This review is brought to you by someone who has bought and worn out at least a 100 pairs of running shoes. This blurb expresses my personal benefits from wearing minimalist running shoes. Your experience may differ.
3 months ago I was browsing for a deal on running shoes in my usual discount sports store. Much to my chagrin, the shoes I had been buying for the past couple years were no longer available. Ugh. Once again, I was forced into finding a new favorite.
The task of finding which running shoe to wear next is always a challenge since I have bunions. And after running for over 35 years, I have no chronic injuries due to running or otherwise. So bunion comfort and remaining injury free are at the top of my list for deciding what to strap on my feet for a run.
A store clerk pulled down a shoe from the rack and handed it to me for consideration. It was a minimalist running shoe made by Saucony, my brand of choice.
I admit I was taken aback when I held the shoe. How could a running shoe with little cushion and so light weight offer my bunions and joints the necessary support? I never researched nor considered wearing anything less than a thick soled shoe with ample width and flexibility in the toe box.
My mind was swimming. I’m over 50 years old with a deformed foot since birth deciding on whether to take a chance on wearing running shoes that offers minimal help. How could this be a good choice? Ultimately, I decided to give them a try and find out. Worst case I would be back in search for another shoe solution.
The best way I can describe the first stride I took in the minimalist running shoe was it felt so natural. An immediate benefit seemed to be less effort, like free and easy running. Less pounding, more floating while wearing my new minimal soled shoes translated into faster and farther runs. I find the ease of running benefits to be astounding.
Another benefit appears to be the shoe lasts longer. Previously while wearing a thicker sole, some area would break down and cause joint pain somewhere. This was my signal to get new shoes (about every 3 months). So far, I have put significantly more miles on my minimalist shoe without signaling pain. Thus, I’ll save money because my favorite physical activity requires fewer pairs of shoes.
Initially, my right calf was sore to the touch, but no pain while running. My guess is a tendon, ligament or muscle became inflamed because the change in shoe caused different action. My pain of inflammation has subsided.
Gone minimal and probably never go back!
