"Barefoot" Running

[colby]

But looky what I did try on! The Altra Intuition. Zero heel-to-toe drop, and look at that square toe box! Oooooh, aaaaah. Unfortunately they were out of stock in the sizes most likely to fit me, but they're expecting some more next week. I'm a little concerned about the overlay at my problematic 5th MTP joint, but wondering whether that's any worse than smacking my heels every step the way I do with the high heeled Nikes I'm running in now. Just running around the store in a pair of Altra Instinct shoes (the men's version of the Intuition) felt soooo nice - zero drop, but a little bit of cushion under my midfeet.

Nice and foot shaped! Funny how all these shoes look like old school shoes.

The New Balance trail shoes have a plastic overlay on the shoe that takes a fairly flexible shoe and makes it less comfortable. Maybe there's a stability or longevity reason, but I wish they could use something softer.

[jessmarimba]

Which ones are you talking about, Colby? The WT101? I'd imagine it's because the shoe is so thin in the forefoot that you couldn't run rocky trails without it. They'd fall apart. After wearing mine for about 5 months (~200 miles?) they feel pretty flexible. But as I have to wear insoles in them to make them fit, I can't really tell you how the shoe itself really feels.

The NB WR10 (the new minimal road shoe), to me, seems pretty similar to the Altra Intuition.

I'm a little frustrated b/c I haven't found a minimal shoe yet that I don't have to add insoles to just to take up room. Need to take care of my tendonitis so I can get some distance in my vibrams.

[OakLeaf]

The NB toe box is much pointier than the Altra's.

FWIW, Altra is supposed to be coming out with a more trail-oriented shoe this summer. The model name will be Lone Peak in both men's and women's. The shape looks the same as the Instinct/Intuition, but with a more deeply lugged sole and more overlays.

I'll post a review whenever I get my feet into the Intuition. I'm pretty much set on giving them a try.

[jessmarimba]

Not the shoe I was talking about, but I wouldn't notice the toe box anyway - both too wide on me

I was thinking this one: http://www.newbalance.ca/Product/WR10OG

[colby]

Which ones are you talking about, Colby? The WT101? I'd imagine it's because the shoe is so thin in the forefoot that you couldn't run rocky trails without it. They'd fall apart. After wearing mine for about 5 months (~200 miles?) they feel pretty flexible. But as I have to wear insoles in them to make them fit, I can't really tell you how the shoe itself really feels.

The NB WR10 (the new minimal road shoe), to me, seems pretty similar to the Altra Intuition.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking - the extra reinforcement IS structural.

I am probably going to get some knobby vibrams for running trails, and to do the dirty dash in August. They may not help a huge amount in that quantity of mud, but the regular vibrams will definitely not help in mud

Related, Kayak Shed has 20% off Merrell "Barefoot" shoes right now, http://www.kayakshed.com

[jessmarimba]

What kind of mud? With stickier mud, the knobbier the shoe, the more mud you carry with you, the heavier your shoes get through the race. Just something to think about

[OakLeaf]

Interesting and pretty sensible article about transitioning to barefoot or minimal shoes.

I'm still waiting to try those Intuitions ... backordered 'til they don't know when, it being a really small company whose product has taken off like wildfire. I promise a review whenever I get them!

[sundial]

Speaking of going barefoot, has anyone watched Dual Survivor on the Discovery Channel? Cody walks barefooted everywhere, whether it's in the Amazon jungle, a Louisiana marsh filled with snakes, or on a remote Pacific island.