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Minimalist Footwear Thread

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Tav H 11 Jan 7:15am, 11 Jan 2025 3,816 posts	Quote Pin Tav H SPR wrote:Inov-8 have been selling off all their stock and seems to be creating new models in the near future. I missed out on some of their walking boots. I got some Roclite 345 from Sportshoes, they're OK but quite narrow. The new Inov8 models look good, with more room in the forefoot, but I haven't tried any yet.
flanker 11 Jan 2:32pm, 11 Jan 2025 21,368 posts	Quote Pin flanker I'm a big fan of the new Iov-8 shoes, both the mudTalon and Trailfly, although you'll need the Speed variants to get the lower drop and less cushioning. They are meant to be bringing out some zero drop model this year (although they are also going to rationalise the range as it's got far too many models, so whether they ever appear who knows).
Gooner 11 Jan 9:14pm, 11 Jan 2025 23,092 posts	Quote Pin Gooner Inov-8 used to be great for me but as I got older or heavier or both, they're just too narrow sadly. I've had to revert back to less minimalist shoes for the time being because there is literally nothing out there in my price range that works for me.
flanker 12 Jan 12:30am, 12 Jan 2025 21,369 posts	Quote Pin flanker You might like the new ones - they are much more foot-shaped with more space in the mid- and forefoot, especially in the wide versions.
Gooner 12 Jan 5:32pm, 12 Jan 2025 23,095 posts	Quote Pin Gooner I recently got some ASICS in the Jan sales but may look into the new Inov-8s in a couple of months in prep for Equinox then. Thanks for the heads up.
EarlyRiser 1 Feb 3:21pm, 1 Feb 2025 1,588 posts	Quote Pin EarlyRiser Trail shoes? Buy or not? Looking at this thread I can see a lot of you run and race off-road. I’m running again, now in Spain and training for trail runs/races. In past years I was a road runner on minimalist shoes but did a lot of training off-road. Being in the Fens mostly on the flat, grass and fields. My go-to shoes were bog-standard XC flats with spikes taken off. On the odd occasion I ran in upland UK I wore the same and all was good. I still own a pair of Puma XCs and so far in pushing up into the Spanish hill country, they feel fine. Mostly hard trail, but also rocky ground, some wet terrain up stream courses. I’ve had a look at trail shoes, let’s say Merrell Trail Glove 7. What does this type of minimalist trail shoe offer me that would make it better (or even essential)?! First impression is they don’t have that much more protection, no rock plate or big toe box like some other trail shoes. Maybe less water ingress? But is that really an issue? Grip? Is Vibram that much better than XC-type soles over mixed terrain? I like to believe I feel the ground well underfoot. I’m not training for long duration 30-40k or ultras. 10-20k range is where I want to be. Is there a strong reason why I should move to a trail shoe? And it certainly isn’t the money. XC in contrast are always good value. What do you reckon?
Tav H 3 Feb 8:52am, 3 Feb 2025 3,846 posts	Quote Pin Tav H Don't they have a rock plate? I would think they would be a bit stiffer. I haven't tried them, but I have Trail Glove 6 and Vapor Glove 7. Trail Glove 6 are my ideal shoe at the moment, although I'm looking to get back into sandals as the weather improves. The 6 have a lot of arch support, which apparently the 7 don't, and they're pretty stuff for minimalist shoes. The Vapor Gloves are like running in very thick socks, just a very comfy slipper which aggravates one of my ankles. The Trail Glove 7 look like the Vapor Glove at first glance, with more sole coming up the shoe in the midfoot area. I may try a pair at some point, when my 6's wear through.
Tav H 8 Feb 10:04am, 8 Feb 2025 3,854 posts	Quote Pin Tav H Balls. I've been trying to use the philosophy of just running in whatever feels good. I was running in Wildsole sandals last year, really nice huarache-style sandals made in the UK and not too pricey. They don't have any sole cut-out for the ankle straps though, so I wonder whether those straps will rub through eventually. Anyway, I developed a bit of ankle pain, so started running in shoes which gave a bit more support. However, in the long run the ankle has only got worse, so I'm going back to minimal shoes and sandals, starting from wherever I need to start, probably 2-mile runs at most. I have some Vapor Glove 6 with the "sprayed-on sole" look, and the Wildsole sandals for when it decides to stay above 5 C in the mornings. The trouble is, I have the Newport Half at the beginning of March, so I'm going to see whether dialling back now will mean I can at least run that. I also wanted to give a heads-up, maybe preaching to the converted- xeroshoes.com have a good offer on Z-trail EV sandals at the moment, for men at least. The blue strap version are being sold off for $30 a pair, comes to £35 delivered. I'll use those mostly for walking. The UK site never seems to have such good offers.
geordiegirl 9 Feb 10:35am, 9 Feb 2025 26,739 posts	Quote Pin geordiegirl Ohh where do you get wild soles from @Tav H ? I have lunas which I love and also can’t wait to get back out in. I have merrel vapourgloves but she’s if the model but my bunion would always rub, just had the operation so hoping they will fit once the swelling goes away. My go too are vibrams I wear for trail and road unless I am doing long and want some cushioning. I have various inov8 and Altra for those days.
Tav H 9 Feb 4:37pm, 9 Feb 2025 3,857 posts	Quote Pin Tav H wildsolesandals.com is the place, @geordiegirl You may be able to get a discount code, I did a search and got some money off when I bought them. I have a pair of Mamtor which I haven't tried yet, and a pair of Otter, I think the thin option, which seem to be hard wearing. I wish they'd sell spare straps, I have a feeling they'll go before the soles do. I wore fake Vibrams for a while. I was a bit shocked when I bought some KSO Evo a few years back, wow they were the closest I've had to wearing nothing on my feet I think, no structure to them whatsoever. I loved them for walking.