I do 50-60 miles a week almost exclusively in NB 890s and run a few miles a week in my Vibram Five Fingers. I love the 890s but feel I would benefit from running in something that is more minimal. It seems that the VFF are too minimal and the 890s are too bulky.
I would like to try a training shoe that is somewhere in between. Any ideas or recommendations on something in the middle?
890v1 or v2? The V2s that just came out are lighter and lower to the ground. (8mm vs 12mm heel drop)
Also from NB I'd take a look at the RC 1400. It's like a lighter, lower version of the 890.
And the newly released Minimus road zeros are awesome.
The kinvaras, pure project shoes look like good candidates.
They are the original 890s. I will look into the 890v.2 for sure.
Thanks
890v2 Will be a nice update, but still pretty close to the v1. The 1400 would give you the most similar fit/ride but does feel like noticeably less. Pure Connect is a great option and certainly is more minimal. It feels very different and may take some getting used to. It also works best with a very curved foot. Pure Flow isn't quite as minimal, but fits a wider foot and does still feel like a lot less but with some cush.
Brooks pureflows are worth a look over.
D-train wrote:
I would like to try a training shoe that is somewhere in between. Any ideas or recommendations on something in the middle?
NB: 890v2, 1400, Minimus Road
Saucony: Kinvara, Mirage, Cortana
Brooks: Pure Project shoes
Newton: Distance, Gravity, MV2
Nike: Free Run 2, Free 3.0 v3
Or try some racing flats.
It's called a racing flat and they're usually much cheaper than something marketed as a minimalist shoe.
How do you think this will benefit you?
txRUNNERgirl wrote:
It's called a racing flat and they're usually much cheaper than something marketed as a minimalist shoe.
Not so much anymore. Flat prices have crept up so they are pretty close to trainers now.
Asics Piranha $110
Asics DS Racer $100
Brooks Green Silence $90
NB 1400 $99.95
Nike Lunar Racer $100
Saucony A5 $100
Saucony Fastwitch $90
There are some cheaper ones out there, and you can often find them discounted because not enough people race anymore so they don't sell great.
The new Merrell Barefoot Road Glove has 4mm cushioning + outsole (about 10mm height)and zero heel-to-toe drop. More cushioning than VFFs and a little more support. It's similar to a racing flat but has a wider toe box for forefoot landings. The outsole seems to be very durable. I've run 20 milers in these without any problems. I figure they're good for at least 1000 miles.