Hi. First time poster so please forgive any etiquette disasters. I've been running in my Nike Free 4.5s for a few months, and wearing vivobarefoot shoes during the day. I'd like to try a zero drop running shoe but I still want a bit of cushioning in the sole. I really like the look of the Altras, but can't find a UK stockist (I'd like to try them in a shop, ideally).
I run about 3-4 times a week, up to four miles, but hoping to increase that gradually. Does anyone know of a suitable shoe that I can get in the UK, or even try on? Or a UK Altra stockist? I'm in London. Many thanks.
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Perhaps you should have a look at the new Inov-8 Bare X-Lite 150 (http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG1&L=26&P=5050973232)
They look to have a bit of cushioning. If they upper is like the Baregrip 200's I have they will be a great shoe.
I have actual got a paire of Inov-8 Bare X-Lite 150's now. They are really good, my favourite pair of shoes now. Far better than the Vivobarefoot Evo.
Has anyone raced a half marathon in the xlite 150s?
Try Saucony Virratas. Zero drop but plenty of cushioning. The comfiest shoe I've ever run in.
Hoka One One shoes go down to 4mm drop, and they are seriously cushioned!
merrell's barefoot range have some cushioned models, the roadglove2 and bare access spring to mind.
Not done a half in X-Lite 150, but have in the Bare X 180's as well as 3 marathons.
Have bare x 150 but I think a zero drop shoe that will be better for you is the Saucony Hattori. A great minimal shoe but surprisingly has 15mm cusioning (although feels the same as my Bare X 150s with just 6mm). My favourite shoe
I got a pair of Altras from the exhibition just before Boston in April and one of the founders said they were looking for European distributors. On the Coach Jeff podcast a couple of months before this they said they might respond to individual cases by email.
In Instinct 1.5 I got a eu 43 and they are ample, in fact I use both of the insoles they provide. Normally I take anything from 42 2/3 to 44 depending on manu and whether a trail shoe.
I too am very keen to try the Altra's, my current favourites available here are the Brooks Puredrift, if you take out the insoles they are zero drop, with the insoles in they are 4mm. Wide toe box and super comfy.
Alistair
I tied the Pure Drift in the shop but was a little concerned that I could feel the seperate blocks of tread pattern through the sole.
Do you feel it when you run?
look at the mizuno wave evo cursoris. 0mm drop with a 12mm cushion. http://therunningshoereview.co.uk/shoe-fit-guide/types-shoe/minimal/mizuno/mizuno-wave-evo-cursoris/
nice and wide for toe spread, and stupidly light too.
I would still like to throw in Newton at this stage. I know that you have been looking for a shoe that is even more minimalist than that but the MV2 is a zero-drop speed racer and could be what you are looking for. There is still some of the unique Newton lugs under the metatarsal heads for shock absorption and speeed!
View Newton running shoes including the MV2 Speed Racer
You can't get speed from little lugs on the bottom of shoes, Mark
I have had several pairs of altras bought from trisports in the US. If you wait for one of their sales you can get them here for about 80 pounds. Just waiting on some lone peaks now. 69 (42.80 pounds) dollars in the sale, 29 (18 pounds approx.) dollars delivery, 11 pounds VAT approx. 8 pounds handling charge by parcel force. No duty because value is under 135 pounds.
http://www.trisports.com/altra-mens.html
BUT http://www.theendurancestore.com/proddetail.php?prod=altrazerodroplonepeakmens
in the UK now have these in stock 105 pounds, bit more expensive but if you can't stand the wait 3-6 weeks delivery from the US....
Spoke to altra customer care who said they are expanding in UK and Europe over next couple of months
They also sell them at FootTraffic in Bolton, Manchester and Preston, if that's any help...