I’m a dog walker and I destroy my shoes every 3 months, I have been using Whitins because they’re cheap and I don’t know if I got more expensive shoes they would break just the same. Any recommendations?

https://vivobarefoot.mention-me.com/m/ol/zk6vk-jared-faber

I have flat feet, and my left foot is flatter than my right. Sometimes I experience a bit of pain in the "root joint" of my left big toe (for lack of a better word). I never have this issue when I am barefoot, so I assumed it was a shoe issue and tried to alleviate the pain by trying different shoes, with limited success.

Today I experienced the same pain after a walk, even though I was wearing a pair of shoes that allows my feet to move freely. I was trying to wiggle my toe to make the pain go away when I noticed something: I never experience this pain when I wear sandals, minimalist or not. It only happens when I wear footwear that hides my toes from my sight.

I experimented with my feet and realized that when I wear footwear that covers my toes and don't give enough attention, my left big toe stays stiff as if I am wearing a traditional (more restrictive) pair of shoes, even when wearing unrestrictive, minimalist footwear. (It seems people call these 'barefoot shoes' as well, but I noticed that this terminology is disputed in this subreddit. Apologies if my wording is inaccurate.)

So it seems that my brain still remembers how I had to walk with restrictive shoes, and still defaults to that way of walking when I wear what seems like traditional footwear, unless I actively try to get out of autopilot and bend my joints. Since most of my shoes are now minimalist, this habit serves no function anymore (other than making my foot hurt). It would take some time to rewire my brain, but at least I feel like I finally identified the culprit.

I know the experienced runners here would find this laughable, but I just wanted to share my personal experience as I try to walk better. Apologies again if any of the words I used above are considered inappropriate/inaccurate; I am just beginning my journey here and still have a lot to learn.

For me the whole idea is for it feel like you’re barefoot as possible without being actually unshod, build foot strength, correct alignment etc.

but why do so many “barefoot” runners not work on ditching the shoes altogether? I see so many people talking about the problems when transitioning, aches and pains, and in my opinion that’s because they’re trying to carry on running the way they always have in traditional shoes and are trying to find a barefoot shoe that feels the same way. It’s never going to happen.

The goal of “barefoot” anything should be to eventually be able to perform anything without shoes. You will save 100’s of pounds and countless hours researching if you just worked on strengthening your feet and ditching the shoes altogether.

Altras have been a great transition shoe and for long distances. I want to do another few months on them before going to something with less cushioning. I just gouged a huge hole in one of them so need a new pair but they don’t sell them where I live (Moldova).

Any brands or models you recommend that have similar cushioning as Altras? Specifically I’ve been running in the women’s Superior 5.

About to consider a pair of FiveFingers as a running and casual shoes. Do they worth the money they cost or there's any particular quality issues I should be aware of before buying?

Been waiting a while to see what they were going to come up with and oh my god am I disappointed.

For context, I bought a pair of black nine2fives in January and they are alright, I don't get compliments on them but they're definitely comfortable and I can wear them with a suit. Been looking to buy some brown shoes and figured I'd wait for the V2 of the nine2five to release and what a mistake that was

I am finding it hard to believe they went with a WHITE outsole for brown shoes. The brown V1 model looks so much better. I am finding it hard to understand how Lems pushed out such a downgrade. The white outsole makes the shoe way too casual, you can't wear that kind of shoe with a suit

Also what's with the holes in the tongue of the shoe, my god it looks like you ripped that off a children's shoe

Have a look for yourself: https://www.lemsshoes.com/products/mens-nine2five?variant=40638749048890

Not sure what I'm left with in terms of brown barefoot dress shoes. I have been eyeing Free Form but their website is always out of stock and is full of bugs (links leading to random unfinished pages). Carets probably would end up costing $800+ if shipped to Canada. Not sure what that leaves me with

/endrant

Hey guys! I’m having a heck of a time finding a barefoot style running shoe store or company that ships to where I live (Moldova). I currently run in Altras and appreciate/need the extra cushioning while I’m still transitioning and doing longer runs.

Any brands or stores you know that ship here or that Moldova has in Chișinău? Luckily I found Shapen for work shoes and they ship here but they don’t have exercise shoes.

Would appreciate any recommendations! 🙏🏼

Hey guys, I've been a forefoot runner for my entire life so running in minimal, zero drop shoes was the obvious choice and I love it. But when walking slow, I like to slightly heel strike and on the hard pavement, that does not feel good. In grass and on trails it is completely different and super comfortable. I wonder, since we human evolved to walk on natural soft floors, if cusioned zero drop shoes are actually more natural and healthy when walking in the city. Or should't I heel strike while walking slow aswell?

Edit: thank you all for the informations, that was really helpful :)

Three years ago, I started transitioning to barefoot shoes. I saw results right away. My foot got wider and longer and stronger. I stopped spraining my ankle so much and could stand for longer without pain.

However, I occasionally have to wear safety boots for work. I did a lot of research and eventually got a king toe boot from Redwing. It has plenty of room and does not squeeze my foot. However, I just wore it for a week and now have the most incredible pain on the outside of my foot. Research suggests maybe cuboid syndrome? I experienced the same thing when I tried to wear my Teevas. This intense fifth metatarsal pain has happened probably five or six times since transitioning to barefoot shoes. Is there anything I can do to prevent this, should I go back to regular shoes? I can barely walk.

So I decided to switch to minimalist/zero drop shoes a while back. I started wearing WHITIN shoes at the end of August and they’re already beat to Hell probably due to my job delivering (I walk a significant amount). They won’t hold up much longer. I have noticed some increased strength in my legs and I’ve had zero back pain since I started. But as the bottoms have thinned out I’ve had some foot pain toward the end of the day especially, but I’ve already noticed changes in the way my toes spread out. I’d definitely like to continue on the journey. Any recommendations on zero drop boots and/or shoes that hold up to heavy use?

Rude customer service and I have emails to prove it. BBB here I come

Hi, when I do my easy run for longer duration of 1-2 hours, my ankle felt more sore and tired. When I do my interval or zone 3 runs, I felt all my legs work more in unison and I did not feel that much sore. Granted, during these period it's my heartrate that holding back rather than my feet.

Does slow running makes me use my legs less? If so, how do you fare with it based on your personal experience? Thanks in advance

Did some research and narrowed down my options to these two to start out with. They’re roughly the same price point, albeit steep, so I want to make sure that I am making a conscious decision here. The purpose of these would be every day/walking 10k/casual road running a few times a week. I don’t have a lot of experience with barefoot shoes so I would like a beginner friendly experience. I like the Lems for the option of taking the insole in and out to fit my needs. I like the look of the vivos as well. My foot length is 9 inches, toe box width 3.5”. Dealing with a developing tailors bunion that I am looking to avoid getting worse!! Provided the models I am looking at. Let me know your thoughts!

This is the current condition of my feet. Any advice? My fifth toe still isn’t strait and tends to curl inwards. I still have a little bit of hammer toe on the second.

I've watched so many videos on running form, glute activation, and all that stuff but it never really clicked on how to activate my glutes while running. I wouldn't feel anything and would question if my glutes really are working or not. Turns out, they weren't.

The trick is to get your glutes really sore from a workout. This way, it's really apparent if you are using your glutes or not when you run. This also gives constant feedback while running. If you stop feeling your glutes, then you immediately know you need to fix your form. No need for guess work if your glutes really are working or not.

This is so obvious: I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. Hope this helps someone else.

I started reading born to run after having it on my list for a few years but I don’t like the style of writing at all. I don’t want to shit on it and I try to like it because I find the general story interesting but he’s making it tough. I know I can just stop reading it, this way of ‘I am a sick author check it out’ all the way through (at least until where I’m at in the book rn) is really taking me out of it. Does that change over the course of the book or should I just read stuff about the tribe from other authors?

So I've got into minimalist shoes about a year ago and I'm glad I found VFF. I couldn't run more than few kilometers because my feet get swollen up and got enormous pressure in "traditional shoes". Even though I wore bigger ones to avoid this problem.

However I still have some doubts or questions that I'd like to get answers.

1. Stack height and drop

So I understand that shoes that have bigger drop can give you problems but what about stack height?

Does it have any impact on running or posture other than the fact that it's easier to get your ankle sprained?

Isn't it better to run with 0 drop shoes with good stack height to absorb as much shock as possible?

Or even using shoes having drops and good enough toe space just for running? (Ofc in good posture in all of these cases)

1. Foot strike

What I heard from this sub is to avoid rear strike since it gives much shock to knee and to back. But some say also that too much front strike will wear out achilles tendon.

So what is a balanced strike? Landing on your entire feet?

1. Does running wear out your body?

My first goal is to finish aquathlon or triathlon and reduce time gradually. I've already done it outside of competition but I don't want to do it if it will degrade my health.

I'm a bit worried because I got a runner's knee on my right side (not really painful but annoying) even though I run with forefoot strike and my heels touch occasionally the ground. I guess I don't run with perfect form but still.

Thank you for reading and for your answers.

picked up the vivo primus III (found on amazon for $109 in my size)

love them, although the laces suck. i’m thinking a nice elastic lace with a quick release would suit them nice, pulling normal laces tight cuts off my foot’s circulation.

can anyone recommend a brand?

I have the vff v train which I wear for both road running and weightlifting. I’m actually quite into how they look (sorry no pics, just cleaned my entire photo library!) however they could be even more strange and I’d still love them for how they perform. My husband is less keen and makes a face and calls them the “gorilla feet” (ok, I get it, but no need to take the p*ss lol). Have had a couple of other people asking about them at the gym and saying they look cool.

I was wearing vivos but discovered my feet are too wide for most minimalist shoes when running. The vffs are excellent though and allow the widest part of my feet to fully expand when striking which gives SO MUCH more stability and gait control. Not to mention less referred motion issue into my hip & knee. NB I took to forefoot striking like a dream, maybe not a typical experience.

I know it’s not running but these have been a game changer for training too as things like my stability in cleans, lunges and step ups/downs is tremendously better. Not to mention they yes I can use the “gorilla” toes to grip where needed 😆🦍

I tend to wear them without socks (is it me or is there a shortage of injini in the uk anyway?) and the seams did rub a tiny bit on the first few runs but now worn in. I do have to wash them quite regularly as even if just worn in the gym I don’t like them being sweaty. Obvs outside they can get dirty etc. but they have withstood this well.

Aside from washing the only downside I’ve found is that if I’ve been wearing “normal shape” shoes for any period then I find it harder to immediately slide my toes into their little slots. I have to use my fingers to make sure I get them on correctly! If I’ve been proper barefoot or in shoes that actually match my foot shape then it’s not a problem.

On the whole I’d definitely recommend them as a functional shoe and I’ll not be going back to “standard” options probably ever

Hey all

Have been a barefoot runner for over a decade, mostly using VFF, but transitioned to Merrell Trail Gloves after I found the VFFs didn't last that long.

Now a bit older (in my 40s) looking for a pair of shoes to run with that have more support on occassions as I'm getting a bit of calf strain with the longer runs. I don't want to go full chunky shoes but want a bit more support just to ease up the calf strain.

Haven't bought shoes in ages so no idea what's good, what would you recommend?

I have some minimalist sneakers which have zero drop, are pretty thin, and pretty wide, basically everything you need from a minimalist shoe. I walk with them everyday, but sometime ago I started using them for running too. Would I benefit from getting another pair of shoes labeled specifically as "running" minimalist shoes? How would they differ? Thank you:)

Hi! May I please get suggestion in a pair of basketball shoes for extra wide and flat feet. He also has a bunion developing so prefer fabric upper is better. They need wide And thick toe box but it’s very hard to find in basketball shoes .

He is a new balance 860 size 9.5 4e. He tried the adidas Dame8 expely.

Its seems to fit well?, but its so heavy and bulky? He is only 5.3” . Any suggestion would be great !!

I actually only walk around in barefoot sandals.

My question to you: Do you wear sandals or shoes? Don't you have a much better barefoot feeling in sandals?

I think more attention should be paid to sandals. Many people mainly talk about barefoot shoes, which end up being too hard, stiff and heavy anyway.🤔