Steven, I wish I had seen this video when I was 20 years old. I grew up wearing orthotics. Maybe because of that or maybe naturally, my left foot pronates inwards when I do not wear them. Since I started to wear Xero shoes in 2017, I have strengthened my left foot arch, both ankles and both knees. However, I still need to wear orthotics for long distances. If I had known how much support shoes messed up my orthotic beds, by making my ankles turn outwards, I would have never had to try to stretch and run through years of iliotibial band problems. I now have seven pairs of Xero shoes and have only worn through one pair's soles. I live in Malaysia, so I wear sandals every day, but Prios and my orthotics to run. I cannot wear open toed shoes at work, so thank you for continuing to expand your offerings while sticking to your solid fundamentals. And thank you for a great job of educating people about the proper way to feel the world. I still cannot believe that I thought more cushion was better, until I switched from Hokkas to Xeros as my main exercise shoe in my mid 30's. Matt
Hi, I want to ask if you cured that problem completely and can manage to run without orthotics? I have literally the same problem. I was wearing Hoka Speedgoat 4 for a year and realised that I started having severe overpronation. My feet were flat since birth, but they did manage to improve and they're no longer really flat, but I overpronate BADLY in my left foot. I have hypermobile ankles and it's driving me nuts. I'm wearing flexible orthotics with Xero shoes and wonder if this will help in the long run. I regularly go to the woods, but I still wear orthotics since I think I'm risking an injury without them. Also I think my left foot is shorter because of overpronation. I also had pain in area of left gluteus medius, but managed to stop it with exercise. Sometimes can still feel tension there, but that only last for an hour or less.
I wear custom Orthotics in minimal shoes It’s a great combination. I had a ruptured plantar ligament, so I have to watch going straight Barefoot shoe all the time ! Nice video For the masses
This is great info! I did have custom orthotics made by a sports medicine specialist, for a specific type of shoe (actually had an Rx that listed the shoe last, toe box, and arch support required) and it was great, for about 12 years. I bought new shoes every 6 months, and I had no back pain, knee pain, ankle trouble. Then the shoe manufacturer stopped making that shoe, and I had moved to a different state. Over the next 2 years all my pain came back, I went to doctors showed them my orthotics, and I got answers like - well, you're older now, your body is changing, you're less active, blah, blah, blah -- yeah, I'm less active 'cause my feet and back hurt all the time. My issue isn't a strength issue, I'm missing a fat pad that's supposed to separate two of my toe bones - it's missing in both feet so probably genetic - and the orthotics help keep the toes separated so the bones don't clunk together. I am definitely going to try your shoes with my orthotics and see if I can finally find the combination that works for my weird feet.
Getting ready to be fitted for Orthotics due to a fractured Calcaneus. I would like to thank you for your very succinct explanation on the best shoes and long-term ramifications from wearing Orthotics for an extended period of time.
Check out this blog post with a data analysis done by RunRepeat: xeroshoes.com/foot-health/does-arch-support-help-or-hurt/ Also, this one: xeroshoes.com/huaraches/orthotics-vs-barefoot-running/ And, finally, research from Katrina Protopapas showing how supporting your arch weakens your feet: www.researchgate.net/publication/341728675_The_effect_of_a_12-week_custom_foot_orthotic_intervention_on_muscle_size_and_muscle_activity_of_the_intrinsic_foot_muscle_of_young_adults_during_gait_termination I hope that helps... and get better soon!
I am 79 years of age. I own a pair of Zero brand shoes because they are the only shoes which allow me to walk NATURALLY. This is important when you are not as strong as you used to be. I have been told by my wife to consider using some orthodics which I bought a number of years ago. Everything you said rings true to me in that my "old shoes" had limited flexibility, high heels relative to the front sole (about 3/4") and simply felt wrong as I got older. I will ask my podiatrist to consider all you have said, and tell me what she believes may need to be done, if anything. Thanks again for your interesting discourse on the subject!
Podiatrists tend to fall into one of two camps: Those who understand the value of natural movement, and those who don't. Make sure you're seeing the right kind ;-)
Got an ad for these shoes on a video I was watching. Watched the whole ad and searched up your channel literally because you have a great speaking voice. Making me curious about trying the shoes too... :)
This is glorious, I've been looking for "how do i stop walking on the outside of my feet?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Danandonton Miraculous Domination - (do a google search ) ? It is a good exclusive guide for discovering how to end your foot pain without the headache. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my brother in law got cool results with it. #can orthotics be worn in any shoe?
@@hojo70 Because no doctors have ever been motivated or incentivized by billion dollar pharmaceutical industries or crazy insurance-robbing unnecessary surgical procedures? No doctors have ever been motivated to make a living on sickness, and disincentivized to deal in cures? Because all doctors would rather reach to the root of a problem than deal you symptom management with drugs? Because doctor schooling is 99% drugs and surgeries and 1% nutrition? What "doctor" in this country has learned most of their knowledge by original thinking, instead of being told what is true by schools who are funded by the same corporations who profit on doctors making the connection to "patients"?
Just started wearing AFO’s and I’ll be 50 December 2022. My doctor never mentioned anything about doing any kind of physical therapy. Just said if I don’t start wearing these I’d be in a wheelchair in less then a year’s time. 😢. I’ve decided to search UA-cam and see what I can learn about “Toe Drop.” As that’s what I was diagnosed with and while searching a video came up about what shoes can be worn with them. Obviously it’s then lead FINALLY to your video which has been the most helpful of ALL videos watched. Headed to website now 😉. Thank you 😊
I wear orthotics for a structural leg length discrepancy and prior to that I used to wear barefoot shoes. My feet were really strong during those years and in the last almost two years I've been wearing orthotics to assist with LLD, my feet have gotten a lot weaker. It's kind of a lose-lose for me but I'm glad to learn this.
We are glad that this information has been useful to you! Steven had an interview with an individual who experienced leg length discrepancy. It's a long video, but it may be helpful to look into if you have the time: xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running/leg-length-differences-barefoot-running/
If the orthotic is stiff, the flexibility of the shoe is irrelevant. But, again, keeping your feet from moving naturally is only good for temporary healing. You would never wear a neck brace for your whole life after whiplash. Same thing with your feet. You don't want to immobilize them. Research from Dr. Protopapas shows that putting insoles in the shoes of healthy people reduced their foot muscle size/strength by up to 17% in just 12 weeks.
And you heard correctly, especially if you are flat footed or have any biomechanics that cause muscular imbalances in the feet. Not wearing supportive shoe gear can lead to tendinitis, bunions, hammertoes, arthritis etc. flexible shoe wear is really not for everyone. It’s not about muscle strength it’s about not letting some muscles overpower others. Otherwise everything gets thrown out of wack over time.
I'm dealing with inflamed metatarsals so my doctor told me I needed stiffer shoes that prevent to much bending of the forefoot. My orthotics have a stiff supportive arch as well as metatarsal padding but they are not stiff enough to prevent a lot of bending at my toes. I'm disappointed that I need to step away from my minimalist shoes for the time being. I'm trying to be patient.
I'm doing my homework... Watched several of your videos and I appreciate your passion that led to Xero shoes. I work 8 to 10 hours a day on concrete floors and would appreciate a little guidance. Currently wearing Crocs on-the-clock shoe for work. They've help me avoid pain but now it's time to replace them.
We have tens of thousands of customers who spend all day standing on concrete floors. And most report that they couldn't do so prior to switching to Xero Shoes. In short, when you let your feet do their job, the rest of your body can do its job.
I work on concrete all day and I can tell you that soft bouncy shoes are not the answer. I wear the hikers or trail shoes for durability and they are great. Does take an adjustment period.
Thank you for your video :) Very informative 👏 Quote- only wear orthotics whilst you're healing. That isn't always the case for people who have joint and tissue problems such as hypermobility syndrome. My connective tissue doesn't support my skeleton. Orthotics are for my life because, genetically no 'healing' will take place.
I’m no athlete, have poor balance and age 65. All I wear are Zero shoes. When I’m forced to put on dress shoes for something like a wedding, I can hardly walk. I’m tilted forward, have no ground contact or feedback. Horrible. Sometimes I wear my work shoe Zeros all day and don’t take them off until bedtime. My balance is way better when my foot gets ground messages and your not tilted on bouncy rubber masses of foam.
Hey, your add worked. I saw it in front of a news thing. Iv been looking for a flat shoe; and your company is amazing! So many options! Great job. I wish you the best.
As a 60 year-old personal fitness trainer, with very flat feet, I always had problems in finding comfortable footwear. Some years ago, I switched to Zero Drop Altra shoes; and they were great and comfortable. However, this past year, or so, they increased the stack height way too much, that they were no longer minimalist. I came across an advertisement for Xero shoes, do I decide to try them. They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I purchase a Prio, then a HFS. Excellent. It doesn't make sense to me why any shoe has an elevated heel.
Yeah a lot of practices today come practices from the past. Raised toe box was meant for men who worked a lot on their knees and transferring some of the stress off the smaller foot muscle groups to the larger ones in the leg. It just sorta stuck because others found it's benefits.
Pointed toes are absolutely garbage for the feet, there's zero redeeming quality about smashing toes together. Vast majority of shoes on the market, no matter the price, have this ridiculous sole shape.
@@exothermal.sprocket fuckin a, man. But you have to find your boot size. Think of soccer shoes. Footballers have to turn on a dime sometimes and putting all your bodyweight+momentum+potentially someone else's weight on that tiny bone will just injure you and take them out of the season. It's why I don't where wide or "barefoot" shoes on the field, but I absolutely prefer wider ones when I know I'll only walk briskly and Carry max twice my bodyweight. But the fancy pointed shoes have no practical reason to exist.
@@MattHuarez-yh9zj I'd say athletic shoes meant for hustling on turf or kicking an inflated ball are very niche shoes when you examine the entire shoe wearing populace.
What if you have one leg longer than the other, anatomically, do you also seek to wean yourself off the insoles? Also I'm in my mid 30s, right leg shorter than the other with supinated walk I think it's called (I tend to walk on the outer parts of my soles, my toes pointing outwards). I just had custom insoles measured today and will be getting them in a week, which shoe model should I pick? Thanks
Our usual go-to recommendation will be our Prio shoes. Steven had an interview with an individual who experienced leg length discrepancy. It's a long video, but it may be helpful to look into if you have the time: xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running/leg-length-differences-barefoot-running/
Doesn’t seem to matter how much strengthening I do of my feet, I still get pain and swelling on top of my feet due to overpronation that seems to be an issue with my bone structure and not muscular, according to the specialist I saw, and he showed me the x-ray. Walking barefoot or in shoes with no support, the problem is worsened every day because my feet rotate inward when using them, pushing my arch down and adding stress to the rest of the tendon and muscle structure of the foot. I was recommended to get orthotics to correct this, so is there something I should try first before spending almost $1000 total on new shoes and orthotics? I don’t want to make my issue worse as I get older, and again, foot strengthening does not make a difference. I also work on my feet for 10 hours a day, and walk a lot.
We would love to give you personal advice but we are not doctors and can't specifically answer or give advice regarding your question, but you may find more information at the customer recommended sites below: nutritiousmovement.com/blog/ sock-doc.com/
I just got orthotics from my podiatrist. To my surprise, it is not full length, only half. I am not satisficed with his explanation. He explains that it is to accumulate different length shoe that might be fit. Is that true? I want full length because half length ones provide no cushion at the front. He told me to buy some cheap insoles and cut the front for it.
We would love to give you personal advice but we are not doctors and can't specifically answer or give advice regarding your question, but you may find more information at the customer recommended sites below: nutritiousmovement.com/blog/ sock-doc.com/ I hope that helps! Please contact us at support@xeroshoes.com if you have any other questions. :)
I've been wearing orthotics for 22 years and they saved me from knee pain that began to make even just walking too painful. I've run marathons and ultra marathons and train 60 miles a week - all in 8mm drop adidas. When I wear flip-flops for a few weeks on holiday, the knee pain returns. The orthotics seem essential. But my lower back is bad. Could my wonky feet be the cause of that? And where do you find exercises that strengthen feet enough not to wear orthotics? Anyone?
We aren't doctors so can't give specific medical advice, but we can say that being barefoot (and wearing minimalist shoes) can help strengthen your feet. We also have a list of exercises that might help, available here xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running-tips/6-exercises-to-strengthen-your-ankles-and-feet/
but I heard flat shoes are not healthy to wear and they have to have at least a little heel and myself when I wore flat shoes I got pain in my Ankles so I tried always to buy shoes with a little heel but never high heel.
I just ordered a pair of Dillon’s, I’ve been wearing orthotics for the past two years, I supernate badly due to a spinal cord injury that’s non recoverable… Ive sadly been stuck to wearing cosyfeet Bjorn slippers for the past two years as they are deep enough and wide enough to support the orthotic and my foot, I’ve literally tried into the hundreds of shoes in the past two years, nothing works for me, the backs of the shoes are never high enough around my heel as my orthotic is slightly raised at the heel… I have my fingers crossed xero is going to be my hero! I’ll be buying the whole range if they are!
Still the best platform since our shoes aren't "conflicting" with the orthotic. Also, check out this video, which is a conversation with someone who has a MAJOR leg length discrepancy (doctors put the wrong femur in!) -- ua-cam.com/video/--EWR8aoYNA/v-deo.html
That's on our to-do list. Can you submit your request (with as much detail about style and function as you can) at xeroshoes.com/feedback/ That'll help our developers as they move forward.
Hi ! Great video, I've got 2 questions: 1. I wear custom orthotics manually molded iykwim and I have low-arched feet. I've used my orthotics in Nike Viale but my heels slip up and down even though my orthotics don't seem to have a high heel at first glance (wihtout the orthotics my heels don't slip in those shoes). Aren't my heels gonna slip up and down in the flat shoe you show using my orthotics? I don't see a high heel counter on it, though I guess it's enough because the shoe is so flat. What do you think? 2. Is it possible to TRY your shoes? I live in Spain. I'd love to give them a chance with my orthotics, but I can't afford to spend 100 bucks just to find out that the shoes do not get along with my orths .
For starters, here is a link to our store locator: bit.ly/store-locator-ni. This is a great way to see if there is anything local near you. We also sell on our EU site, Amazon, REI, and Zappos if those are more convenient options as well. That said, the majority of our shoes are form fitting, so they likely won't slip at the heel. They will also have a huarache inspired design that adds extra heel security that can be adjusted on some styles like the Prio.
I just got $475 Cdn. orthotics (laser scanned) a couple of weeks ago, and am wearing them in a pair of size 11 Asics runners for a couple of hours per day around my apartment, but I'm finding them uncomfortable and unnatural just like you mentioned here...I'm going to give him, (my chiropodist), a call this week to ask if he can recommend another shoe line to help the situation, and I will mention to him about Xero footwear...thank you for this. p.s. Do you sell on Amazon?
We hope you like them! We do sell on Amazon, however, we have a HUGE sale going on at xeroshoes.com through November 30th 2021, so we highly recommend you go there first :)
We would love to give you personal advice but we are not doctors and can't specifically answer or give advice regarding your question, but you may find more information at the customer recommended sites below: nutritiousmovement.com/blog/ sock-doc.com/
Our shoes tend to work with a lot of different insoles, however feel free to check with our support team at support@xeroshoes.com on specific insoles and they can offer more information.
I have a trimalleor ankle fracture that didn't heal correctly. tibia and talus are not aligned. One of the best foot/ankle Proliance surgeon in the Greater Seattle area said these must be permanent for me. please comment. Thank you!
I'm not a physician and even if I were I wouldn't try to make a diagnosis or recommendation from a brief YT comment. Two questions, though: how is this impacting your ability to walk? Are you able to walk in bare feet?
@@xeroshoes I cannot walk barefoot since using orthotics now was able to before however because of the misalignment in healing the tibia/tallus joints I need the orthotics. Your video makes sense of why I can wear a pair of SPORTS brand shoe that is flat, flexible with a wide toe splash area. I bought a pair of Souchony walking shoes from REI that are not flat that I am able to return. I have an appointment with a podiatrist this coming Tuesday to get that perspective as the surgeons do surgery and not much else. My ability to walk is very impacted, I have a tiny inner tube like swelling right around the ankle. The injured foot is supinated. Foot and ankle need stretching, more PT and massage. I'm in my 10th month of recovery from the fracture only to discover this misalignment.
If you need an orthotic, like I say in this video, I think Xero Shoes are the best platform for that since the shoes are flat, wide, and without anything that would get in the way of the orthotic's geometry
You can view local retailers near you via our store locator here: bit.ly/store-locator-ni. We also ship Internationally as well if there are none close by. The shoe he was holding up will be our HFS.
Hi Steven. You mentioned that the built-in arch support in regular shoes might contradict with the arch support on the orthotics. Since you mentioned that Xero shoes are great for orthotics. I'm wondering if there's arch support on Xero shoes?
We don't have arch support in Xero Shoes... one of the principles of natural design is to "let your feet be feet". Whether you have a low or high arch, unless you have some explicit biomechanical problem, your feet can support you just fine if they're strong. Strong vs. weak is a simple thing: Use it or lose it. Supporting ANY joint makes the tissue surrounding that joint weaker (research by Protopapas shows that adding arch support to the shoes of healthy individuals reduced foot strength and muscle size by as much as 17% in 12 weeks). The good news is that research by Dr. Sarah Ridge shows that merely walking in minimalist shoes builds foot muscle strength as much as doing a foot strengthening exercise program. Dr. Ridge says Xero Shoes should give the same benefits as the brand she used in her study. I hope that helps.
Problem is height of the shoe for me as I have a 1 cm adds on height on my left feet. So it is hard to find a good shoe.i own a 990 v3 NB and it is good but winter boots is a problem
We don't have specific advice in regards to whether you should or shouldn't personally wear orthotics, however walking barefoot or in minimalist shoes can strengthen feet and arches. That said, you may find more specific information at the customer recommended sites below: nutritiousmovement.com/blog/ sock-doc.com/
I understand what you said regarding wearing orthotics short term. However, in a case like mine- where my arches are extremely high (words of my orthotist), shoes are not designed to accommodate my natural foot structure. Without orthotics, my feet roll. Which then causes severe knee pain, foot pain, and back pain. Seems I have no choice but to wear them full time, long term. The arch support is so high in fact, that I can’t seem to find many shoes that have the space to accommodate them due to my instep being so large.
What's important whether someone has high arches or low arches is STRENGTH. And strength comes from using your feet/arches... for high arches, working on flexibility is also helpful.
High arches can change the mechanical leverage some muscles have in your feet due to it being structurally different. High arched feet can lead to a number of issues down the road from you if you don’t wear stiff supportive shoes.
The point of this video is that a flat soled shoe is better if you're going to use an insert since the shoe isn't getting in the way with built in arch support or narrow toe boxes. That said, even with arthritis you probably want to work on having as much (pain-free) motion as possible by USING your feet. When you don't use joints in your body, the tissues around the joints get weaker... can you think of a time when weaker is better than stronger?
My foot doctor created a plaster mold of my foot literally holding my foot up my the small toes as he painted the mold on my foot. To created the insert
If someone has an actual physical deformity of some type, there are 2 thoughts: 1) Do whatever you need to be functional and comfortable 2) Do whatever you can to maintain flexibility, mobility, and strength
What do you recommend if I have a 3/4 lift in a shoe. I found the new bounds with the rollbar technology works great with mine. I need a light comfortable shoe for work that will support my foot being lifted up
I just need a heel lift in one shoe. I never get the expensive ones the thickest ones off the shelf seem to do the trick. Is that a problem with a barefoot shoe?
As I describe in this video, having a flat sole gives you the best "platform" if you need some sort of orthotic, since there's nothing getting in the way.
Probably just because they might not flex as well. You'd think converse would be fine because there is absolute jack for cushion or arch support. There is definitely a wedge in converse that changes your foot posture from flat, theoretically if you rip the wedge put and put a flat insole inside, converse would probably be better than most cushy shoes but idk how they fit or wear out without the wedge
Converse actually helped me transition to minimalistic shoes and it helped me so much. I can actually play sports and run with my full potential in them. Before Converse, i was wearing Air Monarch IV, the ultimate dad shoes, and it caused me so much embarrassment because it caused me to walk like a penguin, im not kidding. Whem i switched to converse, it fixed all my problems but it did take time to get used to minimalistic-type shoes.
So in my opinion, converse are the best athletic shoes but they can be narrow but i go a size up which leaves some space between the toes and front in the toebox and i think its supposed to be like that anyways.
I agree with the previous comments about Converse -- when it comes to natural movement, the shoes are too narrow, toes are too pointy, and the soles are too thick to transmit enough info to your soles (and, then, brain). That they're flat is helpful in this case, though. Jordans are no different than most other shoes -- narrow toe box, elevated heel, lots of padding, excessive "support."
Contact our Customer Happiness Team directly at either support@xeroshoes.com or 303.447.3100. We can probably ship from the US or, possibly, from xeroshoes.eu
Our shoes are designed wide (almost EE in the toe box) to allow the foot to flex and bend naturally. We do have several customers who have used orthotics with our shoes. The majority of them use the products with our sandals since they run wider, although we have had a few individuals who've used them with our closed toed shoes as well. Since every foot is different, there's no way to guarantee that they will work for you. If you're unsure if these will be a good fit, feel free to check the availability on Amazon, as they should offer free exchanges and returns for Prime members (we only offer free US exchanges through our website).
Barefoot/minimalist shoes shouldn't be purchased unless your doctor is consulted first. Literally wearing a pair for one day at an office, caused plantar fasciitis in both my feet (which I have never had before). Please use caution before going minimalist and take it easy on your feet.
The odds are good that you didn't actually get PF, since creating serious inflammation is rarely something you can do in a day. See if these help: xeroshoes.com/barefoot-walking/plantar-fasciitis-and-walking-barefoot/ xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running-tips/i-woke-up-with-plantar-fasciitis-or-did-i/ xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running-tips/can-cure-plantar-fasciitis-barefoot-running/
Since hockey skates don't let your feet move, and are a special use case, do what you need to perform your best in those. That said, we have a number of Olympic hockey players who say that wearing Xero Shoes once they get out of their skates have helped their feet, and helped them skate better.
Well, won't get the circulation benefits that can come from wearing shoes that let your feet bend and flex, or the feedback from safely feeling the ground... so do with that what you will.
Got it... I'm actually not sure, then. Contact our Customer Happiness Team directly at either support@xeroshoes.com or 303.447.3100. They can help you with this.
We actually have a lot of customers with plantar fascitis that enjoy our shoes, but it may take some time to adjust to and build up that foot strength. If you feel comfortable barefoot, these may work for you.
Don't get out of it Heidi. If it's working and you have no issues, they are right for you. When I wore my orthotics off and on, I would get back pain. The minute I was religious about wearing orthotics every single day - I have had no issues ever again.
You take the insoles out of new shoes and replace them with your orthotics. You have to find shoes that work with your orthotics. Make sure though you need them and see a very experienced orthotic person that uses advanced equipment to make sure a) you need them and b) they know what they are doing. The answer is in pain. If you have no knee, hip or back pain with orthotics and you did previously, then they are doing their job. And vice-versa. It’s trial and error re: pain and management. No one shoe or solution fits all. But saying to not use them, may unnecessarily cause a return to pain for some people
@@AmandaMitchell I understand but I have tried every neutral shoe in my EE width , even men’s , nothing works. I’m wearing an old pair of broken down dyads because they suddenly narrowed the 11 The new echelon no longer has a flat surface it has some weird drop (can see it visually too) so orthotics rock. I could go on and on. It’s been hell
Yup. If your shoes have built in arches, that will change the way the orthotics function. And if you switch out the orthotics into different shoes that have different amounts of built-in arch, that compounds the problem.
Actually, if you watch more of our videos you'll see that we often recommend being OUT of all shoes... but when barefoot isn't the best or smartest choice, Xero Shoes can give you that natural movement experience with a layer of protection.
@@xeroshoes Well I walk on concrete all day at work and at home so a flat shoe isn't ideal. Sure its good for you to be barefoot in a natural setting but we don't live in a natural setting. concrete is what we walk on always. If we lived in nature where we walked on normal turf this concept makes total sense. But the surface we've chosen to make up our full environment is concrete aside from carpeted concrete and walking on it barefoot or with shapeless shoes you will just end up flat footed Lol don't get me wrong I understand your point an I respect it. But In all honesty I feel like it's an unrealistic concept in terms of most people's everyday life. And really what people should do is just go barefoot at home and in their yards or for short hikes on a natural turf. Like an exercise for your feet.
We have thousands of customers who comfortably spend all day on their feet on concrete floors -- doctors, nurses, warehouse workers, restaurant workers, etc. If you check out xeroshoes.com/reviews/ you'll hear from some of them. The fact that we didn't evolve on concrete doesn't mean we aren't adapted to be able to handle those surfaces. We didn't evolve to do double twisting double back flips, but (speaking as a former All-American gymnast) that doesn't mean we can't adapt to do them ;-)
Biggest bullshit I've heard in a while. Orthotics are not shoe replacements, but shoe inserts. They don't need a perfectly flat surface to work like intended. I've worn expensive orthotics my entire life and can't walk without. Infact, flat shoes just make the problem worse, just like they do with people who have healthy feet. There is a reason, most shoes, especially modern running shoes have a slight heel-to-toe drop. Also regarding the toe-bend issue. Why would an orthotic be a problem there? Shoes have a specific bending point where joints in the feet are supposed to bend. Orthotics don't hinder your feet from doing that, they are not made from rocks. I see orthotics as a foot extension for people whose feet are not how they should be.
Nobody said they're "shoe replacements." Nobody said they need a perfectly flat surface to work. What I *did* say is that if your shoe has built in arch support, that can interfere with the design of the orthotic since it's not made based on your shoe's arch design. Similarly, since your different shoes each have different interior shape and volume, that affects the orthotic. And, since shoes with midsoles and arch support wear out unevenly, that also affects the geometry of an orthotic. All of this was demonstrated by the former head of biomechanics for the US Olympic Committee. The "toe bend" issue is more about full orthotics than 3/4 orthotics, but even those can be problematic if the way your shoe bends doesn't match where the orthotic ends. And most shoes with thicker midsoles don't bend enough to allow your foot to bend naturally to begin with... that's why shoe companies developed "toe spring" -- to accommodate the fact that they don't allow for proper toe flexion and extension. The research about flat shoes is the exact opposite of what you suggest. That is, the research shows that heel drop actually causes postural and gait issues. Check out the podcast with Harvard's Dr. Irene Davis at www.peterattiamd.com/irenedavis for more info about this. BTW, in that podcast you'll hear the REAL reason that athletic shoes have "drop." It's not what you think and it's not based on any data about health, posture, or performance. I expect you'll find it enlightening, despite the fact that both she and Dr. Attia have data that conflicts with your beliefs. Finally, check out xeroshoes.com/orthotics/ which examines whether orthotics are necessary at all for most people, and how they SHOULD be used vs. how they're actually used. In short, they're meant to be used as a temporary aid for recovery, not for long-term use, for which the research indicates very little efficacy. And subsequent research shows how merely adding an orthotic to the shoe of a healthy athlete reduced intrinsic foot muscle size and strength in as little as 8 weeks.
I ordered a pair of HFS and it fits perfectly with my foot with the orthotics. However, when I run with them since I always ran with a thick outsole with support, it hurts my feet and the ball of my foot a little. Just wanted to give an idea of maybe creating a flat no arch shoe with a little cushion for non-minimalist runners with orthotics.
Here's something interesting to consider: Humans have been running pain-free either barefoot or in minimalist footwear for tens of thousands of years. And we have hundreds of thousands of customers who've done the same. The difference? Running form, not cushioning (I'm recalling our first customer service manager who ran 120-150 miles per week in our 4mm thick sandal... and he was 65 years old). I'd need more info (even a video of you running) to give you more specific suggestions about what to do, but one thing I can say is: Do less. Try running for just 20-30 seconds and see if you can alter your gait (most likely, landing with your feet more under your body than in front of it, and possibly slightly increasing the number of steps per minute you take without running faster) so that your feet feel fine the next day. Then increase the distance/time slowly. Also, post on our FB page and ask people for suggestions. There are almost 100k people there who run without problems in all of our shoes and I'm sure you can do the same.
![The Best Insoles & Orthotics? [Superfeet? Dr. Scholls? Powerstep?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/69COXNUmDuU/mqdefault.jpg)
Steven,
I wish I had seen this video when I was 20 years old. I grew up wearing orthotics. Maybe because of that or maybe naturally, my left foot pronates inwards when I do not wear them. Since I started to wear Xero shoes in 2017, I have strengthened my left foot arch, both ankles and both knees. However, I still need to wear orthotics for long distances. If I had known how much support shoes messed up my orthotic beds, by making my ankles turn outwards, I would have never had to try to stretch and run through years of iliotibial band problems. I now have seven pairs of Xero shoes and have only worn through one pair's soles. I live in Malaysia, so I wear sandals every day, but Prios and my orthotics to run. I cannot wear open toed shoes at work, so thank you for continuing to expand your offerings while sticking to your solid fundamentals. And thank you for a great job of educating people about the proper way to feel the world.
I still cannot believe that I thought more cushion was better, until I switched from Hokkas to Xeros as my main exercise shoe in my mid 30's.
Matt
Hi, I want to ask if you cured that problem completely and can manage to run without orthotics? I have literally the same problem. I was wearing Hoka Speedgoat 4 for a year and realised that I started having severe overpronation. My feet were flat since birth, but they did manage to improve and they're no longer really flat, but I overpronate BADLY in my left foot. I have hypermobile ankles and it's driving me nuts. I'm wearing flexible orthotics with Xero shoes and wonder if this will help in the long run. I regularly go to the woods, but I still wear orthotics since I think I'm risking an injury without them. Also I think my left foot is shorter because of overpronation. I also had pain in area of left gluteus medius, but managed to stop it with exercise. Sometimes can still feel tension there, but that only last for an hour or less.
I wear custom Orthotics in minimal shoes It’s a great combination. I had a ruptured plantar ligament, so I have to watch going straight Barefoot shoe all the time ! Nice video For the masses
This is great info! I did have custom orthotics made by a sports medicine specialist, for a specific type of shoe (actually had an Rx that listed the shoe last, toe box, and arch support required) and it was great, for about 12 years. I bought new shoes every 6 months, and I had no back pain, knee pain, ankle trouble. Then the shoe manufacturer stopped making that shoe, and I had moved to a different state. Over the next 2 years all my pain came back, I went to doctors showed them my orthotics, and I got answers like - well, you're older now, your body is changing, you're less active, blah, blah, blah -- yeah, I'm less active 'cause my feet and back hurt all the time.
My issue isn't a strength issue, I'm missing a fat pad that's supposed to separate two of my toe bones - it's missing in both feet so probably genetic - and the orthotics help keep the toes separated so the bones don't clunk together.
I am definitely going to try your shoes with my orthotics and see if I can finally find the combination that works for my weird feet.
I just received my first pair of Xero shoes. I absolutely love them. Thank you for making a great shoe.
You sir are quite knowledgeable but on top of that you have a pleasant personality.
Very kind of you to say, Patrick
Getting ready to be fitted for Orthotics due to a fractured Calcaneus. I would like to thank you for your very succinct explanation on the best shoes and long-term ramifications from wearing Orthotics for an extended period of time.
Check out this blog post with a data analysis done by RunRepeat: xeroshoes.com/foot-health/does-arch-support-help-or-hurt/
Also, this one: xeroshoes.com/huaraches/orthotics-vs-barefoot-running/
And, finally, research from Katrina Protopapas showing how supporting your arch weakens your feet: www.researchgate.net/publication/341728675_The_effect_of_a_12-week_custom_foot_orthotic_intervention_on_muscle_size_and_muscle_activity_of_the_intrinsic_foot_muscle_of_young_adults_during_gait_termination
I hope that helps... and get better soon!
I am 79 years of age. I own a pair of Zero brand shoes because they are the only shoes which allow me to walk NATURALLY. This is important when you are not as strong as you used to be. I have been told by my wife to consider using some orthodics which I bought a number of years ago. Everything you said rings true to me in that my "old shoes" had limited flexibility, high heels relative to the front sole (about 3/4") and simply felt wrong as I got older. I will ask my podiatrist to consider all you have said, and tell me what she believes may need to be done, if anything. Thanks again for your interesting discourse on the subject!
Podiatrists tend to fall into one of two camps: Those who understand the value of natural movement, and those who don't. Make sure you're seeing the right kind ;-)
Got an ad for these shoes on a video I was watching. Watched the whole ad and searched up your channel literally because you have a great speaking voice. Making me curious about trying the shoes too... :)
That's very kind of you to say.
I hope you do check out xeroshoes.com
This is glorious, I've been looking for "how do i stop walking on the outside of my feet?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Danandonton Miraculous Domination - (do a google search ) ? It is a good exclusive guide for discovering how to end your foot pain without the headache. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my brother in law got cool results with it.
#can orthotics be worn in any shoe?
Yea this guy knows what he’s talking about trust me. Really good stuff here!
He's a salesman. You should trust your doctor instead
@@hojo70 Because no doctors have ever been motivated or incentivized by billion dollar pharmaceutical industries or crazy insurance-robbing unnecessary surgical procedures? No doctors have ever been motivated to make a living on sickness, and disincentivized to deal in cures? Because all doctors would rather reach to the root of a problem than deal you symptom management with drugs? Because doctor schooling is 99% drugs and surgeries and 1% nutrition?
What "doctor" in this country has learned most of their knowledge by original thinking, instead of being told what is true by schools who are funded by the same corporations who profit on doctors making the connection to "patients"?
Just started wearing AFO’s and I’ll be 50 December 2022. My doctor never mentioned anything about doing any kind of physical therapy. Just said if I don’t start wearing these I’d be in a wheelchair in less then a year’s time. 😢. I’ve decided to search UA-cam and see what I can learn about “Toe Drop.” As that’s what I was diagnosed with and while searching a video came up about what shoes can be worn with them. Obviously it’s then lead FINALLY to your video which has been the most helpful of ALL videos watched. Headed to website now 😉. Thank you 😊
I know you guys read these comments. Look into steel toes designs. Long hours wearing those. Big market waiting for you guys
It's on our to-do list.
@@xeroshoes Three years-in, any progression?
I wear orthotics for a structural leg length discrepancy and prior to that I used to wear barefoot shoes. My feet were really strong during those years and in the last almost two years I've been wearing orthotics to assist with LLD, my feet have gotten a lot weaker. It's kind of a lose-lose for me but I'm glad to learn this.
We are glad that this information has been useful to you! Steven had an interview with an individual who experienced leg length discrepancy. It's a long video, but it may be helpful to look into if you have the time: xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running/leg-length-differences-barefoot-running/
This is quite interesting. I was told when I had my orthotics made to avoid highly flexible shoes because they wouldn't provide the right support.
If the orthotic is stiff, the flexibility of the shoe is irrelevant. But, again, keeping your feet from moving naturally is only good for temporary healing.
You would never wear a neck brace for your whole life after whiplash. Same thing with your feet. You don't want to immobilize them.
Research from Dr. Protopapas shows that putting insoles in the shoes of healthy people reduced their foot muscle size/strength by up to 17% in just 12 weeks.
And you heard correctly, especially if you are flat footed or have any biomechanics that cause muscular imbalances in the feet. Not wearing supportive shoe gear can lead to tendinitis, bunions, hammertoes, arthritis etc. flexible shoe wear is really not for everyone. It’s not about muscle strength it’s about not letting some muscles overpower others. Otherwise everything gets thrown out of wack over time.
I'm dealing with inflamed metatarsals so my doctor told me I needed stiffer shoes that prevent to much bending of the forefoot. My orthotics have a stiff supportive arch as well as metatarsal padding but they are not stiff enough to prevent a lot of bending at my toes. I'm disappointed that I need to step away from my minimalist shoes for the time being. I'm trying to be patient.
I'm doing my homework...
Watched several of your videos and I appreciate your passion that led to Xero shoes.
I work 8 to 10 hours a day on concrete floors and would appreciate a little guidance.
Currently wearing Crocs on-the-clock shoe for work. They've help me avoid pain but now it's time to replace them.
We have tens of thousands of customers who spend all day standing on concrete floors. And most report that they couldn't do so prior to switching to Xero Shoes.
In short, when you let your feet do their job, the rest of your body can do its job.
@@xeroshoes Thanks for the reply.
I work on concrete all day and I can tell you that soft bouncy shoes are not the answer. I wear the hikers or trail shoes for durability and they are great. Does take an adjustment period.
Thank you for your video :)
Very informative 👏
Quote- only wear orthotics whilst you're healing.
That isn't always the case for people who have joint and tissue problems such as hypermobility syndrome. My connective tissue doesn't support my skeleton. Orthotics are for my life because, genetically no 'healing' will take place.
Same here. Having extremely hypermobile feet causes all sorts of problems and orthotics can help
I’m no athlete, have poor balance and age 65. All I wear are Zero shoes. When I’m forced to put on dress shoes for something like a wedding, I can hardly walk. I’m tilted forward, have no ground contact or feedback. Horrible. Sometimes I wear my work shoe Zeros all day and don’t take them off until bedtime. My balance is way better when my foot gets ground messages and your not tilted on bouncy rubber masses of foam.
Hey, your add worked. I saw it in front of a news thing. Iv been looking for a flat shoe; and your company is amazing! So many options! Great job. I wish you the best.
Awesome! Thank you!
This was really interesting and helpful to hear. Thank you!
I need an orthotic now, but will switch back to xeroshoes for the gym.
As a 60 year-old personal fitness trainer, with very flat feet, I always had problems in finding comfortable footwear. Some years ago, I switched to Zero Drop Altra shoes; and they were great and comfortable. However, this past year, or so, they increased the stack height way too much, that they were no longer minimalist. I came across an advertisement for Xero shoes, do I decide to try them. They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I purchase a Prio, then a HFS. Excellent. It doesn't make sense to me why any shoe has an elevated heel.
Many years ago, horse owners who put their feet in stirrups required pointed toes and raised heels. That's sort of where a lot of trends came from.
Yeah a lot of practices today come practices from the past. Raised toe box was meant for men who worked a lot on their knees and transferring some of the stress off the smaller foot muscle groups to the larger ones in the leg. It just sorta stuck because others found it's benefits.
Pointed toes are absolutely garbage for the feet, there's zero redeeming quality about smashing toes together. Vast majority of shoes on the market, no matter the price, have this ridiculous sole shape.
@@exothermal.sprocket fuckin a, man. But you have to find your boot size. Think of soccer shoes. Footballers have to turn on a dime sometimes and putting all your bodyweight+momentum+potentially someone else's weight on that tiny bone will just injure you and take them out of the season. It's why I don't where wide or "barefoot" shoes on the field, but I absolutely prefer wider ones when I know I'll only walk briskly and Carry max twice my bodyweight. But the fancy pointed shoes have no practical reason to exist.
@@MattHuarez-yh9zj I'd say athletic shoes meant for hustling on turf or kicking an inflated ball are very niche shoes when you examine the entire shoe wearing populace.
What if you have one leg longer than the other, anatomically, do you also seek to wean yourself off the insoles?
Also I'm in my mid 30s, right leg shorter than the other with supinated walk I think it's called (I tend to walk on the outer parts of my soles, my toes pointing outwards). I just had custom insoles measured today and will be getting them in a week, which shoe model should I pick? Thanks
Our usual go-to recommendation will be our Prio shoes. Steven had an interview with an individual who experienced leg length discrepancy. It's a long video, but it may be helpful to look into if you have the time: xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running/leg-length-differences-barefoot-running/
Thank you so much Steven! I learned so much from your videos. I purchased the Jessie, 360 and HFS. Love them! Have a great day!
great vid, been looking for a opinion on this
Thanks mate. Thank you very much.
Doesn’t seem to matter how much strengthening I do of my feet, I still get pain and swelling on top of my feet due to overpronation that seems to be an issue with my bone structure and not muscular, according to the specialist I saw, and he showed me the x-ray. Walking barefoot or in shoes with no support, the problem is worsened every day because my feet rotate inward when using them, pushing my arch down and adding stress to the rest of the tendon and muscle structure of the foot. I was recommended to get orthotics to correct this, so is there something I should try first before spending almost $1000 total on new shoes and orthotics? I don’t want to make my issue worse as I get older, and again, foot strengthening does not make a difference. I also work on my feet for 10 hours a day, and walk a lot.
We would love to give you personal advice but we are not doctors and can't specifically answer or give advice regarding your question, but you may find more information at the customer recommended sites below:
nutritiousmovement.com/blog/
sock-doc.com/
Thanks for the info!!
I just got orthotics from my podiatrist. To my surprise, it is not full length, only half. I am not satisficed with his explanation. He explains that it is to accumulate different length shoe that might be fit. Is that true? I want full length because half length ones provide no cushion at the front. He told me to buy some cheap insoles and cut the front for it.
We would love to give you personal advice but we are not doctors and can't specifically answer or give advice regarding your question, but you may find more information at the customer recommended sites below:
nutritiousmovement.com/blog/
sock-doc.com/
I hope that helps! Please contact us at support@xeroshoes.com if you have any other questions. :)
I've been wearing orthotics for 22 years and they saved me from knee pain that began to make even just walking too painful. I've run marathons and ultra marathons and train 60 miles a week - all in 8mm drop adidas. When I wear flip-flops for a few weeks on holiday, the knee pain returns. The orthotics seem essential. But my lower back is bad. Could my wonky feet be the cause of that? And where do you find exercises that strengthen feet enough not to wear orthotics? Anyone?
We aren't doctors so can't give specific medical advice, but we can say that being barefoot (and wearing minimalist shoes) can help strengthen your feet. We also have a list of exercises that might help, available here xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running-tips/6-exercises-to-strengthen-your-ankles-and-feet/
@@xeroshoes thanks. Appreciate the response 👍
but I heard flat shoes are not healthy to wear and they have to have at least a little heel and myself when I wore flat shoes I got pain in my Ankles so I tried always to buy shoes with a little heel but never high heel.
Great info!
I just ordered a pair of Dillon’s, I’ve been wearing orthotics for the past two years, I supernate badly due to a spinal cord injury that’s non recoverable… Ive sadly been stuck to wearing cosyfeet Bjorn slippers for the past two years as they are deep enough and wide enough to support the orthotic and my foot, I’ve literally tried into the hundreds of shoes in the past two years, nothing works for me, the backs of the shoes are never high enough around my heel as my orthotic is slightly raised at the heel… I have my fingers crossed xero is going to be my hero! I’ll be buying the whole range if they are!
Did you try them?? How did you find it?
What if the orthotic is also correcting an unevenness of your legs (one leg being longer than the other)?
Still the best platform since our shoes aren't "conflicting" with the orthotic. Also, check out this video, which is a conversation with someone who has a MAJOR leg length discrepancy (doctors put the wrong femur in!) -- ua-cam.com/video/--EWR8aoYNA/v-deo.html
I love my Altras and I tried Lems for 2 days and hated the lack of cushion. If I can get the cushion and the correct foot posture I'm game for it
Do you make any military boots? They would need to be made of non reflective and IR spectrum neutral materials, but not necessarily AR-670-1 compliant
That's on our to-do list. Can you submit your request (with as much detail about style and function as you can) at xeroshoes.com/feedback/
That'll help our developers as they move forward.
Hi ! Great video, I've got 2 questions:
1. I wear custom orthotics manually molded iykwim and I have low-arched feet. I've used my orthotics in Nike Viale but my heels slip up and down even though my orthotics don't seem to have a high heel at first glance (wihtout the orthotics my heels don't slip in those shoes). Aren't my heels gonna slip up and down in the flat shoe you show using my orthotics? I don't see a high heel counter on it, though I guess it's enough because the shoe is so flat. What do you think?
2. Is it possible to TRY your shoes? I live in Spain. I'd love to give them a chance with my orthotics, but I can't afford to spend 100 bucks just to find out that the shoes do not get along with my orths .
For starters, here is a link to our store locator: bit.ly/store-locator-ni. This is a great way to see if there is anything local near you. We also sell on our EU site, Amazon, REI, and Zappos if those are more convenient options as well. That said, the majority of our shoes are form fitting, so they likely won't slip at the heel. They will also have a huarache inspired design that adds extra heel security that can be adjusted on some styles like the Prio.
I just got $475 Cdn. orthotics (laser scanned) a couple of weeks ago, and am wearing them in a pair of size 11 Asics runners for a couple of hours per day around my apartment, but I'm finding them uncomfortable and unnatural just like you mentioned here...I'm going to give him, (my chiropodist), a call this week to ask if he can recommend another shoe line to help the situation, and I will mention to him about Xero footwear...thank you for this.
p.s. Do you sell on Amazon?
We hope you like them! We do sell on Amazon, however, we have a HUGE sale going on at xeroshoes.com through November 30th 2021, so we highly recommend you go there first :)
What happens if you have high arches and they are flat now and causing you foot
problems?
Here is a link from one of our blogs that may be useful to you: xeroshoes.com/flat-feet-high-arches-running-barefoot/. Hope that helps!
So does this include AFO’S? It’s better to wear barefoot style shoes with AFO’S?
We would love to give you personal advice but we are not doctors and can't specifically answer or give advice regarding your question, but you may find more information at the customer recommended sites below:
nutritiousmovement.com/blog/
sock-doc.com/
Can you wear flat feet insoles on boots?
Our shoes tend to work with a lot of different insoles, however feel free to check with our support team at support@xeroshoes.com on specific insoles and they can offer more information.
I have a trimalleor ankle fracture that didn't heal correctly. tibia and talus are not aligned. One of the best foot/ankle Proliance surgeon in the Greater Seattle area said these must be permanent for me. please comment. Thank you!
I'm not a physician and even if I were I wouldn't try to make a diagnosis or recommendation from a brief YT comment. Two questions, though: how is this impacting your ability to walk? Are you able to walk in bare feet?
@@xeroshoes
I cannot walk barefoot since using orthotics now was able to before however because of the misalignment in healing the tibia/tallus joints I need the orthotics. Your video makes sense of why I can wear a pair of SPORTS brand shoe that is flat, flexible with a wide toe splash area. I bought a pair of Souchony walking shoes from REI that are not flat that I am able to return. I have an appointment with a podiatrist this coming Tuesday to get that perspective as the surgeons do surgery and not much else.
My ability to walk is very impacted, I have a tiny inner tube like swelling right around the ankle. The injured foot is supinated. Foot and ankle need stretching, more PT and massage. I'm in my 10th month of recovery from the fracture only to discover this misalignment.
If you need an orthotic, like I say in this video, I think Xero Shoes are the best platform for that since the shoes are flat, wide, and without anything that would get in the way of the orthotic's geometry
Thank you. I noticed the shoes on Amazon are they carried in stores as well?
They are... see xeroshoes.com/stores/
I didn’t think orthopedic shoes would help, but I stand corrected.
:-)
Underrated comment 😂
What's the model of the shoe that you are showing? Also I'm looking for stores in Canada and I can't find any. Do you guys ship to Canada?
You can view local retailers near you via our store locator here: bit.ly/store-locator-ni. We also ship Internationally as well if there are none close by. The shoe he was holding up will be our HFS.
Hi Steven. You mentioned that the built-in arch support in regular shoes might contradict with the arch support on the orthotics. Since you mentioned that Xero shoes are great for orthotics. I'm wondering if there's arch support on Xero shoes?
We don't have arch support in Xero Shoes... one of the principles of natural design is to "let your feet be feet". Whether you have a low or high arch, unless you have some explicit biomechanical problem, your feet can support you just fine if they're strong.
Strong vs. weak is a simple thing: Use it or lose it. Supporting ANY joint makes the tissue surrounding that joint weaker (research by Protopapas shows that adding arch support to the shoes of healthy individuals reduced foot strength and muscle size by as much as 17% in 12 weeks).
The good news is that research by Dr. Sarah Ridge shows that merely walking in minimalist shoes builds foot muscle strength as much as doing a foot strengthening exercise program. Dr. Ridge says Xero Shoes should give the same benefits as the brand she used in her study.
I hope that helps.
@@xeroshoes That's really helpful! Didn't expect to be responded from the video that's posted a year ago, haha. Thanks!
Problem is height of the shoe for me as I have a 1 cm adds on height on my left feet. So it is hard to find a good shoe.i own a 990 v3 NB and it is good but winter boots is a problem
Should orthotics be worn if you have fallen arches in an older person?
We don't have specific advice in regards to whether you should or shouldn't personally wear orthotics, however walking barefoot or in minimalist shoes can strengthen feet and arches. That said, you may find more specific information at the customer recommended sites below:
nutritiousmovement.com/blog/
sock-doc.com/
Any chances to record a movie about barefoot shoes and hypermobility??? Please!!!
I understand what you said regarding wearing orthotics short term. However, in a case like mine- where my arches are extremely high (words of my orthotist), shoes are not designed to accommodate my natural foot structure. Without orthotics, my feet roll. Which then causes severe knee pain, foot pain, and back pain.
Seems I have no choice but to wear them full time, long term.
The arch support is so high in fact, that I can’t seem to find many shoes that have the space to accommodate them due to my instep being so large.
What's important whether someone has high arches or low arches is STRENGTH. And strength comes from using your feet/arches... for high arches, working on flexibility is also helpful.
High arches can change the mechanical leverage some muscles have in your feet due to it being structurally different. High arched feet can lead to a number of issues down the road from you if you don’t wear stiff supportive shoes.
Interesting, but my doctor told me the exact opposite. Because my feet are severely arthritic I have to ALWAYS be in shoes with a Morton’s insert.
The point of this video is that a flat soled shoe is better if you're going to use an insert since the shoe isn't getting in the way with built in arch support or narrow toe boxes.
That said, even with arthritis you probably want to work on having as much (pain-free) motion as possible by USING your feet. When you don't use joints in your body, the tissues around the joints get weaker... can you think of a time when weaker is better than stronger?
Nice website. I click on pics of shoes, northing happens. I click on View Product, nothing happens.
Um... that's odd. We received hundreds of orders yesterday and no similar complaints. What device/browser are you using?
Hi! I’m new to Xero Shoes. If I wanted to wear Xero shoes with insoles, would you recommend getting my usual size or a half size bigger?
Probably 1/2 size up... and we do have a free domestic exchange policy if that's not correct (see xeroshoes.com/exchange/)
@@xeroshoes Thank you!
My foot doctor created a plaster mold of my foot literally holding my foot up my the small toes as he painted the mold on my foot. To created the insert
Long term for amputees, are no inserts of any kind going to be used long term?
If someone has an actual physical deformity of some type, there are 2 thoughts:
1) Do whatever you need to be functional and comfortable
2) Do whatever you can to maintain flexibility, mobility, and strength
What do you recommend if I have a 3/4 lift in a shoe. I found the new bounds with the rollbar technology works great with mine. I need a light comfortable shoe for work that will support my foot being lifted up
Unfortunately, I don't have an informed recommendation since I haven't encountered this situation before.
I just need a heel lift in one shoe. I never get the expensive ones the thickest ones off the shelf seem to do the trick. Is that a problem with a barefoot shoe?
As I describe in this video, having a flat sole gives you the best "platform" if you need some sort of orthotic, since there's nothing getting in the way.
Are Air Jordan’s or Converse bad shoes??
Probably just because they might not flex as well. You'd think converse would be fine because there is absolute jack for cushion or arch support. There is definitely a wedge in converse that changes your foot posture from flat, theoretically if you rip the wedge put and put a flat insole inside, converse would probably be better than most cushy shoes but idk how they fit or wear out without the wedge
I'm trying it out, i put some flat insoles in a pair of my converse and I'll see how it goes
Converse actually helped me transition to minimalistic shoes and it helped me so much. I can actually play sports and run with my full potential in them. Before Converse, i was wearing Air Monarch IV, the ultimate dad shoes, and it caused me so much embarrassment because it caused me to walk like a penguin, im not kidding. Whem i switched to converse, it fixed all my problems but it did take time to get used to minimalistic-type shoes.
So in my opinion, converse are the best athletic shoes but they can be narrow but i go a size up which leaves some space between the toes and front in the toebox and i think its supposed to be like that anyways.
I agree with the previous comments about Converse -- when it comes to natural movement, the shoes are too narrow, toes are too pointy, and the soles are too thick to transmit enough info to your soles (and, then, brain). That they're flat is helpful in this case, though.
Jordans are no different than most other shoes -- narrow toe box, elevated heel, lots of padding, excessive "support."
FYI there's a typo in the final message.
LOL! You're totally right. Don't know how that happened... and YT doesn't make it easy to fix things like that.
How can I buy your shoes in Hong Kong ? Which model is best for playing table tennis ？
Check out our store locator -- xeroshoes.com/stores/
I'd recommend the 360 for table tennis.
@@xeroshoes but they don’t have my size
Contact our Customer Happiness Team directly at either support@xeroshoes.com or 303.447.3100. We can probably ship from the US or, possibly, from xeroshoes.eu
Do you have a shoe that has enough height to put in my custom orthotic? I find my biggest issue is mine has me sitting too high in the shoe
Our shoes are designed wide (almost EE in the toe box) to allow the foot to flex and bend naturally. We do have several customers who have used orthotics with our shoes. The majority of them use the products with our sandals since they run wider, although we have had a few individuals who've used them with our closed toed shoes as well.
Since every foot is different, there's no way to guarantee that they will work for you. If you're unsure if these will be a good fit, feel free to check the availability on Amazon, as they should offer free exchanges and returns for Prime members (we only offer free US exchanges through our website).
Barefoot/minimalist shoes shouldn't be purchased unless your doctor is consulted first. Literally wearing a pair for one day at an office, caused plantar fasciitis in both my feet (which I have never had before). Please use caution before going minimalist and take it easy on your feet.
The odds are good that you didn't actually get PF, since creating serious inflammation is rarely something you can do in a day. See if these help:
xeroshoes.com/barefoot-walking/plantar-fasciitis-and-walking-barefoot/
xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running-tips/i-woke-up-with-plantar-fasciitis-or-did-i/
xeroshoes.com/barefoot-running-tips/can-cure-plantar-fasciitis-barefoot-running/
Does this apply on hockey skates too? Thanks!
Since hockey skates don't let your feet move, and are a special use case, do what you need to perform your best in those. That said, we have a number of Olympic hockey players who say that wearing Xero Shoes once they get out of their skates have helped their feet, and helped them skate better.
@@xeroshoes Thanks so much for your feedback. Looking to switch over to barefoot shoes gradually. 🙏🏽
Your ad only worked because i thought i was going to come here and read funny comments about how we don’t want comfortable shoes
Where are you located?
We are based in Colorado! If you are looking for a store near you, you can find them via our store locator here: xeroshoes.com/stores/
I'm diabetic can I wear crocks? I bought some yesterday.
Well, won't get the circulation benefits that can come from wearing shoes that let your feet bend and flex, or the feedback from safely feeling the ground... so do with that what you will.
@@xeroshoes thank you so much I will return them God bless
I just checked out the website provided in the description clicked the link are the prio sr all day shoes oil resistant as well and non marking ?
The SR are non-marking and slip-resistant. The upper is leather (do you mean oil-resistant on the upper or the sole?)
@@xeroshoes yeah I meant oil resistant on the upper sole.
Got it... I'm actually not sure, then. Contact our Customer Happiness Team directly at either support@xeroshoes.com or 303.447.3100. They can help you with this.
You are totally related to Allen Covert. If not by immediate family, then you surely share common ancestors lol
This prolly won’t work for me just yet. I have bad plantar fascitis
We actually have a lot of customers with plantar fascitis that enjoy our shoes, but it may take some time to adjust to and build up that foot strength. If you feel comfortable barefoot, these may work for you.
No one told me to get out of the orthotics , now it’s 10 years later
Don't get out of it Heidi. If it's working and you have no issues, they are right for you. When I wore my orthotics off and on, I would get back pain. The minute I was religious about wearing orthotics every single day - I have had no issues ever again.
@@AmandaMitchell yea but they keep changing the shoes. I now have NO shoes that my orthotics sit properly in and I’m upset
You take the insoles out of new shoes and replace them with your orthotics. You have to find shoes that work with your orthotics. Make sure though you need them and see a very experienced orthotic person that uses advanced equipment to make sure a) you need them and b) they know what they are doing. The answer is in pain. If you have no knee, hip or back pain with orthotics and you did previously, then they are doing their job. And vice-versa. It’s trial and error re: pain and management. No one shoe or solution fits all. But saying to not use them, may unnecessarily cause a return to pain for some people
@@AmandaMitchell I understand but I have tried every neutral shoe in my EE width , even men’s , nothing works. I’m wearing an old pair of broken down dyads because they suddenly narrowed the 11 The new echelon no longer has a flat surface it has some weird drop (can see it visually too) so orthotics rock. I could go on and on. It’s been hell
exactly thank you!!
So basically the shoes you wear your orthotics in should be flat🤔
Yup.
If your shoes have built in arches, that will change the way the orthotics function. And if you switch out the orthotics into different shoes that have different amounts of built-in arch, that compounds the problem.
Nice
You need MY shoes that's the problem, i need your money. Simple lol jk
Actually, if you watch more of our videos you'll see that we often recommend being OUT of all shoes... but when barefoot isn't the best or smartest choice, Xero Shoes can give you that natural movement experience with a layer of protection.
@@xeroshoes Well I walk on concrete all day at work and at home so a flat shoe isn't ideal. Sure its good for you to be barefoot in a natural setting but we don't live in a natural setting. concrete is what we walk on always. If we lived in nature where we walked on normal turf this concept makes total sense. But the surface we've chosen to make up our full environment is concrete aside from carpeted concrete and walking on it barefoot or with shapeless shoes you will just end up flat footed Lol don't get me wrong I understand your point an I respect it. But In all honesty I feel like it's an unrealistic concept in terms of most people's everyday life. And really what people should do is just go barefoot at home and in their yards or for short hikes on a natural turf. Like an exercise for your feet.
We have thousands of customers who comfortably spend all day on their feet on concrete floors -- doctors, nurses, warehouse workers, restaurant workers, etc.
If you check out xeroshoes.com/reviews/ you'll hear from some of them.
The fact that we didn't evolve on concrete doesn't mean we aren't adapted to be able to handle those surfaces.
We didn't evolve to do double twisting double back flips, but (speaking as a former All-American gymnast) that doesn't mean we can't adapt to do them ;-)
I love the fact that an add actually used facts with pronouns. I totally don't mind if I ever get one of these adds.
Biggest bullshit I've heard in a while. Orthotics are not shoe replacements, but shoe inserts. They don't need a perfectly flat surface to work like intended. I've worn expensive orthotics my entire life and can't walk without. Infact, flat shoes just make the problem worse, just like they do with people who have healthy feet. There is a reason, most shoes, especially modern running shoes have a slight heel-to-toe drop.
Also regarding the toe-bend issue. Why would an orthotic be a problem there? Shoes have a specific bending point where joints in the feet are supposed to bend. Orthotics don't hinder your feet from doing that, they are not made from rocks.
I see orthotics as a foot extension for people whose feet are not how they should be.
Nobody said they're "shoe replacements." Nobody said they need a perfectly flat surface to work.
What I *did* say is that if your shoe has built in arch support, that can interfere with the design of the orthotic since it's not made based on your shoe's arch design.
Similarly, since your different shoes each have different interior shape and volume, that affects the orthotic.
And, since shoes with midsoles and arch support wear out unevenly, that also affects the geometry of an orthotic.
All of this was demonstrated by the former head of biomechanics for the US Olympic Committee.
The "toe bend" issue is more about full orthotics than 3/4 orthotics, but even those can be problematic if the way your shoe bends doesn't match where the orthotic ends. And most shoes with thicker midsoles don't bend enough to allow your foot to bend naturally to begin with... that's why shoe companies developed "toe spring" -- to accommodate the fact that they don't allow for proper toe flexion and extension.
The research about flat shoes is the exact opposite of what you suggest. That is, the research shows that heel drop actually causes postural and gait issues. Check out the podcast with Harvard's Dr. Irene Davis at www.peterattiamd.com/irenedavis for more info about this.
BTW, in that podcast you'll hear the REAL reason that athletic shoes have "drop." It's not what you think and it's not based on any data about health, posture, or performance.
I expect you'll find it enlightening, despite the fact that both she and Dr. Attia have data that conflicts with your beliefs.
Finally, check out xeroshoes.com/orthotics/ which examines whether orthotics are necessary at all for most people, and how they SHOULD be used vs. how they're actually used.
In short, they're meant to be used as a temporary aid for recovery, not for long-term use, for which the research indicates very little efficacy.
And subsequent research shows how merely adding an orthotic to the shoe of a healthy athlete reduced intrinsic foot muscle size and strength in as little as 8 weeks.
Your high fluffy running shoe is a nightmare of heel strike and the heel is too high for good walking.
I ordered a pair of HFS and it fits perfectly with my foot with the orthotics. However, when I run with them since I always ran with a thick outsole with support, it hurts my feet and the ball of my foot a little. Just wanted to give an idea of maybe creating a flat no arch shoe with a little cushion for non-minimalist runners with orthotics.
Here's something interesting to consider: Humans have been running pain-free either barefoot or in minimalist footwear for tens of thousands of years. And we have hundreds of thousands of customers who've done the same.
The difference?
Running form, not cushioning (I'm recalling our first customer service manager who ran 120-150 miles per week in our 4mm thick sandal... and he was 65 years old).
I'd need more info (even a video of you running) to give you more specific suggestions about what to do, but one thing I can say is:
Do less.
Try running for just 20-30 seconds and see if you can alter your gait (most likely, landing with your feet more under your body than in front of it, and possibly slightly increasing the number of steps per minute you take without running faster) so that your feet feel fine the next day.
Then increase the distance/time slowly.
Also, post on our FB page and ask people for suggestions. There are almost 100k people there who run without problems in all of our shoes and I'm sure you can do the same.