What follows are the top ten most anticipated minimalist road running shoes of 2013 from a to z. I can guarantee you that the best three road athletic shoes for 2013 will come from this list.
For detailed reviews of minimalist shoes, check out Minimalist Running Shoes for those running, casual, and fitness shoes we have Wear Tested.
2012 was supposed to be the year of minimalist running shoes (a.k.a. barefoot athletic shoes or barefoot shoes) based on the footwear industry. It had been. But there are even bigger expectations for 2013. Trade journals are predicting that the footwear industry is now trying to reach the masses after slower adoption by hardcore runners from the latest releases. For 2013, the pundits are predicting the new minimalist running shoes will have more cushioning, less outrageous colorways, a little more affordable, and with many more emerging brands appearing within an industry that's hesitant to change its ways.
But I differ with all of their predictions. Yes, some shoes is going to be cheaper but those with new and innovative technologies will not be. Bold colorways will still reign supreme - the early adopters like to stay ahead of the standard crowd. And they've a thirst for loud colorways. For advanced minimalist runners, those that have fully transitioned to the most minimal shoes, they expect even less cushioning in the new shoes.
Footwear brands like Merrell, New Balance, and Inov-8 are coming out with shoes for the full minimal shoes spectrum - from the beginner towards the innovative runner. On a single end, there will be shoes for novices with 4mm drop and ample cushioning. Conversely, there will be shoes for the most advanced runners with zero drop with no cushioning. And everything in between to focus on the overall masses who are transitioning into minimal shoes.