I finally bought myself a pair of barefoot running shoes yesterday after thinking about it for literally about 2 years!
Aren’t they purrrdy?
So what took me so long? It’s not like this is such a big decision after all.
Paula Jager, the Fitness Editor for this blog, wrote a post not too long ago about barefoot running and the benefits of shoes designed to mimic how we walk and run naturally.
Here’s a snippet of what she wrote:
- The big fat cushiony heel support found in modern day running shoes goes against our natural gait and can result in a shortened Achilles tendon and calf muscle
- It takes more energy to run with the extra weight of the shoes
- Worst of all, they are designed to make you land with your heel while we are designed (by nature) to land on our forefoot. The repetitive strain of slamming on your heel results in undue shock and potential joint injury. By landing on the ball or forefoot with light steps allows our arch to act like the natural spring that it is.
- By wearing all that fake support our muscles, tendons and ligaments have weakened. And that’s not only the ones found in our feet but also in our hips and legs. This will also decrease coordination, agility and balance.
Well said Paula! I find the reasons for barefoot running to be rather compelling too which is why I’ve been considering these new types of shoes for quite sometime.
My holdup with getting my first pair of barefoot runners was actually my husband who doesn’t at all like the look of the Vibrams Five Fingers models which were some of the first barefoot runners on the market.
“They look really weird” he would say whenever I brought up the possibility of buying a pair for myself.
I figured the problem was just that it was a new fashion trend and he would eventually get used to it, so I just waited.
And waited.
And waited some more!
No chance. After all my waiting, he still hated the look of those shoes and so did all 3 of my kids!
“Don’t get those Mom, they look like frog feet” my boys would tell me.
As luck would have it, something else happened in recent months to change the deal in my favor.
Barefoot runners were introduced to the market that look more like a regular sneaker. Hurray!
When these new barefoot runners first came out, I was ready to bite, but they were a bit too expensive for my taste. I can’t justify spending $100+ for a pair of sneakers when it comes right down to it.
It just seemed excessive to me.
But yesterday, I found a pair that were an excellent price and they were snazzy and cute looking to boot.
So I snapped them up as we have a bunch of outdoor hiking type of activities coming up this summer and I need a really good pair of shoes anyway as my sneakers are pretty beat.
My question to all of you is, are these shoes really worth it? Did I succumb to marketing hype by buying a pair or will I be nothing but thrilled in the coming weeks as I wear them for my outdoor excursions?
Please chime in as I would really like to get your opinion. And, if you think my new sneaks are ugly (or cute), feel free to mention that too!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I try to do most of my cardio with kettle bells and plyo’s because running hurts more as i get older.
I bought some vibrams about 2 months ago and I couldn’t be happier. I thought they looked ugly and weird too, so I resisted as long as I could but I’m a florida girl, through and through, and the idea of having the comfort I feel with my thin soled flip flops or walking around barefoot was just too enticing. I always used to get in trouble in Gym class back in school for showing up in so called “inappropriate” footwear: my converse allstars. I loved them because I could feel the ground underneath me and my back always felt better, even back then after wearing them all day. Vibrams were an easy sell, so as soon as I found a pair for half the price on the REI website I bought them up. I abhor wearing dress shoes now. Someone needs to come up with some dress vibrams. Hahahahaha!
You should check out Terra Plana. They have a barefoot section that look like normal shoes. I have a pair on flats for church/dressy outfits and a pair of boots from them.
questions:brand and price info and do they hve kids sizes?
Vibrams makes kids shoes but for growing feet I personally think they are WAAAAAAY overpriced. My hack for my son was just buying some water-shoe sandals (I think I got his from Children’s place) which are thin soled, flexible, and have the added benefit of being water-resistant so I do not fear puddles! If you have toddlers Robeez makes wonderful soft soled colorful moccasins and Target sells a knockoff brand too.
My son has the original Vibrams. I am just really curious how the ones you have which don’t look like barefoot runners at all compare.
i think they are ugly but hey my friend loves them but realizes that they really need to be used in the proper way or you can harm yourself to the point of needing surgery.
I have the “frog feet” types of Vibram shoes (aka Five Fingers) and I love them. I am not a runner, but I did realize a while back that I tend to grip my feet alot when I exercise, which was causing alot of foot pain. The Vibrams have solved that problem for me. I got mine on REI’s outlet section for $55 or so. (I ordered 3 pair and returned 2, just so I knew I got the best fit.) I have several friends that run and they swear by the New Balance barefoot shoes with the Vibram soles.
mY HUSBAND HAS BEEN WEARING THESE for years and swears by them!
I bought a pair of vibram 5 fingers about 2 years ago, they were advertised as good for weight training, running and leisure but the truth is they are only good for leisure and no even that confortable. Expensive and useless. Never again.
I have had my $100 pair for over 9 months now and LOVE them!!! They are so light and comfortable. They still are in great shape. You have to start out slowly, however, or you can hurt yourself. Now I can walk all day in them and they feel great. I would never go back to the other kind!
I am excited to hear what other people have to say about how these shoes work. I think they look cute though that is all I can add : ).
Sarah