By Erin Renzas on August 22, 2011 in
Fitness trends come and go, but in recent years, no fitness trend has been as prominent has the emergence (or, as some may argue, reemergence) of minimalist running shoes.
For those readers who are unfamiliar: In 2009, Christopher McDougall published his book Born to Run. A serious runner who suffered from frequent injuries, McDougall went on a search for a better way to run. His journey led him to the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. The tribe is known for running hundreds of miles in only sandals. In his book, McDougall argues that it is precisely the shoes that we turn to to cushion and protect our feet--with their gels and stability posts--that cause so many running injuries. The focus on finding a shoe that corrects incorrect pronation and provides stability is flawed, he says.
The book was the turning point in the benefits-of-barefoot-running discussion. Barefoot running, advocates say, allows the runner to feel the subtle changes in terrain and let the feet, legs and body adjust to better prepare itself for impact. This in turn, leads to more efficient running and less injury.
As the conversation grew louder, the running shoe market took notice. Sure--it may not be practical for modern runners to toss their shoes entirely, but the industry has made strides in offering shoes that are lighter weight and sit closer to the ground to mimic the benefits of barefoot running.
For some of us, the idea of trading in our cushioned, stable, trusted running shoes for one of the increasingly popular barefoot-style running shoes - think: Vibram FiveFingers (*Est. $90) - may seem like a stretch. Luckily, several brands are now offering what some experts refer to as "gateway" minimalist shoes. These shoes have a look and feel that is still reminiscent of traditional running shoes, but have some of the features of a minimalist shoe. For example, the heel-to-toe drop of a traditional shoe is typically in the 12-15 mm range. These "gateway" shoes often have a heel-to-toe drop that is closer to 5-10 mm, such as the Nike Free Run+2. Plus, they are much lighter, weighing somewhere between 8 and 10.5 ounces on average.
Ready to try one of these shoes out? You can either opt for one of our best picks or consider one of these popular models to consider!
Saucony ProGrid Mirage (*Est. $100)
The shoe features a low 4mm drop, so runners will feel close to the ground. At 9.8 ounces and 8.3 ounces for men's and women's models respectively, the ProGrid Mirage is also substantially lighter than other stability shoes. Still, the shoe provides a surprising amount of support.
Saucony ProGrid Kinvara (*Est. $90)
For an even lighterweight shoe, try the Saucony ProGrid Kinvara. The model also features a low 4 mm drop and weighs under 8 ounces. It doesn't have the impact protection most people are used to, but experts and users agree that it is a great transition into a true minimalist shoe.