Thicker huaraches-any real difference from zero drop shoes?

Posted by Brad Ramsay on July 13, 2013 at 5:10pm

I'll try to keep it straight and to the point.

Essentially a beginning runner although I used to be the captain and best runner on my 5k cross country team in high school--4 years ago. Pretty much starting over.

Regardless of the terrain I'll be running on (perhaps 15% hard trail, 35% groomed and 50% road), I have been trying to do some miles in huaraches and it's too taxing on my lower legs. I just want to RUN, damnit!

So I want to buy a transition shoe.

Should I get a shoe with a low heel-to-toe differential, or one with no drop but more cushion, to make my running easier yet evolve good habits?

Thanks for your time :)

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Replies

  • Coach Keith July 14, 2013 at 11:37am

    Hey brad,

       Three years ago I bought my first pare of Vibram kso's. Wasn't really sure if the barefoot thing was better, just went out on a limb and thought it sounds legit. I found the vibrams were not as nice as the minimus trail which I have bought three of. I also have a pair of huaraches from zero shoes/invisible shoes. I don't really like them as much as a shoe. My brother runs in luna sandals and says they are lots better then zero shoes. He has both companies huaraches. I run in the vivobarefoot evo II. Best shoe I have found. Have ran all my races in them, even my 50k. My feet felt like a boss.

    I say all that to say, it takes time to develop good running form. I would say it is more important to find something that is zero drop, such as skora running shoes. They also have a some cushion. Also focus on cadence.

    I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

    Run with a smile, :)

    CK

  • Marius J July 14, 2013 at 9:26am

    I've been running since May, mostly running on trails and I'm so far happy with Brooks green silence

  • Brad Ramsay July 14, 2013 at 6:21am
    Thinking I want a pair of the new alta superiors.. They look awesome. Still looking for opinions though
  • Toni Hartman July 14, 2013 at 1:54am
    Also, in regards to Gabe's comment about the Xero shoes huaraches. I have the 6mm soles and they are slightly pliable but very hard rubber. They offer protection from gravel and sharp objects but they do not offer any cushion whatsoever. I really don't think that's what you're after...
  • Toni Hartman July 14, 2013 at 1:43am
    I don't have much trail running experience but I have recently run a half marathon in my huaraches so I'm familiar with the frustration you are having. Sometimes I like to run with a bit more cushion. I have worn Merrell's before and they seemed to fit like a glove. They were very minimalist with little to no arch support but they gave me blisters. I found the same to be true with my VFF's. Very frustrating. My go-to shoe for running long distances has become Altras Intuition 1.5. There is a lot more shoe to them than any other minimalist shoe I've tried which lends itself to comfort on those long, pavement pounding runs. They have a wide toe box which I love - plenty of room for my piggies to spread - and they are zero drop. I would suggest that you try on a few pairs of shoes and buy from a good running store. That way, if you take your new duds for a run on a treadmill and then decide they arent going to work for you, you can return them. My local running shoe store is really good about that. It's really just personal preference. You could talk to 20 different runners and get 20 different answers to this question. Bottom line is, are your shoes comfortable when you run in them? As long as they don't promote bad form then don't sweat it, where what feels good :)
  • James bananaman Bailey July 13, 2013 at 11:59pm

    what do you find hard about it?

    I'd reiterate what Gabe said, Merrell are a great place to go for minimalist shoes. Also SOME of New Balance minimus range, and Vivobarefoot.

    If wanting more under foot again, then the Brooks pure project range gets great reviews by all whom wear them, or Salomon sense - either the original sense or the Sense Ultra.

    Enjoy it! :)

  • Gabe Smith July 13, 2013 at 7:51pm

    Hi Brad, I run barefoot mostly but i also love my huaraches. i ran my first marathon in huaraches and now I occasionally use merrill Trail gloves which are zero drop. I think they're a great transition shoe for someone who want to be minimalist. I love them.

    You could also get a thicker huarache for some of the tougher terrain. Zero Shoes/Invisible shoes make both a 4mm and a 6mm sandal. Check them out! www.InvisibleShoe.com/go/I_am_Invincible

    Good Luck!

    Peace and Health

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