Minimalist Footwear Thread

105 watchers

SPR Sep 2019 4:33pm, 11 Sep 2019 29,232 posts	0 SPR I'd expect the racer to last longer than the Kayenta, but likely heavier. I like the Kayenta but don't expect 1000 miles from it as the cushion hasn't got much protection.
jacdaw Sep 2019 4:53pm, 11 Sep 2019 2,523 posts	0 jacdaw I love the kayentas, but they might be fragile. The sole is showing wear already! Very comfortable uppers, like a sock or slipper.
SPR Sep 2019 5:42pm, 11 Sep 2019 29,235 posts	0 SPR Agree. I like them more than the Escalante 1.5 which are good but are a touch on the heavy side given what I'm used to. Interestingly it sounds like the Escalante 2.0 is a downgrade based on reviews I've read. Heavier and less flexible!
snayak Sep 2019 8:15pm, 11 Sep 2019 354 posts	0 snayak It looks like all three are under 200g which is ideal. I can't run in anything heavier anymore. If the soles on the Kayentas are anything like the Vanish-R, I would use them just for racing. The Vanish-R is just about the best shoe ever.
purps Sep 2019 6:12pm, 15 Sep 2019 37,225 posts	0 purps I have changed a few of my shoes to barefoot shoes and found an improvement in the plantar fasciitis I used to suffer from, I notice it come back when I wear structured shoes too much. If you are barefooted in the wild how did you start out. I'm thinking of going out for maybe 1k wearing just socks to start with and seeing how I get on. We recently visited a NT place with sandy/hard compacted trails and I was wearing my DIY xero sandals and because the sand just got in them I took them off for the trails, and it was lovely, although I did have slightly sore soles that evening, I was barefoot for quite a distance.
snayak Sep 2019 7:05pm, 17 Sep 2019 357 posts	0 snayak Purchased both the Kayenta and Solstice. They're fantastic! A bit too much stack for my liking and nowhere near as light as the Vanish-R (which I'll have to retire soon - see photo) but better than anything else out there!
geordiegirl Oct 2019 6:16pm, 7 Oct 2019 8,990 posts	0 geordiegirl Hi all me again after some expert thoughts. I still adore my vibrams although use them only for short distances these days and stick to zero or close inov8 for longer stuff. I ran Loch Ness yesterday in my much loved pen claws and I think I need a bit more cushioning in the long road runs. I wore the same shoes for Hardmoors princess run a few weeks ago with no issue yesterday my feet were so sore. I know it’s largely road running over trail but is there such a thing as a zero or close drop with cushioning? Or is there a way to strengthen my feet /or condition them to deal with road better? On another note I saw a chap at the start yesterday with a pair of ‘normal’ trainers on which said vibram he said they were vibrams & he’d bought them for barefoot without having the toes in... he got in the USA but searching I can’t find them. I have found merrels which says vibrams in the sole and says they have vibram technology any clues?
flanker Oct 2019 7:42pm, 7 Oct 2019 18,632 posts	0 flanker Vibram make soles for many different makes - often those brands that have developed from hiking boots, as that's where their history is. If you want zero drop but cushioning, the obvious solution is Hoka. But they're a "marmite" shoe. If it helps I just ran a road marathon in my trail talon 235s and they were great; the tarmac was in poor condition in a lot of places but my feet didn't get sore like they do in f-lites etc.
geordiegirl Oct 2019 8:22pm, 7 Oct 2019 8,991 posts	0 geordiegirl I didn’t realise hoka were minamalist I will have a look a few friends swear by them although I do like to ‘feel’ the ground I have 235’s too and often wear them on road but I had found the park claws quite comfortable just not yesterday. It’s a minefield isn’t it. Thank you flanker
snayak Oct 2019 8:36pm, 7 Oct 2019 367 posts	0 snayak As flanker said, certain brands use Vibram soles - e.g. New Balance Minimus but I don't think they make them anymore. Sorry for the constant fanboying of Altra but if you want zero drop with cushioning, Altra have lots of options.