Stride Lab was founded by Takashi Fukuchi in Tokyo in 2013 to promote healthy movement and support communities of hikers, walkers, and runners throughout Japan. Stride Lab was founded with the belief that walking and running are lifelong sports, and footwear should allow feet to move the way nature intended. In 2024, Takashi and Cedric Scotto brought Stride Lab to the USA. 

Takashi’s passion for healthy movement was formed as a university student at Eastern Michigan University, where he majored in Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology. After graduating, he worked as a personal trainer in Berkeley, CA. Takashi’s interest in ultralight hiking gear and movement inspired him to establish a company specializing in importing Japanese-crafted ultralight hiking equipment to the USA and minimalist shoes to Japan. As the Japanese side of the business grew, Takashi sold the USA portion and focused on introducing Altra Shoes and Luna Sandals to Japanese runners. This coincided with the establishment of Stride Lab Running Stores and their focus on lifelong running and creating communities where walkers, hikers, and runners of all levels are welcome and celebrated. Stride Lab is Japan’s largest chain of run-specialty stores, with 13 locations nationwide. An outdoor enthusiast, Takashi enjoys road and trail running, trekking, rock climbing, cycle sports, and backcountry skiing. 

Cedric Scotto, originally from France, came to the USA on a golf scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana State University. Following a successful career at SLU, Cedric played on the professional circuit. It was at this time that he started spending time trail running as part of his conditioning for golf. After his golf career, Cedric returned to SLU to study biomechanics, where he researched the impact of minimalist shoes on running gait. Following his studies, Cedric worked for Xero Shoes, Altra Running, and Vivobarefoot in a variety of business and research roles. While Cedric does not consider himself a “runner” per se, he enjoys trail running, stating he “runs because it is fun and it feels good.” Cedric also enjoys a variety of racquet sports, walking with his dogs in the mountains, and snowboarding. 

Stride Lab USA is rooted in Cedric and Takashi’s interest in the study of healthy movement and a belief that the right shoes can be life-changing. Committed to creating inclusive communities where natural, foot-powered movement is encouraged, Cedric and Takashi are excited to launch Stride Lab USA in April 2024. 

Join us. Come walk, run, and hike with us.