Minimalist and Barefoot Running Shoes Explained in Less Than 2 Minutes

Dear A & H…Yea! Writing about my favorite shoes today, barefoot and minimalist. Beware…this is just the beginning!!! ت

Which Shoes Below are Minimalist Shoes?

Answer: none of them.

“Hmm?”

That’s right. Neither pair are minimalist shoes.

They’re barefoot running shoes.

“But, aren’t they the same?”

Nope.

The terms “minimalist” and “barefoot” are often used interchangeably but, despite their similar look and purpose, they are two different styles.

Granted, the difference is minimal (hehe), but just enough so they are classified differently.

Need proof?

What to Look For

In the photos below are a pair of minimalist shoes (left) and a pair of barefoot running shoes:

Notice anything different?

They look almost the same except for this main feature.

Look at the cushioning on both the sole and around the heel collar.

The barefoot shoe provides none, while a minimalist shoe has a small amount.

Because of this subtle difference, minimalist shoes are a nice transition shoe before strapping on a barefoot pair.

They’re also a nice compromise if barefoot running shoes won’t work for you or are too much of a philosophical leap away from the traditional. 😕

(That’s okay. Maybe with time, I’ll win you over.)

The good news is that benefits provided by a barefoot running shoe can be experienced with a minimalist shoe.

Both are lightweight, flexible, and offer roomy toe boxes. This last feature can’t be applauded enough since this simple design element allows toes to splay, leading to increased strength, flexibility, and stability in the foot and lower leg.

Don’t believe this?

Just watch a few runners in traditional shoes or those with a tall stack height make their way through a technical or uneven section of trail and tell me how many wobbly ankles you count.

Also, both shoes encourage natural running (a forefoot or midfoot strike) which is a style of running that can be more protective of joints.

Side by Side Comparison

Other differences between these two styles of shoes can be found below:

Ok, 2 minutes are up!

But stay tuned. Definitely more to come. 🙂

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So, A & H, it was time. Just couldn’t not write about these awesome shoes. Yeah, they had their moment of fame that seems to have fizzled big time, but they deserve a second chance. Hopefully, I can do them justice in future posts. But, I’ll leave that for another day. Now it’s time for a run with my beat-up Merrells…or maybe I’ll wear my discontinued Topos? Sigh. Until my next letter…

Much love, O.M.