Reviews
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Half Marathon
I just finished training for 130 miles and running the Boulder Half Marathon on these shoes. They're Awesome!
Showing posts with label shoes - zero-lift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shoes - zero-lift. Show all posts
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Neo VIVOBAREFOOT
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Review of the VivoBarefoot Neo (versus Vibram) « ZERO DROP
Review of the VivoBarefoot Neo « ZERO DROP
A “barefoot running” shoe is a curious concept, or what is often called an oxymoron such as “doing nothing,” “friendly fire,” “dry martini,” or “deafening silence.” You either run barefoot or you run in shoes. You can’t do both at the same time, unless you’re one of those quantum-theorizing physicists, who always name your cat Schrodeinger and like hanging out at the neighborhood multiverse Starbucks simultaneously drinking a caffe latte and caffe mocha. A barefoot running shoe, however, has developed into a valuable marketing concept ever since it commercially rode bareback into stores on the natural running and minimalist movement. Here’s a shoe that can simulate going unshod (in an approximate sense), but your soles won’t turn jet black from street crud (like Homer Simpson’s once did when he decided to become a sixties’ poncho-wearing flower child for one episode).
Vibram’s FiveFingers was the first to get a significant toehold in the barefoot running shoe market, and sales continue to soar upward each year. But for all its popularity, VFFs don’t seem to make the BFF list with many traditional runners who love hurling all sorts of derogatory epithets at the simian-looking sneaker. “Monkey feet” is a favorite anti-VFF expression. So when other companies like Merrell and Terra Plana came out with a more conventional-looking barefoot running shoe, it was easy to imagine what happened next: it generated many new converts to barefoot-running shoes.
For the past several weeks, I have been running in Terra Plana’s barefoot running shoe that is called the VivoBarefoot Neo; it’s a less expensive version (by forty bucks) of the first-generation Evo. A name like Neo can become a tricky issue if you are a fan of the “Matrix” trilogy, and don’t like being used as a tool by secret, sinister forces. But I never saw any of the films. I had the urge to try out the Neos because I wanted to experience more of a barefoot-running, zero-drop sensation than I get with my Nike Frees. There was no Morpheus urging me to morph to more minimalism. No red pill. No blue pill. In other words, I was literally exercising my own free will.
Because I have wide Fred Flintstone feet, many minimalist shoe brands are inhospitable to my dogs. Going through life as an EEEEE ain’t easy. (Prom night was especially painful--narrow rented shoes, ridiculously looking tux, and reluctant date in that quick order.) So you learn to read online running shoe reviews with a healthy skepticism and an abiding hope that maybe, just maybe, the shoe being described by a blogger is the long-awaited one for your tugboat-size feet.
Mark Cucuzzella, M.D, elite runner, and owner of Two River Treads, first told me about the Evos. He’s a huge fan of them. Here’s how they are described on his store site: “The 4mm outer sole provides excellent ground feel and response time and is very durable and puncture resistant.....the same material as lightweight bullet-proof vests. The fit of the Evo is unique compared to other minimalist running shoes. The shoe hugs the area around the upper heel. The entire midfoot and forefoot area have ample room to move within the shoe. This creates the unique experience. Unlike other minimalist shoes that attempt to mold to your foot, the Evos allow your foot to move within the shoe without producing friction. I love this shoe for all activity from running, to golf, to walking around town, and occasionally sneaking into work on casual day.”
Another minimalist running pal, Nick Pang, who is the creative force behind the popular blog, Minimalist Running Shoes, wrote that “going from the Vibram FiveFingers KSO to the Evo II is like upgrading from coach to first.” Nick especially liked the shoe’s intimate rapport with Mother Earth. “The ground feel and my running form is unaltered in the Neo just like the Evo II. If this is your first pair of VivoBarefoot minimal shoes, you will feel the ground immediately with your first foot strike and you may have to adjust your running form (unless you came from barefoot running) – run lightly. If not, you will hear your shoes striking the ground in a loud and noticeable noise. Listen to your foot strike and tread lightly.”
On my first run in the Neos, I went five miles-- a distance far too much for a zero-drop newbie, but more on that later. I was amazed at how comfortable my feet felt in them-- I had removed the inner soles and I wore normal socks. I could have a sublet the extra space in my shoes to a family of gypsies and still have plenty of room for my toes. They are especially light. I also immediately noticed several other things. I was running too loudly, the soles slapping the road like a pissed-off beaver with its tail. With the Nike Frees, in contrast, I loped quietly. The excessive decibels came from an altered foot strike-- more up front near the ball than I was accustomed to. My soles also felt the pavement. It was definitely not a smooth ride during that initial run.
Hoping for a bit more cushion, I re-inserted the inner soles for subsequent runs in the Neos. Moreover, I decided to only run two or three miles each time in them, because I felt something odd or twingeing going on in the plantar area in the right foot. Because my feet were landing differently, new muscles, tendons, and ligaments were being put to the test. And since I was well aware of the high frequency of foot injuries to those who don’t take sufficient time to ease into a barefoot running shoe regimen, I saved my longer runs for the Frees. Shoe rotation is a good thing; it doesn’t mean you are backsliding.
On the aesthetic side of the ledger, the Neo’s canvas-like uppers and colors are rather ho-hum, whereas the honeycomb tread pattern of the soles are killer to look at. I was sent a black pair by the company to review. I had never run in black sneakers before, so that took some time getting used to.
I will continue to run in the Neos because they will help strengthen my feet and make me more aware of an optimal "loading rate," which is the foot's relationship to the body's center of gravity during each stride. With that said, running on the rocky trails in Neos has not been a picnic. I was required to pay extra close attention to where each foot landed, and I definitely felt the small rocks underfoot. But running on asphalt is a different story. On this more even surface, my proprioception was able to switch to cruise control. I still need to learn to run more quietly. Come this fall, there will be a trail version of the Neos. By then, I hope to be running as noiselessly as Natty Bumppo in “The Leatherstocking Tales.”
"....Nick Pang, who is the creative force behind the popular blog, Minimalist Running Shoes, wrote that “going from the Vibram FiveFingers KSO to the Evo II is like upgrading from coach to first.”
The low-slung, uniquely designed Neo is a minimalist running shoe that doesn't look like a running shoe.
Vibram’s FiveFingers was the first to get a significant toehold in the barefoot running shoe market, and sales continue to soar upward each year. But for all its popularity, VFFs don’t seem to make the BFF list with many traditional runners who love hurling all sorts of derogatory epithets at the simian-looking sneaker. “Monkey feet” is a favorite anti-VFF expression. So when other companies like Merrell and Terra Plana came out with a more conventional-looking barefoot running shoe, it was easy to imagine what happened next: it generated many new converts to barefoot-running shoes.
For the past several weeks, I have been running in Terra Plana’s barefoot running shoe that is called the VivoBarefoot Neo; it’s a less expensive version (by forty bucks) of the first-generation Evo. A name like Neo can become a tricky issue if you are a fan of the “Matrix” trilogy, and don’t like being used as a tool by secret, sinister forces. But I never saw any of the films. I had the urge to try out the Neos because I wanted to experience more of a barefoot-running, zero-drop sensation than I get with my Nike Frees. There was no Morpheus urging me to morph to more minimalism. No red pill. No blue pill. In other words, I was literally exercising my own free will.
Because I have wide Fred Flintstone feet, many minimalist shoe brands are inhospitable to my dogs. Going through life as an EEEEE ain’t easy. (Prom night was especially painful--narrow rented shoes, ridiculously looking tux, and reluctant date in that quick order.) So you learn to read online running shoe reviews with a healthy skepticism and an abiding hope that maybe, just maybe, the shoe being described by a blogger is the long-awaited one for your tugboat-size feet.
Mark Cucuzzella, M.D, elite runner, and owner of Two River Treads, first told me about the Evos. He’s a huge fan of them. Here’s how they are described on his store site: “The 4mm outer sole provides excellent ground feel and response time and is very durable and puncture resistant.....the same material as lightweight bullet-proof vests. The fit of the Evo is unique compared to other minimalist running shoes. The shoe hugs the area around the upper heel. The entire midfoot and forefoot area have ample room to move within the shoe. This creates the unique experience. Unlike other minimalist shoes that attempt to mold to your foot, the Evos allow your foot to move within the shoe without producing friction. I love this shoe for all activity from running, to golf, to walking around town, and occasionally sneaking into work on casual day.”
Another minimalist running pal, Nick Pang, who is the creative force behind the popular blog, Minimalist Running Shoes, wrote that “going from the Vibram FiveFingers KSO to the Evo II is like upgrading from coach to first.” Nick especially liked the shoe’s intimate rapport with Mother Earth. “The ground feel and my running form is unaltered in the Neo just like the Evo II. If this is your first pair of VivoBarefoot minimal shoes, you will feel the ground immediately with your first foot strike and you may have to adjust your running form (unless you came from barefoot running) – run lightly. If not, you will hear your shoes striking the ground in a loud and noticeable noise. Listen to your foot strike and tread lightly.”
On my first run in the Neos, I went five miles-- a distance far too much for a zero-drop newbie, but more on that later. I was amazed at how comfortable my feet felt in them-- I had removed the inner soles and I wore normal socks. I could have a sublet the extra space in my shoes to a family of gypsies and still have plenty of room for my toes. They are especially light. I also immediately noticed several other things. I was running too loudly, the soles slapping the road like a pissed-off beaver with its tail. With the Nike Frees, in contrast, I loped quietly. The excessive decibels came from an altered foot strike-- more up front near the ball than I was accustomed to. My soles also felt the pavement. It was definitely not a smooth ride during that initial run.
Hoping for a bit more cushion, I re-inserted the inner soles for subsequent runs in the Neos. Moreover, I decided to only run two or three miles each time in them, because I felt something odd or twingeing going on in the plantar area in the right foot. Because my feet were landing differently, new muscles, tendons, and ligaments were being put to the test. And since I was well aware of the high frequency of foot injuries to those who don’t take sufficient time to ease into a barefoot running shoe regimen, I saved my longer runs for the Frees. Shoe rotation is a good thing; it doesn’t mean you are backsliding.
On the aesthetic side of the ledger, the Neo’s canvas-like uppers and colors are rather ho-hum, whereas the honeycomb tread pattern of the soles are killer to look at. I was sent a black pair by the company to review. I had never run in black sneakers before, so that took some time getting used to.
I will continue to run in the Neos because they will help strengthen my feet and make me more aware of an optimal "loading rate," which is the foot's relationship to the body's center of gravity during each stride. With that said, running on the rocky trails in Neos has not been a picnic. I was required to pay extra close attention to where each foot landed, and I definitely felt the small rocks underfoot. But running on asphalt is a different story. On this more even surface, my proprioception was able to switch to cruise control. I still need to learn to run more quietly. Come this fall, there will be a trail version of the Neos. By then, I hope to be running as noiselessly as Natty Bumppo in “The Leatherstocking Tales.”
VIVOBAREFOOT | The original barefoot shoe | Barefoot Running | Barefoot Shoes | Why VIVOBAREFOOT
VIVOBAREFOOT | The original barefoot shoe | Barefoot Running | Barefoot Shoes | Why VIVOBAREFOOT
As scientific support for barefoot health grows, so does demand for VIVOBAREFOOT and the collection features the most comprehensive line of minimalist shoes on the market. The VIVOBAREFOOT difference is in the sole. We make a series of constructions specifically designed for varying elements, terrains, and activities. From high performance off-road and trail running shoes, to work and kids shoes, VIVOBAREFOOT offers a total lifestyle solution for the whole family and options for transitioning from walking to sports.
As with all Terra Plana products, VIVOBAREFOOT footwear is produced sustainably using recycled, locally sourced materials, with efficient and eco-friendly production techniques, in independently monitored ethical factories. Sustainable, it must also be comfortable and durable in quality and style.
Disclaimer: At the time of print our shoe box leaflets had an inaccuracy in the text. Above is the correct description of good barefoot running posture. Please refer to our instructional videos on successful transition to barefoot running, for further guidance.
Why VIVOBAREFOOT
In 2004, Terra Plana became the pioneers of the barefoot-shoe movement by launching VIVOBAREFOOT, the first minimalist shoe with a patented, ultra thin puncture resistant sole that offers maximum sensory feedback and maximum protection.
In 2010, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Harvard University, both released studies to support that barefoot reduces injuries, reserves energy, and improves technique.As scientific support for barefoot health grows, so does demand for VIVOBAREFOOT and the collection features the most comprehensive line of minimalist shoes on the market. The VIVOBAREFOOT difference is in the sole. We make a series of constructions specifically designed for varying elements, terrains, and activities. From high performance off-road and trail running shoes, to work and kids shoes, VIVOBAREFOOT offers a total lifestyle solution for the whole family and options for transitioning from walking to sports.
As with all Terra Plana products, VIVOBAREFOOT footwear is produced sustainably using recycled, locally sourced materials, with efficient and eco-friendly production techniques, in independently monitored ethical factories. Sustainable, it must also be comfortable and durable in quality and style.
Disclaimer: At the time of print our shoe box leaflets had an inaccuracy in the text. Above is the correct description of good barefoot running posture. Please refer to our instructional videos on successful transition to barefoot running, for further guidance.
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
Altra Adam Review - A KSO-Like Shoe, Sans Toes?
Altra Adam Review - A KSO-Like Shoe Sans Toes?
Here's an oft-heard frustration from would-be Vibram FiveFingers fans:
"I want to get the 'barefoot feel' of the FiveFingers, but my toes are [too long/too short/too crooked/downright uncooperative]. What other minimalist shoes could I wear that would feel the same?"
Unfortunately, the answer to this query has usually been, "You're outta luck." Of course, while there's always the option of going actually barefoot (something we tend to forget!), if you couldn't do toe shoes, your next option was going to be something a lot stiffer-soled than what you get with a pair of Vibrams.
That is, pretty much, until the Altra Adam (or Eve for women) came out. I can't go so far as to say that Altra Adam has replicated the benefits of toe shoes in a traditional, mitten-like shoe, but the Altra Adam probably gets about as close as possible — surely as close as anyone to date.
And that's what I'm reviewing today. Now that you've seen Joey's first look at the Altra Adam, it's time for a full review. Read on!
Before I dive into the design, take a look at what comes in the box — shoes, two different insoles to customize the cushioning/ground-feel/support, and a whole lot of instructions:
But lest you think the instructions are limited to the box itself, rest assured that there's even more information in a booklet that comes with the Altra Adams. The short of it is that Altra really wants to get people off to the right start when it comes to moving naturally, and they realize that the temptation for most barefoot-style newbies (Into walking, running, or whatever) is to hit the ground running — when they should take it slowly. Shoes aren't magic, after all, and if you've spent a few years or decades learning to move in shoes with elevated heels and a heap of cushioning, you're assuredly going to have to rehabilitate your feet, your legs, and you nervous system (No joke). It takes time. Be patient.
Anyway, just check out all the literature you get in the box (some of it marketing material, of course):
Pretty impressive, no?
As far as those insoles are concerned, with the Altra Adam, there are three basic configurations:
Upper and straps — I mentioend that the Adams reminded of wearing Chacos with socks because the straps, which are velcro and work to secure the fit, are in two places — one over the top of the foot and another that crisscrosses over the instep. Underneath these straps is a stretchy fabric and mesh that is incredibly reminiscent of the FiveFingers KSO: just contrast the KSOs pictured here with the picture at the right. See?
Meanwhile, Altra has placed bits of sturdier, structure-giving fabric at key locations on the shoe: as a sling around the heel (also note the upper that wraps the heel has some padding to it to make it comfortable against your Achilles tendon), to bolster the upper strap, and in two pieces as a toe guard at the front of the shoe.
Sole — The Altra Adam's sole features a five-toed pattern at the end and is, once again, reminiscent of the original FiveFingers sole (that's a pic of a pair of women's KSOs). The sole of the Adam is basically smooth and comprised of a thin rubber. How thin, you ask? Just 3.4mm! (That's .1 mm thinner than the most basic FiveFingers sole). The sole has no arch support and is neutral from heel to toe (It's "Zero-drop". As noted above, comes with various options for cushioning (essentially, zero, a little, and a little more).
Take a stroll around the Altra Adam via these photos:
My most exacting testing of the Altra Adam came from a hike up Kennesaw Mountain outside of Atlanta, completed with a 25 lb. two-year-old strapped to my back via a Kelty 2.0 Child Carrier*. This is a somewhat rocky, fairly quick mile-long trail up the mountain — you ascend about 660 ft. over the mile up. Despite having a sometimes flailing two-year old on my back, the Altra Adams kept me sure-footed; it's often heard, "Don't you need ankle support for hiking? You could twist your ankle in those." Well, not in my experience — it seems that being close to the ground allows you to sense when your footing is shifting and adjust fast enough to avoid rolling an ankle. I'd say most hiking shoes need ankle support because they are built to bomb over any obstacle without any thought.
Anyway, I was able to even do a few short bursts (say 25 yards at a time) of running down the mountain with the toddler/pack on my back and I had zero issues and never felt unsafe. Mind, the Adams don't have a very aggressive tread, so that is certainly something to consider if you plan on running trails in them, but overall, I was very pleased with my hiking experience in the Adam.
Overall ground feel — with or without the most minimal insole that is included — is excellent. It's odd**, I'd still peg it as slightly less than KSO or Classic FiveFingers, but the Adams unquestionably provide more ground feel than you get with the Bikila-, Trek-, or KomodoSport-soled Vibrams. If you're after ground feel in a pair of shoes, I'd say the Altra Adam is about as good as you can get*** — certainly the best I've tested to date in a pair of non-toe shoes.
Now if I had to pick on the Adams, I'd cite three things. First, the shoe just feels a little prototypical — as if it's not quite the final product. Mind, the ones I tested are the final product. It's just sort of an overall impression of the shoe that feels unrefined — almost like you're looking at a model built purely to test out function, with the intention of cleaning it up in the final production. Note, I'd basically make the same complaint about the KSO as compared to virtually any of the more recent FiveFingers models.
Second, the strap over the front of the foot is a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I found it irritated my feet a bit and just nags at my consciousness saying, "Hey I'm here!"
Thankfully, I think these two complaints were in no way unique to my experience and Altra is releasing a considerably more refined product with their Samson (men's) and Delilah (women's) (will be testing these soon!). I think if you take a quick peek at the Samson you'll see what I mean almost instantly.
The third nit is both a complaint and a kudos. It has to do with the toe guard, which doubles as a toe catch. One issue I've had with non-toe shoes is that when you dorisflex (point toes skyward), the shoes don't respond well. Awesomely, the Adam's toe guard/catch does a pretty awesome job of catching a dorisflexed big toe on the way up, and in turn, lifting up the sole. The only problem is that sometimes it doesn't work as well as others and my big toe doesn't get caught by the guard, and just ends up pulling against the stretchier fabric of the upper (Compare these two photos here and here and notice how in the second, my big toe is pulling at the fabric at the front of the Adams, but it doesn't in the first).
Ah one last thing about the insoles. My initial thought on the insoles was that I'd likely wear them with no insole at all. But what I found is that I actually find the Altra Adams to be considerably more comfortable with the most basic insole; for some reason, insoles removed entirely, the Adam feels incomplete and for some reason, the rubber sole curves up at the midfoot/metatarsels of my foot at an angle that annoys — but only when I don't have the insole in place. Meanwhile, wearing one foot with and one foot without the insole, the ground feel really didn't seem very different — so I just bypassed the sole angle issue entirely and kept the basic insole in.
Here are some photos of the Adams on my feet:
So the Adam looks a little aquatic; so what? Function over form, right? If you wear toe shoes regularly, you already adhere to this. Probably the only complaint you could make is that you'd like a shoe to look more like a shoe (Well, maybe the Samson solves that little problem, too — we'll see!)
Pricewise, the Adam is going to set you back $80 but that's with free shipping and free exchanges from Altra, which should allay sizing concerns. Altra says to size down if you plan to wear them without insoles, but my 10.5s (my normal shoe size) seem fine either way (actually I'd be worried about the insole-less spurred sole/metatarsel rubbing being worse if I sized down a half size).
Who else has the Altra Adam? What about the women's Altra Eve? What do you think? Let's hear it in the comments!
Altra Adam Review - A KSO-Like Shoe Sans Toes?
Here's an oft-heard frustration from would-be Vibram FiveFingers fans:
"I want to get the 'barefoot feel' of the FiveFingers, but my toes are [too long/too short/too crooked/downright uncooperative]. What other minimalist shoes could I wear that would feel the same?"
Unfortunately, the answer to this query has usually been, "You're outta luck." Of course, while there's always the option of going actually barefoot (something we tend to forget!), if you couldn't do toe shoes, your next option was going to be something a lot stiffer-soled than what you get with a pair of Vibrams.
That is, pretty much, until the Altra Adam (or Eve for women) came out. I can't go so far as to say that Altra Adam has replicated the benefits of toe shoes in a traditional, mitten-like shoe, but the Altra Adam probably gets about as close as possible — surely as close as anyone to date.
And that's what I'm reviewing today. Now that you've seen Joey's first look at the Altra Adam, it's time for a full review. Read on!
Meet the Zero-Dropped Altra Adam
The Altra Adam simultaneously reminds me of a non-five-toed pair of KSO FiveFingers, a pair of aqua shoes, and a pair of Chacos worn with socks. In short, it's an odd looking shoe (and I'll go into the aesthetic briefly later).Before I dive into the design, take a look at what comes in the box — shoes, two different insoles to customize the cushioning/ground-feel/support, and a whole lot of instructions:
Anyway, just check out all the literature you get in the box (some of it marketing material, of course):
As far as those insoles are concerned, with the Altra Adam, there are three basic configurations:
- No insole at all (Looks like this on the inside).
- A thin foam insole that is floopy and structureless, but adds just a smidgeon of cushioning. Here's a picture of it laying flat.
- A slightly thicker, more structured insole.
Design
Upper and straps — I mentioend that the Adams reminded of wearing Chacos with socks because the straps, which are velcro and work to secure the fit, are in two places — one over the top of the foot and another that crisscrosses over the instep. Underneath these straps is a stretchy fabric and mesh that is incredibly reminiscent of the FiveFingers KSO: just contrast the KSOs pictured here with the picture at the right. See?
Meanwhile, Altra has placed bits of sturdier, structure-giving fabric at key locations on the shoe: as a sling around the heel (also note the upper that wraps the heel has some padding to it to make it comfortable against your Achilles tendon), to bolster the upper strap, and in two pieces as a toe guard at the front of the shoe.
Sole — The Altra Adam's sole features a five-toed pattern at the end and is, once again, reminiscent of the original FiveFingers sole (that's a pic of a pair of women's KSOs). The sole of the Adam is basically smooth and comprised of a thin rubber. How thin, you ask? Just 3.4mm! (That's .1 mm thinner than the most basic FiveFingers sole). The sole has no arch support and is neutral from heel to toe (It's "Zero-drop". As noted above, comes with various options for cushioning (essentially, zero, a little, and a little more).
Take a stroll around the Altra Adam via these photos:
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Function and Barefoot Feel
I tested the Adams by walking around and doing "normal" stuff in them, including a few workouts (squats/dead lifts). You can learn a lot about a shoe by simply walking around in it — particularly if you've (re-)learned to walk more naturally. The Altra Adam's are great in that they are lightweight, neutral, and very flexible. This means that I don't ever feel like my heel is "catching" the ground too soon in my stride; it also means that I feel extremely grounded with 250 lbs. on my back.My most exacting testing of the Altra Adam came from a hike up Kennesaw Mountain outside of Atlanta, completed with a 25 lb. two-year-old strapped to my back via a Kelty 2.0 Child Carrier*. This is a somewhat rocky, fairly quick mile-long trail up the mountain — you ascend about 660 ft. over the mile up. Despite having a sometimes flailing two-year old on my back, the Altra Adams kept me sure-footed; it's often heard, "Don't you need ankle support for hiking? You could twist your ankle in those." Well, not in my experience — it seems that being close to the ground allows you to sense when your footing is shifting and adjust fast enough to avoid rolling an ankle. I'd say most hiking shoes need ankle support because they are built to bomb over any obstacle without any thought.
Anyway, I was able to even do a few short bursts (say 25 yards at a time) of running down the mountain with the toddler/pack on my back and I had zero issues and never felt unsafe. Mind, the Adams don't have a very aggressive tread, so that is certainly something to consider if you plan on running trails in them, but overall, I was very pleased with my hiking experience in the Adam.
Overall ground feel — with or without the most minimal insole that is included — is excellent. It's odd**, I'd still peg it as slightly less than KSO or Classic FiveFingers, but the Adams unquestionably provide more ground feel than you get with the Bikila-, Trek-, or KomodoSport-soled Vibrams. If you're after ground feel in a pair of shoes, I'd say the Altra Adam is about as good as you can get*** — certainly the best I've tested to date in a pair of non-toe shoes.
Now if I had to pick on the Adams, I'd cite three things. First, the shoe just feels a little prototypical — as if it's not quite the final product. Mind, the ones I tested are the final product. It's just sort of an overall impression of the shoe that feels unrefined — almost like you're looking at a model built purely to test out function, with the intention of cleaning it up in the final production. Note, I'd basically make the same complaint about the KSO as compared to virtually any of the more recent FiveFingers models.
Second, the strap over the front of the foot is a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I found it irritated my feet a bit and just nags at my consciousness saying, "Hey I'm here!"
Thankfully, I think these two complaints were in no way unique to my experience and Altra is releasing a considerably more refined product with their Samson (men's) and Delilah (women's) (will be testing these soon!). I think if you take a quick peek at the Samson you'll see what I mean almost instantly.
The third nit is both a complaint and a kudos. It has to do with the toe guard, which doubles as a toe catch. One issue I've had with non-toe shoes is that when you dorisflex (point toes skyward), the shoes don't respond well. Awesomely, the Adam's toe guard/catch does a pretty awesome job of catching a dorisflexed big toe on the way up, and in turn, lifting up the sole. The only problem is that sometimes it doesn't work as well as others and my big toe doesn't get caught by the guard, and just ends up pulling against the stretchier fabric of the upper (Compare these two photos here and here and notice how in the second, my big toe is pulling at the fabric at the front of the Adams, but it doesn't in the first).
Ah one last thing about the insoles. My initial thought on the insoles was that I'd likely wear them with no insole at all. But what I found is that I actually find the Altra Adams to be considerably more comfortable with the most basic insole; for some reason, insoles removed entirely, the Adam feels incomplete and for some reason, the rubber sole curves up at the midfoot/metatarsels of my foot at an angle that annoys — but only when I don't have the insole in place. Meanwhile, wearing one foot with and one foot without the insole, the ground feel really didn't seem very different — so I just bypassed the sole angle issue entirely and kept the basic insole in.
Here are some photos of the Adams on my feet:
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Aesthetics
I'll only touch on this briefly but something about the Adam really reminds me of an aqua shoe. I suppose you could say the same about KSO FiveFingers. Well, I did sorta hint at the Adam being "KSO-Like" in the title of this review, right?So the Adam looks a little aquatic; so what? Function over form, right? If you wear toe shoes regularly, you already adhere to this. Probably the only complaint you could make is that you'd like a shoe to look more like a shoe (Well, maybe the Samson solves that little problem, too — we'll see!)
Conclusion
All in all if you're after a barefoot-style function and feel in a shoe, the Altra Adam practically/protyptically nails it (and I'm excited to see the reload with the Samson!). It provides fantastic ground feel (virtually the best of any minimalist shoe out there) that will leave you surefooted and moving naturally with healthy biomechanics. It's got some design imperfections, but Altra seems to be listening and if the above-mentioned concerns bother you, maybe check out the Samson.Pricewise, the Adam is going to set you back $80 but that's with free shipping and free exchanges from Altra, which should allay sizing concerns. Altra says to size down if you plan to wear them without insoles, but my 10.5s (my normal shoe size) seem fine either way (actually I'd be worried about the insole-less spurred sole/metatarsel rubbing being worse if I sized down a half size).
Who else has the Altra Adam? What about the women's Altra Eve? What do you think? Let's hear it in the comments!
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