Toe Shoes, Barefoot or Minimalist Shoes, and Vibram FiveFingers Reviews, News, Forums | Birthday Shoes - Latest Comments on Barefoot Running Shoes

Bruno Oliveira [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

Bruno Oliveira [Visitor] — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:05:10 +0000

It is a very interesting list, but i only found your page now (12-04-2013).

Do you think, it is time for an update? a lot of things have changed in 2 years and probably a lot of people would benefict from an update to the list (me included of course)

JasonP [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

JasonP [Visitor] — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:04:07 +0000

Excellent comparison! I've been looking for something like this for a while. Thanks so much for doing this. Like Mark (the previous commenter) said, it would be nice if you can update it for 2012. Vibram, for example, has a whole host of new models released, which are all reviewed elsewhere on this website.

Mark [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

Mark [Visitor] — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:57:46 +0000

Hi Britt, the continuum is invaluable to someone looking to buy a pair of truely minimalist shoes. Could you update the continuum for 2012? Thanks for a great post!

EJ [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

EJ [Visitor] — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:42:34 +0000

Britt this is a big help - thank you very much for putting it together. Where would you place the Saucony Xodus 3.0 and the Altra Lone Peak on this chart? Have you tried them?

Also wuld you consider organizing a list of low drop good cushioning business casual and dress shoes? As one spends more time in trail runners that are low drop, it makes you want the same feeling in shoes you can wear to work.

Alex Thompson [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

Alex Thompson [Visitor] — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:54:48 +0000

The Brooks Pure Connect could go on this chart. I run a little mileage in Five Fingers, and I run track workouts in the Asics Hyperspeed 4, and the Pure Connect fall somewhere between - to me at least - those two shoes. Drop = 4mm, flexible forefoot and some independence in movement of the big toe vs other toes. Lots of cushioning though.

Debra [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

Debra [Visitor] — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:20:34 +0000

Thanks for this list. I've recently changed to forefoot running, in Terra Plana Neo (which you need to add - similar to the Evo but a slightly wider toe box; 4 mm sole, zero drop), but I'm considering whether I might want somthing with a -little- cushioning for long road runs (e.g. half-marathon); this list at least lets me know which shoes I should be trying on when I reach a shop. I actually found the Evo not wide enough on the toe box (very small feet, but wide right up to the toes, and I need room for those to move), but the Neo is fine.

David Helter [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

David Helter [Visitor] — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:16:59 +0000

I think you should do some more research on the BIOM concept by ECCO. They were one of the first to the market with natural motion footwear and Dr. Brueggemann, who helped Nike develop Free, worked closely with ECCO to develop BIOM. It is all about natrual motion and is leading product in this category, even though ECCo is not know as a sport brand. They have now taken the natura motion concept into other caegories like golf and cross training. Check it out and tell your readers more about it.

Reticuli [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

Reticuli [Visitor] — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 21:25:12 +0000

You need to specify two other parameters in your overview of various "barefoot" shoes: 1) Effective Cushioning and 2) Softness/Hardness of the bottom-most outsole that contacts the road. The first has obvious benefits for distributing forces, especially in the forefoot. The second (such as rubber softness and tread density) is necessary to reduce the vibration component that causes the bottom ligament of the foot to get "plucked". The bottom of the human foot is soft. Mimicking being barefoot on soft ground when you're actually running on asphalt in shoes requires the shoe to be shaped like the foot and not like a rocket, less or no heel and arch height, a sole that is rounded and doesn't have right-angles at the edges, and either enough squishy cushioning (blue gel, sorbothane, etc), a very soft outsole material, or both. And as a side-note, I believe the first significant barefoot-like shoe from a major company (besides watersocks) was the Air Rift, designed for Kenyan runners who wanted to compete barefooted but were required to wear shoes. Nike is pretty dumb to have discontinued mens sizes in it and not simply further developed the design: reducing drop, reshaping the sole edges, etc. It was introduced in 1995, brought back for the anniversary in 2005, and is sporadically produced in womens sizes now. Clones/gray-market/knockoffs can be found, though.

Bob [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

Bob [Visitor] — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:39:46 +0000

I don't have it in front of me, but the new Outside Magazine Winter Gear Buyer's Guide mentions the New Balance MT101, and cites the heel-to-toe drop as something like 4 mm. I realize it's not a very minimal shoe, compared with most on your chart, and am chomping at the bit for more Minimus info, but I am curious about the discrepancy. Did New Balance claim a 4mm drop, but you measured 10?

Greg [Visitor] in response to: Barefoot Running Shoes

Greg [Visitor] — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:58:44 +0000

Of course, you can take any suitable shoes and have it "zeroed" by the local shoemaker/cobbler.

I have had the following shoes zeroed:

Saucony Fastwitch 3
Brooks Green Silence
Brooks Cascadia 5 (trail shoe)

Since zeroing, the FT have about 300 miles on them, the Cascadias somewhere around 200, and the GS have exactly 13.1 on them.