Question 1

Fit, sizing, and feel

Accepted Answer

Do Minimal 1.0 fit true to size?
Minimal 1.0 is designed to feel secure in the midfoot/heel while leaving room in the forefoot thanks to the wide toe box. If you’re between sizes or plan to use thicker socks, sizing up is often the safer choice—especially in a shoe that’s meant to let toes spread naturally.

Are they good for wide feet?
Yes—wide forefoot users are one of the core audiences. The wide toe box is intentional so the front of the foot isn’t compressed during lifting, lateral work, or long days.

What about narrow feet? Will I slide?
The goal is 'wide toe box + locked midfoot/heel.' If you’re narrow, use lacing to increase midfoot lockdown and keep the toes free. You should not feel heel lift during rowing or lunges.

Is there a break-in period?
There’s usually a short adaptation period, not because the shoe needs 'breaking,' but because your feet may not be used to a stable, low-compliance base especially coming from foam. Start with the 8 mm insole if you’re new to minimal.

Question 2

Insoles and Configuration

Accepted Answer

What insoles are included?
The shoe comes with interchangeable insoles so you can change the setup. If you want me to lock the exact set in the PDP, confirm the final combo is 0 / 3 / 8 mm.

Why use interchangeable insoles instead of one default thickness?
Because 'minimal' isn’t one moment—it’s a progression. Insoles let the shoe match your current tolerance for ground feel and lower-leg load, instead of forcing an all-or-nothing transition.

I’m new to barefoot/minimal shoes. Which insole should I start with?
Start with 8 mm, then reduce progressively. This is the simplest way to avoid overloading calves/Achilles when coming from cushioned shoes.

When should I move from 8 mm to 3 mm or mid insole?
When you can train multiple weeks consistently including some running exposure if you do HYROX without soreness that changes your mechanics. Progression should be driven by recovery quality, not ego.

Question 3

Training use cases CrossFit / HYROX / gym

Accepted Answer

Are Minimal 1.0 good for heavy lifting?
Yes. The no-midsole concept is designed to reduce compression and instability under load. You’ll feel more planted in squats, deadlifts, and Olympic lift receiving positions.

Are they good for CrossFit metcons?
They’re built for mixed-modal demands: lifting stability + grip + protection in high-wear zones burpees, rope climbs, wall work.

Can I do rope climbs in them?
Yes—Minimal 1.0 is designed with rope protection zones because rope friction is one of the fastest ways to destroy training shoes.

Can I do burpees and bar-facing burpees without shredding the shoe?
That’s one of the design targets. Burpee contact points get dedicated protection so repetitive impact/drag doesn’t turn into premature wear.

Question 4

Running and conditioning honest boundaries

Accepted Answer

Are Minimal 1.0 barefoot running shoes?
Not in the 'long-distance running shoe' sense. They can support short, progressive running—especially with the 8 mm insole—but they are not positioned as a dedicated long-distance runner.

Can I run intervals in them?
Yes, if you progress responsibly. If you’re coming from cushioned shoes, start with 8 mm and treat running volume as something you earn.

What if I’m already a barefoot runner?
You can run them more aggressively and likely prefer 0 mm, but the shoe is still tuned for training abuse, not marathon specialization.

Question 5

Durability, outsole, and surfaces

Accepted Answer

How durable are they for daily training?
Durability is one of the reasons Minimal 1.0 exists: protection zones and outsole grip are built around the abuse patterns of functional training, not casual wear.

Are they good on rubber gym floors?
Yes—that’s the primary surface target. Grip and stability are built around indoor training floors where sweat and dust change traction quickly.

Can I use them outdoors?
Yes for normal use and outdoor workouts, but like any performance trainer, heavy abrasion rough concrete, repeated drags will accelerate outsole wear versus indoor rubber.

Are they waterproof?
They’re built around breathability and daily wear, not full waterproofing. Breathable mesh typically prioritizes ventilation over sealing.

Question 6

Comfort, breathability, and daily wear

Accepted Answer

Are they comfortable for all-day wear?
That’s part of the concept: minimal doesn’t have to look extreme or feel impractical. The platform is stable and the upper is designed to be wearable outside training.

Are they warm enough for cold floors?
Compared to ultra-thin barefoot shoes, the overall construction plus the ability to use thicker insoles helps reduce that 'ice floor' feeling.

Will my feet get hot?
Breathable engineered mesh is intended to manage heat better than closed, rigid uppers. Sock choice matters a lot in high-sweat training.

Question 7

Foot mechanics and 'health' questions non-medical

Accepted Answer

Will these fix my foot pain / knee pain / back pain?
No medical claims here. What Minimal 1.0 can do is allow more natural toe space and reduce unstable foam compression under load—how that feels for you depends on your history and adaptation.

Are they good for flat feet?
They’re not a corrective device. Many flat-footed athletes like wide toe boxes and stable bases, but transition should be gradual. If you have a clinical condition, follow your clinician’s guidance.

Can I use my own orthotics?
Often yes—if the orthotic fits the shoe volume. But understand that orthotics can change the whole point of the system ground feel + progression. Many users do better using the included insole progression first.

Question 8

Care, cleaning, and lifespan

Accepted Answer

How do I clean Minimal 1.0?
Remove insoles, air dry, use a soft brush + mild soap for upper/outsole. Avoid aggressive heat radiators, dryers because it can damage glues/materials.

How do I reduce odor?
Rotate shoes if you can, air dry after training, remove insoles to ventilate, and use moisture-wicking socks. Odor is usually a drying problem more than a 'shoe' problem.

How long will they last?
Lifespan depends on surfaces and abuse patterns rope climbs, outdoor concrete, daily volume. The shoe is designed to last longer than fragile minimal footwear in gym contexts, especially in high-wear zones.

Question 9

Price and purchase details

Accepted Answer

What’s included in the box?
Minimal 1.0 + interchangeable insole kit included so you can change the setup.

Price?
139,90€ bundles later.

Why this price point?
Because the shoe isn’t 'a minimalist upper on a thin sole.' It’s a system: protection zoning, outsole grip, performance features, and an included insole progression kit designed to reduce transition mistakes.

Question 10

Quick 'decision' questions

Accepted Answer

I want barefoot shoes for CrossFit—should I choose Minimal 1.0?
If your priorities are stability under load, durability in rope/burpee/wall work, and a wide toe box, yes—Minimal 1.0 is built for that use case.

I want the most extreme barefoot feel possible—should I choose Minimal 1.0?
If you want an ultra-thin, no-compromise barefoot shoe for maximum ground sensation only, you may prefer something more extreme. Minimal 1.0 is intentionally 'real-life minimal,' not extreme minimal.

Minimal 1.0 training shoe system

The Minimal 1.0 includes two interchangeable insoles and three configurations.

If you come from running shoes or traditional CrossFit shoes, start with the 8 mm insole and reduce progressively.

Product comparison

THE CHALLENGE

Frequently asked questions