Lems Shoes, the Boulder-based footwear brand known for its commitment to natural, foot-shaped designs, is officially entering the road running category with the launch of its debut collection: ZenSpeed+ and ZenSpeed Lite. Both models will be available for pre-sale beginning August 24, with the official launch following in early October.
For Lems, this launch represents both an evolution and a return to where the brand started. In 2008, founder Andrew Rademacher was a collegiate decathlete with a lifelong passion for running. He grew frustrated with the lack of running shoes that truly fit the foot’s natural anatomy. In search of something better, he began dissecting his own running shoes, cutting away excess material and studying their construction to understand why traditional footwear felt so restrictive. That early obsession became the foundation for Lems itself. Even as the brand built its name in casual and outdoor footwear, its roots stayed in movement and performance, with a running shoe always on the long-term roadmap.
“The running category today is filled with highly engineered, often overbuilt shoes with thick, cushioned stack heights and designs that can feel disconnected from natural movement,” said Rademacher. “That works for some runners, but we saw an opportunity to offer something different. We believe there’s a place for a return to basics with a shoe that draws from our traditional philosophy of a simple, uncomplicated design that lets your foot move the way it was intended. Stepping into the running category felt like a natural next step for us. It lets us connect with runners who are thinking deeply about how they move and what they’re putting on their feet, which is, quite honestly, something I am always thinking about. We’re excited to see how these land, and we’re just getting started.”
For this collection, Lems developed its first-to-market TrueFit™ last and Natural Running Platform to give runners a more natural, efficient ride. Built around the true shape of the foot, the last keeps the big toe properly aligned and allows all five toes to splay on impact, supporting better stability and power transfer. Its sleek profile removes the bulk and unwanted movement common in wide toe box shoes, creating a more secure, responsive fit. The Natural Running Platform encourages a natural midfoot strike, and the smooth rocker design delivers a more connected running experience. Both models feature Lems’ proprietary injected rubber outsole, which is lighter than traditional solid rubber while offering high abrasion resistance. The brand’s new ZENCELL™ midsole foam is engineered to deliver an energetic push-off for effortless motion. Together, these elements reflect the same idea baked into the collection’s name: Zen for the calm, connected, natural movement Lems has always built around, and Speed for the performance to back it up on the road.
The ZenSpeeds are designed for runners and active people of every skill level and body type who are ready to ditch the overbuilt, overcushioned shoe and get back to a natural stride, whether that’s on the road, at the gym, or just moving through everyday walking and urban wear. It’s a daily running shoe as much as a race-day one, made for runners easing into the sport and veterans craving more ground feel alike. The ZenSpeed collection is available in men’s and women’s styles, each offered in wide and medium fit options.
ZenSpeed+: Built for Longer Miles and an Energetic Ride
The ZenSpeed+ is Lems’ first road running shoe, built on the healthy fit and low drop that define Lems footwear. Designed for runners, walkers, and anyone who believes movement should feel natural, it’s engineered with a smooth rocker profile to promote an efficient midfoot strike and a stable, energized stride. MSRP: $175
- Weight: 9.4 oz. (Men’s size 10)
- Heel stack: 31 mm
- Forefoot stack: 26 mm
- Drop: 5 mm
- Last/fit: TrueFit™ last (foot-shaped and streamlined)
- Width: Available in Wide (D width, similar to the original Lems Wide Fit) and Medium (less wide, B width)
- Midsole: ZENCELL™ — highly responsive EVA + 10% PEBA
- Outsole: 3.5 mm injected rubber, super-light floating design
- Insole: Minimal Cork Insole
- Available in Blackburn, Chalk, and Lime (Men’s only, Wide), Firecracker (Women’s only, Medium)
ZenSpeed Lite: Designed for a Minimal, Grounded Feel
The ZenSpeed Lite is the more minimal counterpart to the ZenSpeed+, delivering a lighter, lower-profile ride for runners who want to stay closer to the ground. With a 2mm drop and reduced stack height, it pairs Lems’ Natural Running Platform with just enough cushioning for a connected, grounded feel. MSRP: $165
- Weight: 8.8 oz. (Men’s size 10)
- Heel Stack: 24mm
- Forefoot Stack: 22mm
- Drop: 2mm
- Last/Fit: TrueFit™ last (foot-shaped and streamlined)
- Width: Available in Wide (D width, similar to the original Lems Wide Fit) and Medium (less wide, B width)
- Midsole: ZENCELL™ — highly responsive EVA + 10% PEBA
- Outsole: 3.5 mm injected rubber, super-light floating design
- Insole: Minimal Cork Insole
- Available in Blackburn, Chalk, and Citrus
Pre-sale orders for both models open August 24 and will be available for one month, with shipments starting in early October ahead of the launch. Both styles will be available at www.lemsshoes.com and select independent retailers.
For more information on Lems Shoes and the latest brand news, visit www.lemsshoes.com
ABOUT LEMS SHOES
Founded in 2011 by Andrew Rademacher, Lems Shoes was born from a simple idea: shoes should be built around the natural shape and movement of the human foot. Frustrated by the lack of anatomically correct footwear on the market, Rademacher took matters into his own hands, literally, by dissecting traditional shoes, studying last construction and pattern making, and designing his own. The result? Minimalist footwear that strips away the unnecessary, delivering full flexibility, comfort, and foot-shaped design. From its first release, the Primal, to its ever-evolving lineup today, Lems remains committed to creating lightweight, versatile shoes that let your feet move the way nature intended. Learn more about the brand at lemsshoes.com.
