Footwear Insight, shoe trends magazine page

[kitoi]

I'm a pedorthist (design and fabricate footwear and related appliances) by trade and get lots of shoe related material every month. Going through the mail I see the new Footwear Insight magazine, thumbing across the pages and I see and article on minimalist running shoes. Basically it's a debate between conventional vs. minimal, nothing that you don't already know but this is geared toward the retailer and how many are jumping on the bandwagon while it's "hot".

There's pictures of 17 styles either on the market currently or soon to be
Li-Ning/Fremon $85
New Balance/507 $50
Saucony/Shay XC $70
Zoot/Ultra speed $110
Karha/Racer Fulcrum Ride $115
ASICS Piranha SP3 $110
GoLite/Amp Litel $110
adidas/adiZero Rocket $80
Mizuno/Universe 3 $120
Nike/Zoom Streak $70
Brooks/Mach 12 $65
Puma/Faas 300
Merrill/Trail Glove $110
Scott/T2c $110
K-Swiss/K-Ruuz $85
Terra Plana Viva Barefoot/Evo $160
adidas/adiZero Aegis $120

and another dozen coming out next year.

Will get into my comparison of barefoot vs shoes in new thread, also making a some running sandals to throw into the mix

[Hedonist]

Yikes! How could they leave off Chucks???? Cool for over a century.

[carres1973]

Love the look of the Saucony XC 2. I just ordered a pair from Zappos!

Carrie

[firefly]

love my vibram 5 fingers couldnt run too far in them but for everyday walking etc im in them all time now much better than flip flops

[Bostonbully]

I like the Merrell Trail Glove so far. Not to mention Merrell's come in wides which fit SO much better.

[carres1973]

So, I received my Saucony's today (HOORAY for Zappo's and their super fast shipping). However, they are going back :-(. They must run EXTREMELY small. It was like they were the width of children's shoes...and I ordered men's!

Carrie

[Abu Reena]

I call garbage on this list. These are not minimalist sneakers. I ordered a pair of the GoLites and they're built up like crazy. The only pair on this list that is minimalist are the Evos. These are better than the truly cushioned sneakers, but these aren't in any way minimalist otherwise. The Merrells may be, but they're not available yet.

[kitoi]

I call garbage on this list. These are not minimalist sneakers. I ordered a pair of the GoLites and they're built up like crazy. The only pair on this list that is minimalist are the Evos. These are better than the truly cushioned sneakers, but these aren't in any way minimalist otherwise. The Merrells may be, but they're not available yet.

I thought the same thing when I saw the photos, also looked at a few at various stores and they look to just scaled down versions of the typical running shoe.

[slowcooker]

Minimalist shoes are coming to the golf course as well. These look promising - 2.5mm sole, waterproof. www.truelinkswear.com

[SeanC]

If you can find them New Balance 790 trail shoes.....they are like slippers..there replacements are the MT101s but the 790s can be worn anywhere...I LOVE THEM....also check out INOV-8 F-lite 195 and the 220. The numbers are their weight in grams!