Questions & Answers

What have folks bought for minimalist shoes for kids? What did you like? not like? What did your kids like? _louise

Hi name is Dean,

I like the Paleo approach to health, nutrition and fitness (see MarksDailyApple.com). I like VFF and Soft Stars for walking, sprinting and lifting heavy things.

I have been battling a sore right Achilles for the past couple of weeks. I have also had a stress fracture in my left foot as well. I know these are pretty common injuries for runners transitioning into more minimalist running. Any one having or had similar issues? What injuries have you had since running in more minimal foot wear? How did you get over the injury?

Hi there,

I'm new to barefoot running and I'm just starting back for running in general. It's probably been a decade since I've done any considerable running. I'm starting out by trying a Couch to 5k running plan at the gym in a new pair of Bikalas,as well as wearing more minimal shoes for work and casual use. So far I'm two weeks in, and it's been good, but I'm definitely looking forward to having adjusted a bit more.

Anyone have any suggestions for a basketball player? My daughter fights shin splints. Her "basketball shoes" are ruining her feet and shins. She can't go barefoot in a basketball game. What do you recommend she wear?

Wow--this whole topic is new and exciting for me. My daughter plays basketball and continually suffers from shin splints. She's had some success with chiropractic care and taping, but we need a long-range answer. The topic of "barefoot/minimalist" shoes came up and I've been reading everything I can on the topic. I really think her shoes (expensive basketball shoes) are a large part of the problem. It all makes so much sense. I look forward to learning more. I'm especially interested in hearing suggestions for my daughter's shins, since she obviously can't compete barefoot. Any ideas?

Hi All,

Been running somewhat seriously for almost two years now, and all of that has been in minimal footwear with a decent amount of barefoot as well. My goals for this year are to get some fast times for some short races and as close to 3 hrs as possible in a marathon. I'll be shooting for my first 100km race next year to celebrate the big 40. Let me know if you live in Tokyo!

I have done some reading, and I think I'm going to try the Merrell glove, either the trail or true, or both. from what I've read, they're quite comparable. The true as slightly lighter, but the trail appears that it might be slightly sturdier. I do hiking as well as public performances, so maybe both. A bit of a price tag for minimalist. Why is it that we're paying more for less? I'm still curious about the evo ii, but after my disappointment with the longevity of my vivos, maybe I'll pass for the price. Plus, there's no terra plana outlet in my neck of the woods - Los Angeles.

Great site, and very helpful.

Here's my review: http://greenelantern.blogspot.com/2010/12/go-lite-timber-lite-review.html

I am Ralph and just started running about 8 weeks ago. I started with the Vibram KSO's and then shortly after got the Bikala's. A couple of weeks ago bought the Saucony Kinvara to rotate with the Bikala'a. Ran in my first 10-K today in the Bikala's. Saw about 4 others in them out of the 1200 or so in the race. I am 55 and having just started running my goal was to finish in under an hour. Did in it 56:56 so I hit my goal. Legs feel great...

Hello Everyone,

Just started running in September, 2010. Actually, I tried a few years ago, but we won't dwell on that - my flat feet were prescribed stability shoes, and it wasn't good...

This time around, I started out in Nike Free Run+, and now mostly run in New Balance MT101s, but have been using Nike Free 3 v2, for my treadmill runs (to avoid confusion, I'm female - I just prefer men's shoes).

I like the 101s and Free 3 a lot, but have found that I don't do well with them on longer runs - say above 6.5 miles. So, I'm looking for an alternative for longer distances. First up for trial is the Kinvara. I'd welcome other suggestions, if anyone is inclined...

Very glad to have come across this site!

Hello All,

I hope someone can point me in the right direction. I'm looking for the lightest, flat soled shoe possible, without leather, that has a sporty look with toe bumper/guard. I'm blind, and can't actually look at pictures of shoes, and retalers out here in SoCal all sell silly, high end running shoes. I tried the Nike Free shoes, but they had much too much lift in the heel for my liking.

I'm on my feet a lot standing, hiking, walking, climbing (not much running). I've gone barefoot or in sandals most of my life, but like a nice tennisshoe or trekking shoes when appropriate. I've actually tried doing the living barefoot thing, but society is, well, what it is. I do hike and climb barefoot sometimes, though.

Anyway, taking pity on my preference for foot comfort and my being on them all day, a friend gave me a pair of Vivo Barefoots. I wasn't crazy about the style, but I like them a lot for feel. I kind of like a toe bumper/guard, just because that's what I'm used to in a shoe, I guess. I like that sort of sporty/rugged look. However, they began falling apart only about a year wearing them, and they weren't actually worn that heavily, nor roughly, as I'm in Sandals mostly.

Just this morning while reading about Parkour and Martial arts shoes, I discovered Feiyue, and I'm surprised to find little about them on this site. I'm blind and can't see the pictures, but from what I can gather, they are something like a very light sneaker, but without the rubber toe guard, which puts me off a bit, though not necessarily a deal breaker.

I mostly don't like the merrell styles, although I do own a pair of cold weather merrell boots I really like. I can't wait to try out the merrell barefoots.

Googling around, I came upon this site, and now I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to begin. Can anyone help me cut through the chase to find some nice sporty shoes that have a very thin, flat sole? Doesn't matter I guess laces or velcro. I am Vegan, so I don't wear leather or Swade, though the shoes don't need to be exactly "Vegan Certified" or anything like that.

Sorry if I'm posting incorrectly. I am blind and use a verbal output screen reader which does not handle these busy forums well. I had intended to post to the "Sports and Recreation" topic.

Thanks for your help.

Damien suggested I share this but you probably already saw this if you read the barefoot ted huarache group.

Anyway, I made some leather 4-tab sandals. They require a little bit more effort and tools than making a pair of huaraches, but they are very comfortable and there's no toe thong to chafe. I really hate the toe thong.

I posted pictures on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dianesoini/tags/homemadesandaltutorial/

I wore these sandals today walking to and from work. They really felt great. They feel secure (no weird slipping around or straps sliding down or worrying about knots breaking) yet totally unobtrusive to my feet.

If you think you want to try them, maybe you can figure out the instructions in my link. Since I took the picture of all the leather pieces straight on, you can probably print that out, cut out the shapes and if they are too big or small, just use the zoom on the xerox or something to resize the shapes.

I'm Tracy, mom of 4 kids, runner as of May 09.

I'm currently sidelined with a strained TFL and ITBS and am considering the transition to a more minimalist shoe, and perhaps one day completely barefoot.

I already walk around barefoot quite a bit and do my PT in barefoot when I'm home (my PT prefers I wear shoes in the clinic). I'm slowly making my way through Chi Running and find it all very interesting.

I'm looking forward to reading and learning from you all.

Take care! Tracy

Hello all,

I am a recent barefoot/minimalist convert (< 1year) after reading Born to Run. I immediately stepped out of my Asics and bought a pair of racing flats (adizeros). I've also done a few short barefoot runs (under 1km).

I work in the construction industry so I am looking for a work shoe with minimal padding a zero or near zero rise heel.

-Andrew

Hello from sunny southern california,

My name is Jon and I have been training barefoot for quite a while now and thoroughly enjoy it. The feeling and freedom cannot be compared, I encourage those who are on the fence to try it and see for yourself.

I'm leaving a message here, because it is suggested, and seems like the friendly thing to do, but I don't know who reads these.

I am blind, and run a company called World Access for the Blind: http://www.worldaccessfortheblind.org I am an expert in human perception, and am well aware of the benefits of going barefoot. Although I've worn sandals or gone barefoot most of my life, I am also partial to a nice feeling and looking (shape) shoe.

I do public speaking and travel training for a living, and spend much time on my feet standing, walking, climbing, and hiking (not much running). I am often in professional forums where going barefoot is just too "out there". I know, I've tried.

I'm very particular about my feet. I am actually new to minimalist shoes, and I joined this site to try to get a handle on it. There are just too many choices. I can do the research, but being blind, I can't view the selections on line, so I'm hoping to get some relatively quick answers. Thanks for everyone's expertise and experience. Daniel

Hi,

I'm not a barefooter but I do run as minimalist as I currently can. Now that it's cold, when I can run outside I run in Nike Free 3.0's. When I'm forced inside I'm running in my new Vibram Bikila's which have been great. I have run outside in them, 4 or 4 miles at a clip but my toes freeze . . . the whole glove versus mitten thing I guess, because the Free's are hardly cold weather shoes.

I have a friend who does most of his running in his Teva's (the low-end low-heel version) so I've tried that and it is pretty good. He just got a pair of Invisible Shoes Huaraches and those look pretty interesting.

I've only been running for about 6 months (I used to run occasionally way back when . . )

I'm rambling on.

Regards,

dh (Dave)

I've been running barefoot or Vibrams for a year and half now and constantly improving. I've been working on Pose running since the fall and it's slowly but surely helping my form alot.

I have been barefooting for about a year and a half. I live in a small town where barefooting in public is not tolerated, and I am not allowed to barefoot at work. Because of this, I wear minimalist shoes when I can't barefoot. My husband of two years and my friends from work and church are supportive of my barefooting, which is nice, because my family is not. I am proudly on the Board for the Primalfoot Alliance, and am looking forward to the day when we can barefoot in public without being discriminated against!