Review: Xero Shoes Prio

My first run of the year!

I've been a proponent of minimalist running footwear for the last eight years or so, and yet I had never found the perfect shoe that provided my ideal combination of a flat, flexible sole with excellent ground feel.

With the Prio, Xero Shoes has done it. This is what I've been waiting for all this time. The Prio have a zero-drop sole for a breathable active-wear shoe that can be rolled up like a chimichanga. The lacing is adjustable for a custom fit around the arch and heel. The toebox is extra wide to all those little digits to flex and move as if you were barefoot.

If you are familiar with Xero Shoes' sandals, I recommend sizing up a half to a full size to accommodate the enclosed toe (e.g., I wear an 11 in the Z-Trails and ordered a 12 for the Prio). In comparison to other manufacturers, I typically wear an 11.5 for running shoes. However, Xero Shoes has comprehensive sizing guide to get you the right fit.

In just a few days of constant wear, which included a run, I am already convinced these are THE shoe for runners interested in minimal footwear. The shoes arrived the day before I was set to leave for Houston on a business trip. I wore them non-stop, from running through airports, a short run around downtown and through a convention center expo hall. The Prios passed all tests with flying colors.

[Editor's note: Yeah, I'm just here for the free shoes. Xero Shoes provided the shoes, and I supplied my own opinion. I really am excited about these, though.]

Reflective lacing system!

Look good with jeans too. 

Review: Umara Z-Trail by Xero Shoes

The day I went for my first run since September last year I got an email from Steven Sashen. You may remember him from such memorable posts as “Almost Nearly Barefoot” and “Review: Invisible Shoes (aka Commercially Made Hippy Shoes).”

What? More hippy shoes?

You might also remember Sashen from his 2013 appearance on the reality TV show “Shark Tank” where he turned down a $400,000 investment offer for his company Xero Shoes and has since seen sales climb to an expected $3 million this year, according to a March 5 article by Forbes. That’s a far cry from the rubber and string huaraches I reviewed four and half years ago.

Sashen’s email was offering me a free pair of his latest sports sandal, the trail-friendly Umara Z-Trail. It was early February, and I had literally just come back from my first run in months. I was feeling that wonderful optimism you get when make a plan and actually stick to it.

Review: New Balance Minimus Zero Trail

Back in March, my running shoe arsenal achieved full minimalism with the addition of the New Balance Minimus Zero trail shoes (model MT00). Hitherto, my trail shoes were the grandfather of the MT00s and predecessor of the Minimus line, the MT101s.

While fairly light compared to more traditional trail shoes, the MT101s are almost twice as heavy as the MT00s, which are the lightest shoe I own, weighing less than 5 ounces. The MT101s also featured a 7-millimeter heel-drop, whereas the MT00s are zeroed out. Finally, the late-model shoes featured a stiff sole with a "protective" rock plate to avoid punctures, but these new shoes are just asking to get punctured with their extra bendable soles.

Here's how the MT00s looked right out of the box ...

Brand new and full of potential.

And here's how they look now ...

Not so shiny.

And here's what the soles look like ...

Traction without substance.

And here's the standard minimalist shoe roll-up test ...

Inception shoe is a shoe within a shoe.

In the last photo, you can see the small hole near the big toe from when I tripped (but did not fall) over a tree stump. The mesh is of the rip-stop variety, so the hole should get no bigger. (We'll see about that.)

These shoes have now traveled more than 60 miles, over Midwestern terrain, mostly single-track trails and including one race. The wet soil this time of year provides perfect testing conditions for judging traction and draining capabilities--both are superb.

In my First Taste impressions, I was concerned about running without socks with the seemingly abrasive interior of the shoe. So far, it hasn't been much of a problem, with the exception of a small blister on my right instep after one of my first warmer weather runs. As summer approaches, this concern will be completely vetted, as I log longer miles in hotter temperatures.

Quite frankly, I love these shoes. The MT00s rank well with my 3F testing points, providing a zero-dropped sole, extreme flexibility and a comfortable amount of ground feel. They go on my feet and then get out of the way.

The toe box is wide enough for my feet, although I've read some complaints that the shoes were too narrow. However, I believe New Balance could have made the toe more rounded, as I find it to be a bit long at times (see the part where I tripped over a tree trunk).

Furthermore, whatever the upper material is, it's perfect for muddy trails. The muck doesn't cake on, so you don't feel like you're running with Mob-style cement shoes, and it rinses off afterward with just warm water. You should have seen how gross they looked after last Tuesday's trail run, but look at them now!

The MT00s retail for $109.99, which yes we can all complain about minimalist shoes with maximal prices, but that's the nature of the shoe business. If you don't like it, go barefoot--it's fun.

[Drunkard's note: Bought these with my own dollars from Second Sole in Akron, but I did get a bit of a discount because they didn't have another pair of shoes I wanted to try in stock.]

Review: Altra Samsons

After a month of testing, my Altra Samsons are finally ready for a more thorough review. However, these shoes are not through with their trials, as I plan to use the Samsons as my primary road running shoe during my training for (and likely running of) this year's Akron Marathon.

Considering my mileage is not high volume this time of year, the Samsons have only logged more than 20 miles, mostly on roads and sidewalks of varying types of material and varying states of decay.

My 3F criteria form the primary basis for my review, but weight, comfort and aesthetics also play a significant role in my opinion of Altra's latest zero-drop, minimal shoe.

Flat
The first F is how flat the shoe is, and all of Altra's offerings feature a zero-drop platform -- that is, no height differential between heel and toe -- which allows me to maintain a more forefoot landing with my stride.

Flexible
The second F deals with flexibility. As you can see from the requisite fold-up-the-shoe photo, the Samson easily rolls into a ball. However, Altra added a layer of EVA to the sole, which makes it a bit stiffer than the Adams, the Samsons' brother shoe.

Feel
The final F concerns ground feel. Basically, how thin is the shoe? With the aforementioned layer of EVA, the stack height of the shoe is a bit higher than the Adams, which results in less ground feel. Without the insole, there is still a good amount of feedback, but not as much as I enjoyed in the Adams. The reduced ground feel means I have to be more cautious of stomping my feet -- a concern with any shoe. Stack height of the Samsons with the insole is 10 mm and 7 mm without.

Weight
The Altra website says the Samsons weigh in at 6.5 ounces, but the Minimalist Running Shoes blog has them 8.5 ounces. Obviously, the bigger the size, the more it will weigh. Considering my giant 11.5 sized feet, I'm guessing my Samsons are closer to 8.5 ounces, which will make them the heaviest shoes I've worn for the Akron Marathon in a couple years.

Comfort
My only complaint about the Adams was the placement of the cinching strap near the toebox, which resulted in chaffing my pinkie toes. The Samsons eliminate that problem with a traditional lacing system. Voila! Best shoe ever, right? Well, not quite.

I prefer to run sockless most of the time, and the ground response of the Samsons is best without the insole. However, the BareSole footbed is comprised of a rubber-like material that seems to cause hotspots under my big toes. Sockless is fine with the insole, but then I lose ground feel. Basically, I'm stuck with the choice of socks vs. feel.

The upper of the Samsons is a thicker mesh than most running shoes. The material none abrasive and seems plenty breathable, but it adds a bit more structure than I'd like. The plastic strip up the side toward the heel seems a bit much. I see no reason to bulk up the shoe in this regard.

Aesthetics 
In the war between form and function, I'm a proponent for the function side. However, I can't deny my superficial response to how the Samsons look. Mrs. Viper has a euphemism for ugly babies; she says they're "going to be smart." These shoes? Yeah, smart. The design is simple, which I applaud. So many shoes these days look like somebody threw a bunch of fabric into a blender with a box of crayons and hoped for the best.

I prefer simple, but there are two aspects of the Samsons that I don't like. First is that plastic strap I mentioned. It's too thick. It would be better if it were slightly transparent and constructed of a lighter material, perhaps a Scotch-Brite fabric instead of plastic. Second is the gray toe decor, which just looks like cheap fabric paint. To me, it throws off the shape of the shoe. These are minor complaints, and they won't stop me from running in these "smart" shoes.

Bottom Dollar
The Samsons are available online at the Altra website for $99.99. These shoes offer a great alternative to the Vibram FiveFingers, Merrell Trail Gloves, New Balance Minimus, and the like. The Samsons have become my primary shoe for road running, and they would be good for trails where traction is not a concern. Despite the socks vs. insole conundrum, these are among the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I'm looking forward to packing on the miles in them over the next several months.

[Drunkard's note: Altra provided these shoes for free in return for a review. The opinions stated here are my own.]

First Taste: Runners' World Reflective Vest

Ooh! Shiny!

With all the excitement of my April Fool's pukefest, I neglected to write a more thorough post about my first run wearing my new reflective vest.

The night time has always been the right time for me to run. While the return to Daylight Savings Time has reduced my need for visibility, as my evening runs are completed before sunset, having a reflective vest is a necessity.

Since my old vest seems to have slunk off into the forest to die alone, I was suddenly in need of a new one. I picked the cheapest one I could find that offered a customized fit and a storage pocket. This Runners' World vest retails between $9 and $11 on Amazon.com. I think my total was $10.47 or somewhere in there -- so yes, I bought this with my own funds for all you Internet legality narcs.

Thoughts Out of the Box
The vest is extremely light weight, with a white mesh body, robust reflective strips on the chest and lower back, and Scotch-Brite (or similar material) piping around all the edges. The Velcro waist strap adjusts for a variety of belly shapes. The zippered pocket spans the entire chest, stitched behind the reflective panel, and is deep enough for a cell phone.

First Run
My first run was a rainy three-miler around the neighborhood. I decided to try using the vest pocket to carry my phone, but was disappointed with how much it bounced. I returned home to grab my belt to secure my phone instead. The vest held its out-of-the-box shape and felt a bit cumbersome during the run, but not overly so. However, it tended to ride up a bit in the waist area. The vest provides 360-degree visibility and reflects much brighter than my old vest. The mesh ensured that the vest didn't get weighed down by rain.

Testing Points
I'm hoping that the vest will conform to my shape the more I run in it, so it becomes less cumbersome. I'll have to play with the waist strap to see if I can reduce it from riding up. Since my phone was too heavy to make the chest pocket useful, I will try other items, such as credit cards, money and fuel to see how those work.

Overall, the vest seems well-suited for its purpose. Nothing special, but a good replacement for my previous vest. And it's cheap, which makes it well-suited for my bankroll.

First Taste: iFitness Running Belt

Considering that global warming robbed us of a true winter and spring has already become summer, my fears about where to put my phone now that I'm not wearing a vest have been realized. 

And considering that sticking my phone where the sun don't shine (I know you were thinking it) would inhibit my running form, I have opted for a product to solve my issues. 

After a couple runs that involved me carrying my phone in a small plastic bag to protect it from my hand sweat, I decided to purchase the iFitness neoprene single pouch running belt.

iFitness Running Belt, MSRP: $23.95

Thoughts Out of the Box
The inch-wide, adjustable elastic belt allows for a snug fit and is designed not to bounce or ride up. The waterproof neoprene pouch holds my phone and keys, and it has a separate liner to hold a credit card, money, ID or something else of similar size. The belt has too reflective strips on the front and one in back to help with night visibility.

First Run
While I hate to admit that I'm basically wearing a fanny pack, the iFitness belt is sleek enough to hide under my shirt so at least I don't look like I'm wearing a fanny pack. I wore this product during Monday's barefoot run, and it performed as advertised. The belt fits comfortably, it didn't so much as jiggle, and I barely noticed it was there.

Testing Points
I only ran three miles with the belt, so I'm curious if the belt will become more noticeable at longer distances. I'll be wearing it this weekend during the race, and that will provide a good gauge as to weather I will opt to wear it at future events. It'll also be interesting to see how much crap I can stuff inside the pouch to supply multi-hour runs.

Marketing Note
One last observation deals with the packaging of the iFitness belt. You will notice the torso region of a female sporting the product, but if you look closely I believe we're all seeing vaginal sweat. Couldn't they airbrush that out? Yes, we all know we sweat in the nether regions, but I don't want my new running toy to shove it in my face.

Nice crotch sweat stain, lady!

That is all.

H/T: Sun Runner for the recommendation.

First Taste: New Balance Minimus Zero Trail

As I alluded to last post, I have added yet another pair of shoes to my arsenal. The New Balance MT00, the trail version of the company's Minimus Zero lineup, a zero-dropped version of its predecessor. The MT00s replace my MT101s (a predecessor to the predecessor) and makes my entire running shoe collection minimal and flat.

New Balance MT00, MSRP: $109.99

I've been lazy and haven't taken any more photos, so that'll have to wait until the fullblown review, after I log some serious mileage in the shoes.

Thoughts Out of the Box
These are my lightest shoes, weighing 4.4 ounces, and are quite bendy. New Balance got clever with the soles, providing traction without mass. The mesh is so thin you can see through it, and the rest of the upper is an ultra light space age material.

The shoes are comfortable to wear. The mesh is rough, but felt comfortable enough without socks. However, going sockless on the run will wait until after my race this weekend, as I don't want to risk a blister. The tongue of the shoe is almost a joke it's so thin, and it tends to fold over itself. There is no insole, but a comfortable footbed.

I found the toe box to be sufficiently wide for my feet, but I have read others complain about the shoe being too narrow. On the contrary, I found the shoe to be a bit too long. New Balance could round off the toe a bit to make the shoe a little more ergonomic, a la the Altras or Merrells.

First Run
I wore these shoes for my accidentally too long seven eight-miler last Saturday. I had read that the Minimus Zeros might be too minimal for more technical trails, so I tried them on one of the rougher spots in the area: the Ledges Trail. The terrain is full of rocky outcroppings and snaggly roots to step on.

While the MT00s provided plenty of ground feel, there was plenty of protection. The real test will come when I head out to the Pine Lane section of the Buckeye Trail, where there is a long stretch of latticed roots that are notoriously difficult to traverse.

The light mesh proved to be quite breathable, and the shoe drained well, as there were abundant muddy puddles throughout my run.

Testing Points
My preference is to run sockless, and I'm concerned about the mesh. Even though it felt fine walking around, it could be abrasive on the run. There are plenty more technical trails in the area, and I'll be searching for the limits of this shoe's durability. I'm a bit concerned about the long toebox and the possibility of catching it on uneven terrain.

My first impressions were solid, and I'm happy I went with the New Balance, as I've had good luck with the company's shoes in the past. I bought these shoes with my own dollars from my local store, Second Sole.

First Taste: Altra Samsons

The good people at Altra saw fit to send me a pair of the company's latest minimalist offering in its all zero-drop line of running shoes: The Samson. (It's sister model is called Delilah, designed specifically for women's feet.)

The Samsons are basically a laced version of the Adams, which I've been running in since last September. My biggest beef with the Adams were the cinching straps, but that problem is resolved with the Samsons.

The Samson, MSRP: $99.99

Thoughts Out of the Box
The Samsons weigh slightly more than the Adams at 6.5 ounces and feel a bit sturdier. The upper is a thicker mesh than found on many other shoe brands, but is perfectly breathable. The decor of the upper, the orange logo and silvery patterns, add little heft and, along with the wide toe-box, allow the foot to move freely inside.

The Adams came with three insole options, whereas the Samson have a redesigned "Strengthen" insole and the "BareSole" footliner for two insole options, which is just as well, because I found the "Support" insole to bee too much squishyness underfoot with too little ground feel.

It has become customary now to test a minimalist shoe's flexibility by rolling into a ball. While the Samsons pass the test, they were a bit tougher to roll up than the Adams, and according to the Altra website the midsole is stronger than in its predecessor. This will be the main area of observation as I continue to test these shoes.

Rolled up, but tougher to do so.

First Run
My first run was a short neighborhood route, where I ran over varying surfaces such as pavement, brick, asphalt -- all in varying degrees of decay and strewn with debris. The Samsons allowed good ground feel, but I have yet to try the shoes without the insoles.

Walking About
I've had more opportunity to wear these shoes out and about. They're slipper-like in comfort, and my feet haven't gotten tired trekking around airports, as I am currently on a business trip (ironically, in Salt Lake City, just 40 minutes south of Altra's headquarters in Ogden, Utah).

Testing Points
Over the next month, I'll thoroughly test the Samsons for a more thorough review, as I've done with past shoes. My main observations will center on the my 3F criteria (remember, that's flat, flexible and ground feel). I'll try these on all sorts of terrain and at all sorts of distances.

Altra brothers: comparing the Samson and Adam, with
Strengthen insoles.

My first impressions have me looking forward to putting these through my slow paces. If all tests out, I hope these will be my shoes for the next Akron Marathon. Anybody know of any good running spots in SLC?

Review: Altra Adams

Altra Running touts three primary attributes that set its shoes apart from other products on the market: zero drop heel-to-toe ratio, foot-shaped soles, and gender-specific models. The Adams (or Eves for women) are Altra's minimalist offering, weighing 4.7 ounces with a 3.4-millimeter rubber sole.

The Altra Adams right out of the box.

The Adams feature a Velcro closure system instead of laces and feature a breathable stretch and mesh upper. With two removable insoles, the shoes offer three cushioning options: 1.) the seamless foot bed, which provides you with the most ground feel with just the rubber sole between your foot and the ground; 2.) the flat "Strengthen" insole, which gives you a little cushioning; and 3.) the molded "Support" insole, which contours the sole and provides the most cushioning of the three choices.

My pair of Altra Adams arrived at the beginning of September, and my first impressions were very positive. In the past month, I've logged 87 miles in the shoes, including the Akron Marathon. I've run long and short distances, and in dry and wet conditions. I've run on roads, multi-purpose paths, and rough trails. The only thing I haven't dealt with (yet) is snow.

The fit of the Adams is similar to a water shoe, slipper-like and flexible. The extra wide toe box feels a bit loose, but is unnoticeable after a few miles of adjustment. My first run in these shoes was on the Buckeye Trail, and I kicked more than a few tree roots.

However, now I've completely acclimated to running in the Adams and enjoy how comfortable my toes feel without being constricted and allowed to fully splay. (I can stretch my toes as wide as possible and just barely touch the edges of the toe box.)

Traction is solid, but can get a bit dicey on muddy terrain. Take it slow on wet trails.

What I Love
The ride of the Adams is exactly what I've been looking for in a minimalist shoe. The shoes are light weight, thin and comfortable. They meet my 3F criteria of flat, flexible and providing lots of ground feel. The Adams are quite comfortable without socks, but I've worn them comfortably with wool socks (and no insole) in the recent cold weather.

The philosophy of Altra is refreshing. This company isn't just placating the "minimalist/barefoot" crowd with a couple products to cash in on the trend. They promote learning to run with good form, and all their products reflect that message. They get it.

What I Hate
The cinching straps work fine in securing the Adams to my feet, but the placement of the lower strap caused a blister during rainy run prior to the marathon. I would much prefer laces.

I knew from the get-go that I wouldn't use the "Support" insole much. However, in the interest of a thorough review, I ran four miles last night with the insole. It's just too springy. I noticed a tendency to stomp more, as my foot seemed to seek the ground feel it has grown used to receiving. While this insole is not for me, it may be beneficial to runners who are new to minimalist shoes. (The "Strengthen" insoles have proven to be a nice blend of cushioning and ground feel.)

Who Should Buy
The Altra Adams are a good choice for any runners seeking a minimal shoe. With the two insole options, these shoes would be helpful to new converts to the minimalist movement. Barefooters who run in cold climates might find the Adams a good tool when some protection from the elements is necessary. And finally, runners interested in the Vibram Five Fingers but unsure about the individual toe sockets will find the Adams a worthy alternative.

A New Hope
If you dislike the notion of Velcro straps instead of laces, worry not. Altra is releasing a laced version, to be called the Samson and Delilah, in early 2012, according to Minimalist Running Shoes. In case Altra is curious, no, I wouldn't mind a free pair to review, kthanksbye.

[Drunkard's note: The Altra Adams were purchased by me with a 40-percent discount coupon provided by Altra. Listed price is $99.99. I was not asked or paid to write this review. The opinions expressed in this blog post are mine.]

First Impressions: Altra Adams

Ever since I became interested in minimalist running shoes and running barefoot, I've been looking for the perfect shoe. What I have sought is a shoe that meets the "Three F's" criteria: flat, flexible and ground feel.

Before the minimalist/barefoot fad hit the shoe industry, there weren't many options. I started with racing flats, Brooks T6 Racers, which I bought at the 2009 Akron Marathon Expo. I even tried making my own shoes. At the end of last year, I bought a pair of Vibram KSOs and got the New Balance MT101s as a gift. And finally, I received a pair of Invisible Shoes to review.

The Brooks were a good starting place. The thinner soles were flexible and provided a small amount of ground feel, but the heel lift is too high. After a few miles, it's all too easy to revert to a heel strike. The shoes have shepherded me through some great race performances and more than 720 miles, but now are perhaps ready for retirement.

The Vibrams meet the Three F's, but they're just not that comfortable for long mileage. My feet blister after just five miles, as the recommended tight fitting doesn't allow for my feet to swell during runs. These shoes are now only relegated to winter running.

The New Balance MT101s are somewhat flat, but nowhere near flexible. While the rock plate protects the feet from rough and jagged terrain, the resulting lack of ground feel makes them good for trails and not much else. I may take them to our local cobbler to zero-out the heel lift.

The Invisible Shoes and my homemade huaraches meet the Three F's as well, but the open sandals won't be suitable for cold weather running.

The search continued.

Back in July, I came across this post at Minimalist Running Shoes, reviewing the Altra Adams. The review asked if this shoe would be "the Vibram Five Finger killer."

From the looks of it, the Adams seemed to meet all the criteria I was looking for, plus provided a more ergonomic design that would allow my toes to splay. Basically, they seemed like the Vibrams, only without the individual toe sockets.

Altra currently offers six models of shoes, three for men and three for women, and all offer a flat "zero drop" sole. All of the company's shoes provide a wide toe box and a foot-shaped sole. I also like how Altra has designed shoes to suit each gender, and promotes learning how to run with good form. This company seems to get it.

Since Altra is a relatively new company, I decided to see if I could finagle a free pair of shoes to review by e-mailing co-founder Jeremy Howlett, Altra's vice president of marketing. Instead of shoes, he sent me a coupon code to pre-order a pair of the then-unavailable shoes.

I waited for a month, but on Friday the Adams finally arrived.

Altra's box and included product literature recommend that you ease into running in these shoes. And so my first run in the Adams was an 18-miler on the Buckeye Trail. A nice slow transition. Without socks.

The Adams come with three insole options: the flat and lightly cushioned "Strength" insole, the molded "Support" insole, or the "SeeNoSeam" stitchless footbed.

I started the run with just the 3.4-millimeter rubber sole between me and the trails. After 10 miles, I returned to my car and inserted the Strength insole. The slight cushioning reduced but didn't eliminate ground feel.

With the wide toebox, the shoe almost feels too loose at first, but I adjusted to this sensation pretty quickly. There was no discomfort from running without socks, even though I'd been getting blisters from all of my other shoes this year. The Velcro straps and the "HeelClaw" kept the shoes in place.

During my second loop of the trail, I mashed my left toe repeatedly on tree roots. The Adams don't offer much protection from not lifting your feet, a minor drawback when you're too tired to run correctly.

The fit is very comfortable. My toes can fully splay with barely touching the sides of the shoe. The upper seems to breathe well, and is quite comfortable without socks. The insole options offer some versatility, providing a little cushioning for those who want it.

After 18 miles, I've already determined to wear the Adams for the Akron Marathon.

After I've logged 100 miles in these shoes, I'll return with a more thorough review.

Review: Invisible Shoes (aka Commercially Made Hippy Shoes)

Many of you will remember my craft project last year, when I made my own running sandals, or huaraches, which I dubbed "hippy shoes." For about $10, I purchased all the supplies I needed and then used Steven Sashen's Invisible Shoes site as a guide to make my own minimalist running shoes.

To date, I've run a little more than 50 miles in my homemade huaraches. I found that the industrial rubber sheeting I used as the sole was a bit heavy and tended to flap too much and kick up dirt and rocks when I ran. Therefore, they've been relegated to minimal use. In fact, I'm not even sure where they are right now.

Last month, a publicity representative from Invisible Shoes contacted me about trying a pair of the company's newly revamped huaraches (thanks to Ian at Half-Fast for the referral).

When I first came across Sashen's site, he was selling huaraches made from Vibram material for the sole. Now he's offering what he calls "FeelTrue" outsoles available in two thicknesses, the 4-millimeter "Connect" and the 6-millimeter "Contact."

Invisible Shoes sent me a pair of each, the Connects with orange laces and Contacts with black laces). Upon trying on each pair, I immediately knew that I wouldn't be running much in the 6-millimeter Contact soles -- too thick. In fact, the farthest I've run in the Contacts is down to the end of my neighborhood block and back. However, they're nice for walking around, and with black laces they actually look almost somewhat fashionable.

The thinner Connect soles are much closer to what I look for in a minimalist shoe: flat, flexible and lots of ground feel (the three F's, we'll call them and immediately trademark the phrase). I have now run in these Invisible Shoes five times for 33 miles, including a 10-miler and over asphalt, crushed limestone and trails.

By now, I feel I've adapted to the huaraches and can run very close to how I would barefoot, but that doesn't mean this trial has been without its tribulations.

My first couple of runs resulted in some painful abrasions from the lacing. First, during their debut run, I got a nasty cut over the top of my right foot, which has since been solved by loosening the laces. The scab kept me from wearing these huaraches or my flip-flops for a few days. The second was between my big and second toes during that 10-miler. A pebble lodged itself between the lacing and my toe webbing and I didn't stop to remove it. I was fine the next day.

Overall, the Invisible Shoes are comfortable and very light weight (especially compared to my homemade version). The sole material holds a bit of shape and cups my foot, which I think helps prevent it from flapping. At any rate, I don't kick up nearly as much debris, unless I'm walking.

The Invisible Shoes have already become my first choice when I decide to use some foot protection. (I just banned my Vibram KSO's until winter.) They are especially nice for running on the Towpath, but are a bit thin for me when running on trails. However, I blame that on my lack of barefoot trail experience. The huaraches made me feel like I was wearing enough shoe to blast through difficult terrain, but that was not the case. I need more practice on trails.

You can either buy a custom-made pair of Invisible shoes, on sale now for $39.95 (Connect) or $44.95 (Contact), or you can get a do-it-yourself kit for $24.95 or $29.95. (The Vibram outsole is still available as the "Classic" kit for $21.95.)

I don't think I would actually buy a pair of the custom-made Invisible Shoes for that price, but I got them since they were offering them for free and I'd already made a pair in the past. However, the kits are a decent deal and making your own shoes is pretty fun.

I've been impressed with Sashen's commitment to customer service; just check out his response to my comment over at Barefoot Josh's site. That kind of personal touch is nice to see. It's also nice to see a minimal shoe for a much more minimal price than what Vibram, Merrell, New Balance and the rest are offering.

[Drunkard's note: Invisible Shoes provided the products reviewed above. The opinions expressed in this blog are my own.]

Pre-Minimus Principles

Last Christmas, I got a new pair of shoes -- yes, actual shoes -- the New Balance MT101, a trail shoe which was a forerunner to the company's Minimus line. I wanted a tool that would be useful for my increasing interest in trail running and have since run about 110 miles in the shoes.

The bulk of my runs in the MT101s have been on rough trails like the Buckeye Trail, but they have also seen action on pavement, asphalt and crushed limestone, ranging in conditions of dry, wet, snowy and muddy.

What I was looking for: A light-weight, relatively flat shoe that would provide traction on loose dirt and mud. I'll say it, I wanted a minimal trail shoe without waiting for all the hyped products that were due out early this year, but not available at Christmastime 2010.

What the MT101's provide: Weight? 7.8 ounces. Flatness? 7 to 10 mm heel drop, according to Pete Larson at Runblogger. Traction? Well, it varies. I've come to believe that balance is more important in trail running. Let's just say I've never fallen in these shoes (or any other).

What I love: The fit around the heel is slipper-like, and the nearly seamless stitching would be perfect for sockless running if my pinkie toes didn't chafe against the abrasive mesh of the toe box. Otherwise, a very comfortable shoe.

What I hate: The "Rock Stop" plastic plate under the forefoot makes the soles of these shoes too rigid for my preference. The stiffness of the shoe can make it difficult for pivoting around tricky obstacles like roots and rocks.

I was also hoping these shoes might be decent for snow and the occasional road runs. However, they didn't provide much traction in snow and the stiff sole made road running uncomfortable. (I had a tendency to slap my feet on the ground.) The New Balance MT101 are great as a dedicated trail shoe, though I'd prefer to have a more flexible shoe. The slight heel drop is unnoticeable on rough and hilly terrain, but is apparent and flatter ground.

I wish the toe box were wider so I didn't have to wear socks, as these shoes have a thicker mesh, making them less breathable than traditional running shoes. With socks, they're a bit stifling, and I'm just not used to wearing socks in warm weather.

[Drunkard's note: The New Balance MT101 were a gift from family. The manufacturer has absolutely no sway in my opinion.]

The Good, the Bad and the Vibrams

Last fall, I bought into the marketing hype of "barefoot shoes" and purchased a pair of Vibram FiveFinger KSOs. At the time, I had run about 10 percent of my yearly mileage barefoot -- as in, skin on the ground (I hate that I have to make that distinction) -- and I wanted something that would give me similar ground feel, but protect me from the harsh Northeast Ohio winter.

I have now logged more than 120 miles in these silly-looking toe shoes. Having run in the Vibram KSOs now through four different seasons, the strengths and weaknesses of this product are painfully evident.

The salesperson at Appalachian Outfitters gave me the common warning that I should ease into running in the FiveFingers. However, as I felt pretty confident in the barefooting I had done up until that point, I disregarded this warning.

There was some foot pain at first, as I learned that even with just a thin, flexible piece of rubber covering my soles that it was enough protection for me to stomp my feet, which I believe is the likely cause of most running injuries. Luckily, I had enough barefoot experience to recognize my folly and correct my form to run comfortably.

Then came the issue of warmth. The snow arrived and the thin shoes didn't provide the protection I had hoped for, which resulted in the epic toe-sock saga (failure and resolution). In the end, the socks provided enough insulation from the cold and helped run through the winter (albeit with minimal mileage, but no fault of the footwear).

Finally, some heat arrived with spring and summer, and I ran in the Vibrams less and less, in favor of running barefoot, as in really with bare feet. The last time I wore the Vibrams was for part of my run in Canada with temperatures in 80s, and there I found their limitations.

Within a few short miles, my toes were feeling the onset of blistering from the toe casings rubbing against my skin, especially my big toes. The discomfort was so great that I decided against them in a later run where protection from the hot pavement and asphalt would have been a good thing.

The bottom line is that I'll probably go back to the Vibrams in cold weather, but I'll opt for different protection if need be during the summer months.

Advice for Purchasing
Vibrams FiveFingers seem to have lost their luster in the face of newer minimal running shoe options. However, I'm sure some people will still be interested in trying these goofy-looking foot gloves.

The main thing to consider with any footwear is the fit. Vibram has its own sizing system that the company markets as way to get a more customized fit. Because of this system, it's very important to try on a pair before buying.

I'm an 11 1/2, typically, and I got a pair of size 44 in the KSOs because that's what felt most comfortable. However, what I didn't consider is how much your feet expand during a run. The Vibrams are comfortable for me up to about five miles, but then they start feeling constrictive.

If I were to get another pair of Vibrams, I'd buy at least one size bigger than what was comfortable in store. I'd also probably try on the toe shoes with toe socks and judge the fit from there.

Now, would I buy a second pair? Probably not. Although the shoe comes as advertised, despite a slight learning curve as to form adjustment and proper fit, these aren't my magic bullet for a minimal shoe at a reasonable price.

[Drunkard's note: These shoes were purchased by me at $95, plus tax. No stability shoes were harmed in the making of this review.]

New Brew: Greenflash Barley Wine Style Ale

Seems like forever since I've posted a beer review. Must have been all that home brew, taking away my drinking time.

This week some friends were getting together for some pizza and beverages, but considering that payday isn't until next week, I was on a tight budget of $7 (plus Ohio sin tax). Pretty much all six-packs were out, as my best options were Molson or similar macro-brews -- not that there's anything wrong with that. But I wanted something different. And much, much stronger.

This led me to the top shelf of my local grocer's beer aisle, which is populated with all manner of 750-milliliter bottles from various craft brewers. I chose the Barleywine Style Ale from Green Flash Brewing Co. (San Diego), a 10.9 percent ABV American-style barleywine that packs a lot of hop. Priced nice at $5.99 and well within my budget after tax.

Green Flash Brewing was a new selection at my grocer, and I was leery of picking a barleywine, as I tend to find them too sweet for my palate. But the only other varieties available were the Double Stout (not in the mood) and Grand Cru, a Belgian strong ale (over budget).

The Green Flash Barleywine pours a dark amber with a thick frothy head. Although the brewery's website describes this beer as having an intense caramel malt flavor, its high hop content balances the sweetness. I was almost shocked by the hoppiness, as I haven't tasted many barleywines that weren't syrupy sweet.

The hoppy bitterness was very refreshing. However, the high alcohol content is very apparent. I have to admit to being a bit loopy after finishing the bottle.

Although I enjoyed drinking this brew, I think it would taste much better after cellaring. Next time, I plan to try the Grand Cru, but I also might grab another Barleywine for aging.

Drink well, teammates!

Making It Right: My Turn

By now you all know the trouble I had with the Injinji Liner Crew Toesocks. First, Amazon.com took forever in shipping them to me. And then the socks tried to kill my toes. Finally, I sent Injinji a complaint letter, and they responded by sending me a new, different pair of socks, the Original Performance Series Crew Toesocks, which arrived yesterday.

The Originals are made of 70 percent of Injinji's CoolMax material, 25 percent nylon and 5 percent Lycra, whereas the Liners are 75 percent CoolMax, 22 percent nylon and 3 percent Lycra. It seems that extra 2 percent of Lycra makes a huge difference for my feet.

Upon inspecting the Originals, I could tell right away that they were considerably thicker than the Liners, which worried me because of how snug my Vibram KSOs fit. My first reaction after trying on the socks was, 'Hey, these don't hurt'--a good sign.

Putting on the Vibrams was a bit tricky, as these socks wanted to bunch up even more so than the Liners, but I fixed that by wedging my hand in between my foot and the upper of the Vibrams as I slipped them onto my feet.

The fit was tighter, but not uncomfortably so. Again, there was no pain in my toes. I decided to take them for a run, a brisk three-miler around the neighborhood.

About half of my neighborhood route is over packed snow right now, particularly the first quarter mile or so. With the Injinji Liners, that first section made my feet numb from cold. The added weight of the Originals gave my feet more insulation, and I never experienced any numbness. There were two occasions when I stepped in a slush pile and got my feet a bit wet; the socks dried quickly.

The Injinji  Originals performed as I had hoped the Liners would, keeping my feet warm in the Ohio winter while still maintaining comfort. Now I just need to figure out how I can get another pair for free?

Night Cap
The run helped me sweat out some of this cold. After I took a hot bath and ate some dinner, I made myself a hot toddy: a shot of Tullamore Dew, local honey and Yogi Relaxed Mind tea. Coincidentally or not, I slept well last night. Still not at 100 percent, but getting there.

Delivery and Deflated Enthusiasm

Well, my stupid ass toe socks arrived yesterday, 14 days after placing the order. The only reason I got the fancy, expensive socks was to qualify for free shipping from Amazon, which is supposed to take five to eight business days. My socks took nine business days, not counting the day I actually placed the order.

My receipt said explicitly that they estimated delivery between Dec. 8 and Dec. 13, so one day late shouldn't make me too agitated, but it does. I waited eagerly for these socks. Of course, it turned out they had to split up my order, shipping my other two items well before my socks even left the West Coast, where they were shipped from Phoenix to Los Angeles before heading east.

From Dec. 4 to Dec. 11, the only tracking information available was a "Departure Scan" from L.A., before my package arrived in Pennsylvania. Seven days to cross the country? Come on, U.S. Postal Service, that's a shitty pace!

When I got home from work last night, the Enthusiast told me to look under the tree. There they were. I halfheartedly opened my brown box, removed the thin toe socks and tried one of them on.

Yep, they're toe socks. Kind of a pain in the ass to put on. These socks are thinner than the pair I ruined last week, so I figured they'd fit in my Vibrams. Satisfied with that estimation, I removed them and put my warm woolen socks back on my foot. Maybe I'll try the new ones with a run tonight. Maybe I'll just sit on the couch and pout.

Book Club: The Ultimate Runner

This review has been a long time in the making. I received my free copy of The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving by Tom Green and Amy Hunold-VanGundy back in May, at the start of my training cycle for the Akron Marathon.

Only last week did I finish the book, after my marathon was over and after a marathon reading session while traveling for business.

My immediate reaction to reading this book was that I felt as if I were reading a collection of blog posts.

Tom and Amy are the creators of the Runners' Lounge, a social networking site for runners (for which they're now trying to find another owner). In a sense, these stories are a collection of blog posts that the editors solicited from members of their website.

I don't mean to belittle anyone's personal running story. We all have our own tales that are important to us and that we want to tell others. I'm lucky that I have a faithful readership willing to read my nonsense (for now). However, it wouldn't fly in book form, and it doesn't go over well in The Ultimate Runner either.

If you're going to pay $14.95, which I did not, then you want the writing to be top-notch.

The book is broken up into seven chapters: 

1. "Why We Run: Physical Transformation" 
2. "Emotional and Spiritual Insights"
3. "The Social Side of the Sneakers"
4. "Off the Beaten Path"
5. "Memorable Races"
6. "Running for a Cause"
7. "Must-Know Info"

There are a few gems that are inspirational, clever, and well-written. Sadly, too many of these stories are mediocre at best. The running know-how would benefit beginning runners, but the advice in this book wasn't anything I haven't read elsewhere.

The best section of the book was "Running for a Cause." Each of the five stories in this chapter touched the cold, black heart of the Viper. There are also some really neat pictures in the book.

Some highlights:

• "Running for Two" might be the best story of the lot. 
• You get a sense of the joy we get from being a part of the tribe.
• All abilities are accounted for, and there is even a story dedicated to our wonderful cheerleaders who inspire us to new personal bests.
• Some much-needed perspective: What more do you need?

Some lowlights:

• Lots of "I'm not a true runner" comments. Guess what? If you run, you're a runner. 
• A whole story about GU? Seriously.
• Redundant redundancy. 

Another observation: Not a whole lot of male perspectives. Maybe I didn't like the book because I'm sexist. There are 49 stories in The Ultimate Runner, and 18 are written by 17 men. The bulk of those are in the "Must-Know Info."

Overall, I'm glad I didn't pay for this book, and I wouldn't suggest you run out to buy it either. There is something here for everyone, but something that can be found anywhere. If you're interested in reading this book, contact me with your address and I'll send you my copy. Otherwise, search through my blog roll to the right if you want to find similar reading material.

While I was reading The Ultimate Runner, I watched the ESPN "30 for 30" film "Into the Wind" about Terry Fox. Now that is an inspirational and well-told running story.

Amphibious Runner

Huh, nobody made a comment about my mention of new shoes in yesterday's recap. So much for trying to create a little suspense.

As you know, I've been running with a variety of footwear and sometimes without. My choices range from completely barefoot, to huarache sandals, to Brooks T6 Racers. And now, I have one more option: aqua socks.

Barefoot Josh suggested these as a good minimal shoe many months ago. But instead of buying the pair I saw at Walmart for $7, I decided to make my Hippy Shoes.

The huaraches work well, but the one thing that bothers me is how much they flap. This trait is especially annoying on trails, where the toes kick up debris and I proceed to kick it, like what happened last week during my midweek eight-miler. After that painful experience, I decided to try the aqua socks.

Of course, when I went back to the Giant Store of Sprawling Doom, the only size they had left was XXL. Instead I went to Target, where they had what you see here for $9.99.

The nice thing is that these aqua socks have laces, whereas the brand from the Mom and Pop Store Killer had a Velcro strap. These laces are well worth the extra $2.99.

My virginal run in the new shoes was last Friday, an easy four miles. Then I decided to test them on a longer run with more difficult terrain: nine miles out and back on the final leg of the Burning River 100.

The aqua socks have a heavy, but flexible rubber sole with zero drop off between heel and toe. I get about the same feeling for the ground as I do in the Hippy Shoes. However, the upper keeps the shoe from flapping like the huaraches, although the mesh and neoprene of the upper can feel a bit warm and sweaty after a few miles.

Prelude to the Ultimate Book Review

So I took these photos to accompany my forthcoming review of The Ultimate Runner by Tom Green and Amy Hunold-VanGundy, the team behind the Runners' Lounge community and blog. I agreed to give the book a read and tell you whether or not to read it. My copy arrived last week ...


I flipped through it and was happy to see lots of photos ...


But there are still too many pages that I'll actually have to read ...


The Ultimate Runner is a collection of stories by runners like you and me. In fact, you or I might be one of the writers, considering Tom and Amy solicited contributions from the Runners' Lounge blogging community. The book is a tidy 328 pages and shouldn't take me too long to read. But like my running, I just have to get started.

Tuesday Tasting: Southern Tier Imperial Cherry Saison

This week's selection was courtesy of the Enthusiast, who picked up this 650-ml bottle on a trip to our local fancy pants grocer, West Point Market. This review has been in the hopper for a couple weeks as I had a plentiful spate of new brews recently, but not in the last week. I apologize if my taste bud memories are stale.

Southern Tier Imperial Cherry Saison is 8 percent ABV and has a sweet cherry aroma, but only a light hint of the fruit comes through in the flavor. It was incredibly carbonated, which gave it a light refreshing quality to offset the heavier alcohol content. However, the bubbles fizzed out the flavor a little too much. This would be a pleasant post-run beverage on a hot afternoon. And cherries are known for their restorative qualities, so bonus.

According to this news brief, this flavor was released in the summer of 2008 and the Southern Tier beers page doesn't mention it at all, which makes me wonder if it has been getting stale aging on the shelf since then. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Saison is another variety of Belgian ale, which has been a mainstay of my new tastings lately. I promise I'll get some variety in here soon. Or maybe I won't. It's my palate, I'll drink what I want to.

Booze Hounds Beer Rating: 3.6 Hiccups

[Drunkard's note: The Booze Hounds Beer Rating scale (0-5 Hiccups) is based on a complex mathematical formula that would be impossible to explain to such a dunderheaded audience. Let's just say the higher the score, the more likely I am to drink it again. Nitmos, do the math.]