Best minimalist trail shoes - any suggestions/nominees?

I'd recommend XC flats cause they're lighter, more flexible, and thinner, but thick enough to protect against rocks and roots (and great traction of course). Plus, they're cheaper. Personally, I like the Saucony Kilkenny's and the new Brooks Mach 12's. I just got the Mach 12's at Runningwarehouse for $47.95. If you wanted a true trail shoes, INOV has some very nice models depending on what you want in a shoe. Oh yeah, I like the older New Balance 790's (more cushioning than the XC flats), and the MT/WT 100's are supposed to be excellent.

NB 790's or 100's are both great choices if you can find them. New 101's will be out later this year.

MT100s are close to minimalist, but NB are bringing out a true minimlaist trail shoe next year as I understand it. 790s are nothing even close to minimalist.

another vote for both the 790 and 100. i use 790s as my daily trainer and 100s for racing (any distance, 5-50 miles). i get heel blisters from inov-8s and stay away from them now, although otherwise i liked the rocklite and f-lite lines. anton k spoke about NB's upcoming "minimus" line of shoes (both road and trail) in an interview a month or two ago, and i look forward to learning more about them.

as for a comparison between the 790 and 100, i believe they have the same heel-to-toe drop, but the 100 is roughly 1/2-oz lighter (women's, anyway) and the upper feels more sock-like. both have great torsional flexibility and trail feel, perfect for northeastern trails but a bit too much for the small, sharp rocks of southwest desert trails, in my opinion.

nike lunar racer, they are all you need. trail shoes are hype.

Adidas kanadia 2 trail shoes. These shoes will last you for thousands of miles due to the indestructible shoe.

ishuffle wrote:

nike lunar racer, they are all you need. trail shoes are hype.

Lunar Racers are a terrible hill climber, roads or off-road. Too thick and mushy to effectively get up the hill and on your toes, and certainly not impressive grip compared to XC flats and lightweight trail shoes. Plus, the thicker the shoe the greater the likelihood of rolling your ankles.

i meant to say indestructible sole

Try these

http://runtrails.blogspot.com/2008/11/inov-8-x-talon-212s-300-mile-test-shoe.html

I run a lot on a lot trails covered in wet leaves, rocks and roots and the grip is great. They are also very light. Because they are minimal a lot of people say not to do long runs but I have done several 15+ milers in them and they felt fine.

Does anyone wear the NB 790 on roads?

Plabo wrote:

Does anyone wear the NB 790 on roads?

I wore the 790s on the road and trail (they're pretty much gone now, though you can get them online.) They were fine, but one of the little nobbie things on the sole (right in the center of my forefoot) irritated my feet on long runs (20+ miles) on the roads, that wasn't good.

I'm wearing the MT 100s now, and the tread is offset, so there is not one of those little nobbie things right in the middle of my foot strike.

I also wear Nike Frees on the trails, rocks get stuck in the sole, but it's only a minor annoyance.

I don't think any of these shoes are any good on muddy, hilly trails, but if it's dry and/or flat, they're the best.