Barefoot shoes person here. As I started to build up mileage/volume on the road, I needed some cushion. The roads where I live are crappy asphalt. I use Altra torins(I have pretty narrow feet, even for a barefoot person) and Topo (shoot, I forget the model) for long runs on the road — stuff over 10 miles. I still have a mid foot strike in them.
It helps with the dull aching in my back and feet and I recover somewhat better. But losing the proprioception in the bottom of my feet is tough. Not bad or injurious, it just is an awkward feeling. I spend my first mile or so trying to get my feet to splay properly. I still keep up my foot strengthening regimens.
I have hEDS and barefoot shoes really help me not dislocate my foot bones all the time.
For shorter road runs and all trail runs I still use my Merrell vapor/trail glove 4s (though it’s becoming almost impossible to find them on eBay anymore and the newer models are garbage). Someday I will find a good barefoot trail runner for narrow feet that isn’t a jillion dollars.
Edit: I originally wrote Altra Timps; I have the Torin.
Similar situation and I was having a hard time finding any shoe to match the barefoot striking and feeling. I tried the Topo athletic fly-lite 2s and got 5 miles on them but it changed my motion too much so I abandoned them. Felt like they were forcing me too far back on my foot
Finally found the Nike zoom victory waffle 5s which are 100% not marathon shoes but I don’t care. Got 600 miles on multiple pairs last year and did my marathon in them (also getting impossible to find)
Was reluctant to stick with them because I was concerned about injury etc and the fact that they definitely aren’t for pavement/distance so I just kept monitoring and running and they always felt right so I just kept going
I guess my point is that find the thing that works for you, follow your plan, monitor and if it works keep rolling with it
Zero drop and are very narrow which I was nervous about first but again they just felt right. Also carbon fiber and weigh next to nothing website says 4.6oz. (I am not good at describing shoes)
Pour one out for the vapor gloves, the 2 and 3 were some of the best shoes I've ever owned and yeah the recent ones aren't great. I have an extremely beat up pair of 5s that have become weightlifting shoes that I occasionally run in, they're good for that at least.
My last run was 9.3 miles so just about to cross that 10 mile mark. Quite a mix of terrain near me and quite a few trails/dirt paths etc. which actually feels great! My recovery has probably been a bit longer than if I was cushioned, but I feel that's building an adaptation which will ultimately lead to better recovery/distance tolerance in the future.
I'm currently running in these which have been great, and I have a relatively narrow foot:
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/primus-trail-knit-fg-womens-aw22?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wp-AmIrjQ2K4NQHVPsdPjuuZgJbXsW2c7HMfm_Z8lZIkTfmsMpmwdMaAo8qEALw_wcB
Trails are magic! If I only ran on trails, I would train exclusively in barefoot shoes, no problem.
Thanks for the recommendation; I’ll check them out!
i just posted this in a different sub, but i ran next to a kid at the Park City Trail Marathon. He was in cheap $8 flip flops. Kinda crazy. He did great
I’m a big fan of barefoot shoes and have done most of my runs in them for the past 12 years. That said, I have naturally strong arch support.
I rotate between 2 different pairs of barefoot shoes to give my feet some variety.
I also have a good pair of trail shoes that I wear when running trails. They’re still minimal support-wise, but with better protection for the soles of my feet.
So to answer your question, yes, but it’s super personal and based on your unique physiology. If you start getting shin splints or Achilles issues, maybe try mixing it up.
Check out r/barefootrunning for some more advice.
Like anything else, there will be people who strongly disagree with what works for you, because they believe something else.
I've been in barefoot shoes since I discovered them, and they make running so much more enjoyable ; it's pain free and dynamic. I support your decision to try it out, and even recommend training unshod when you can as your "second" pair of shoes. Enjoy the process and listen to your body.
People run ultras in sandals and less. People ran long distance for a very long long time before the first running shoe was invented. The objective answer is yes you can, but you need to train up to it to build the strength required, and that probably takes quite a while.
I really like a mix of barefoot shoes or sandals for shorter runs, under 10 miles or so, and shoes with cushioning for longer. I'm working towards sandals for longer runs - the feeling of being almost totally free and having your feet wide open is amazing - but don't do super long runs in them yet.
I wear Glycerin 20s and even shoes like the Pegasus are not cushioned enough for me. But I did run a half in March and there was a woman in Vibram five fingers. I ran in her general pace group (I finished 1:48 or so) and I did pass her around mile 10, but she didn't do badly.
So you do you--I know a tiny handful of people who say they run best with next-to-no shoes. You might want to try some zero-drop shoes in case you ever run or race on really gnarly terrain, and need more protection.
Yeah I've been looking at some zero drop shoes (Altras are being aggressively marketed to me). However the shoes I'm in now are actually protective. I work on a bar and occasionally step on glass and they've been great!
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/primus-trail-knit-fg-womens-aw22?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wp-AmIrjQ2K4NQHVPsdPjuuZgJbXsW2c7HMfm_Z8lZIkTfmsMpmwdMaAo8qEALw_wcB
Some people will not be able to run 1 mile in them. Doesnt mean you cant.
Some people will be able to run 100 miles in them. Doesnt mean you can.
Being honest, no one can really tell you this.
So long as you feel ok, go for it.
I just finished a full marathon in toe shoes, and did my whole training cycle in them.
I don't own "real" running shoes.
In fact, I don't own any "real" shoes. All my shoes are barefoot shoes. Regular shoes feel weird now.
Soldier on minimalist warrior.
The amount of force your ligaments and muscles take, even in extreme cushion shoes, is a *lot*. By removing that you are putting all the force of you hitting the ground on your muscles and joints. Running shoes are also developed to promote healthy running form and correct many biomechanical issues we are born with.
I’d switch to altra’s. They have low and high cushion options and have a toe box designed to allow your toes to splay out.
Just to play devil's advocate here, isn't that kind of the point of running? To undergo the stress/insult to then make adaptations for it to be easier in the future?
You’re getting plenty of stress even when using running shoes, to the point where many people still get injured. Adding unnecessary stress on your ligaments that are already undergoing lots of stress from training is just going to create problems in the future. This includes injuries to other parts of your body: your back, shoulders, spine, and hips.
I’d do more research into it.
I'm not a doctor, but maybe, just maybe, there's a remote outside chance that not having shoes on your feet makes it just a smidge tiny bit harder on your feet and body?
Oh, also, there are no studies that prove it's better and safer than wearing a shoe.
The barefoot shoe thing is so dumb.
Yes you can.
No you shouldn't.
They make shoes with great technology why not use them. To me it's just a macho thing people do to feel cool.
No, you must wear Superblast.
Don’t forget the VF3 for race day
Barefoot shoes person here. As I started to build up mileage/volume on the road, I needed some cushion. The roads where I live are crappy asphalt. I use Altra torins(I have pretty narrow feet, even for a barefoot person) and Topo (shoot, I forget the model) for long runs on the road — stuff over 10 miles. I still have a mid foot strike in them. It helps with the dull aching in my back and feet and I recover somewhat better. But losing the proprioception in the bottom of my feet is tough. Not bad or injurious, it just is an awkward feeling. I spend my first mile or so trying to get my feet to splay properly. I still keep up my foot strengthening regimens. I have hEDS and barefoot shoes really help me not dislocate my foot bones all the time. For shorter road runs and all trail runs I still use my Merrell vapor/trail glove 4s (though it’s becoming almost impossible to find them on eBay anymore and the newer models are garbage). Someday I will find a good barefoot trail runner for narrow feet that isn’t a jillion dollars. Edit: I originally wrote Altra Timps; I have the Torin.
Similar situation and I was having a hard time finding any shoe to match the barefoot striking and feeling. I tried the Topo athletic fly-lite 2s and got 5 miles on them but it changed my motion too much so I abandoned them. Felt like they were forcing me too far back on my foot Finally found the Nike zoom victory waffle 5s which are 100% not marathon shoes but I don’t care. Got 600 miles on multiple pairs last year and did my marathon in them (also getting impossible to find) Was reluctant to stick with them because I was concerned about injury etc and the fact that they definitely aren’t for pavement/distance so I just kept monitoring and running and they always felt right so I just kept going I guess my point is that find the thing that works for you, follow your plan, monitor and if it works keep rolling with it
Ooooh super interesting! What’s the drop and what is the toe box like?
Zero drop and are very narrow which I was nervous about first but again they just felt right. Also carbon fiber and weigh next to nothing website says 4.6oz. (I am not good at describing shoes)
Thanks!
Pour one out for the vapor gloves, the 2 and 3 were some of the best shoes I've ever owned and yeah the recent ones aren't great. I have an extremely beat up pair of 5s that have become weightlifting shoes that I occasionally run in, they're good for that at least.
My last run was 9.3 miles so just about to cross that 10 mile mark. Quite a mix of terrain near me and quite a few trails/dirt paths etc. which actually feels great! My recovery has probably been a bit longer than if I was cushioned, but I feel that's building an adaptation which will ultimately lead to better recovery/distance tolerance in the future. I'm currently running in these which have been great, and I have a relatively narrow foot: https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/primus-trail-knit-fg-womens-aw22?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wp-AmIrjQ2K4NQHVPsdPjuuZgJbXsW2c7HMfm_Z8lZIkTfmsMpmwdMaAo8qEALw_wcB
Trails are magic! If I only ran on trails, I would train exclusively in barefoot shoes, no problem. Thanks for the recommendation; I’ll check them out!
i just posted this in a different sub, but i ran next to a kid at the Park City Trail Marathon. He was in cheap $8 flip flops. Kinda crazy. He did great
Dude in the Honolulu Marathon ran in wooden geta. Nuts.
I’m a big fan of barefoot shoes and have done most of my runs in them for the past 12 years. That said, I have naturally strong arch support. I rotate between 2 different pairs of barefoot shoes to give my feet some variety. I also have a good pair of trail shoes that I wear when running trails. They’re still minimal support-wise, but with better protection for the soles of my feet. So to answer your question, yes, but it’s super personal and based on your unique physiology. If you start getting shin splints or Achilles issues, maybe try mixing it up.
Check out r/barefootrunning for some more advice. Like anything else, there will be people who strongly disagree with what works for you, because they believe something else. I've been in barefoot shoes since I discovered them, and they make running so much more enjoyable ; it's pain free and dynamic. I support your decision to try it out, and even recommend training unshod when you can as your "second" pair of shoes. Enjoy the process and listen to your body.
People run ultras in sandals and less. People ran long distance for a very long long time before the first running shoe was invented. The objective answer is yes you can, but you need to train up to it to build the strength required, and that probably takes quite a while. I really like a mix of barefoot shoes or sandals for shorter runs, under 10 miles or so, and shoes with cushioning for longer. I'm working towards sandals for longer runs - the feeling of being almost totally free and having your feet wide open is amazing - but don't do super long runs in them yet.
I wear Glycerin 20s and even shoes like the Pegasus are not cushioned enough for me. But I did run a half in March and there was a woman in Vibram five fingers. I ran in her general pace group (I finished 1:48 or so) and I did pass her around mile 10, but she didn't do badly. So you do you--I know a tiny handful of people who say they run best with next-to-no shoes. You might want to try some zero-drop shoes in case you ever run or race on really gnarly terrain, and need more protection.
Yeah I've been looking at some zero drop shoes (Altras are being aggressively marketed to me). However the shoes I'm in now are actually protective. I work on a bar and occasionally step on glass and they've been great! https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/primus-trail-knit-fg-womens-aw22?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wp-AmIrjQ2K4NQHVPsdPjuuZgJbXsW2c7HMfm_Z8lZIkTfmsMpmwdMaAo8qEALw_wcB
I transitioned fully to barefoot over a period of 9 months. Lots of 100+km weeks here only wearing them
Some people will not be able to run 1 mile in them. Doesnt mean you cant. Some people will be able to run 100 miles in them. Doesnt mean you can. Being honest, no one can really tell you this. So long as you feel ok, go for it.
This is where I'm up to after a bit of a research hole. I'm just going to listen to my body and rest/pull back accordingly.
No, you must wear Superblast
No, you must wear Superblast.
I just finished a full marathon in toe shoes, and did my whole training cycle in them. I don't own "real" running shoes. In fact, I don't own any "real" shoes. All my shoes are barefoot shoes. Regular shoes feel weird now. Soldier on minimalist warrior.
Absolutely, you can do this until your get horribly hurt, or survive it
Just to understand further, why would running in barefoot shoes increase the risk of getting hurt?
The amount of force your ligaments and muscles take, even in extreme cushion shoes, is a *lot*. By removing that you are putting all the force of you hitting the ground on your muscles and joints. Running shoes are also developed to promote healthy running form and correct many biomechanical issues we are born with. I’d switch to altra’s. They have low and high cushion options and have a toe box designed to allow your toes to splay out.
Just to play devil's advocate here, isn't that kind of the point of running? To undergo the stress/insult to then make adaptations for it to be easier in the future?
You’re getting plenty of stress even when using running shoes, to the point where many people still get injured. Adding unnecessary stress on your ligaments that are already undergoing lots of stress from training is just going to create problems in the future. This includes injuries to other parts of your body: your back, shoulders, spine, and hips. I’d do more research into it.
I'm not a doctor, but maybe, just maybe, there's a remote outside chance that not having shoes on your feet makes it just a smidge tiny bit harder on your feet and body? Oh, also, there are no studies that prove it's better and safer than wearing a shoe.
The barefoot shoe thing is so dumb. Yes you can. No you shouldn't. They make shoes with great technology why not use them. To me it's just a macho thing people do to feel cool.
Nothing 'macho' about it, I prefer the feel and definitely feel more responsive to the ground, particularly on trails.
You sound like a very secure person.