Minimalist Shoes

chivalryder
chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
in Chit-Chat
Who here wears minimalist shoes for whatever they do? Running, walking, everyday activities?

About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with patela femeral syndrome from cycling. I was given a pair of custom insoles to give my feet proper supportso I no longer pronate. I've basically sat on my butt for those 5 years (hence why I'm on MFP now) so I no longer have the muscular imbalance that caused my problems.

I've been reading up on minimalist shoes and going barefoot and I like what i read. I'm now starting to get into walking everywhre and going on hikes, and I felt as if minimalist shoes would be better for my feet and my body than expensive orthodics and struggling to find good shoes to fit them.

I bought a pair of Merrell Barefoot Trail Gloves in red over the weekend and I've worn them every time I've gone out, to work, etc. Aside from some muscle soreness in my lower calves, my feet and legs have felt great! My gait is completely different from walking in regular shoes and it just feels right. I intend on building up a collection of minimalist shoes, as they are now made in every style (including dress shoes).

Who else here loves minimalist shoes? What do you use them for? What are your thoughts and opinions?

Replies

  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Bump. Anyone?
  • AnotherXFitGuy
    AnotherXFitGuy Posts: 58 Member
    I do obstacle course races and I won't wear anything but my Merrells. I get better traction and feel of the terrain and they dry extremely fast. I do have to train in them a few weeks prior to adjust but it's worth it.
  • sarahmchenry
    sarahmchenry Posts: 7
    Who here wears minimalist shoes for whatever they do? Running, walking, everyday activities?

    About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with patela femeral syndrome from cycling. I was given a pair of custom insoles to give my feet proper supportso I no longer pronate. I've basically sat on my butt for those 5 years (hence why I'm on MFP now) so I no longer have the muscular imbalance that caused my problems.

    I've been reading up on minimalist shoes and going barefoot and I like what i read. I'm now starting to get into walking everywhre and going on hikes, and I felt as if minimalist shoes would be better for my feet and my body than expensive orthodics and struggling to find good shoes to fit them.

    I bought a pair of Merrell Barefoot Trail Gloves in red over the weekend and I've worn them every time I've gone out, to work, etc. Aside from some muscle soreness in my lower calves, my feet and legs have felt great! My gait is completely different from walking in regular shoes and it just feels right. I intend on building up a collection of minimalist shoes, as they are now made in every style (including dress shoes).

    Who else here loves minimalist shoes? What do you use them for? What are your thoughts and opinions?

    I've been reading up on them lately. I don't wear them yet, I'm an overpronator but I want to start transitioning into them. From what I read that's the most important aspect if you don't have a neutral foot is gradually allowing your foot to strengthen as a result of wearing them.

    Here's a good article, http://www.inov-8.com/new/global/Transition-Journey.html
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member

    I've been reading up on them lately. I don't wear them yet, I'm an overpronator but I want to start transitioning into them. From what I read that's the most important aspect if you don't have a neutral foot is gradually allowing your foot to strengthen as a result of wearing them.

    Here's a good article, http://www.inov-8.com/new/global/Transition-Journey.html

    That is definitely true. You can't just jump straight into minimalist shoes and expect them to work perfectly right away. You could injure yourself by doing so.

    You also need to have proper technique with using them. If you put them on and run, while still heel-striking, you will injure yourself. If you cannot land fore-foot beacuse it feels unnatural or any other reason, they are not for you.

    Start small, and slowly build up. There should be no rush to achieve your goals beacuse rushing leads to problems.
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    I go barefoot while I lift. Au naturele.
  • maroonmango211
    maroonmango211 Posts: 908 Member
    I have VFF's I wear for wa lking/running outdoors, shopping/errands as well as I have stricktly indoor ones for cirtuit training/hiit/lifting. I love them. I am rarely caught not barefoot or in barefoot shoes, if I am its usually mucking around in the garden with my crocs or in 4" heels for an event.

    I was diagnosed by a sports physician with patela femeral syndrome as a teen as well, he thought from soccer and hockey. I find the shoes actually help make me more aware of my knee movements and keep check to keep them moving safely.
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
    Nike Free Flyknit for road
    Vibram MR for trail

    Worn Nike Free Run for everyday walking around.
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    I had a Jones fracture (fifth metatarsal) about five years ago and for at least a year could wear nothing but Merrills with an orthotic. Even after that, I was advised to wear a heavier soled shoe for aerobics or high impact stuff. I own a pair of minimalist shoes that I wear for weight training and also for travel because they are so light they are easy to pack. I will wear them in the gym or for walking (under 30 minutes), but I still find that if I have to walk long distances or do heavy aerobics (kickboxing, zumba, etc.), I need a shoe with a thicker sole or my foot aches, and sometimes my knees and calves.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    My husband got a kit online to make your own minimalist shoes. He hasn't been wearing them for very long yet but really likes them. He's on MFP but doesn't post much, I'll have to see if he can respond to this thread with more detail. I don't know the website he used or anything. It seemed pretty user friendly but then getting the laces tied just 'so' seemed to take a lot of trial and error before he was pleased with them.
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    I love my Merrell Bareform Arc Access! (They're zero drop but with just a bit of cushion.) I wasn't able to run for years and tried everything overly supportive. Now I'm back at it!

    And definitely ease into them, watch the Merrell videos online. I thought I was doing well, taking it slowly, and then bumped an early run from just 0.5 miles to a full mile one day, and I could barely walk for a week!
  • scribb
    scribb Posts: 3,659 Member
    I wear my vibram 5 fingers while running or lifting 6 days a week. They hold up better than any other sho I have had. My last pair lasted just over 3 years and had over 3,600 miles on them.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    I have Vibrams. I couldn't run in them because they killed my ankles and calves. I lifted in them for a while, but now I just use them when I cut the grass.
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    Minimalist shoe addicts are pretty cool. For the most part they seem like alright people.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    My husband wears the Vibram five fingers for running, and the Merrell ones for day to day. My husband had to start wearing dress shoes to work instead of his Merrells, and the first week he was in agony.

    I wear Nike Free right now as my everyday shoe and when I lift. It has a little bit of cushion. I haven't moved to wearing it for running or any kind of high impact stuff yet. Tried jogging in them over the weekend when I forgot to change my shoes, and the necessary foot position still felt too weird.
  • __Bad_Leroy
    __Bad_Leroy Posts: 242
    I run in both Merrells and VFFs and love them both. Been wearing the Merrells more lately because I don't have to search for my FF socks in the dark at 4:30am. Would caution to read up on how to cut milage when starting in them. This is crucial to avoid injury.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    I run in minamalist and dead lift barefoot. I will not otherwise wear them in public. Don't judge me.

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