OK, I don't really know anything about running shoes, or minimalist shoes. But perhaps an ignorant barefooter's perspective has some value. I want the most barefoot-like experience possible, and only run in shoes when it's too cold to run barefoot. So, if you're like me, I think you really only need two pairs of shoes: the Vivobarefoot Aqua Lites for road running, and the Vivobarefoot Neo Trails for running in snow or on trails. I guess the Vivobarefoot Breathos are also nice for summer trail running, but the trails here in Minnesota are all doable barefoot in the summer, so I haven't picked up a pair of those yet.
Last winter when it was too cold to run barefoot, I ran in Moc3s, which, with just a 2mm sole, are pretty damn close to barefoot groundfeel.
But the Moc3s don't have much traction, so when Silly C recommended the Neo Trails, I gave them a shot. And I can't think of a better shoe with lugs that still has a semblance of groundfeel. Plus, the shoe is nice and wide and the lacing is just right.
Then Sid mentioned he liked the Aqua Lites a lot, which have a 3mm sole. I didn't really need to replace the Moc3s for winter runs that don't require a lot of traction, but I always felt like I wanted something a bit snugger, although, as a habitual barefooter, that doesn't really make sense. I should want as little feeling of shoddedness as possible, right? Anyway, knowing already that I like the Vivobarefoot fit and lacing of my Neo Trails, I decided to pick up a pair of the Aqua Lites too. I really like them. If you take out the insole, the groundfeel is almost identical to the Moc3s, but they hug your foot a bit better, which somehow translates into a somewhat more more relaxed running experience for me. Still, the shoes are in no way restrictive, and I don't think there's a heel cup, arch support, or anything like that. On really cold days, I put the insole back in, but still have a reasonable amount of groundfeel and feel like my foot is able to function pretty naturally. Plus, my wife likes the simple styling of this shoe, so they could double as a casual sneaker.
So there you have it, a minimal review of minimalist shoes from a minimally aware barefooter.
Last winter when it was too cold to run barefoot, I ran in Moc3s, which, with just a 2mm sole, are pretty damn close to barefoot groundfeel.
But the Moc3s don't have much traction, so when Silly C recommended the Neo Trails, I gave them a shot. And I can't think of a better shoe with lugs that still has a semblance of groundfeel. Plus, the shoe is nice and wide and the lacing is just right.
Then Sid mentioned he liked the Aqua Lites a lot, which have a 3mm sole. I didn't really need to replace the Moc3s for winter runs that don't require a lot of traction, but I always felt like I wanted something a bit snugger, although, as a habitual barefooter, that doesn't really make sense. I should want as little feeling of shoddedness as possible, right? Anyway, knowing already that I like the Vivobarefoot fit and lacing of my Neo Trails, I decided to pick up a pair of the Aqua Lites too. I really like them. If you take out the insole, the groundfeel is almost identical to the Moc3s, but they hug your foot a bit better, which somehow translates into a somewhat more more relaxed running experience for me. Still, the shoes are in no way restrictive, and I don't think there's a heel cup, arch support, or anything like that. On really cold days, I put the insole back in, but still have a reasonable amount of groundfeel and feel like my foot is able to function pretty naturally. Plus, my wife likes the simple styling of this shoe, so they could double as a casual sneaker.
So there you have it, a minimal review of minimalist shoes from a minimally aware barefooter.