The 10 best minimalist running shoes for running in 2024

Many athletes like to run, either on asphalt or in the mountains, in the most natural way possible, with shoes that do not have excessively high profiles to allow greater contact with the surface and a design that facilitates the natural movement of the foot, this profile of runner needs minimalist shoes.

In response to this need, the RUNNEA team has selected a series of running and trail running shoes that, with a drop between 0 mm and 6 mm, adapt to the needs of these runners. Higher profiles are no longer considered minimalist shoes.

Bearing in mind the particular technical specifications of this type of running shoes for runners, it should be made clear that minimalist running shoes can be beneficial for experienced runners who are looking for a more natural connection with the terrain and are willing to work on their technique and muscle strengthening. So the main precautions you should keep in mind are summarized as:

• Progressive adaptation: it is essential to make a progressive transition to the use of minimalist shoes to avoid injuries. It is recommended to start using them for short workouts and gradually increase the distance.
• Muscle strengthening: it is important to strengthen the muscles of the lower body to withstand the reduced cushioning and support of these shoes.
• Importance of running technique: focus on good running technique, especially in the midfoot or forefoot stride, to avoid excessive impact on the heels.

On the other hand, this concept of minimalist running shoe also has as a fundamental requirement and not every type of runner can wear it, so the type of runner to whom this type of running shoes are addressed are:

• Experienced runners: those who already have a well-developed running technique and strong foot and leg muscles.
• Runners with refined running technique: runners who already have a running technique that involves a midfoot or forefoot stride.
• Runners in transition: those who are in the process of transitioning from traditional shoes to minimalist shoes, and are working to improve their running technique.
• Runners seeking sensitivity to the ground they are running on: those who desire a greater connection and feel for the terrain as they run.

Top 5 minimalist running shoes for road running

There is a long list of running shoes with the above features, however, here is our selection of five shoes that suit different profiles of runners, but as we always do in these cases, stay tuned because we will update the list with the next new products appearing on the market.

1. ASICS EvoRide SPEED
2. Under Armour Velociti 3
3. Saucony Kinvara 14
4. Altra FWD
5. Altra Torin 7

ASICS EvoRide SPEED

The ASICS EvoRide SPEED is a multipurpose shoe that is designed for those more demanding workouts, such as series or fartleks. It perfectly combines comfort with speed.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Medium, High

Under Armour Velociti 3

The Under Armour Velociti 3 is now available, a lightweight shoe that provides good cushioning but stands out mainly for its great reactivity, ideal for running at fast paces during our daily running workouts.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Soft, Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Medium, High
• Weight: 250 gr

Saucony Kinvara 14

The Saucony Kinvara 14 are running shoes ideal for use in our most demanding daily workouts. The new version of this versatile and popular shoe from the American brand incorporates interesting new features and improvements.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 4 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 200 gr

Altra FWD

The Altra FWD Experience is the first running shoe from the American brand that does not have the characteristic 0mm drop, specifically it has a low drop of 4mm that allows us to run in a more efficient and comfortable way.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 4 mm
• Pace: Low

Altra Torin 7

The Altra Torin 7 is a running shoe that is characterized by providing good cushioning and comfort, they are ideal for those softer running sessions or recovery but also respond correctly if we demand a little speed of them.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 278 gr

The 5 best minimalist shoes for running in the mountains

Now it's time for five minimalist trail running shoes that adapt to different runner profiles, from the fastest runners to those who like to run comfortably, in the mountains.

1. Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx
2. Merrell Trail Glove 7
3. Altra Lone Peak 8
4. On Cloudventure Peak 3
5. Scott Supertrac Speed RC

Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx

The Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx is one of the latest novelties from the American brand. Developed and tested by the high performance athletes of the brand, it has the best technologies and materials of the brand to become one of the most outstanding shoes of this season.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Soft
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 6 mm
• Pace: High

Merrell Trail Glove 7

Merrell's minimalist bet for this season is the new Merrell Trail Glove 7, a trail running shoe that offers the essence of natural running thanks to its 0 mm drop and minimalist profiles to maintain the largest possible contact surface with the ground.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Soft
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 205 gr

Altra Lone Peak 8

The Altra Lone Peak 8 is one of the most emblematic and popular models of the brand and, for this new version, presents interesting new features and improvements over previous versions, while maintaining the comfort that characterizes it.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low
• Weight: 303 gr

On Cloudventure Peak 3

The On Cloudventure Peak 3 is a trail running shoe that provides good stability and protection for short distance training or competitions in the mountains.

• Surface: Trail
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Soft, Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 4 mm
• Pace: Medium, High
• Weight: 230 gr

Scott Supertrac Speed RC

The new SCOTT Supertrac Speed RC is a shoe designed especially for competition, a shoe that will allow us to run fast on a wide variety of terrains, even the most technical, thanks to the great grip of its sole.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Soft
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 3 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 215 gr