“Minimalist” shoes are “supposed to” mimic barefoot function, but don’t be fooled because some so-called “minimalist” shoes are not exactly minimal.  Just because a shoe has a thin sole that is flexible does not make it a “true” minimalist shoe—even though the shoe companies want you to believe the marketing pitch.  If the shoe has a motion control tread design—it cannot truly be a minimalist shoe. The shoes featured in the photo ARE minimalist shoes–none of them have significant motion control built into tread design or other parts of the shoe. Their soles are designed for traction–but not motion control. Big difference.

• Here’s a tip to expose minimalist shoe “impostors” because a true minimalist shoe will let the foot do the work—even with tread design.  To determine motion control tread design, turn shoe over and look at bottom surface.  If you see tread patterns flowing in “lines” that seem to guide the foot in a certain direction—this is motion control.  Your tread pattern should be symmetrical and for general traction—not “asymmetrical” and forcing the foot back into a certain line or position.  Note that it is not healthy or safe for the foot and ankle to “always be in neutral” depending upon the environment, ground angle, slope, etc.  Let the foot decide position—not the shoe!!!  If the shoe has motion control tread design, heel cup support, toe box support, a heel lift, or other “bolt-on” engineering that is trying to support the foot or alter its shape and position, it is not a true minimalist shoe.  The foot needs to function as close to bare as possible—that is true minimalist shoe design—not hype. 
• While there are dozens of new minimalist shoes coming out on the market to take advantage of the barefoot running trend, just know that they are not all created equal and most definitely are not all true minimalist shoes.  To some degree, many of these new shoes are still trying to control the foot instead of getting out of the way of the foot, so don’t be fooled by foot foolishness through marketing because your foot knows the difference!

So know you know “the rest of the story” beyond the hype marketing with shoe companies.  For more information, see my “Products Section.”  I would also HIGHLY recommend reading “Barefoot Running” by Michael Sandler of RunBare.com if you really want to learn the details beyond this post. Great read that applies to running with minimalist shoes as well as barefoot.