Minimalist shoes vs. Traditional shoes

contingencyplan

For the past few years now there has been a growing trend for minimalist athletic footwear. These shoes eschew the traditional support and shock absorption in favor of flexibility and more or less just tread for bare feet. While I can understand there may be advantages to this type of shoe in just running, which is a perfectly natural movement, I fail to see why a traditional athletic shoe wouldn't be superior in other situations, such as cross training, weightlifting, speed/agility drills, plyometrics, and other types of exercise which often involve very unnatural movements.

Do you think they're just a trend? Or do you think there's something to them? And do you feel they're better for all situations or just running? In what situations would you recommend someone stick with traditional high stability/high absorption trainers for their workouts?

126siany

I don't think they are better for anything, including running. They're absolutely foolhardy for overweight people trying to workout, who are dealing with so much additional shock and pressure per step.

Thundermtn

I think they are a bit of a fad. However, I do use a few different types of shoes depending on the runs.
My longer runs (heck I am in my 40's) I tend to use my gel soles. Feels better on my knees. My shorter distance runs and sprints (and dirt trails only) I will run naked (minimalist gear).
Then lastly, the skeletoes, adipures, the ones with the invidual toes.. I do speed training with those as well as leg days. I like the ability to get the toes involved on calf raises. Just a better feel.

So, do I have a point? probably not.. do what you like... try them out. Careful of the knees. Try to find some soft paths compared to hard concrete sidewalks..


SIDE BAR: I suggested a girl who runs on trails to run naked and one of her friends attacked me for being a perv... So let me explain it,, naked runs are minimalist or barefoot..

opuntia

Do you think they're just a trend? Or do you think there's something to them? And do you feel they're better for all situations or just running? In what situations would you recommend someone stick with traditional high stability/high absorption trainers for their workouts?

Maybe it also depends on the person's feet. I remember another thread where people with flat feet were saying they need to have very supportive shoes to work out in, whereas those of us with overly high arches were saying it's easier to work out in bare feet.

I work out in bare feet at home. When I'm at the gym, I wear walking shoes, just because I wear those all the time when I'm not at home, because I walk everywhere. I wouldn't want to be barefoot in the gym, because the floor and the equipment are not particularly clean, and besides, it's probably against the rules. I would be happy to try minimalist footwear, and would probably find it comfortable, but I don't feel it necessary to add an extra pair of shoes to my life - it would be an extra expense and an extra thing to carry in my gym bag. I'd rather have a more minimalist life than add some minimalist footwear to it!

JustJennie1

I like the ability to get the toes involved on calf raises. Just a better feel.

Do you notice any kind of a difference when you do your calf raises in them as far as how far you can stretch?

OP: I have the vibram 5-finger KSO shoes that I've occasionally wear when running on the TM and on asphalt (once). I like them. It could be all in my head but I feel that I run faster when I have them on. The only thing I don't like is the balls of my feet hurt (I'm a mid-foot striker)after a while. I have heard that they're good for lifting because you engage more muscles when you stabilize but I'm not sure how accurate or true that is.

ETA: The Vibrams I have are awesome boat and water shoes too.

blackcoffeeandcherrypie

I generally prefer a thinner sole on all shoes as I'm one of those people who would rather go barefoot everywhere. The only time I like a thicker support sole is when I'm standing for long periods on a concrete floor, as human feet were never meant to stand for long periods on hard surfaces and it can cause terrible foot pain. I love my safety shoes! I don't think a bit of soft rubber under your feet really absorbs that much of the shock, it's just what you prefer and feel comfortable in.

Thundermtn

I like the ability to get the toes involved on calf raises. Just a better feel.

Do you notice any kind of a difference when you do your calf raises in them as far as how far you can stretch?

OP: I have the vibram 5-finger KSO shoes that I've occasionally wear when running on the TM and on asphalt (once). I like them. It could be all in my head but I feel that I run faster when I have them on. The only thing I don't like is the balls of my feet hurt (I'm a mid-foot striker)after a while. I have heard that they're good for lifting because you engage more muscles when you stabilize but I'm not sure how accurate or true that is.

ETA: The Vibrams I have are awesome boat and water shoes too.

That is one of the things I have noticed.. I really peak my calf exercises well. And I find I run quickly in them as well. But I think it was mental. Ran a sub 6 mile in them. Felt like superman. So I put on my gels.. And ran a sub 6 mile. Ugh.. Its all mental!

wellbert

Took a little getting used to for me, but I like them a lot more now. I originally bought a pair for muay thai... but now I use them for weight lifting, when I run (i hate running)

In the end, my ankles and knees that usually hurt stopped hurting.

I also find I have less fatigue when standing/walking for long periods.

yroma

They make a lot of sense to me as it's more about your foot strike than the support. Minimalist shoes contribute to a mid-sole foot strike whereas traditional sneakers with a built up heel encourage a heel strike. I've been using the Chi method of running and minimalist footwear for the last few years and I've been able to stave off injuries. I'll never go back...

JustJennie1

I like the ability to get the toes involved on calf raises. Just a better feel.

Do you notice any kind of a difference when you do your calf raises in them as far as how far you can stretch?

OP: I have the vibram 5-finger KSO shoes that I've occasionally wear when running on the TM and on asphalt (once). I like them. It could be all in my head but I feel that I run faster when I have them on. The only thing I don't like is the balls of my feet hurt (I'm a mid-foot striker)after a while. I have heard that they're good for lifting because you engage more muscles when you stabilize but I'm not sure how accurate or true that is.

ETA: The Vibrams I have are awesome boat and water shoes too.

That is one of the things I have noticed.. I really peak my calf exercises well. And I find I run quickly in them as well. But I think it was mental. Ran a sub 6 mile in them. Felt like superman. So I put on my gels.. And ran a sub 6 mile. Ugh.. Its all mental!

LOL!

I'm going to have to wear them on calf day and see if I notice a difference.

tajmel

I bought them specifically for weight lifting, and found out by happy chance that they were more comfortable to run in. I have trouble with leaning too much when I squat and I had previously been forced to take off my traditional running shoes to lift, so I went to find some flat soled shoes and there they were, looking awkward.

Using them improved my stride length and overall speed for treadmill running. However, I am pretty big, and I don't find them very comfortable for running outside. Too much impact. Also I keep getting plants stuck between my toes... lol.

mensasu

I have not tried the fully minimalist shoes, but for years I was wearing the nike split-toe shoes with my orthotists. I found the split toe gave me much better balance and the overall construction was lighter so I had a better sense of the ground. Nike has recently changed their design and the new ones must be even more minimalistic as I could not wear them with my orthotics so I did not buy them.

I have seen pros and cons about the minimalistic shoes and am still undecided. I had a heel spur for years which has gone away and I am not looking forward to repeating that, so I for now stick with my orthotics for my serious walks.

I also tried those "rocker" runners and constantly was falling as I lost all sense of the ground with those thick soles. So I trashed them.

I am debating buying the five toes and wearing them around the house to see how they are and how my feet react. I don't go barefoot right now I wear arch support flip flops.

CoderGal

I use to work in a footwear store. We had Tommy, sketchers, Adidas, Nike, Asics, Rebok, Brooks (Yuck) etc etc. Everyone swore by the Asics for the 20 hr shifts. Everyone would laugh at a person not wearing a pair...and no, we weren't endorser of any sort...just your typical group of minimum wage people that were after trying a lot of sneakers. And I gotta say, while I was a huge fan of my cooshy reboks there's a huge difference standing up 20 hrs in nikes/adidas/sketchers etc then in a pair of Asics (I eventually bought an over priced ugly pair just for the comfort, and man what a difference).

So years have gone by and I've have a few new brands (New Balance, mostly). Recently, I bought a pair of vibram five fingers for hiking. At first I didn't know what to think of them. Now I don't wear any of my other sneakers lol. Even for the 17k hikes I do I HAVE to wear my five fingers or I find my feet are rubbing by the end of the hike. I also find it a lot more comfortable sitting around...and a lot more comfortable if my feet get wet etc. I also like how easy it is to balance on rocks and things compared to fluffy poof shoes. I feel more nimble. But if I had to do another 20 hr shift in them? I'd be right back to acics.

contingencyplan

All good input, but I would like to hear more from people who aren't runners. I am not a runner. This is why I specifically brought up the cross trainers in my original post. My idea of exercise is the type of activities that you would want a cross trainer for vs. a running shoe - plyometrics, strength training, speed & agility drills, etc....

zimfour

Yes, US minimalist or Bare runner need to be careful when saying NAKED!!! LOLOLOL

CoderGal

All good input, but I would like to hear more from people who aren't runners. I am not a runner. This is why I specifically brought up the cross trainers in my original post. My idea of exercise is the type of activities that you would want a cross trainer for vs. a running shoe - plyometrics, strength training, speed & agility drills, etc....

I am not at all a runner, not even close. I'm more of a pilates yoga person.

divemunkey

I do not run if I can possibly avoid it. I use Nike Free mostly, but I also have a pair of Merrel Pace Gloves, Merell Power Gloves, and VFF KSO Treks. I wear them all for different activities. I fought very bad plantar faciitis for a couple years, and nothing helped, I wore the cushiest of shoes made by the same people who make my current shoes. So I decided to go minimalist, and within 6 months, my feet were pain free. I like to feel the ground beneath my feet, it helps my balance. I haven't rolled an ankle more than once in the last year, as opposed to every couple months in my cushy shoes. The only complaint I have is that it's pretty much impossible to get a minimalist shoe that is good for winter wear in the great white north.