Evo-lution of running shoes?

I just got my hands on a pair of the new Vivo Barefoot Evo running shoes, and they look like no other running shoe you’ve ever seen – zero arch support, no built-up heel, an upper constructed from a futuristic opaque mesh covered in a network of hexagonal TPU discs… and a shoe so flexible, you can literally roll it into a ball. But never mind all that – how does it feel to run in? I put the Evo on for a short run last night (3.5 miles) – mainly on concrete with a few grass verges – and I found it a great shoe to run in. I was more aware of how I was running but not in an overly self-conscious way – I felt ‘grounded’. I was surprised that I couldn’t feel sticks and stones through the thin soles as I’d expected to, probably because of the slightly raised lugs on the outsole, which offer grip as well as better proprioception. What’s so impressive is that this isn’t just a pared-down version of an existing trainer – Vivo have literally thrown away the blueprint and started from scratch in designing this shoe. Having said that, you might be surprised to hear I won’t be abandoning my other running shoes just yet. While barefoot running may be more natural, it won’t necessarily feel that way to feet that have been housed in supportive trainers for their entire running career! I plan to alternate Evo runs with sessions in my usual trainers to enable my feet/lower leg muscles to strengthen and to prevent me having to cut my mileage down drastically while I adapt. I believe that any change to your running technique or regime is best made gradually and with due consideration.