Ask An Outfitter: Minimalist Shoes vs. Traditional Footwear
What's the difference and which one should you wear?
Calling all trail enthusiasts and people who enjoy sweating in the backcountry for long periods of time! I wanted to switch “gears” a little and start a new series of posts focusing on answering questions about all things outdoor-related. Whether that be specifically about the technical components of gear or backpacking and hiking advice or even something more controversial like whether you should chuck your banana peel into the woods after you’re done with it (please don’t), I’m open to any topic to answer the burning questions that keep you up at night.
As someone who works at an outdoor gear shop, I get a lot of questions during each shift from both experienced backpackers and newbies just starting to fall in love with hiking. There is no such thing as a stupid question. In all honesty, there is always something to learn when it comes to anything about the outdoors; I’ve worked as an outfitter for four years and I still learn new things all the time!
To kick off the post, I decided to focus on a topic that gets me really excited anytime someone talks about it: Altra’s. At work, we’ve been hiring more outfitters, so I spend a lot of time training and teaching them about the items we sell so that they’re well-equipped to help our customers. One of them specifically asked me about Altra’s.
Because Altra’s are zero-drop, does that mean that they are minimalist shoes?
Great question! In short, no. Altra’s are not by definition a minimalist shoe. Can some of Altra’s models be more minimal when compared to other running brands like Hoka? Yes. However, what exactly makes a shoe minimal? Let’s find out!
A minimalist shoe is a type of footwear that seeks to provide the most natural running or walking experience with a few tweaks for added protection from the ground. In other words, these shoes are the closest thing to just being plain barefoot. Since these shoes encourage a more low-impact gait as well, they may lower the risk of injury in some individuals. They offer little cushion or padding and are often zero-drop as well. This means the back and front of your foot are at the same level; there is no heel lift as with most running shoes.
Traditional footwear by comparison are shoes that often offer more structure and support than minimalist shoes. They also typically have an 8-14mm drop configuration, which places the heel higher in the shoe than the front of the foot. However, to make things a little more confusing, a traditional shoe can still be zero-drop. Zero-drop shoes can be stacked with more cushion, which would be a factor in preventing them from being labeled as minimalist.
So, what does that make Altra? While Altra’s are zero-drop and do have some styles that offer less padding or protection than others, they would still not be a minimalist shoe because they do not have a barefoot cushioning design. Altra’s do encourage a more natural foot placement when running, have minimal arch support in certain models, and are very lightweight. Overall, they offer more structure than a minimalist shoe, but not as much in a few of their styles to be classified as a true traditional shoe either, so they land somewhere in between the two.
Which style is right for you?
In short, it depends vastly on personal preference. For those without any foot issues or injuries, either a minimalist or traditional shoe would be fine depending on how much cushion you are willing to go without. If foot issues are present, it may be wise to stick with a more structured shoe to prevent further damage.
Also, it’s important to ask yourself what type of terrain you will be using the shoe on the most. Trails by nature are softer, so in my experience, it’s easier to enjoy a minimally cushioned shoe. With roads, pavement, and sidewalks being much harder surfaces, most people prefer more cushion to protect their feet and prevent possible strain.
For myself, I love both hiking and running (on or off trail) in my Altras. Once my feet got used to the zero-drop configuration, I’ve been happily exploring their different models for various endeavors. I tend to stick within the Lone Peak family just because they are highly adored by many hikers and I’ve always had great success with them. I’ve tried both the trail runner style as well as their hiking options with ankle support and I have nothing but good things to say about them. For road running, I’ve primarily used the Torin, but I just recently acquired an Escalante off Facebook marketplace for super cheap that I’m excited to play with too.
All in all, I highly recommend talking with an outfitter at your local gear shop and trying out different styles before deciding to purchase something online. Keep an open mind when trying either style and know that it can take some trial and error to find the right kind for you. It would also be wise to consult with a podiatrist if there are specific unique problems you are facing that can’t be addressed with an outfitter.
That’s a wrap for this post! I hope you enjoyed the first edition of the Ask An Outfitter series. My plan is to post one of these each month if that is something people are interested in. If you have any questions that you want to be answered, please don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments or by email at calliehikes@substack.com. I would be tickled to death.
See you out on the trail!