Going barefoot? (running/walking/full time)

JessyJ03
JessyJ03 Posts: 627 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been reading a lot on barefoot walking/running and using minimalist shoes lately. I have issues in my feet with plantar fasciitis. I've heard that going back to a natural way of walking can help ease the pain of the plantar fasciitis. Anyone try this or thinking about going barefoot?

I would love to eventually be barefoot most of the time (obviously stores don't allow this) but not sure how risky this would be in the desert of Arizona. I know Cody Lundin (sp?) from Dual Survival lives here in Arizona and goes barefoot all the time and has for 20+ yrs.

Any thoughts opinions on going barefoot are welcome!
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Replies

  • JessyJ03
    JessyJ03 Posts: 627 Member
    Nobody? :(
  • jimmie65
    jimmie65 Posts: 655 Member
    I switched to semi-minimalist shoes and now rarely have problems with PF. (It's hard to find more minimalistic shoes for my wide feet.)

    I don't run barefoot a lot but that's because I live in south Texas, land of hot pavement, fire ants, and lots of sharp pointy things.
  • michclaresmom
    michclaresmom Posts: 1 Member
    My son, who is a high school distance runner, is currently recovering from a stress fracture caused by these shoes. We know plenty of people that love them (that's why he tried them) but he doctors we have spoken to do not recommend them. Like anything, you will find differing opinions, but definitely check with your doctor first.
  • 1brokegal44
    1brokegal44 Posts: 562 Member
    Barefoot around my house is one thing, barefoot to workout in is quite another. I bought a pair of those trendy minimalist shoes--bright colors, lightweight. I don't have flat feet or really high arches. My feet aren't narrow or wide. Just average. But I had to pad them with athletic gel insoles. And they're still not very comfortable. I ended up buying a second pair of more traditional supportive running shoes--which are what I actually use all the time.
  • richfieldgirl
    richfieldgirl Posts: 15 Member
    Jessy, I don't know about the wisdom of going barefoot. I've had severe plantar fasciatis on a few occasions and support seemed necessary for me to heal. I recommend you read about it so you understand what the problem is and then do the exercises that are suggested on various websites. YouTube has some good video of helpful exercises. I soaked my feet often, massaged them, used BioFreeze daily. I also slept with a boot that held my foot in the flexed position and therefore kept the tendon from shortening during the night. Once healed maybe going barefoot will strengthen your feet and prevent a recurrence. One more thing, I've been doing yoga for the past 2.5 years and find my feet have gotten 200% better. They are stronger, more flexible and I no longer have cramps in them which used to be crippling. Good Luck!
  • lepanto
    lepanto Posts: 28 Member
    I had PF for a number of years, tried all kinds of shoes, inserts, acupuncture. Nothing really helped. Unfortunately I had been told by a specialist that I should never go barefoot, that doing so would exacerbate the PF and my foot needed the constant support. I finally made it to the office of another professional who said I needed to do the exact opposite, and should go barefoot as much as possible. I am happy to say that by doing this and dropping a few pounds back then, it made a world of difference. I don't really run due to knee problems but I do walk outside in Vibram Five Finger shoes. They take some time to get used to and my feet were pretty tired at first, but I really like them.
  • jimmie65
    jimmie65 Posts: 655 Member
    Re injury - I did cause myself some injury when I started out. But it was entirely my own fault. I did not educate myself and started running sprints in FiveFingers without working up to it.
    I corrected with a lot of foot strengthening exercises, let the foot heal, and worked back up to running and sprints in my GoRuns and Vibrams. I'm not a big distance runner but I can do 6 miles in them. I also sprint a lot and always work out in either the Skechers or Vibrams.
    Education and re-training is the key.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Walking around barefoot is good for you - I grew up in South Africa, and we actually were allowed to go to elementary school barefoot in summer....(before the days of needles in parks - and if you got a thorn in your foot, you took it out - we actually survived!:bigsmile:
    Running and exercising barefoot is a different kettle of fish if you are not used to it or on the heavy side though...I got a pair of minimalist Nikes, and while they are fine to go shopping in, do chores or wear with jeans, my feet hurt when I do P90X in them, and when I started running in them, my shin splints flared up....
    So be careful jumping into those if you are not completely used to it - and as for going barefoot in stores - go visit SA!
  • JessyJ03
    JessyJ03 Posts: 627 Member
    I am actually more of a hiker/walker than runner so I shouldn't have too much problem with running issues. I don't want to do it BECAUSE of the plantar, but it was just a side benefit I heard about. My feet tend to feel better outside of shoes than with them on. I'm a bit nervous about hiking without shoes though. Thinking about giving it a test go for a few days and go completely without shoes and see how it goes.
  • awheewall
    awheewall Posts: 3
    Going barefoot/bareshoe is good for you. But you need to understand that you've spent your whole life in shoes and therefore your feet and legs will have to get used to the extra movement and this will take some time, maybe up to a year. Plus you'll need to learn to walk differently. I started bareshoe running/walking and it cured my PF. But 10 months on and I'm still learning all the time. Check out my experience documented here: http://barefoot.wheewall.com/archive
  • happyheathen927
    happyheathen927 Posts: 167 Member
    I'm barefoot whenever possible; my parents never could keep shoes on me! LOL However, when I did wear shoes I wore extra-super-duper-supportive shoes. I developed some foot issues that were very, very painful; they were never diagnosed as such, but the symptoms were very much like PF. I had to always wear inserts in my shoes to keep the pain at bay. I switched to VFF's in September 2011 and within a week or 2 the pain was gone. I LOVE them. I wore them to work, to walk/run, to do crossfit. I wore them so much that I walked a hole through the bottom. :( My CF trainer suggested a closed-toe - but still minimalist - shoe might be better for doing things like box jumps, and I could only afford to buy one pair at that time, so I bought a pair of New Balance WT20's. I don't love them as much as my VFF's, but they're pretty great. I'll be replacing the worn-out VFF's soon, though. ;)
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    foot fetish FTW :bigsmile:
  • 99cherrypie99
    99cherrypie99 Posts: 205 Member
    I am barefoot whenever possible, and I run exclusively in Vibram Bikilas. I could never run in non-minimalist sneaks!
  • JessyJ03
    JessyJ03 Posts: 627 Member
    Going barefoot/bareshoe is good for you. But you need to understand that you've spent your whole life in shoes and therefore your feet and legs will have to get used to the extra movement and this will take some time, maybe up to a year. Plus you'll need to learn to walk differently. I started bareshoe running/walking and it cured my PF. But 10 months on and I'm still learning all the time. Check out my experience documented here: http://barefoot.wheewall.com/archive

    A bit of an update. I purchased the shoes (Men's Spyridon LS). I jumped right into wearing them full time. I've gone hiking 3-4x with them as well (as high as 4 miles). No problems so far. Also my PF is basically gone. I feel no pain in my heels. It's amazing!

    If you're wondering why I went with a mens shoe... my foot is a bit larger than most women (size 10) and I had trouble finding one locally to fit my foot. Also the mens shoes were wider so that gave me some room.

    Anyway I'm loving my VFF and I'm thinking I'll never wear a regular shoe again! My toes are spreading already which is kinda funny to see.
  • j75j75
    j75j75 Posts: 854 Member
    I used to go barefoot from 7am-7pm at my old job as a lifeguard. I miss those days
  • awheewall
    awheewall Posts: 3
    That's great news, I'm pleased you didn't listen to the doubters above and decided to find out for yourself. Good luck and try not to over do it.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    I made the transition this summer. Plantar is serious, but I know that minimalism has helped many with this issue. I use altra samsons on the road and new balance minimus on the trail, but all the minimalist or transition shoes are pretty good. I would quit before I would run in regular shoes again.
  • bnjones23
    bnjones23 Posts: 86 Member
    My husband and I both wear Merrell Barefoot shoes! They are the most comfortable shoe I have ever put on my foot!! I have flat feet and was given orthotics to put in my shoes which made my feel hurt worse! These do not make my feet hurt at all!!! Highly recommend!!!
  • Rssblade
    Rssblade Posts: 46 Member
    It took me six weeks to get over Plantar Fisciitus, using stretching, night splints and painkillers, there is no way in Hell, that I am going anywhere without orthopedic soles and the correct shoes, but that's me, climbing up stairs on my bum, because my feet hurt so bad, is not something I intend repeating.:sad:
  • simont123
    simont123 Posts: 12
    I got some Vivo barefoot shoes to see how they were and first off the fit was way bigger than my normal training shoes so should have got a half size smaller. The other thing is how much you realise you rely on the heel in your shoes. That said I have found them very good for gym work outs and lifting weights as you can really plant your feet when lifting and it allows you to really stretch your legs on fixed motion cardio kit like the elliptical trainer. Best to try some on first though and see how you like the feel. I really wouldn't reccomend them if you have bad knees or joints though despite what the advertising may say.
  • NotBonJovi
    NotBonJovi Posts: 187 Member
    I just got this Vibram five fingers. They feel nice and comfortable. But haven't yet started walking or running outdoors on them. Plan to do short distances.Will update when I try them out.

    vibramfivefingers.jpg
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    You CANNOT go from wearing regular shoes to running distance barefoot or in minimalist shoes overnight. It takes time. Your feet are like any other part of your body and if you don't use them the way they are designed then they will take time to allow them to strengthen. Some podiatrists will argue against barefoot because the risks of puncture wounds and some will argue against it because they believe feet need support. Much of the world goes without shoes quite successfully and, while they clearly have issues with punctures, they don't seem to have many of our other foot problems. This is clearly, a new area of study so I would recommend trying it for yourself.

    I did a full conversion to barefoot running, but it took over a year and I am still not at the point of running on pavement. I would not call myself a serious runner though so it may be easier if you are more serious. Start by walking in minimalist shoes and then slowly add running in them one mile at a time. Then, if you want to go barefoot, you will need to do the same thing to allow your callouses to grow. I taped my feet for a few months while running on the beach to protect them from the sandpaper effect. Just be patient, your feet will thank you in the long run. Mine sure have.
  • angelique_redhead
    angelique_redhead Posts: 782 Member
    I'm diabetic and the first danged thing my doctor told me was no going barefoot at any time any more. :( I'm afraid I'm not quite THAT compliant but I do wear shoe of some type most of the time now.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Great to hear they are working for you... I don't run because of severely bad knee's but I do walk/jog and have several pairs of Vibrams. My favorites are the Komodosports LS, these shoes have strengthened my feet (No PF anymore) and actually by strengthening my feet and ankles it has help some with my knee's. I hardly ever wear regular shoes anymore, prefer my Vibram's hands down. Best of Luck....
  • emtjmac
    emtjmac Posts: 1,320 Member
    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.
  • NotBonJovi
    NotBonJovi Posts: 187 Member
    ... I hardly ever wear regular shoes anymore, prefer my Vibram's hands down. Best of Luck....

    Thanks Ed. Good advice. Also makes me happy about my decision.
  • april1445
    april1445 Posts: 334
    The best treatment I've seen for PF is rolling your foot around on a golf ball (on a carpet so the ball doesn't get away on you). You have to do it when your foot is warmed up, and you have to do it consistently. This breaks down the fascia pattern and reorganizes it--softens it. As for the barefoot shoes, I have no experience, sorry. I've also had clients have great success with laser treatments for PF. (it's a certain type of laser that is specific for PF--she did it through a physiotherapist). Good luck. sore feet suck.
  • bigdawg62
    bigdawg62 Posts: 127 Member
    Attempting to run as a forefoot runner so that I could start running minimalist actually gave me achilles tendonitis and that led to plantar faciitis. Its not for everyboby.
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    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?
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    I switched to semi-minimalist shoes and now rarely have problems with PF. (It's hard to find more minimalistic shoes for my wide feet.)

    I don't run barefoot a lot but that's because I live in south Texas, land of hot pavement, fire ants, and lots of sharp pointy things.

    My thoughts exactly.
    I have minimalist shoes that feel fine on a treadmill, but I have yet to try them out on pavement or dirt trail. (Yes, I am a whimp! It is COLD out there!)

    ETA: I am hoping that the minis are better for venting heat and moisture this summer. It has been a few years since I have experienced a Mississippi summer and as best I recall, they are blazing hot!

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