If barefoot is so great - why are top athletes still wearing running shoes? page

[HazelPrimalNut]

I think the only athlete I remember running barefoot was Zola Bud in the 80s. I love going barefoot, it feels great but are the advantages stated by advocates real? And if so why are Usain Bolt et al still sporting running shoes?

[FlyingPig]

There's a difference between being good for you and best performance. Especially for sprinting you'll get something extra from a shoe in competitive events. A few years ago you had some Ethiopian runners, I believe, who won quite a few long-distance event on the track.

[WeldingHank]

Watching the 100m sprints in the olympics this year, I saw that though most of them were wearing regular running shoes, they run with a barefoot/mid-foot strike. Something to think about.

[federkeil]

I think the only athlete I remember running barefoot was Zola Bud in the 80s. I love going barefoot, it feels great but are the advantages stated by advocates real? And if so why are Usain Bolt et al still sporting running shoes?

Have you tried doing sprints barefoot? You go faster with track spikes.

Track spikes =/= running shoes

[Dirlot]

I believe the racing shoes that are used for longer distances are much lighter with a much thinner and more flexible sole as well.

Lets not forget the great barefoot marathoner Abebe Bikila

I liked this quote from the article
Robin Williams made reference about Bikila's barefoot running in his stand-up special "The Weapons of Self Destruction", saying, "Won the Rome Marathon running barefoot. He got sponsored by Adidas. Next race, he carried the fucking shoes!"

[Tribal Rob]

Why? $$$$$$$$$ that's why.

[teach2183]

For sprinting they wear spikes which means more traction = faster.

[sjmc]

I wonder if their feet would get hot from hitting the ground so quickly and with such friction. Like lighting a match!

[Karma]

If you wear these shoes I will pay you $100,000. = Shoes on everyone's feet! That and its just a hell of a lot more comfortable!

[sbhikes]

Track spikes have little metal points that screw into the bottom. That would give you an advantage over bare feet.