Minimalist running shoes

Running
1

Any particular brands folks recommend?

Previously I’ve had these Altra’s - https://www.letsrun.com/shoes/altra/vanish-xc

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But who knows why, they discontinued them (rave ratings from those that used them). Ultimately looking for equivalent.

Ideally light, minimalist, and enough cushioning to do a marathon (end of Ironman) in.

2

Those are xc shoes, they still make the escalante racer. Xero is another brand to look at.

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Yeah, except perfect from my pov for long road runs. Were 155g. Airy. Open mesh. 15mm stack height. Just not to train up the legs to handle imo. Not a fan of Hoka style massive padding.

Ah, I missed the Escalante racer. There is a 2. :thinking:

Interesting commentary here:

GRADES

Matt
Fit: B+ (Wide toe box with relatively secure fit front to back with flexible heel and thin upper. Less secure during turns)
Performance: B- (Stiffer, firmer ride that feels snappy at uptempo paces but does not feel nimble enough for truly faster efforts)
Stability: B [Neutral] (Forefoot stiffness and width add inherent stability but highly neutral shoe overall)
Value: B- (Stiffer, relatively heavy shoe for being a “racer” that isn’t that responsive or versatile pace-wise)
Personal: C (Not a racing shoe for me at all. Would not even pick this for faster efforts but a decent lower stack training tool)
Overall Design: B-

I also discovered RunRepeat - https://runrepeat.com/altra-escalante-racer-2 , 224g.

Other considerations:

  • Xero Speed force II (can’t seem to get in Australia though :frowning: ), 189g.
  • I have Xero HFS II (but definitely feel too heavy for a race shoe). 244g.

Also interesting minimalist index calculator.

Still looking for something ideal for race day, but going to get the Escalate Racer 2’s. And try get the Xero Speed Force II’s somehow. Still open to hearing more.

4

Nike Streakfly?

185 g

6mm drop (26 to 20mm)

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As a minimalist runner I ran my two IM back in the days wearing Vibrams V-Run.

Now I’m going to run my first open marathon and I’ll use Altra Escalante Racer 2. I would not say these Altras are minimalist shoes. But marathons are quite more brutal on feet than IM, and I’m looking for some more cushioning.

You could consider Topo ST-5, I think that if I’ll run IM again these could be the shoes. Or Vibrams again.

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I raced next to a guy in Cairns IM 2015 running with those Vibrams. Wouldn’t have been you? :sweat_smile: .

I called em out, massive respect. I was in Merrel’s atm, some shoe they discontinued (hot lava haha). Was at the start of the journey then more or less. Hadn’t run more than 21km so was an interesting exercise.

Update
I got some Altra Escalante Racer 2’s. My right achilles wasn’t such a fan, but new shoe - with 1mm? Felt that might have been why. Or just needing to get used to it (hasn’t happened with other minimalist shoes).

Interesting about the Topo; that seems to tick many boxes. Slightly put off my ‘short run only’ and ‘gym’ type stuff haha, but did some some positives for long running in a comment. I can’t stand the Vibram look, so these could be the ones.

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it wasn’t me :sweat_smile:

I bought the Topo ST-5 but still hasn’t run with them.
I ran ~1000km with previous model ST-3, including most of the marathon training, then switched to the Altras for the final weeks and the race.

Stilli using Fivefingers for easy runs, and will be back to them after the marathon.

8

Nice. I’ve just ordered the Topo ST-5’s.

So at the moment:

  • Altra Vanish XC (first time running in a long time, toes took a bit of damage. But also first long ish runs, so unsure. I ran with socks. Maybe shouldn’t have?
  • Altra Escalante Racer II - good first long run, except achilles a bit suss on it.
  • Xero HFS II - too heavy for race, but good for training, strength etc.
  • Topo ST-5 - on the way, will see.
9

I always wear socks for running, with all kind of shoes. Almost exclusively toe socks.

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Benefits of toe socks you’ve found? I’ve never bothered.