You want to get into a minimalist running shoe, but you"d rather make a smart, slow transition instead of just dashing outside barefoot. The Inov 8 Road-X 255 Running Shoe has a 9mm difference from heel to toe which offers a smooth transition into the minimalist running world. Basically, this means you can gradually go from striking with your heel (which you do on the raised heel of non-minimalist shoes) to striking with your forefoot. Cushioning underfoot supports both racing and everyday training, and the sticky rubber outsole handles slippery terrain.