In the past two years, practically everyone in the running community has read about, heard news of, or tried a shoe marketed as “minimalist” by its manufacturer. However, the term “minimal” in regard to running footwear has become one of those very loosely defined phrases that has been brandished about somewhat irresponsibly by many shoe manufacturers trying to jump on the bandwagon. That stated, the purpose of this article will be to provide a concrete definition of what constitutes a minimalist shoe, how runners at all levels can safely employ the use of this type of footwear, and how you can wade through the myriad information out there about minimalism to make you a more informed buyer.

Minimalist Myth Busting

First, let us attempt to clarify, explain in further detail, or debunk several common myths about minimalist running shoes.

  • Myth #1- Minimalist shoes improve your form.

    • Fact: Minimalist shoes can indeed help one improve their running form, but it is more a conscious bi-product of running in these shoes frequently rather than the shoes themselves. Because of their sparse construction, runners tend to strike the ground lighter, push-off more efficiently, and land more towards the forefoot with each stride in a minimalist trainer. These changes can be made permanent overtime as the body retrains its biomechanics, and if one were to put back on their old clodhoppers after wearing minimal shoes, their form would remain improved. So, point being, do not buy a pair of minimal trainers and expect your form to improve overnight. Such modifications take time and effort, just as all worthwhile pursuits in life.

  • Myth #2- Running long distances in minimal shoes will injure you.

    • Fact: This assumption is false, provided the runner allows his or her body time to adapt to less cushioning and material underfoot. Because minimal shoes will gradually improve one’s form in a matter of weeks, minimal shoes can actually decrease injury risk in well-trained runners. However, as stated before, it is imperative that one gradually increase their time spent in minimalist trainers from something akin to two-miles on grass in the lesser shoe in week one, to five miles easy on the road in minimalist shoes in week four.

  • Myth #3- Minimalist shoes will make you faster.

    • Fact: This is a highly debatable assumption, much the same as some nutritional supplements, training techniques, or therapeutic aids, but the truth of the matter is that shoes alone will not make you faster. One must still log the appropriate volume, run at the right intensities, and put in the necessary work each week to increase their fitness level progressively over time.

  • Myth # 4- Minimalist shoes are only for light weight runners with perfect biomechanics.

    • Fact: This statement is largely a false assumption. While lithe runners with perfectly neutral gaits will require less time to adjust to the lower profile of a minimalist shoe, they are not the only ones who should give less shoe a trial run (pun intended). The beauty of true minimal trainers is that no matter your pronation pattern, body weight, or gait abnormalities, judicious (albeit cautious) use of minimal trainers will help to correct these flaws over time by forcing your body to run more efficiently. Heavy trainers with stability features “prevent” your feet from doing what they “want” to do, but minimal trainers allow your body to work out its own kinks and find the right stride for you as an individual.

  • Myth #5- There aren’t enough minimal shoes on the market today. What is there beyond the Nike Free?

    • Fact: While Nike was one of the first brands to adopt a minimal shoe into their line in the early 2000s, the boom in minimal running has become profound in the past two years. Every major shoe manufacturer has something to offer at present by way of minimalism, but some are going to be more purist than others. As a new minimalist buyer, I recommend that one look for a brand line-up that allows the runner to transition gradually from one minimalist shoe to the next without jumping all-in to minimalism as a whole. Below are some great choices available today.

    The Puma FAAS series includes six shoes in total from a highly cushioned mid-weight trainer with the FAAS 550, to a very low-profile minimal shoe with the FAAS 200. Below is the
    Faas 250    , one of their lightest options.

    Puma FAAS 250

    Puma FAAS 250

    Saucony’s minimal line-up ranges from the plush Mirage (top shoe below), to the critically-acclaimed Kinvara (bottom shoe below), and then down to the barely-there Hattori, allowing a runner interested in minimalism to advance as they like downward through their collection.

    Saucony Minimalistic Running Shoes

    Saucony Minimalistic Running Shoes

    The new Brooks Pure line of trainers which just hit the market last fall does much the same as the above. They have a lightweight stability shoe in the Cadence, to a minimal neutral trainer in the Flow, to practically an extension of your foot in the Connect. Also with Brooks, there is the Green Silence which incorporates eco-friendly biodegradable materials into a minimalist design (below).

    Brooks Green Silence

    Brooks Green Silence

    Minimalism Defined

    With several common minimalist myths explained, let us now look at what such a shoe truly is so you as a potential buyer will know what to look for in stores. In the purest sense of the word, and as a runner who uses such footwear daily, minimalist running shoes must fit the criteria of the following categories to truly be what they claim to be.

  • Weight: The first facet of a minimalist shoe is that it should be lightweight: approximately under 9oz for a Men’s Size 9, and under 8oz for a Women’s Size 8. This is important because the lighter a shoe, the less perceived fatigue a runner will experience in the latter stages of a run. For some, this feeling can be drastic and immediately improve their running experience from wearing heavier trainers.
  • Construction: Optimally, a minimalist shoe will have a flat outsole, little to no plastic components, no mid-foot structure, and no visible arch depression. These facets of their build, or lack there of, allow for more natural, unhindered foot strike. The cushioning of a minimal trainer is sparse, but should be sufficient enough to protect one’s feet from ground impact forces over the course of longer runs. Whether this layer of cushioning is firm or soft depends on the model, but it is important to note that “minimal” does not necessarily denote “barefoot”; barefoot running and “barefoot” styled shoes have become very popular lately, but an examination of such footwear is beyond the scope of this article.
    A big tenant of minimal shoes at present is a “zero-drop” heel to toe ratio. This means that there is no difference in height between a shoe’s heel and its furthest point on the toe, thereby separating it from more traditional training shoes that have raised heel cups. While zero-drop isn’t necessary for a shoe to be minimal, it does need to have a heel to toe ratio of less than 10mm.

  • Usage: So what separates a minimalist trainer from a racing flat, one may ask? Not very much at all, would be the reply. The only notable difference between the two is that minimalist trainers have just enough cushioning to allow the runner a more comfortable ride at slower speeds than race pace while still reaping the benefits of a sparsely constructed shoe. A runner should be able to use a true minimal trainer for all facets of the running experience (after proper adjustment), from long runs, to speed work, to drills, and even strength work following training sessions. A racing flat, with its low profile, tighter fit, and rigid design, should typically be reserved for your most intense sessions and, of course, race day performance.

    Now that we have dissected the minimal trend to more practical components, it is up to you to decide whether minimal shoes are right for you. I would recommend giving a pair an honest try, using them as a training tool at first, and progressing along with them as you see fit each week. You may find that they are just what you have been looking for in a shoe, or you may find yourself going back to the old, tried-and-true clodhoppers that have always been your personal stand-by in times of running shoe evolution.