Before the Nikes, before the breathable, antimicrobial running shorts, before the personal fitness coaches, heart-rate monitors, wrist-mounted GPS and subscriptions to Runner’s World, you were a runner. And, like all children, you ran barefoot.
Now, a small but growing body of research suggests that barefoot is the way adults should run, too. The most dedicated athletes have been shucking the high-tech trainers in favor of totally naked feet.
But the rest of us have settled into one of a handful barefoot-style shoes, or something in between — so-called minimal shoes that marry the feel and fit of a low-drop shoe with a little more cushioning and protection.
We’ve tested several kinds here. For the hard-cores, there are the new Vibram FiveFingers Bikila LS, an update to the famous toe shoes that add a few new tweaks for comfort. In the minimal category, we looked at the New Balance Minimus for road runners and the Keen A86 TR for trail runners.
Finally, we tested the Merrell Barefoot shoes, which come with a companion iPhone app to help you train. By the end of the app’s 40-day regimen, you’ll be able to run a mile in these shoes, which are the closest things to no shoes at all.
Whether you’re a barefoot devotee or new to the phenomenon, check out our picks.
Photos by Jim Merithew and Jon Snyder/Wired.com
