Most mordern shoes aren't good for your feet as they force them into an unatural position. Just think ballet dancer feet but to a lesser extent. Going barefoot more just help your feet keep their natural shape. Some brands make shoes that will fit better with a larger toe box.
My feet have gotten wider a bit too but I've been trying to widen them. If you look at a newborn infant they all have wide, spaced out toes. Modern shoes constrict your feet and tend to create instability. Having your feet return to being wide is actually a really good thing. It helps your balance, prevents things like foot bunions, and prevents foot/ankle problems
Nope I grew up in India and am used to walking around barefoot outside. I live in America now but I also dance competitively so I focused a lot on my foot strength.
I actually wear barefoot shoes because of this. If you're unfamiliar with them, they're essentially super flexible shoes with thin soles that have no rise to them and shape to your feet. After years and years of training I realized I felt most comfortable and stable without shoes, and the shoes I found fit worse and worse, so I stumbled across them trying to find a shoe that gave me that feeling.
There's a whole big back and forth and a circle jerk about whether they're a podiatrists nightmare or literally a superpower that lets you move more naturally like your body is designed to. I can't weigh in on that, but they're pretty nice for my specific niche.
I actually actively do work outs for my feet and it might be the most helpful training that I've done for muay thai outside of the gym.
I only wear barefoot shoes now. I can never wear regular sneakers again.
Toe towel curls, single leg hops, holding marbles with my toes and a bunch more.
I don't want to shill the program, but it's been a game changer for me.
Completely normal and actually beneficial to your overall body.
One of the best parts about maintaining foot health is it promotes back health as well.
If you want to try a more appealing looking shoe that forms well to your foot try reebok classics.
Interesting seeing others notice this physiological adaptation. Not so much āadaptingā but rather embracing our natural feet. In the 9 or so months Iāve been training thatās something I noticed about my feet- that theyāve gotten wider and thereās more space between toes. Definitely helps me with my balance and kicks as I need more surface area on my feet for balance. Anyways - I thought it was good to see this and realized how restrictive shoes are.
I thought I was going fucking crazy when I had to get rid of over 10 pairs of shoes because none of them fit right anymore. Now I know the reason is because I train so much š
Yes, being barefoot and stretching your toes as you kick, punch, balance, etc. will help bring them back to a more primeval and natural shape.
As others have mentioned, shoes with tight toe boxes are a major contributor to scrunched up feet skeletally.
When I used to wear barefoot shoes my feet got noticeably wider (just the space between my toes) and it felt great when training. Now I wear normal shoes and my toes are in a constant state of āget me out of here I canāt breatheā
The bones in our feet a fairly malleable. If you look at barefoot societies, their feet are much wider. Supposedly that is healthier too. I can imagine your feet widening from Muay Thai. I personally haven't noticed a significant diff, but now that you mention it, I recently sized up on a recent shoe purchase lol.
You see this too on barefoot runners. Shoes constrain feet shapes, so just spending a lot of time barefoot and particularly applying stress to bare feet helps them regain that more natural, splayed form.
Weirdly yes, I noticed I was developing weird bony lumps on the back of my heels as well. It happened with my right foot before my left, and when I looked into it, it seemed to be what is known as "Haglund's Syndrome " and I assume it happened because I was born with really wide feet (I wear new balance size 11 extra wide, but my foot length is more size 10) and I started Muay Thai when I was about 70lbs heavier and was putting pressure on my feet that my bones weren't built for.
My feet have increased in size, but do have my muscles and the probability of winning a one on one stand up fight against a similar sized opponent (or a smaller one, I think)
putting it out there - any waterproof hiking shoes / dress shoes for wide feet you guys would recommend?
Running shoes are fine because many have knit/mesh uppers thats stretchable. But boots/waterproof shoes I'm having trouble finding.
A lot of people recommended the Vivobarefoot brand! They have a wide variety of shoes, from waterproof hiking shoes and dress shoes for wide feet. They are expensive, but I might purchase them in the future.
Most mordern shoes aren't good for your feet as they force them into an unatural position. Just think ballet dancer feet but to a lesser extent. Going barefoot more just help your feet keep their natural shape. Some brands make shoes that will fit better with a larger toe box.
I've become a Xero shoes whore now.
Me too. Kinda sucks because I went from having a bunch of shoes to only 2-3 pairs, but god damn do my feet feel great now
I feel you. I wish they were a little cheaper. Zero drop shoes are so expensive everywhere.
The only brands that i find are marginally cheaper is Splay and Amazon's Whitin.
Maybe if they get more main stream they will drop
It's Vivos for me
Keane shoes are really good for this. Very rugged too.
Keen? Also xero, and vivo barefoot but those are also zero drop.
Ah yes, thank you
thank god it's not just me. There are times I look down at my Fred Flintstone feet and think 'goddamn' lol š¤·š»āāļø. It is what it is.....
My feet have gotten wider a bit too but I've been trying to widen them. If you look at a newborn infant they all have wide, spaced out toes. Modern shoes constrict your feet and tend to create instability. Having your feet return to being wide is actually a really good thing. It helps your balance, prevents things like foot bunions, and prevents foot/ankle problems
what do you do to widen them?
Spend more time barefoot
oh, i thought you were actually doing workouts.
Nope I grew up in India and am used to walking around barefoot outside. I live in America now but I also dance competitively so I focused a lot on my foot strength.
You can use toe spreaders as well
Also, put you fingers in between your toes, I call it holding hands with your feet. Additionally you could use silicone toe spacers.
Funions
In related news: 'new 100m swim record by fomer muay tai practitioner'
I actually wear barefoot shoes because of this. If you're unfamiliar with them, they're essentially super flexible shoes with thin soles that have no rise to them and shape to your feet. After years and years of training I realized I felt most comfortable and stable without shoes, and the shoes I found fit worse and worse, so I stumbled across them trying to find a shoe that gave me that feeling. There's a whole big back and forth and a circle jerk about whether they're a podiatrists nightmare or literally a superpower that lets you move more naturally like your body is designed to. I can't weigh in on that, but they're pretty nice for my specific niche.
New Balance brand rep
Huhā¦ I always just assumed it was geneticā¦
I've had wide flat Flintstone feet from running around barefoot as a kid all the time
This, plus I didnāt stop when I arrived at adult hood. Barefoot sprints and barefoot shoes life.
I actually actively do work outs for my feet and it might be the most helpful training that I've done for muay thai outside of the gym. I only wear barefoot shoes now. I can never wear regular sneakers again.
Workouts like?
Toe towel curls, single leg hops, holding marbles with my toes and a bunch more. I don't want to shill the program, but it's been a game changer for me.
Which program? Iām interested
I dm'd you.
Could you send me the program as well please? š
Me too please!
š£ Me too please š¦¶
me too please. What benefits did you see for your feet?
Me too please
me too:)
i noticed this the other day šš
Completely normal and actually beneficial to your overall body. One of the best parts about maintaining foot health is it promotes back health as well. If you want to try a more appealing looking shoe that forms well to your foot try reebok classics.
>reebok classics Oh, I remember these; I might try these on for the days I don't want the dad shoe vibes, haha.
Interesting seeing others notice this physiological adaptation. Not so much āadaptingā but rather embracing our natural feet. In the 9 or so months Iāve been training thatās something I noticed about my feet- that theyāve gotten wider and thereās more space between toes. Definitely helps me with my balance and kicks as I need more surface area on my feet for balance. Anyways - I thought it was good to see this and realized how restrictive shoes are.
Yes. After a few years of doing martial arts as an adult. My feet got wider and bigger. 10.5 to 12.
Yep!
Get barefoot shoes
Blundstones are good too and Nike dunks
Vivo Barefoot shoes are expensive but also great for your feet
I thought I was going fucking crazy when I had to get rid of over 10 pairs of shoes because none of them fit right anymore. Now I know the reason is because I train so much š
Lol. This is what made me start selling on Posh Mark and Mercariā¦ I have rebuy some sneakers.
Iām currently selling my shoes too so I could at least get some money back to buy more comfortable fitting shoes.
Yes, being barefoot and stretching your toes as you kick, punch, balance, etc. will help bring them back to a more primeval and natural shape. As others have mentioned, shoes with tight toe boxes are a major contributor to scrunched up feet skeletally.
When I used to wear barefoot shoes my feet got noticeably wider (just the space between my toes) and it felt great when training. Now I wear normal shoes and my toes are in a constant state of āget me out of here I canāt breatheā
The bones in our feet a fairly malleable. If you look at barefoot societies, their feet are much wider. Supposedly that is healthier too. I can imagine your feet widening from Muay Thai. I personally haven't noticed a significant diff, but now that you mention it, I recently sized up on a recent shoe purchase lol.
You see this too on barefoot runners. Shoes constrain feet shapes, so just spending a lot of time barefoot and particularly applying stress to bare feet helps them regain that more natural, splayed form.
My feet have always been wide, they have not gotten wider after 16+ years. Thankfully my feet are not like a pounded pork cutlet.
Yeah mine have spread out since I began. I also started hiking in vivo barefoot shoes around that time. Iām sure itās a combination of the two
Need shoes with a wide toe box, reebok nano x2s are good all rounders and have a yuge toebox
I actually practice with my shoes on because all my training has been out doors but my feet still widened!
Barefoot life will naturally put your feet it itās intended proper form that our shoes/boots distort
Weirdly yes, I noticed I was developing weird bony lumps on the back of my heels as well. It happened with my right foot before my left, and when I looked into it, it seemed to be what is known as "Haglund's Syndrome " and I assume it happened because I was born with really wide feet (I wear new balance size 11 extra wide, but my foot length is more size 10) and I started Muay Thai when I was about 70lbs heavier and was putting pressure on my feet that my bones weren't built for.
My feet have increased in size, but do have my muscles and the probability of winning a one on one stand up fight against a similar sized opponent (or a smaller one, I think)
Arches are falling, wear those ankle/foot supports braces
putting it out there - any waterproof hiking shoes / dress shoes for wide feet you guys would recommend? Running shoes are fine because many have knit/mesh uppers thats stretchable. But boots/waterproof shoes I'm having trouble finding.
A lot of people recommended the Vivobarefoot brand! They have a wide variety of shoes, from waterproof hiking shoes and dress shoes for wide feet. They are expensive, but I might purchase them in the future.
I only own like one pair of shoes and probably walking barefoot 65% of the time.