Product Review: Topo Athletic ST-6

Awareness from the soles of your feet

I'm Yamane, the owner of ROCK STEPPERS.
I run every day to build up my stamina for outdoor activities, and I have worn shoes from a variety of manufacturers, from barefoot shoes to thick-soled shoes.
I liked the previous model, the ST-5, and the reason I chose the newly released Topo Athletic ST-6 is because I feel like this shoe constantly makes me question the state of my body.

1. Why barefoot shoes in the first place?

The current running market is dominated by thick-soled shoes. The benefits of propulsion and high rebound are incredible, and I personally view this evolution as a positive one. However, at the same time, there is no doubt that the "sense of contact between the soles of your feet and the ground" is becoming less and less.

Why choose to wear shoes with thin soles and flats?
This is because the soles of your feet are where the "final results of how you use your body" are revealed.

The main players in running and walking are the large muscles and joints near the center of the body. The "answer" to how the hip joints and core function ultimately manifests as the feeling of contact with the ground under the soles of your feet. However, the thicker the sole, the more blurred this crucial result becomes.

When you wear the ST-6, you can clearly see where your weight is currently placed on the soles of your feet, where your feet are touching the ground, and how they are lifting off the ground.
I think it will be easier to become aware of the movement of your core, such as, "My weight is now on the outside of my foot, which means I'm not using my hip joints properly." The thin sole is like a "check" to align your entire body.

2. The Necessity of 14mm: Like a Boxer's Glove

However, running completely barefoot on modern asphalt can be too challenging, so Topo came up with the answer: a 14mm stack height.

The image may be similar to the bandages or gloves worn by boxers.
Using bare hands would hurt your fists, but gloves that are too thick would kill the delicate sensation of touching your opponent.
The ST-6 offers flexibility and a thinness that doesn't block information, while still providing minimal but reliable protection from the impact of asphalt. This balance of "protection that doesn't interfere with thinking" is useful in all aspects of everyday life.

3. Whether you're walking or standing, everything is a learning experience

This awareness isn't something you only experience when you're running.
We spend far more time walking and standing than running. By wearing the ST-6 as your everyday shoes, every day becomes a time to get your body in shape.

• When walking: Are you able to shift your weight with smooth, coordinated movements from your large joints to your fingertips?
• When standing: Is your weight evenly distributed on both feet?

By repeatedly making these small observations, you will naturally acquire natural body movements. It will also be an opportunity to think about the condition of your feet on a regular basis. If you pursue running to the fullest, you will be able to bring out 100% of the high potential of your running shoes, even when running in thick-soled shoes.

4. The rationality of "separate shoes" backed by science

And from a scientific standpoint, rotating between different shoe types makes sense.
A study by Malisoux et al. (2015) found that runners who wear multiple types of shoes had a 39% lower injury rate than runners who only wore one type of shoe.

Reference: Can parallel use of different running shoes decrease running-related injury risk? (PubMed)

There are thick-soled and high-rebound shoes, and also thin-soled shoes like the ST-6.
Using these products on a daily basis not only reduces the strain on specific areas, but also stimulates the inner muscles of the soles of your feet (plantar muscles), helping to maintain the natural function of your feet.

5. As a tool for play to enrich your life

Finally, here's why I love wearing these shoes on a daily basis.
I often run 100-mile races, but I don't consider myself an athlete.
For me, running has a serious side as a challenge to myself, but it's also fundamentally a way to enrich my life . I also love running with friends and laughing, and enjoying a beer after a run.

When you want to run in a comfortable way, you want to run as naturally as possible. You want to enjoy a simple run using only your own body, without relying on equipment. In that case, I think thin, soft barefoot shoes are best.

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A thinking tool to help you more skillfully use cutting-edge platform shoes.
And as a good companion to help you communicate with your body through your daily walks.

The ST-6 will surely bring new depth to our lifestyles. We hope you will experience this pleasant realization with ROCK STEPPERS.