But they’re extremely comfortable and an excellent choice for minimalists, barefoot aficionados, and travelers (they pack up impressively small and weigh 6 ounces). Handmade in Oregon, these certainly don’t look like your average running shoe. (men’s size 10)Ĭheck Men’s Price at REI Check Women’s Price at Xero Shoes Made in the USA: Softstar Adult DASH RunAmoc - Unisex ($160) And the sidewall is welded with supportive bands, connecting the laces to the midsole, allowing you to dial in a fantastic feel for the ground without compromising flexibility.Įven for our barefoot purist tester (who prefers to run sans shoes), the combination struck the perfect balance of cushion, firmness, and that glove-like feel for “barefoot” days on the trail. The firm 2mm foam rides over a 5mm outsole, taking the edge off the gravel. Breathable and supportive, the Mesa has a wide toebox for natural toe splay. But you’ll still need protection from the debris. Trails can be more forgiving on the minimal runner. (men’s size 10)Ĭheck Men’s Price at Amazon Check Women’s Price at Amazon Best Minimal Trail Running Shoe: Xero Mesa Trail - Men’s & Women’s ($120) The Vapor Glove is a winner for anyone looking for an all-around multipurpose, minimalist sneaker. They roll up small and disappear in a travel bag, making them a great choice for travel. They allow you to feel the road better than any other shoe we tested - right out of the box (but expect to feel stones if you take them off piste). With a spot-on toebox, our tester reported back that they “actually fit your feet like a glove … a perfect fit.” At a scant 12 ounces per pair (in a men’s size 10), the Vapors are light and truly minimal. The Best Minimalist Running Shoes Best Minimalist Road Shoe: Merrell Vapor Glove 4 - Men’s & Women’s ($80) Making the switch too fast can increase your risk of injury. Barefoot-curious runners should gradually introduce these shoes into their running routines through short runs. We also have separate articles for the best trail running shoes, the best running shoes for men, the best running shoes for women, and the best trail running shoes for women.Ī word of advice: Take it slow if you’re new to the world of minimalist shoes. This article specifically focuses on minimalist running shoes. Though many runners want more support and coverage, there are still plenty of barefoot enthusiasts crushing marathons, ultras, and daily workouts. For the runner whose mantra is “less is more” (and owns a dog-eared copy of McDougall’s Born to Run), the romance of barefoot running is elevated to spiritual.
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