I need the best minimal shoe

Try Brooks Ghost. Lightweight, comfy, gets you so close to the ground.

Merrell Trail Glove

Merrell Sonic Glove

New Balance MT00

New Balance MT10

New Balance MR00

VFF Bikila

VFF Komodosport

I like the Mizuno Wave 3 (not 4) and the NB MR00 Minimus. However, I use them with the Pinnacle Powerstep insole due to a chronic case of PF.

Saucony hattori

inov-8 bare road lite 150

New balance minimus 00

Altra Samson

Bell Lapper wrote:

I like the Mizuno Wave 3 (not 4) and the NB MR00 Minimus. However, I use them with the Pinnacle Powerstep insole due to a chronic case of PF.

Mizuno wave is not a shoe that exists.

Sorry, its Mizuno Universe Wave 3 and the NB is the NB MRC5000 (3.1 oz)

JOe54 wrote:

Currently I wear Saucony Kinvara for my running shoe. It works great, but about 2-3 times a week I will run barefoot on the football turf for my entire run. This has worked very well with helping my shin splints(I have a bad history with them). However, winter is approaching and it's been harder to get to the turf. So, now I'm looking for an extreme minimal shoe that I could wear in the winter outside that would best represent barefoot type running. I think this would help me alot. I'm not sure what I think about the Vibrams's, but have considered them. Any suggestions?

Really the Kinvara is not a minimal shoe. I wear the Saucony Kilkenny XC flat and have for years. It's light, there's virtually no sole so it's like barefoot running but you don't have to look like a chump like you do when you wear Vibrams. I have put 1200 miles on a pair before and have done 100 mile weeks all on the pavement and sidewalks in them. I run year round with them on all surfaces. They're cheap also and that always helps.

Wow. Thanks everyone. These look great.

just run barefoot on the pavement, then.

Pavement's not a natural surface, but so what, neither is turf. Nature doesn't mow the grass. Just try running through a natural grassy field. Can't be done.

Turf is nice and soft, but if you're running barefoot, that's irrelevant. You should be absorbing the impact with your feet and calves, not the surface you're running on. Instead you're relying on an uneven surface that turns your ankles in every direction, lowers your cadence, and encourages you to hit the ground hard instead of being light on your feet.

Vivobarefoot Aqua Lite

hands down the greatest minimalist shoe ever. Owns the Altra and Merrell

Bad Wigins wrote:

just run barefoot on the pavement, then.

Pavement's not a natural surface, but so what, neither is turf. Nature doesn't mow the grass. Just try running through a natural grassy field. Can't be done.

Turf is nice and soft, but if you're running barefoot, that's irrelevant. You should be absorbing the impact with your feet and calves, not the surface you're running on. Instead you're relying on an uneven surface that turns your ankles in every direction, lowers your cadence, and encourages you to hit the ground hard instead of being light on your feet.

Footwear does not lower cadence. This guy is looking for help and you're trying to feed him nonsense.

If being light on your feet is your primary concern, then by all means run barefoot on pavement. However, if you are trying to run quickly, at some point you need to "hit the ground" to get an ample return from that surface and project your body upward.

Don't buy NB Minimus - they are a waste of money. You can get pretty much the same shoe for half the cost if you buy the NB 730.

the NB730 is a 3mm drop, thus making it more comparable to the NB10 and Kinvara than a more "minimal" option like the OP requested. However, it is a fine shoe for the price.

I run in the Saucony Grid Type A5 and they have been holding out great so far. They also have the same drop as the Kinvara, 4mm. so it would be pretty comparable to the shoe you're in.

I like the MR10 for roads. I hope the v2 is an improvement. It should be since the Minimus line is continuing to get better. Not including those awful cross-training things they made to capture the XF crowd.

Go for the Nike Frees or just get some comfortable flats they work well too

What do you mean by shin splints? There's many kinds...

Crazy 8 wrote:

Don't buy NB Minimus - they are a waste of money. You can get pretty much the same shoe for half the cost if you buy the NB 730.

What on earth are you talking about? Minimus Trail 10s are MUCH closer to the ground than 730s. Would never run in 730s (nor Minimus Road 10s), but Minimus Trail 10s are some of my favourite shoes.

To the OP, Minimus Trail 10s have a 4mm drop and would be a small step forward from Kinvaras. They perform superbly on the road (I have gotten 700-800 miles out of a pair on the road) as well as smooth trails.

After that aim to progress to Minimus Road zeros (forget the road 10s - too high = too unstable) which are zero drop so take care with slow and patient transition. The trail zeros are lighter still and are a like gloves! I wear my trail zeros half a size smaller.

NB have been consistently ahead of the curve on minimal shoes and have made some superb shoes in the Minimus range. I won't be swapping to another brand unless they drop the ball. Never been brand-faithful before this.

I'm talking about posterior shin splints. I had them everyday while in highschool and college. Then it got worse with 6 stress fractures. After college, I tried many solutions to be able to run right again. I did numerous things that I think helped, so it's hard to exactly pin point what I did to solve the issue. However, once I went to a less bulky shoe (more minimal) and started self massage, things became alot better with my shins. More recently, my shins have acted up again. It might seem strange, but I'll go to the turf and do all my mileage barefoot...then my shins feel better within a day or two. It seems obvious that my issue is biomechanical.

I know going minimal is the solution for everyone, but it has honestly worked for me. I invested in $300 custom orthotics in college that did nothing. However, I know guys who have seen amazing things with getting orthotics.

Thanks for all these suggestions. I can't believe I wasn't aware of all of these shoes. I was never a fan of the goofy looking vibrams, so seeing these other options are great.