I was browsing Wiggle the other day and happened across these rather attractive looking, from an aesthetic and spec perspective, minimalist running shoes from Inov-8...

These are the Inov-8 Bare-X 180

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This is quite interesting... Adidas appear to be taking a brave and bold step into the world of "barefoot shoes" (what a silly expression) with their own Vibram Five Finger-a-likees, the Adidas Adipure:

Photos from Gizmodo

As I see it, this is an interesting development. First, Adidas appears to be making a much bigger statement about the potential impact of minimalist shoes on their market than any of the other major brands have dared do - Nike Frees are NOT minimalist or "like barefoot". I don't care what Nike say. Secondly, Vibrams are currently suing Fila for patent infringement. Has Adidas licensed these patents from Vibram or are they going in guns blazing and hoping to dig themselves out when the pooh when it hits the fan?

I've already got 3 pairs of Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) and really enjoy running in them. I also quite like the look of these new Adidas Adipures and if the planned price is anything to go by, they'll be offering a good alternative to VFFs at a comparable price. The pictures and the Gizmodo review however concern me a bit: they seem to indicate a fair bit of cushioning so I'd like to try these on before coughing up my cash.

I've just received this newletter from Terra Plana in which they announced these rather strange looking "fully moulded performance sandals"...

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For a long time I've thought putting kids in shoes too much and too soon is wrong. I spent a lot of my childhood completely barefoot as it's the norm in South Africa. Looks like forcing your kids to wear shoes may have a long term impact on their health and development.

A great post in which Ian Griffiths smashes the 4 common myths used by almost every running shop and publication, including Runner's World, when it comes to selecting running shoes for a runner.

Whilst this isn't barefoot specific, it is running related and certainly worth a read.

Now this is an interesting concept: foot stickers...

Why wear a whole shoe when all you need is a little protection on the bottom of your feet? A great idea, though I think it may not be particularly practical to implement, especially for outdoor use. You'd need to invent some pretty impressive sticky stuff that is water and sweat proof and yet easily removable from the skin without the need for solvents etc. Ideally this would need to be re-usable, though not essential.

It would also need to come off fingers easily so you could actually let go of your foot stickers once you've taken them off your feet

Just got wind of a new pair of running shoes coming to Terra Plana's Vivobarefoot range next month...

I like. They look like a combination of the Aquas

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Quite a long and quite interesting analysis on the growing use of minimalist running shoes from Runner's World. There isn't much new in here for anyone keeping up with the recent studies and minimalist shoe world, but it's good to see Runner's World finally acknowledging that big cushiony shoes are not the best thing. Me thinks RW may have some advertising deals in the pipeline - why else would they start promoting something they always shunned?

New Balance recently released an interview between ultramarathon runner Tony Krupicka

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Spotted on t'interweb thingy.

Surely these can't be for real. They look like condoms for feet and until such time as my feet become reproductive organs, I won't be wearing these. That said, some of the other upcoming Inov-8 products look appealing. The green ones on the far right are apparently called "BARE-GRIP 200" with a 0mm lift throughout. These could be the perfect cross-country/trail shoe for the barefoot runner wanting a little bit of off-road protection.