Review your minimalist running footwear. Spread the word!

[Trajan]

I've been wearing TGs all summer. Great shoe.

[dustdevil13]

I had knee issues for years, started running bear foot for a few months, knee issues gone.

Been using New Balance 101’s for trail running, there is a rock guard keeps your foot from getting poked.

http://www.shopnewbalance.com/men/sh...unning/MT101GH

For road running and X fit it’s the Minimus.

http://www.shopnewbalance.com/men/sh...running/MT10BO

Can’t say enough good things about these shows. I’m not over stating it when I say minimalist running changed my life/work outs.

[lebowski]

I got a pair of the NB Minimus MX20 cross trainers a few months ago and I love them - best cross trainers I've ever worn. I wear them mostly indoors in the gym w/ very minimal running (basically a warmup on the treadmill). I use them mostly for weights, calisthenics, etc. I find for lifting, especially say squats or deadlifts, I feel more "planted" on the ground. I also find for any lateral movement, there isn't the need for lateral support as in most cross trainers as your feet don't tend to "roll" to the side. They were my first foray into a minimalist shoe: http://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-Mi...9056846&sr=8-1


I liked them so much I recently bought a pair of the Minimus Road for running. I'm a little more nervous about running in a minimal shoe vs. cross training because, unfortunately, most of my running is on pavement (just a function of where I live) and thus far I've been VERY lucky WRT injuries with traditional running shoes, so I've always had a bit of an if it ain't broke don't fix it mentality there. But, they are very comfortable and I enjoy running a bit more with them. So far I've just been cycling them in about every 3rd run or so (just got them a couple weeks ago). http://www.shopnewbalance.com/men/sh...raining/MR10BR


Overall I like the change.

[tb-av]

How do these things work for people that are more of a "walker / jogger" as opposed to an actual "runner"

[dustdevil13]

How do these things work for people that are more of a "walker / jogger" as opposed to an actual "runner"

It’s all about letting your foot do what it naturally wants to do, if your running, walking, or lifting. I’m not the guy to go into the science of it all but a good book to read is Born to Run, great book that I picked up inadvertently that turned me on to the minimalist movement.

http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Super...9063201&sr=8-1

When I first started running bear foot, I started small, like ½ mile on the grass. At first my feet hurt, like they where being pulled apart. It was the muscles and ligaments getting reacquainted with doing what they do naturally. After a couple weeks it went a way and over the last few years my feet have actually got wider and my arch higher.

Think of bear foot and minimalist shoes in this way. When you build an arch out of brick, stone or whatever you don’t put a pillar in the middle to support it, if you do it actually destabilizes the arches natural strength. Yet we are told by medical “science” we need an arch under our feet. Ultimately it serves to weaken our naturally strong creation.

[PlatoCATM]

I will have to check these out. I've had some recent knee pain so I switched from running to the elliptical machine. My buddy has run a several half marathons and a couple fulls in 5 finger shoes, but they just seemed too extreme for me to switch. I knew minimalist shoes existed, but haven't had time to research any.

[Kyle Defoor]

There are some new ones out there Ive been testing and I'll be running in for The Project. I'll be doing a review soon.

I'll also be posting my weekly workouts on my site for the next 9 months starting this Friday for those that are interested. I haven't run an ultra in about 10 months, so it may be a good opprotunity for those that are on the fence to make a decision.

What exactly 'The Project' is will come to light soon.....

KD

[variablebinary]

How do these things work for people that are more of a "walker / jogger" as opposed to an actual "runner"

The one thing I can say about minimalist shoes and barefoot jogging or running is your body knows naturally not to do something that is going to hurt you.

You will know naturally that heel striking sucks, and your foot muscles, ankles, tendons and calves will get stronger so you will roll your ankle less.

You'll use shorter, more effecient strides and keep your momentum better, while transferring less stress to your knees.

Word to the wise. START SLOOOW. Like 5 minutes, half a mile or so, and build up gradually.

I can say enough good things about minimalist shoes.

[That Guy v2.0]

Does anyone know if Salomon is going to get into the minimalist game? I've had NUMEROUS pairs of the XA Pro 3Ds and love them but after training and running in the Minimus I really don't want to go back. After being in the Minimus and going to a fore/mid foot strike the XA Pro's heel is way to thick for me.

I'm hoping we'll see something along the lines of a Minimus type shoe but with the lacing system of the XA Pro.

Forget to mention that the minimalist shoes make great crossfit/lifting shoes as well.

[5cary]

I have a pair of VFF KSO's. Switching to barefoot *eliminated* my knee pain. I was using the VFF's before I knew about the other minimalist offerings, or I might have opted for a toe box version.

KSO's are great (for me) for running. I run on trails and pavement, and I have no issue with road debris. A co-worker also has a pair of KSO's, but he is limited to grass/track running as the slightest stone or gravel causes him great discomfort. I've run through gravel parking lots with no issue. YMMV.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, I paid a dear price for "over doing it". I was so excited by the lack of knee pain and having the *fun* back in my running that I doubled my distance between two runs (3 mile trail > 6 mile trail) and suffered some major Achilles tendonitis for my troubles. I had started shoeless on a treadmill, 5 minutes at a time before graduating to increasing road work. It was still not enough. TAKE IT SLOW. I'm not running at all now until the spring in an effort to heal. It's been months and my tendon is still sore to the touch. I'm using K tape and calf exercises now, before I run again.