Minimalist vs. Barefoot

I tried the barefoot shoes in January.  I made the mistake of buying Fila.  Rule number one of buying a new type of shoe: Don't Buy Cheap!  They were still more expensive than normal running shoes, but they were obviously cheaper than a quality brand like Vibrams.  I would wear them on a run, then I would have to switch back to my old shoes for the rest of the week.  I tried wearing them at my running clinic that started in March.  It is a fun conversation starter to wear shoes with toes, but it is still embarrassing to run around in something that will skin your heels.  I went back to my old shoes for a while, though they felt clunky and unnatural.  The barefoot shoe was fun because I felt like I was running with my whole foot, not just running on stumps.  I enjoyed the feeling of grabbing the pavement with my toes and hopping around like an elf.

When I first saw the Minimalist shoe (Nike and New Balance's solution to barefoot running), I scoffed at their toe-less unsophistication.  I had my heart set on wearing toe shoes and I did not consider a shoe to be in the "barefoot" class of shoes unless they had toes.  I have learned since then.  The Fila toes really did not add much to the experience.  The whole point of barefoot shoes is they lack the cushion that normal running shoes have in excess.

There is a New Balance store near me.  I went there to get minimalist shoes since the old shoes just don't do it for me anymore.  This store has sales people that have to explain how these shoes work and make sure you don't get injured from buying the wrong shoe.  I only had to repeat to the guy about 10 times that I have experience in barefoot running.  He tried to sell me the Minimus 10.  I insisted on the Zero.  I don't need a stepping stone.  At first I tried to pick out a "casual walking" shoe because I was going for uber minimalism.  The sales guy gave me a funny look and explained that those shoes wouldn't hold up for running.  It occurred to me that they would probably shred faster than running shoes.  Then I picked a "cross-trainer" and got another funny look.  Finally I just told him to point out the running shoes so I could get on with my life.  They didn't have a huge style selection, but I was still fortunate enough to get a non-yellow pair.

The minimalist shoes feel just as good as the barefoot shoes for running with the added bonus of being able to wear socks to prevent blisters.  I can even wear them while riding my bike, something I couldn't do with my Fila shoes because there was no extra room past the toe.  I'm barely tall enough for my bike with regular shoes.

Minimalist shoes are no nonsense primal footwear.  I know several people who have Vibrams toe shoes and love them, but Fila is a brand to avoid like the plague.