Red pill me on barefoot trailer runners.
What are the positives and negatives?
How long does it take for your feet / legs to adjust and strengthen?
Is there terrain where they are uncomfortable?
Do you prefer them over traditional runners?
Post what you're wearing and discuss barefoot shoes in general.
If it's a shoe, it's not barefoot.
Soory OP.
They're uncomfortable on literally any uneven terrain. Lol. The whole point of them is to mimic the natural motion of your foot to strengthen them, improve balance etc. While providing protection for your foot and allowing improved grip.
Me personally? I'm fine with soft baby feet and a good springy runner. But some people swear by them.
Go with those OP. They are seriously top notch for hikes.
thanks.
i'll be using them on 10km walks each morning with my dog. noticed some persistent ankle pain and wanted to see whether strengthening my ankles and feet would make a positive difference.
Humans used to go barefoot, yes, a hundred thousand years ago. When humans went barefoot we barely lived to 40, so it didnt matter much that our knees and ankles were demolished by age 50. There is plenty of evidence that whenever possible, humans in the past 30,000 years used some sort of foot protection. Barefoot running is a meme.
>When humans went barefoot we barely lived to 40
stop peddling this moronic shit for fricks sake
That line is a bit out there but that doesn't make them wrong entirely. Barefoot running is a meme. Mostly pressed by fat people who blame everything other than their weight for their ankle and knee pains.
GIVE ME EXPENSIVE SHOE FREE
NO GIVE ME SHIT FOR FREEEEEEEEE
I don't go barefoot but certainly minimalist. Wide toe box, zero drop, light. I still have about 23-25mm of material though. It took a while to walk around in barefoot in everyday, but well worth it. You do have to learn to walk differently if your is heel-first. Knees like it better, strong balance, haven't rolled an ankle in the years since. Oh and they rock for driving.
Obligatory wear what ever the frick you want post.
Wear what ever the frick you want. From barefoot to minimalist to marching boots all have upsides and down sides but that doesn't matter because it's personal preference and you're autistic enough to just do what ever. I like palladiums they fricking rip and tear all the time because of how I lace them but they're light weight and dry out fast. I like that they're thin and I can feet more stuff under my feet. So do what ever and find your niche shoe.
Five fingers imo best minimal shoe. Main problem is for trails where the trail is small rocks, especially when you're fatigued and it's easier to misplace a foot.
I like em a lot and it's what I use. Currently have Merrell Vapor Glove 5. They are slippery as shit on anything remotely wet though.
For walking it is not a big deal to get used to them, week maybe? If you want to run in them though that takes commitment and you will be sore as shit.
>Merrell Vapor Glove
I use those for work and running as well. Great shoes, especially when you get them for sale. The sole wears through rather quickly, which doesn't come as much of a surprise seeing how thin it is.
I started out with the Merrell Trail Glove, which I found even more slippery on wet rock, but it was an older version I think. I don't like the pronation support (or whatever it's called) on those though.
For hiking I typically wear something a bit more sturdy, like Vivo's or more recently pic rel. I've done a couple of days in them and they work well. Only "complaint" was my soles were a little ruffed up by some tough descents on very rocky terrain combined with a lot of downpours soaking my feet (any tips on drying out shoes on trail?) - but that's to be expected I guess and not much of an issue.
I bought a boot style Xero. Didn't used it too much but the sole feels to stiff compared to merrell or fivefingers. I will see what it's like if I use it for hiking but the first impression is bad because of the stiffness.
You can find it on every shoes which use vibram sole.
>How long does it take for your feet / legs to adjust and strengthen?
Depends on you. It wasn't to long for me to be able to hike 20 km-s with a Fivefingers.
>Is there terrain where they are uncomfortable?
Little rocks are bad, takes much more stamina. If your feet is tired it can really hurt.
I'm using a Merrel Vapor Glove for work and similar things because you can use normal shocks with it.
Using pic related fivefingers for hiking. Also have one for everyday use which doesn't have laces and a water sport one.
>vibram®
>vibram®
>vibram®
>vibram®
wtf is this moronic branding all over them?
Just get a black pen on them.
Btw use high heat glue guns on the sole to increase longevity. My older pair are almost fricked and will apply 120 melting point glue gun to em to keep-em gewin.
As for comfort the newer ones I have are the most rigid (V Alpha).
Don’t use them for gravel, wet muddy terrain or up any kind of sharp object riddled terrain.
They suck, but for walking on grass and pavement they are good for you muscles.
The only time id “hike” with them is if I they need replacing soon anyway since they are delicate.
A pair of ¥2000 barefoot shoes are just as good but wont rape your wallet. I have two pairs just not near me for a photo.
The only downside to them is you can slip around a bit unless they have good laces.
The boots absolutely suck in heat btw.
It's best to have a few pairs of shoes with different design principles. Keeps your feet flexible and avoids any specific overuse issue. Using a minimal shoe and a cushioned shoe and a supportive boot at different times is healthier than any of them alone.
I use the leather xero shoes. So far they've been great overall. Xeros sizes tend to be on small size so I went a whole size up and glad I did.
Freet has a 4 dollar insole for adapting to minimalist that is just for arches and heel. They are super comfortable when you have to stand for long periods. Most minimal shoes suck for that. Will probably trade laces for the elastic ones and use these every day now.
I was all about barefoot hiking and Merrell trail glove 4s where great. They don't make them anymore. I've switched to altras and the extra cushion zero drop and wide toe box seem to work well.
why risk getting worms or some other nasty parasite. Im all for revolting against the modern industrial world, but some technology just makes sense to use.
for me, it's boots. i love boots. use to hike up and down coastal cliffs with regular shoes and it fricking sucked. soon as i got a nice pair of boots, it was so comfortable.
This. The risk of stepping on glass or thorns, getting bit my something, or getting parasites is not worth the tradeoff of having strong foot pads. Humans evolved to use tools, and shoes are an s-tier tool.
i do wear boots / low cut hiking shoes.
i'm getting older and small injuries aren't healing as quickly. the goal is to use barefoot shoes to strengthen ankles, legs, feet and knees. they will only be worn on high intensity walks each morning.
Work out. I did physical therapy after breaking my ankle and doing exercises to strengthen quads/calves and other muscles in the legs helped with the knee pain I had as well.
they make your feet turn flat then this happens and you can't walk without shooting pains in your foot. i've been stabbed before and plantar fasciitis is worse every time you take a step when it flares up. its probably on par with a lot of medieval torture methods. also they're not going to 'strengthen your ankles' just wear a normal trailrunner they also have no ankle support.
i think i will believe you for no reason
the dude is obviously unknowing of the dangers of going into a 10 mile walk in them smashing his heel into the ground like goof.
You have to actually spend small amounts of time in them at first, building your way up. You increase plantar-flexion at the end of you driving step so that your recovering step (the one that goes foward to remain balanced and then drives back) allows you to step on the ball of the foot.
It’s kinda weird asf at first, but once you get it your calf muscles will be way stronger and your ankle muscle group will come along too
I have no experience with worms, but I've found after a short while of barefoot walking you get very very good at automatically knowing where you can place your feet, and this carries over to minimalist shoes too.
Source: I go barefoot/minimal shoe often and the only time I've stabbed my foot was walking in a New Mexico parking lot and a thorn somehow pierced through my shoe's sole.
>positives
They're comfy.
>negatives
They wear down really quick.
that marathon guy on youtube says that they last x15 more than regular running shoes
These will frick your feet up. You will get plantar fasciitis.
they're DOG SHIT and can actually be a health risk don't fall for this stupid bullshit.
this anon is correct and it takes years to fix. ask me how i know!!!
another health risk they pose is that they all have incredibly poor puncture resistance compared to normal trailrunners (carbon plates) or boots (substantive midsole)
another reason EVERY barefoot trailrunner is DOG SHIT is because by design they all have garbage tier outsole designs because they try to be thin.
they have poor traction and shed mud poorly. they're actually border-line dangerous to hike with in the PNW i would say, if you do more difficult stuff.
also most of the advantages people lend to these things are bullshit and come from them having very little experience with different trailrunner models. if i hear another moron say "they let your toes spread out" one more time. there are plenty of trailrunners with wide toeboxes! i can fit 3 thick wool socks and liners in mine and there's no squish!
normal trailrunners are way better.
go to a outfitter and actually try them on, even if you're a cheapskate and order them online instead.
actually read about how to size them properly if you're a n00b.
the best trailrunner is the one that fits your feet the best.
for me its saucony's with a 4* drop.
Massively overrated for actual running. The book Born to Run is probably responsible for more injuries than any other piece of running literature.
the barefoot trailrunner experience:
>order traditional trailrunner online and it doesn't fit good because you ordered it online
>hear about barefoot shoes
>try barefoot shoes
>get plantar fasciitis
>lose the ability to run or walk further than a mile without excruciating pain
>multiple years of physical therapy to correct it
>part of the physical therapy is wearing shoes with arch support aka normal trailrunners
>could have just tried on normal trailrunners at rei instead and avoided all this
and i think if you're a turbo Black person you blog about it too or something
Or you could just have learned to run and walk properly
there's a reason most barefoot runners only come in manicured trail on a summer day type outsoles. examples:
this one
isn't bad though
I’ve always had flat feet and never noticed a problem. Ran track and cross country as a kid and placed top 3 in regionals for the southeast, despite people everywhere insinuating that flat feet are some sort of handicap. Trail runners are much more comfortable to me, maybe because my feet are already flat and also because they’re so much lighter than normal shoes. The information in this thread is correct about sizing, if they’re too tight or too loose you’ll frick your feet up. There’s no piece of gear that universally works for everyone but the rule of thumb with shoes is you should size them correctly to begin with then go for short hikes to see how the style works for your feet, your gait and step, and your activity. Any moron telling you they know what’s good for your feet is an autist or a grifter
OP here.
i bought a pair of cheap TSLA barefoot runners from Amazon. didn't want to break the bank with something that might be worn temporarily.
seems like some people swear by barefoot shoes, and others have identified possible injuries from wearing them. figured i'd give them a shot myself and see if they work for me.
hopefully doing the usual 10km morning walk with my dog tomorrow if the rain fricks off. i'll report back with how my feet feel afterwards.
You will probably find that is a little far to start. I started wearing them for my commute, then after work errands, then short trips. Combination of building the toughness, right muscles, and relearning how to walk.
Did 6km this morning. Usual trail was flooded.
The shoes were comfortable. The muscle along the arch of my foot got a decent workout which is great. Not something I experience wearing Asics runners or hiking shoes.
I wore pic related for the past 2 years, including a hanful of trips, several hikes, etc. The first month or two my feet felt bruised amd sore, after that they felt way better than any other shoe Ive worn before. Even walking over rough terrain does not bother me now. You definitely FEEL the rocks/sticks/etc, but it doesnt hurt. Im currently wearing waxi boots because I fell for that meme and my pic rel finally got some holes in the mesh, but Ill likely buy another pair or try a different company soon. I highly recommend them, especially if you experience hip popping
i tried those on in the store and i had the previous model, or perhaps it was a same generation cross trainer version of the minimus.. I found the ones in your picture to be narrow and had some pressure points when i walked around in them.. while the cross training mx20 was more comfy.. now out of production though
'dude its like minimal bro that's why all the barefoot runner outsoles are shit'
'you just haven't like, read born to run, maaan'
*slips in a mud puddle*
just admit it you want to self induce yourself to have flat feet (a medical disorder) because having big feet makes girls think your dick's bigger than it is lol
bro you do know what barefoot walking does right? It creates an arch. I legit had flat monkey feet a year ago and since walking 6km a day with my doge I have beast arches and almost no problems with my ankle (it used to flair up like fricking wild)
This is all because of the broken leg I had. Pic rel fresh after shaving (have to wear a sleeve to stop the swelling)
TDLR oof ouch my bones
DRXGP2 captcha lmao
what the frick is even the point of these meme shoes
Buy a pair and find out.
Really I would say people are attracted to it because people who wear them promise all kinds of benefits to wearing them. Personally, the only benefits I’ve seen are stronger foot, calves, I’m getting an arch, and my gait has changed. I used to walk with my feet pointed outwards and know I walk with my feet pointed forward.
>meme shoes
correct it's a meme that started with this book https://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307279189
which is probably responsible for more foot injuries than any piece of literature ever written lmao
i used to have a pair of new balance mx20's and i really like them. So light and flexible. I think they were good for strengthening the feet and calves.
I also have a pair of russell Moccasin in the pic.. which i like but they don't have any foam at all.. They're a little rough on the foot.. so I'm resoling them and putting some foam and a small heel. That should make them great for hiking. I liked the new balances for running trails, but obviously they're not durable or water resistant and don't offer protection at all.. The boots on the other hand are great for hiking and durability and protection, but not as light and good for running.
Actually I would go as far as to say Born to Run is responsible for more sports injuries than anything else ever written.