When more is less

Exercise is a must for a healthy lifestyle, but it can become a painful and harmful exercise if you are wearing the wrong shoes.

In the running world, there have been numerous debates about the ideal running shoe.

One of the most extreme recent trends has been the minimalist running shoe.

Minimalism running has become a controversial topic, promising better performance and lower risk of injuries, while providing comfort for your feet.

Although there is no scientific proof to state that the thin soled running shoes or even barefoot running is indeed better than a normal, higher heeled running shoe, there are many people who are trying minimalism running.

However, some experts are predicting the death of this fad and the rise of the opposite extreme, maximalist shoes.

Last year, Vibram USA, creators of the funky FiveFingers running shoes, agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of making false and unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of the glove-like footwear.

“Personally, I do not like minimalist shoes, as they do not offer the support needed by your feet,” said Ballito based Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist, Sean Adams.

“When you run, your body weight through a single step per foot can range between four and six times your weight, which is why good support is a must in a shoe.”

He does however have patients who are following the minimalism trend, but he says there are certain factors that need to be adhered to for a possibly successful minimalism transition.

“A smooth, steady transition is key. The average running shoe has a heel height of approximately two centimetres, but a minimalism shoe sits at about 0,5cm only, meaning there is a big drop for the body to get used to,” he said.

“Furthermore, minimalist shoes should not be used for long distance running, such as marathons, trail runs or endurance training.”

According to Training and Promotion Specialist at Asics David Visser, the minimalism trend is over.

“Maximalist shoes is the new movement. We are bringing in shoes that have 35mm high soles,” he said.

This high cushion, chunky shoe was created by two frenchmen, Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, both longtime mountain runners and former Salomon footwear guys.

Their new running shoe, Hoka One One seems to be especially popular among marathon runners, because the extra cushion feel is appreciated during hours of running.

The Hoka boasts excellent shock absorption and better stability, creating a smoother and more comfortable running experience.

Let’s see how well this trend holds up on the road.