It’s been almost three months since I purchased my first pair of barefoot running shoes. I wrote about my 2 year search for a the perfect pair that weren’t over the top expensive and weird looking in my post from June titled Are Barefoot Running Shoes Hype?
I promised to update you all about how I liked my new shoes in the upcoming weeks, and since this is the last official summer weekend of 2012, I thought it appropriate to give you the scoop right about now.
The bottom line? I love my barefoot runners! These shoes really do give you a connection with the ground that is sorely missing from typical athletic shoes.
I took them with me on our summer trip to Alaska and Canada and found them nothing short of awesome for all sorts of activities: long distance walking, hiking, rock climbing, and even zip lining from the treetops as you really do feel balanced and secure wearing them.
I wore my barefoot shoes as much as possible for the two weeks before I left for vacation to get used to them as recommended by the manufacturer.
I did not experience much if any soreness or problems adjusting. While wearing barefoot shoes for athletic activities definitely felt strange at first, it certainly wasn’t uncomfortable and during those early days of adjustment, I always stopped right away if I felt like I was going to overdo it and injure myself.
We go barefoot year round at my house as do many people in Florida, so it really did surprise me how long it took me to adjust to these shoes despite being used to barefoot living for most of my life.
Observation: walking around your house all day long barefoot is quite a different thing from doing something athletic wearing barefoot shoes!
The Downside to Barefoot Shoes
Now, for the nitty gritty.
Despite the fact that I really enjoy my barefoot shoes and find them very comfortable and even pleasurable for all sorts of athletic activities, I have just one beef to share with you:
I still can’t run in them!
I have tried and tried to get used to running in my barefoots, but I can only get to about the 1/4 mile mark before my calves and Achilles feel like they have had quite enough. I always stop and don’t push it at that point because I have no desire to injure myself as that would accomplish nothing in the long run. Any athlete knows that an Achilles injury is nothing to mess around with as it takes you out of commission for an extended period of time!
I shared my frustrations with Paula Jager, the Fitness Editor for this blog, at our local food pickup this past week.
What she said shocked me.
Paula shared that it took her a full year to get to the point where she could run any appreciable distance in her barefoot shoes!
Ah ha!
So that’s the secret!
I just haven’t given the whole thing enough time.
I guess this makes sense. Having been active my whole life and participated in a wide variety of sports and outdoor activities, my leg muscles have good muscle tone and getting them to stretch to the point where the muscle tone is equivalent in barefoot mode is going to take quite a bit of effort and time.
I think if I wasn’t a very active person, I ironically would have had an easier time adjusting to running in barefoot shoes as my calves and Achilles would not have good tone in the unnatural shortened position which occurs over time when you wear typical athletic shoes.
So those of you who are just starting out with running and haven’t really done much in the past, I think you will have an easier time with barefoot shoes than I have. Don’t be discouraged by what I’ve experienced!
Based on Paula’s advice, I am back to wearing my barefoots for running again after nearly giving up on the idea some weeks ago. I am alternating my barefoots with my conventional runners and am giving it until next summer to fully convert over.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
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I had given up on running a few years ago, but since happened across the barefoot trend. I haunted a few websites that regularly offer discounts on NB, Merrells and Vibrams until I had enough shoes to get through most days wearing nothing else. After reading Cristopher McDougal’s book “Born to Run”, I got inspired to run again. Perhaps the fact that I wear barefoot shoes all day meant that there was no issue brought on by the shoes themselves. However, assuming one eases into a somewhat consistent routine of wearing them, I would venture a guess that you may need to study barefoot running a bit before you really go for it. Watch YouTube videos on barefoot methods, Pose method, etc. Like anything physical that you try, it takes some time to feel your way through it until it becomes natural. My calves hurt quite a bit after the first few times I ran, but I settled into a style and stride that worked. My mind was constantly comparing what I had seen and read with what my feet and legs were doing as I moved along. I would definitely suggest: 1-Study, 2-Acclimate to the shoes other than just putting them on for a run, 3-Start slowly and stick to non-paved running areas, trails and grass.
I 2nd that Mark.
Barefoot running shoes sounds like an oxymoron
It’s great to see another discover barefoot running. As a Registered Massage Therapist in Vancouver BC Canada I have a large population of runners that I work with. Have you considered adding some manual therapy of some form to your training regimen ? Myofascial Release, Intermuscular Stimulation (IMS) or Myofascial Stretch Therapy (MST) would all greatly help you gain the length in your lower leg & hips needed to run barefoot. Adaptation does take time however, Most people are unable to switch from a traditional shoe into a minimal shoes cold turkey. Slowly give your ligaments, tendons, joints & muscles the time to get stronger, after all that is the whole point of barefoot running. You are allowing your body to work the way nature intended and shock absorb the forces generated while running. Stick with it, it gets better! Doug’s post had some great strengthening exercises : ) If you are having a really difficult time transitioning find a running clinic or someone who does gait analysis, most runners could use a few adjustments to their technique.
@Missy Sorry to have stepped on your “toes” I actually read the article and some of the comments directly below which do not mention the 5 finger running shoes. And yes they’re called that. 🙂
Nice try… Cause what normal folks (non plants) would do before asking that question was read the thread – all of five minutes – half the threads speak of the five finger sneakers – those before your posts and after – surely you get each email?
You actually don’t get the comments from before your posts….!
Phoebe posted after your first post she mentioned five fingers. You could of asked her. Or again, just read the thread.
You can fool and convince others – but I am just disappointed at how this thread is run, and that bloggers would cajole readers in this manner – I will not be posting here anymore (maybe – I too could be a plant)
I actually thought these barefoot running shoes were a passing trend. Now I’m tempted to try them out. Has anyone tried those 5 finger running shoes? They look weird, but I wonder if they’re any good?
I was a distance runner pre modern shoes. I ran 10 mile every night at 5 minute mile pace in a pair of shoes that were a thin flat rubber sole on light cloth. The trick was always running on your forefoot so natural shock absorption occurred. The new shoes came out and they re trained us to heel plant. Within a week I had serious knee problems- modern running shoes increases shock through teh knees and back according to research. What u need for barefoot type shoes is a well developed tibialis anterior excreta to maintain the foot arch . don’t just walk about- walk on ur tippy toes and practice bouncing up and down on ur forefoot. ie if in line at the bank make use of the time. and at the gym resting between sets. pick up weights and walk about on tippy toes
I was a distance runner pre modern shoes. I ran 10 mile every night at 5 minute mile pace in a pair of shoes that were a thin flat rubber sole on light cloth. The trick was always running on your forefoot so natural shock absorption occurred. The new shoes came out and they re trained us to heel plant. Within a week I had serious knee problems- modern running shoes increases shock through teh knees and back according to research. What u need for barefoot type shoes is a well developed tibialis anterior excreta to maintain the foot arch . don’t just walk about- walk on ur tippy toes and practice bouncing up and down on ur forefoot. ie if in line at the bank make use of the time. and at the gym resting between sets. pick up weights and walk about on tippy toes