By: Elaine Bloch
You may not have heard of these brands, but you should probably keep them on your radar the next time you go shoe shopping. They call it the new breeds of running shoes, and if it’s a hybrid, then it must be good.
Newton Running
These shoes are designed to deliver function at minimal weight. They are lightweight, comfortable shoes that help you pick up your feet and run more actively and naturally – almost as if you had no shoes on at all. Newton Running shoes are designed with a minimal “drop” – or height difference – between the height of the heel and the ball of the foot. A more level-to-the-ground platform positions you to support a natural running motion.
Hoka One One
These shoes have engineered oversized midsole 2.5X volume designed to reduce the fatigue in your feet, legs and core. Its Meta-Rocker midsole geometry, specifically made with a low heel-toe differential encourages a guided foot gait cycle. It is designed for active recovery by supporting a runner’s form and efficient running mechanics. With a uniquely Active Foot Frame midsole, it allows the foot to sink into the shoe, as opposed to sitting on top. It is designed to provide proprioception (the ability to sense the position, location, orientation and movement of the body and its parts) feedback to the foot in order to create increased adaptive stabilization.
Inov-8
These are shoes for the true athletes who are committed on winning and gaining glory. The products are designed to be lightweight, minimal and functional. They give runners the confidence and freedom to run hard through any environment and over any obstacle. The aim of our footwear is to keep the foot close to the ground so that runners can feel and adapt to the terrain beneath them. They offer a range of soles and cushioning. Each shoe provides the optimum grip and comfort for the terrain — from road to rocks, mud to sand, the mountains to the box. Designers are a team of elite athletes who compete in a variety of disciplines all over the world, including mountain running, road running, triathlon and CrossFit.
Skora
These are high-end, zero-drop minimalist running shoes for “barefoot style” running. Up top, the Cores feature a blend of vented Pittards goatskin and sheepskin. Running down the middle of it is an asymmetric lacing system that runs down the length of your foot diagonally. The upper leather essentially wraps around your foot and keeps it snug.
Topo Athletic
Based on the Japanese Tabi shoe, the split toe design keeps the foot securely positioned inside an anatomically shaped toe box. The benefit: inside a roomy fit, you feel more secure, more agile, and ultimately more connected. It preserves the structural integrity of the shoe without the use of textile layering. This thread-free/seam-free approach adds flexibility and weight relief while reducing material waste.