Transitioning to minimal footwear can take time to adjust. ![]() Do you prefer a barefoot feel over something that locks your feet into place when you hike? When you run without shoes on, are you able to switch from a heel strike to a mid-foot or fore-foot strike? Minimalist shoes aren’t for everyone, and having a sense in advance of how your feet will manage the transition can help ensure a better experience. If this is your first pair of minimalist shoes then it’s worth taking a few moments to consider your running gait. Minimalist Trail Runners *For a women’s 9 **Includes lugs Minimalist Hiking Boots *For a women’s 9 **Includes lugs What to Consider Before Buying Minimalist Shoes Your Experience Finally, I submerged each shoe in water to see either how long it took to dry (the trail runners) or to test waterproofness (the hiking boots). I evaluated each shoe for its ability to perform in different conditions, as well as its ground feel, fit, traction, and durability. I then took each pair on everything from day hikes to trail runs to overnight backpacking trips, in conditions ranging from snow to rain to mud. I had run through four pairs of the original Merrell Trail Glove by the time I reached the monument of the 2,650 Pacific Crest Trail.įor this test, I only looked at minimalist shoes with a zero heel drop and a stack height under 10mm, which included models from Xero Shoes, Freet, Vivobarefoot, Vibram, and Lems. Over time, I’ve developed an understanding of the challenges minimalist footwear faces on the trail. I’ve carried loads in excess of 30 pounds up thousands of vertical feet (and back down again), covering as many as 25 miles per day. I’ve been hiking, trail running, and backpacking in minimalist shoes for over a decade, racking up thousands of miles over all kinds of terrain, from scorching desert to high-alpine snow, pine-needle cushioned forests to pumice. How I Tested the Best Minimalist Shoes for Hiking and Trail Running Best Waterproof: Lems Boulder Waterproof.Best for Shoulder Seasons: Vivobarefoot Tracker. ![]()
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