"Barefoot" Running

[colby]

I wear FiveFingers. I tried the Bikila, they are too tight across the top of my feet and for some reason make my toes cramp (too stiff?). I wear KSOs and Flows for running, Sprints for short triathlons where transition time counts more, and Classics for everyday (though often I end up wearing whatever is handy). I have ran probably 1500-2000 miles since last putting on regular running shoes (I don't tally my miles very closely).

I have looked at the new New Balance model (the very new one, can't think of the name, I've seen it in a few Outside or Runner's World magazines now), but they are too tight across the toebox for my wide feet. I'm interested to see the Merrell Trail Glove. I've seen good reviews of the Saucony minimal shoes, too, and apparently they are coming out with more.

More important than the shoe is the technique, you have to ease into it, and learn to run with a midfoot/forefoot strike or it will hurt. The chi running technique definitely fits in well with this. I had a hard time figuring that stuff out until I took off my shoes (and/or wore FiveFingers).

It's not for everyone, but it's done a lot for me.

[OakLeaf]

As many people have pointed out in the other thread, it doesn't matter how minimal the shoe, if it's a shoe, it will affect your body mechanics, and it's not barefoot. That said ...

Has anyone tried the new Inov-8 Evoskins yet? They have much longer toes than VFFs and look like they might actually fit me.

I almost taught my aerobics class in my VFFs last night ... decided against it since it was my first class after several months, I felt really rusty and didn't want to change too much. But even having taught the class with my regular shoes, I'm noticing this morning that my Achilles and calves aren't bothering me as they have in the past, and I totally attribute that to all the foot work I've done over the winter.

From my experience, I'd say that if you have very rigid feet as a result of wearing orthotics for years, it may take more than just easing into barefoot - I've been doing a lot of massage, self myofascial release and yoga, going barefoot around the house more, and paying attention to my feet pretty much ANY time I'm on them, trying to get four corners down and the arches lifted. Just a few weeks ago I've been able to see my TMT joints actually move for the first time I can remember in my 51 years. It's been slow, hard work, and I'm nowhere near being able to run barefoot yet, but it's really, really paying off in terms of my Achilles, hips and spine.

[Jolt]

Has anyone tried the new Inov-8 Evoskins yet? They have much longer toes than VFFs and look like they might actually fit me.

I hadn't heard about those until this thread...given your comment I probably won't try them since I have wicked short toes that don't even go to the ends of the VFFs. They should be good for some people who don't fit into VFFs though.

[MCAP]

I run in VFF Bikila LS and love them. I've only been running in them for about a month or so. Before that I tried switching to a more minimalist style by running in old school cross country flats. They were wonderful and (with research on form and totally restyling my running) I was able to go from extreme pain after 1/4 mile to now comfortably running 6 miles. I'm going to keep building my base up now.

I like doing drills totally barefoot in grass, but I don't do regular runs totally barefoot. I just don't want to.

I did have to stretch the pinkie toe pocket on my shoes to make them fit correctly and now they fit like a dream. I'll be wearing them in my triathlon on the 22nd. It's amazing to me that I can finally run without pain!!

[nscrbug]

I'm curious if anyone here with hammertoes has been able to successfully wear VFF? I have h-toes, and bought a pair of Bikilas last year. I started out mainly just wearing them on the treadmill at the gym, slowly adding some short jogs. But after a month of wearing them, I found that my little toes (4th & 5th) didn't want to stay in the toe pockets securely. I could feel them slipping out during my runs, and would often have to stop and reposition them back into the pockets. I ultimately wound up selling them to someone on this forum. But I miss wearing them and have considered giving them another shot. I was thinking of trying a different style - the Komodo Sport, but I'm not sure if I'll end up having the same exact issue. Any thoughts or comments?

Linda

[OakLeaf]

I'm curious if anyone here with hammertoes has been able to successfully wear VFF? I have h-toes, and bought a pair of Bikilas last year. I started out mainly just wearing them on the treadmill at the gym, slowly adding some short jogs. But after a month of wearing them, I found that my little toes (4th & 5th) didn't want to stay in the toe pockets securely. I could feel them slipping out during my runs, and would often have to stop and reposition them back into the pockets. I ultimately wound up selling them to someone on this forum. But I miss wearing them and have considered giving them another shot. I was thinking of trying a different style - the Komodo Sport, but I'm not sure if I'll end up having the same exact issue. Any thoughts or comments?

Linda

You might take a look at the Fila shoes. I haven't seen them IRL and honestly the reviews aren't that great, but they have a single pocket for the 4th and 5th toes. That's exactly why I wouldn't even try them ... but maybe they might work for you.

I visited the LRS the other day and asked about the Inov-8 Evo Skins. The sales guy went to the back to ask the shoe buyer, who came out with a big rant about how they'd sent him a pair to try and they were awful, he'd never consider carrying them, Inov-8 had really jumped the shark with this one, and oh BTW if I wanted his sample pair I could have them.

I can definitely see where he's coming from with these - they're really so minimal that you wouldn't want to run in them any place where you wouldn't run completely barefoot, and in that case, why not just run barefoot and avoid problems with sweating and blistering? Since I was curious about them for hiking and hanging around, not for running in, I'm going to give them a try. The longer toes definitely fit me, and although there's not enough adjustment in the straps for my low insteps, I'm pretty sure I can modify them, do without them, or just substitute laces for the straps.

But looky what I did try on! The Altra Intuition. Zero heel-to-toe drop, and look at that square toe box! Oooooh, aaaaah. Unfortunately they were out of stock in the sizes most likely to fit me, but they're expecting some more next week. I'm a little concerned about the overlay at my problematic 5th MTP joint, but wondering whether that's any worse than smacking my heels every step the way I do with the high heeled Nikes I'm running in now. Just running around the store in a pair of Altra Instinct shoes (the men's version of the Intuition) felt soooo nice - zero drop, but a little bit of cushion under my midfeet.

I'm wondering too whether I could just pull the overlay off at that one point. I do plan to ask them at the LRS when I go back to try them on, but any shoe experts here have an opinion on that?

[colby]

But looky what I did try on! The Altra Intuition. Zero heel-to-toe drop, and look at that square toe box! Oooooh, aaaaah. Unfortunately they were out of stock in the sizes most likely to fit me, but they're expecting some more next week. I'm a little concerned about the overlay at my problematic 5th MTP joint, but wondering whether that's any worse than smacking my heels every step the way I do with the high heeled Nikes I'm running in now. Just running around the store in a pair of Altra Instinct shoes (the men's version of the Intuition) felt soooo nice - zero drop, but a little bit of cushion under my midfeet.

Nice and foot shaped! Funny how all these shoes look like old school shoes.

The New Balance trail shoes have a plastic overlay on the shoe that takes a fairly flexible shoe and makes it less comfortable. Maybe there's a stability or longevity reason, but I wish they could use something softer.

[sjane]

I'm interested to see the Merrell Trail Glove.

I wear Pace Gloves and love them.

[Dogmama]

I have looked at the new New Balance model (the very new one, can't think of the name, I've seen it in a few Outside or Runner's World magazines now), but they are too tight across the toebox for my wide feet. I'm interested to see the Merrell Trail Glove. I've seen good reviews of the Saucony minimal shoes, too, and apparently they are coming out with more.

Road Runner is having a good sale on the Saucony Kinveras. They are under the endangered shoe list. Apparently, Saucony came out with a new Kinvera so the older ones are on sale for $67. I ordered a pair. I have wide duck feet too and Saucony's always fit me.

[jessmarimba]

Colby, the merrells will probably do much better on you. They are overall way too wide on me, while I love the feel of the new model of those new balances (fit like a glove, which is really rare for me).

[extra-vert]

Wow, how funny, I tried on the new balance new ones and they seemed to look rather wide too me. Anyway, I am brand new to running so I have yet to develop any technique whatsoever. i plan to start by going barefoot on the beach. I am reading, (as i mentioned) Chirunning, so I hope this helps me develop proper form from the beginning - we'll see, LOL. I'll have to check out those other brands. I have tried the Merrill Pace - very nice!

[Susan]

I love to run barefoot but couldn't find a route where I can do it easily so far. I like to run trails in the wood, and those that I know are sometimes small sharp gravel or covered with leaves so that you can't see the ground. I don't like to go and run on asphalt just to be safe running barefoot.

I bought the Vivo Barefoot Lucys to run in. I like that they have such a wide toe box (because I have duck feet). They are quite sturdy and look nice.
However for me the feel in any kind of (barefoot) shoes doesn't even come close to really running barefoot, this happy light feeling is just missing.

I think I haven't found the best for me in terms of running shoes. Ordinary running shoes have such a big heel/thick sole and so don't feel safe offroads and often no room for my toes. The Vivo barefoots are ok offroads and fit me nicely but make running really harder on my feet on asphalt (even when watching my technique, but you don't get feedback from your sole like when really running barefoot). I guess a shoe with just a little padding but not too thick sole and no built up heel would be the best for me.

[KnottedYet]

I guess a shoe with just a little padding but not too thick sole and no built up heel would be the best for me.

Saucony Kinvara might be worth a try.

I like to run barefoot (that means NO SHOES... NAKED FEET*) on dirt, but was having trouble finding a shoe that worked well for me on unnatural man-made surfaces. I ran in Chaco sandals for a long time, then got a pair of Kinvaras and I'm very happy with them.

*don't get me started on the "barefoot shoe" B.S. If it's on your feet, you're not barefoot. And the "barefoot" and "minimalist" shoes are not revolutionary, they are simply a return to the shoes we ALL wore 30 years ago. We all had soft heel counters and thinner soles and less heel-forefoot drop back then, and many of us STILL got injured and had sucky running form. Everyone should just wear whatever shoes work for them and try not to join a religion over it. /rant

[Susan]

Knotted, do you have nice dirt trails where you can actually see the ground or without having to cross fire roads with gravel? Or do you risk stepping onto something that you can't see? I'm asking because I am still fighting with myself if I should just risk stepping onto glass or sth. (and hope it just won't happen) because I really like going barefoot.
I did some barefoot running on asphalt when I started running, but since I discovered the dirt trails near my home I never wanted to go back to the streets

Something about my feet seems just not to be made for shoes. Maybe because as a child I was going barefoot a lot. My toes don't have space in shoes and I get blisters just about everywhere. But the worst is that I sprain my ankle easily, and it seems to me that the bigger the heel the more often it happens.

Thanks for the shoe tips. Actually the Merrell shoes appeal to me because of the wide toebox and grippy sole.

[indigoiis]

Road Runner is having a good sale on the Saucony Kinveras. They are under the endangered shoe list. Apparently, Saucony came out with a new Kinvera so the older ones are on sale for $67. I ordered a pair. I have wide duck feet too and Saucony's always fit me.

I also have duck feet and short toes. I like my VFFs but on trails I ALWAYS stub a toe, and it hurts like hell. On road they are nice, but I haven't done over 5 miles in them.

I also just bought a pair of Kinveras. They are really nice and light, nice footbed, wide in the front - I think I'm gonna like em!