Any barefoot or minimalist footwear runners out there?!

I've gotten to NB minimus trail shoes - still have a little heel-to-toe drop, and a standard looking toe box, but relative to most shoes are pretty minimal. I don't pronate, though, so I don't know how that part of the transition works for pronators.

I ran with my training partner all the way through a 16 week half marathon program - I was in Saucony's version of the nike Free (significant heel-toe drop but again, less than what was popular a few years ago), he was in NB minimus. It always bugged me how slow he moved on downhills - I liked to really open things up and fly, taking advantage of gravity. But he was moving a few extra pounds and I have respect for his knees, so I'd reign it in and stay with him. The day of the half marathon, the course has a two mile long, steep downhill, and he's plodding along and I want to fly and it was so frustrating...

After the race I started using the pair of NB minimus I'd bought the week before as we recovered - all of a sudden, I can't fly the downhills like I'd been used to - the difference in padding has forced me to adjust the way I move downhill. Since then I've adjusted a little and can comfortably take advantage of gravity again, but that first downhill we did together in my new shoes he definitely mocked me appropriately

Oh, and my calves and ankles ACHED the first two weeks. I adjusted happily, but man, my ankles were weak.

I love my minimalist shoe. I bought the Brooks Pure Flow and couldn't be happier. Out of the box and my first run was a 3 miler and I had no problems what so ever. Already bought another pair since I'm doing a 11 mile trail race this weekend and have no idea what the damage will be if it rains. Brooks has 3 minimal shoes. Pure Flow, Pure Cadence and Pure Connect. I can't say enough good things about this shoe. Try on all three and see if any of them work for you. I got mine at Academy.

Good luck and I hope this helps....

A fellow runner.....

I would like to run in minimalist shoes. But, for the past 15 years or so, I have had plantar fasciitis, off and on. I need to wear Superfeet insoles, with their arch support. I don't think that the supports would work in minimal shoes.
But I love the idea of it and think everyone who can should try it!

I have done it both ways, but found that varying my everyday shoes has done more for me than anything. Before kids, I was always in heels. After kids, I was always in Converse. I had shin splints, Achilles issues, knee problems, you name it. Now, I have no problems. I wear heels about half the time.

I also focused more on form while running and stopped with the heel striking. Faster than ever, and injury free.

I use Vibrams on pavement and will occasionally switch back to Nike frees when I overdo it there, but I strongly prefer running barefoot. I'm near the beach so I run in the surf for added resistance and it feels great. The only problems I've had was in the beginning with my calves and ankles and bruising the balls of my feet on longer distances. I always had weak ankles but they eventually strengthened up. I also squat and deadlift in Vibrams or barefoot depending on the gym rules. I'm flat footed and under-pronate, have wide feet, and frankly I've never found another shoe that actually fits (including the Frees).

And I'm with macdiver on the BS about stepping on things. If you watch you're fine. Just looking forward to the day when my callouses develop enough where pavement won't be a problem.

I be a minimalist runner.

I switched to Vibrams about a year ago mostly for hiking but also for my regular walks and jogs. It completely eliminated all my back, ankles, hammies, knees issues. I LOVE them. I will never ever go back to a pair of regular running shoes. I love my trek sports!

yeah, that *kitten* gave me some serious plantar facitis. I don't know how to spell that, but it sucks and hurts, and takes forever to heal-- no pun intended.

i have small feet with high arches and a tendency to overpronate. i've had great luck with my vibram bikilas. had them for a few months now and alternate them with a traditional (minimal-cushioning) shoe. i find it easier to control my stride and footfall in the barefoot shoes than in a regular shoe, and my feet are just generally less sore/fatigued after a run. i also notice less back pain & tightness in hamstrings/calves when i wear my vibrams vs. my regular shoes. for me, the vibrams were a great investment. i love them and would absolutely recommend you try them.

as others have mentioned, ease into it--because i was running in a lightweight, minimal-cushioning shoe before, i didn't notice a drastic difference in the way i felt after my first few runs in them, but i did feel different muscle sensations and end up with a bit of soreness throughout my thighs, calves and ankles as my body adjusted.