Barefoot shoes

[Hwo]

Do any of you wear barefoot shoes?  I bought into the hype and bought some Vivobarefoot running shoes over a year ago.  It took a while to get used to, but I am now on my second pair and cannot imagine running or working out in anything else.  I also bought some of their trail running shoes and just did a 12 mile in and out with 4800 feet elevation gain with no problem.  Also did a 5.5 mile hike with a 45 pound load, no problem.  I live in Texas where it’s hot enough for sandals most of the year, so I frequently wear Earth Runner sandals when not at work, and I bought a pair of Rhizal loafers to wear at work.  I barely wear my cowboy boots (have a few pairs, some very nice) anymore because I’ve gotten so used to the comfort of the wide toe boxes and zero drop.

[General Ceel]

I've always preferred the term "minimalist" shoes over "barefoot," as when you are wearing shoes you are clearly not barefoot... but in either case, this has absolutely been my philosophy on running and trail running footwear since before it became "cool" well over a decade ago. Less is more, but its also about the "right shoe" for the job. I've run trail ultra in shoes weighing only a few ounces. It takes some training to undo the damage done by years of having our feet stuffed inside bulky shoes that work like casts. But after a period of adjustment it just feels more natural and effortless.... especially when climbing uphill.

[Danster]

I've not heard of them, what are they?

[General Ceel]

We're talking about very minimalist (light, flat) shoes that forego all the stiffness and padding that has been added into shoes since shortly after Nike showed up on the scene. The idea is that when we're barefoot, or nearly barefoot, we move more naturally and rebuild the lost foot and leg strength that has resulted from a lifetime of padding and jacked up heels. All the bells and whistles that go into modern running shoes were supposed to make us faster and keep us running more healthy, but that didn't turn out to be true.

There was a book called "Born to Run" back in 2009 that helped ignite the "barefoot" craze, about a tribe of runners in Mexico. But even before that you had barefoot kids in Kenya growing up to be world class runners. Also, all the way back in the late 90's my high school running coach had us doing barefoot sprints. Its nothing new really, but its about getting back basics. Its something that really worked for me in the prime of my running life.

When I'm running with almost nothing on my feet I feel free, fast, and at ease... especially going up hills. Of course it takes some adjustment to be able to endure it, if you've spent your life in more typical footwear, but I found it well worth it.

I ran my first, and still fastest mountain ultra marathon in a pair of paper thin shoes and while wearing no socks.