Barefoot Alternatives
I got the following email from a reader:
Mark,
The Vibram 5 Fingers look great for exercise but not very practical for daily use and I’m wondering if there are any decent shoes available.
The Vivo shoes are the most interesting I’ve been able to spot so far (but haven’t tried them yet).
Many thanks,
Scott
Thanks, Scott. This is actually a pretty common question I get from readers, and it’s typical of the essential problem we Primal Blueprinters face almost every day: that constant battle between doing what is right for our bodies and what is deemed socially acceptable.
Do we politely decline the dessert plate?
How do we turn down the freshly baked, homemade bread without offending our host?
Do we tone down the grunts and heavy breathing during our intense deadlift/squat/weighted-pullup circuit at the gym so as not to frighten the guy on the thigh abductor?
The waiter brought us our steak with no silverware; do we chow down with our hands?
And, finally – must we submit our precious feet to the rigid tyranny of the modern shoe simply to avoid looking weird in our Vibrams or, worse, barefeet?
Absolutely not!
Even I’ll admit that wearing the Vibrams will get you some strange looks, especially if you’re at the grocery store or on a job interview (note: don’t wear them to a job interview, unless you’re interviewing at MDA or Vibram itself). They are essentially foot gloves, and their use can be explained away when you’re at the gym or running a trail, but they aren’t all that (aesthetically) practical in everyday life. Like it or not, we are members of society and, unfortunately, the vast majority of its other members cannot seem to handle the sight of bare feet (or the detailed contours of the foot and toes) in a non-sandy, non-athletic commercial setting. Unless you simply don’t care about social mores and norms (which, I’ll admit, I usually don’t), you’ll want to find a suitable shoe that won’t compromise the health of your feet (even if it compromises your personal ethics… kidding!).
So what are our choices?
Well, when I’m not barefoot or Vibrams-clad, I’m usually wearing a pair of TOD’s tan leather Moccasins. They’re extremely thin, flexible, and comfortable, and they’re about as close to barefoot as you’re going to get while still looking “normal.” TOD’s certainly aren’t as funky as Vibrams, and they’re no good for athletics, but they make a great compromise for the fashion-conscious Groks out there. The sole isn’t hard or rigid, and your feet feel unconstrained. But be warned. They are pricey. Other moccasins may do the job just as well.
Another option is simple sandals. Flip-flops, thongs, whatever you want to call them – as long as they’re thin and pliable, they’ll promote better foot health than the most expensive casual shoes. Rickshaw drivers around the world aren’t outfitted in the latest Nike trainers; they’re either barefoot or in cheap thin sandals. Their feet are their livelihood, so you think if they were causing some problems they’d wear “real” shoes. The other good thing about sandals is that they’re actually socially acceptable – little do they know that we’re secretly wearing them to emulate going barefoot!
According to a close friend of mine, Tom’s Shoes is another good option. I don’t have a pair myself, but he swears by them (he’s also a huge Vibram FiveFingers fan, if you were wondering, so he’s into the barefoot thing). He is quick to mention, however, that if you’re looking for a barefoot approximate you’ll want to get the soft suede versions. Most of the shoes have fairly stiff soles, but the suede ones are fairly pliable, especially once you’ve broken them in. He goes hiking a lot, and once he couldn’t find the Vibrams (which he usually uses), so he went in the Tom’s and was pretty happy with it. Again, these aren’t athletic shoes, but the soft suede shoes are decent replacements for going full on barefoot. Plus, for each pair of Tom’s someone buys, the owner will throw in an extra one to a shoe-less kid in a third-world country (although I’d suggest that maybe they’re doing okay already without shoes!).
Those Vivos you linked to look pretty good, although I’d have to try them on before taking the plunge.
And just in case anyone needed a little nudge toward barefoot running, reader Perry displays some serious commitment to the practice (even after some nasty looking blisters):
Mark:
Thought you might enjoy this picture. I’ve been running barefoot on a treadmill for some time now with no problems at all. The attached is a picture of me after my first outside run this past weekend (five mile race). Nevertheless, I really enjoy the feel, on the treadmill, and will continue barefoot runnin’ as soon as possible.
I enjoy and look forward to the daily apple.
Best Regards,
Perry
Cincinnati, Oh
To sum up – Barefoot or Vibrams FiveFingers (with a healthy dose of antipathy toward social protocol) are the best, but there are other options. Try Tod’s Moccasins, soft suede Tom’s, sandals, or Vivos, in no particular order.
Anyone else know some better casual barefoot shoe options that won’t get you thrown out of a 7-11?
M.V. Jantzen Flickr Photo (CC)
Further Reading:
Toe Socks Met Combat Boots and Had a Baby
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I’ve been trying to track down a shop that sells Vivo Barefoot for a LONG time now. I live in Atlantic Canada and so far the closest I know of is in Toronto and New York. Does anyone here know of someplace closer?
Right now I wear faux-leather thong flip flops outside and go barefoot/sock-footed indoors.
I live in NYC and the thought of even wearing flip flops around the city in the summer really skeeves me out, frankly. I’m understand the health benefits of going barefoot but have a hard time embracing this particular PB suggestion here, sadly.
Here’s a lengthy but excellent article published last year in NY magazine on this very issue (trust me- the amazing photos alone is worth a look!)- and there are suggestions as to what shoes might be worth a try(note to self!)
http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/
I am passing this along to so many people! I pretty much live in sandals and if it’s too cold I wear Ugg’s moccasins (with a soft suede outsole…unfortunately I think the newist version has a rubber sole
) I am barefoot during my workouts since they are almost always on the beach. People constantly give me a hard time about how bad doing this is for me – arch support, back support, foot support etc etc etc. Now I have proof I’m doing right!
I wear these mocassins from Cabela’s. They are made from elk hide and are unlined. They form to your feet after some wearing and are naturally waterproof. I love ‘em.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0006455821823a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all_NYR&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=mocassin&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ne=2510&nyr=1&N=3149&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
Another option are the Sanuk line of sidewalk surfer shoes. They were also made with the barefoot mentality in mind and are not much more than a sandal with an upper stitched on. I’m going to have to check out the Vivos though since those look even less conspicuous.
Good post.
I found Vivos a while ago, but have yet to buy them. I often can be found wearing a very thin pair of tsubos.
I’m a huge fan of skate shoes. They’re designed to have minimal padding and are low profile to enable the skater to feel the board, thus giving you much better control.
I don’t skate anymore, but absolutely refuse to give ‘em up. My fave happens to be the Etnies Callicut (http://etnies.com/shop/mens/footwear/shoes/) but the cinch are pretty nice too. DC also makes some similar shoes. I wear my DC’s everywhere and that includes my workplace (in a lovely windowless office). You just gotta pick the right color so it’s not too conspicuous
Some ‘Puma’ shoes are decent for promoting foot health and mobility. When I can’t go barefoot, or with sandals, this is usually what I choose. Both my wife and I have pairs. They have a very thin sole, and bend, twist, and flex quite nicely.
I wear the Vibrams while training but during the da it’s Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers. Check ‘em out at Zappos! Many styles and reasonably priced
No mention of the Nike Free?
I’m a big fan of Airwalk Kicks, which are available at Payless Shoe Source:
http://www.payless.com/store/catalog/brandlisting.jsp;jsessionid=9A06478B6BCBF233BBEFB841822739F4?trail=1014%3A100003&catId=cat10376&brandId=100003
They’re basically the same as Converse, but less expensive.
“so as not to frighten the guy on the thigh abductor?”
I about fell out of my chair laughing.
I use some UA sandals (so comfy) for daily walking…and for lifting and running, I’ve been using a pair of Solomon water shoes I got at REI on clearance like 3 years ago. They are almost like wearing sandals with all the mesh but don’t come flying off your foot. I am anxious to try the vibram 5 fingers soon.
Joey- the article I posted mentions the Nike Free as well as Masai, Vivos and Vibrams…
This is bad news for a girl with a trendy shoe fetish like me!
Yea, the only chance I have of convincing my girlfriend to wear Vibram’s is if I write Prada on them… I think I just thought of a brand new market =)
I have had my 5 fingers for a few years now and have been known to wear them to work as well as out on the town. They will definitely start some conversations, but I have never met anyone who doesn’t think they are cool. Except when they get a little smelly in the Florida summers
dragonmamma beat me on the converse/airwalk suggestion. A pair of worn chucks feel like socks. Why be primal when you can be… metroprimal?
Vibrams aren’t suitable to work? I wear them to work every day. I’ve tried to stick to the black ones to keep them from being quite so noticable. I figure they just give people something to talk about. I personally feel that vibram’s are more suitable than flip-flops.
Friend of mine really likes the Nike Free.
I love my vibrams but i also wear my JawPaws alot as well -
http://www.jjbsports.com/mens-sandals-and-flip-flops/adidas-jawpaw-ii/prod_105170.aspx?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=affiliate
There a touch quicker to put on then vibrams (none of that getting each toe in business) plus u can wear socks (in say winter) and dont stand out as much….
Better traction in the city then vibrams in the wet as well…
It also helps that there 1/3 the cost!
Sadly ive become a fair weather vibram user ;o)
Forgot to say – to me “primal footwear” needs to fit these criteria -
– full articulation of the ankle (no “support” – read weakening)
– minimal sole
– full articulation of the toes
JawPaw fits the first two and whilst isnt as good as the vibram on the last one its pretty close…
Great suggestions so far! I am thinking about replacing my Nike Frees with some Vibrams for my weekly sprint session. I am starting to wear my Converse shoes for more than just weight lifting. I would LOVE to find a casual daily shoe, but at an affordable price.
For any suggestions above or to follow: How are the shoes for durability? With the minimalist soles I fear frequent replacement which would get costly in a hurry.
I second the recommendation of Sanuks. I can’t bear stiff soled shoes – they make me feel uncoordinated, just clunking my feet down with every step.
Thong sandals IMO are only a good choice if they’re snug (leather ones most often are). If they are even slightly loose, they threaten to fly off your foot with every step, causing some people to develop a habit of gripping with their toes – which undermines the whole purpose of wearing light shoes.
I wear Puma H-Streets for sprinting and weight lifting. They are very minimalist and extremely light weight. They are the next best thing to the Vibrams. I believe Puma has discontinued them, again. The new ones are are called K-Street and there is the Saloh. Haven’t tried them yet, but overall I highly recomment the PUMA.
I bought a pair of vivo barefoot shoes last year precisely for this reason. I’ve worn them almost every day since. Can’t recommend them enough.
I’ve heard very good things about Feelmax shoes – especially their soon-to-be-released Niesa shoe – but they may be hard to get in the US (they’re a Finnish company).
I wore Tsubo exclusively for about seven years. I especially loved the thinner-soled varieties and still keep a pair for variety.
but for the past year or so, my primary shoe it the Vivo. It’s fantastic. It looks like a (pretty damn sexy) shoe, but it feels kind of like a slipper – except that it doesn’t slip (if that makes any sense). They don’t have much padding, but they fit snug on your feet. Nice.
The thin sole is great for tactile feel and and foot strike, though there are insoles included if you like a little bit of cushion (and to use in winter). I was concerned about the thinness of the sole at first, but after having stepped in thumbtacks and such several times at work, I have a lot of faith in them – nothing is getting through there.
The leather is also extremely flexible and allows full range of motion around the ankle. I can even flex my toes in them.
My only caution would be to make sure you give them a good coat of mink oil before wearing them on wet days, as the leather doesn’t appear to be waterproofed.
They’re great shoes and I recommend them highly. Especially if you can find them on sale (I got mine for about $45, though I’d gladly pay full price).
I’ll wear my Vibram KSOs pretty much anywhere, unless an event calls for actual shoes (e.g. the bar scene). The shoes will absolutely start conversations at the mall/grocery/etc, and most people seem to like them. I’ve had more than one conversation where the other party demands to know where to buy them (most recently in Turkey of all places).
I do the occasional 4×400 sprint or mile jog in Vibrams, and fortunately my feet don’t look anything like those in the blog photo!
Rodney – Jawpaws are pretty hardwearing…..ie my vibrams (classic) have started to show wear + the bloody tags at the back have come off one side…
They also get pretty funky and need washing regularly…
Jawpaw worn practically everyday outside for 4-5 months (including around house) still no signs of wear on bottom…
Bit surprising considering how soft and flexible they are…. + no real signs of dreaded mass weapons of biological malodourous destruction… Probably down to the ability to use socks.
Personnely i think the shoe industry most likely have at some point invented the non-wearing “eternal” sole. Shortly before realising theres no profit for them in it!
More profit in having a design obselesence of a few months. As well as having the next fashionable sports “technology” comes out….
Sanuk shoes are awesome; especially if you have to work in an office-like world.
Checkout Saucony Kilkenny XC flats for running. Buy them a size bigger than you would normally wear. They are pretty close to barefoot for running off or on road.
PS – please get rid of that photo. That guy just does not know how to run barefoot. Experienced – or maybe just smart – barefooters never wind up with injuries anything like that. Never ever. Pain porn like that just serves to keep barefoot running looking like only crazies do it.
If I’m not at work I’m in VFFs or barefoot. Who cares what others think.
OMG, those feet are gnarly! I hope there wasn’t any glass on the road!
You can totally wear vibrams to work (in socal anyways). Everyone at work, including my CFO even liked them!
I recently purchased some vibrams, and have every intention of migrating to their use during workouts, but I just always seem to choose my trusty Tigers from Asics. They’re just rigid enough for barbell lifts and have just enough cushion for running on pavement (I know, I should find a better running surface). Plus, they’re serviceable in just about any setting/situation.
http://www.classicsportshoes.com/onitsukatiger.html
I was excited to buy a pair of vibrams but then their FAQ reminded me that it wouldn’t work with webbed toes. Hopefully the company gets big enough and can custom build shoes for people with genetically freaky feet…
Great post and comments! I’ve been researching barefoot shoe options for a while since my toes don’t seem to be in the proper proportions for Vibram FiveFingers
A good place to look for reviews is BarefootRunner.com. There are cool options there for thin-soled shoes and moccasins, but man, most of these shoes are in the $150 range and the durability is lackluster.
I think my next purchase will be Nike Frees, which I haven’t tried yet, but guys at the local running shop like them.
Levi -
The Nike Free does NOT mimic barefoot running! The heel has too much elevation and totally negates one of the main reasons barefoot running works to move you to proper form. You will be much better off in cheap water shoes, XC flats, or um barefoot.
I’m with Levi…
Nike Frees are somewhat of a step in the right direction but alas, still too thick and way too much of heel, especially when it comes to proper running form. Vivo shoes rock (I own two pairs) and are quite suitable for people who live in colder temps (like Montreal!!!) but otherwise, flip-flops and Vibram Five-Fingers work well in warmer temps. Someone also mentioned Puma; some of their shoes actually do fit the bill of ‘almost’ barefooting…
For those interested, check out http://www.barefooters.org/ for more info on the subject of “barefooting” and the medical, legal and other implications of the latter…
And for the more “extreme” among us, here’s another solution: http://www.barefooters.org/faq/22.html
Good on you Leah and Asof!
I also wear my VFF to work. I work in an office and my KSO’s go fine with my pants and collared shirt.
I’m shy and hate getting made fun of (though I never did), but my health is more important than what anyone thinks.
I am either barefoot or in my Vibrams.
Great post! It looks like I have some shopping to do
Can anyone suggest a good ‘close to barefoot’ shoe for my 4 year old preschooler? It was easy to find flexible stuff when he was littler, but now that his feet are size 11 everything is so structured and hard. I worry about his feet but am having trouble finding good alternatives. Thanks in advance!
if you can find a pair, the Nike Air Rift (only available in womens sizes) have a split toe design and I (as a man) have been wearing them in public for quite some time, as well as for running.
That’s too bad about the Nike Free’s heel. I guess the few reviews I’ve read and heard were from people used to typical huge running shoes.
Lots of good suggestions in the comments though, so I’m sure I’ll find something!
I like these shoes. They specialize in children’s shoes,but have some fun adult shoes as well.
http://www.softstarshoes.com
What a great post Mark!
I have been wearing moccasins around the house since I was a kid (25 years or so). The First Nations people them traditionally around where I live, but they aren’t quite socially acceptable a lot of places, or for wearing to work – but when I saw the link to TOD’s, I wanted!
Moccasins that LOOK like shoes – brilliant. That’s exactly what I have been looking for.
Amy, you could try converse all-stars in a kids size. They might well be the contemporary shoe design that is closest to barefoot.
Move to a place where it’s normal to go barefoot. I just moved to Thailand, and it’s so liberating. The vegetables, fruits and nature is much better too
For practical day-to-day use I find the Wysong Ergonomic Insoles do an excellent job. You get the benefits of going barefoot all in the privacy of your regular shoes.
I love Vibrams, but have been considering Vivos since the Vibrams are a smidge more inconvenient to put on quickly. I find myself not wearing my Vibrams as much as I want.
Oh man. That picture brings back some bad memories. I was just starting to work up to barefoot running, gradually introducing it to give my body time to adapt. And one day I tried to do a mile on the university track barefoot. In a word? Ouch. Couldn’t walk for two days, because the bottoms of both feet were blistered solid.
Glad to see the advice on how to be almost barefoot, but don’t think any of it is going to fly at work (the gym). I already drive my boss nuts by having my clients exercise barefoot.
Jamie: That pic should be removed – it does not accurately portray a person that knows how to run barefoot. That simply does not happen to people who do it correctly. I suggest you avoid barefoot running on modern rubberized tracks because the surface is specifically designed to INCREASE FRICTION to a person wearing spikes or shoes can run faster. That design may lead to blisters for people who are not practiced at barefoot running technique ( which is the same as CORRECT running technique ). Look at the old photos of young Zola Budd – he taped her toes for track racing but not for XC racing – probably for that very reason. So if you have to run at the track, do it infield of lane 1, get on the grass, or just do it on the road. Mostly relax and have fun!
Amy–I was researching Sanuk’s tonight and they come in kid sizes.
My fee are killing me…that is why I am here reading this post.
I have high arches, when I do the foot print test on paper my foot print does not even connect together!
I also have an ankle that I have sprained 3 times and I roll it often and it feels weak.
My toes are really short so flip-flops are out since it hurts the space between my toe too much. Vibrams do not fit my toes well either. Do I sound like a whinny wuss or what? LOL
Lately my feet have just been killing me all day…everyday! My arches ache, my heels ache, the ball of my feet ache!
Walking barefoot is still painful at this point, my aches ache like hell when I do and my heel and ball of foot hurt too with every step. I have to admit that I am skeptical that I will ever feel good walking barefoot (unless I am in sand) or in thin flat shoes. My feet are so sore with shoes or without shoes at this point that I feel like I may never find a good solution! This post does give me some hope though.
One thing no one brings up though is the fact that Grok did not have to walk on cemet sidewalks, tile floors, and flat streets etc. Doesn’t that make a difference? Maybe Mark has talked about this before and I am unware.
I think at this point my most comfortable shoes I have are a pair of plastic slip on Jelly shoes I bought at the grocery store for $5 about 12 years ago. They have plastic spikes on the bottom that are well worn now and they are of course super flexible. I like to walk over rocks and massage my aching arches!
Do not underestimate the power of the plastic jelly shoe! It work great for girls on a budget!
I also own custom orthodic insoles for my high arches but these really only feel good when I wear them with a worn pair of airwalk flats from Payless. I am guessing that those reading this post would tell me this insoles are probably part of the problem.
After my extensive research tonight I think I will try the Sanuk’s. I read a post from someone who said that had arch problems and then tried Sanuks and they have a fabric upper and a half inch foam bottom that molds to your foot so after wearing them they no more arch problems. I am also happy that have many styles for under $50.
No more arch problems? THAT WOULD BE FABULOUS!
If anyone else reading this has high arches or other pathetic foot troubles lke me I would love to hear a success story.
Anyone know how many days I will have to walk barefoot before my feet finally start to get stronger and not hurt so darn much?
Ok I think that ends my foot rant for the evening!
Jenn – you sound like you are having a difficult time. It will only take a few weeks of being barefoot as much as possible to get used to it. Right now your soles are hyper sensitive from all those years of wearing shoes. They have become that way because they need to feel the earth through all that protective cushioning you have put there. At this point you are probably still doing what all the support & cushioning has taught you to do: walk and run too hard to feel the ground. Try to walk and run more gently. Go barefoot as possible everywhere you can. Don’t give up.
As far as the arch “support” problems – think through it: In archectecture, an arch is supported from the ends, not the middle. If you put support in the middle, it weakens the entire structure. That is what orthotics and other arch supporting devices have been doing to you for a looooooong time. They have weakened your arch. It will take some time to reverse that, but the end result will be increased strength, efficiency and injury resistance. Good luck!
It has been a little over 2 months since I first posted so I decided to report back.
Since I posted I went barefoot at home and I have only been wearing my thin plastic 10 year+ old jelly slip on shoes when I have to go out. I have not used my custom arch supports since that day either.
I did try Sanuks in that first week but they felt too flat to me then. I tried the Vibrams which did feel great but theya re pricey and so I have not taken the plunge yet.
After two months of no more fancy shoes and supports though I tried the Sanuks again and they feel good now! My feet have definitely changed! I notice that when I do wear a pair of my old sandals or other old shoes for a day that my feet hurt A LOT the next day.
Now that fall/winter is approaching and my plastic shoes are started to fall apart from all the use I decided I need find something new. I am not happy with how expensive all the options are though!
Anyone have any cheaper ideas?
Anyway, thanks for the encouragement thinnman! My feet still hurt but they are A LOT better now. I am not turning back!
Make at home moccasin kits from a craft store are pretty cheap. Not sure how they hold up.
What about playing sports like basketball? Typically, I would wear basketball shoes, which are anything but minimalist, and even have an ankle brace on one of my ankles (due to repeated injury). How do you play basketball in… a pair of vibrams? It sounds dangerous. There’s nothing to support your ankle. You land on someone else’s foot and bam, you’re a goner.
But then again, I don’t know anything, so perhaps I’m wrong
If you’re comfortable running and jumping barefoot, then you’d have no issues.
My experience is with Vibrams. They do have a short learning curve. I wouldn’t just buy a pair and head to the court. Go out and mess around in them often for a few weeks. You’ll have to undo all the bad habits you’ve been getting away with all those years.
You’d probably need to concern yourself more with the thought of someone landing on your foot
If you roll an ankle in Vibrams… well, you just flat out landed wrong!
Yeah well landing wrong in basketball in inevitable. You land on someone else’s foot ten times, and your ankle will twist either inwards or outwards inevitably at least once. The big basketball shoes and the ankle brace make sure your ankle doesn’t move too much, so the force is transferred somewhere else. With Vibrams, I don’t know what will happen even if you’ve been wearing them for years. I can only imagine it’ll be ugly.
I’m no expert on basketball, I don’t even care for it. Just saying…
What on earth did they do before the advent of the basketball shoe (and that whole $10 billion dollar a year industry) not so long ago?
I wore Chuck Taylor’s exclusively for years in the 80s (the best selling shoe of all time) and I don’t remember them being particularly good for anything except a coolness factor.
That said, I’ve never worn Vibrams with an ankle brace. I do have a old broken ankle injury that will probably go arthritic in a few decades. It pops about every step while running, and has for years. You run differently in Vibrams. There’s no heal impact.
It’s not a whole lot different than the “healthy whole grain” industry. Oh dear! How could we possibly live without them and all the benefits of their bowl supporting & heart healthy “fiber”. LOL
Industry spends billions on marketing to convince us these things are essential for living. You can’t blame them really, they’re just trying to make a buck. Doesn’t mean you have to bite.
Sure some products offer that extra advantages, (electrolyte replacement drinks for marathoners comes to mind) but for the average Joe it often doesn’t make a hill of legumes. How did anyone ever manage a whole jog, treadmill workout, or even a whole day’s work before the advent of Gatorade?
Something to chew on.
Sepand:
You are looking at what one allegedly gains from wearing high tops and ankle braces: the added protection and stability. But the need for protection & stability has come about because of the design of the shoe itself which isolates you from feeling the ground, the impact, the landing and twisting and accelerating forces. So instead I suggest you look at what is lost by wearing all that stuff. You lose the sense of feedback you need to jump and land properly. Your body loses its ability to respond quickly and compensate to a landing that is interfered with by hitting another foot. Your body jumps and absorbs landings as a whole – it isn’t all just up to your ankle to make corrections. Additionally, without an elevated sole, it is virtually impossible to turn an ankle. Take your shoe off and try to turn it – you really can’t unless you muscle it. Turned ankles begin when you “fall off” the sole of a shoe, then gravity takes over to turn the ankle. If you eliminate the elevated sole, the twisting forces are not amplified by gravity.
Well, I will be purchasing the Vibrams soon (as soon as tomorrow’s hurricane passes
). I plan on walking in them at a fast pace for one week, starting with only 5 minutes and adding 5 minutes each day so that on the 7th day I’ll be walking 35 minutes. On the 8th day I’ll be jogging in them for 10 minutes, and with every next jog I’ll add a few minutes. After doing this for 4-6 months, I’ll *consider* playing basketball barefoot. But it honestly sounds scary. I’ve seen a lot of people walking barefoot/in vibrams, but never once have I met someone who plays bball barefoot. THere might be a good reason for that.
Oh, and I have to admit, I’ll be walking and jogging with my vibrams at night. Sorry, but the first time I saw my friend wearing a vibram i made fun of him for 20 minutes.
EXACTLY @thinnmann! I hadn’t gotten to that part of my book yet
Looking forward to reading over your website some. Funny, even though I know it’s Vee-brum, I say Vye-brum 50% of the time. Hard to break old habits sometimes. This one has been harder than grains.
I was hoping to pre-order both new models today, but I don’t have the extra cast at the moment.
Does anyone know of any primal boots, aside from moccasins? I go barefoot a lot during the summer (or else I wear a pair of old flip flops), but I don’t really have that option in the winter time. Between ice and road salt, I would undoubtedly kill my feet!
Try finding a pair of neoprene booties. They are designed for watersports, but many barefoot runners use them in winter. Performance has a pair designed for cycling, but if you don’t cut the cleat holes into the bottom, they are also nearly barefoot http://tinyurl.com/ljhk9l
The new Vibram KSO Trek will be out soon, but may or may not work for your application. Who knows. You might be able to spray them with a water proofer to help keep out some moisture.
Get some Injinji socks. They have a wool cold weather version. They’ll offer some bennies for your toes anyway.
We have alot of Amish around us (out in the country) and they all go barefoot all summer. Even mucking out the barn (ugh). I guess they have healthy feet…………….
Two years ago I purchased a pair of Fila low-profile shoes to work with my bicycle. I needed to find shoes that were smaller than normal running shoes so they would fit into the toe-clips on my pedals.
The shoes that worked out really well were Fila Retro Spike Suede. The sole is very thin, and it is close to those “barefoot” running shoes.
I just looked up “Fila Retro Spike” on the Internet and I came up with several shoes on those big online-mega-shoe-sites. Fila has apparently decided this is now a Women’s shoe and no longer a Unisex shoe. Well, whatever, these Fila shoes were only 25 dollars when I got them, and they are a nice alternative to the typical running shoe. They are almost form-fit around the foot, and have a thin sole on the ball of the foot, and about 1 cm of foam at the heel. It’s a very modest “running” shoe. Might be worth a try for folks who don’t want to spend 150 for special kevlar barefoot shoes.
Ya I agree. I went with Sanuks.. got em at Sanuk.com
Sweet!
I have extremely wide feet, and have such a hard time buying shoes that I would prefer to be bare foot. The trouble is, though, I have very high arches, and have lots of foot pain if not given enough support. The pain was bad enough I had to quit martial arts from my feet getting so torn up on the mats. Even conventional shoes (New Balance) with added arch support don’t quite do it. Is there any hope for me?
I have found Teva flip flops to work well, though I only got away with wearing them to work or with slacks when I was pregnant…
I worked at a camp for seven years, often playing bball barefoot on the asphalt. As you may guess, my feet are tough enough that I’ve stepped on tacks without noticing (aside from the clicking noise when I walked).
I just bought my first pair of Vibrams, and I’m of a like mind with Thinnman. I’ve been searching for posts to confirm my suspicion that playing in my Vibrams will be safe, but this is the best I could get. I’ll probably hit the court a lot sooner than 6 months. I’ll try to let you know what happens.
Question. I’m just learning about this primal thing so maybe it’s already been answered and I just haven’t found that page yet, but aren’t athletic shoes better for the artificial surfaces than barefoot? I’ve been a barefoot fan since infancy, but I have trouble with foot and back pain when I walk for long on Cement or black top. not to mention I’m becoming more sensitive to gravel.
I have to admit I spent about four years nearly immobile while I was ill with incipient diabetes and cancer so I’m guessing that has a lot to do with loss of callouses and sensitivity but I just don’t know if I’m up to forcing myself to walk on stuff that hurts just to build them up again. LOL So what do you do when you walk on artificial rock? LOL Kitty