Comments on: Barefoot vs Minimalist Shoes

By: Cody R.

Cody R. — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:21:18 +0000

a bit late on this article, I understand that “barefoot shoe” is an oxymoron, however, i like to use that term simply because it helps someone understand what the shoe is like, or what it’s trying to allow you to do as much as possible

I actually use “minimal shoe” the least since it does seem to add a little bit of confusion

i use transitional since that”s basically what they are, even though i don’t like them all that much, mainly cause i’m barefoot already…

so yea, barefoot and transitional shoe toes for me

By: VIVOBAREFOOT | The original barefoot shoe | Barefoot Running | Barefoot Shoes | Community

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:46:32 +0000

[...] talked about Barefoot shoes and Minimal shoes before and we believe there’s a big difference between barefoot and minimalist [...]

By: Ken Florian

Ken Florian — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:20:44 +0000

I concur with above three posts. “Barefoot” means nothing on the foot. Period. “Shoe” means something on the foot. Period. A few basic gradations within “shoe” seem permissable per Sean Smith’s post. After that, I want accurate descriptors…the remainder of the branding is up to the manufacturer.

When I can’t go barefoot I wear Vito minimalist shoes.

Ken Florian

By: Sean Smith

Sean Smith — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:04:00 +0000

I also agree with the top two posters. I’ve been in the shoe business for 7 years and have seen every company try to twist the market to their perspective and make it more complicated in an attempt to confuse the consumer. If you can’t convince, confuse. Conventional: Big heels. Transitional: Smaller heels geared to consumers who don’t understand that products are secondary. Minimal: Zero drop. That is all.

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:13:48 +0000

I agree with Kyle Nichol. Minimalist shoes are what you call barefoot shoes (which is an oxymoron) and your minimalist shoes are transitional shoes which in my opinion are pointless. My definition is taken from
http://www.livingbarefoot.info/2011/10/the-6-key-features-of-a-minimalist-barefoot-shoe/
Minimalist shoe=
-max of 8mm flexible sole
-light weight under 500g per pair
-zero drop
-anatomical shape
-no support
-no shock absorption
-