minimalist running shoes please help!

spatticus

Okay I reaaally need help picking out a minimalist running shoe! I am not going to a specialty store to have them shove overpriced cushiony shoes at me, I want minimal. No pronation mumbo jumbo. Having a really hard time swallowing the price tag though. I was looking at the new balance minimum shoes that just came but 100 bucks. I don't like the idea of buying Nike so trying to stay away from Nike free. Any ideas? What do you wear? Barefoot really isn't an option I want to try on asphalt at the park either. And no I'm not starting a minimalist running approach debate :-) I've been looking for weeks and still can't decide!
help!

mursey

I do like Nike Frees and Nike Air Rift but what about those "5 Finger" shoes? None of these are cheap, though, I can't think of any that are inexpensive. These here are funny looking but I see more and more of them, as they become more accepted maybe you wouldn't feel silly wearing them?

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/womens_footwear.htm

findngme

shoes are important if you're running to support your feet and back but i agree, i can't handle $100 shoes either! i just picked up a pair of new balance running sneakers at modell's for $30 on sale from $60. they're cute and super comfy. good luck!

camp_teekay

I was looking for old school Sauconys for workout shoes, but I couldn't find them in stores. I'm almost sure you can find them online but I was impatient. I ended up getting Nikes, which I was sort of bummed about (also didn't want to end up buying Nikes), but they were the only shoes that didn't look like Robocop. They were around $50. I used to have Classic Sauconys (no bells, whistles, or crazy neon soles) and I remember that they were THE most comfortable sneaker ever, and light as a feather. Oh god, why didn't I just order them online? I'm now full of regret. Sigh...


http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/productdetails?catId=cat10002&productId=prod80014&skuId=***4*******1044-241*M050&stockNumber=1044-241&showDefaultOption=true

I had these in Navy / light blue! Check out the link above.. $40. And they have vegan options, too!

Jodie_Wilson9

I wear Asics. I currently run in the Gel Nimbus 12. It's not a bad shoe. It's well constructed, provides great support and comfort for my feet and serves it's purpose for me well. I really like running outdoors in these shoes as they're very well ventilated. I can feel the air through the mesh and material coming through to my sock-covered feet. It feels nice. They can be pricey, too. But you may be able to catch a nice sale somewhere. Best of luck. ^_^

simplynila

I've been running for over a decade and it's important to have a good shoe. Running shoes is the ONLY shoe I spend more than thirty bucks on. They're that important! Pronation is something to worry about if you pronate. Pronation is where your ankles tild inward or outward and your ankles don't like up with your knees which also throw your hips out of wack. Therefore, you definitely need a supportive shoe. Any running store can help you find the right one! I LOVE new balance. I've tried just about every brand on the market but NB just fits my foot the best.

My advice in a nutshell. Spend the money, you wont regret it. You only need to buy them every year give or take.

RedHotRunner

Have you checked out vibrams? Doesn't get any more minimal than that.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.htm

taso42_DELETED

Here's an interesting alternative - http://lunasandals.com/

I'm not recommending for or against it them; just something you might consider. I just happened to meet the guy who started the company at a party some months ago and was intrigued.

Sarahmami

I bought my aasics at Kohls for 35 bucks. They are gel shoes and super comfy!

kacarter1017

I've found it's best to spend the money for a good shoe. Most of my running shoes have been between $85 and $105 and I've been really glad I spent the money. I initially bought shoes that felt ok and didn't cost over $60-$70. After a few weeks, my feet just ached. When I've tried the REALLY expensive shoes, I don't notice any difference when compared to the mid priced ones. And don't forget that most support has been beaten out of running shoes in about 500-750 miles.

beckystephens

if you are logging in the miles your shoes are super important.....and that means not buying the cheapies on the sale rack. I would go to a performance footwear store and get your gait analyzed. This is free. That way you know what type of shoe u really need. Some people are neutral runners, some are over or under pronated....in any case the right shoe makes a big difference. I go back and forth between Asics (more cushiony) for long runs.....and for 5ks and under i wear nike free runs. they are super awesome but u really have to train in them.

joleciamichelle

I like new balance as well but they can be pretty pricey but it's also not too hard to find them on sale. amazon has a lot of running shoes for decent prices

FlashBang

At least go the store and try some on and if you are uncomfortable with the price, walk out. They will forget about you when they make the next sale. I bought Newtons, $100 sounds cheap to me, I really like them. They fit me, they complement my running style, hardly anyone knows what in the heck they are. I tried on a lot of shoes, all of them cheaper, I bought the ones I wanted to run in. If I had bought online I would have bought the Nike Free, I hated them! Worst shoe I ever put my feet in. I would have been real sorry. I have a pair of Nike trail shoes I love. Let someone fit you, buy from them if you can you will not be sorry. Money well spent beats money wasted every day.

ChancyW

I tried the Nike Free's & they give me blisters due to the amount and difficulty of my workouts.

I have been using Vibram 5 Finger shoes (I bought the KSO's) and I am in LOVE! They're amazing and VERY minimalistic!

Hope this helps!

-Chancy

coppercurlz

The perfect go-to site for minimal footwear period is www.birthdayshoes.com
He stays up on all the latest.

Also check out Gola. I have been running in the "Chase" model for almost a year (very minimal and got mine for 20 bucks on sale at a local Famous Footwear, but they are on sites like endless.com) and I just ordered my first pair of Vibrams to replace them. My feet are going to be so happy. Happy feet = Happy running = Happy Me

Good for you for going minimal!

ceebs9

I'm loving my Inov8's. Great for running and lifting.

Rurouni_Kou

Shoes are worth the price tag. I'm a minimalist runner and I run in the Vibram Five Fingers. They're a good 80-100 bucks but they are well worth the money. I currently run in the VFF Sprints, but I'm looking to get a pair or Komodos or Biklas. I'm wearing out the sole on the Sprints super fast and the Bilkas and Komodo's have thicker/tougher pads in the area I wear out quickly. I definitely suggest the Vibram Five Fingers. They're tough shoes, and incredibly comfortable and I no longer have the foot problems (shin splints) I used to have with shoes when running.

Also consider this: Cheap things come at an expensive price (like cheap shoes come at the price of pained feet and the more abstract price of piss poor labor practices in other countries- like Walmart's and Nike's piss poor labor practices for example.) I'm willing to spend good money on a product I know is good, comfortable and has good labor and environmental practices.

taso42_DELETED

The perfect go-to site for minimal footwear period is www.birthdayshoes.com
He stays up on all the latest.

Handy! Thanks! I will definitely be looking at this come spring.

fullofhope

I've been running for over a decade and it's important to have a good shoe. Running shoes is the ONLY shoe I spend more than thirty bucks on. They're that important! Pronation is something to worry about if you pronate. Pronation is where your ankles tilt inward or outward and your ankles don't like up with your knees which also throw your hips out of wack. Therefore, you definitely need a supportive shoe. Any running store can help you find the right one! I LOVE new balance. I've tried just about every brand on the market but NB just fits my foot the best.

My advice in a nutshell. Spend the money, you wont regret it. You only need to buy them every year give or take.

I'm not a runner, but I would love to be. Difficult when you have a chronic case of plantar fascitis. Pronation is when your inside heel wears more than your outside heel. Ankle turns in. Supination is when your outside heel wears more than your inside. Ankle turns out. Look at your everyday shoe and see where the wear is. It is important to purchase a shoe that will correct your gait pattern when running or you run the risk of turning your ankle and tearing tendons. Very difficult to heal.. I don't want to sound like a know it all, but I am a physical therapist assistant and I love to analyze gait patterns. Don't be afraid to spend money on your shoes. You only get one pair of feet. Knees and hips can be replaced. Like I said, I wish I could run, but right now.....I can't.

EightDMB

I would really recommend you go to a runner's shop. You have a particular gait when you run and you need shoes that fit correctly to avoid injury. You can get your first pair at the running shop, than order future pairs online (to save money).

michlingle

I'd like to try a pair and see how they work too, I think the five finger ones would make me self conscious, they just draw too much attention, do the minimalist ones you are talking about mimic the five finger ones without the appearance of "feet"? Just curious too!

genessabice

I found an article in a womens health magazine that broke it down by width, arch type, ect and then showed you which shoe was best. For me it was a certain type of adidas shoes. So I came home and got on the adidas website and almost ordered them for $100 but then my husband suggested looking at amazon.com, yup bought them on there for $50. Same shoe, brand new and I've had them for almost a year and LOVE them! good luck shoe shopping!

Rurouni_Kou

I'd like to try a pair and see how they work too, I think the five finger ones would make me self conscious, they just draw too much attention, do the minimalist ones you are talking about mimic the five finger ones without the appearance of "feet"? Just curious too!

Yes there are. This article http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/ mentions several types, one of which is the vivo barefoot. I'll stick with my vibrams though. I like the company and I like the shoes a lot. They're extremely comfy and feel like a second skin. I like the toes because I have wide feet (think duck toes) and it allows my toes to spread, where in most other shoes the walls of the shoes press on the side of my small toe and big toe and crunch too much or when they don't the walls are not tight enough and my foot shifts too much.

Rurouni_Kou

I've been running for over a decade and it's important to have a good shoe. Running shoes is the ONLY shoe I spend more than thirty bucks on. They're that important! Pronation is something to worry about if you pronate. Pronation is where your ankles tilt inward or outward and your ankles don't like up with your knees which also throw your hips out of wack. Therefore, you definitely need a supportive shoe. Any running store can help you find the right one! I LOVE new balance. I've tried just about every brand on the market but NB just fits my foot the best.

My advice in a nutshell. Spend the money, you wont regret it. You only need to buy them every year give or take.

I'm not a runner, but I would love to be. Difficult when you have a chronic case of plantar fascitis. Pronation is when your inside heel wears more than your outside heel. Ankle turns in. Supination is when your outside heel wears more than your inside. Ankle turns out. Look at your everyday shoe and see where the wear is. It is important to purchase a shoe that will correct your gait pattern when running or you run the risk of turning your ankle and tearing tendons. Very difficult to heal.. I don't want to sound like a know it all, but I am a physical therapist assistant and I love to analyze gait patterns. Don't be afraid to spend money on your shoes. You only get one pair of feet. Knees and hips can be replaced. Like I said, I wish I could run, but right now.....I can't.

About the wear- I wouldn't go by that if the Op wants minimalist shoes. The wear in my everyday shoes is NOT the wear pattern I get when running and it is also completely different from the wear pattern I get when walking in minimalist shoes. Minimalist shoes causes you to change your gait when walking and drastically changes your gait running. When wearing tennis shoes/every day shoes I wear out the heel first. When wearing minimalist shoes I wear out the ball and toes first (and when I barefoot completely in the summer I get calluses on the ball.)

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

i am confused by the OP's term of 'minimalist running shoes' and wonder if she means shoes such as Vibram 5-fingers or if she means "no bells and whistles, inexpensive shoes" (but traditional shoes, not barefoot style)... I am buying some 5-fingers this spring and can't wait to start running in them a bit at a time. For now i run in Saucony Pro-Grid Rides that i got at 6pm.com for about $50 (they are $90 shoes). My previous pair was also Saucony, but a slightly different style. I have never heard good things from runners about Nike shoes, so i would definitely avoid them. One piece of advice i got from a friend was to go to a running store and get your gait analyzed and listen to the types of shoe they would recommend and why. Take notes. Tell them you need to think about it and then do research online to get ideas of pricing. Many shops will exchange shoes if they are not working out for you, so that is one plus to buying them from the shop. If you don't go to the specialty shop, please do look up some you-tube videos of runners gait analysis; over and under pronation or neutral... its good to know to be able to select the right type of shoe and to avoid injury and just to have a more pleasant training experience. Good luck! And, for what its worth, i totally agree with the other posters who say its worth the extra $$ to invest in good shoes. If you get a bargain, just be sure you are getting good shoes at a great price, not just so-so shoes at a decent-enough price.

Flyntiggr

The minimalist or 'barefoot' running movement is here to stay. Most of the running shoe companies are coming out with a light back-to-basics shoe. Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Inov, Vibram, and now Merrell all have barefoot running shoes.

I just ordered the new Merrells based on a lot of web reviews. I tried the VFFs and just couldn't get past the crap between my toes. So annoying (but I struggle with flip flops in the summer too!). The Merrells have been called Vibram One Fingers by a couple of reviewers becuase they feel just like their Vibrams, but look like a normal shoe. They have a sole made by Vibram as well.

I ran on the treadmill in the pair I ordered, and they are too short. Gotta send them back for a larger size.

Also - some points to consider. Barefoot running is NOT for everyone. It is a different style of running. You will have to adapt your gait to more of a mid or forefoot strike and push off. Your calfs will be engaged much more, and WILL hurt the first few runs. This is going to happen, so expect it. Most people transition from 'normal' running shoes to barefoots over time. Take it slow and build up your mileage gradually, or you will most likely get injured.

If you want to learn more about barefoot running, get the book Born to Run. Also, these websites are helpful:

http://therunningbarefoot.com/

http://www.barefootrunner.com/

http://www.barefoot-running.us/

rybo

I have a pair of Vibrams. Love em, but you do have to ease into them slowly.

I also have a pair of Saucony Kinvara, they are a minimalist running shoe. I cannot speak more highly of them. feels like running in slippers.

You have a lot of choices out there these days, my advice is to go to a REAL running store, not one located in a mall. They will have minimalist shoes, try them on, see which feels the best. I tried 5+ minimalist types of shoes the day I bought my Kinvara's and just becuase they are minimalist, doesnt mean they all feel good.

vibramfivefingers

http://www.vibramfivefingersshoesusa.com/
Do you like vibram five finger shoes, now it is very popular and has many fans, if you like it, don't wait but choose it. http://www.vibramfivefingersshoesusa.com/

lady_daraine

I love my VFFs. I have a pair of Classics because my feet are so wide and tall that the covered/strapped ones just don't work. I have had them for well over a year, and I have even been camping and fishing in them: http://www.antihousewife.com/2010/11/summer-camping/
I would get them again in a heart beat! I'm even considering getting another color, instead of my basic black, because I love them so much.
This is the review I wrote about them on my blog. Hope that helps anyone who is interested in them!
http://www.antihousewife.com/2010/12/a-review-vibram-five-fingers/