I can't stop clicking on this thread, it's like deja vu all over again. Finally something I can add non-controversially.
The NB 101s are indeed a fine shoe - great crossover/trail shoe. And as we all know fell shoes are necessarily close to the ground and, well, fairly minimal. Like they always have been. They do have a heal to toe drop, but not a very big one. I've done loads in mine, up to 34 miles, they just struggle in out and out fell conditions.
...have to disagree with the longevity though. I'm on my third pair now, all that minimalism plus acidic local winter conditions means they haven't weathered that well.
Since we're doing that 'sample of one, my experience so it must be true' thing, I went out lunchtime in my most built up shoes (Roclite 295s) and smashed my hill rep session. I'm not sure what it proves though.
I've done it and I think running barefoot not on the heal without those barefoot shoe things is really good, your feet get toughened up pretty quick. Start off with small distances as your legs will not be used to striking on the forefront.
I'v just seen this fantastic piece of documentary film making about what happens if you try to run with traditional padded shoes. I think we can all agree it's persuasive stuff.
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To me, a minimalist shoe like most of the vivo range, is one that you can roll up and pocket. 2mm to 4mm puncture resistant sole with zero heal to toe drop and a wide toe box.
If you wore big padded mittens on your hands from a young age then suddenly started doing heavy labour with your hands, they would be wrecked. The same applies to feet. Your average shoe is a padded foot mitten.
If you try running in minimalist shoes, after years wearing padded shoes there will probably be injury and pain because your feet are weak sauce. I would advocate learning to run barefoot before trying vibram etc.
Arch support is the craziest thing, I have support already, the arch in my foot. It's marketing on both sides. Do what works for you, try all styles of shoe or no shoe, just have fun and be sensible.
The only way to settle this debate is with a race. The winner will scientifically prove their running shoe is the best and all others are useless.
would that not just prove who was the quicker runner rather than what shoe or no shoe is preferred by the individual?
Surfer - what were you wearing when you won the vets at the Tattenhall Tough Team last week (stalker alert!)? Can you measure the heal-toe drop and then we can all settle down to a Friday night beer?
Really, I thought a sample of 1 would be indisputable scientific shoe based fact. We would all then be happy knowing we were going to buy the right shoes.
Tired, didnt sniff out the sarcasm 🙂
My shoes with wheels on are teh best!
I've just come in from another 22k's trail running in and along my local river/woods.
I'd never in OneHundredMillionYears do that barefoot nor with minimal soled "shoes"
SportCross 3's for me each and every time.
As you were 😆
Good going on the 22k bikebouy, sounds like you have the right footwear for you 🙂 that's what it's all about, running in what you feel comfy in. I probably run barefoot because I'm from yorkshire and my genes are repulsed by the very idea of paying to be able to walk / run.
I'd never in OneHundredMillionYears do that barefoot nor with minimal soled "shoes"
Ironically, had you been doing it 100m years ago, you'd have been barefoot. On all four feet. If you'd been doing it 500,000 years ago you'd have been barefoot tho 🙂
But for the last 40,000 years humans have realised that shoes are a good thing.
Why are they such a good thing? Don't like them at all myself, pretty pointless for most of the year.
I'm not running today so most of the day will be barefoot or in flip flops on the beach 😆
