The minimalist shoe market.
Despite what many of the critics of minimalist shoes are saying, the market for these shoes is continuing to grow. Virtually every running shoe company has jumped on board and is creating their version of a minimalist or barefoot running shoe. Even ASICS has a version known as the ASICS Gel Neo 33. If you walk into any specialty running shoe store you will undoubtedly see the displays of minimalist or lightweight running shoes. Vibram FiveFingers may have started this, but its not just the five toed glove shoes that you see now. The average heel height of all running shoes has decreased from 14mm to 10mm over the past several years. Just yesterday I received my catalog from Roadrunner Sports in the mail and the vast majority of shoes listed in the shoe section has either the logo barefoot ride or minimalist ride marked next to it.
What exactly is happening? One has to realize that with a paradigm change, we cannot see an entire society of runners immediately switch their shoes, especially if what they are currently wearing is working for them. Secondly, it will take time for the studies to be published that shows this type of running is safe and that the shoe isn’t as important as we once thought it was. And lastly is the financial interest of the shoe companies. Even if a study is published tomorrow touting the health benefits changing your form from running in a minimalist shoe, these companies still have 95% or more of their products in lines of shoes other then minimalist shoes. The business model to switch would simply not work.
So rather then see a direct overhaul of the shoes being produced to that of a minimalist shoe, we will continue to see a gradual transition to more flexible shoes that allows a runner to modify their gait to that of a more natural gait. Remember, it’s not the shoe, its the way you run. A shoe should allow you to run, not enable you to run.
Share with the running community!
Related Posts
About The Author
Dr. Nick Campitelli
Dr. Campitelli is a podiatrist in Akron, OH specializing in foot and ankle surgery with an interest and enthusiasm for running as well as helping runners with injuries. For the past several years he has been treating running injuries in patients by fixing their form and transitioning them to minimalist shoes. Having treated runners with all types of injuries through conservative measures with orthotics and shoe gear changes to reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, Dr. Campitelli has brought what works best and is most current to his practice as well as the Akron and Cleveland running communities.
I’ve been a recreational runner for about 15 years now and have run 2 marathons (1 trail) and a 50K trail run. While I was preparing for the 50K I developed plantar fasciitis. I didn’t know what it was initially, kept running and it got to the point walking was painful. After 4 years of various treatments I got treated by a chiropractor who used ART on me and got me back to running pain free.
I have a couple of friends who both swear minimalist running helped them overcome PF and piriformis issues respectively. They, along with everything I’ve read says to gradually work into running in minimalist/barefoot shoes. My question is as I move into minimalist shoes building mileage gradually should I run in my regular motion control trainers for the rest of my mileage to maintain some level of fitness? I’ve seen some barefoot advocates that say scrap shoes and start from ground zero and work back up.
Thanks for your blogs & articles. Great stuff.
Bill
Bill,
Thanks for you comments! I’m glad you enjoy reading my blog. Here are some thoughts I have shared with others.
I would definitely not ditch your trainers and switch abruptly. You will be setting yourself up for injury.
Good luck and let me know if this helps.
It all depends on your previous form and mileage prior to transitioning to FiveFingers. For example if you follow the outline from my interactive text as well as the Vibram FiveFingers running brochure, I recommend doing no more then 10% of your current mileage for any given run. So, if you go out for a 3 mile run, you will run 0.3 miles which depending on your pace could only be 2 to 4 minutes. Then put your traditional running shoes on and finish your run. It’s always best to run the first part of your run in your minimalist shoes because you are more fresh and stronger. If you do this at the end of your run, you will be tired and your form will suffer.
You can add 10% each week to two weeks to your transition amount. So it’s typical to take about 6 weeks to work up to 3 miles. Be patient. This is a huge change depending on your previous running form and foot strike pattern. I would encourage you to see my text for the iPad which is only $1.99 and goes over form with video.
Yup. Agree with you. A lot of things need to consider. How you walk and run apart from shoes structure. The best thing get the trainers to avoid more injuries.