Not-quite-minimalist recommendations: what have you tried and liked?

And of course, ideally, it would be extremely flexible. Thanks

I like the puma faas series. I can't remember the heel to toe drop but it's not huge. I run almost everything in the puma faas 300. Some cushion but very responsive and light. I like the older generation of it so I end up ordering it online for like 40$ and using it until the tread is gone. I've been using them for the past 3-4 years and never had an issue.

I'm wearing Topo Fli-lites. They may be a good match for your needs.

I just got a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam Zante's and I'm a big fan. Think they're more like 6mm drop.

Guisepi wrote:

My preferred running shoe is no longer produced, what have you tried and liked that is still available?

Ideally, it would fit all of this criteria: lightweight (under 8 oz), less than 4mm heel-toe offset, more cushion than a purely minimal outsole, comfortable at various paces, from jogging to sprinting, wide toe box/anatomical design.

Really appreciate any input. I'm not having a lot of luck.

Nike Lunar Tempo unless you're paddle-footed.

Thanks for the recommendations so far. I wasn't even aware that Topo existed. Lunartempos and Zantes are not really what I'm looking for, but I've heard good things about them. I'm at the point now that I can only run in fairly minimal shoes. I used to run in Puma Faas 200's, doesn't look like I can find any in my size on ebay or amazon.

Any other recommendations are appreciated, thanks

Have a look at inov8, they seem to fit what you want

What were the old shoes that you liked but they don't make anymore?

Tried anything from Altra? zero drop, but not necessarily zero cushion.

Innov8 has no response what so ever.

I really liked the Brooks Pure Flow. Not sure of the weight but I think they are close to 8 oz.

disclaimer - I did suffer from sesamoiditis after running in them for a couple of years. I never ran exclusively in the Flows so I cannot be certain they contributed to the injury at all. For now, I'm staying out of the minimalist (or close to minimalist) shoe category.

alsoinMi wrote:

What were the old shoes that you liked but they don't make anymore?

Tried anything from Altra? zero drop, but not necessarily zero cushion.

I ran in skechers gobionics for the past 3 years, saucony hattoris before that. Do you have experience in altras? I heard they wear down quickly, but I should probably give them a try.

Try the Salming racing shoe. Outstanding.

No, I haven't tried the Altras. I like zero drop casual shoes, but haven't gotten there for running yet. I'm more in the Zantes and up range...I really like those but you nixed them already.

What about some of the other Skechers then? Nothing there you like?

Guisepi wrote:

alsoinMi wrote:

What were the old shoes that you liked but they don't make anymore?

Tried anything from Altra? zero drop, but not necessarily zero cushion.

I ran in skechers gobionics for the past 3 years, saucony hattoris before that. Do you have experience in altras? I heard they wear down quickly, but I should probably give them a try.

If you liked the GoBionics, you'd probably like The One by Altra. Much of the outsole is blown rubber/continuation of the midsole, so it will wear more quickly than is ideal, but if I remember correctly, all of the GoBionics outsole was that way. The One has a couple small reinforced areas on the outsole.

I second the opinion above on Inov-8s being too hard. Much firmer ride than you were used to in the GoBionics.

smd wrote:

Guisepi wrote:

I ran in skechers gobionics for the past 3 years, saucony hattoris before that. Do you have experience in altras? I heard they wear down quickly, but I should probably give them a try.

If you liked the GoBionics, you'd probably like The One by Altra. Much of the outsole is blown rubber/continuation of the midsole, so it will wear more quickly than is ideal, but if I remember correctly, all of the GoBionics outsole was that way. The One has a couple small reinforced areas on the outsole.

I second the opinion above on Inov-8s being too hard. Much firmer ride than you were used to in the GoBionics.

The Salmings look really nice, but it looks like the Altras are a better deal right now.

Thanks all for the advice.

nike free

Reporting back for a review, for anyone who might care to know, and to ask for other recommendations.

I bought a pair of Altra the One 2.5. I have to say that I am generally disappointed with them. I've run about 50 miles in them, and I think that's plenty enough to draw some conclusions:

1. Altra and many reviewers says they are built for speed, but I found that the cushion was so spongy, that this factor alone will prevent me from using them for anything as fast as mere tempo pace. I like to run fartlek, at many paces, sometimes finishing my runs with strides at near-top speed. These shoes can't handle the pace, so I guess I will have to use them for my recovery days only.

2. These shoes are fairly flexible, but not nearly as flexible as you would think by looking at them. In addition, I found that the flexibility didn't do too much for me, because the sponginess of the cushioning seemed to really such the energy out of my step.

3. The upper seems to bunch up in the forefront. Not a lot, but enough to be annoying.

4. I do really enjoy the fit of the upper in the heel and the shape of the last.

5. The toe box was by far the best feature of the shoe, very good. I wouldn't change it.

6. These shoes are zero drop, but I believe they have a bump in the middle, probably for arch support. I have low arches, and the bump makes the back of the shoe feel like it was sloping backwards. Made for a strange feel, also not conducive to speed, since it seemed to mess up my foot strike fairly badly (I strike midfoot to forefoot).

TL;DR: Altra probably needs another shoe in their lineup. I would go right out and buy a shoe that was firmer, with a slightly upgraded upper, if they provided one.

Any more suggestions out there?

Meanwhile an 18 year old in Iten just received a second hand pair of shoes with 500 miles on them that are a half size too big. He then went out and crushed a 30k progression run.

just run baby is registered wrote:

Meanwhile an 18 year old in Iten just received a second hand pair of shoes with 500 miles on them that are a half size too big. He then went out and crushed a 30k progression run.

That Kenyan also doesn't run on pavement.

That Kenyan will also end up injured by a used up pair of clunky shoes if they don't get in a good race and get recognized before they are burnt out.

Bekele, the toughest runner ever, built himself a new track with a more cushioned surface.

I run my last 3 pairs of shoes past 1000 miles.