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 have some of the newer ones like you bought and I love them!
I have very high arches and my tibia/fibula are slightly curved causing my ankle/foot to come off at an angle. I deal with a lot of pain if I’m on my feet for an extended period of time. The only thing that I’ve found to be supportive are Birkenstock’s high arch footbed. I still go barefoot a lot, but if I’ve been barefoot and on my feet for awhile I can notice a marked difference in how my posture and every joint from my ankle to my lower back feels after I put my birks back on.
If I have some issues with going barefoot now, would barefoot shoes even be a good idea? How do Birkenstock’s soles rate?
There’s the possibility of your feet muscles just not being strong enough, as Sara mentioned above. Regular shoes make your leg/feet muscles weak. I have really high arches and my feet start aching when I’m on them for too long, but I love the Vibrams. I can tell that certain areas have increased in strength and standing all day in them is easier than without them on.
The question is…what do you actually want to achieve with them? If you think it would instantly make you a better runner, then it could be hype.
I really like your shoes. Would you mind telling us the brand?
They are Merrell Barefoots. And if anyone from the company sees this, YES … feel free to send me a free pair (or two)! LOL
I’m size 8 🙂
I have the Merrell Barefoots too, in the purple and black, and I absolutely love them! My husband has been running in them for a while now and finally convinced me to make the switch. (He just did the Tough Mudder challenge in his for the second year in a row.) After exercising with these, I will never go back to a conventional running shoe.
However, I wouldn’t use them for hiking as I prefer more ankle support on long backpacking trips.
So are they good if you have foot trouble? My Dr. wants me to always wear shoes and to not go barefoot because of the pain I have in my feet so I’m always looking for the shoes with the most padding so I’m not in pain. Would these work in this situation?
Vibram 5 fingers are great for any trouble you are having. You have to start out slowly in them. maybe only wearing them for 30 min at a time b/c you are strengthening the muscles in your feet! Mine are amazing and I would never run in anything again ever! They are the only things that don’t hurt my feet if I walk or stand in them all day.
I have a pair of new balance barefoot runners and I really like them. Have had them for a few months and wear them much of the time, not just for fitness. They are really lightweight and I can wear them without socks, too, since they’re very breathable.
I like how lightweight they are too. Feels almost like you are really barefoot which I prefer anyway, for for practicality and safety need shoes for recreating (except when at the beach!!)
I have been wearing vibrams for 6 months and just ran my first 12k. The course was really hilly and people warned me that it feels more like a half marathon. The hills? Not a problem! When everyone else ran slower on the hills, I ran faster! It was amazing! I love these shoes!
i have used Vibrams for about 2 years now, and they literally saved my running career. i was having knee and hip pain every single day until i changed to barefoot runners. they are not only a good investment, but for a heel-striker like myself they are the only option!
I love my 5 fingers. I do not run, but for hiking, walking, exercise, and just general wear, I LOVED THEM. They have altered the way a walk to a very comfortable toe prominent stride. I feel it in my calves and glutes. My lower back feels straighter. I love the toe pockets and the use of the toe when walking and hiking as well.
Good luck with the style you have. I hope they are great.
I have the Five Finger shoes – they look silly but they (and the change in my running gait) have solved ALL my ITB/knee issues. I will never wear sneakers for running again. I have put 100s of km on them, trail, path & pavement, and they are still holding up.
If you are a runner, then GO SLOW and heed the warnings when making the shift to barefoot running! Running uphill is a good way to start, and only do a few hundred meters a day to begin. Look for a running coach who specializes in this style and get some instruction.