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|[[File:OlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Altra Olympus.]]
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|[[File:HokaOlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|A comparison between the Altra Olympus and Hokas.]]
|[[File:GTSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Asics GT]]
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|[[File:FreeSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Nike Free]]
|[[File:PureSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Brooks Pure]]
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|[[File:HattoriSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Saucony Hattori]]
|[[File:GoRunSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Skechers GO Run Ultra]]
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* '''Transitional'''. These shoes are part way between categories, and so they tend to have a mix of characteristics.
=Shoe Modifications=
[[File:ModifiedShoes.JPG|none|thumb|200px250px|Clockwise from the top: [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/NIK1444/ Nike Free 3.0] (early version) cut open more than most to form a 'running sandal', [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/SCN984/ Saucony Hattori], [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/NBA1542/ NB Trail Minimus], [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/NIK1444/ Nike Free 3.0] and the non-minimalist [[Hoka Shoe Review|Hoka]].]]
With the exception of the FiveFingers, the Mizuno Curoris and the Altras, I find that all shoes benefit from cutting open the toe box. This allows the toes to spread out as you toe off, creating more natural biomechanics and preventing toe blisters.
=Summary Table=
* New Balance Fresh Foam 980 has less of a drop than a traditional shoe, but it's too firm to be a true Minimax trainer.
==Altra Olympus==
{| class="wikitable" |[[File:OlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|The Altra Olympus dissected.]]|[[File:HokaOlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|A comparison between the Altra Olympus and Hokas. Notice the difference in the way the sole tapers towards the front of the shoe.]]|}This has rapidly become one of my favorite running shoes. It has the soft cushioning that is like the best of the Hoka range, combined with zero drop and a nice wide toe box. It's remarkably flexible given its cushioning, with an outsole that works well on the road. Like the Hokas, the cushioning means the shoe works well on rocky trails as well. Like other Altra shoes, the tongue area is wider than most shoes, reducing the pressure on the top of your foot. The weight is similar to a Hoka, but somehow feels lighter than a Hoka when I'm running. Like the Hokas, the midsole thins at the front and back to create a rocker effect, and this is a little more noticeable than the Hokas. I felt this worked well, though I've talked to runners who have found the rocker a little disconcerting. You can see the difference in the slice through the two shoes above, with the Hoka tapering in front of the ball of the foot and the Olympus starting to taper much further back.
==Hokas==
{{Main|Hoka Shoe Review}}
[[File:HokaHalfs.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx300px|The Hoka Bondi cut in half, showing the outside and inside views. You can see that the midsole foam is a lot higher on the outside than the inside.]]
The Hoka shoes started the 'Minimum Drop, Maximum Cushioning' style of shoe and are still unique in their level of cushioning. The Hokas generally use extremely soft foam, with a wide base to improve stability. Their soles are thicker than most other shoes in this category, so they are quite heavy, though not as heavy as they look. Most of the Hokas do well on both asphalt and rocky trails, though the Mafate is designed for softer trails and does not like asphalt. The Hokas provide remarkable protection from rough trail surfaces, and the thick, soft soles mold themselves around stones to provide more grip on rocky trails than you'd expect. Other than the sole, the Hoka is a poor design, with a remarkably tight toe box and they are typically rather inflexible.
* The Bondi is my favorite all round Hoka. The toe box is tight, even for a Hoka, but it's got the best balance of soft cushioning and reasonable weight. There is also the Bondi Speed/[http://www.zappos.com/hoka-one-one-bondi-evo-brilliant-blue-hi-rise-citrus Bondi Evo] that is quite similar, as is the Stinson.
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|[[File:Free30v4.jpg|none|thumb|x200px|The (unmodified) Nike Free 3.0 Flynit.]] |[[File:FreeSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x200px|Nike Free]]
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Nike Free are running shoes that are light weight, with very flexible soles. Even without modification, the Nike Free 3.0 is a good minimalist running shoe and a half way house to a zero drop shoe. There is no outer sole (the hard rubber that meets the road), just a robust midsole (the cushioning part). The midsole has deep groves cut into it to allow the shoe to flex more than is possible with a traditional shoe. There are lots of different models of Nike Free, but I would recommend using the [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/NIK1654/mens-nike-free-flyknit-30/ Free 3.0] flynit. (Most Frees have a number that indicates how flexible they are. The idea is that 10.0 would be a traditional shoe and 1.0 would be barefoot.)
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==Saucony Hattori==
[[File:HattoriHattoriSlice.jpgJPG|none|thumb|200pxx300px|The [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/SCN984/ Hattori].]]
The [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/SCN984/ Hattori] is a lightweight (4.4oz), zero drop shoe, but the sole is less flexible than the Nike Free and the sock style upper limits the fit. Zappos has the [http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-SHTLCM2.html Hattori LC] which has laces instead of a sock upper.
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