[pct-l] Time for new shoes - old ones made 650 miles.... what's available

[greg mushial]

It's time to replace my trail Nikes - got 650 miles on them and the midsole 
is now showing through the tread significantly. But I'd like to change the 
type/style I use. These were "trail runners", but had lots/too much in the 
way of padding/cushion underfoot, and likewise too much foam cloth around 
the ankle - seemed that lots of the "features" were more fashion statements, 
than functional items. The reason I'm asking this question is that it seems 
that old standards disappear after a couple years, and new models appear... 
so I'm wondering if there aren't choices out there I'm not aware of.

I gave up the heavy-trucker boots years ago. Have moved to the loose fitting 
low-tops...  but what I think I'd like is: something that without padding 
fits reasonably well around the foot [anyone remember the Keds of the 
1960s - no padding, no foam, just cloth sides - maybe a shoe of that 
mentality]; likewise I think I'm looking for something with a harder sole, 
but zero padding underfoot.  One of the things I came to dislike was the 
softness of the sole rubber on these Nikes. I'm not sure I want something 
quite as solid as the old Vibram soles of yesteryear, but something closer 
to them than super soft rubber of the Nike soles. [I still have some boot 
around, and realize that even though they have solid Vibram soles and solid 
mid-soles, ie, no padding/cushion, the lack of such was never a problem... 
actually felt better.] Maybe going to this degree of minimalist shoe may be 
a mistake...  but I'd like to give it a try.

Any suggestions?

many thanks - TheDuck