Comments: The shoe felt great. I've been used to toed shoes (skeletoes), so this was a nice change to a comfortable and cushioned
shoe. They are very lightweight. I got size 10s (which are usually too large for me), but these were too tight. I can't wear socks with them,
so the medial side of the forefoot not has nasty blisters. My suggestion is get about 0.5 or 1 size larger than your normal shoes. Going to try some of the other minimalist shoes, but these definitely felt really good and may consider getting another pair after trying out some of the other shoes.
From: Ray, Burke, VA, USA
Comments: A great minimalist running shoe. I purchased this shoe to try to transition into more of a midfoot strike when wearing traditional shoe. However,when i did a 400m repeats at interval pace they hold up quite well, until on the right side of the toe box area started tearing a decent sized hole.I wasn't gonna expect that until at least a months worth of use!
From: Jon, Somerdale, NJ, USA
Comments: My initial qualm was that these shoes were too padded--but that didn't affect my form in any significant way. In fact, once I hit ~200 miles in them, they felt like, well, butter.I'm a minimalist/barefoot guy (Altra's Instinct is my beefiest shoe, huraches and Inov8's Bare-X 200 are my other bread-and-butter).
This is, without a doubt, the best zero drop shoe for the money. I run a lot--80+ miles a week. My Hattoris, which are ~$50 (less with a team discount) here right now have over 450+ miles on them. They are ludicrously more durable than I expected them to be. Sure, the bottom has worn down, but the upper is--amazingly--still in great shape. No tears or anything. I expected them to last about half this long--they are engineered far better than they look. Do size up by half--I wear a 10 in most shoes, 10.5 in these. Don't be deceived by their appearance--they last a good, long time!
From: Ryan, Bellefontaine, OH, USA
Comments: I absolutely love these shoes. The no laces is great. They feel a bit mushy at first but after some miles they really seem to compress a bit and form to my feet. I always use socks with mine. I came from wearing VFFs. I ran two marathons in mine plus a couple 5ks and they are still holding up. Great for the gym too, easy on and off. They are road shoes of course, I found that Merrell trail gloves are a perfect match if you want to run some trails. I wear an 11 in the Hattoris and the 10.5 in trail glove is perfect. Thanks to running warehouse, great service and pricing!
From: Gabe, Indianapolis,IN,USA
Comments: These shoes are great for running but I have two complaints. First, they smell like rhino dung after wearing them without socks for a while and they now make my feet smell bad, not the other way. Also, I have the white and blue version and they get dirty very fast so get a different color.
From: Matt, Wilmington, NC, USA
Comments: Best shoe I've ever worn! First time I put them on it felt like i was stepping into a pillow. They felt just as good on the run. A super light-weight, responsive shoe. Definitely could tell that the shoes made me land with more of a midfoot strike.
From: Eli, Illinois
Comments: Awful product. I have never had a shoe rub so much in so many different places. Forget about wearing it barefoot like they advertise. Also, the construction feels cheap. The strap on the back right shoe ripped already after a month use. Not too happy with this purchase.
From: Konstantin, New York, NY, USA
Comments: Dear minimalist shoe manufacturers: Yes, much of the technology in running shoe-boots may be excessive and counterproductive, but not laces! There is a reason shoes have laces, and it's because feet are shaped differently! This was never an issue in standard shoes, but in minimal shoes with just the velcro strap, the correct length is always too tight over the top of my foot and eventually causes problems. This is too bad because I think I would really like the shoe if it had laces.
From: Rob, NJ, USA
Comments: I have had these for 3 months now and really love them. Very light and minimal, good barefoot feel and they protect the feet well. You must break in your feet with these and build you the muscle in your feet. I do my primal sprints, light running and walk in these. They will change the way you walk and run away from heal striking. They run about a half size small if you wear socks, which I don't, so they fit well to size barefoot and are very comfortable that way. They are good in wet conditions including beach runs and in the rain. I was between these and VFFs and couldn‚t get over the look of the VFFs. I am super happy with these.
From: Joe, Newtown, PA, USA
Comments: I am definitely a fan of these shoes. I do most of my running in Kinvaras, but these are a good change of pace for my easy runs. The cushioning is not bad for a zero drop minimalist shoe. They're tougher on my feet than the Kinvaras, but that's expected. I've been wearing these with socks, so I can't comment on sockless comfort. The only issue I've had is a little plantar fasciitis pain towards the end of my 5 milers - I think it might be more of a "me" issue, than the shoes though. I think these are a great option if you want to go minimalist, but don't want to be running around in VFFs.
From: Nick, Tampa, FL, USA
Comments: The Hattori seems to be a good compromise between the Kinvara and the Five Fingers. Most of my running is on pavement and I would find the balls of my feet getting sore after anything over 5 miles wearing the Vibrams. The little bit of extra cushion of the Hattori has eliminated that. Ordered the same size as my Kinvaras and it felt a little snug at first, but over the course of a couple of runs the felt-like material of the strap and heel has definitely stretched a bit. After 20 miles the soles have shown only minimal signs of wear, no more so than any other shoe I've had, so I suspect they will last awhile.
From: Patrick, CA, USA
Comments: Awesome shoe. Feels best on road but can be even used on the trail or track. Order spike/flats size if you intend to use socks (avoid blisters maybe? havent really used it sockless) or half a size smaller if you intend to run without socks. Truly minimalist and will keep you landing on your forefoot/midfoot with no effort!
From: Jose, San Diego, CA, USA
Comments: I started minimalist running in the Vibram Five Fingers, and then moved on to the Saucony Type A4 and more recently the Merrill Trail Glove, but these are my new favorites. Extremely light weight and minimalist in every respect. Very innovative use of materials and I love the lack of laces. Unbelievably light weight. Not for heel-strike runners, but perfect for the minimalist forefoot runner. Sizing seems consistent with Saucony's line (I wear 10.5 in the Type A4 and in the Hattori). Insole feels a bit warm, opposed to what I'm use to in the Five Fingers and Type A4 which seem to allow more airflow to the sole of the foot. Probably not suited for trail running like my Vibram or Merrills, but feels good on pavement and packed gravel. First 5-mile run resulted in a little rubbing and a blister forming, but that's expected to some degree. Toe box seems roomy but not sloppy for my foot. For the Running Warehouse price and their free shipping/return, they are definitely worth checking out.
From: Devon, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Comments: Feels great! What I like about them most is the price. Most other minimal/barefoot like type shoes are in the $100 plus range (why!). Also, the weight is a plus. Why do the merrill glove shoes and Vibrams weight 2 ounces more? Why aren't Vibrams less than 4 ounces since they have even less sole than these shoes? Despite minimal cushioning, my thighs and hips feel better after a run than they do using my other shoes. Without conscious effort, I find it very difficult to run on my mid-foot in other shoes and I truly feel these are forcing me to run more on my mid-foot. However, I have only run 8 miles in them at one time (my weekly miles are 60-70) as my lower calves are still getting used to them. I look forward to being able to run more in them as my lower calves get adjusted. I alternate between these, Saucony Kinvaras (main shoe), nike free 3.0 v2 and nike lunar racer 2 (I don't really like the nike lunar racers that much- too stiff, but they are not horrible). Flexibility is much like nike free 3.0 v2. Caution, if you have a narrow foot like I do, get a 1/2 size smaller than shoe fitter tells you (your normal saucony size) . They may feel a little tight, but the larger size will fall off no matter how tight the velcro is. I bought these at an expo and a 12.5 fell off my foot (shoe fitter states I should get a 12.5 based on my other shoes). My wife has a normal width foot and she bought a 1/2 size up.
From: Gino, Dayton, OH, USA
Comments: Just got these and wore for a day to see how I feel. Nice shoes for running or walking. They feel solid, fit like a glove and are so so light. Short of rock climbing, this shoe could probably do everything. It will replace my hiking, running and gym shoes for sure. They definitely run a half size too small: I am normally size 11.5 and these fit me well in size 12. No idea on longevity obviously. The shoe hugs the foot even with straps undone but the front velcro strap gives it a solid feel for the fit. The back strap will be useless for most people I suspect but it does not really add weight. Unlike Merell glove shoes, these do not feel like my foot is being pinched in the middle - I can wear these all day. The shoes feel closer to Minimus from NB: Hattori shoes are harder to put on but noticeably lighter and do not restrict blood flow in my feet as much.
From: Michael, SLC, UT, USA
Comments: How can Saucony not put any type of extra rubber protection on the lateral part of the outsole, but have it on the heel and inside part? If it is truely a Barefoot type shoe that promotes midfoot or forefoot landing, isn't that where it is needed the most? I can't see getting very many miles out of theses shoes before the sole breaks down. I won't be buying these.
From: John, NY, USA
Comments: The shoe was a little too beefy. I don't typically like something this cushioned. I really just want something flatter.
From: Matthew, Missouri City, TX, USA