Barefoot/minimalist footwear

SlimsLiftingMoreThanLipstick

I've found that I have so much less hip and knee pain and also foot pain wearing my Vibrams. I've worn them for years and for half marathons and a 16 mile trail run. I was fitted first with hugely supportive shoes and still had lots of pain. Went minimalist and found I actually corrected my stride the natural way which eased all my pain. My 10 year old was told she needed inserts. we bought them and used them and her foot pain remained. We recently switched her to the Merell with the vibram soles (she didn't want funky toe shoes like mom) and her feet are feeling so much better. I say for me it is the way to go! I do have a friend who tried and tried them and said she couldn't wear them. It's possible she did not ever correct her stride.

Spindigo1

Because there are so many styles out now, they are starting to appear at places like TJ Maxx and Marshals. I bought a pair of vibrams for $30 not too long ago!

I've been running barefoot for about a year but had only starting running about 6 months prior to that. Basically, barefoot running is the only running I know! I *still* get sore if I run long/hard in them and have to take a day off...I'm really envious of people who can go running everyday!

miracole

I'm a nike run free wearer, I love the minimalist shoes because they allow my feet to move more naturally. More structured shoes tend to cramp my toes which causes other muscles to work harder. My physio has really noted the difference since I switched, and the side benefit is that I get WAY fewer blisters and sore joints in my feet. But of course, they are not for everyone, and if you're going to transition into them TAKE YOUR TIME.

I've worn my run frees for 3 half marathons and a full marathon since converting, and they are awesome for my distances.

cleotherio

I've been wearing my vibrams for lifting and indoor cardio for a few months. I wore them on vacation a few weeks ago and spent whole days on my feet in them and loved them. I recently started running in them and my legs don't seem to be as sore. I still get blisters on the ball of my foot just like I did with my regular sneakers, but overall I really like them. No shin splints at all, which is what usually happens when I start running. I bought the pair I have off the 70% off clearance table at EMS, but I'd definitely buy another pair at a higher price when I need to.

FrauHausMaus

I have two pairs of vibrams, and they are my go-to shoes. I wear them all the time, exercise or not. The thing is, though- I love being barefoot. I've always tried to wear minimal footwear (except the occasional sassy heels), so they really suit me. I have high arches, but since I've been wearing my vibrams, my feet are getting stronger (and a little wider) and my arches aren't a problem.

waldo56

Is it a fad? Yes. Will it die down? Yes. That's not to say there won't be people who keep it going after it's not popular anymore, and it also does have its advantages. I find them particularly good for strength training. For everything else though I prefer traditional cross trainers.

I highly doubt its going to die down, if anything its going to grow.

The significant reduction in pain and injuries is very real.

Big poofy heel running shoes seemed like a good idea a few decades ago, but its pretty clear that they do far more harm than good, really wrecking people's biomechanics. We are not meant to heel strike. Big poofy heel running shoes are the fad, not minimal shoes. Mininal shoes existed before the big poofy heel running shoes, which is now a dying fad.

Edit - Toed shoes is a fad that will probably die down, its just a gimmick like the big poofy heel. Flat thin soled running shoes defintiely will not die down though, it isn't a fad at all.

kg2run

I've been wearing Merrell's Barefoot Trail Glove for two years, and they are my most favorite pair of shoes. I wear them to run, hike, lift, walk, or just to exist in. They did take some getting used to at first, but also keep in mind I'm someone who walks around barefoot on the norm. I do pronate inward and could use some inner support to keep my ankle from rolling, but I found that I actually correct this pronation in my barefoot shoes while I run.

This is pretty much me. I love my Merrells. I've been fitted at running stores for running shoes multiple times, but they've always ended up hurting my calves and/or feet. When I decided to give a pair of minimal shoes a try, my foot and leg pains decreased tremendously. I have three different pairs of Merrells I rotate between and my feet are so much happier now.

I also realize my experience isn't the same as everyone's. I know other people that can't function in them, so I think it really depends on your own body.

BakerRunnerBadass

I have a pair of New Balance Minimus and I have extremely flat feet. I have tried all the stability shoes and insoles and was never able to walk or run without a lot of pain....now I run and feel great, long or short distances....

bpotts44

Is it a fad? Yes. Will it die down? Yes. That's not to say there won't be people who keep it going after it's not popular anymore, and it also does have its advantages. I find them particularly good for strength training. For everything else though I prefer traditional cross trainers.

I highly doubt its going to die down, if anything its going to grow.

The significant reduction in pain and injuries is very real.

Big poofy heel running shoes seemed like a good idea a few decades ago, but its pretty clear that they do far more harm than good, really wrecking people's biomechanics. We are not meant to heel strike. Big poofy heel running shoes are the fad, not minimal shoes. Mininal shoes existed before the big poofy heel running shoes, which is now a dying fad.

Edit - Toed shoes is a fad that will probably die down, its just a gimmick like the big poofy heel. Flat thin soled running shoes defintiely will not die down though, it isn't a fad at all.

Your analysis is spot on. Toe shoes will probably die down. But minimalism in foot wear is not going anywhere.

Cwyman1

I made the switch about 2 years ago and I'd never go back. I love my NB Minimus Trail shoes! I used to have a lot of IT Band issues with conventional running shoes. They took about a month to get used to and to allow your muscles to build up, but well worth it. Once you're used to them you'll have less joint pains. I'm a slow runner...with conventional shoes I was running around a 10:30 min/mile for a half marathon. With the minimalist shoes I am faster around a 9:00 min/mile pace for the same race. I believe it's due to the lighter shoe and less joint pain. I ran 4 half marathons last year and had zero pain. I'll be running my second full in October and hope to finish it running...2 years ago I had to walk to the finish from mile 15 on, due to IT band flair up with conventional shoes. Let me tell you, hobbling 11 miles with a sore IT band is not fun. But, I HAD to finish! I typically run 15-25 miles a week.

BigDog

I just like being barefoot and will be that way any and all chances I get. I do everything barefoot and the only time I put those little coffins on is when small minded people force me to.

I do own Vibrams FF and Merrells but only wear them when required to... (Like lifting in gym)

There is nothing more gratifying than going for a barefoot hike in the woods. We don't cover our hands with gloves unless they are needed, why do we cover our feet with shoes?

KatLifter

I think like many things it depends on the person. I have flat feet so I can't wear them without doing more damage to my joints. In reality, flat/minimalist footwear have been popular for some time with weight lifting, the classic and most popular being Converse Chuck Taylors.

These have become so popular I've actually been criticized for wearing running sneakers to lift. Show me some minimalist footwear that can accomodate orthotic insoles and I'll be in.

My feet are dead pan flat and there are a great many excellent runners with flat feet. This should not stop you from running barefoot or minimalist. Unless you have a specific injury/deformation then probably your form is the problem.

I had to go through physical therapy and have been told not to wear anything like that. For many people it can do more damage.
Also, are you a physical therapist, doctor, or physio? Then you probably can't judge if someone should be wearing these shoes and if my form is the issue.

Like I said before, it depends on the persona and one style isn't for everyone.

Shannon16385

I wear the Merrell Barefoot Run Pace Glove, and I love them. My old running shoes feel like weights on my feet now. I remember when I first started using the shoe, the worker at REI told me to break them in first. I first started walking and then eventually started my normal daily 3-5 mile runs. It would be difficult for me to build a routine running in a different type of shoe again.

bpotts44

I think like many things it depends on the person. I have flat feet so I can't wear them without doing more damage to my joints. In reality, flat/minimalist footwear have been popular for some time with weight lifting, the classic and most popular being Converse Chuck Taylors.

These have become so popular I've actually been criticized for wearing running sneakers to lift. Show me some minimalist footwear that can accomodate orthotic insoles and I'll be in.

My feet are dead pan flat and there are a great many excellent runners with flat feet. This should not stop you from running barefoot or minimalist. Unless you have a specific injury/deformation then probably your form is the problem.

I had to go through physical therapy and have been told not to wear anything like that. For many people it can do more damage.
Also, are you a physical therapist, doctor, or physio? Then you probably can't judge if someone should be wearing these shoes and if my form is the issue.

Like I said before, it depends on the persona and one style isn't for everyone.

If you have an injury or deformation in your feet then you should consult a doctor, but there are a great many people that have had huge problems in their feet and proper form and minimalism fix their issues.

nexangelus

I have three pairs of vibram five fingers, am about to order another pair for my next two endurance events. I have been injury free since switching to minimalist shoes. I even run on trails with them.

I also lift with them in the gym. They are so comfy...

3dogsrunning

I think like many things it depends on the person. I have flat feet so I can't wear them without doing more damage to my joints. In reality, flat/minimalist footwear have been popular for some time with weight lifting, the classic and most popular being Converse Chuck Taylors.

These have become so popular I've actually been criticized for wearing running sneakers to lift. Show me some minimalist footwear that can accomodate orthotic insoles and I'll be in.

My feet are dead pan flat and there are a great many excellent runners with flat feet. This should not stop you from running barefoot or minimalist. Unless you have a specific injury/deformation then probably your form is the problem.

I had to go through physical therapy and have been told not to wear anything like that. For many people it can do more damage.
Also, are you a physical therapist, doctor, or physio? Then you probably can't judge if someone should be wearing these shoes and if my form is the issue.

Like I said before, it depends on the persona and one style isn't for everyone.

If you have an injury or deformation in your feet then you should consult a doctor, but there are a great many people that have had huge problems in their feet and proper form and minimalism fix their issues.

I don't disagree with you, for a large number of people, they are great but there are those of us that just can't do it.
I've wanted to go minimalist, I believe in the basis of the idea, however I simply am not able. I've had people tell me that I need to fix my form, I'm not a heel striker. I've had people suggest that its still my form in other ways. It drives me nuts.
In the end, I run in what has kept me injury free.