The zero drop Inov-8 Bare-XF 210 is designed specifically for CrossFit and now available in 4 colors from Zappos. It is lightweight and flexible with an anatomic last to aid efficiency for sprint work. It has no underfoot cushioning and a sticky rubber sole to provide stability when lifting weights. It also includes ropeguard, a TPU plastic…
Author: Nicholas P, Chief Reviewer
Nicholas Pang is a competitive Northern California track & field athlete, runner, and Editor-in-Chief of the most comprehensive minimalist shoes and running accessories review site, Minimalist Running Shoes. He is also the author of 'The Minimalist Runner' and 'Wear Tested', books focusing on how to transition to barefoot-inspired minimal shoes and developing good running form. Nick is a member of the USA Track & Field organization.
VIVOBAREFOOT Breatho Trail Shoe Review
VIVOBAREFOOT is launching the Breatho Trail, their latest product built to tackle the most aggressive trails yet designed with lightweight breathability for the ultimate barefoot experience. The Breatho Trail weighs in at 9.6 ounces and has a stack height of 9mm with a 3mm removable insole. The Breatho Trail outsole, measuring in at 2.5mm thick…
New Balance Minimus Zero Collection available online
The New Balance Minimus Zero collection (road, trail, and wellness) are now available online exclusively at Shop New Balance. Width sizing available! D and 4E for Minimus Zero Trail, D and 2E for Minimus Zero Road, and D and 2E for Minimus Zero Wellness.
Knuckle Lights Review
I normally wear reflective running jackets when running or walking in the dark or low light so moving vehicles can see me. That is only part of the solution – you have to be able to also SEE where you are going! This is where Knuckle Lights come in. I would normally use a handheld…
New Balance Minimus Zero Wellness
New Balance Minimus Zero Wellness Shoe Review Next up on New Balance second-generation Minimus Zero collection is the Wellness model, a recovery and walking shoe. This shoe is for casual, daily lifestyle wear – commuting to work, travelling, doing errands. The shoe is also perfect for athletes who want to adjust to a more natural…
Altra Running Instinct & Intuition Shoe Review
I had stayed away from the Altra Instinct because I thought it had too much cushioning as advertised. But was I wrong. All Altra shoes have cushioned protection with the benefits of barefoot freedom and is designed to reduce injury and promote proper natural running form. \ The Instinct and Intuition are the first shoes…
Saucony Endorphin MD 3 Spikes – First Impression
Just bought my third pair of track spikes – Saucony Endorphin MD3. My previous two Asics Hyper MD regular size (size 9) and super up-sized (size 12) still does not work well with my wide feet – one is too narrow, the other is too long. So when I read that the new Endorphin MD…
Spring & Winter Running Jackets Reviews
Recently released for Fall ’11 and coming in Spring ’12 are windproof, waterproof, reflective running jackets for the cold winter weather. And lightweight running jackets for the warmer weather especially for ultra marathons and trail running. We’ve (my female wear tester and myself) been testing running jackets for the past three to four months between…
Running Warehouse Interviews Bryan Gothie on MT110/WT110 Design
Great YouTube video with Bryan Gothie talking about the NB 110 design. I reviewed the NB MT110 a few months back. The NB MT110 and NB WT110 are both now available at Running Warehouse, New Balance, and Zappos.
Altra Samson and Delilah now taking pre-orders!
Altra Running is now taking pre-orders for March 1st shipment of the long awaited Altra Samson and Altra Delilah running shoes. The Samson combines the fit of The Adam with a lace-up design and stronger midsole. The Delilah combines the features of a minimalist design, truly female-specific shape and a durable, lace-up, performance shoe. Take 10% OFF…
NOW AVAILABLE: Inov-8 Bare-X Lite 135 – For Women Only
Inov-8 Bare-X Lite 135, a women’s only model weighing at a light 5.5 ounces. Lightest minimalist women’s racing style in the Inov-8 road series. Breathable 3D airmesh upper wit quick-lace system with bungee closure. Zero drop with a 3mm footbed for light underfoot cushioning. Now available!
Puma Running – Asian racing Flat?
UPDATE 2/4/12 – One of my readers, Tobias, tells me that this looks like the Puma H-Street Plus model. Thanks mate! My nephew visited briefly from Australia and on transit at San Francisco airport. But he brought a pair of Puma running shoes that he is currently running in – minimal of course. He does not…
New Balance Blog – The All-New 110
A GREAT post by New Balance on the behind-the-scenes design of the New Balance 110. And the more than three years of ongoing collaboration between ultra runners, Tony Krupicka & Erik Skaggs and the New Balance design team in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Available now for under $85, a real bargain for such an amazing trail running…
Newton Running & VIVOBAREFOOT Sale plus new Inov-8 BareX-Lite 150
There is rarely a discount on Newton Running shoes unless you’re in the military or high school. For a limited time only, Newton Distancia and Newton Gravitas are now 25% OFF at Two Rivers Treads (tworiverstreads.com). They also have VIVOBAREFOOT Evo and Evo II deeply discounted. FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $90 and NO…
New Balance Minimus Zero Trail
Here comes New Balance second-generation minimalist running shoes! First up, the latest and greatest minimalist trail running shoe, the NB Minimus Zero Trail, a true zero drop trail shoe. With the early media samples, only the standard D width is available and I had to size up one full size to fix my 2E+ feet…
Age of Champions DVD Review
Age of Champions is the inspiring story of a group of athletes – Roger Gentilhomme, a 100-year-old tennis champion, Adolph Hoffman, a 86-year-old pole-vaulter, Bradford & John Tatum, a pair of swimming brothers ages 88 and 90, and The Tigerettes, a team of basketball grandmothers over 65 years old – all chasing gold at the…
SKORA Running FORM Shoe Review
The wait was excruciating for minimalist runners like myself. But the wait was worth it. SKORA Running has launched two models for men’s (women’s in Fall ’12) – the SKORA BASE and SKORA FORM. We will be reviewing the SKORA FORM. I want to acknowledge the ‘seed’ planted in my brain (from the movie ‘Inception’)…
K-Swiss Blade Foot Run Shoe Review
I tested my first pair of K-Swiss racing flats, K-Ruuz, about a year ago. The K-RUUZ has a 10mm differential and a narrow toe box. Although not a minimal shoe, it was a great start for K-Swiss. But now, K-Swiss has launched their first true minimalist running shoe, the Blade Foot Run, a zero drop…
In A Class By Themselves – First Look Preview
It is rare to see many innovative technologies in the outdoor and fitness category. Something that is common in consumer electronics (my previous geek expertise) is now starting to show up in running shoes and running gear. Here are a few unique gems I stumbled upon recently. Ashmei Ultimate Softshell Running Jacket – The James…
Merrell Barefoot Run Road Glove Shoe Review
I had done an early review of the Merrell Barefoot Road Glove a few months back after running in a pre-production model. The Merrell Barefoot Run Road Glove (Dash Glove for women) will be available online at Merell.com and in running specialty stores this month. Since I wrote the initial review in October 2011, the…
Under Armour Charge RC Shoe Review
Under Armour has been designing running shoes for quite some time but they have finally taken a radical approach to their latest minimalist running shoe design with the Charge RC, a transitional minimal shoe. Under Armour is best known for their compression apparel line which redefines how clothes fit and perform with the body. By…
Run Dem Crew ‘Away! Away! Away!’ Book Review
Rosie Lee is a hybrid creative agency. Run Dem Crew (RDC) is more than a running club. In 2011, several of its members took on their biggest challenge – the Virgin London Marathon. The book follows the journey of several team members as they trained for the marathon, from their regular Tuesday sessions through to…
Under Armour Transit Woven Running Pants
I’ve been testing running jackets in the wet and windy Northern California weather but this winter, it is super-cold. The high 20s and low 30s are way too cold to just wear running shorts and compression calf sleeves. After trying on many running pants from Adidas to Nike, I finally found a pair of Under…
Phil Maffetone Big Book of Health and Fitness
Dr. Phil Maffetone next block-buster hit. If you have done any heart rate monitor training, you would have read his other book, The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing. And you’ll love this one. I can’t wait to read the whole book in the next few weeks! You can order your copy from Amazon.com….