Barefoot running shoes
Does anyone run barefoot or with barefoot running shoes? I'm always a little shocked to see someone running with no shoes on but I do think the barefoot shoes are kinda cute, anyone experience this type of running and how is it different to running with shoes? Is it a different technique?
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I run exclusively in Vibram Bikilas. I've never run in traditional sneaks, so I can't advise you on transition, but there are a TON of articles and a whole forum on runnersworld about how to make the switch.
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Barefoot running does involve a different technique... landing on the ball of your foot and avoiding heel striking.... I limit my barefoot running to short "jogs" on the beach and occasional gentle sprint repeats on soft grass... That being said I AM NOT a fan of the whole barefoot running craze... I've seen quite a few people getting injured and I see a lot of people running in them on surfaces that are much too hard and unforgiving like concrete and asphalt that IMHO are just asking for trouble... I've tried a few different pairs including Vibram 5 fingers and some other zero drop shoes and they just weren't for me and my style of running, as well as the amount of running that I do... So I stick with what works for me and that's the well cushioned Asics Gel-Nimbus for most of my everyday training...
Also if you google "Is Barefoot Style Running Best? New Studies Casts Doubt" you can read the latest New York Times article that I think is worth taking a look at to see what some of the latest research is saying about it... |
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Kscott - citation? From what I've read, most who switch never turn back...
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I admit for some they work--but I don't think it's worth the risk to try them out--any injury--and many doctors are reporting more and more serious injuries with these shoe-less shoes--just isn't worth it if you really enjoy running. There are all kinds of articles on the web about the injuries doctors are seeing with these shoes. My personal theory is--we grew up with shoes on our feet. We didn't walk or run barefoot--so our feet adjusted to shoes--our muscles--tendons--and the way our foot and ankle operates is formed around wearing shoes. Unlike those that grew up barefoot--like African runners and the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico that do very well shoe less. So what we are doing is basically trying to reform our foot--it's muscles and tendons by trying to run in the shoe-less shoe--which makes no sense--and that is why we're seeing all of these injuries. I saw a man one time in Mexico--that you could tell never had a pair of shoes on his feet. His soles were so thick--wide and calloused compared to ours it was actually amazing. |
You have to let your feet and other muscles adjust to the shoe. If you're not going to give your feet a few months to adjust to them by starting small (walking a little in them at first, wearing them around the house, working up to running ), don't even try them. I grew up only wearing shoes when I had to, and grew into doing that too.
When I started running, I wore minimalist, and then transitioned to zero drop, and now I run primarily in my Vibram Speeds. I've run over ten miles with them at once so far, and they make running hills so much easier for me. However, I run slower in them because I am much more aware of how my foot lands in them, and I think that's a good thing. You're supposed to be self aware and when you run doubly so. I've dabbled in barefooting, and I love it, but I'm always scared to get glass in my feet so this is a good compromise. Minimalist is wonderful but you have to be willing to put the work into adjusting yourself or else you'll get hurt and have wasted time. |
I think that's the key. Even the article points out that the VAST majority of injuries happen when people go too far, too fast.
I spent most of my life as barefoot as I could get. Never wore shoes outside and was in as loose fitting shoes as I could get when I did have to wear shoes. So when I started running I never even considered anything but minimalist. I LOVE my Vibrams. |
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Anyone who does a heel strike needs to completely re-learn their stride and do a ball of the foot change in order for shoe-less to work for them--otherwise they're asking for problems. I equate shoe-less to me going into an aerobics class barefoot--which was done many years ago. In an aerobics class you typically land on the ball of the foot. People found out that those shin splints really hurt--henceforth--shoes designed for aerobics--running--etc. came out to our delight. While I know that the Running Man is a great book--( I read it also) I think we probably should be listening to our own bodies--and our Podiatrists and running experts before setting out on a new fad. http://i.huffpost.com/gen/615993/thu...ES-large.jpg?4 (An injured ultra--marathoner--that has had it with shoe-less) |
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I personally think anyone would be hard pressed to make statements like "most minimalist runners go back to shoes", or "most minimalist runners end up with more injuries", or "most folks who run wearing shoes are healthier", simply because those generalizations are hard to back up. There are a lot of personal anecdotes, what we see our friends/running communities doing, what our doctors tell us they see... But there's just still a lot of grey area out there when talking about causation vs correlation. |
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My husband had been running for 20 years prior to attempting an ultra-marathon. He's also a running shoe expert. All the kids in the family that are runners always ask for his advice regarding shoes. Like I stated before--he read the Running Man-(took notice and it made sense to him to try these shoes out.) IOW he did his homework and knew that he had to start out slow with them. Yet he still ended up in a boot up to his knee cap for two months because he tore a tendon using the minimalist shoe. Since then he will not use them, and went back to supportive running shoes--like many other runners have done. Now I understand that the discussion is ("that running shoes cause injury--and that running in minimalist shoes doesn't.) I disagree and I think that anyone that investigates this on the internet--it's more than plain to see that there are and have been serious--longer term injuries--using the minimalist shoe--even with expert long time runners. Today we have very light-weight supportive running shoes--made to fit any type of foot--some people have pronation problems in their feet yet they are able to run--because of the shoe--and the support they offer. Minimalist shoes don't offer that. Everyone is different--but you can go to any marathon in this country--and count on 2 hands the minimalist shoe runners out of thousands that are running in supportive running shoes. And that in itself speaks volumes. The below article is a case study of runners. (one group stayed with the supportive running shoe--and the other test group switched to the minimalist shoes.) Along with the results of an MRI scan of their feet after a few weeks. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/0...-injuries-too/ |
Thank you, this has been really enlightening. I spent the day yesterday in very thin-soled shoes and walked 6miles. My feet and ankles are achy and swollen, I don't think I'm up to trying the barefoot thing.
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I'm fascinated by minimalist shoes, but also slightly terrified to try them. I've had plantar fasciitis in both feet, ACL surgery in 1 knee, and chondromalacia in the other. I don't know if they'd be a great thing to strengthen my feet, or the worst idea ever for me. :dizzy:
I did get a pair of Vibram Sprints for super cheap. I wore them around the house for a few weeks, then took them for a 20 minute walk. They gave me a black toenail, so I'm pretty sure that style is not for me. |
Riddy- I'd say the worst idea ever ;)
I recently experienced mild plantar fasciitis and have been told before by my podiatrist never to go barefoot. I recently bought a pair of Birkenstock because I can't even wear my nike sandals due to lack of support. I love my asics gels and those were recommended for me prior to my injury, which resulted in me wearing my flip flops too much, lol. |
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Exactly-I was at-the (Leadville Silver Rush run) a 50 mile ultra marathon yesterday--and saw several runners wearing these new very thick soled shoes called Hoka Shoes. They look like clod hoppers--they're huge--but talking to some of the runners after the race--they told me the only way they could make it through this ultra was with these shoes. I did see one runner come in wearing a pair of minimalist shoes--and when he took them off--my god--the entire soles of his feet were nothing but one huge blister. He had to soak them in ice and then his girlfriend put antibiotic cream on them--then he hobbled to his car. I doubt he is walking too good today. Anyway here is the information on the new Hoka shoe--I think they're going to catch on in a very big way. http://running.competitor.com/2013/0...ong-haul_68788 http://cdn.running.competitor.com/fi...ot-694x421.jpg |
Ugh, I could never wear something so large. As far as getting hurt goes, I'll risk it. I watch the way I run, and I can't stand having big old moon bounces on my feet. I don't think the minimalist shoes are only to blame. Barefoot Ted is also an Ultramarathoner, and you can tell by his name that he likes to go, well, barefoot.
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I think one has to do what feels right to them. I'm sure barefoot runners aren't the only runners who get blisters on their feet.
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Everyone needs to find the right shoe that works for them--I am just saying that the evidence is out there now--that barefoot or the minimalist shoes do cause injury and they definitely were NOT used at this marathon--except for the one man I was referring too. |
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Just wanted to give a +1 to the Hoka One One's... I've heard nothing but good things about them from my friends that run ultras... I've run several marathons and I've also done a "baby" ultra 50k... I used to run in racing flats, but I've since switched to just racing in a second pair of my regular well cushioned training shoes with low mileage on them and I'm much less sore post race and I recover faster as well since making the switch...
But I can't wait to try out the Hoka One One's... and if all goes well, I probably run my next ultra in a pair of them... |
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So my husband gave them the test run--as the owner suggested running on larger rocks--as if you're doing some trail running--and my husband stated he couldn't feel a thing through the soles of these shoes. Very cushy--you can get them for pavement--dirt or a more traction type for mountain trails. Anyway--he is going to try them out on Saturday on a 10K he has signed up for. I will let you know what he says about the Hoka Shoe after the race. BTW--they're so big--they look like they would be a heavy shoe--but they're not. He paid $160.00 for them. |
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He got the Time to Fly Hoka's if you care to look those up. Well skip that I think he bought the same shoes you want--pronounced one' one' on the back side of the shoe? They seem to fit him pretty well to size--so there should be no problem in you ordering them online. I was really surprised at how light they were. Anyway--good luck-- |
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