Kigo Footwear has been named the exclusive minimalist footwear of the East Coast Adventure Racing Series (ECARS) put on by American Adventure Sports. ECARS is the premiere Regional adventure racing (AR) Series in the United States. As part of the partnership between these two active and ecologically conscious companies, Kigo Footwear will provide shoes for the elite AR participant athletes as well as prizes for winning teams.
American Adventure Sports was founded in 1997 to create events and provide products that cultivate a passion for nature and activity. Since then, thousands of individuals have participated in the AR events as a way to learn, grow and improve their lives through sport. American Adventure Sports has continued to expand its offerings and in 2009, opened a retail location in Indiana to provide the tough-wearing outdoor and adventure gear needed by AR participants. The company now houses a fully functioning in-house video production branch, supports a partnership with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and operates an online shop that provides top-of-the-line adventure racing and outdoor gear.
As part of the partnership, the American Adventure Sports ecommerce channel is offering the full range of kigo footwear products. American Adventure Sports will offer all kigo footwear styles. These lines offer total versatility in function and design that is simultaneously ultra lightweight, flexible and durable, making them ideal for travel, outdoor activity and athletics.
“As a minimalist sport with minimalist athletes adventure racers could not ask for a better fitting sponsor in the 2012 season”, said Doug Crytzer, Owner and Founder of American Adventure Sports. “We’re thrilled to expand our green and sustainable sponsor line up in the 2012 East Coast Adventure Racing Series. This barefoot option fits perfectly with our myriad of recycled and sustainable products including Greenlayer Sports, Hyalite Equipment, and Darn Tough. Our athletes will have the chance to experience the quality and durability kigo brings to the table while helping us offers our consumers yet another green product.”
The ECARS Coalition, consisting of NYARA, GOALS, Odyssey, Rev3 & American Adventure Sports, is dedicated to creating synergy and positivity within the AR sport and providing opportunities for athletes and sponsors. As a part of that effort, kigo footwear will act as an in-kind sponsor, providing shoes for the top three winners of the ECARS events, shoes for all ECARS endorsed athletes, and custom discounts for all race participants.
“As a group of athletic, travel-junkie individuals who wear our own shoes in virtually every active environment, we are psyched to support ECARS and American Adventure Sports,” said Jan Kuramoto, CEO of Kigo Footwear. “To be named the minimalist shoe of choice by the number one Adventure Racing team in the US is a huge honor.”
As American Adventure Sports continues to expand its retail operations, the full line of kigo footwear products will be available. In addition to its current retail location and ecommerce site, a second retail location is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
