Minimalist [[File:Runnering Shoes 1449592 m.jpg|right|thumb|500px]]{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Shoes}}These reviews cover what I consider to be the best running shoes have little or no cushioning, very thin flexible soles, as well as some strong contenders and are a few promising shoes that missed the same height at the front and backmark. It Based on [[The Science of Running Shoes]], I believe that [[What to Look for in Running Shoes]] is similar to barefoot runninga shoe that does not interfere with the way you run, but with though I include some shoes that can be useful in transitioning from a little extra protection from abrasionmore traditional shoe. Many of these shoes '''These reviews are also recommend for the [http://posetech.com Pose method] of runningnot being maintained'''. =The Best Running Shoe= Options for Minimalist footwear {{:Shoes-best}}=Shoe Categories=If you want to get as close to barefoot as you canI've classified my shoe recommendations into several categories, these are some good optionseach with their own pros and cons.=== * '''[[Modified Nike FreeMaximalist]] ===With modification''' (Minimum Drop, Maximum Cushioning). The minimal drop has been the Nike Free hallmark of minimalist shoes, but these shoes also include lots of cushioning. At their best, these shoes can provide be like running barefoot on a cushioned track. Maximalist shoes offer lots of protection and comfort. They are great for longer ultramarathons where sore feet become a problem and for trail running where the cushioning makes it easier to ignore smaller rocks and stones. However, the extra cushioning may [[The Science of Running Shoes| increase the risk of injury]] compared with minimalist shoe with shoes and the extra sole thickness increases the stress on your ankle. * '''Optimal'''. These shoes ideally have just enough cushioning to provide good protection. I prefer the improve [[Modified Nike FreeRunning Economy]] to Vibram FiveFingers, as without the small amount weight penalty of extra padding protects my feet much betterthe Maximalist shoes. These shoes are often called "racing shoes", or "racing flats", but I don't believe this term is appropriate any more. Many years go, a "racing flat" had little cushioning, while but with the flexibility gives a advances in materials science, these shoes are now surprisingly similar experiencecomfortable. * '''Fast'''. The longevity of These are the Modified Nike Free is goodfastest shoes, lasting for up often compromised in other ways to 2,000 milesachieve their performance. === [http://www* '''Minimalist'''.vibramfivefingersThese shoes vary between the almost barefoot and those with a little more protection.com Vibram FiveFingersI consider a shoe to be minimalist if it has insufficient cushioning to improve [[Running Economy] (VFF) ===].The VFF range of * '''Balanced'''. These are shoes that are very popular Minimalist Running shoes. They part way between minimalist and Maximalist, but are a thin sole combined with just enough material too heavy to hold them to your footbe considered Optimal. * '''Traditional'''. Each toe The classic running shoe has a separate pockethigh heel, hence normally about 10mm higher than the name FiveFingersforefoot . VFF are close The biggest advantage of traditional shoes is the wide variety to choose from, making it far easier to barefoot runningfind the right fit. VFFs were created for boating =Unfamiliar Brands=You're probably familiar with brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, not runningetc., but they have become hugely popularyou may be less familiar with Hoka and Altra. * '''[[Hoka Shoe Review| Hoka One One]].''' The Hoka shoes started the 'Minimum Drop, Maximum Cushioning' style of shoe. In factThe Hokas generally use extremely soft foam, it can be hard with a wide base to get some of the VFF improve stability. Their soles are thicker than most shoes so they are quite heavy, though not as heavy as demand outstrips supplythey look. I would recommend either Most of the KSO (Keep Stuff Out) or the KSO Treks (The Trek version has a leather upper Hokas do well on both asphalt and a thicker sole)rocky trails. The VFF soles generally last a long timeHokas provide remarkable protection from rough trail surfaces, but and the uppers can be prone thick, soft soles mold themselves around stones to tearingprovide more grip on rocky trails than you'd expect. As an asideOther than the sole, it's been known for the Hoka is a long time that running barefoot is more efficient than running poor design, with shoesa remarkably tight toe box and they are typically rather inflexible. It* ''s been assumed that this is because 'Altra'''. The two distinctive features of the weight Altra shoes are their zero drop and their shape which mirrors the shape of the shoes, but a recent study has shown running in FiveFingers is more efficient than traditional running shoes<ref name="VFF"/>human foot.=== [http://feelmax.com Feelmax] ===Feelmax Originally their shoes have were quite minimalist with a very thin (1mm, 0.04 inch) thinner sole that was typically made of a Kevlar compositequite firm foam. This sole is very flexible More recently they have moved towards softer cushioning and provides great feelthe [[Maximalist]] style.* '''Topo'''. It also provides very good puncture resistanceLike Altra, which protects Topo make shoes that are designed for the human foot, and are very light at about 4 oz. Feelmax I find that the shape of Topo shoes look closer is even better than Altra, with more room for my toes to traditional shoes than Vibram FiveFingers and are available in a wide variety of stylesmove naturally. === [http://www.vivobarefoot.com Vivo Barefoot] ==How Long Will They Last?=Terra Plana make There are a range lot of thin soled shoes under the 'Vivo Barefoot' name. Their Vivo Barefoot Aqua has variables in how long a good reputation for minimalist runningshoe will last, but is rather expensive involving both the runner and the shoe. You'll need to understand your running style to understand how long a shoe is sometimes criticized likely to last for not lasting wellyou. === Huarache Racing Sandals ===* A runner that lands harder will wear out their shoes more quickly. I have no experience of these* If the landing forces are concentrated, but Barefoot Ted sells running sandals inspired by the Tarahumara Indians - [http://barefoottedthis will dramatically increase shoe wear.com/shop/ http://barefootted.com/shop/]. It is also possible So a runner than lands with a midfoot strike will tend to make your own racing sandals using an old tire and leather thong. I have spread the landing forces, where a runner that lands on the edge of the heel will focus the forces in a friend who has made his only quite successfullysmall area. === Moccasins ===Some people have been running in moccasins* Good [[Running Form]] ensures that the shoe doesn't scrape as it lands. Without this 'paw back', especially in colder weatherthe scraping will wear away the rubber or foam quickly. == Options for near-minimalist footwear ==If you want the scraping is combined with a bit more protectionconcentrated landing area, these options are recommendedthe effect is a rapid removal of material under the initial contact patch. === Nike Free ===Nike Free are running * For most shoes that are light weight, with very flexible solesthe limiting factor in shoe life is the foam cushioning rather than the harder rubber outsole. The means the foam becomes compressed and offers less cushioning. Even without modificationThe reduced cushioning is generally not the problem, but rather it's the uneven reduction across the Nike Free is a good minimalist running shoe and a half way house that starts to minimalist runningcause biomechanical problems. There A common situation is no outer sole (that the foam under the hard rubber that meets ball of the road), just a robust midsole (foot wears and so the cushioning part)foot is tilted inward. The foam insole often fails faster than the midsole then has deep groves cut into it , so consider [[Replacement Insoles]] to allow extend the shoe life. * Thinner shoes tend to flex more last longer than thicker shoes, which is possible perhaps counterintuitive. This is because a shoe with a traditional 40mm midsole that loses 20% of its thickness due to wear would be 8mm thinner, where a shoewith only 10mm would only lose 2mm. There are lots * The life of different models of Nike Freethe hard rubber outsole is rarely an issue, and by the time the outsole is worn through the foam is dead. These However, there are shoes have that use relatively soft outsole that can wear more quickly. If you're wearing through the outsole before the foam is dead, there's a number that indicates how flexible good chance you're not pawing back correctly and your shoes are scraping as they areland. The idea This tends to waste energy and is a sign of poor [[Running Form]].* Shoes that 10don't have a hard rubber outsole can suffer from abrasion wearing away the foam. With these shoes the scraping due to lack of paw back has a much bigger impact on shoe life as the foam is much less resistant to being scraped.0 would be * Temperature can play a traditional factor in shoe life. Hot temperatures can soften shoes and 1cause them to wear quickly.0 At Badwater I've had shoes wear away more in 30 miles than I would normally see in 300. On the other hand, foam gives far less cushioning in cold weather, so a shoe that might be barefootokay in the summer might feel worn out in winter. * The running surface changes the rate of abrasion if that's the limiting factor. I would recommend using Rough concrete or asphalt will erode the Free 3shoe more quickly than a smooth surface or dirt.0* How much wear is too much also depends on the individual runner. Some runners may tolerate very little wear, but I have been running in Nike Free for about 5 years and I believe they have helped me stay know runners that can continue to run injury free in shoes that timemost people would consider destroyed.{| class="wikitable" |- valign== Saucony Hattori ==="top"|[[File:WornHS6Shoes.jpg|none|thumb|300px|This is a zero drop, 4.4 oz minimalist shoe that looks like one picture of the best options to hit the market so far. === a friend's [[http://wwwAsics Gel Hyper Speed 6]] showing dramatic outsole wear.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-MUNIVS3.html Mizuno Wave Universe] === The Mizuno Wave Universe These shoes had only completed 230 miles but you can see the outsole is a racing flat that is surprisingly comfortablecompletely gone in places. I ran suspect that the runner in these before I discovered the Nike Free and got question is scraping slightly on well with themlanding rather than pawing back fully. ]]=== |[[httpFile://wwwComparisonHS6Shoes.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-NMYFLY3.html Nike Mayfly] ===The Mayfly jpg|none|thumb|300px|By comparison this is intended to last only 62 miles (100K), though I’ve achieved my Hyper Speed 6 shoes that have far more miles than on them. You can see that from my pair. The Mayfly most of the outsole still has rather more cushioning than I think idealits texture, and the upper can tear if snagged. It only real outsole wear is remarkably light weight and comfortableon the extreme heel. ]]|}==My Experiences with Shoe Life==Since I started tracking my shoe life more accurately with [http://www[MilestonePod]]s, I've found that there is far more wear on my shoes than I realized.amazon.com/PUMA-Mens-K-Street-Sneaker/dp/B001H0FR4Q Puma K StreetWith my [[Foot Strike]] ===This the cushioning degrades so that the sole under the ball of my foot is considered quite a ‘casual’ shoe, not intended for bit lower than the rest of the forefoot. I calculate that about 2mm of compression under the ball of the foot is like running. Howeveron the camber of a standard road (~3°), has which creates additional stresses and might be a strong following in cause of injury. In as little as 100 miles (160Km) I've had shoes compress by 4mm under the minimalist and Pose running campsball of my foot! Since I injured my meniscus I've found I can't tolerate shoes with that much wear, as this artificial camber irritates my knee. It has a thin sole Prior to my knee injury I could get away with a relatively low rise heelquite massively worn shoes, sometimes putting on as much as 3,000 miles (5,000 Km) before retiring them.{| class="wikitable" |- valign=="top"|[[httpFile://wwwShoeWear1.inov-8JPG|none|thumb|300px|This picture shoes the compression of the midsole that occurs under the ball of the foot.com Inov]]|-8 Trail Shoes]==valign="top"Inov-8 produce a wide range of minimalist trail shoes. Of particular note are their |[http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG1&L=27&P=5050973118 X-Talon 190] for muddy conditions and their [httpFile://wwwShoeWear2.inov-8JPG|none|thumb|300px|Here's a cross section through the same shoe, showing how much thinner the foam has become due to wear.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG1&L=27&P=5050973125 F-Lite 195] for rocky conditions. I’ve used (This is from a number left shoe, so the ball of Inov-8 shoes and I would highly recommend themthe foot is on the right of the slice. )]]|- valign==="top"|[[httpFile://wwwInsole Wear and Foot Strike.newbalancejpg|none|thumb|300px|An insole where I've marked the area of compression, which is under the ball of my foot.com/nb-minimus/ New Balance Minimus]]|}==How Far Can I Run In That Shoe?=This Many shoe reviews talk about "this shoe is good up to half marathon", or some other distance. Such advice is based on the idea that many people find that as the distance increases, they want a minimal trail shoe little more cushioning to protect their feet from New Balance that has created the pounding and to offset a lot little of interest the fatigue that sets in the minimalist running communityover time. It was designed with the help However, because different runners want radically different levels of ultrarunner [http://antonkrupicka.blogspot.com/ Anton Krupicka]. A good review cushioning, generalized advice is available unhelpful at http://barefootrunninguniversitybest.com/2010/11/17/newSome runners may want a [[Maximalist]] shoe when they run a 5K, while others will run a 100-balance-minimus-trail-review/ mile race barefoot. There is a street version of the minimus no maximum distance that is actually less minimal than can be run in any given shoe; it depends on what you want. I compare cushioning levels provided by the trail version and is shoes I review, but remember a little disappointing. Howeverthicker, firmer shoe would have the 'lifestyle' minimus that is not designed for running looks like it might be the best of the three!same cushioning rating as a thinner, softer shoe, but would feel rather different. =Comparison Table={{:Shoes-table}}= Canvas Sneakers ==Shoe Modifications=Some people have got on well with Converse style canvas sneakers. Cheap and easy to find. Note''Main article: this is not the same as cheap running shoes. These canvas sneakers have very little sole.[[Shoe Modifications]]''
== Run Barefoot ==Running barefoot is different [[File:ModifiedShoes.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Clockwise from the top: Nike Free 3.0 (early version) cut open more than most to minimalist running, but both fit under the general concept of form a 'natural runningsandal', Saucony Hattori, NB Trail Minimus, Nike Free 3. There are advantages 0 and disadvantages to barefoot runningthe [[Hoka Shoe Review|Hoka]]. The biggest advantage is ]]With a few exceptions such as the Mizuno Curoris, I find that it is cheap and easymost shoes benefit from [[Shoe Modifications| cutting open the toe box]]. It is a great way of finding This allows the toes to spread out what it's like to run without traditional shoesas you toe off, creating more natural biomechanics and preventing toe blisters. =Shoes for Heavier Runners= A shoe As a broad generalization, foot length is generally proportional to avoid - The Newton ==Newton shoes focus on forefoot running by adding extra height , body weight is proportional to the forefoot square of your height, and foot area is proportional to the shoesquare of your foot length. I purchased This means that for a pair thinking they would move me closer to barefoot running. The result given BMI, the perceived cushioning should be about the same regardless of the high forefoot absolute weight, and you'll need more cushioning if your BMI is higher, and less cushioning if your BMI is an unstable shoelower. What I found was the Newton takes a bad idea (the traditional running shoe) You may also need more cushioning if your feet are disproportionately small and makes it worseless if your feet are disproportionately large. I hated running in the Newton shoesOf course, different runners prefer radically different levels of cushioning, but I think they are a valuable lesson. Natural running requires a with some liking an un-cushioned minimalist shoe, not and others a more complex onemassively cushioned Maximalist shoe. You can get a better alternative But if you'd like to the Newton just by hacking the sole off an old pair of running shoes. scale my reviews, I would not recommend these shoes. 'm 5' 10"/180cm, I would advise you to avoid these shoes. (The Newton weigh about 140 pounds/64 Kg, which is mentioned in [[Book Review - The 4 Hour Body|The 4 Hour Body]] as a shoe that is correlated with BMI of about 20, and take about a injuriesmen's US 10.) ==Further Reading==* http:5/UK 10/barefootted.com/2009/01/running-in-seattle-with-feelmax-shoesEU 45 shoe size.html* The best video looking at barefoot and traditional running shoes [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE&featureShoe Gallery=player_embedded The Barefoot Professor: by Nature Video]* A video Images of a persistence hunt [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wI-9RJi0Qo "Persistence Hunting" video by the BBC shoes reviewed on youtubethis site can be found in the [[Shoe Gallery]].com]==See Also=Shoe Dissection =* ''Main article: [[Are your running shoes injuring youShoe Dissection]]?'' * [[The Journey to Minimalist RunningFile:HokaOlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|A comparison between the Altra Olympus and Hokas.]]* Ever wonder what the inside of your shoe looks like? Take a look inside; I've cut many of my shoes in half to reveal their construction, as you can see above. You can see a gallery at [[Toughening FeetShoe Dissection]], as well as in the detailed shoe reviews.==References=Frankenshoes=<references><ref name="VFF"> FiveFingers footwear is more efficient for runners than conventional running shoeshttp''Main article://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/fivefingers-footwear-more-efficient-runners-conventional-running-shoes-41153 http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/fivefingers-footwear-more-efficient-runners-conventional-running-shoes-41153</references>[[Frankenshoes]]''