I did a quick search and found a little - but I think I'll resurrect the topic........
Background: I've been working on minimalist for a while - 2 yrs or so. Last summer I did some real barefooting. Really fun - but I would prefer to do the majority of my runs in minimal shoes. In Jan I was diagnosed with stress reaction so Jan-Feb was filled with being in a boot, Feb-Mar was PT and in April I've started a very slow ramp-up and getting back into running. I've been doing this in the Kinvara, which I know is not minimalist. I had them and they were convenient and I just wanted to see if I could consistently do some running and not aggravate the heel.
So now I'm to the point where I'd like to get out of the Kinvaras. I'd like a relatively conventional looking shoe. Today on a total whim I went to a LRS that I really don't like. I went in kind of in a bad mood with a chip on my shoulder. I was confident they wouldn't have anything I would deem acceptable.
I talk with the guy and he pulls an Altra Samson off the shelf. I'd never seen this shoe. I'd seen the Adam - hate the looks. Imagine this - but they have it in my size. The bottom line: I like it a lot. It looks reasonable.
So - finally: Has anyone used them for a reasonable amount of running? If so - how do you like them? 90+% of my miles are road - but I'd like to do a little trail.
Thoughts from experienced Samson users?
Thx.
Jim
Background: I've been working on minimalist for a while - 2 yrs or so. Last summer I did some real barefooting. Really fun - but I would prefer to do the majority of my runs in minimal shoes. In Jan I was diagnosed with stress reaction so Jan-Feb was filled with being in a boot, Feb-Mar was PT and in April I've started a very slow ramp-up and getting back into running. I've been doing this in the Kinvara, which I know is not minimalist. I had them and they were convenient and I just wanted to see if I could consistently do some running and not aggravate the heel.
So now I'm to the point where I'd like to get out of the Kinvaras. I'd like a relatively conventional looking shoe. Today on a total whim I went to a LRS that I really don't like. I went in kind of in a bad mood with a chip on my shoulder. I was confident they wouldn't have anything I would deem acceptable.
I talk with the guy and he pulls an Altra Samson off the shelf. I'd never seen this shoe. I'd seen the Adam - hate the looks. Imagine this - but they have it in my size. The bottom line: I like it a lot. It looks reasonable.
So - finally: Has anyone used them for a reasonable amount of running? If so - how do you like them? 90+% of my miles are road - but I'd like to do a little trail.
Thoughts from experienced Samson users?
Thx.
Jim