For 2013 TRUE linkswear has added a couple of women's styles to the line - the TRUE isis WP and the TRUE jade. The TRUE isis will also be available in a couple of new colors.

TRUE jade - The jade is similar to the Men's TRUE sensei, but on a women's last. The jade is our first women's model with our new sensei outsole design which provides excellent traction and stability on the course, on the trail, on the road or wherever life takes you. Early feedback on the TRUE jade has been very positive as a golf, walking and workout shoe. The synthetic jade upper is very comfortable and breathable so you can walk the course or around town and never worry about your feet. The $99 TRUE jade is now available at truelinkswear.com in Grey/Sunshine, White/Grey/Purple and White/Grey/Kelly.

TRUE isis WP - The WP (water proof) version of the TRUE isis will be available exclusively at truelinkswear.com in Black/Grey on 3/1/13. The $149 TRUE isis WP has the same premium water proof leather as the men's stealth, proto and tour, which delivers unmatched comfort in all conditions. The Ergo-Traction 2.0 outsole on the isis WP is the same as the original isis, so you will have great stability and feel on the course.

TRUE isis - The $99 TRUE isis is back and we are adding two new colors for 2013 - White/Purple and White/Kelly. There are now 7  isis colors to choose from so you can match up your TRUEs with any outfit in the closet. Check them out at truelinkswear.com!

Please let us know what you think about our 2013 women's line?

Also, color suggestions for the TRUE jade are much appreciated - We want to add a few more colors!

We are very excited to launch our 2013 Golf Footwear today!

2011 was our first year on the market with the TRUE tour and TRUE stealth. In 2012, we updated the outsoles and uppers of both of those models and also introduced the TRUE phx and our first women's shoe, the TRUE isis. Then, in November, we brought the TRUE sensei to market, which is the first golf platform to win a PGA TOUR event and run a Marathon on the same day!

TRUE linkswear is the only major golf footwear brand 100% committed to spikeless and the only golf footwear brand 100% committed to minimalist footwear.

We are continuing to push the envelope as we strive to create the most innovative footwear in golf. Our focus for 2013 was to develop the most comfortable uppers imaginable so you can walk the course all day long, while also adding two distinct outsole options which improve traction, flexibility and performance over our very popular Ergo-Traction 2.0 platform that we launched in 2012.

Upper Summary - The TRUE chukka, stealth, proto and tour all have our proprietary ultra-comfortable premium waterproof leather. The TRUE phx has a leather upper that is water resistant while the TRUE sensei has a super comfortable and flexible synthetic upper that maximizes breathability.

Outsole Summary - The TRUE proto and sensei have our new TRUE sensei platform, which provides enhanced stability and traction. Ryan used the TRUE sensei platform to win the JT Shriners Open in Las Vegas. The TRUE chukka, stealth and tour share our new TRUE ninja platform, which provides enhanced feel and flexibility. The ninja platform is our most "barefoot" yet. Both of these platforms are zero drop, less than 10mm from the ground and very comfortable. The TRUE phx has the same Ergo-Traction 2.0 platform as last year.

Here is our 2013 TRUE linkswear Men's Golf Footwear Product Line:

TRUE chukka- The TRUE chukka is our ode to golf in the Northwest, where most of team TRUE grew up teeing it. The chukka is a "mid-top" version of the TRUE stealth with extra height to help navigate wet or winter conditions on the course, or around town. The chukka is made from our super comfortable premium leather, has a two year limited waterproof guarantee and also has a leather lining inside. We put our new TRUE ninja outsole on the chukka to maximize feel in all conditions. The TRUE chukka looks great with khakis, pants, or jeans and is now available for sale in Black or Brown at truelinkswear.com for $209.

TRUE stealth - The stealth has been updated slightly for 2013, our third iteration of this ultra comfortable premium leather golf shoe. The stealth has moved from the Ergo-Traction 2.0 platform to our new Ninja platform which provides enhanced feel and flexibility. The upper is made from our proprietary premium waterproof leather which is very soft and ridiculously comfortable. From an upper styling standpoint we only made one small update by adding rivets to the eyelets for a more clean and sophisticated look. The TRUE stealth comes with a two year limited waterproof guarantee and is now available for sale in Black, White or Brown at truelinkswear.com for $199.

TRUE proto - Ryan Moore started wearing the TRUE proto during the 2012 Fed Ex Cup Playoffs and showed the world what our new shoe can do with Top 10s in 3 events including a T-3 finish at The Coca Cola Championship at East Lake. Ryan followed that up by winning the JT Shriners Open in Las Vegas. Yep, the proto is off to an impressive start on TOUR! The TRUE proto has the same premium waterproof leather as the stealth, but we incorporated some perf leather in the heel and also spiced things up with a big red tab on the side. The proto screams TRUE performance and that is what it delivers with our new sensei outsole which provides enhanced stability and traction. The TRUE proto has a two year limited waterproof guarantee and will be available for sale in six colors for $169 on truelinkswear.com.

TRUE tour - The iconic tour has been updated for 2013 and it is the best one yet. The 2011 tour was the original "slipper with traction" which put TRUE on the map, while the 2012 tour developed a strong following thanks to improved aesthetics and performance. The 2013 TRUE tour provides the comfort of the 2011 tour with even better aesthetics and performance than the 2012 tour. We took our super soft and supple premium leather, also found in the 2013 chukka, stealth and proto, and put it in the tour to take the comfort level from "golf footwear leading" to "my most comfortable shoes ever". Then we set aside the Ergo-Traction outsole and slid in our TRUE ninja outsole which has increased flexibility and feel. The $149 TRUE tour ships with a two year limited waterproof guarantee and is now available at truelinkswear.com in Black, White/Black, White/Brown and White with Kelly Green. Additional colors will be released online in the next few months.

TRUE phx - The comfy and stylish $99 phx is back for 2013 with a few new colors rolling out during the season. White/Kelly/Charcoal is now available at truelinkswear.com and there will be other colors on the way soon.

TRUE sensei - We released the sensei in November and the response has been terrific! The sensei has been on TOUR, run a marathon, played 144 holes in one day and enjoyed a nice family vacation at Disney World amongst other adventures, and that is just in the past couple of months. We designed the TRUE sensei to be the most versatile and comfortable golf shoe ever. The synthetic upper breathes really well on those days when a leather upper and water proof membrane can make your feet too hot. The outsole provides excellent traction and stability on the course and also on trails, roads, or wherever else life take you. The TRUE sensei is now available through truelinkswear.com in four colors for $99. We will be launching additional colors throughout the season.

We hope that you are excited about the thoughtful innovation that we have put into our 2013 Men's Golf Footwear line. Our goal is to provide you with the most comfortable and best performing golf footwear on the market! Please let us know what you think, we love getting feedback!

I believed all of the points below before starting a logical training program, based on Dr. Phil Maffetone's methods discussed in his seminal work The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing, while wearing zero drop minimalist golf/running shoes.

- Running is bad for your joints
- Running makes your knees hurt
- Running is terrible for your back
- Running gives you shin splints

In 2000, just a year out of college, I attempted to run a half marathon while living in NYC. I thought it would be a piece of cake because I had been running, and icing my knees afterwards, for years while playing college hockey. I knew I was a good athlete and just needed to add a few miles to my current base. However, the pain from running I had experienced in college was much worse as I extended my runs past six miles to eight and ten. After the half marathon I could barely walk for several days. I thought my body was the culprit, but I was wrong. The culprit was the motion control gel or air bag shoes I had been wearing for years. Shoes that promoted a heel strike which led to shin splints, back pain and sore quads. I did not realize this until about five months ago when I started running in the TRUE sensei which is a zero drop shoe with a mesh upper, no midsole, a thin rubber outsole.

Instead of being sore for hours after a run, my body started to feel rejuvenated. After waking up in the morning, before heading out for a run, my back and calves were sometimes a bit tight, but after a few minutes on the road everything loosened up and I started to feel great. I did not think this was possible, when I used to run in motion control shoes every step was taken in fear, my body constantly running diagnostic checks on knees, shins, back, feet, just waiting for something to start hurting and then grinding through the rest of the run before jumping in the hot tub or getting out ice bags to seek out some relief. I cannot believe how much things have changed since I started running in the TRUE sensei.

The keys to this change based on my experience have been 1) use minimalist footwear 2) slowly build distance and speed 3) run at a comfortable aerobic pace 3) high cadence 4) only run a few times a week.

As far as I can tell, minimalist footwear creates less stress on your body because you start to move naturally with feet, knees, hips and back aligned in the same way that humans have been running for thousands of years. Running at a comfortable aerobic pace, with a high cadence, reduces stress on the body and encourages a natural and steady rhythm. And running only a few times a week allows your body to recover so it is prepared for the next run. Most importantly, when transitioning to a minimalist or barefoot running shoe, it is VERY important to take it easy and slowly build mileage so your body adjust to the different sensory experience of running with only rubber, not air, gel, foam, etc. between you and the road.

My "honeymoon" with minimalist running shoes did not end as the training miles started to increase and the eight mile weekend runs turned into ten, twelve, sixteen and twenty. I was literally shocked at how good I felt during my long distance runs and how well my body recovered afterwards. The proprioception, or constant feedback the nerves in my feet were providing my brain, have allowed my body to develop a natural motion that works mile after mile.

All of that training was put to the test on Sunday, October 7th, when I ran the Portland Marathon. I ended up finishing in 3:48 which was decent. The final 5 miles were a bit of a challenge, having never run more than 20 miles before, but I got it done and recovered nicely.

Has anyone else experienced a huge change in their ability to run long distances comfortably and safely by moving to minimalist shoes?

Has anyone encountered problems transitioning to minimalist shoes or had a different experience?

I feel like my TRUE sensei, Garmin Forerunner 210 and iPod Nano are a pretty formidable combination for long comfortable miles on the road or trails.

I am also excited because I enjoy running again, something I have not "liked" to do since I was a kid. Running time is great thinking time, it's not that different, in that aspect, from golf.

We have received some comments like - "Why would you run a Marathon in your Golf Shoes?" and "Just make golf shoes, I don't need to run in them".

Well, this blog is about our logic in creating the TRUE sensei and why we thought it was important to run a couple of marathons in the shoe.

Our goal for the sensei was simple - Create a product that will allow someone to go for a run in the morning and tee it in the afternoon without changing their TRUEs. Essentially, create the ultimate travel shoe, the best light weight summer golf shoe, and hopefully the most comfortable shoe that our customers have ever put on their feet. Because if you can run a marathon in your golf shoe, then it should be so comfortable that it will work for almost any other activity as well. Right?

As total and utter product junkies, who are in a position to experiment, TRUE wanted to prove that putting boundaries on footwear is, essentially, unnecessary. For decades companies have told you that running, golf, soccer, tennis, hiking, walking, jogging, baseball, training, and so on and so forth, require a particular shoe to fit the individual requirements of the activity. At TRUE, we are not so sure about that. It is likely that we can put at least several of the above activities in a group that can be enjoyed in a single footwear product - the TRUE sensei.

We strongly believe that a shoe that can perform on the asphalt for 26.2 miles during a marathon and for 108 holes in one day while walking the golf course will also work nicely for trail running, hiking, walking, jogging, running, gym workouts, cross training, etc.

So, to get as extreme as possible with product testing, the TRUE sensei was tasked with training and completing The Hundred Hole Hike, teeing it on TOUR at the JT Shriners Open in Vegas, and training and completing the Portland Marathon.

On the eve of the Portland Marathon, with Ryan Moore on the first page of the leader board in Vegas, we can reflect on the product testing that was done on grass, road and trails as hugely successful. The TRUE sensei has honestly outperformed our initial expectations and we cannot wait to launch at retail in early November.

On The Hundred Hole Hike side of things, I am very grateful that Jim Colton, who was awarded The 2011 Walking Golfer of the Year, dared to push himself to the limits last year while raising over $110k for Ben Cox and his family, and then followed that up by founding the One Divot charity and The Hundred Hole Hike in 2012. Jim provided me with an opportunity to raise money for charity while also satiating my need for a ridiculously intense product testing scenario. I walked 144 holes in the TRUE sensei at Ballyneal, which is not the flattest course around, in total comfort. Needless to say, you can walk ALL day in the TRUE sensei right out of the box.

In terms of marathon training, I am very grateful for the support of barefoot running guru Dr. Mark Cucuzzella. Mark is deeply involved in providing information to inquiring minds about barefoot running through the Natural Running Center website. This website provides a ton of information on the benefits of running in minimalist footwear, how to transition to minimalist/barefoot shoes safely, and why running can be fun. Mark also encouraged me to read Dr. Phil Maffetone's "The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing" which led to the creation of a simple personal marathon training program. A deliberate and logical approach to long distance running helped me slowly build mileage and increase pace over the past five months. I did not run every day of the week or put in a ton of miles. But I completed enough 8, 10, 12, 16, and 20 mile runs ahead of Portland and I feel prepared and confident for the 26.2 mile test for the TRUE sensei.

I will be posting a few blogs over the next month discussing marathon training, minimalist footwear and any other topics you would be interested in hearing about so please respond with questions or comments.

If there was ever any doubt, TRUE linkswear can certainly be used for lifewear.

Thanks,

Rob

President - TRUE linkswear

We're reconnecting with the blog section of our site - we want to hear from you. Here's what we're doing: updating the blog section with topics you'd like to know more about or simply discuss - from footwear to anything golf.

We're all dedicated, passionate walking golfers who think our shoes have changed the game. We also love great courses and chatting everything golf.

So, first up in the new series...the cornerstone of our products:

What is the advantage to minimalist footwear in golf?

First things first - it's more comfortable. Stripping away everything about over engineered shoes makes things more comfortable and natural for your feet. They've been restricted by midsoles, arches, forced heels - all things that restrict your feet from what they were built to do naturally. All the things in over engineered shoes put your body out of it's natural alignment. This causes sore feet, legs, and backs.

Eliminating the midsole gets you closer to the ground. Communication between your feet and the ground produces more feel. More feel = better footwork. Better footwork = better balance. Better balance = better swing. Better swing = better shots. Better shots = MORE FUN! If that wasn't enough, how about feeling slopes of greens better? Now that's fun.

Any topics you'd like to discuss - just let us know.

Enjoy the walk -

Wags

Jeff H.

I had a chance to play 5 holes tonight in my new shoes and I'm very impressed.  They are simply awesome!!!  They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever played in.  I really enjoyed the wide toe box and felt much more stable in these shoes.  I can't wait to get my next pair.

David R.
Coumbus, GA

Every year, 12 friends of mine go on a golf trip.  This year we were lucky enough to end up at Bandon.  The day before we flew out, my business partner convinced me to buy a pair of your True golf shoes.  I have always been a FJ or Adidas guy but I noticed your shoes were waterproof.  Up and over the waterproof, I loved the modern look as most golf shoes are boring.  I was nervous though because you really never know how they will feel after 18 holes.

The first Wednesday we golfed at Old McDonald, the ranger said it was the rainiest day they have seen all year.  It was crazy.  In fact I questioned golfing there the rest of the week if it continued to rain like that.  It never let up.  I had on 5 layers of clothes under my rain gear and still everything was soaked....except my shoes.  In fact, my feet were the only warm part of my body.  Everyone I was golfing with was talking about sloshing around in their shoes, and yet my feet were about as comfortable as they could get.

On Thursday, my friends were still complaining about their wet shoes that never dried out from the day before.  I kept telling them if they would buy the right shoes, they would have a better experience.  Towards the end of the week, the weather was beautiful.  I figured I walked over 50 miles in those shoes.  By the way, I brought 2 other pairs of golf shoes that never made it out of the suitcase.  I suffer from severe athritis, and I honestly could tell you after all that walking in your shoes...I felt great.  So thank you to you and your company for making such a superior product.  I am a True fan and will not wear anything else from here on out.

I rarely take the time to write reviews but thought you need to know how this customer feels.

David P.
Scottsdale, AZ

Its great to know that our wearers are coming back again for their second, third, and fourth pairs of golf shoes. After having had some time in our phx, 2012 stealths and 2012 tours, we're confident that they're more comfortable, more stylish, and a better fit than anything we've produced before. Coordinated to the new product launch, we've obviously launched our new website. As we head through the month of January, you should see some new features unveiled on the site and will note that the stealth and tours begin to ship in early February.

We're eager to hear what your experience in our '12 golf shoes is like. Stop by our Facebook page or leave a review on the product pages. Tell us who you are, where you play, and what you think of the shoes.  And don't forget to be on the watch for limited edition releases, our women's line, and upcoming promotions!

Thank you for showing us that it’s not a 1, 2, or 3 act play.  After stubbing your toe with the Apple III and Lisa, the Mac was born.  After getting ousted by the board, you came back and increased revenue from $7B to $65B while changing industries and millions of lives along the way.

Thank you for inspiring me and others to follow their passion and chart their own course.

Thank you for showing us that you should never settle for “good enough.”

And thank you for all of these insanely great products.

I will miss you.

Sean Eidson

ceo - TRUE linkswear

As a product geek it is impossible to recall how many times I have referenced an Apple creation as a "north star" to be admired and aspired to.

Steve Jobs, obviously, was a genius and a visionary. He was a passionate perfectionist who ignored the status quo and charted his own course until his products became the status quo.

He never followed the crowd.  He shaped innovation in ways that literally changed how humans function on a daily basis. Who can live without their iPod, iPhone, iPad or Mac Book? Apple is part of how we exist and Mr. Jobs' product vision was iconic.

As important for the future, in my opinion, was Mr. Jobs' influence on a generation of product entrepreneurs to think differently in their own "space", and his legacy will inspire entrepreneurs for many generations to come.

Thank you Mr. Jobs for giving companies like TRUE linkswear the confidence to strap on some "brassies", challenge the status quo and pursue a dream.

We will miss you.

Rob Rigg

President - TRUE linkswear

Ryan's next tournament will be the Justin Timberlake Shriners Open in Las Vegas - just down the street from his house.

Ryan's Bag for The BMW Championship

Putter: Cleveland Classic 3

60* Titleist Vokey Design; BV 260-06; Spin Milled, Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip, Dynamic Gold Wedge Shaft
54* Titleist Vokey TVD54; Spin Milled, Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip, Dynamic Gold Lite Wedge Shaft

4-P Adams idea MB2, Dynamic Gold X100 Pro Lite Sensicore, Ping Tour Velvet Grip

20 degree Adams idea pro A12 proto-g, Oban Kiyoshi Hybrid 05-100, Ping Tour Velvet Grip

14 degree Adams idea pro a12 proto-g, Oban Kiyoshi 05-100, Ping Tour Velvet Grip

3 Wood - Adams Speedline Fairway, F11, Ti, 15*. Shaft: UST Proforce, Mamiya, 6TX

Driver - Adams Speedline, 9088 LDA 7*. Shaft: UST Proforce, Mamiya, 6TX

Ryan's Footwear Selection

Thursday: TRUE stealth - White with Cream sole
Friday: TRUE stealth - Brown with Cream sole
Saturday: TRUE stealth - Brown with Cream sole
Sunday: TRUE stealth - Brown with Cream sole

In the last few months, I had purchased high end Adidas and FJ Streets in order to find a more comfortable shoe. 2 weeks ago the "shoe-guy" at my local Golfsmith in The Woodlands,  Texas recommended I just try they on. He calls himself this, and it is obvious why, he loves what he does ALOT! I could not truly believe what my feet were telling me. The ooos and ahhhs from my toes and heels could not be real. Had someone finally designed the perfect shoe? Needless to say, "shoe-guy" along with my feet talked me into buying a pair. When I got to my course, everyone kept looking at my shoes. "What are those?", "where did you get them?", "they look comfortable!" and on and on. Needless to say, all the money I have spent on other shoes recently has been wasted and I gave away most all of the other pairs I owned. Oakleys, FJ's, Nike's, Adidas...all gone.  Outside of the obvious and extreme comfort, I love many other features that "bug" me with other shoes:

1 - Sole design is genius. It is stable, you can feel slopes and subtle curves in the ground AND anything outside of clay will not stick.

2 - Lowering the heel of the shoes. Ever try to raise your head with most of your weight on your heels? Possible, but hard to do.

3 - Tongue design. I hate, hate, hate shoes in which the tongue twists to the side. This is not possible with your shoe.

4 - Leather of the shoe is soft, yet gives the impression that it is thick enough to last many years.

5 - Most guys do not have tiny hands, so the bigger laces are also a plus.

Thanks for a product that is ahead of its time, I look forward to owning many more pairs.

Howard W.