Minimalist Footwear Thread

105 watchers

PAJ89 Nov 2021 8:08am, 5 Nov 2021 89 posts	0 PAJ89 Yeah, combo of the volume and return of the foams in combination with plate. I think that's why we're seeing quite a big variation in performance amongst the plated super shoes. Nike are certainly leading the way and ASICS Meta series seems to be just behind. Saucony and Hoka seem to be next. But then you have a range of other options that also have a plate but don't appear to offer any real competitive advantage (Cloudboom Echo from On as an example looks the part, premium materials and plates, price is comparable, but doesn't seem to have made any impact in the category).
SPR Nov 2021 9:09am, 5 Nov 2021 35,621 posts	0 SPR I was thinking on my run earlier that the only brands making shoes that are flat(ish) seem to be Altra (cushioned, would be nice to have some 20mm and lower options), Vivobarefoot (not for running for me, I wear them for walking around though), Topo (haven't tried) and maybe a few Inov-8 (zero and 4mm options?). Guess Hoka have some fairly flat maximal options but there's not many these days AFAIK. I had some zero drop Puma shoes as my main shoe a couple of years ago (FAAS 100R). Unlikely to happen now.
Snoot Nov 2021 9:16am, 5 Nov 2021 3,664 posts	0 Snoot I’m getting on well with the Topo Terraventure 2 trail shoes. Feel a bit stiffer than the Lone Peak 4.0 which I alternate with. Not quite as wide toe box but nice cushioned insoles.
jacdaw Nov 2021 9:43am, 5 Nov 2021 3,460 posts	0 jacdaw Has anybody tried the inov8 bare xf for regular road training?
SPR Nov 2021 10:04am, 5 Nov 2021 35,623 posts	0 SPR Looks like a Vivo type shoe jacdaw. Snoot - I've been tempted by Topo but not seen much on them so haven't gone down that road yet.
PAJ89 Nov 2021 12:39pm, 5 Nov 2021 90 posts	0 PAJ89 jacdaw an old friend if mine had some Bare XF which he used for just a bit of road running, but mostly kept to XT and general wear. They do look very comparable to a Vivo Stealth. I like it for road running, but I go through phases with them, right now not doing stacks of road miles in them but mostly cross training and shorter runs.
Gooner Nov 2021 1:13pm, 5 Nov 2021 19,298 posts	0 Gooner I still have a servicable pair of road-x lite 155s and a pair of H.ST.20s but I'm not running much at all these days, which is lucky as it seems finding anything like them is night on impossible.
Snoot Nov 2021 10:05pm, 5 Nov 2021 3,667 posts	0 Snoot SPR - I’d seen nothing on them but took a punt when I was in Kong and they’d run out of the Lone Peak
UltraDunc Nov 2021 10:25pm, 5 Nov 2021 13,668 posts	0 UltraDunc Gooner X lites 155 I still use but only where surface is non slip. I have two pairs of 195’s with split uppers providing useful drainage but also let in grit
UltraDunc Nov 2021 10:27pm, 5 Nov 2021 13,669 posts	0 UltraDunc I’ve run in the barefoot once but still keeping them in good condition for leisure wear as they look really good