What minimalist shoes do you recommend for someone starting out?

As to your second question: Start with the book Barefoot Running Step By Step by @Barefoot Ken Bob. He is considered by most to be the pioneer of modern barefoot running. His book is clear, and enjoyable. It covers every aspect of running barefoot, including footwear.

If you feel the need for a second author I recommend is Nicholas Romanov and his recent book, The Running Revolution. It's not as light hearted and inspiring as @Barefoot Ken Bob, but its detail is excellent. It covers the running method he brought to competitive running called Pose Running. It doesn't explain barefoot running per se. It does explain the running method that barefoot runners ultimately adapt to.

There are other books, but I truly believe these two provide a near exhaustive treatise on form. They don't always agree, and I think seeing different views on the matter as well as two authors who have come to front landing and barefoot running from two very different paths. One as an academic and olympic coach, the other as a dedicated barefoot runner whose own lessons for us make him something of a guru.

Both also have YouTube Channels. Ken Bob's Channel has lots of great fun and inspiring stuff to keep you motivated. The Pose Method has a free introductory channel and a paid subscription channel. Personally I think the subscription channel is better than their book. It's just great to see it displayed and explained.

I also agree with TJ about starting barefoot.

Barefoot TJ said:

Did I read that right? Did you just call Barefoot Ken Bob a minimalist runner?! gasp.

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Corrected.

Yeah.

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7055 said:

And wouldn't I have to develop callouses on my feet before I could transistion to completely barefoot?

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Keep in mind that, due to shoe-wearing, right now the bones, tendons, and ligaments in your feet are just as weak as the soles on your feet. If you start running in minshoes your soles won't tell you when to stop and you greatly increase the risk of hurting those deeper tissues.

rb2001 said:

As to your second question: Start with the book Barefoot Running Step By Step by @Barefoot Ken Bob. He is considered by most to be the pioneer of modern barefoot running. His book is clear, and enjoyable. It covers every aspect of running barefoot, including footwear.

If you feel the need for a second author I recommend is Nicholas Romanov and his recent book, The Running Revolution. It's not as light hearted and inspiring as @Barefoot Ken Bob, but its detail is excellent. It covers the running method he brought to competitive running called Pose Running. It doesn't explain barefoot running per se. It does explain the running method.

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Imo pose method not good for unshod running. You not using right muscles and ligaments to soften impact with pose metod.

http://naturalrunningcenter.com/2013/07/30/posing-question-proper-running-form/
http://www.alexandertechnique-running.com/alexander-technique-running-and-dr-mark-vs-pose/

I dont like "lifting the feet theory" either.

I haven't read the aforementioned books, but the one I did read when I was starting out and do recommend is Jason Robillard's The Barefoot Running Book. He describes minimalist shoes to be for expert level... they can hide a lot of issues still, and not give proper proprioception, etc. If at all possible I'd suggest starting out barefoot. I had just about as sensitive and weakest feet as they come, and started barefoot running cold turkey. Basically, if I can do it anyone can (short of someone with terrible injury or genetic anomaly). Realize that when you do this your runs will be cut down to almost nothing. I ran for a month basically going from my driveway to the next telephone pole or two. Early on doing a lot of barefoot walking helps to strengthen the soles and feet too, and makes up a little for the loss of running mileage. I started on pretty roough road, much like chip seal, so that also greatly limited my running length. It is very important not to do too much too soon.

I too bought minimalist shoes right away, but only used them for walking for normal things like at work or going to the store. I did not wear minimalist shoes for running at all starting out, until the first winter hit and temps went below freezing. For minimalist shoes to wear to work or stores and restaurants my favorite so far is Soft Stars Dash in smooth black or chocolate. I also like my Unshoes for when sandals can be worn, and there are many brands of sandals out there that are well liked (xero, luna, shamma, but I have no personal experience with them). I also greatly prefer to support local (or at least in the country) especially cottage industry stuff, instead of mass produced China made if at all possible.

As far as arches that is hard to say. I haven't seen any big change in my arches though I have heard some that may have seen slight changes. I think it will strengthen your arches more so than cause the height to change. I have experienced much thicker and tougher skin under the foot (and much smoother too), toes spread out a little, and foot strength and agility improve. Toe dexterity is greatly improved, and cold tolerance as well. But my average height arches are still about the same.

HI 7055!

Like Tristan (and gobs of others,) I too recommend 'cold turkey' to start running BF. Get out the door and just go. But go easy. Jog/trot for 30 seconds, walk for 30 seconds, for about 5 - 10 minutes. That's it. That was your whole BF 'run'. Just keep extending the duration. Bruising (IMO) is normal, as are those tiny red bullseye blood blisters. Those seem to appear on the pads of my toes every once in a while. The brusing I mentioned is usually on the heel pad, becasue you have not learned to keep on the balls of your feet. Plus your Achilles tendon and gastroc muscles have not toughened up enough. I dont know how old you are, but I'm 54, and been BFing for about 5 years now. I like to run about once every 48 hours. I just cant do a daily run. You will develop callouses, but it's not like you'll have elephant pads or anything.

Keep us posted on your development, and ASK QUESTONS!! We like questions!

ps; Congrats on the transition to BF!