VIVOBAREFOOT just launched a super simple and sexy pumps that fit in your handbag as well as they fit on your feet. The VB JING JING is a casual flat that is charming and sure to jazz up your footwear collection. Made from premium vegan materials (faux leather) and with a gentle elastic top line…
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.
The Importance of Sleep in Fighting Diseases like Diabetes & Alzheimer
The amount of sleep we get and what type can affect what diseases and conditions we have as we get older. We need a certain amount of REM sleep to help us learn and retain information that we gather throughout the day. Fortunately, there are many affordable health and fitness activity tracking devices available (or…
Nike Free Hyperfeel & Flyknit coming soon
The long awaited next-generation Nike Free innovation is coming soon. Today, Nike announced the Nike Free Flyknit and Nike Free Hyperfeel. The Nike Free Flyknit is the fusion of two of Nike’s most iconic footwear technologies — the compressive Nike Flyknit upper and the flexible Nike Free outsole. The Nike Free Flyknit upper features zoned performance…
Newton Running EnergyNR Shoe Review
Over the past few years, Newton Running has earned itself a strong following among runners who pursue running efficiency and injury prevention. With the Newton ENERGYNR, the company seeks to bring even more runners into the fold with a brand-new design that showcases its key design principles in a more accessible package. This model features…
LEMs Shoes The Mariner Review
Ditch the socks and hit the docks with these stylishly, breathable boat shoes from LEMs Shoes! With their 100% full-grain leather and mesh uppers, The Mariner allow your feet to breathe in the seashore scents without getting all choked up. And forget the funk, because the smooth leather lining keeps the odor away. Hook yourself…
Sensoria Fitness smart sock tracker goes beyond preventing running injuries
Would you pay $99 to prevent potential running injuries? A good pair of minimalist running shoes may still cause running injuries if you have bad running form. Heapsylon recently launched an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign for wearable technology, the Sensoria Fitness smart socks for runners. Sensoria fitness socks for runners track typical metrics like steps, calories,…
Topo Athletic RR Review
The long awaited product launch of Tony Post’s (ex-CEO of Vibram Five Fingers) new company, Topo Athletic, which we previewed last April, is finally here. We interviewed Tony Post last January right before he initially unveiled his plans at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show. According to Topo Athletic, “We believe an athlete’s shoes should do…
VIVOBAREFOOT ONE shoe review
VIVOBAREFOOT is back on the radar again with the availability of the ONE (not to be confused with the Altra Zero Drop The ONE). I’ve heard a lot of good things about this model but skeptical until I can test it out myself – they’re correct. I’m pleasantly surprised by the versatility and performance of…
adidas Happenings – adipure Running 2.0, Boost Running Colorways, and adidas Big Sale
A lot of things are happening at adidas running recently. adidas has quietly updated their adipure Running shoes (adipure Motion, adipure Gazelle, adipure Adapt) with new colorways and enhanced changes to the heel collar and tongue. adidas Boost Running The new adidas Boost is now available in over half a dozen colorways with pre-orders being…
ECCO EVO Racer Shoe Review
ECCO was the pioneer of natural running over 3 years ago when it first launched the BIOM collection. But it had too high a heel-to-toe differential and narrow toe box. And its Yak leather model was priced at a whopping $200! Now they’re back with their next generation BIOM collection: EVO Racer and EVO Trainer….
Skechers GObionic Trail Review
Building on the success and experience with the original GObionic road running shoe, Skechers has created another blockbuster with the launch of its GObionic Trail running shoe. Disclosure: As I had mentioned before, I’ve been working with the Skechers Performance Group on several shoes that they currently have in development. I receive no payment from…
New Balance Minimus 20v3 Cross Trainer, Inov-8 F-Lite 232, Puma BioWeb Elite Review
In this review, we wear tested several fitness shoes ranging from minimal zero drop to cushioned ones for cross training: New Balance Minimus MX20v3 Cross Trainer (4mm drop), Inov-8 F-Lite 232 (0mm drop), and Puma BioWeb Elite (12mm drop). Most athletes supplement their running with additional or complementary training or activities like cross fit, bicycling,…
The Healthy Golfer by Dr. Phil Maffetone
Have you heard of barefoot golf? Less than 4 years ago, barefoot-style running shoes and minimalist shoes were unheard of. Now with companies like TRUE Linkswear, Foot Joy, VIVOBAREFOOT, and Skechers launching low- to zero-drop spikeless barefoot-style golf shoes, the time for barefoot golf is now. I have the privilege of working with Dr. Phil…
Luna Sandals Mono Review
Luna Sandals has been on our radar for a long time but minimalist sandals (other than Xero Shoes) are not the most requested review item from our readers. We have tested various products from manufacturers large and small in the running sandals category but all have fit issues or prone to hot spots or too…
The Scientific 8-Minute Power Workout
I’m always multi-tasking with shoe testing, coding, market research, running errands, running on trails, walking my dogs, spending time with family, etc. so a recent article, ‘HIGH-INTENSITY CIRCUIT TRAINING USING BODY WEIGHT: Maximum Results With Minimal Investment’, that appeared in the May-June issue of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal certainly…
Strike Movement Interval Cross Trainer Review
STR/KE MVMNT (Strike Movement) is a new athletic brand out of Vancouver (Canada) that joined the cross fit category and launched The Interval, a shoe meant for all activities. The Interval is a midfoot strike trainer that outperforms its competitors while retaining a classic wearable aesthetic. By sweating the details and eliminating anything that was…
Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 8 Camera Review
Fujifilm recently added and launched an all-new INSTAX Mini 8 instant film camera to its popular INSTAX line. In addition to offering user-friendly control functions, fun style, and fantastic image quality found in the current INSTAX mini models, the new fun and compact INSTAX Mini 8 line-up will also include new features, and be available…
The most minimal minimalist posters ever
These are the most minimal minimalist posters I’ve ever seen!!! And I love them. Michal Krasnopolski’s has created a set of 20+ minimalist classic movie posters that blew me away. According to Krasnopolski: The basic concept was to create a very modernist, minimalist poster series for movie enthusiasts. The idea is based on a very simple grid: a circle and two…
Ashmei Merino + Carbon Jersey & Sweatshirt Review
We initially profiled Ashmei‘s ultimate soft shell running jacket last year in our review of running jackets and was blown away by its performance. And that followed with their awesome 2-in-1 running shorts that is a heat regulating, merino wool semi-compression that keeps you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. This time,…
Staying in shape after age 50
America’s aging population is posing special challenges, fitness experts say, because it is difficult to design effective workout routines for people with such a wide range of abilities. For one 70-year-old, the goal may be to run a marathon, for another it’s getting out of a chair. “If you are teaching 10-year-olds, it’s perfectly reasonable…
Under Armour Toxic Six Shoe Review
Under Armour continues their move into natural running motion with the launch of their Natural collection of minimalist running shoes: Toxic Six. The Natural collection refines minimalism and offers the athlete an extension of their foot to deliver a superior, natural, protective ride. The ultra-flexible, anatomical Micro G midsole helps your foot move naturally. A …
Exercise May Protect Your Brain
Looking for a new workout buddy? Go no further than the local nursing home – new research shows that regular moderate to intense exercise could keep older peoples’ brains in tip-top shape. The study shows that older people who regularly exercise at a moderate or intense level may be less likely to experience “silent strokes,” or small…
Altra Zero Drop The 3-SUM Review
Altra Zero Drop The 3-SUM is designed to meet the needs of the competitive triathlete. With a seamless upper, easy-on transition pull-tabs, quick-draw lacing system and heel/forefoot drain holes, the 3-SUM minimizes transition time and maximizes performance – get off the bike and run like there is no tomorrow! Altra took the same performance training…
2013 Bay Area Senior Games
I participated in the Bay Area Senior Games 2013 over the weekend – two months before the 2013 National Senior Games in Cleveland, OH, thus the start of my intensive training season. I’m trying to keep my training at a minimum (not an excuse) but smart so I don’t get injured on the way (just like running in minimal…