy return and can go faster and longer with less effort. Studies have shown that even a small decrease in shoe weight can lead to a more efficient use of energy.
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Are lighter or heavier shoes better?
It depends on your task! For a durable boot in a work setting or when you want to feel grounded to the earth on uneven terrain, a heavier shoe might help you feel more stable. But a lightweight shoe is often best for fitness activities where distance, height, and endurance are your biggest goals.
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Are KURU shoes considered orhtopedic shoes?
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their foot pain.
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Features of Lightweight Shoes and Finding the Best Fit
Here's what to look for when searching for the best lightweight shoes for you.
On the hunt for a new pair of lightweight shoes? Here are a few tips!
Average weight by shoe style: When seeking out a pair of hiking, running, walking, or fitness shoes, do a little research on how heavy each of these shoe types are on average. That info will help you narrow down your options for the lightest weight shoes.
Type of midsole: In athletic shoes, the midsole can make up a large portion of a shoe’s weight, so a lightweight EVA foam midsole is a fantastic option for a shoe with extra bounce and shock absorption.
Mesh or flexible uppers: When looking for the lightest possible shoe, seek out lightweight fabrics on the upper as well. Mesh or knit fabric uppers are lightweight options for fitness and don’t add much extra weight.
Three Layers of Support
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
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KURUSOLE
...Show LessOur patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad for lasting comfort.
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad for lasting comfort.
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KURUCLOUD
...Show LessOur KURUCLOUD rubber midsole acts as a lightweight cushioned footbed to offer shock absorption for the whole foot. This layer of EVA foam helps absorb impact to your joints, ligaments, and bones, especially during high-impact activities.
Our KURUCLOUD rubber midsole acts as a lightweight cushioned footbed to offer shock absorption for the whole foot. This layer of EVA foam helps absorb impact to your joints, ligaments, and bones, especially during high-impact activities.
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ULTIMATE INSOLE
...Show LessThe final layer in this technology trio, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature premium arch support and cushion for the entire sole of your foot. Made of durable polyurethane foam, these insoles form to your feet for cushion mile after mile.
The final layer in this technology trio, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature premium arch support and cushion for the entire sole of your foot. Made of durable polyurethane foam, these insoles form to your feet for cushion mile after mile.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad for lasting comfort.
Our Secret
Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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