Brooks T6 Racer — ($85)

At a mere six ounces, the T6 is one of the lightest racing flats on the market. Our testers found it to have the traditionally snug and close fit of a racer with a highly flexible wrapping feel. Although only available in men’s models, female testers had success going a size and a half down. These minimalist shoes had their overlays removed from the toe box for more flexibility in the forefoot. We recommend them for efficient, neutral runners, although they probably don’t offer enough cushioning or protection for runners going farther than a half marathon. brooksrunning.com