Going barefoot? (running/walking/full time)

Doodlewhopper

My unprofessional opinion is that minimalist/barefoot running, like paleo dieting, is a fad that is fashionable amongst a small number of enthusiasts and that both will eventually fall entirely off the fitness world radar.

You and I once shared the same opinion, until I bought my first pair of minimalist shoes. I have been a runner for years & I currently weigh 235 as I had to lay off running for 2 years. I dreaded the impeding shin splints I get after a lay off, but was pleased to find there were none with minimalist shoes. I have since given away 2 new pair of Asics Kayanos. The proof is in the results.

emtjmac

My unprofessional opinion is that minimalist/barefoot running, like paleo dieting, is a fad that is fashionable amongst a small number of enthusiasts and that both will eventually fall entirely off the fitness world radar.

I strongly disagree. Paleo has no basis in actual science. Barefoot running is a "new" area in the sense of studying it, but unlike Paleo's claim that people actually ate in the manner for which it argues and for which there is little to no evidence, we have clear evidence that people were running barefoot (and still are in many parts of the world) for thousands of years before Nike came along. The supportive, cushiony running shoe is only about 4 decades old. My father ran track in college in the 50s in kidskin spikes which were little more than leather slippers with spikes. Our pediatrician warned us not to put our kids in shoes for the first couple of years to allow their feet to develop. The question I have to ask is if it's bad for children's foot development then why do we allow our feet to atrophy as adults?

I have 4 children and have gone through several pediatricians along the way and never have I once been given that recommendation. I also know of no evidence that running in real trainers or wearing shoes in general causes your feet to atrophy and considering the fact that every professional runner in the world (save I'm sure a few who run some odd adventure race or something) runs in full running trainers, I think I'm on the right track here (pun intended).

emtjmac

My unprofessional opinion is that minimalist/barefoot running, like paleo dieting, is a fad that is fashionable amongst a small number of enthusiasts and that both will eventually fall entirely off the fitness world radar.

You and I once shared the same opinion, until I bought my first pair of minimalist shoes. I have been a runner for years & I currently weigh 235 as I had to lay off running for 2 years. I dreaded the impeding shin splints I get after a lay off, but was pleased to find there were none with minimalist shoes. I have since given away 2 new pair of Asics Kayanos. The proof is in the results.

I am glad they are working for you but I think the proof is in the long-term results. I have seen several people remark that they felt great about minimalist shoes for a while before they ran into problems and had to return to traditional shoes.

sunsnstatheart

My unprofessional opinion is that minimalist/barefoot running, like paleo dieting, is a fad that is fashionable amongst a small number of enthusiasts and that both will eventually fall entirely off the fitness world radar.

I strongly disagree. Paleo has no basis in actual science. Barefoot running is a "new" area in the sense of studying it, but unlike Paleo's claim that people actually ate in the manner for which it argues and for which there is little to no evidence, we have clear evidence that people were running barefoot (and still are in many parts of the world) for thousands of years before Nike came along. The supportive, cushiony running shoe is only about 4 decades old. My father ran track in college in the 50s in kidskin spikes which were little more than leather slippers with spikes. Our pediatrician warned us not to put our kids in shoes for the first couple of years to allow their feet to develop. The question I have to ask is if it's bad for children's foot development then why do we allow our feet to atrophy as adults?

I have 4 children and have gone through several pediatricians along the way and never have I once been given that recommendation. I also know of no evidence that running in real trainers or wearing shoes in general causes your feet to atrophy and considering the fact that every professional runner in the world (save I'm sure a few who run some odd adventure race or something) runs in full running trainers, I think I'm on the right track here (pun intended).

Your facts are incorrect if you think every (or even any) pro runner wears trainers. Also, go look at infant and toddler shoes sometime.

Edit: go look at racing flats.

AnvilHead

I go barefoot or wear minimalist shoes as much as possible. I'm not much of a runner, but do a lot of walking and the occasional jog (1-2x/week). When I first transitioned to minimalist shoes (VFF Komodosports), the biggest pain I experienced was in my ankles (from being so weak from years of wearing hi-top tennies and high-top work boots) and calves (because the running style is different with a mid-foot strike). I quit running years ago because of chronic shin splints, but haven't experienced any such issues with minimalist shoes. I now wear either VFF or Merrell Barefoots any time I have shoes on, and am barefoot or in flip-flops for about 90% of the summer months. I like the minimalist shoes so much that I just ordered a pair of minimalist golf shoes (Footjoy M:Project) so I can even go minimalist on the golf course.

I'm no doctor or exercise physiologist, but as a user of the products I can say that I'm a big fan and have no interest in ever going back to traditional tennies/trainers.

SpecialSundae

I always used to spend the summers barefoot (even in July in Jerusalem, which shocked some people) but haven't been barefoot as much over the past decade or so. I've just bought a pair of ECCO BIOM running shoes so I'm hoping to start breaking them in soon.

I got them on a very good deal (£35 instead of £165) so I've ended up with the speed level above the one I should have. Do you think this will cause many problems?

Doodlewhopper

My unprofessional opinion is that minimalist/barefoot running, like paleo dieting, is a fad that is fashionable amongst a small number of enthusiasts and that both will eventually fall entirely off the fitness world radar.

I strongly disagree. Paleo has no basis in actual science. Barefoot running is a "new" area in the sense of studying it, but unlike Paleo's claim that people actually ate in the manner for which it argues and for which there is little to no evidence, we have clear evidence that people were running barefoot (and still are in many parts of the world) for thousands of years before Nike came along. The supportive, cushiony running shoe is only about 4 decades old. My father ran track in college in the 50s in kidskin spikes which were little more than leather slippers with spikes. Our pediatrician warned us not to put our kids in shoes for the first couple of years to allow their feet to develop. The question I have to ask is if it's bad for children's foot development then why do we allow our feet to atrophy as adults?

I have 4 children and have gone through several pediatricians along the way and never have I once been given that recommendation. I also know of no evidence that running in real trainers or wearing shoes in general causes your feet to atrophy and considering the fact that every professional runner in the world (save I'm sure a few who run some odd adventure race or something) runs in full running trainers, I think I'm on the right track here (pun intended).

You are misinformed. All muscles suffer atrophy when not used and this fact certainly applies to the muscles of the feet. I suggest you do more research. The feet are designed to flex and absorb shock as well as to propel the body. The arches are leaf springs and the foot must move, roll and pronate, not be locked into place by engineered motion control shoes.

BTW Stop and consider that if everyone had strong and healthy feet, there would be very little need for podiatrists and expensive orthotics. Why would this industry want to kill the golden goose by educating the masses?

Also every professional runner is PAID to run in shoes & would quickly suffer financially if they advocated barefoot running. The entire running industry is based on voodoo & the people who prefer to echo baseless propaganda as fact. As I stated, the proof is undeniable & your argument is baseless.

tndejong

i put on two layers of socks to use my elliptical at home. a normal pair, then a pair with the grips on the outside. my fiance got a ton of pairs when he was in and out of the hospital with cancer. i have a pair of shoes when i go to the gym. but i would love to get those shoes when i can afford them. i am a flip flop kinda person. i hate shoes when i have to wear them.

lilred806

I bought some vibrams and have only used them a few times. My husband had them and loved them until he went too far one week and over did it. He ended up with a stress fracture. It is important to ease into the minimalist shoes. I will probably give mine a try again. I will be very aware to ease into them.
Also it is recommended for children to be in soft soles shoes. This is the newest recommendation for children. Companies like stride rite, pediped, bobux, and robeez are just a few that offer these types of shoes for kids.

Mr_Excitement

Running with no shoes is immensely more pleasurable to me. It feels way more natural, takes out almost all of the impact that eventually hurts peoples' knees, and changes my stride in a way that let's me run a lot longer than I can with running shoes. Sometimes I'll use toe shoes, but barefoot is fine as well, once you've toughened your feet up a bit (and they really should be-- I mean, we go around with our feet wrapped up in a nice little cocoons most of our lives).

Count me in with you, OP-- I am not going back to those ground-pounding, heel-first, running shoes.

JessyJ03

All I can say is that I've enjoyed the shoes. They are a whole new experience and I can feel the difference in my calves. They are def getting stronger due to my new way of walking.

I don't run (bit too heavy still) but walking in them seems just fine. Though I'll admit I haven't done any long distance hiking. My longest in the VFF has been 4.5 miles.

For the PF: I've tried the tennis ball thing and that never really helped me. Though I continue to stretch my feet to keep the PF from flaring up. All I can say is I've had no pain since switching to the VFFs. So I will give them credit for that.

Are they a fad? Maybe, but as long as they are still selling them I will be buying them.

bpotts44

My unprofessional opinion is that minimalist/barefoot running, like paleo dieting, is a fad that is fashionable amongst a small number of enthusiasts and that both will eventually fall entirely off the fitness world radar.

Many college/professional runners are converting or at least barefooting for foot strength. We probably will never see everyone in minimalist shoes, but it is not a fad and will be around for a long time. The science behind it is sound.