Minimal/Barefoot style running shoes . . .

[limewave]

Just bit the bullet and ordered two new pairs of running shoes: one for trail and one for street. I ordered Merrel's because 1) their headquarters is in MI, not too far from home and 2) because they are doing this!!!!

They are minimal style running shoes--which will be totally different for me. I'm curious to try them out. I am expecting them to arrive Thursday or Friday I haven't done much running this year and my weekly mileage is very low. I thought now is a good time to try a new style shoe. I'll write up some reviews under this post as I rack up the miles on them.

[colby]

Just bit the bullet and ordered two new pairs of running shoes: one for trail and one for street. I ordered Merrel's because 1) their headquarters is in MI, not too far from home and 2) because they are doing this!!!!

They are minimal style running shoes--which will be totally different for me. I'm curious to try them out. I am expecting them to arrive Thursday or Friday I haven't done much running this year and my weekly mileage is very low. I thought now is a good time to try a new style shoe. I'll write up some reviews under this post as I rack up the miles on them.

I don't have any Merrells, though I did recently try them on in REI and was surprised at how nice they felt... maybe something to consider if Vibram doesn't come out with FiveFingers I can wear (some of them are too narrow, uncomfortable, etc). I do follow them on Facebook and they seem like a pretty awesome company, someone I'd be happy to give my money to.

I see a lot of people wearing them here in Austin, more than I see the NBs or Vibrams, which are still more common than a lot of places. NBs are way too narrow IMHO, Merrell reminds me of Keen in the way they are shaped and feel on your feet.

Looking forward to the reviews!

[Blueberry]

I see a lot of people wearing them here in Austin, more than I see the NBs or Vibrams, which are still more common than a lot of places. NBs are way too narrow IMHO, Merrell reminds me of Keen in the way they are shaped and feel on your feet.

Crap. I was thinking of trying the NB's to see if the toe box was wider. My Merrells feel a bit narrow to my feet.

[OakLeaf]

If you want a wide toe box in a minimal shoe, Leming. I wish I could run minimal. Aside from running, where I need more cushion and support, these are just about all I wear since I found them. I think I'm going to spring for a pair in a third color.

[Veronica]

I only wear Merrill barefoot shoes as my daily show now. I have 5 pairs in 4 different styles. I have to wear an evening gown for my in-laws 50th anniversary party next year. I'm trying to figure out how to go barefoot!

I tried running in the Pace last year, but wasn't keen on no cushioning.

Veronica

[Kathi]

Not a runner but I have a couple of pair of Lemings which I love. I think they are a little large for my size 5.5 but I wear them with my Injinji toe socks and they fit well.

I also just ordered a pair of Kigo Curvs which are a Mary Jane style. The Curvs run narrower which is why I'm trying them. Haven't received them yet.

Of course, I love my 5 fingers but mostly wear them around the house.

[colby]

I only wear Merrill barefoot shoes as my daily show now. I have 5 pairs in 4 different styles. I have to wear an evening gown for my in-laws 50th anniversary party next year. I'm trying to figure out how to go barefoot!

I got away with a pair of flat FiveFingers during our Christmas party last year, they look kind of like mary janes - http://www.amazon.com/Vibram-Fivefin.../dp/B005SFHNL6 - I wear them daily at work now, too. They are fairly subtle, but sometimes I get called out on the toes. Merrell and Vivobarefoot have the Jane style, too, even better. I only wear flats in regular shoes, anyway, so the least they can do is let me pretend I'm barefoot

[colby]

Crap. I was thinking of trying the NB's to see if the toe box was wider. My Merrells feel a bit narrow to my feet.

A couple of the Merrell styles come in wide widths! Some people still find they aren't wide enough, though.

A shoe store guy specifically told me the NB wouldn't be a good fit for wide feet. I recently saw them in the store again, no way would I fit in them. I think they'd need to be wide width to work for more toebox volume.

I have heard the vivobarefoots (and the Lemings mentioned) have a better toebox, but I haven't seen them personally yet.

[GLC1968]

A couple of the Merrell styles come in wide widths! Some people still find they aren't wide enough, though.

A shoe store guy specifically told me the NB wouldn't be a good fit for wide feet. I recently saw them in the store again, no way would I fit in them. I think they'd need to be wide width to work for more toebox volume.

I have heard the vivobarefoots (and the Lemings mentioned) have a better toebox, but I haven't seen them personally yet.

See, that doesn't make sense to me. I wear the NB (in the wide width) because they are the only shoe that was wide enough for my toe spread. I don't have a particularly wide foot, just really wide toes (think flipper feet). I have multiple pairs of the Vivobarefoot shoes and while the casual shoes are great, the 'running' shoes (Lucy, Neo and the like) are all way too narrow in the toes.

I haven't tried the Lemmings yet, but I did look at a friend's pair and they look very much like my NB Minimus trail in shape. I'll definitely give those a try once I'm done with my screw issue.

Merrells are great for me for every day wear, but for running, they gave me blisters and black toenails because my feet shifted around too much.

[limewave]

Veronica--Love the dress! I think you could find some nice flats that would look good. They aren't "barefoot" shoes, but I do have some nice ballet flats that are silver. I've started wearing those for dressier occasions.

GLC, I'm with you. I have wide toes, like flipper and New Balance have worked great for me. I've never had Merrell's before--this is an experiment. And I have not tried minimal running shoes before either. This new ground for me . . .

[bluejellybean]

Are they the Merrell lithe glove? I was just looking at those so I'd love to know how they work out for you. I haven't tried a really minimal shoe, although, always super lightweight ones, so it's hard to decide whether to order them without trying them first. (I live in a small town so it's hard to find anywhere to test drive)

Just bit the bullet and ordered two new pairs of running shoes: one for trail and one for street. I ordered Merrel's because 1) their headquarters is in MI, not too far from home and 2) because they are doing this!!!!

They are minimal style running shoes--which will be totally different for me. I'm curious to try them out. I am expecting them to arrive Thursday or Friday I haven't done much running this year and my weekly mileage is very low. I thought now is a good time to try a new style shoe. I'll write up some reviews under this post as I rack up the miles on them.

[limewave]

Yes, they are the lithe glove. I just checked my order status and they were just shipped today! Ugh. I guess they won't be here until next week

[Wahine]

I've had the same experience as GLC with the NB minimus. Love this shoe. It fits my relatively narrow heel and arch but flares out perfectly in the toe box for my flipper forefoot/toe area.

V - LOVE the dress.

[Veronica]

V - LOVE the dress.

My sister asked me why I like it. I think it's the lack of excess material in the skirt. And it doesn't scream bridesmaid. I could see myself wearing it to dinner on the Queen Mary or to the opera. I've never been to the opera - but you never know!

I am finding lots of flat shoe options - some cost as much as the dress!

Veronica

[limewave]

Okay, so the shoes came today afterall!!! I've tried them both on and they feel awesome (at least walking around the house and doing chores). Actually, funny story, I tried the "Bare Access" on and could not believe how wonderful they felt. And then I put on the lithe and my stomach lurched. I could feel the seams inside! It was horrible and scratchy. Oh man. . . . And then I took them off and discovered they still had cardboard in them. Once I took the cardboard out, they felt great too. Here are some picture comparisons to my NB 759s shoes.

Comparison Guide (runner's world)
NB 759
M Lithe Glove
M Bare Access

Photos (sorry for the gross feet picture--you can see I've had Bunionectomy surgery):