I would like to ask the “ultra minimalist” crowd here on shoe recommendations. I am currently running in Merrell Vapor Glove and Vibram Fivefingers Seeya (hacked with 4-5th toe pockets sewn together). I have tried the Mizuno Universe Wave5 but for some reason it did not fit (I tried several sizes.) What is your favorite shoe?
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I’m weird and like the New Balance Minimus shoes. They are not popular though with “real” runners.
I can only think of Luna Sandals when using the phrase ultra minimalist.
XC flats. Whichever fits you best, as they are all pretty much the same performance wise. Plus is that they are easily available this time of year, and you can usually get me for about $50.
I don’t think I have ever seen someone running 7:00 miles or faster running in minimalist shoes. 90% of the people I see in them are probably running more like 9:00 miles. Are there any competitive runners that people can point to that run in minimalist shoes?
Lately, I have seen a number of people running around NYC on the west side path and in central park actually running barefoot. I even saw some dude totally barefoot when it was probably 17 deg F outside. First - eww. second - running barefoot on concrete and asphalt cannot be good for anyone, even if it wasn’t covered in new york grime.
I’m weird and like the New Balance Minimus shoes. They are not popular though with “real” runners.
I’m weird too and like the new balance minimus.
This guys wins many of our local 5 and 10K events with 16:XX and 32-33:xx times, wearing just his Lunas. Does pretty well in half and full marathons as well.
Zola Budd… :o) I agree though Minimilist shoes I believe are proving to be a fad…funny how Hoka’s are popular now, the pendulam has swung
I’m weird and like the New Balance Minimus shoes. They are not popular though with “real” runners.
I’m weird too and like the new balance minimus.
Weird me in too.
I don’t think I have ever seen someone running 7:00 miles or faster running in minimalist shoes. 90% of the people I see in them are probably running more like 9:00 miles. Are there any competitive runners that people can point to that run in minimalist shoes?
I’ve run a sub-19 5k and a sub-1:30 half-marathon in Saucony Hattoris, does that count as competitive?
I ran a 1:36 1/2 in Vibram Bikilas, but that course had about 1200ft of elevation gain.
I probably spend >70% of my time running in minimalist shoes at paces more like 8-9 min/mile. So am I in that 90% of slow folks?
Anyway, to the OP’s question:
My favorite running shoes are the Saucony Hattori, sadly these are getting to be like rocking-horse shit (very hard to find).
A Skora rep very kindly sent me a pair to try a while back and they’re definitely more shoe than Hattoris and Bikilas, but they’ve grown on me. I have the Base (I wanted the velcro closure), but if they ever wear out then I’m replacing them with Skora Phase (which are slightly lower stack and a bit more flexible).
People wore simple leather moccasin type footwear from the neolithic through the middle ages….hard to call that a fad. Modern “minimalist” footwear is just a more durable, (synthetic) moccasin with a waterproof and non-slip sole.
I’ve been a “slave” of this “fad” for 5 years and will never look back.
Looks like a nice shoe. Several reviewers have commented the toe-box is a bit on the narrow side. I have wide-ish feet, so I’m not sure it would work for me. Thanks for the recommendation.
So your are saying sales did not peak and then fall off? …as far as for the history of man, why did you only start five years ago/
In all seriousness. Some mexican tribes made their shoes for marathons before the race with leather and tire treads, and they were damn good, would not recommend for the masses though. I am glad you found what works best for you and that you will continue. For the majority it was not the best solution for whatever the reason. Not taking proper time to adapt ect. The fact is, the numbers in sales have dropped dramatically and there has been an issue of injury. From a sales standpoint it is looking more and more like a fad.
edit…oh per the middle ages, well they were not running marathons on cement, chip seal and the such. They also walked barefoot from birth for a long time. I really think its a poor anaology to the recreational runner of today
You mean like those world class African long distance runners, that grew up running barefoot? Yes, they run in whatever running shoe their sponsors put on their feet now, but correct form is ingrained in their nervous system from childhood. Westerners who grew up in thick soled, elevated heel clunkers cannot even come close.
All I can tell you I had never run prior to age 40 (I thought I couldn’t, I tried several times during my youth but hated it and got hurt every time I tried, using various crappy, heavy, thick soled, inflexible, elevated heel shoes advertised as “running” or “athletic” or “sneaker”). After living in “minimalist” shoes and barefoot for 4 years, I took on running a year ago. My zone 2-3 pace now over 3-4 miles is 10:30 min/mile (was 13min/mile last November), my 10k race pace (after swim/bike) is around 9:30min/mile, and I can sprint at around 6-7 min/mile. I have not had any significant injuries (but I am still ramping up mileage, so typically around 12 miles/week). So just from my personal experience, and common sense, I will stick with thin, flexible, zero drop, lightweight shoes, and plan on getting stronger and faster for many years to come.
See my post above. I guess I am not your typical “recreational runner.”
As for “fad”, I hope it becomes “fad” or at least mainstream, to stop squeezing our children’s feet into narrow, thick soled, inflexible, high heeled foot ware starting at the age of 1. Maybe then Western children can grow up with healthy strong feet and legs, and learn to love running naturally from early childhood. I was not given this opportunity as a child.
When I say “competitive” I’m talking about elite runners(which I most definitely am not). So under say 2:15 for a marathon, under 67 for a half.
if none, or maybe very few are using them, then I gotta wonder if there is any truth to the hype. Just because there are lots of fast kenyans who grew up too poor to buy shoes does not mean that they are fast because yhey started running without shoes. For me, I’m not a skinny marathoner- at 5’10" I weigh 158 lbs. And run mostly on asphalt. I need some good cushioning, but i do like low drop. I run in brooks pure cadence with a 4mm drop but ample cushioning.
Not only do the fast Kenyans not run minimalist, they’re running in shoes heavier than pro triathletes wear in IMs. Lots of folks in the Hyperspeed and A5 at Kona which are sub-6oz. A lot of the Kenyans (Mutai, Makau) wear the Adidas Adios which is 7.8oz and sports a 9mm drop. What do those guys know about running…
I think when you run 20k barefoot daily starting at the age of 7 at high altitude, it doesn’t matter what they put on your feet, you gonna be fast.
I need all the help from my shoes I can get.
I’m a fan of the Brooks Pure Drift. With or without the insole. The toe box is very wide and gives me plenty of room for my foot to do it’s own thing.
I see lots of fast runners running in minimalist running shoes. Racing Flats have been worn by the ultra competitive for years and a lot of them are pretty minimalist.
I’m weird and like the New Balance Minimus shoes. They are not popular though with “real” runners.
Really? I love my NB Minimus!