Hi All, I struggle with the word "minimalist shoes" or "minimalist shoe running". It's too long and clumsy. Nevertheless, I happen to think that the distinction between barefoot running and minimalist shoe running is important. I run 100% barefoot, but I wholeheartedly support the idea of minimalist shoes for those who prefer that (better than boat anchors). Still, I cringe at calling them "barefoot shoes". It's the oxymoron that bothers me, not the fact of the shoes themselves. So, here's a solution: we call it "minshod" as in "minimally shod"; or "minshoe" as in "minimalist shoes". "Minshod" should fit wherever we want to write "barefoot", just as "minshoes" should easily replace "minimalist shoes". Marketing Idea for manufactures of minshoes: "We're honest about our products. Barefoot means no shoes. Minshoes are, however, the wave of the future." "Our minshoes are faster, more comfortable, more flexible, closer to barefoot, sexier than any other shoe on the market." What do you all think? Cheers Paleo
Whose minshoes are sexier Whose minshoes are sexier than all the others? I haven't seen ANY minshoes that I'd classify as "sexy" (although there ARE a few sexy minshod runners) but I'd really like a pair if they exist! Yup, the new classification seems to work!
I like it.Rolls off the I like it. Rolls off the tongue and hopefully it catches on. Thanks Paleo, I will start using that around my neck of the woods.
I've always preferred the I've always preferred the term "barefoot-inspired" shoes as opposed to "barefoot-shoes." ;-) How about minishod or minishoes? Ha! Minshod sounds fine to me!
I like both words as a word I like both words as a word geek. Hopefully they catch on enough to be in widespread use. For now I'll stick to my current fashion of saying minimal shoe only because I already have enough to explain without having to use a word and then go into a explaination of what I meant by minshoe Although if I talk to someone "in the know", I might be inclined to start using the term to help it along, so to speak. John T.
I think it's great. I think it's great. "minshoes" is my favorite. Before shoe companies start to use it, it has to become "viral" so to speak. If people are not searching for it on the web then shoe companies will never use it. What about sandals though? They aren't really shoes and minsandals just doesn't roll as well.
I hate trying to describe the I hate trying to describe the word "huaraches" to someone who has never heard of them before. It just means sandals anyway so I usually avoid using it unless I'm writing in places like this where everyone knows what I'm talking about.
I've always felt the word "minimalist" was unnecessarily longer and snootier sounding that the word "minimal". I call my VFFs and VivoBarefoot shoes "minimal shoes" and will continue to do so. I like the fact the term uses words that are already well established in the English language, broadly understood, easy to pronounce, and easy for the uninitiated to wrap their head around. I feel adding an obfuscatory term like minshoes makes it feel a bit elitist. That being said, it certainly won't bother me if everyone else starts using the word all the time. If you like it, use it.
It's all prety good, and we're still gonna have a lotta 'splainin' to do if we're talking to anyone not already up to speed with the whole discussion. I was running with a fella this PM who describes his trail shoes (conventional coffins) as "barefoot shoes" because he'd brought the heels down by about 75%. Great! I said, and ran along, behind him most of the way, in my VFFs. Like I said, it's all pretty darn good.
minshoes I like, minshod is a bit awkward to me. this winter I called my suede soft star mocs my "runnin' slippers," since when people would see me wearing them out and about they always asked if I was wearing my slippers.
