Barefoot and minimalistic running stated to gain prominence in 2010 and forced manufacturers to start in the production of barefoot-simulating, lightweight and minimalistic shoes. Runners can now find a very wide berth of shoes available to them and currently the shoe market is flooded with all models and makes of minimalistic and lightweight running shoes.
The lightest foam composites and newest fabric are utilized from all manufacturers to produce minimal shoes and the experts are ready to give advice on the transition from traditional to minimal. Runners are cautioned to make the transition a slow one as they will have much less support from excessive heel support in the traditional as well as corrective running shoes.
A lot of brands introduce lightweight models of existing brands in the attempt to help runners to transgress to minimalistic shoes. They incorporate heel support as well as adequate mid foot support with lightweight model shoes and runners can gradually correct bad habits before going full-on minimalistic. Some of the models mentioned here are great for runners searching for a minimalistic shoe and some will offer arch and medial support, whereas others have all the characteristics of a racing flat.
The adiZero Adios weighs 7.4 ounces and the adiZero Mana 5 weighs 7.7 and the latter offers additional medial support, which is often not found in a minimal model shoe. Asics DS Racer 8 weighs 7.9 ounces and has many features of the previous models as well as a midsole of Solyte foam. Asics take minimalistic a step further with the Gel Tarther and the Hyperspeed 4. They are mainly racing flats or for using as a cross-trainer.
A Brooks Launch lacks the bulky cushioning and a great shoe to use to switch gradually to minimalist. The weight of 9.1 ounces still offers support to a runner and great for everyday wear. The Brooks Green Silence only weighs 7.2 ounces and is the improvement to easy transgression to a minimalist shoe.
Mizuno Wave Ronin only weighs 7.6 ounces and athletes with a natural gait will benefit from this shoe. The Mizuno Wave Musha 3 is another lighter weight shoe great for the transition as it provides just the right amount of support for a transition shoe.
Nike caters for a wide variety of minimalistic runners and the Lunaracer+2 and Zoom Streak 3 are both great lightweight shoes with support. Very few minimalist running shoes offers medial arch support for over-pronators, but the Lunaracer+2 do just that.
