Comments on: 3 differences between Minimalist Shoes vs Barefoot

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:21:17 +0000

Fantastic for you! Glad to hear the pain has disappeared.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:52:19 +0000

I’ve been suffering with a knee injury for several years now. Because my orthopedic surgeon could not give me a diagnosis, he told me it was probably just a “bone bruise” and I needed to stay away from running for six months. That’s hard to do when you are in the Army Reserves and have to maintain good physical fitness! I read an article on barefoot running and the benefits to feet, ankles and knees. I decided to try a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and it was wonderful. I started running with them slowly, but pretty soon I was using them everywhere, even just to walk around the mall. They soon wore out and I’m now on my second pair. I wanted to wear more of a miminalist shoe at work, too, so I also bought a pair of Merrells. I like them because they look more like real tennis shoes and I can get away with wearing them with scrubs. But I’m not sure they give me the same support as the VFF. Still, I’m enjoying the minimalist lifestyle (without going totally barefoot) and my knee hardly ever gives me trouble now!

By: Werner

Werner — Sun, 01 May 2011 21:42:23 +0000

I bought the Walmart Aqua socks for $7 and I got 2 pairs. I enjoy racewalking in them and they give just enough protection from the asphalt and concrete I run on. But on one pair, the uppers fell apart after 2 days, the other pair seems to be holding up ok for now. But yesterday, I found some Aqua socks at Big Lots store here locally and they only cost $5. The uppers are a much better quality and I hope the soles will last longer. At this price, if I can get 200 miles out of a pair, I’ll be happy. I bought 4 pairs .. 2 are red and 2 are blue. If our Big Lots store gets more of these Aqua socks, I’ll buy those too … LOL.

By: Ian Kola

Ian Kola — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:37:08 +0000

I’ve found that running in five fingers doesn’t need to stop come the snow and cold. I’ve been running in 15 degree and colder temperatures here in Burlington, VT and it’s been perfectly fine. I use the Flows with knee high injinji socks. Snow, packed or fluffy is perfectly fine but it’s the slush combined with cold temps that really does it. It was 28 degrees when I did my nine miler today, so warm that i ditched the socks! refreshing! I’m training for the Vermont City Marathon, May 29th. I’ll probably run it in my five fingers as they are all I run in.

By: Chris Lewis

Chris Lewis — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 09:45:23 +0000

I’ve been running in the Vibram KSO Treks since Decemeber 2009 and training and running in Nike Frees since they came out. I never knew what the minimalist movement was or how much minimalists deal with until I deployed to Afghanistan in Jan of this year. Since day one hear I have gotten, “those aren’t running shoes”, “you know those aren’t authorized, right?” and a host of other comments. The thing that know seems to understand is that they are “commerical running shoes”. They are different but they offer outstanding results. I’ve shaved almost 8minutes off my 5 mile run time since starting a routine in April. That coupled with the fact I had to over come a 4,000 ft elevation change should put the naysayers to rest.

By: marsha

marsha — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:03:21 +0000

Can’t say that the vibram shoe feel like barefoot running and barefoot walking. Not really a minamilist. Read more on research by this doctor Steven Robbins: http://www.stevenrobbinsmd.com . Enjoy the conversation

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:36:22 +0000

Take it slow and I hope you are pleasantly surprised. Attitude can have a big impact.

By: Gayle

Gayle — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:34:04 +0000

I had foot pain a few years ago and naturally saw a podiatrist who put me in (expenisve) custom orthotics. I hate them. Prior to this, I wore shoes as little as possible, only outside. The shoe fit guy told me the worst thing is to go barefoot. I was bummed since I did not like to wear shoes. Well, fast forward to now and my feet still hurt, so I will try walking barefoot again and trying to strengthen my foot muscles. I have genetically short tendons which caused me to toe walk all my life. But if my feet are going to hurt anyway, I would rather avoid the clunky, ugly, uncomfortable, ridiculously expensive orthopedic shoes. Here’s to no shoes!

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:55:54 +0000

The best footwear is definitely dependent on your feet, and your preference. I am currently preferring VFF and dabbling in Huarache’s for your type of thing. VFF have been the best to me, however some people literally can’t wear them due to sizing issues. Your best bet is to experiment, perhaps starting very cheaply with something like water shoes.

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:38:15 +0000

I’m hooked on running barefoot; until I get my mileage built back up (5 runs/week of 90+ mins.) I have grassy/dirt areas to run on. However, I live in a city (Norfolk, VA) and inevitably will need to do some 12-13 mile runs on the streets/sidewalk, where there is plenty of broken glass and other debris where running barefoot would just be foolish. Which type of footwear is the next best thing? Sandals/huaraches, VFF’s, Terra Plana Evo’s, ??? Thanks for your help,

Pete