barefoot running makes the big time

[Scott Ensign]

Joe, I really like the new balance 790, it is called a lightweight trail shoe, looks like a racing flat but has a harder plate on the bottom for trails. almost no heel, weighs maybe 7 ounces. This is my favorite shoe and I got several pairs on clearance for under 50 dollars with free shipping at new balance outlet online. works well on river trail and single tracks for me as well as on the road. Unfortunately, new balance discontinued it i think, like they do every good shoe they design. don't know what the replacement is.  Paul likes this shoe as well and wrote a review of it here http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2008/01/tfs-shoe-review-new-balance-mr790-trail-running-shoes/.

Lets go running up river trail one day this week and I will show them to you. Scott

[Eric Jeppsen]

The closest thing to a replacement for the 790 is the MT100. The 100 has a rock plate and more tread than the 790, but the uppers are much lighter so the shoe weighs about the same.

[Sasha Pachev]

For me, foam clogs is the answer. Cheaper than Five Fingers as well.

[Steve P]

Sasha, just curious. Do those have adequate traction to use in a race? Or do you just use them in training?

[Joe Furse]

Thanks guys.  Scott, I think those 790s are exactly what I'm looking for.  The MT100s look really good too, and may be an improvement on the 790s, but if I can still find a pair of 790s cheap I'll go that route.   How have yours held up to mileage?  The one thing I have really enjoyed about the Mizunos is that I've put well over 800 miles on my current pair, and they still have some life left in them, but that might have more to do with my stride and the fact that I'm only 135 pounds than the shoe.  I don't know.

[Jason McK]

I'm a little late to this conversation, but thought that I would add my $0.02 about minimalist shoes.  Near as I can tell, New Balance brought back the 790s.  I got 950 miles out of them (I weigh around 135 lbs.) before I had to stop running in them.  I now alternate between 790s for road runs and MT-100 for trails.  Last year I did quite a bit of VFF training and running - even raced a half in them.  15-18 miles in them and (as Scott said) your calves will be shot, as will the rest of your legs from about mid-quad down.  Shorter runs are quite refreshing in them.  I'm ready to try Sasha's clog suggestion, but agree that they may not do so well on mountain trails...  Allie is planning on running TOU full marathon in them!

[Michael Laputka]

Give them a try, you can't go wrong for 30 bucks.  I was drawn to them because I don't need much in a shoe and it's too expensive to run 60-70-80-90 miles a week in flats, which would be my preference.