# 122: The Last Detail with Chase Reeves

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2025-03-24
- Length: 1h 05m
- Episode: 122
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/122

## Summary

Gear reviewer Chase Reeves discusses his Rhizal Brio slip-on barefoot shoes, explaining the biomechanical benefits of zero-drop, wide-toe-box designs and the 'grounding' copper plug feature. Hosts Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt of Studio Neat explore the intersection of product design, ideology, and user experience, contrasting the shoe's 'naturalistic' approach with their own rationalist design philosophy. The conversation touches on the role of placebo effects in consumer goods, the importance of 'putting the user at ease,' and how niche direct-to-consumer brands like Rhizal exist because of internet culture.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves#t=8) Introduction: Chase Reeves and the Rhizal Brio Shoe
- [1:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves#t=101) Barefoot Shoe Biomechanics and Health Benefits
- [25:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves#t=1524) The Ideology of Grounding and Earthing
- [37:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves#t=2258) Design Philosophy: Rationalism vs. Intuition
- [46:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves#t=2819) Putting the User at Ease and Brand Storytelling
- [58:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves#t=3482) Dieter Rams Principles and Design Process

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Rhizal (company)
- Rhizal Brio (product)
- Studio Neat (company)
- Earth Runner (product)
- Vibram FiveFingers (product)
- Zero (company)
- Neat Ice Kit (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Designing shoes for women's feet with Wes and Allyson Felix of Saysh (2023)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023) (How I Built This)
- [We're BACK! Industrial Design, Biomimicry & More: Designing in the Wild Season 3 (Trailer) | S3E01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/designing-in-the-wild/2026-09-25-were-back-industrial-design-biomimicry-more-designing-in-the-wild-season-3-trail) (Designing in the Wild)
- [417: Special Old People Shoes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-11-03-417-special-old-people-shoes) (Making It)
- [HIBT Lab! Saysh: Wes and Allyson Felix](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix) (How I Built This)
- [#019 - Chairless chair, with Keith Gunura of noonee, Switzerland](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-03-29-019-chairless-chair-with-keith-gunura-of-noonee-switzerland) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)

## Citing this page

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