So how does it happen that Tim Brennan, the inventor of barefoot shoes is reading my book about sitting? Well here’s the back story:

Almost 20 years ago Tim Brennan and his father Rick had the idea that shoes should get out of the way and let your feet express their naturally perfect form and function. “Barefoot” shoes sprang from this insight, and today a lot of people are grateful that Tim and his dad pursued their idea so we can all have stronger, healthier feet. The insight the “less is more” applies in a number of disciplines, of course, but it seems especially relevant to designing the way we interact with the world.

I was delighted when Tim and his dad found our QOR360 chair project on LinkedIn, because I’m a big fan of barefoot shoes; I discovered barefoot shoes about 5 years ago, and they’re about the only shoes I’ve worn since. I was even more delighted when it turned out that both Tim and his dad love our Ariel chair.

Delighted, but in retrospect, not really surprised. Because, really, our minimalist chairs are just “the barefoot shoe of office chairs”, providing just what’s essential and nothing else, so your naturally perfect anatomy can support you as evolution intended. We think our chairs are the best solution when folks for some reason have to be sitting, just as barefoot shoes are the best solution when folks for some reason need to be wearing shoes.