Minimalist running shoes-choosing

[HarrySmith]

Hello gentlemen of PH, long time lurker, first time poster. My current pair of running shoes which are Hi-Tec Silver Shadows are horrible. This is for a number of reasons; they are too high, too unstable, too padded and generally unweildy. Luckily, they are on their way out. Now, I am one to avoid gimmicks so for my next pair instead of some super duper gell-foam reactive technology blah blah blah nonsense I want to go minimalist. I have read the minimalist running shoes thread and I noticed that both Saucony Hattori and New Balance are considered good shoes. I have found both on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saucony-Hattori-Minimali...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Balance-Mens-MR00GB-...

Now the question is, which one of these to go for?

[Smitters]

Without the opportunity to try them on, neither. Depending on your concience, you can go and try, and get advice from a running shop, then hit ebay, but without knowing if they suit your feet, it could be a pricey, blisterlicious error.

[anonymous-user]

I've got the New Balance Minimus zero roads but red not the green looking ones you link to. They're great minimalist shoes, when they wear out, i'll certainly get another pair.

I bought mine from millet sports when they first came out.

[Cybertronian]

Recently invested in a pair of Nike Free Run 3, which they claim is a good introduction to minimalist running but with enough of a heel to fall back on. I spent months learning to run on my toes/midfoot from being a heel striker but I find the heel is good for crazy flat out sprint moments where I revert back to being a heel striker.

Very lightweight and I've now reserved them for speedwork and race days.

[LordGrover]

Smitters said:

Without the opportunity to try them on, neither. Depending on your concience, you can go and try, and get advice from a running shop, then hit ebay, but without knowing if they suit your feet, it could be a pricey, blisterlicious error.

Shoes are one of the products covered by distance selling regulations/law. You are able to return for any reason within a reasonable period, usually seven days I think, so long as not damaged/worn and original packaging. It'll probably cost you the postage though, but then you'd have to buy the petrol to get to a shop anyway.

[HarrySmith]

Hmmm,was expecting some more helpful replies TBH. Oh well.

[dirty boy]

HarrySmith said:

Hmmm,was expecting some more helpful replies TBH. Oh well.

I've no experience of said shoes posted, however, I do run in vibram five fingers, and have been for a few years. Took me a long while to adjust from running a marathon in highly cushioned trainers to these.

I would seriously recommend trying a pair out as it's a massive change from what you're currently wearing.

If you're serious about running, you don't buy things over the internet based on reviews and experiences, you buy what suits you personally. After all, we're all different right?

[Chaz9950]

Cybertronian said:

Recently invested in a pair of Nike Free Run 3, which they claim is a good introduction to minimalist running but with enough of a heel to fall back on. I spent months learning to run on my toes/midfoot from being a heel striker but I find the heel is good for crazy flat out sprint moments where I revert back to being a heel striker.

Very lightweight and I've now reserved them for speedwork and race days.

el stovey said:

I've got the New Balance Minimus zero roads but red not the green looking ones you link to. They're great minimalist shoes, when they wear out, i'll certainly get another pair.

I bought mine from millet sports when they first came out.

How much more do you want? You came across as a bit of a tool in your strength training thread, now you slate people who are trying to give you advise, again??

Search on line for a good running shop near to you, and try some on. Everyones feet are a slightly different shape, and the shoe companies all make slightly different fitting shoes. You'll only know which fits best if you go to the shop to try them on. Or, if you like, I'll tell you which to buy....

Go for the orange ones - Day-Glo green is SO last year.

[ewenm]

HarrySmith said:

Now the question is, which one of these to go for?

The one that fits you best. HTH.

[HarrySmith]

dirty boy said:

I've no experience of said shoes posted, however, I do run in vibram five fingers, and have been for a few years. Took me a long while to adjust from running a marathon in highly cushioned trainers to these.

I would seriously recommend trying a pair out as it's a massive change from what you're currently wearing.

If you're serious about running, you don't buy things over the internet based on reviews and experiences, you buy what suits you personally. After all, we're all different right?

Not running in 5 fingers, they are quite frankly dangerous IMHAO. I want a shoe just one without a mile of padding on the heel.

Chaz9950 said:

How much more do you want? You came across as a bit of a tool in your strength training thread, now you slate people who are trying to give you advise, again??

Search on line for a good running shop near to you, and try some on. Everyones feet are a slightly different shape, and the shoe companies all make slightly different fitting shoes. You'll only know which fits best if you go to the shop to try them on. Or, if you like, I'll tell you which to buy....

Go for the orange ones - Day-Glo green is SO last year.

You were useless in that thread now you are useless in this one

[anonymous-user]

HarrySmith said:

Hmmm,was expecting some more helpful replies TBH. Oh well.

WTF?

You've asked a very specific question about two pairs of shoes, one of which has only been out in the UK since March.

People have then given up their time to answer your question with no benefit to themselves whatsoever.

How about some thanks?

[Chaz9950]

HarrySmith said:

Not running in 5 fingers, they are quite frankly dangerous IMHAO. I want a shoe just one without a mile of padding on the heel.

......

You were useless in that thread now you are useless in this one

Err, what? How are Five Fingers 'dangerous'? Playing on a railway is dangerous. Getting sent to prison to for child molestation is dangerous. Crab fishing in the Bering sea is dangerous. Not running in Five Fingers, LOL!!!

[dirty boy]

HarrySmith said:

dirty boy said:

I've no experience of said shoes posted, however, I do run in vibram five fingers, and have been for a few years. Took me a long while to adjust from running a marathon in highly cushioned trainers to these.

I would seriously recommend trying a pair out as it's a massive change from what you're currently wearing.

If you're serious about running, you don't buy things over the internet based on reviews and experiences, you buy what suits you personally. After all, we're all different right?

Not running in 5 fingers, they are quite frankly dangerous IMHAO. I want a shoe just one without a mile of padding on the heel.

IMHAO. Initialism at its best.

Do as I told you, and go try the various options. Come back and tell us all about them.

I'm off to run in my quite frankly dangerous five fingers.

[Smitters]

HarrySmith said:

Hmmm,was expecting some more helpful replies TBH. Oh well.

1) You have been on PH before right?

2) There are helpful replies above.

3) If you're going to buy shoes without trying them on, why bother to ask for advice at all? Buy the ones in the colour you like most and go running.

4) VFF "dangerous". Yeah. Just like them flip flop things. Rife with peril. Never catch on.

Whatever mate - you ask, you get, you don't like? I won't bother next time instead and save my fingers.