Since the beginning of our minimalist shoe journey, I have had difficulty explaining what a normal shoe actually does for us aside from added cushioning.  I mean, there has to be a purpose for all of these different styles of shoes, right?  Well, turns out there is a purpose, and it is much more involved than you might think.

Before I run down the list of  all the different styles of shoes, I would like to stress just how important it is that you purchase shoes from people who know what they are doing.  In short, don’t purchase from a big box sporting goods store.  I recognize that this probably seems obvious for most accomplished runners, but unfortunately there is a large part of the market that purchases their shoes based off of aesthetics and comfort, rather than their specific needs.  Most quality running shops will go out of their way to make sure you not only have the right size and color, but the best type of shoe for you.  When was the last time a Dick’s Sporting Goods salesman put you on a treadmill and recorded your foot strike?  Not to mention the fact that most employees at sporting goods stores are likely just people who need a job and aren’t necessarily people who have an active lifestyle. Continue reading “The Shoe Progression” »