Lee Saxby

Can 'Barefoot' Shoes Help You Get In Better Shape?

Last year, I wrote about the barefoot running trend for the New York Times, so when Terra Plana recently invited to me to try out their new minimalist running shoe with a renowned running coach, I was eager to give it a try. I've always been a somewhat reluctant runner, so this, I thought, might give me a boost to get in shape for summer.

Terra Plana, run by Galahad Clark, a seventh generation shoe maker (his family owns the footwear giant Clarks), has been one of the biggest proponents of the move toward stripped-down running shoes that mimic a barefoot feel but provide protection from city streets. In March, the company debuted its first performance running shoe, the Evo ($160). it has a super-thin rubber sole (4 millimeters, compared to an inch or more for a conventional padded running shoe) and weighs just eight ounces.

Tags: barefoot running, Evo, getting in shape, Lee Saxby, minimal running shoe, Pose Method, Terra Plana