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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Shoes}}
These reviews cover what I consider to be the best running shoes. I believe that a running shoe should not interfere with the way you run, and therefore I favor the minimalist style of shoe. Minimalist running shoes tend to have less cushioning, more flexible soles, and less of a high reduction (drop) between the heel and forefoot. The shoes below vary in their characteristics, with some providing just a thin barrier between your feet and the ground, while others are an evolution of the traditional running shoe. In the middle is the "Minimum Drop, Maximum Cushioning" (MiniMax) category of shoes that provides the plenty of cushioning without the raised heal.
=Where to buyBuy=
I generally recommend buying shoes from [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Self&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2F RoadRunnerSports.com] as they allow you to run in the shoes and still return them for an exchange. It's hard to know how a shoe works for you until you've run in it for some distance. Another good option is [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Self&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2F Zappos.com] which provides free shipping both ways, which allows you to spend time wearing the shoes around the house to see how they fit, though you can't run in them and return them.
=Shoe Modifications=
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=Virtually Barefoot=
If you want to get as close to barefoot as you can, these are some good optionsthe best option by far is the FiveFingers. However it can be tricky to get them to fit right if you have an unusual shaped foot, in which case consider the Vivo Barefoot.
==Vibram FiveFingers==
[[File:KSO.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Vibram [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=VFF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-celebros.jsp%3Ffrom%3DsearchBox%26Query%3Dfivefingers FiveFinger] [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=KSOMens&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FVFF102%2F KSO].]]
Terra Plana make a range of thin soled shoes under the '[http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Vivo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-celebros.jsp%3Ffrom%3DsearchBox%26Query%3DVIVOBAREFOOT Vivo Barefoot]' name. Their [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=VivoEvoII&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FVVO100%2F Vivo Barefoot Evo II] has a good reputation for minimalist running, with a flexible but tough sole.<br style="clear: both" />
=Minimalist Shoes=
These are zero drop shoes with minimal cushioning, but they are not virtually barefoot.
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==Modified Nike Free==
==Merrell Gloves==
[[File:TrailGlove.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=TrailGlove&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FMRL1000%2F Merrell Trail Glove].]]
Merrell sells a [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=TrailGlove&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FMRL1000%2F trail glove] and a [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=RoadGlove&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%2Frrs%2Fproducts%2FMRL1002%2F road glove]. The trail glove has a thin forefoot plate and both are zero drop. These are a good choice if you can't find a FiveFingers shoe that fits right.
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=Minimum Drop, Maximum Cushioning=
This is an emerging category of shoes, started by Hoka and followed by several others. None of the competition can match the Hokas for their huge, oversized soles made of extra soft foam, but they tend to be lighter and better designed. Comparing the shoes at a high level:* The best all round shoe in this category is the Torin.* The Hoka has greater cushioning and protection, but is heaver and pricy.* The Cursoris is soft, light and seems faster, but has less protection and longevity. * The Virrata is nearly as good as the Torin, but cheaper.
[[File:MDMC Soles.jpg|none|thumb|500px|To achieve a light weight with maximum cushioning, many of these shoes don't use a hard rubber outsole over the softer midsole. This can result in uneven wear patterns when the midsole erode away from around the patches of outsole. The red arrows mark the soft midsole and the blue arrows mark the hard outsole, with the green arrow indicating an intermediate toughness material. Below, from left to right is the Torin, the Cursoris, the Virrata and the Bondi B.]]
==Hokas==