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Minimalist Footwear Thread

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tom_craggs Sep 2012 2:22pm, 11 Sep 2012 2,078 posts	Quote Pin tom_craggs Nice photos BTW
Action Jen Sep 2012 7:58am, 13 Sep 2012 242 posts	Quote Pin Action Jen my mum loves the photos Tom!!
RichHL Sep 2012 8:56am, 13 Sep 2012 4,984 posts	Quote Pin RichHL So do I.
Chrisull Sep 2012 5:19pm, 21 Sep 2012 5,069 posts	Quote Pin Chrisull Observations - Puma H streets vs Vivobarefoot neo closed mesh First observation is that the Barefoot neos are slower than the H streets, noticeably so. Tempo run in H streets last week off 50 miles = 25.51, tempo run this week off 50 miles = 26.30. I can usually pump out the same time within a few seconds week after week. Ok it's hard to prove, last week I had a day off before the tempo run, this week I did a 9 miler the evening before, and people fluctuate, but my gut feeling is they are slower. When I first went from cushioned Mizuno's to H streets, my race times all jumped by about 6 seconds a mile. So now I'm seeing the reverse. Reasons for this, I'm guessing, a combination of the following: a) the barefoot is quite a bit more barefoot than the h streets, I'm running slightly more cautiously b) heel drop, there is some in the h streets, but none and in this. Also cushioning in h streets. Having to adapt still. c) the surface area of the sole. The H street is very narrow, I'm the same weight, the same power as last week, so the the same power/mass is being applied, but with the wider sole, this power is dissipated over a wider area. I've no proof for this, but mathematically it makes some sense to me. If someone treads on your toe with ice skates or a stilleto you know about it, but in a normal shoe, you shrug it off. Maybe that's why I gained in the H streets over the Mizunos? Wider soles rather than anything else? Gonna try some more experiements, back to H streets on same course same distance tempo run next week, then back to the Vivobarefoots week after same course, same distance tempo run. Second observation - vivobarefoots, they are very barefoot, it takes some getting used to after even the h streets, calves get quite tired and sore after day doing doubles in them Third observation - the wide toes feel good, more natural, no blisters Fourth observation - vivobarefoots are gonna be way more durable than the H streets
RichHL Sep 2012 6:44pm, 21 Sep 2012 5,020 posts	Quote Pin RichHL Chrisull - Doing these things so you don't have to.
jonp Sep 2012 9:26pm, 21 Sep 2012 4,440 posts	Quote Pin jonp The vivos also have much better traction than the H street, and yes they last for ages. Anyway, I'm really quite enjoying the Saucony Hattori. They feel a bit like slippers, very nice fit, good wide toe box, nice stable sole and good traction. They don't have the raw ground feel of the Vivo but still have a nice firmish feel and not at all squishy in the sole (a little dead compared to Vivo of VFF though) They are an ideal long distance minimalist shoe. I bought another pair as back up since they are still 50% off at sports shoes direct.
James1982a Sep 2012 9:48pm, 21 Sep 2012 8,162 posts	Quote Pin James1982a Hello, I'm going to be in the market for some new shoes again. I'm probably thinking more along the lines of racing flats again but I'd like some suggestions of what to consider. I have wide feet so Inov-8's, puma and New Balance are probably out. I like my Saucony Grid type A4's aside for the holes in the bottom. They are pushing 1000 miles now. I liked my adizero pros although I started worrying about lack of cushioning for long runs after they'd hit 700 miles. They probably would have been fine and I still use them on the treadmill in the gym My adizero Hagio's have just hit 500 miles and the uppers look like they are going to disintergrate very soon (nothing wrong with the soles) but my feet hurt a bit on my long run in them the other day - maybe just paranoia again! So, suggestions of what to try please if you will
jonp Sep 2012 9:52am, 22 Sep 2012 4,441 posts	Quote Pin jonp Saucony Grid Type A5? wiggle.co.uk
James1982a Sep 2012 11:19am, 22 Sep 2012 8,164 posts	Quote Pin James1982a Yes, It's quite likely I'll head that way but they still have the damn holes in the sole - the only draw back to the shoe!
RichHL Sep 2012 1:12pm, 22 Sep 2012 5,026 posts	Quote Pin RichHL The Kinvaras don't have holes in the soles. You can get deals on Kinvara 2s now that Kinvara 3s are available.