Minimalist Trail Running Shoes

Minimalist trail running shoes, like all minimalist shoes have a flatter heel then the traditional sports shoe. The traditional running shoes’ lifted heel is actually contrary to nature, since we were not meant to have a lifted heel. This type of lifted heel causes the heel-to-toe running style and causes the heel to strike much harder than it should. These hard heel strikes can cause injury to the Achilles tendon and the muscles in the calf. When we're talking about trail running in particular, working with the natural rhythms of your body is extremely important.

Trail running varies greatly from road and track running. It takes place on hiking trails, beaches, fire trails, up mountain and some place where there is no path. The terrain on which a trail runner runs is different and often difficult, and there may not be any access to a road except at the trailhead. This difficult type of running sport requires a good running shoe – one that allows our feet to feel the trail yet not be hampered by it. This is where minimalist shoes come in. They are designed to give you that barefoot feel as well as to protect you from the environment.

When barefoot, the soles of our feet feed our brains tactile information about the environment that signals how fast we should be moving, what kind of ground is underneath us and what kind of steps and stride lengths are appropriate. Of course there's a risk of injury by going barefoot, but using the right shoes we can shield ourselves from dangerous terrain while gaining some of the tactile information necessary to run correctly.

Minimalist trail running shoes are the best because of their flexibility and that they are easy on the joints of the knees, fit tightly, and feel as if you are wearing slippers. This is why they are called the “barefoot” running shoes. They are light and trim and are not as structured as the traditional running shoes. If you have been running in the traditional running shoes then you have probably become a heel striker. With minimalist trail running shoes you will strike more with the forefoot, after you have made the transition from traditional to minimalist.

Some runners feel they still need a little bit of a heel lift in order to avoid injury, especially during a transition from the traditional trail running shoe to the minimalist trail running shoes. Slowly lowering the heel is a perfectly acceptable strategy if you're a long time runner. Remember though; heel striking while running can cause damage to your spine and subsequently to your posture. Striking with the forefoot is safer and does not jar the body as much as heel strikes.

Minimalist trail running shoes can be found at sports retail stores, department stores, and online. If this is your first time buying minimalist trail running shoes then do a bit of research before you buy that first pair. Knowing something about these this kind of footwear will help you to make the transition from traditional trail running shoes to minimalist trail running shoes much easier.