Columbia Sportswear Ravenous Lite Trail Running Shoes - Minimalist (For Men)

The market segment for what were called minimalist shoes have now bifurcated into fuzzy labels that represent a full-blown barefoot or glove type shoe on one end and something in-between a traditional running shoe (what was advertised as a barefoot shoe or formerly minimalist shoe). I was wanting more of barefoot type. That said the shoe fits okay. I have a neuroma in my foot and need a shoe that allows the ball of the foot to expand. This shoe seems to allow that (so far), not as well as an actual minimalist or barefoot shoe but sufficient. Unfortunately the advertising departments are running things rather than the designers in most companies.

This is a simple and comfortable shoe. One thing that differentiates it from other lightweight shoes is that there is a full, durable sole on it.

I ordered these because I needed a new pair of active shoes and I was headed to Vietnam during winter break of my semester. Honestly, they held up pretty great. I was never in super harsh terrain but I did plenty of walking on the streets and mild terrain. They do wear cosmetically pretty quickly - little things like the inside Colombia logo fading and stuff like that. Structurally they have begun to fail at this point. I think I got them in October of last year and I'm wearing them now in February. The sole's rubber is beginning to separate on the base of the shoe and at the tip the rubber is also coming away, the fabric in some areas has separated from the (cuff?) of the shoe, where I stick my foot in, the circular area, but I would say I am pretty rough on my shoes and they are holding up still. Honestly, these shoes look pretty sharp too. I used to wear vans and stuff in high school and moved to a Chaco t-shoe recently but these put them to shame. Very sharp and super minimal and pretty darn COMFORTABLE as well. I'm about to buy another pair right now. Definitely good for people with flatter feet.

Definitely minimal these shoes are extremely light and offer nearly zero support. If you are bio-mechanically correct these are perfect but if you need support or need control these may not be for you, Well made but not warm.

If you want a minimalist shoe, this shoe is great! It's lightweight and breathable, yet extremely durable and comfortable. When running, I typically like a "beefier" shoe for the feeling of security it gives me, but this shoe's heel cup design is awesome and I get all the support I need. NOTE: I've only tested it out on shorter runs (under 5k), but I find it does everything I need it to. I wear a size 12, and it was true to size.