Recommendations for running footware with minimal cushioning?

Nike Free !

Actually wear 8 dollar Aqua Socks - but when running in my neighborhood I do get a lot of points and laughs and saying i'm going to destroy my feet and legs.  

My neoprene scuba shoes were too hot to run in in summer, but may work in winter.  I like my Nike Frees -- plan to run my mary in them next month.

Asics DS Trainers!!! LOVE them.

I have a pair of Asics 2140's that I used for longer runs, but felt my feet getting really fatiqued in them, possibly from the extra cush. I never get this with the DS's.

Edited by LittleCat 2009-09-24 5:57 PM

I love my VFFs !!!!!

I wear Brooks T6s.  They are a cross country racing flat that is super light, basically nothing to it.

I very much agree with the idea that less is better. IMO, the Saucony Type A2 is a good flat for those doing triathlons. It's light, fairly minimalist, but has tongue and heel loops that are very helpful for getting the shoes on in the transition area. Just throw on some elastic laces and you're good to go.

i'm a newly converted Newton runner...both performance trainers and racers

I am a clyde at 240, that being said I have nike free's as well as Asics Nimbus 10's.  I have been wearing the nike and am completey pain free when I run, and when I wear the Asics, I seem to get sore feet. for the record, I was professionally fitted for the Asic's at a running store....

I think that there is something said for the minimalist approach....

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I love my vibram 5 fingers. I use them for xfit, lifting, and running on softer surfaces. Great shoes.

Just be careful and do a very slow transition - I know a bunch of folks who jumped ship to vibram 5-finger toe shoes and got a lot of leg pain in the process.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! And, yes, I do plan on a slow transition.... I have to say though, that I tend to spend as much time as I possibly can barefoot, and when I'm barefoot is when my feet (ankles, etc.) feel happiest!!

I've been wanting to pick up a set of more minimalist footwear, too.

I think I'm going to pick up some Nike Frees this weekend. If you're interested, Footlocker is having a friends and family sale, so there's a coupon for 30% off.

http://www.footlocker.com/promo/default.cfm?SID=7063&promoId=5002425

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/954194

Zoot Ultra Race

Any racing flat or Nike frees. I personally I am not sold 100% on the barefoot running (or VFF) for all the time running because while we might certainly weren't design to run with shoes with lots of support and other stuff, also we probably weren't design to run on asphalt roads. that's just my personal opinion.

Anyway, I run with frees on most recovery runs or those shorter than 60 min, the rest I use my racing flats. This is the 1st year I did so and it was the 1st year I didn't have any significant injuries, partly I feel it was because of the shoes and alos because of wise training load.

I'm quite interested by this.  I have the Nimbus 11s and have been experiencing sore heels the day after I run (I am 190lbs now, was over 200 when I got my shoes).  My buddy had some Nimbus 10s and ultimately determined that they were too "soft" and caused him lots pain and problems as well.

Any other comments/experiences from the larger folks?  I may have to try some sort of "lightweight trainer" for the next shoes.

another vote for one of the zoot models, i used to run in the asics 21 series, and switched over to teh zoot lightweight training and trainer for all my running and love them.

My buddy, who I would consider to be an "almost-elite" runner, does barefoot strides on a nice, grassy lot near his place.  He runs to the lawn in shoes (about a mile), then spends 20 min running the length (about 200 yds) barefoot back and forth alternating slow/accelerating/sprinting for each length.  Afterwards he runs back home.  Running on the grass would potentially be a nice comprise instead of trying to run barefoot on pavement.

I did it once with him-it was quite nice!  It definitely offered a different perspective on my "feel" for running and promoted a very relaxed technique.

I would get some water shoes. They are cheap and will give you what you want. I am sure every Wal-Mart has them on clearance with winter approaching.

I would not get the Nike Free. It does not mimic barefoot running. Nike had a good idea but could not replicate it with a shoe. Racing flats are more minimal than the Nike Free.

Huge fan of the Nike Free.  Remember that the Free comes in three different variations, and the recommended way to break into them is to start at the cushiony end and move to the minimal end.  I did not do that.  I went directly to the Nike Free 3. 
I also took my time breaking into those shoes.  I would do anyhting under 25 minutes in the Free at the start, and then use my Asics for longer runs (or switch in the middle).  I made the same transition to sockless running.  Longest run so far in the Free was 10 miles and I suffered no issues.  You might feel some "different" pains in your legs as you break them in, but that is from incorporating other muscles into the running motion, as my foot doc explained it. 

Strong feet are healthy feet. 

Not to hijack the thread, but are these shoes that are being recommended o.k. for longer distances such as marathons too?

So... My local running store was having a sale this weekend, and I took the plunge on a pair of racing flats (Adidas Adi-Free LT). The feel soooooo nice on my feet!!! Looking forward to trying them on some shorter runs, and building from there! For those of you who do most or all of your running in flats, how long do they last? The store sales-person told me about 200 miles.... I'm now running about 30 mpw, and hoping to build from there. If I get up to 40 mpw and eventually do all my running in flats, that would mean I would replacing shoes every 5 weeks! What has other people's experience been??