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Altra Adam updated release date?

Sorry, I don't follow all the minimalist shoe blogs, so apologies if this is well known information, but is there an updated release date for the Adams?

Growing impatient. ;)

15

water shoes and aqua-socks

i made the switch to barefoot and minimalist running in february 2010, and have had no real problems with it. my longest runs during this 1 1/2 years were about 15 miles, and i've semi-raced a couple of half-marathons during that time.

but i live in tanzania, where there's... 1) no minimalist shoe market and 2) lots of off-road running (and not nice smooth trails). running barefoot very much of the time just isn't really an option for me. no matter how long i do it, i can't run fast on this terrain without something on my feet. [i can run slow, but i can't do speedwork.]

so... i've been wearing aqua-socks and water shoes that friends have sent from the states. i've tried 6 or 7 different brands and like the cudas flatwaters the best. nothing i've bought has been over 20 bucks, and some of these cost me as little as $8. here are my questions:

  1. what are the benefits of "proper" minimalist shoes over aqua-sock thingies?

  2. i'll be back in the u.s. in august for the first time in 2 1/2 years, and will have the opportunity to shop around. are there any minimalist shoes that are inexpensive? [i hate the idea of paying a ton of money for shoes we call "minimal" -- and a "ton of money" to a poor development worker might mean something different that what it normally would. unless these shoes are going to last me really a whole whole lot of miles, i can't see paying over $40 for them. i never paid more than that for my running shoes when i wore those, either...]

  3. i'd be interested to hear from others who run on bad dirt/rock roads as to how thick the soles of their shoes are. some of these water shoes still make it really tough to run in the mountains behind my house. how thick are the soles of the shoes you guys are wearing off-road?

thanks for any help that's offered.

3

minimalist shoe runner from tanzania

just a new guy saying hi to the forum. i'm a missionary / development worker in rural tanzania, where i've lived for the past 2 1/2 years. i've been running barefoot and/or in minimalist shoes since february 2010. the running's great here... mountains and national forest just a half-mile from my house and goat trails galore.

i also enjoy coffee, triathlons, soccer, rock climbing, and bacon. especially bacon.

3

Natural Running Center Launched

Toe Salad is pleased to announce the launch of a new website: The Natural Running Center.

http://naturalrunningcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/nrc_logo2.jpg" width="380"/>

The brain child of Dr. Mark Cucuzzella (Two Rivers Treads), Bill Katovsky (Zero-Drop), and Nicholas Pang (The Minimalist Runner), The Natural Running Center (NRC) aims "to serve as a comprehensive web resource of information and education for all runners".

As Bill describes in his launch announcement:

<blockquote>The regular features and departments of the Natural Running Center include the following: detailed shoe reviews (over 60 models -- barefoot style, minimalist, neutral/transition, and walking/casual); footwear education and training tips by coaching and gait experts; articles by NRC''s health, science and medical advisory board members; separate pages for all natural running stores that are partnered with the NRC; and much more.</blockquote>

And the part we are especially excited about is that Toe Salad will be the official forum and user community for the site! If you haven't done so already, go check out the NRC and let us know what you think!

953

Hello

Just saying hi. Been running minimalist/barefoot almost a year now. I live in Hawaii, but currently deployed to Afghanistan. What else. I am a huge barefoot fan but looking to expand more into minimalist shoes because the Army doesnt like me being barefoot. Have several pairs of Vibrams, one pair of huaraches and merrell trail gloves on the way.

6

Caity from California

I'm happy to find Toe Salad... looks like a great site and helpful discussion forum. I'm a barefoot runner and everyone thinks I'm a lifestyle barefooter, but I'll put on shoes before I go into a store. I just prefer to be barefoot since it fits my personality of not wanting to be bothered with shoes - it's a choice thing that I took on just a year or so ago.

I live on the coast of California, so I have the mountains and the beaches (and the dunes which are beautiful). I'm currently - as of yesterday - training for a half-marathon in San Luis Obispo in October, so I have a few months to get my act together. I ran a marathon this year but I'd like to go back to the half-marathon distance and work up again.

I produce a new podcast that acknowledges/celebrates women who run barefoot and attempts to encourage more women to try it out. It's Run Barefoot Girl - more like a cheer, "Run, Barefoot Girl!"

Nice to meet you all!

2

Ra

I had been looking for a more minimalist shoe for work. In fact I place more of a premium on this since I spend a great deal of time there and cannot possibly go barefoot or make due with many minimalist options.

I came across the Ra on the Vivobarefoot sight and I bought them, they arrived this week and so far I could not be happier.

They look perfectly acceptable with my work attire and are easily the most comfortable shoes that I own.

Extremely happy so far.

5

How many full timers

SO, how many of us are full time foot loose? I have hit a mile stone of sorts lately. Have to go into town for something grab my keys and wallet...now what else, half way to the truck and I realize damn forgot my flip flops. I saw a young lad in the outdoor shop today without foot wear so wondering if I can get away with it. I will say though that at the end of every single day my feet hurt. The start of every morning my feet are stiff and I have been doing this now for 3 months. I do not think the feet will develop to withstand the sharp rock shards that are the kind of gravel we have embedded in the dirt roads. It is getting less painful during the day while I work but things like a wheel barrow full of material have a surprising affect on the feet that one does not feel in shoes. I have done some hikes in the deep woods and have to laugh at that is a piece of cake compared to my daily terrain.

82

Minimal trail running blog

Hi

I've got a bit of time on my hands and have started blogging about minimal running from my point of view as a trail and mountain runner. Its in its infancy but I have reviewed all the shoes that I've tried in my search for the perfect minimal trail shoe.

Cheers for having a look... http://nearlyshoeless.wordpress.com/

The latest post is about down-hill technique and using the heel...

All the best

Nick.

4

What are your summer plans?

So, I thought I would get a thread going here where we could share our summer plans. What exciting things are you planning on doing this summer with minimalist footwear? Backpacking? Running a race? Getting married? Something else?

What are you going to be using and why?

953

Inspirational websites I have found

Here are a couple of websites I have found that are really inspirational for DIY shoe and sandal making.

This one is pictures of ethnic shoes from all over the world. I'm almost finished making a pair similar to #1719 http://www.shoesornoshoes.com/?page=collection&cat=ethno

This one is all Mexican huaraches from the kind you can make yourself to the fancy kind. I kind of want to try to make some like the cuernavaca huaraches, which I think are just #1719 above with a heel thingie and a top-of-foot thingie. http://huaracheblog.wordpress.com

This lady makes really cool moccasins. I wish I could figure them out and make some myself. http://www.jannfrench.com/2.html

39

Revolution Natural Running and Walking Center Offers a Medical Approach to Minimalist Footwear

The year 2011 rapidly is becoming the Year of Natural Running in the athletic footwear market. Articles are released weekly, extolling the importance of identifying the proper gait for every individual runner, and of matching that form to the proper footwear. Just outside of Milwaukee, the new Revolution Natural Running and Walking Center is one of the first retail locations in the U.S. to blend a medical approach to natural running and proper minimalist footwear tools, including kigo footwear.

Led by certified Pedorthist Kyle Roberts, Revolution Natural Running and Walking Center blends health care expertise and running knowledge to assist runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to stay active and injury free. The center is also dedicated to helping athletes of all levels to improve performance. To accomplish those goals, Revolution provides analysis, training and tools including a carefully assembled offering of the most technically minimalist shoes. The selection includes becoming the first retailer in the state to offer kigo footwear, a line of versatile minimalist shoes that are durable enough for athletics and stylish enough for everyday wear.

“Revolution is proud to be the first store in the Milwaukee area to carry kigo shoes,” said Kyle Roberts, owner of Revolution Natural Running and Walking Center. “They’re the perfect shoe whether you’re on the trail or running to the grocery store, and they’re already generating an incredible amount of interest and excitement with our customers. We are thrilled to partner with kigo to bring these terrific minimalist shoes to people throughout the Midwest.”

kigo footwear is designed for the runner who is seeking an affordable, durable, stylish and super lightweight minimalist option. With a fully flexible one-point-five millimeter midsole and less than two millimeter differential to the heel, supportive and breathable upper, and per shoe average weight of five ounces, kigos offer a protected, stable, lightweight feel for walking and running. The composition blends certified non-toxic elements, such as water based adhesives and eco-friendly dyes, with post-consumer textiles including CYCLEPET, an upper fabric made from recycled plastic jugs.

“Natural running and walking are known to be really user-friendly fitness activities, and experts like Revolution are one of the biggest reasons why,” said Jan Kuramoto, co-founder of kigo footwear. “Natural motion is medically proven to be easier on the body and to enhance performance. Add to it the joy and freedom that comes from moving the way your body is designed to, and this is the best option for fitness. We’re thrilled that kigo footwear is a tool to help that happen.”

Revolution Natural Running and Walking Center will launch with the kigo footwear edge and curv styles. The edge is a unisex slip on that provides full foot coverage to keep water and debris out, and strong minimalist construction. The curv is a chic lightweight Mary Jane style shoe designed specifically for women. Both styles of shoes feature elements like a roomy upper and a deep cut, stretchy foot hole to make it a good option for everyday wear or athletics. The designs offered are grey with colorful accents. The shoes are designed to stretch on the foot and to soften slightly for a custom fit.

5

Bananas?

What's the real deal about eating bananas to help with shin splint pain? Just about all of my friends told me I should try eating bananas to help with the shin splints I have been having because they contain potassium and that will help.

I'm not debating the benefits of eating fruit, but would like to know more about the science of eating bananas (and higher levels of potassium) to help aid shin splint/muscle pain. I've never been a big fan of bananas, but if eating them on a regular basis will help improve my condition I'd like to know about it so that I can adjust my diet. Thoughts or comments?

38

New to Forum - Dealing with Shin Splints?

Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) occurs during physical activity and results from too much force on the shinbone and connective tissues attaching muscles to it. I've also had several surgical procedures on my Achilles tendon and have totally flat feet - so I have lots going on to deal with.

Progress So Far<br/> I'm currently in week two of the nine-week couch to 5K program and had the second of my week-two runs this morning. I don't know whether it was because this run was my first early morning run, until now I've only run in the evenings, but about half way through my 3.2-mile run I hit a wall with the shin splint pain in my left leg. I couldn't continue the short run sprints and had to finish the distance walking. I was really disappointed.

I've read all sorts of articles about how to deal with the problem of shin splints, but have not found anything that has worked for me. I recently went to a Run for Your Life store and got properly fitted for good running shoes. I made a point of telling the person helping me that I have flat feet, very flat feet. I ended up with a very comfortable pair of moderately cushioned Ascis running shoes (shown above). But even after getting fitted and using my new "better" shoes for two weeks, the shin splints are not subsiding as fast as I had hoped. Which leads me to how you can help.

What do you recommend that I try to in order to deal with my shin splints problem? At this point I'm willing to think a little more radically and I'm even considering transitioning to a barefoot/minimal running shoe to see if that helps. Damien suggested I try a minimal shoe but I'm not entirely convinced, yet. I also just spent $$ on a new pair of running shoes.

Any help or advice appreciated :-)

38