A community ti discuss barefoot and minimalistic shoes, for whom likes to give their feet freedom and enjoy a more primal feeling while walking, running and hiking.
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Rule 0 of transitioning to barefoot shoes is: take it easy! Give your body as much time as it needs - and then some - to avoid doing more harm then good!
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Comparing V-Trails to HFS on flexibility is not really fair, the V-Trails are relatively thick and inflexible so that you can run on rocky trails without pain.
The KSO EVO is probably more comparable, and observing how the toes splay on each step when running is quite fascinating.
Yeah, I guess you are right. But I need something a little thicker when running on trails, do you think I gain something by using the V-Trail vs the Xero Mesa Trail or similar, with a little more protection?
I don't have the V-Trail, but I have been using the discontinued Spyridon MR, which looks quite similar. I've been running on trails with those for several years, but for the past couple of years I've been running more off trail, and then the open toe design really doesn't work (I wish I had taken a picture, the amount of ferns and grass stuck between the toes was just ridiculous!).
I do think my feet moved more freely wtih the five fingers, but I don't really miss them. I just got my mesas, so I've only run in them once, but even though the toes have less horizontal movement, they feel softer, and I don't have to worry about a single toe getting caught on a root any more (quite common and painful on the spyridons).
So, I'd keep the mesas (or try the new one, with the michelin sole).
I kept the Mesa trail wp, and the V-Trail, and the Nexus Knit. The V trail were good. The rocks do not hurt anymore. The mesas I won't run in, but walk in the woods in. Lastly the nexus Knit I will use for work. These ones are my absolute favorite.
Congrats on your purchases!
I'm tempted to check out the Ridgeways for the winter, but I'm accumulating quite a bit of shoes, so I'm trying to restrain myself. My Zaqq Hiqes will probably suffice another winter.