Comparative review: The fun of running barefoot. Compare minimalist trail running shoes
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
Watching children playing in the park reminds me that humans are barefoot-walking creatures.
It has been a long time since there have been so-called minimalist runners who pursue running while as close to barefoot as possible. They try to run faster and farther by cutting down the protection of their feet to the limit and maximizing only the natural function of their feet that humans possess. This allows you to properly train your body, practice your ideal form, enjoy nature more, and allow you to enjoy it more and have a deeper conversation with nature than running with regular shoes. On the other hand, if you jump suddenly, there is a risk of injury or fatigue, and it is not a world where anyone can jump straight away. In any case, there is no doubt that it is an exciting world that teaches you the new and unprecedented value of the act of running.
There are several types of running shoes that allow you to enjoy this feeling of barefoot, from barefoot shoes that have almost no cushioning like tabi socks to zero-drop shoes that have a certain amount of cushioning and have little difference in height between the forefoot and heel, but here we will collectively refer to them as "minimalist shoes." These running shoes have also been increasing on trail running. In Japan, ALTRA, inov-8, New Balance, Merrell, Zero Shoes Vibram known for their five-finger shoes , and each has a core fan.
Both have thin soles, small drops (the difference in height between the heel and toe of the shoe), and feature minimal protection and cushioning. This time we compared trail running minimalist shoes, from brands with high recognition to brands that have made their first appearance in Japan.
table of contents
About the minimalist shoes that were compared and tested
The drops range from 0mm to 4mm, and models that allow you to drive barefoot and feel easily on the road surface, or models that are at a minimum, highly functional.
- Topo Athletic Terraventure 2
- ALTRA SUPERIOR 4
- Vibram FiveFingers V-Trail 2.0
- New Balance MT10 GD
Test environment
To compare the results on a wide range of road surfaces, we tested a wide variety of road surfaces, including hard roads, trails, grass, and muddy areas. The test fields include trails in Tanzawa and nature parks. We actually ran on rocky areas, downhills, and hard paved roads and evaluated the following points.
- Comfort: Examination of the comfortable wooden mold, the fit, crampedness and breathability of the toe box and hood head.
- Delicacy...Determine how you can maintain the sensitivity of the soles of your feet, feel the ground directly, and feel the natural contacts that are similar to those of barefoot.
- Cushioning: Determines shock absorption when landing and recoil force for kicking off.
- Grip: Determine how much it is difficult to slip when braking when landing and how you can hold it in when kicking.
- Protection: This was praised because it has a thin upper and outsole, and is a minimalist shoe that is noticeable for its lightweight model.
- Weight: It's not just about being lightweight, but also considers the weight you get when you actually drive, taking into consideration the structure of the midsole and other parts.
Test results and spec comparison table
If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here
| Overall score | AAA | AA | AAA | AA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| item |  Topo Athletic Terraventure 2 |  ALTRA SUPERIOR 4 |  Vibram FiveFingers V-Trail 2.0 |  New Balance MT10 GD |
| This is ◎ |
|
|
|
|
| This is △ |
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| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Accuracy of barefoot feeling | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cushioning | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Grip power | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Specs | ||||
| Actual weight (g/one foot) | 307 (27cm) | 240 (27cm) | 194 (26cm) | 208 (27cm) |
| Stack height (Heel/Forefoot) mm | 25/22 | 21/21 | 5/5 | 15 /11 |
| Drop (mm) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Midsole |
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| Outsole |
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Impressions of each model
Topo Athletic Terraventure 2
This is ◎
- Comfortable and breathable upper
- Flexible and cushioned sole
This is △
- Too big for minimalist shoes
Topo Athletic , a shoe manufacturer just founded in 2013, has made its first appearance in Japan this season. The founder is Tony Post, which is also the origin of the brand name. Vibram FiveFingers at Vibram USA , and the shoes he created as a result of continuing to study the act of thorough running is certainly a skilled shoe. that Topo I chose the Terraventure 2 as my trail running shoes
The overall shoes are designed to look good with a unified look. The official weight is 306g (M9). When I put my feet in, the toe box was designed to be a wide "ROOMY TOE BOX" and it was relaxed and comfortable. the ALTRA mentioned below , but this one features the upper made of "Lightweight breathable materials," a material that emphasizes ventilation and weight reduction, making it less likely to feel stuffy. The insole uses "Ortholite" which has excellent breathability and shock absorption, but it gives a much lower impression than that of regular running shoes.
When you run, you can feel the slightest sensation of the soles of your feet, but it is more cushioned than you might think, making it extremely comfortable. The midsole uses a "Rock protection plate" with a highly flexible "ESS lock plate" made of fiber resin, providing high comfort and stability. The drop is also 3mm, making it gentle on beginners who are not confident in their leg strength. The outsole is the Vibram XS Trek, which balances softness and grip, and has a relatively low slip and has a firm grip on the trail, encouraging the ride. However, it is undeniable that in this comparison, there is little bare foot (a delicate feeling of the soles of the feet). Some people may find it a little unsatisfied when thinking of it as a minimalist shoe. In any case, this pair of shoes can be used to introduce it to your forefoot running style with peace of mind.
Wide toe box. The upper is made of mesh material, so the wind flows smoothly.
The outsole is the "Vibram XS Trek." The rugs are placed throughout, and there is certainly a bite that catches the trail.
Although it is a minimalist type, the sole is thick and the cushioning is solid.
ALTRA SUPERIOR 4
This is ◎
- Comfortable fit and freedom of foot
- Balance between cushioning and delicateness
This is △
- The wide toe box makes it easy to move your feet inside the shoes
- Grip power
SUPERIOR 4 to ALTRA , which is popular for its zero-drop structure that puts less strain on the legs and waist . It is said that this model has finally undergone a full model change, with no further cuts and the reputation of a finished shoe has been established.
First, when I put my feet in, it is said that it is truly complete, and the comfort when worn is exceptional. Overall, it gives a soft, sticking to your feet, and yet, as is ALTRA , the toe box is spacious and supple against the skin. There is room in the height of the upper (around thumb) and the material is stretchy, giving it a high degree of freedom. However, some people (foots?) may have the impression that the fit is not sufficient. The heel cup is thin and flexible, but it feels like it holds firmly in place. The hoodbed has a soft feel and high shock absorption, and comes with a standard option, a plate called a stone guard, and can be used as a clamp to prevent it from thrust from the ground if necessary.
When you actually drive on roads and trails, the midsole is very elastic, giving the impression that the soles of the feet sink moderately when they land. Is this due to the influence of the new material "QUANTI" that was introduced from the new model? The sole is 21mm thick along with the toes and braids, which is the thickest of this time, but the outsole has a shallow lug, reducing the impact when landing, while the unevenness of the road surface is moderately transmitted to the soles of the feet, allowing you to enjoy the feeling of barefoot quite a bit.
However, the outsole, which combines the grip with the "MAXTRAC" grip, which has a stickiness that captures the ground, was unfortunately the most slippery in this comparison, and the relative grip was low. However, its versatility is not to be overlooked, as it can be used in a wide range of ways, from roads to trails. This trail running shoe is perfect for short to middle-range runners who are beginners to minimalist shoes and want to enjoy both road and trail.
The outsole incorporates "MAXTRAC." The arrangement of the lugs using different stiff and soft lags is very effective on rough roads!
The tongue that gets caught in is free from any extra bumps and gives it a very high fit.
A wide toe box that fits the shape of Japanese feet. I was curious about the slightly higher upper (especially the thumb). I wish there was a little more fit.
Vibram FiveFingers V-Trail 2.0
This is ◎
- Exquisite fit
- Delicate barefoot feeling
- Outsole that can stick to wet roads
This is △
- Shock absorption
- protection
Vibram FiveFingers known for its five-finger shoes the V-Trail 2.0 trail and off-road shoe (an evolution model of the previous V-Trail. In fact, it is a favorite of the previous two titles, Spyridon ). Naturally, the feeling of having your feet fitted in is completely different from the other three. In extreme terms, the other three pairs generally feel like they tighten the place where the string is tightened, but when the string is tightened, the Vibram's one feels like they tighten evenly from the toes to the entire heel and around the instep and heel. It's difficult to convey it in words, but you can experience a different level of fit.
As expected, it is extremely prone to thrusts and impacts from the ground. It's enough to make you think this is a real barefoot. Unlike roads, trails with many dangerous protrusions due to slopes and rocks, damage will accumulate depending on how you place your feet, so you will need to get used to walking. It's certainly worth a lot of experience to ride. Although the protection of the toe area has been improved from the previous model, the impact when hit on a root or rocky area is not yet safe.
However, for runners who have surpassed that hurdle, there are probably no shoes that are fun and worth wearing in a way. This is because it has the unique feel of barefoot, making it easy to step and the "Vibram Megagrip" on the outsole provides outstanding braking and traction. Despite the shallow and soft lug, the outsole is extremely good for biting on slippery surfaces such as wet rocks and soil. Needless to say, the importance of fitting, including the spaces between your fingers, you need to carefully select the size. Basically, forefoot landing is expected when landing on a downhill or other occasion, but I think it would be fine to have reinforced the outsole on the heel.
Overall, these trail running shoes have the most unique personality to practice barefoot running, which can be obtained from Vivid, both for good and bad. You can enjoy the ultimate barefoot feeling, whether on the road or on the trail. However, the five-fingered Vibram FiveFingers . It's best to get used to wearing it in your everyday wear and then work on road runs or trail runs.
The Vibram Mega Grip provides stable grip even on slippery roads.
The difference in contact with the ground is obvious when you wear them at the same time.
New Balance MT10 GD
This is ◎
- It feels like barefoot, but with minimal cushioning protection
This is △
- Half-heartedness in a barefoot type
New Balance , a sneaker brand that is also well-known in Japan has chosen the MT10 GD , a re-debut trail running shoe that was released in 2012 MT means Minimus Trail. As the name suggests, the concept is to minimize functionality despite the trail running shoes. As expected of the NB, the look and coloring are outstanding and cool this time. It has nothing to do with the reviews, but it doesn't look strange even when worn normally.
The actual measured weight is 208g (one foot of 27cm), which is really lightweight. The upper is made of stretchy mesh material, which is breathable. Although it is generally flexible, the belt-like fabric stretched across the instep of the base of the fingers tightens the forefoot, which feels a bit cramped. If you tighten the string as tight as possible, a significant sense of pressure can be directly transmitted to the scalp. In the first place, the manufacturer advocates that they choose a slightly larger one, but you need to be careful when choosing the size and fitting the shoes.
When I actually tried running, the upper and sole, which were cut down as much as possible, certainly felt like I was running barefoot, and at the same time, I also felt a more moderate cushioning than a Vibram, making it truly feel like I was running barefoot comfortably. The design is calculated to make it easier to forefoot, including the bands that were actually said to be more of a tight fit, and the driving itself is comfortable. The round lugs placed throughout the Vibram outsole have a versatile grip that can be used on both road and trails, making it extremely smooth to walk in, but the wet condition leaves you feeling unsure. Although the sole is designed to be 1cm thick, the grip was somewhat unreliable on trails such as downhills with strong rebound force from the ground, and the burden on the feet was heavy.
Although it has a Vibram outsole, it is weak against wet conditions. I also want shock absorbing properties.
The band-shaped fabric passing sideways supports the forefoot running method, while also providing a slightly delicate feel of pressure on the skin.
summary
Train-style minimalist shoes that eliminate excessive cushioning and protection.
It is certainly true that for average runners, a sole with solid cushioning, stability and grip makes it easier to run. Also, the fact that there are fewer (or zero) drops means that it is difficult to get a feeling of kicking forward like the heel and toe rolling, so I don't think minimalist shoes are something you can easily recommend to everyone.
However, the desire to experience the feeling of barefoot in the mountains while getting closer to nature is something that everyone would think about at least once when they pursue running in the fields and mountains, and it is a shame that it suppresses their curiosity and passion.
As we have shown in this review, fortunately, in today's age, there are many different entrances to enjoy minimalist driving. You can start with the Terraventure 2 or SUPERIOR 4 which is full of comfort and functionality, while still retaining the barefoot feel, you can try out the MT10 GD or FiveFingers V-Trail 2.0 Please use this review as a reference to choose your own goals and levels.
