Maximalist vs Minimalist Running Shoes | Key Differences 

Toe bow width is just a myth by barefoot shoes company. I never seen a pair of barefoot shoes has same or more toe box room as a new balance 6e.

Nah, it'd probably be better to have a shoe rotation with a variety of stack heights and drops in order to maximise the range of stimuli you expose the body to rather than only running in one type of shoe (assuming you don't have preexisting issues that force you into one camp or the other). Anecdotally, I had tons of foot and ankle niggles and injuries back when I did too much of my running in a New Balance Minimus, and then my lower legs were fine but I had hip trouble when I over-corrected and did all my running in a Brooks Ghost 12 and Nike Pegasus 36 (both medium to high stack, both high drop). Now I've gone almost an year with 0 injuries and only niggles that lasted 3 or fewer days since I diversified my shoe rotation to have a little bit of everything - a cushioned high drop daily trainer, a lower drop lower stack height shoe for faster stuff, an in-betweener with moderate cushion and moderate drop, and for the last few months I've also been using super minimalist shoes for a lot of my walking (Merrell Vapor Gloves). Gradual and conservative exposure to more varied stimuli should = more resilience. At the very least, trying out a diversified rotation like I described could allow a runner to better discern what works for their mechanics and body and allow them to make a more informed choice. I work in retail at the moment and you wouldn't believe the number of people who come in with very little running experience but insist on getting a specific shoe based on very little information and no knowledge of what works for their body.

Hey Alex, unfortunately it isn’t that clear cut yet. There was one prospective study that actually had a higher incidence of injury in those “partially minimal” shoes compared to minimal, maximal, and traditional. The idea behind it was that people’s mechanics and loading profiles treated them like higher cushioned shoes, but there wasn’t the actual cushioning or shaping to mitigate some of that loading. So loading amounts were highest in those shoes. But…it’s only one study.

@@rahelwijeyekoon9403 interesting insight, thx!

@@rahelwijeyekoon9403 Excellent insight. The way you said it makes sense, pick the tool for the right job...while remembering to "know thyself".

The kinvara 13 is a great lower drop shoe

listen to your body. we are really good at ignoring, but if you just slow down and listen.. it's all there. i hear cannabis aids in this.