Questions & Answers

Hi! My name is Rich and I live in St. Louis, MO. I'm in my 30's, married and have 5 children. My wife and I have been enjoying barefoot hiking, walking and running for around a year or so. I'm looking forward to reading your posts and maybe even contributing a little of my own knowledge and/or experiences.

Thanks for reviewing the Stem Shoes so well, and I appreciate the coupon for toesalad members! :)

I'll post a review and pics here when I get mine. Just ordered today.

I'd love to hear from those that have Stem's shoes and what you think of them. I got them to go to the gym in and to work in. I can dress casually at work and the only requirement is that they are close toed and closed heel. I could not get away with vibrams there and most minimalist shoes I find are really 'gawdy'. These look nice.

Anyway - tell me what you think about these shoes. . . Looking forward to my pair :)

Just joined the site and want to learn, Have a pair of Nike Free Runners. Would like a recommendation on a book to help me learn about minimalist running. Ran track and cross country in hs and college. Have a club foot that has been corrected, but have a lot of arthritis in that foot. ANy suggestions welsome. Kathy

I have started an online journal tracking my conversion to barefoot running (or barefoot like). jlgrunr.com is the url for the journal if you would like to visit and keep track of my progress.

It has been a great discovery so far (less than 2 months) for someone who has been running for 40+ years in shoes of all brands and types.

Jerry

After running with conventional shoes for 40+ years I decided that I wanted to go barefoot/minimalist. So far I have had a bit of a problem with patience, but I am getting my rhythm down and my form seems to be flowing more naturally. I started a blog to follow my journey: jlgrunr.com

At 58 I've run countless 10k's a bunch of half marathons and 2 marathons. The last was the Hartford Marathon in 2007 with a 3:37 finish, my PB. I cross train with cycling, more other sport passion. Running has gone around the world with me over the years and is the most convenient exercise for travel. I don't think of running as a workout as much as I think of it as my time to meditate and move in a comfortable way.

For runs longer than 12 miles I always gear myself for the body shock afterwards. That is the kind of worn out feeling you get after sending shocks through your body for the hour to two that you are running.

I am now feeling different with minimalist, forefoot striking running. I do believe you have to do some barefoot work to get the sensory feedback, but once you can feel the right form, it is a matter of time. All the cautions about taking it slow to let your calves and feet adjust are absolutely correct. I know. I've pushed it a couple of times and have had minor setbacks as a result.

I am glad to be here and looking forward to sharing the love of running, whether shod or barefoot, with all of you.

Jerry

I am 49yrs old, 200lbs, 6'00". I have running for the past 12yrs. I do 90% on treadmill the other 10% road and trail. This past mid June I started on the quest of becoming a more minimalist runner. I started slowly to run in vibram komodo sport. As of this date I have about 400 miles of VFF running. 300 in komodo sport and about 100 in KSO trek. During this training I have read numerous books on the subject and read many a web posting. I thought I went about this transition as knowledgeable as I could. The problem is it seems like one injury after another. Sure I experienced the sore calves. I think that is a given. I also had to suffer though top of foot pain right foot (got injected with cortisone) and now right foot peroneal tendonitis. The question I have is should I change my minimalist approach and go with a shoe that has a little heel to toe drop? This way I take some pressure off the lower legs. The therapist at the orthopedics wants me to wear a heel lift. I have worked so hard to get out of my NB 883 and get away from othodics and heel striking. I dont want to go back. Any and all advice is appreciated.... NOTE: never really injured in 883's, once in awhile a sore hammy or tight calf...

Came across the barefoot thingy while researching ultra-light travelling. Can't decide which shoe would be best suited... still looking for the perfect shoe, suitable for running, bushwalks, beach, Indian holiday and European winter. A rather narrow foot, too... Any suggestions?

I am not a runner, but I've been really interested in minimal shoes since last Spring, and I barely wore shoes at all over the summer. I'm loving it! But I'm a college student in Michigan, and my campus gets really icy in the winter. Last year, I wore a pair of sneakers most of the time, and Ugg boots (with a thick sole and about 5 mm drop) when there was more than 2 inches of snow. I want to wear more minimalist shoes this year, but I need a boot that has good traction on ice (there really isn't any way to avoid it on campus). I have a pair of Merrell Contour Gloves that I loved through the fall, but as soon as it snowed, I was sliding all over the place! Now I'm back to wearing my Uggs. :/

Also, I've been trying to update my style (I'm turning 26 in a couple weeks and still dressing like I did in high school), so bonus points for something that looks nice enough to wear when I need to dress professionally or I'm going on a date. (That overly sporty look is fine when you're exercising or running errands, but in some circumstances, it just doesn't fit.)

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This just popped in my mailbox the other morning, I thought some of you might be interested...

November 8, 2011, Atlanta, GA – In January 2011, kigo footwear COO Kristin Parker married Marco Serrano. The couple shares a passion for new food, friends and experiences; so rather than settling for a traditional weeklong honeymoon, they have embarked on a trip around the globe. They each will travel with a pack on their back and kigo footwear on their feet, crossing three continents and sharing their adventure every step of the way.

Kristin (Parker) Serrano is one of the three founders of kigo footwear, a line of minimalist shoes that are built for activity, styled for everyday wear and totally green. Perhaps no one understands the benefit of a four-ounce, protective, stylish and durable shoe more than one of its designers. Knowing that kigo footwear is an ideal lightweight and durable travel shoe, Kristin and Marco will wear kigos for adventuring, hiking, traveling and sightseeing.

On their adventure, Kristin and Marco will trek through 20 countries, crossing South America, Asia and Europe. Their trip will take them through varied rural and urban settings, and on calm and daring treks. Kristin will engage with international kigo footwear retailers and spend time in the low carbon output facility where kigo footwear is manufactured.

“Marco and I started dating about the time that we launched kigo footwear. The kigo motto is ‘keep going, the fun never stops,’ so it makes sense that Marco and I would wear kigos on our global honeymoon,” said Kristin. “Kigo has an awesome community of customers and partners, and we always say ‘We go kigo’ when we share their kigo adventures. ‘Vamos Kigo’ is the perfect way to share our experience in return, because it means ‘we go’ or ‘let’s go’ kigo in Spanish.”

Thousands of kigo footwear wearers, fans and travel enthusiasts will participate in the adventure through the Vamos Kigo Web site and the kigo footwear YouTube channel. Vamoskigo.com will be the central point for information, schedules, photos, videos and updates, and can be accessed directly at http://vamoskigo.com or through a link on the kigo footwear Web site.

Kristin and Marco encourage followers to provide suggestions about things to do and see while they are in each location. Alerts for updates and suggestion requests will post on the kigo footwear Facebook and Twitter (@kigofootwear) accounts.

I got some Altra Lone Peaks, women's. I might be the first!

I don't think I am capable of a full review, but I have to say these shoes are the perfect idea for me. Sometimes I don't want ground feel! I want a nice, normal, protective shoe for hiking and backpacking, with good traction but no arch support, motion control, raised heel or the other dumb things of standard footwear. Hooray for Altra making something minimal but not minimal! That's exactly what I've been waiting for!

My only issue is that I've got crazy Hobbit feet. Super wide with straight-across toes but small. I would get the men's version for the extra width but they don't come small enough for me. Without the insole, the women's version is just a tiny bit too narrow for one of my feet. (I can't wear them with the insole.) But so far it is not too bad.

I went for a nice power-walk today. Not enough hills to really give it a good try, but they feel great so far.

I attended a workshop today regarding athletic shoes and orthotics. To my surprise there was a section on barefoot running. I was only Pedorthist (and only one that has tried barefooting and still is) out 100 podiatrists attending so don't shoot the messenger, I'm just repeating what I heard. The instructor talked about heel vs forefoot striking, cadence, Vo2 max, foot training/strengthening and shoe design. Everything in the discussion was based on scientific evidence and not anecdotal (he says).

He started off the talk about Abebe Bikila, the 1st Olympic barefoot runner. He went to say how great it was that was able to accomplish this feat. Then said "how many has there been since then?" "only 3 or 4" "If they thought they would win barefoot why are they all wearing shoes now?" "Athletes are only going to things to help them win" "will a forefoot runner beat a heel striker? NO!" He knows of no one that trains 100% barefoot, all use it as a supplement to shod running.

Some of the problems mentioned were decrease in Vo2 max due shorter strides, stress fractures, peroneal/posterior tendonitis. One thing he said that I thought was interesting is when someone transitions to BF they complain of plantar fascitis. He said 9/10 it is not, the have strained the intrinsic plantar muscles that are above the fascia. Another positive thing was that people that have patellofemoral pain improve when the get out shoes, forefoot running puts less stress on the knees. Also talked about strengthening and proper transitioning.

He picked apart minimalist shoes, lack of torsional stabilty, no cushioning, too flexible, no toe spring, no heel rise. VFF, Saucony and Nike were the only shoes he brought in. All in all the Dr. were not impressed with the barefoot "fad".

I went "barefoot" this summer and now own two pairs of VFF shoes and Merrell cross trainers. I suffered terrible discomfort in my hiking boots for a few years, and switching to minimalist shoes have eliminated that. I have been fine for everything so far, but my dilemma is the winter. What can I wear with my snowshoes?

I was thinking Steger Mukluks but the price is high for me and they really don't want you wearing them in rain conditions. Finally I came across great reviews for Chota Quicklace Mukluks. I happened upon a pair in the size I needed on Ebay and with shipping came in at a hundred bucks. Absolutely flat sole very wide with nice give to them if 2 pairs of socks are worn. I stood in the lake today draining water out of our paddle boats and no leaks. The only question remaining is traction on packed snow. May require Yaktraxs or similar if they prove too slippery.

http://chotaoutdoorgear.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=34_37&products_id=50

I'm looking for outdoor minimalist shoes for my three year old and haven't yet seen anything that combines a very flexible sole with enough big toe room.

He's currently wearing soft stars (shoes, not mods) and while I'm happy with the soles I'm unhappy with the amount of room he has to move his toes (to the extent that I've considered cutting off the toe box, but as the temperature drops this isn't really an option). I've often noticed that the first thing he does after I take off his shoes is to move his big toe in all directions as much as he can, as though he's conscious of it having been 'locked' into place while he's had the shoes on.

It's getting to the stage that I'm thinking of having a go at making his shoes myself...

Anyone got any ideas?

Hello all. Glad I found it here. I've been running for about 6 years and had various injuries up until about a year ago, when my PT introduced me to the POSE method and minimalist shoes. I was using Inov-8 F-lite 195s, Saucony Grid Type A4 and NB Minimus Trails. I recently went to zero drop shoes, Merrell and Vivobarefoot and I'm very happy with the switch.

I'm a low mileage runner, only about 15-16 mpw right now, as my achilles tendon still gets cranky (that's what I went to PT for last year). But things are looking up and I hope to do some HMs this coming spring.

I look forward to getting to know you on the forums.

Barefoot Runners Wanted for Barefoot Running Study in Calgary, Canada

THE EFFECT OF HABITUAL BAREFOOT RUNNING ON THREE DIMENSIONAL BIOMECHANICS AND OTHER PREDICTORS OF CHRONIC INJURY IN ENDURANCE RUNNING.

We are looking for barefoot runners who are/have: 1) running barefoot or in a modified barefoot shoe at least 20km per week 2) free of orthopedic injury for at least 1 year 3) not experienced a foot-related injury requiring surgery in the past year 4) aged 18-55 5) In the Calgary, Alberta, Canada area.

The study will involve an hour of the participants’ time. They will come to the Running Injury Clinic and run on the treadmill for a few minutes so we can measure the forces and angles of their joints. Then we will do a few measurements of their flexibility. The only way people from outside Calgary could participate is if they were willing to travel here for the testing.

If you are interested, please contact Dr. Jordan Raugust Email: jordan.raugust@albertahealthservices.ca

(I'm not affiliated with the study, I'm just passing the word along. - Tina)

Any of you runners make the switch from VFFs to Luna sandals? I have been running in VFFs for awhile (both classic and bikila) but have been intrigued by lunas for awhile. Honestly the VFFs can become a sweaty, stinky, sloppy mess after awhile. Especially in Missouri with high humidity. I wash them frequently and they recover just fine. The bikilas are worse than the classics.

I made some from a kit a few years ago, 4mm and didn't like them cause of the floppy-ness. But now they have a full line with alot of options, and i'm sure they are put together way better than my DIY.

Anyhow how do the lunas feel in comparison to VFFs? good ground feel? good flexibility?

thanks for any thoughts or input... ben-

Was checking out this interview with his band Chickenfoot when I noticed his sandals. They don't look familiar to me, any ideas?

EDIT:This shot shows the sandals in relation to the tequila ;0)

I took the Newporter soles that I used on my last huarache project and made a pair of hiking huaraches out of them instead. I like to go backpacking and while I have had success hiking in thinner huaraches, when the hiking gets really long distance and more gnarly, I want more protection:

• More cushioning for those 25+ mile days
• More sole in front of my toes to protect my toes
• Laces that are not exposed to the bottom and won't break at the wrong moment

So I redid my huaraches. These are awesome. I can't wait to try them on some bad ass rocky trails and do some hardcore backpacking in them. There's 1/4 inch of Vibram cloud EVA foam, Newporter soles, vegetable tanned leather and a suede footbed. They are thick but not too heavy and still flexible. They're my hiking boots of huaraches. I might be able to retire my Chacos now!

I use Luna Leadville laces. They are pretty long and I don't want to cut them shorter so I lace them in a way that's wrapped and weaved around my ankle. Once you're in them, you're not taking them off until you are ready. If I could do a slip-on style I would, but the Leadvilles are just too thick for that.

The toe strap is a separate piece of leather that loops through a slit in the vegetable-tanned leather layer and then through a slit in the Leadville laces. A knot keeps the toe-loop in place. The sides of the laces go through some leather tabs that go through slits in the vegetable tanned leather and under my heel. This way there is no knot on the bottom and no laces on the sides. No way to rub them against the ground, no way to break them with normal wear and tear. I can backpack in them without worry, without having to carry backup shoes.