The reasons are simple: They last forever, hold the foot in place, have flat and stable soles, and are generally firm and non-compressing underfoot (although some people complain that they've become more high-heeled, compressible, and running-shoe-like since Nike bought Converse in 2003). or more apiece (depending on age and long-accumulated foot-sweat) Feel: FirmĬoaches have been using, and advocating, the All-Star for all types of training since World War II and before. Seriously: $100 or more for shoes?Ĭonverse All-Star Weight: 15 oz. Who they're for: People who've had success with what they know and don't get what all the fuss is about. Even more so than with running shoes, proper fit is crucial with this type of footwear, so don't be afraid to make use of that generous return policy. Use these reviews as a first step, and follow up by trying on multiple models before you buy. but no longer! Partially in response to the popularity of flat, wide shoes in the CrossFit community, manufacturers are now offering a range of training-specific minimalist models.Ī group of editors recently put the latest generation of training-focused models to the test in the gym. However, the choices available for weight training shoes have historically been quite limited: Converse All-Stars, shoes designed for other sports such as soccer, or high-heeled weightlifting shoes. Nevertheless, I spoke with a number of experts who said that training in barely-there footwear offers real benefits for strength athletes, as long as you approach the switch with the right mindset and expectations. On the other hand, weight training doesn't have the same negative connotations, and its athletes suffer a fraction of the injuries of runners. Given the overwhelming injury rates among runners indicate-around 80 percent suffer an injury or some sort each year, at last count-it's reasonable that athletes and manufacturers would consider some fundamental changes to the status quo. Dollar-store thongs meet this standard so do some $200 running shoes. Zero-dropped:Ī fancy way of saying that a shoe is totally flat underfoot, or that the heel drop is 0. Minimalist shoes generally have wider than normal toe boxes. The part of a shoe that covers and protects your toes. The smaller this number is, the more pronounced the feeling of the ground will be.

Minimalist running shoes