Forget Barefoot; New Trendsetter in Running Shoes Is Cushioning

Sly

Chapter Presidents
Oct 8, 2013
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Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal
this is the only kind of cushion i like. :woot:




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Speaking for nearly a half hour, Manzano described the last 16 months without a sponsor, and the challenges that resulted from not having a shoe or apparel deal.
“Being without a sponsor, it’s very, very difficult,” he said in a tone that signaled tough, frustrating times. “There are a lot of expenses you have to cover, anything and everything that you can think of from shoes to vitamins to trips, and it can be very expensive. After a while you start second guessing yourself, and you think ‘is this really how it’s going to be, is it going to happen?'”
“Having HOKA on my side has really relieved a lot of stress on my part and now I can really just focus on what matters and that’s really focusing on my training. It gives me big confidence because I know that now I’ll be able to work to my full potential,” he said.
 
I like to go with the whole shoes are tools concept. Sometimes maximalist shoes are the right tool for the job. I run barefoot, I run in minimalist shoes, I run in maximalist shoes, it's a matter of selecting the right tool for the job.
 
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OMG! Double the cushioning? It may work for some.

(Empirically, have never enjoyed running more(!) and injury-free since BFR, but can't be dogmatic about it -- lol. :D <3 )
 
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I like to go with the whole shoes are tools concept. Sometimes maximalist shoes are the right tool for the job. I run barefoot, I run in minimalist shoes, I run in maximalist shoes, it's a matter of selecting the right tool for the job.
Man, I can't imagine. So how does it feel? That's quite a range you got there. What does it feel like for a barefooter to run in maximalist shoes? Isn't it like going from sleeping on a firm mattress to sleeping on a really soft one? I wonder if you're unique in enjoying the extremes and everything in-between?
 
Man, I can't imagine. So how does it feel? That's quite a range you got there. What does it feel like for a barefooter to run in maximalist shoes? Isn't it like going from sleeping on a firm mattress to sleeping on a really soft one? I wonder if you're unique in enjoying the extremes and everything in-between?

It's like running on something soft... I bought them for an ultra that was on old railroad ballast, that trail was nasty in minimal shoes, the thick shoes even it out... I only use them for long runs on rocky trails, or if my feet need a break. I use the Altra Olympus, so it's a zero drop, and foot shaped, so you don't have a lot of the normal shoe issues, also there is very little weight difference between them and minimal shoes. So I guess for my main use for them, the comparison would be sleeping on a bed of sharp rocks, vs sleeping on a soft mattress :)
 
It's like running on something soft... I bought them for an ultra that was on old railroad ballast, that trail was nasty in minimal shoes, the thick shoes even it out... I only use them for long runs on rocky trails, or if my feet need a break. I use the Altra Olympus, so it's a zero drop, and foot shaped, so you don't have a lot of the normal shoe issues, also there is very little weight difference between them and minimal shoes. So I guess for my main use for them, the comparison would be sleeping on a bed of sharp rocks, vs sleeping on a soft mattress :)
I see your point. Just walking barefoot on railroad ballast is challenging and very slow. In my fantasies, I can envision training to the point where running bare on that kind of surface is possible, but in reality I'm not going to put myself through that any time soon.