Minimal/Barefoot style running shoes . . .

[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

[Veronica]

Slight hijack

This is the front runner dress currently.

I have these. But I'm not sure they'll do.

My sister insisted I should get heels. No freakin' way. I'm going to be dressed up for at least 8 hours and on my feet.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Slight hijack

This is the front runner dress currently.

I have these. But I'm not sure they'll do.

My sister insisted I should get heels. No freakin' way. I'm going to be dressed up for at least 8 hours and on my feet.

Veronica

Gorgeous dress! When is the party? If it's summery weather, super flat sandals would probably dressiest and still 'barefoot'.

I also have these:
http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ladies/kali-61.html
that I wear to work everyday and I work in an office. The strap is just elastic, so I actually step on it and wear the shoes like regular flats/ballet slippers. I just bought a new pair because after two years, my first pair was looking worn (and after puppy chewing!). They are SUPER comfy!

They are probably too dark for that dress, but they are great to have for dressier occasions in general.

[spokewench]

Slight hijack

This is the front runner dress currently.

I have these. But I'm not sure they'll do.

My sister insisted I should get heels. No freakin' way. I'm going to be dressed up for at least 8 hours and on my feet.

Veronica

Beautiful gown! A flat metallic would look great with that dress. I'm sure you can find one. How about the Naturalizer Cadence (multi-colored metallic); looks comfy too

[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 . . .