Questions & Answers

I'm a NY trainer who's been barefoot or in my Altras for months and now looking for a winter trail shoe that can cross over as a city shoe in bad weather so I can travel light, dry and warm. Any updated ideas for winter 2014/2015?

I'm training for a marathon, and my kids (age 8 and 6) will be training for a kids version, where they'll run in various increments up to the race day and they'll complete the 26.2 mile on the finish line. My kids are athletic, but have never had running shoes just for that purpose. Any recommendations?

I've been walking in minimalist shoes for two years now, and also done some running with barefoot shoes on roads and gravel roads - only short runs - 2 to 5 miles, but still, I thought that I had developed some foot strength.

So this spring I started trail running, and loved it. Only 2 miles to begin with, but then I had two longer runs - and now my left foot hurts. The top of the foot, towards the outside of the foot (the 4th and 5th metatarsal if I have got the technical language right.) A dull ache, which is better when I've warmed up and walked/run for a bit, but hurts more after rest and in the morning.

I've been running in pretty minimal shoes. ZEM 360s on treadmill, Inov-8 bare-x light 150 on roads, and Inov-8 trail roc 150 on trails.

I've taken it easy for a few weeks now, and it gets better, but is still there.

So - it seems that I underestimated the strain of trail running with such a minimal shoe as the trail roc 150, and also the difference between gravel roads and uneven trails.

I'm asking for tips here: should I just lay off running - at least trail running for a while?

Or can I start running again, but very short distances?

Finally, should I get a slightly more supportive trail-running shoe? Still zero-drop and wide shoebox...

I've been thinking about the vivobarefoot trail freak (but is it stable enough?), The merrell trail glove 2 (maybe the most likely - but should I get more cushioning?), other merrell zero-drop shoes (ascent 3, maybe?) - or the Altra offerings, such as the lone peak 1.5, or the superior 1.5

So - A complex question, but I'm sure there are some people out there that can answer parts of it!

Thanks!

We are interested in knowing some of the lessons the kids are learning win it comes to facing challenging circumstances and using them as a learning experience. What slogans or statements do the kids make now that help them get through their fears and how have you as parents even grown from them.

We are dying to know if Brienne went with tenacious bling or rainbow dash.

I read the blog here by googling the BIOM Lite and then I realized that I am entering a new world. I am now so interested of becoming a barefoot walker. My feet and legs are not strong. If I stand in the subway car for more than 30mins, my feet will feel pain. I want to practice my feet. Will you please recommend a pair of shoes as my first minimalist shoes? On my way to the work, I have to walk for about 20 mins and then take 40 mins subway, mostly stand in the car. Do you think it is a good idea to ware a shoes like that? e.g. the BIOM Lite/Grip or OTZ300GMS? thank you for your help.

Is there a particular brand/type that you would recommend for someone new to minimalist footwear? I'm not looking for anything for running as I have another injury. I'm looking for something that would be good for every day use and a few short walks a week.

I climb for the electric company and we are required to weara bout that has a very high heel and metal shank for support when climbing. But I have been wearing my kso's and vivo and love it my question is will wearing these boots 40 hrs a week and my minimalist shoes the rest of the time cause any health problems for me/my feet?

Hi everyone, I started my "barefoot revolution" last spring and had the best summer I ever had in a long time! My back, my knees, my whole body thanked me for it. My feet even grew by half a size! I need to say that I'm a walker, not a runner. Then winter arrived (I'm up here in Ottawa) and I needed to get winter boots. I got something really warm, Keen boots, but ever since I started wearing them my lower back hurts like a $!% (I'll let you guess). I couldn't really find a casual winter solution for minimalist enthusiasts who needs to commute to go to work. I found the Scott Mens from Vivobarefoot but as all there footwear, they were sold out. Does anyone have any other suggestions or do I need to wait for them to become available?

Thanks!

I also use a Steripen Freedom, but haven't done a large through hike like you guys are planning. How are you going to recharge the battery while on the trail?

Same question for flashlights?

I'm assuming you'll have backup water purification.

I am in the market for a minimalist shoe that is very durable and will stand up to off-trail use. Any suggestions?

I work in a warehouse environment and am looking for a good shoe to wear daily. I have previously purchased a pair or Lems/Stems and the sole began to come apart from the shoe only after two weeks of wearing them for normal daily activities. They were kind enough to send me a replacement pair, but they did the same thing.

Looking for info on a wide shoe that offers a decent casual look but won't fall apart while standing still. I've never owned any Vivo shoes, are they pretty durable?

Hi there. I have read your article on winter running suggesting the Feelmax Vasko. Can you tell me how they compare to the Vibram Five Finger Lontra. I did a 2.5hr on a -15C, but feels like -22 with the windchill, and came home with both big toe with frost bite and frost nip on my hands. I am looking for a pair of minimalist running shoes for the winter. I currently run in Merrell Pace Glove. I have been looking at Vivobarefoot Neo Trail. What do you suggest for Canadian winters?

After years of foot pain and lower back pain, I evolved to wider shoes, untied, and now barefoot I have to wear shoes for managing my store, so I wear Lems in the store. As soon as I started barefooting I grew intolerant to socks - now my feet warm up so much that I want to crawl out of my skin if I dare wear socks. I wash my Lems every week, so they always smell fresh. Is there winter footwear that will be : Super wide Flat thin soled Washable

Minnesota winters are a bit brutal.

I am looking for a closed toe minimalist shoe that i can wear at work (a kitchen) and also at my martial arts dojo where they require shoes. May i please have your opinion on the matter? I am thinking; something that looks pretty casual, a good grip would be a plus, wide toe box, durable enough the kick wooden dummies repeatedly (and secure enough not to slip off), laces (or something equally flat on top so nothing digs into my foot while kicking), and a thin sole. So far i like the (look of) Feelmax Aapa and Lems Primal. Any advice/suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you!

Greetings all!

I'm currently in the Afghanistan and I'm looking to pick up a pair of minimalist boots but I have no idea how the sizing runs for the two brands. My Merrell Trail Gloves and Barefoot Life Radiuses both fit perfectly in size 9 - perfect width and pleny of room in the toe bed. I'm looking at the Kuuva 2s and the Bellville 102 Mini-mil. I would greatly appreciate any input as to how the merrell sizes would translate to the Kuuvas or Mini-mils (other boot recommendaitons are welcome, too!)

Thanks,

Chris

http://oldesoles.com/shop/

Yes, they are renfair shoes. But several of the styles are perfectly normal for daily wear and are made of daily wear. They have a few that women could get away with in most offices, plus one short boot called the Villager that men could wear on most occasions. Also another one called the buckle boot that men could wear to nearly every thing.

What can men wear when running shoes won't do? Women can usually find some variation of ballet slipper without too much work, but its different for men. A man's work shoe is hard to find.

They will let you have your choice of soling, including just plain leather because they make to order.

I intend to buy from them very soon.

I'm a stream ecologist, and wear Simms stockingfoot waders for my field work. There's a lot of hiking up and down streams, and bushwhacking, and the wading boots I wear over the waders just kill my feet. Frankly, they're dangerous - they're so stiff that I can't tell what I'm stepping on and I've had some close calls.

I'd love to have something lighter and more flexible. Any suggestions? They need to keep dirt out; I don't want bits of grit getting in and chewing holes in my expensive waders! At the same time, water needs to be able to drain out of them. Also they need laces to hook gaiters onto; more keeping gravel out.

I considered neoprene kayaking booties, but the wader feet are neoprene - I don't really fancy hiking with two layers of neoprene over my feet! They're warm enough as it is. The gaiters are neoprene as well. Fantastic for cold-season work (which I do quite a bit of) but not so great for hiking into a site on a hot day.

To sum up my requirements: Light -- Flexible -- Dirt-proof (preferably over-ankle) -- Laces for gaiter attachment -- Will fit over neoprene stockingfoot wader

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Haven't been to the site in a while, and what a surprise when I got here. It looks great.

To make this relevant to the topic, it's finally warm enough here in Newfoundland to kick off the shoes. Nothing beats barefoot gardening, I love the feel of moist soil. Not so keen on the gravel driveway I have to traverse to reach the shed, though... I hope my feet toughen up soon!

Does anyone have experience with theses

http://www.bellevilleboot.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=97

Thans, Jack