so, what do you do if you are a minimalist runner, but can't wear those 4mm sole uncushioned minimal running shoes on concrete or asphalt which you run on? THiS is the answer.i very much tried to go the whole route to full minimal runner in virtually zero cushioning flat running shoes, spending over 2 years in newtons to make the gradual transition from typical cushioned runner. when i went to the flat zero sole shoes, the concrete and asphalt i run on (i'm in the city) was just too much for the bones in my feet to handle. so i went back a notch to the newtons, and it's been perfect.there are different newtons, but this is the most minimalist model you can get. it is about the lightest, plus it has only a 2mm rise from front to back (pretty darn close to zero).also, the original 4-lug pattern is not cushioning, but more like an impact dampening lug (4 of them in the front) which contracts into the shoe to an extent upon strike, thus dampening the impact. the 4-lugs are more noticeable than the newer 5-lug, which offers a lower profile lug (5 of them) instead of 4, and really feels more like a typical shoe rather than the unique newton impact dampening system.newton's 5-lug design was for stability, and if you move laterally it will give you a bit more of that, but these are running shoes, not tennis shoes, so i've noticed no need for them since i and virtually all runners move forward, not laterally, unless they have a rat maze type course or use these for crossfit purposes.for reference, i used to think the discontinued new balance zero minimus was the ultimate shoe, but even with them on concrete i needed to add an insole for the impact, which the newtons handle well.if you run on softer surfaces than concrete or asphalt and want a minimal shoe, while this might fit the bill, you could probably go to a thinner 0mm rise shoe...but the runner shoe industry seems to have given up on minimal shoes, and offerings have been reduced, so this still might be your best bet. i can say it is the closest thing to a true minimal shoe without the danger of impact injuries on harder surfaces.