Questions & Answers

Yesterday i helped a friend gut his bathroom in VFF classics. They were a little concerned about me getting a nail in my foot and advised shoes, but i told them i'd be fine. My list of activities that can be done barefoot/minimalist keeps growing. thought this community would like to know-

I have been looking online for a place to pre-order the New Balance minimus online, and have not found any information. I want to overnight it, the day it is released.

Hello everyone,

Minimalist shoe fan and would-be barefoot runner based in South East London here. I've been running in Vivo's for about ten months but have just suffered a set back with a stress injury in one foot - rubbish! I think I must've pushed it too far...

Any advice? I'd love to be back running/exercising as soon as poss, barefoot or otherwise.

Happy minimalism to one and all,

Lucy

Christopher McDougall gives this TED talk and advocates no running shoes: "Are we born to run?"

http://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_mcdougall_are_we_born_to_run.html

"You get rid of the shoes and you get rid of the injuries and stress".

Ok so this website is slowly becoming an amazing database of knowledge for minimalist runners. The only thing that would make it better, would be more active users. Everyone who has a twitter account should let there friends know about this place!

Found this site via FIMBY. I'm very interested in the minimalist footwear concept. Looking forward to learning from all the great advice on this site. ~Trish

I've just come across this article, which I found interesting:

"Tim Brennan on the VivoBarefoot" http://www.naturalrunnermag.com/107/tim-brennan-on-the-vivobarefoot/

Hi all, Tony here from London. I am a barefooter and will only wear shoes if I absolutely have to, which is rare. I like walking and although I live only 7 miles from central London am lucky to have the Lea Valley National Park and Epping Forest nearby which gives the impression of being in the countryside. I have a 7 year old pair of Vivo barefoot shoes which I use when necessary. They are still in excellent condition. I will talk about them in the reviews section.

Barefoot Tony

I have ITBS and am going to physical therapy. We're in agreement that the goal is to get me back on the road as quickly as possible. He's even open to the idea of minimalist running. However - he said minimalist running really is for smaller people.

I am about 20-25 pounds overweight, and during this time that I can't run I'm doing yoga and strength training; I've also reduced my calories. Very hopefully I"ll be running again long before I lose the weight.

So do I lose weight -then- begin the transition or can I work on both objectives at the same time?

Hey guys, a friend and I are starting a new minimal running blog/website. It’s just in it’s infancy now but give it a look and please stick with it. We hope to add our unique perspectives to something we both have a deep passion for. http://www.runningpoint.org/

Two of my friends made interesting video comparisons of their stride (+ one of a non minimalist runner) wearing shod shoes, minimalist shoes, barefoot. The article is in French sorry but the video can be seen even without the language (LOL) It's here : http://www.runmygeek.com/2011/02/etude-de-foulees-minimaliste-pieds-nus.html

My name is Andrew. I started STEM Footwear over a year ago when I discovered my solution to my many athletic injuries and imbalances. I'm a former Decathlete for Purdue's Track and Field team. Although I had many successes, my best being a High School Pole Vaulting National Champ, I suffered many sidelining injuries. Unfortunately it wasn't until my athletic career ended that I found my solution, barefoot and minimalist running/lifestyle. I decided something had to be done about the way the Big Companies are making shoes and it would take a new small company to do make a shoe that isn't afraid to actually let us feel what we are stepping on. We are currently releasing more reviews and pics of STEM and taking pre-orders for August delivery. We look forward to your comments, email us at: fans@stemfootwear.com

I have a pair of these in large and it fits my 10.5 - 11 foot very well. They are not running shoes, the side/top material flows down to be the outer edge around the sole and may not hold up to repeated impact. They are more like great slippers you can wear outside or on the beach. The stretchy top bands work well holding them on and they are very comfortable for walking. You can feel the ground.

Interesting article about "Lucy", or Australopithecus Afarensis, and a new fossil find that determines she stood upright because of the existence of arches in the feet of A. Afarensis. The interesting part of the article to barefoot runners is the explanation of the biological function of the arches in our ancestors feet. Something we have, for some reason (marketing), decided to negate in the design of modern running shoes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12412662

Here's an interesting one if you're a rugby player and like minimal shoes. Adidas has debuted the "AdiZero" line of rugby boots for a minimalist feel on the pitch. They're saying they work best for backs and loose forwards, but presumably if you're a fast pack player you could try these.

For anyone who doesn't know rugby well, it's not a sport you play barefoot or in minimal shoes. Many rugby boots have heavy-duty metal cleats, so it's not like you want to be out there wearing VFF treks against someone with metal spikes on his/her feet.

There's one catch: you need to be really committed to lighter shoes OR rugby, because these suckers are $200!

Check 'em out at Rugby Imports: http://www.rugbyimports.com/site/product_detail.aspx?item_guid=6a584d39-ed19-4988-b4e0-bd913b3eb3cf&ipguid=79aa8e73-7a13-459b-8659-024d6400c4c7

Anyone else deal with the issue of heavy, stiff rugby boots after being in more lightweight running/hiking shoes?

Just a quick hello from the UK. It's nice to see a dedicated barefoot forum! I've always had foot pain whilst hiking and wearing boots. Over the last few years I've discovered inov8 shoes and never had any problems again. I'm interested in going lighter and getting a more natural foot movement still. I've always worn sandals for 8 months in the year so I'm no stranger to having my feet out. This looks like a cracking place to find out more.

The Saucony Hattori is a shoe I am super pumped for, the wait si almost to much! What do you all think about the hattori?

Thought it would be interesting to post pictures of bad barefooting experiences, or "why I wear minimalist shoes instead of going barefoot." :)

Thank you very much for launching this community.

I am out in California and very interested in the minimalist movement. It has been interesting to see a growing scientific support for minimalist footwear (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127134241.htm), while also some significant skepticism (http://www.runningbarefootisbad.com/). From what I have seen, the supportive science seems to be growing, and the skeptics do not have much evidence behind them.

The transition to minimalism has been somewhat challenging, but the fact that I am moving in a more evidence-based direction gives me hope.

The strong, online minimalist community continues to be very helpful in my journey, so thank you all for your contributions.

Hello! I'm a newly converted barefoot/chi runner who's very happy to have found this group. I also coach track and cross country at the University of Hartford in Hartford, CT. Using myself and my husband as guinea pigs, I am often trying new training techniques, nutrition, etc. We're currently using Phil Maffetone's MAF heart rate training as well as following the "Two Week Test" nutritionally. The MAF has worked great for me, and I am running faster at a lower heart rate. I'm not convinced on the low carbohydrate nutrition though! I already eat really healthy, and have found this to be a little extreme. 3 more days and then I will give a full report! :-) For those not familiar with Maffetone's work, he has great information on his website as well as in his books. http://www.philmaffetone.com/home.cfm

I look forward to learning from others, and hopefully contributing as well.