Recommended Shoes

A perfect shoe is one that should protect the skin from lacerations and cold, while minimizing the interface between the foot and the ground. The better the shoe is at replicating a bare foot situation, the greater its neurophysiological response: an essential protective mechanism in the human body. In other words, the less the shoe interferes with the foot's natural mechanism, the more the foot will solidify and the greater it will perform to attenuate the forces of impact brought on by racing dynamics. Moreover, the majority of stability and absorption technology are redundant; they are without scientific basis and are especially ineffective in reducing the impact on the skeleton, natural pronation and the incidence of injuries! It is essential when changing your shoes that you do it very gradually in order to aid the mechanical change and the requirements on the muscles of the foot and calf to adapt progressively. Moving towards a shoe less absorbent and more delicate like a racing flat shoes or a minimalist shoes can be done just a few months.


The three main qualities of running shoes are:

  • Dynamism (Do the absorbent qualities of the shoe create a loss of energy and stability?)
  • Flexibility (Does the stiffness of the shoe place additional restraint on the foot’s natural motion?)
  • Lightness (Do the weight and size of the shoe interfere with the proprioceptive qualities of the foot?)

Discover what The Running Clinic thinks about each shoe by comparing the (+) or (-) elements.

  • 9 + : Perfect / 7 + : Excellent / 5 + : Very Good / 3 + : Good / 3 - : Be careful! / 5 - : Be cautious!! / 7 - : To avoid!!! / 9 - : Dangerous!!!!

Recommended Shoes

Minimalist  Shoes

Minimalist  Shoes

This section presents so-called ‘minimalist’ shoes, some of which are truly minimalist and cause biomechanical behaviors that mimic barefoot running, others marketed as minimalist because of some particular qualities (highly flexible, lightweight, with a low heel-toe drop, etc.) Transitioning to one of the more reduced shoes from this section will require some time and care. In other words, the greater your change in shoe, the greater your need for progression.

Huaraches

Invisible Shoe
Huaraches
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Evoskin

Inov8
Evoskin
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

As minimalist as footwear can get! Adaptation to the lacing system a little difficult. Non-made for seed training as the sole tends to slip under the strong push effort. BUT, sensation highly recommended and very minimalistic price. Sole thickness: 2mm. Based on Tarahumara Huaraches sandals.

Made of silicon, half the price of VFF, better foot snuggling and ground feeling. Not as breathable and less protection against ground's cutting objects. Removable foot straps.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=inov8EvoSkin

The Original

Luna Sandals
The Original
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Five Fingers Seeya

Vibram
Five Fingers Seeya
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

The Huarache type sandals (from Northern Mexican's Tarahumara first nations) would be the closest to barefoot it can be. Leaves the foot as free as possible. Takes a few tests to be adapted...

2012

The lighest of the VFF with 4,8 oz. Similar to the Bikila but with less structure (better feeling) and also more breathable mesh.

Five Fingers sprint

Vibram
Five Fingers sprint
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Split toe Low

Zemgear
Split toe Low
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Close to barefoot. Be carefull with progressing with this shoe.

For more information: www.runblogger.com/2010/01/vibram-fivefingers-posts.html

Available in "high cut" version that wears over the ankle.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=zemRound

Kuusaa

Feelmax
Kuusaa
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Drive

Kigo
Drive
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Weighs less than 3,5 oz. Very flexible. Made to be worn sockless.

4,5 oz. , 2mm outsole from heel to toes (0 differential). Breathability?
Careful with progression...

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=kigoDrive

Origins

Stem
Origins
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Niesa

Feelmax
Niesa
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Exceptionnal comfort, ground feeling and flexibility. Forefoot is wide and adaptable to any foot shape. Eco-friendly conception

3,2 oz. Not made for wide feet. Uncomfortable in long term.

Osma

Feelmax
Osma
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Five fingers KSO

Vibram
Five fingers KSO
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Very minimalist. Very comfortable. Not enough durable.

Close to barefoot. Be carefull progressing with. Only if you are used to this type of footwear. Good for light cross-country runs.

For more information:
www.runblogger.com/2010/01/vibram-fivefingers-posts.html
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=vibramKSO

Adams

Altra
Adams
Men

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Samson

Altra
Samson
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Zero drop. Offered with a choice of 2 insoles: flat 3 mm or shaped 5mm. The outsole's design reconstitutes the natural map of the foot's motion.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=altraAdam

Printemps 2012

The "Adam" model but with laces for a better fit.

Five Fingers Bikila

Vibram
Five Fingers Bikila
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Ultra

Terra plana Vivo Barefoot
Ultra
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Bikila Model is tougher, better durability (ex: reinforced toe box), better grip, but thicker outsole and still very tough to put on.


For more information:
www.runblogger.com/2010/07/vibram-fivefingers-bikila-pictures-and.html
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=tevaNilch

The light Vivo Barefoot: 4 oz. Made with the same material than Crocs sandals with an inside removable sock/mesh (if removed, bad feeling with skin contact and moisture)

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=vivobarefootUltra

Amphibian

Sockwa
Amphibian
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
RunAmoc Lite

Sofstar
RunAmoc Lite
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Real time minimalist shoe, but one thing: the foot tends to slip inside the shoe.

Made in leather (good grip for your foot inside), supported by a choice of 2 Vibram outsole widths: 2 mm or 5 mm, although the 5mm makes it much more heavy.

Nada

Somnio
Nada
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Bare X-lite 150

Inov8
Bare X-lite 150
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

A minimalist racer. Very light: 3,5 oz. (size 8 woman, but still very light!!!). 0 Drop. 6mm outsole. Wide toe-box

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=somnioNADA

7 mm midsole with 0 mm differential. From the new road line of Inov8. Interesting feature: tongueless, which gives a good fitting feeling. 5,3 oz

Minimus Road Zero Drop

New Balance
Minimus Road Zero Drop
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
True Glove

Merrell
True Glove
Men

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

2012 (women color)

New Balance's new Minimus Zero Drop line. Vibram outsole on the trail AND road version.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=minimusZero

Comparable to the Trail Glove but a bit lighter (5,9 oz vs. 6,2 oz.) No insole. 0 Heel-ball drop.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=merrellTrueGlove

Hattori

Saucony
Hattori
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Adipur

Adidas
Adipur
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

New minimalist from Saucony. 4,4 onces, angle 0 degré.

For more informations:
www.runblogger.com/2011/04/saucony-hattori-first-look-review-of.html
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=sauconyHattori

New toe shoe from Adidas. Will be marketed as a training shoe more than a running shoe. Designed to reinforce posture and balance: same goal than Sketchers Shape-ups, MBT... but being the total opposite shoe!

Achilles

Vivo Barefoot
Achilles
Men

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Shel

Kigo
Shel
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

A modern "Huaraches" sandal with the same support elements and foot ties. Very flexible, 6,5 oz. and a very thin sole: 3mm all lenght. A few comments read about the uncomfortable separation of the big toe. Only 3 sizes: Small/Medium/Large

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=vivobarefootAchilles

Durable and comfortable. Heel slightly higher than forefoot. Increased dynamism if insole is removed.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=kigoEdge

Trail glove

Merrell
Trail glove
Men

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
komodoSport

Vibram
komodoSport
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Minimalist from Merrell. Very light shoe with no removable innersole.
Female version named "Pace Glove".

For more information:
www.runblogger.com/2011/02/merrell-barefoot-trail-glove-review.html
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=merrellTrailGlove

Stiffer than the Bikila. Heavier too: 7,1 oz.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=vibramKomodoSport

Minimus cross/trail

NewBalance
Minimus cross/trail
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Lithe Glove

Merrell
Lithe Glove
Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

A very minimalist shoe, comfortable, durable with a good grip.

For more information:
www.runblogger.com/2010/11/new-balance-minimus-trail-first-look.html
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=minimusTrail

Women version of the Sonic Glove

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=merrellLitheGlove

Road Glove

Merrell
Road Glove
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Sonic Glove

Merrell
Sonic Glove
Men

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Spring 2012

Weight: 6,8 oz. Many right minimalist criterias like: light, zero drop, wide toe box, flexible, well ventilated, flat sole.

Water resistant version of the Trail Glove. 0,3 oz heavier.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=merrellSonicGlove

EVO

Terra plana Vivo Barefoot
EVO
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Baregrip 200

Inov8
Baregrip 200
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Another "barefoot" or "minimalist" shoe. Expensive. Ecological. Very comfortable.


For more information:
www.runblogger.com/2010/05/terra-plana-evo-barefoot-running-shoe.html
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=vivobarefootEvo2

0 differential, 0 midsole, 0 cushionning! Excellent grip for trail.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=inov8BareGrip200

Zilch

Teva
Zilch
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Minimus Life

New Balance
Minimus Life
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Running sandals, 0 differential. Small comfort problem if your big toe is not the right size...(see picture)

For more information: naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=tevaZilch

About the same sole thickness than the Minimus Trail, thinner than the Road Minimus. Still 4mm drop like its 2 sisters. Shoe made for everyday wear and not especially for running. Elastics replace shoe laces: does not allow personal adjustment.

Nilch

Teva
Nilch
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Model A

Skora
Model A
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Lace-less shoe (comfort while running??). 8mm thick, 0 differential. Wide toe box.

For more information: naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=tevaNilch

Zero drop, 9mm thick + 4mm insole, No counter-heel

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=skoraModelA

MV2

Newton
MV2
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Neo

Terra plana Vivo Barefoot
Neo
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

0 drop "racer". Slightly cushionned. Runs high (about 1 size higher). Narrow toe box.
For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=newtonMV2
www.runblogger.com/2011/08/newton-mv2-zero-drop-running-shoe.html

More comfortable version of the EVO. Heavier

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=vivobarefootNeo

Skele-Toes

Fila
Skele-Toes
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Minimus route/road

NewBalance
Minimus route/road
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Not as flexible as VFF's. Not as breathable either. The 2 small toes are sewed together. Not a "zero drop" but unknown differential... Good economical alternative vs. VFF but the barefoot feeling is not as good.

4mm differential. A little more cushionning than the Trail minimus. Excellent to make the transition towards 0 differential shoes.

For more information:
www.runblogger.com/2010/11/new-balance-minimus-road-first-run-and.html
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=minimusRoad

PureConnect

Brooks
PureConnect
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Free HyperTR

Nike
Free HyperTR
Men

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

New minimalist line from Brooks, This one being the lighest and lowest: 7,2 oz. / 14 mm at heel and droping 4mm only.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=brooksPureConnect

The best of the Nike Free series.

Intuiton

Altra
Intuiton
Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Instinct

Altra
Instinct
Men

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

Altra Instinct's female version.

20mm cushioning from toes to heel. A good shoe to get in order to improve good form running. A little heavy for a minimalist shoe...

For more information:
www.runblogger.com/2011/03/altra-instinct-running-shoe-review-zero.html

Provision

Altra
Provision
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
Free Run +2

Nike
Free Run +2
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

2012

Transition shoe from Altra. Built upon the "Instinct"'s base, this one has a firmer sole.

For more info:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=altraProvision

Heavier and more cushionned than the 3.0
Improved flexibility

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=nikeFreeRunPlus2

Free 3.0

Nike
Free 3.0
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness
ProGrid Kinvara 2

Saucony
ProGrid Kinvara 2
Men or Women

Dynamism
Flexibility
Lightness

The most flexible on the market. Progress carefully. Closer to the ground than the free 4.0.

For more information: www.runblogger.com/2009/05/nike-free-30-review-nikes-answer-to.html

Light trainer. Only 4mm toe drop. Good transition shoe if you want to aim for minimalism.

For more information:
naturalrunningcenter.com/nrc-full-shoe-review/?shoeid=sauconyKinvara2

The ratings and reviews of the shoes described above are fully borne by their analyst Blaise Dubois and collaborators. The analysis process has NOT been influenced by shoe companies. The comments are personal views and opinions.

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