I've been a minimalist runner for four years. I have yet to be injured from it but hear this, it's important to build up to it, you won't be able to do the same mileage you did in other shoes at first, but once you work the muscles in the feet in calves that before were not getting any work, it can make running a lot less injuring
The Raw Earth Under My Bare Feet they don't mention whether biomechanically imperfect people like myself can run barefoot. I've started running with forefoot 6 weeks ago and it's working for me, but can I go barefoot?
The problem is that most soles on peoples feet have never seen tough ground in their entire life. If we had never worn any type of shoes, the bottoms of our feet would be a half inch of thick callus that would act as a protective layer from rocks and sharp objects. so when you go out there with your virgin feet, your going to be in a lot of pain.
I don't think it takes much to get to that point of not feeling too much discomfort. I actually never knew it could be painful to other people to walk on surfaces like decomposed granite, gravel, mulch/bark chips, or rounded or even angular pebbles. Sure, sometimes it can get a bit uncomfortable, but nothing I'd call pain. I'm only really outdoors and barefoot when I'm at a park or at my own home, other than that I usually wear shoes.
+T-72k1 Welp. I walked on gravel a lot as a kid. I think it causes a permanent change, because I've tried sanding my calluses many times over the years. I literally always have about 3/16 inch all the time.
It's not about toughening your feet, it's about fixing your strike. There's this huge misconception that barefoot running turns your feet into leather, it doesn't. I use barefoot running to correct my foot strike and prevent injury but I run mudraces with minimalist shoes.
I don't know about running but as i see all people love to stay/walk barefoot as much as they can. I feel so good in the summer when i have minimalist sandals. I also live in a village and my feet is wider because i would always run barefoot when i was a child.
When you run, walk, hike on diverse terrain barefoot then your feet can get the feedback from the nerves in the skin. Your body makes adjustments immediately and you can notice where your weakness is. I notice a big difference in walking on a rocky forest trail with sticks, roots, than walking around town on asphalt. I have flexible arches, narrow feet and was plagued by plantar fasciitis where the podiatrist wanted me to go to his business partner and get orthotics. I thought no way, there has to be another way. I was also wearing minimal shoes, merrell vapor gloves, but I didn't transition or adapt, because I rushed the process. I can run a marathon now in merrell vapor gloves. My plantar fasciitis is gone completely in one foot but because of my job I have to wear cushioned safety shoes, and I developed heel spurs only on one foot. When I run completely barefoot the muscles and tendons and circulation are improved and I feel almost 100 percent improvement. I went for a forest hike barefoot and the sensory feedback of my soles I could not ignore on certain parts of the trail. With Merrell vapor gloves blocking the " braille " sensory load, I would have not picked up information on how to navigate the terrain. Barefoot is truly the best medicine. But it can be overwhelming and it takes patience to get used to exposing your soles to a lot of sensory information. The dangers are minimal, just don't go out on hot asphalt or you will burn your soles. Sure you will adapt but go slowly. I also think the Tarahumara were not always racing for best times, no competition, it seemed more as a necessary mode of transportation. Orthotics might be a temporary cure, but I think most doctors are not taking time to heal people from inside out rather just putting a quick fix but if they helped people get healthier then they would make less money.
modern shoes are alright every now and again for a big race like a drug you put on your feet every now and again but relying on them like most do nowadays is really hurting our feet and body
Interesting. I've always found it odd that old time basketball players with Chuck Taylors had far fewer knee, ankle and foot injuries than modern players.
My friend and I ran four years barefoot, in minus temperatures, on concrete doing 3 km daily. No injuries. That was 40 years ago. Now in my mid fifties, with disc bulge and osteo hip arthritis, I have returned to bare foot running. It happened last year while running barefoot around a lovely oval for 10 km. After that session, all I wanted to do it sprinting directly after. Now, I do sprint training, including in barefoot, even with these injuries. It's like they are non existent, except for when I walk. We have missed it folks. Barefoot running is good because it corrects our running and removes the risk of impact injuries.
I forefoot strike in medium cushion running shoes (pegasus 34) and I've noticed most people in my track club (mostly the ones that heelstrike) get injured while I haven't had a single injury. Running barefoot is not the answer, just running correctly is.
Reinis Martinsons this ridiculous movement lost steam as people started to get hurt. There are more max cushions shoes on the market than ever. You’re right, it’s the foot strike....
Just practice in track spikes that are meant for 400m cause most don’t aggressively put you on your toes but that’s up to price range and brand selection. Also mid-distance spikes are good all around just not less then 200m and not more then 3 miles
Absolutely true but from looking at your channel you are a runner so you can easily change techniques and running posture. Most people can't though, and running barefoot automatically forces the runner to run on their forefoot. so for someone like you and me, this isn't a problem because we can run on our forefoot in shoes. it's the perfect combination.
Back when I was 13, "1994" I'd sprint to my friends house down the block, and I naturally stayed on my toes, and I surprised myself how much faster I ran. Then I joined track and field 8th grade year, and injured my knee pretty fast from heel strike running. Heel strike is natural for walking though.
I can speak from experience. I've run for many decades and do 12.6 miles in 1:35 on city streets waiting for lights, 5 days a week (weather permitting), and sometimes 16.6 on one day, but 16.6 means I will need to take off a day or maybe 2 before I feel like going again. I used to have thin shoes, that today would be called minimalist, because that's all I could afford. Later I was into the big bucks, listening to experts, and got the latest and greatest. That worked for a while, but more and more I had to make sure my shoes didn't get many miles because my ankle would turn (supinate) and I'd be on my face in the street. I had far more injuries but they didn't make the cheap shoes I tried to buy from before. I always had high arches. The way I run, 200 to 250 miles out of a pair of shoes was like making car payments. Researching what to do next, I ran across what Chris was saying. I tried barefoot. That doesn't work for some of the reasons mentioned on other posts here. First, the roughened concrete removes the skin on your feet. If horses have toenails and they cannot do cement, you are not going to either unless you only run a couple blocks. If you run on asphalt, then your feet get black with tar, and potent carcinogen. Grass feels good, but wait until you hit a sprinkler head, worse hides in the grass, and slivers you do have to remove, even if in a callous. I even did winter barefoot running, which is also a ego game. It's more than cold, snow is abrasive on your ankles and tops of your feet. I've tried minimalist and Vibrams. I've used Vibram Bikilas with the velcro since they came out. You have to watch what is on the sidewalk, and you have to shower with them once a week to prevent the 5-finger-funk, but other than that... Moreover, I can get 800-1100 miles out of a pair. The average is more like 900. Bernie is so right on about starting easy. After years of running with running shoes, everything below the knee is weak from not getting the proper workout and lousy bio mechanics. I heard the advice, so I tried a short run and thought, those guys must be wimps, so I took off an ran 8 miles. When I got back my calves were hot for some reason. The next morning, I had to develop a strategy to be able to get up, and my walking was a joke. I got past that, but then my metatarsal heads hurt like crazy. I could see black and blue through the skin. It took me 5 months and it wasn't until I almost gave up until they quit hurting. In the meantime, I had to throw my other shoes away because my feet kept getting larger. I no longer have high arches. It is a regular foot, and it is far more flexible. I've never again turned an ankle. I've never had an injury while wearing 5-fingers. While other minimalist shoes can do many of these things, the 5-fingers also force proper toe spacing like you see on tribes that don't wear shoes, and after winter and not wearing the 5-fingers, sliding in not so straightforward for a while again. I did try huarache sandals. They are not for me. They are heavier, they don't follow you foot shape like Vibrams, and you can get stuff between your foot and the sandal. Vibrams are simply a protective glove for you foot. I watch the sidewalk and street when I run. I've not paid attention and got a stone before. It hurts a little, but my foot is also much more flexible now, so it forms around it and the weight transfers elsewhere. I've never had an injury from it, but I keep in mind that 1/8" of soft rubber isn't much. The weight is as if they aren't even there.
Out of my own experience I started suffering knee pain 2 years ago while running, I look for an alternative in the shoes and picked asics but the pain persisted so I grabbed a merrel vapor glove 3 and which initially wasn't a treat because I have to break in my own feet ,now I run barefoot and with minimalist shoes when needed and it's been a year and a half ,no knee and lower back pain. Gor me there is no second thought to debate about. I would say go bare foot
@Armando Sturzenegger Some of that is true to some degree but running is still much harder on the body overall and just hard to do. Most people who run are gonna get leg injuries (unless they run easy and intelligent) and stop and switch to something that is easier and has less impact on their bodies such as maybe rowing or biking, maybe swimming. And yes, all activities have their up and down sides. -- Not that it matters, but you people who have nothing on your profiles, just do not cut it with me. Who are you? I'll make a few comments back to your types, but you have no CRED with many of us.
So I only found out about this a few years ago . And my great grandparents were Tarahumara. I’ve had foot and knee injuries trying to correct it with shoes and keeping the toes together. I made it worse by not letting them spread. Feels so much better being barefoot and min shoes. No problems.
i wear shoes most of the time, but when actually running, i much prefer minimalist. i have a pair of custom made shoes, the traditional shoe of my people, made of leather. it provides protection against most pointy things (including an unfortunate minefield of lego LOL) and doesn't interfere with natural gait. there is certainly value in high tech shoes by some people, but in general, i think the closer you get to our evolutionary standard, the less risk there will be.
Hello, people! I run only barefoot almost everyday, 4 seasons, but I have to admit that when the winter comes I'm starting to have problems with the footwear. I've used Vibram Five Fingers(with sock and without), Merrel Glove, New Balance Minimus, Aqua-shoes with wool sock, only wool sock(it's perfect on dry snow, in my opinion) and the last winter I've been running with a neoprene 0.5 mm sock (I've tried to run with bare feet too,but it's a slow process). I have to tell you that for me the neoprene sock works exceptionally well. I'm running only trails, not hard surface (asphalt, concrete...) , soil only. Even when sprinting the sock is pretty stable, but with 0.5 is little chilly when the snow melts. It starts to absorb water(because I wear another sock underneath), so I have a plan for this year. I will buy 1 mm neoprene sock, put a wool sock underneath and for the slippery ice-I will use spray glue+sand on the bottom(which method I saw in another video, but for shoes) and let you know what happened. In conclusion I think that barefoot runners face hard times when the wet winter comes. So...that's my plan to defeat it. I will be glad to hear more ideas for snow and wet cold weather from you. Have a great day!
A old trick in Sweden is to have woolsock over your boots when its a lot of snow and ice to prevent u to slip so it should work excellent without shoes/boots too
our ancestors did not have paved roads. if you mostly run on tarmac, wear shoes. I love barefoot running but it should only be practiced on a natural ground.
Actually, when I started rope skipping years ago, for the first time since childhood, I got the advice to skip on asphalt when outside rather than concrete or dirt. Ideal being wooden floors like those of indoor basketball courts. I never bothered to research whether asphalt is indeed softer (or more springy) than (compacted) dry dirt, but I do know that dirt on trails is pretty hard and certainly not cushy. And running on loose surfaces presents its own challenges and risks. My observation is that you adapt. As long as you keep in mind that different surfaces are, well, different. And with the correct running form, hardness never seemed like an issue. I'm not keen on running actually barefoot, but I heard that running on asphalt is comfortable. I don't recall anyone ever saying the opposite. Thinking it's not comfortable is very common (it doesn't look comfortable/ pleasant to me either). I think the main benefit of trail running is the variety. Trails are not perfectly flat. So the use of your legs is less monotonous (the wear on joints is more varied), but it requires more strength in certain ways (for one, your ankles have to be more stable). For this reason, I think it's a good idea. Any softness will put more strain on the ankle. Take running in sand. I'm not interested in making the landing softer. I have my legs for that. And they're perfectly suited for it as long as you keep correct running form. I'm interested in making my legs stronger and if I can make the life easier for my joints by introducing more variety into the endlessly repetitive motions, even better.
on tarmac it's much more comfortable than on your "natural ground".... "natural ground" is full of small pointy stones... trust me no fun there.... unless you're practicing dancing or something similar in that case you'll severely fuck up your feet on tarmac.
@lucaboden What is older? I started barefoot running last year at 53 and run daily on asphalt (just heading out now in winter in Scotland). Oh, and there are a million grades of ashpalt to choose from, super smooth pavement, to super rough old roads; and you have to watch where you put your feet, but its fine to start at any age, just take your time to get strong and sort out your technique !
Doesn't matter if it's a natural ground or a paved one. Your feet can adapt. Do you put shoes in your dog to walk on the streets? I don't think "he has evolved to walking on it" either...
I run ultras. I'm 57 and still run fairly high mileage. I now have run for 30 plus years and raced often during this time. No injuries. Is it the shoes? No I love my supportive shoes. I do have good running form ( not perfect ) and strike on my midfoot. I bought the POSE method book several years ago and work on this method of running.
yes you can run properly in zero drop or low drop shoes, however, a big heel will not allow you to run properly. It will get in the way of a forefoot strike.
No. Your foot is still searching for the ground through the cushioning which actually creates more impact on the joints. We have hundreds of nerves in the bottoms of our feet for a reason .
I learn to run barefoot in school from Elementary to College with no pain and never had injury. but when I started wearing one problem started to show from my heel to my knee now my shin splint which make running very uncomfortable and not enjoying it as much as I enjoy before.
The streets must be clean and smooth where this guy lives. I tried his advice and after a few steps the soles of my feet were hammered by the loose gravel and other debris on the tarmac and I had to give it up as a bad job.
Great video. Thank you so much for sharing it with us here. Chris's book is a wonderful testament to the Tarahumara. The Kenyans in this video are also great examples of what being shoe-less truly can do (for) us. Running barefoot for all of us who wore shoes all our life takes time to adjust to all the ground sensations. I have been doing it since July of 2012 and it really does change everything and the chronic injuries and aches and pains do fade away. There is a learning curve involved and time and running and the doing it but I believe it is worth it. I wont go back to shoes and I have been running since the 5th grade and I am 59. The over priced horrific running shoe/foot coffins do cause injury. Our bare feet are the perfect shoe. The arch is not a static object but a mechanism. We are supposed to pronate and supinate. These are natural functioning mechanisms of the human foot. The advertising and marketing from running shoe companies are based on misinformation and lies and manipulation.
I've ran on Nike Free's for a couple of months and in those months I've obtained the worst shinsplints I've ever had in my life. Took me a couple of months to fully recover. Now I run on Asics and I'm still free of any injuries. I do believe barefoot running is a legit way of running but not in a modern world where almost every surface is concrete. If you want to run bare foot, I suggest to do it on the grass.
Shin splints are caused by the talus being forced up between the tibia and fibula, causing inflammation of the connective tissue. In order for the talus to do that, you have to land hard on your heel, which means your form was bad, not necessarily the shoes
I know this is a long time away from when u made the comment but Nike frees are not for running. Nike has other models that are way better for running.
Try googling „Forefoot running“ . It’s not the shoes (or lack of, in that case) that destroy our feet, it’s the running style and let me tell you, in all my experiences of running barefoot, the only problems I had were starting because I wasn’t used to it which resulted in my feet hurting and a few months later, stepping into a wasp that was for some reason laying on the ground while I wasn’t watching. I’m glad that you are healthy now because of your ASICS, But My feet even improved from barefoot running, I used to have orthopedic soles because my feet hurt like shit when I walked for a few meters and now? I don’t need them anymore! Have a nice day! :)
I used to run on gravel driveways when i played football and track it made my feet and ankles much stronger then anyone on my team. I never got injured playing 3rd grade to 21 years old. Never got anything but a couple concussions. I also run on the front of my feet even with shoes or cleets and never land with my knees straigh. So that probably helped my cause.
I'm watching this years later. I've known about barefoot running for a long, long time but never took it up--mostly because i worried it would make my injuries worse. I've suffered chronic back aches, tendonitis in the knees (mostly left knee), plantar fasciitis, hip pain (left hip). I finally started running barefoot. I started with just 62 steps per day and each day I'd add just 62 more steps. (Yes, I count them all). I'd get up in the morning, feel sore hips and knees, and go run my steps. After a week, the knee and hips started to relax--still hurt, but not as much. Instead, my feet were really sore. Not like broken bone or painful--instead like muscle soreness. Still, I'd add another 62 steps to the prior day's total. A month later, despite running barefoot every day little by little adding more to the run, my hips and knees were pain free. The muscles in my feet got so much stronger. I was able to run pain free. I should also mention that because of injuries I had packed on the weight. During that first month I didn't change my diet at all and I'm only topping out at a quarter mile so there was zero weight loss expectation. But I did all of that at 6'2" and 280lbs. The next month I worked up to 3/4 of a mile every day (no days off). I focused aggressively on my diet and lost 20 lbs. But still, there I was, 48 years old 265 lbs running every single day with no joint pain at all. It's been over a year. I run every. single. day. No days off.
I remember seeing indigenous people in south america and will never forget how thick the callouses on their feet were, or how much all around tougher their feet looked. Wider too I think. They were people that had grown up without shoes and the callouses on their soles - I shit u not - were more or less an inch thick. Fear of pebbles be gone. How come none of the barefoot runners I see in videos have feet even similar to the ones Im describing?
I know a guy that has inch thick calloused feet. He runs year round barefooted. I think he's crazy but he said he didn't have any more knee problems. He started off running in grass.
This information makes so much sense. NEVER take the ability to walk and run for granted!! I have a 2" short left leg (motorcycle accident) so I have to wear a lift. I try to walk on the beach barefoot once in a while but need to really limit myself because of what it does to my spine. Adding a 2" or even 1 1/4" (I cheat because it's so stiff) adds weight and stiffness. I also wear hiking boots year round because of the logistics of adding a lift to anything less stable or with a heel is unworkable. There are a surprising number of people out there with this challenge.
I walked around in a pair if frees saving my merrells for actual running and a friend wanted to go for a run so I actually took them out for a 10k run and 20 minutes in my knee was shredded. Hate those things now!
They encourage a natural forefoot strike. There heel drop is only 4mm for the 3.0, compared to traditional shoes which often have around 12mm, there is much less cushioning but still enough so concrete won't screw you, and it's extremely flexible.
***** I do a ton of shoe research… maybe a little TOO much. LOL! I love shoes. Nike Frees are only minimalist compared to all the other Nike running shoes. However, they are not minimalist when ompared to true minimalist shoes like Vivobarefoot and Skora. Nike Frees lack a wide toe box and have too much cushioning. Check out Skora and Vivobarefoot running shoes. Vivabarefoot is crazy minimal with only 2mm of rubber and no insole. Skora have a tad bit of cushioning but also have a wide toe box.
I’m watching this because I recently found out I ran faster and farther without shoes. Also I’ve noticed less feet pain and soreness. It’s amazing really lol. Also realized a lot of people have virgin feet 😂
Merrell Vapor Gloves are the perfect in-between: enough protection to prevent cuts/scrapes, but barely noticeable on the foot! I love my pair, probably put over 300 miles on them so far.
5:10 - 5:13 unfair characterization the slower you run the more of your foot that will come in contact with the ground from Back to Front however the faster you run the less of your foot that will hit the ground so that it's only the front of your foot that's going to hit the ground when you're running really fast.
I used to buy expensive running shoes and orthotics and always still seemed to get shin splint issues, then tried Vibram five fingers which seemed to give no problems..
Bob Mulhall Keep running! People run barefoot in winter, too. Search online and/or here in UA-cam to discover and explore the extent of our natural potential.
Im in Newfoundland, its April, 3 days ago I shoveled almost 3 feet(excuse the pun) of snow out of my driveway. And I can throw a rock into the ocean from my back yard so, pretty much at sea level. The whole barefoot movement is gonna take an halt here I tell ya.
I love Altra zero drop shoes but the Altra Escalante model has such a soft cushion the my ankle started hurting so bad after just one run. I still use Altra and live them but not the Escalante model.
I find that I run a lot faster barefoot. If I run with shoes I run 30 seconds- 1 minute slower in a 3k or 5k. I feel very comfy barefoot and I wish I was allowed to race barefoot. Oh, and I'm injury free too.
he is exactly correct. I have been an amatuer boxer and a national team member and I wasted 8 years running on running shoes and they RUINED my form and I could not run for more than 6km without giving up. Now I can run all day, literally from 10-20 km without feeling my legs. Get a very comfortable pair with as flexible sole as possible with as less cushion as possible
I train and race in Saucony Guide 10s which have an 8mm offset, which means they have an 8mm tilt from the inside of the foot to the outside. I got these from a running shop where they record your running stride pattern from behind you on a treadmill. I land with my feet inside of the line of my hips so these shoes are supposed to correct that by matching the angle that my foot hits the ground. I've had them for about 8months now and I still run in the same way and have developed the worst knee problems I've ever had. I think I'll buy something a lot more minimal next time like Merrell shoes which aren't sold as a specific running shoe but are quite minimal in the sole cushioning.
I ran Cross Country in high school in Onitsuka Tigers with no padding. I still run in them occasionally (yes they are 45 years old). The padded shoes I own, Nike Downshifter 8 and Nike Epic React Flyknit 2, do not feel right to me.
I ran varsity track and cross country in high school and college. Both my teams and when talking to some friends on other teams and their all disallowed the Nike Free because it was the shoe with the consistent most amount of injuries for their student athletes. The problem is that it's a shoe that still encourages a heel strike due to the heel padding while at the same time making the foot muscles compensate a lot. Instead of being a best of both worlds it can actually be the worst of both. For young runners in training they often wouldn't ease into this change in running and hurt themselves, they also sustained the same knee and hip injuries as everyone else. They were also very prone to being damaged or getting debris stuck in them, unless you're running on roads and easy trails or paths they are pretty hard to maintain and you'll find yourself picking rocks out of them. I feel if you want the barefoot experience you need to take out that heel and ease into it and give your body time to adjust. I raced in spikes a lot which are quite minimalist and didn't have heel support because you naturally forefoot strike when you're running quickly, I believe training yourself to run in that style without the support of a trainer all the time could be of great benefit and make you less prone to injury. I developed IT band syndrome in my right knee from over running and forefoot running actually helped a lot. So much so that I'm rethinking how I run and just bought a pair of minimalist shoes to give my feet a little protection from the road and trail while I try it out in earnest.
I’m a sprinter. I’ve always known you go faster on you’re forefoot. It’s ironic - the professor references the terra humana tribe. Which is also the name of a 90s Nike shoe
running barefoot can help with getting form correct if you're running on a soft surface like grass but if your gonna run long distances on pavement or concrete, a shoe with more substantial padding is a definite must have
WILLY MANSILLA he doesn’t heel strike. If your form is good seems to me like you can use what you want. I think if your form is bad certain shoes can really mess you up.
When you walk you touch your heel first but when jogging or running it’s on your toes first which will change your posture depending on how fast your moving, and shorter and quicker strides will generally make your body adjust to the right angle naturally. Like leaning more forward and picking knees up to the right height.
If you walk barefoot you don't land on your heels. You straighten your posture and focus on your torso not to over stride. You take more notice of hip rotation and forward leaning. Like falling forward and catching yourself. If you close your eyes and take a few steps you definitely won't land on your heels, at least after you feel the pain of slamming down. It takes awareness to get the proper locomotion. But you adapt. You can walk fast barefoot, you can walk slowly, also you can sprint fast barefoot and run slowly. All of these motions take getting adjusted too and we as humans are adaptable. I just ran home from the farmer's market with a backpack full of food, barefoot, in the heat. No problems. And I started this barefoot journey about 8 years ago. It takes time.
I have been full time in health and fitness since 1996, and done my fair share of athletic training and high performance over the years. I absolutely agree in barefoot walking and running, but not on concrete...which is man made. Yes, Africa is natural Earth and easier to run on...which i do similarly in the forest. I also use vibrams, even though the company seems to be struggling, and i use them performing internationally.
"that's all I know, and all I wanna know" 💀💀 fucking dead
5 років тому
I mostly run sprints that forces you land on the front of ur foot. That padding (cushion) protects your knee cartilage mostly but of course u need to have a correct form
Try googling „Forefoot running“ . It’s not the shoes (or lack of, in that case) that destroy our feet, it’s the running style and let me tell you, in all my experiences of running barefoot, the only problems I had were starting because I wasn’t used to it which resulted in my feet hurting and a few months later, stepping into a wasp that was for some reason laying on the ground while I wasn’t watching. My feet even improved from barefoot running, I used to have orthopedic soles because my feet hurt like shit when I walked for a few meters and now? I don’t need them anymore! I hope that answered your question! You Need to watch out though! If you have knee problems the transition May be pretty difficult, so go easy at first, but you’ll profit from it, if you have any more questions, just ask me :) Have a nice day
I'm from the south and I can say running barefoot makes sense, seems to strengthen each toe and area of the foot to make it a more effective run. I feel like we should run on natural earth with proper form about 3-5 miles daily, and we'll be better for it.
@@trinitylivingston1286 read this guys book, no stonemason worth his salt would put a support UNDER an arch. The arch is supposed to compress to absorb shock
Interesting. I think I agree with him....I would opt for little to no cushion runners but still need a barrier because my skin/soles are soft. I noticed if I wear an aggressive sneaker on my treadmill, my knees and hips hurt. If I go barefoot...zero pain.
I agree with all of this information, but what you've said is that it's not the fault of the shoes bu the fault of people for running incorrectly if you have the correct style of running the natural way and with shoes on it should be the same equivalent as running barefoot, it's all in the technique not the shoes
I recently went to plant trees in the periphery of a rainforest, since the forest was in decline...We had to climb up really slippery slopes to plant, and there were tons of leeches. No shoes work up there, the best grip on those rocks actually come from bare feet. And leeches tend to go inside socks and shoes as well. There's also something refreshing about feeling all that cold muddy Earth beneath your toes...
My heels never touch the ground when I run, even in boots... Growing up I thought knee pain and hip pain were expected when running competitively, after high school sports I started running on the front of my foot and I have been pain free since. Aside from the acclimatization period my calves had to go through which took about 6 months, I was constantly sore during this time. I only need shoes for the protection they provide, a thick sock will do. Shoe 'technology' is a gimmick, if you want to improve your running performance -- train.
Because with a shoe that has adequate flexibility and a thinner heel you can adjust your foot strike to effectively emulate barefoot running while still protecting your feet from concrete and other unnatural modern surfaces and hazards.
And I live in Texas. It gets pretty darn hot here in the summertime. Actually according to numerous sources...so hot that the devil actually goes home for the summer to cool off. We've got lots and lots of roads down here and a lot of hospitality. Do some training here during July and August in the afternoon.
There's really not that much glass just lying all over the place like most people insist. I've been running 99% of my mileage barefoot for the past three years and have yet to step on a shard of glass.
Bruh if anything the rain helps. I've also heard your feet automatically put less weight on the ground when they feel an object below them, like if you step on a pebble or something.
It takes time to readjust the body weight to accommodate the landing on the front of the foot. It takes more energy to do it but there is less impact on the body. What you need is a protective layer for the sole of the foot rather than creating a callous.
Ive been gradually doing this. Maybe ran half a mile to a whole mile 10 times in the passed 4 months. I stepped on a shard of glass last time and there was no blood. I just pulled it out and kept going. Your feet get tougher
I seriously don’t get the debate. Going back to basic biology and design, bare foot running/walking is better because it what we were born to do. Humans balance better with no shoes because their feet can splay and we have extensive nerve endings that give us the ability to sense the many surfaces of the earth. Shoes are like the ibuprofen for feet. They make us comfortable while masking the real problem.
I used to run on sidewalks barefoot as a kid and my foot would somtimes build up callus, those callus cracked up, it was really horrendus but it wasnt painful, sometimes when I run barefoot, little pebbles or rocks hurt
I like this guy's idea. But shoes have a purpose. I would agree that less is more. Those adidas with the battery thing.. Wtf lol I'm rocking some under armour hovr sonic 2's and loving them. But certain activities barefoot will always be king. Kickboxing, deadlifting. Running in a grassy field
In 1960 Barefoot runner Abebe Bikila was an Ethiopian marathon runner who was a back-to-back Olympic marathon champion. He is the first Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist, winning his first gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome while running barefoot. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he won his second gold medal.
I am looking for the most comfortable sneaker out there. neutral stand. I do 5 mile walking in the morning then looking for shoe to wear all day long that just give me comfortable for the entire day. I am a 6 ft 3 male with 2 knee replacements and a bad back. ty all for your suggestions
In summer, when I’m running barefoot my skin gets pretty thick. Small pieces of glass gets stuck but they don’t actually hurt me. I tend to check my feet though just to remove any stones or glass that is stuck so they don’t hurt me in the future.
In Hull there’s loads of glass, nails, building materials, pebbles and rubbish even in the park I’ve worn thin shoes and they got a chunk of glass in them within the week had to throw them away I’d love to wear more natural thin shoes but I don’t feel safe at least not where I live a the moment.
Vibram is am Italian company. They might also have a factory in the US. I have experienced the soles in some Merrel Shoes, lots of kilometres in vibram soles.
But if you have the high differential (heel cushion) your heel can't come down after the forefoot. This loads your calf muscles so they can fire at a higher load. It's the length-tension relationship, you can't contract your biceps as strong when it's closer to your shoulder as when your arm is straight. Block that heel load and your stride becomes less efficient. Try jumping in shoes vs without, your heel drives into the ground to load muscles in your legs and feet more efficiently without shoes than with shoes, where it blocks the loading of those muscles. Now a lot of people may not be able to jump as high without shoes but it's probably due more to weakened feet (due to wearing shoes) than to the potential energy you can create with the longer leverage.
I have worn "running shoes" for many years and I can't tell you how many times I almost tripped and fell going down steps. The heels of these shoes stick out close to an inch behind your heel and easily catch on the edge of steps. I've switched to "barefoot" shoes and find them so much more comfortable, mainly because of the big, wide, deep toe box that let's your toes move and they don't trip me on steps. They do take getting used to.
I personally slow-run to cover 5-10 mile distance comfortably and would be open to a less is more type shoe. Anything that feels natural is good, like running at a pace where you can talk and allowing your foot to land the way it was intended. However, running on asphalt and trails, I would feel better about the situation with something on my feet.
Don't forget the MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL. Looking Cool > Being Healthy. (but sure it's a 'debate'. Just like tobacco was a debate 40 years ago, which also had a lot to do with LOOKING COOL.
I hate to say this but i got an achilles tendon injury from running barefoot. I dont know what kind of injury but in the beginning it hurted very bad. It started when i tried to run a bit more than usual and with a slight gradient/pitch. Meanwhile its 6 months and i still can feel pain in the region. :(
I must say I agree with his opinion, in fact most of my workout including outdoors I use water shoes. Why? They stimulate barefoot running. Its also my argument of saying the progression of starting barefoot running. Also water shoes are cheap and inexpensive to buy at your local dollar store or at walmart. Which make this a alternative minimalist shoes. They also imply to the term shoe, which is formal for the urban and suburban environment.
"Shoe Company's Hate Him"
@The Truth at least your not being rude
@@itzmango3070 You're*
@@TheKingofdom .*
Lego company's love him.
250th like
I've been a minimalist runner for four years. I have yet to be injured from it but hear this, it's important to build up to it, you won't be able to do the same mileage you did in other shoes at first, but once you work the muscles in the feet in calves that before were not getting any work, it can make running a lot less injuring
if youre running on asphalt you still need some (albeit minimal) cushioning and protection. we are not born to run *on asphalt*.
we grew up on the sahara. Blistering up is the natural shoe.
Feet adapt callouses.
No you dont. I've been barefoot running on asphalt for a very long time....NO ISSUES
The Raw Earth Under My Bare Feet they don't mention whether biomechanically imperfect people like myself can run barefoot. I've started running with forefoot 6 weeks ago and it's working for me, but can I go barefoot?
Ethan Alfonso You should still wear shoes. No one needs your nasty sweaty feet in their home.
The problem is that most soles on peoples feet have never seen tough ground in their entire life. If we had never worn any type of shoes, the bottoms of our feet would be a half inch of thick callus that would act as a protective layer from rocks and sharp objects. so when you go out there with your virgin feet, your going to be in a lot of pain.
I don't think it takes much to get to that point of not feeling too much discomfort. I actually never knew it could be painful to other people to walk on surfaces like decomposed granite, gravel, mulch/bark chips, or rounded or even angular pebbles. Sure, sometimes it can get a bit uncomfortable, but nothing I'd call pain. I'm only really outdoors and barefoot when I'm at a park or at my own home, other than that I usually wear shoes.
+T-72k1 Welp.
I walked on gravel a lot as a kid. I think it causes a permanent change, because I've tried sanding my calluses many times over the years. I literally always have about 3/16 inch all the time.
It's not about toughening your feet, it's about fixing your strike. There's this huge misconception that barefoot running turns your feet into leather, it doesn't. I use barefoot running to correct my foot strike and prevent injury but I run mudraces with minimalist shoes.
I don't know about running but as i see all people love to stay/walk barefoot as much as they can. I feel so good in the summer when i have minimalist sandals. I also live in a village and my feet is wider because i would always run barefoot when i was a child.
Max Pain Completely opposite experience for me.
When you run, walk, hike on diverse terrain barefoot then your feet can get the feedback from the nerves in the skin. Your body makes adjustments immediately and you can notice where your weakness is. I notice a big difference in walking on a rocky forest trail with sticks, roots, than walking around town on asphalt. I have flexible arches, narrow feet and was plagued by plantar fasciitis where the podiatrist wanted me to go to his business partner and get orthotics. I thought no way, there has to be another way. I was also wearing minimal shoes, merrell vapor gloves, but I didn't transition or adapt, because I rushed the process. I can run a marathon now in merrell vapor gloves. My plantar fasciitis is gone completely in one foot but because of my job I have to wear cushioned safety shoes, and I developed heel spurs only on one foot. When I run completely barefoot the muscles and tendons and circulation are improved and I feel almost 100 percent improvement. I went for a forest hike barefoot and the sensory feedback of my soles I could not ignore on certain parts of the trail. With Merrell vapor gloves blocking the " braille " sensory load, I would have not picked up information on how to navigate the terrain.
Barefoot is truly the best medicine. But it can be overwhelming and it takes patience to get used to exposing your soles to a lot of sensory information.
The dangers are minimal, just don't go out on hot asphalt or you will burn your soles. Sure you will adapt but go slowly.
I also think the Tarahumara were not always racing for best times, no competition, it seemed more as a necessary mode of transportation.
Orthotics might be a temporary cure, but I think most doctors are not taking time to heal people from inside out rather just putting a quick fix but if they helped people get healthier then they would make less money.
modern shoes are alright every now and again for a big race like a drug you put on your feet every now and again but relying on them like most do nowadays is really hurting our feet and body
Try the birkenstock qs700 its a kinda flexible zero drop wide toe box saftey boot
Interesting. I've always found it odd that old time basketball players with Chuck Taylors had far fewer knee, ankle and foot injuries than modern players.
MAYBE CAUSE THEY NOT JUMPING 3000000 FEET
Ask Lonzo Ball?
Because the players are bigger, faster and more aggressive. By a large margin.
Denver Nuggets shooting guard Justin Holiday is wearing Xero Shoes in the playoffs right now.
Most important info starts at 4:20 The key: when running do not land on your heels!
That almost unavoidable with thick sole shoes
@@johnfadds6089 nah kipchoge runs forefoot in huge soled shoes in his sub 2 hours marathon
@@stayontrack forever? I'd love to see him do a 100 mile ultra. Probably never will.
How can one run on their heels? Its so awkward.
do they make any barefoot running shoes gluten free.
Fools
Yes but you have to buy them in gender netural washroom's.
Inappropriate comment.... Am reporting.
@@africaart I'm reporting you for reporting this inappropriate comment that I'm also reporting
(to Mr. Smartypants) I am reporting that i just laughed pretty hard. Thank you for a good laugh. LOL this world is full of nuts. Crazy ppl.
My friend and I ran four years barefoot, in minus temperatures, on concrete doing 3 km daily. No injuries. That was 40 years ago. Now in my mid fifties, with disc bulge and osteo hip arthritis, I have returned to bare foot running. It happened last year while running barefoot around a lovely oval for 10 km. After that session, all I wanted to do it sprinting directly after. Now, I do sprint training, including in barefoot, even with these injuries. It's like they are non existent, except for when I walk. We have missed it folks. Barefoot running is good because it corrects our running and removes the risk of impact injuries.
I forefoot strike in medium cushion running shoes (pegasus 34) and I've noticed most people in my track club (mostly the ones that heelstrike) get injured while I haven't had a single injury.
Running barefoot is not the answer, just running correctly is.
Reinis Martinsons this ridiculous movement lost steam as people started to get hurt. There are more max cushions shoes on the market than ever. You’re right, it’s the foot strike....
Yep, all about foot strike. Getting athletes to change their running posture from heel to forefoot is MUCH easier to say than do!
Just practice in track spikes that are meant for 400m cause most don’t aggressively put you on your toes but that’s up to price range and brand selection. Also mid-distance spikes are good all around just not less then 200m and not more then 3 miles
Absolutely true but from looking at your channel you are a runner so you can easily change techniques and running posture. Most people can't though, and running barefoot automatically forces the runner to run on their forefoot. so for someone like you and me, this isn't a problem because we can run on our forefoot in shoes. it's the perfect combination.
Back when I was 13, "1994" I'd sprint to my friends house down the block, and I naturally stayed on my toes, and I surprised myself how much faster I ran. Then I joined track and field 8th grade year, and injured my knee pretty fast from heel strike running.
Heel strike is natural for walking though.
I can speak from experience. I've run for many decades and do 12.6 miles in 1:35 on city streets waiting for lights, 5 days a week (weather permitting), and sometimes 16.6 on one day, but 16.6 means I will need to take off a day or maybe 2 before I feel like going again. I used to have thin shoes, that today would be called minimalist, because that's all I could afford. Later I was into the big bucks, listening to experts, and got the latest and greatest. That worked for a while, but more and more I had to make sure my shoes didn't get many miles because my ankle would turn (supinate) and I'd be on my face in the street. I had far more injuries but they didn't make the cheap shoes I tried to buy from before. I always had high arches. The way I run, 200 to 250 miles out of a pair of shoes was like making car payments. Researching what to do next, I ran across what Chris was saying. I tried barefoot. That doesn't work for some of the reasons mentioned on other posts here. First, the roughened concrete removes the skin on your feet. If horses have toenails and they cannot do cement, you are not going to either unless you only run a couple blocks. If you run on asphalt, then your feet get black with tar, and potent carcinogen. Grass feels good, but wait until you hit a sprinkler head, worse hides in the grass, and slivers you do have to remove, even if in a callous. I even did winter barefoot running, which is also a ego game. It's more than cold, snow is abrasive on your ankles and tops of your feet. I've tried minimalist and Vibrams. I've used Vibram Bikilas with the velcro since they came out. You have to watch what is on the sidewalk, and you have to shower with them once a week to prevent the 5-finger-funk, but other than that... Moreover, I can get 800-1100 miles out of a pair. The average is more like 900.
Bernie is so right on about starting easy. After years of running with running shoes, everything below the knee is weak from not getting the proper workout and lousy bio mechanics. I heard the advice, so I tried a short run and thought, those guys must be wimps, so I took off an ran 8 miles. When I got back my calves were hot for some reason. The next morning, I had to develop a strategy to be able to get up, and my walking was a joke. I got past that, but then my metatarsal heads hurt like crazy. I could see black and blue through the skin. It took me 5 months and it wasn't until I almost gave up until they quit hurting. In the meantime, I had to throw my other shoes away because my feet kept getting larger. I no longer have high arches. It is a regular foot, and it is far more flexible. I've never again turned an ankle. I've never had an injury while wearing 5-fingers. While other minimalist shoes can do many of these things, the 5-fingers also force proper toe spacing like you see on tribes that don't wear shoes, and after winter and not wearing the 5-fingers, sliding in not so straightforward for a while again. I did try huarache sandals. They are not for me. They are heavier, they don't follow you foot shape like Vibrams, and you can get stuff between your foot and the sandal. Vibrams are simply a protective glove for you foot. I watch the sidewalk and street when I run. I've not paid attention and got a stone before. It hurts a little, but my foot is also much more flexible now, so it forms around it and the weight transfers elsewhere. I've never had an injury from it, but I keep in mind that 1/8" of soft rubber isn't much. The weight is as if they aren't even there.
Long ass essay smh. It helped though
fun essay, thanks for sharing your running journey!
I hate when ppl write books here like this ....
Out of my own experience I started suffering knee pain 2 years ago while running, I look for an alternative in the shoes and picked asics but the pain persisted so I grabbed a merrel vapor glove 3 and which initially wasn't a treat because I have to break in my own feet ,now I run barefoot and with minimalist shoes when needed and it's been a year and a half ,no knee and lower back pain. Gor me there is no second thought to debate about. I would say go bare foot
I don’t need running shoes because I don’t run! Now if they made a pair of laying shoes....
I believe those particular pieces of footwear are known as "Slippers".
Paul Mckenzie hahahaha
watch there's going to be a guy popping up on tv telling you you don't need laying shoes, theyre bad for you!
I don't blame ya on not running. Running is very hard on the body. Go ride a bike you body will benefit and lots less injuries. It is easier also.
@Armando Sturzenegger Some of that is true to some degree but running is still much harder on the body overall and just hard to do. Most people who run are gonna get leg injuries (unless they run easy and intelligent) and stop and switch to something that is easier and has less impact on their bodies such as maybe rowing or biking, maybe swimming. And yes, all activities have their up and down sides.
--
Not that it matters, but you people who have nothing on your profiles, just do not cut it with me. Who are you? I'll make a few comments back to your types, but you have no CRED with many of us.
So I only found out about this a few years ago . And my great grandparents were Tarahumara. I’ve had foot and knee injuries trying to correct it with shoes and keeping the toes together. I made it worse by not letting them spread. Feels so much better being barefoot and min shoes. No problems.
I'm sure this guy's opinion will change as soon as he steps on a lego.
damn it
My comment was 9 months late
Lmfao😂😂😂😂
Actually when you walk barefoot ur feet get so much stronger and can allow to walk on stones and other sharp objects because the skin gets tougher
Oh shit laughed so fukin hard.. thank you
😂😂😂😂😂😂
i wear shoes most of the time, but when actually running, i much prefer minimalist. i have a pair of custom made shoes, the traditional shoe of my people, made of leather. it provides protection against most pointy things (including an unfortunate minefield of lego LOL) and doesn't interfere with natural gait. there is certainly value in high tech shoes by some people, but in general, i think the closer you get to our evolutionary standard, the less risk there will be.
Hello, people!
I run only barefoot almost everyday, 4 seasons, but I have to admit that when the winter comes I'm starting to have problems with the footwear. I've used Vibram Five Fingers(with sock and without), Merrel Glove, New Balance Minimus, Aqua-shoes with wool sock, only wool sock(it's perfect on dry snow, in my opinion) and the last winter I've been running with a neoprene 0.5 mm sock (I've tried to run with bare feet too,but it's a slow process). I have to tell you that for me the neoprene sock works exceptionally well. I'm running only trails, not hard surface (asphalt, concrete...) , soil only. Even when sprinting the sock is pretty stable, but with 0.5 is little chilly when the snow melts. It starts to absorb water(because I wear another sock underneath), so I have a plan for this year. I will buy 1 mm neoprene sock, put a wool sock underneath and for the slippery ice-I will use spray glue+sand on the bottom(which method I saw in another video, but for shoes) and let you know what happened.
In conclusion I think that barefoot runners face hard times when the wet winter comes. So...that's my plan to defeat it.
I will be glad to hear more ideas for snow and wet cold weather from you.
Have a great day!
Please share your experience!
It sounds very good
A old trick in Sweden is to have woolsock over your boots when its a lot of snow and ice to prevent u to slip so it should work excellent without shoes/boots too
our ancestors did not have paved roads. if you mostly run on tarmac, wear shoes. I love barefoot running but it should only be practiced on a natural ground.
Actually, when I started rope skipping years ago, for the first time since childhood, I got the advice to skip on asphalt when outside rather than concrete or dirt. Ideal being wooden floors like those of indoor basketball courts. I never bothered to research whether asphalt is indeed softer (or more springy) than (compacted) dry dirt, but I do know that dirt on trails is pretty hard and certainly not cushy. And running on loose surfaces presents its own challenges and risks. My observation is that you adapt. As long as you keep in mind that different surfaces are, well, different. And with the correct running form, hardness never seemed like an issue. I'm not keen on running actually barefoot, but I heard that running on asphalt is comfortable. I don't recall anyone ever saying the opposite. Thinking it's not comfortable is very common (it doesn't look comfortable/ pleasant to me either).
I think the main benefit of trail running is the variety. Trails are not perfectly flat. So the use of your legs is less monotonous (the wear on joints is more varied), but it requires more strength in certain ways (for one, your ankles have to be more stable). For this reason, I think it's a good idea. Any softness will put more strain on the ankle. Take running in sand. I'm not interested in making the landing softer. I have my legs for that. And they're perfectly suited for it as long as you keep correct running form. I'm interested in making my legs stronger and if I can make the life easier for my joints by introducing more variety into the endlessly repetitive motions, even better.
on tarmac it's much more comfortable than on your "natural ground".... "natural ground" is full of small pointy stones... trust me no fun there.... unless you're practicing dancing or something similar in that case you'll severely fuck up your feet on tarmac.
@lucaboden What is older?
I started barefoot running last year at 53 and run daily on asphalt (just heading out now in winter in Scotland).
Oh, and there are a million grades of ashpalt to choose from, super smooth pavement, to super rough old roads; and you have to watch where you put your feet, but its fine to start at any age, just take your time to get strong and sort out your technique !
Doesn't matter if it's a natural ground or a paved one. Your feet can adapt. Do you put shoes in your dog to walk on the streets? I don't think "he has evolved to walking on it" either...
The human body can adapt just fine.
I run ultras. I'm 57 and still run fairly high mileage. I now have run for 30 plus years and raced often during this time. No injuries. Is it the shoes? No I love my supportive shoes. I do have good running form ( not perfect ) and strike on my midfoot. I bought the POSE method book several years ago and work on this method of running.
how about running properly but with shoes
yes you can run properly in zero drop or low drop shoes, however, a big heel will not allow you to run properly. It will get in the way of a forefoot strike.
I don't do much barefoot running, but most shoes have too much of a heel to land properly
Well, shoes also misshape your toes, which impacts the stability of your feet and ability to walk stable with then
No. Your foot is still searching for the ground through the cushioning which actually creates more impact on the joints. We have hundreds of nerves in the bottoms of our feet for a reason .
It's kinda funny how over 90% of the world's top athletes eat meat and use shoes yet we get the above. # TRUTH BOMB
When I went to Honduras there were kids running on rocks. Every step I took hurt.
I would fit in with those kids. I run on rocks alot.
was sold in the beginning, got knee problems. Once I put on hoka one one, much happier runner without knee problems any more
I learn to run barefoot in school from Elementary to College with no pain and never had injury. but when I started wearing one problem started to show from my heel to my knee now my shin splint which make running very uncomfortable and not enjoying it as much as I enjoy before.
The streets must be clean and smooth where this guy lives. I tried his advice and after a few steps the soles of my feet were hammered by the loose gravel and other debris on the tarmac and I had to give it up as a bad job.
Keep on trying. You and your feet will get used to that
Great video. Thank you so much for sharing it with us here.
Chris's book is a wonderful testament to the Tarahumara. The Kenyans in this video are also great examples of what being shoe-less truly can do (for) us.
Running barefoot for all of us who wore shoes all our life takes time to adjust to all the ground sensations. I have been doing it since July of 2012 and it really does change everything and the chronic injuries and aches and pains do fade away. There is a learning curve involved and time and running and the doing it but I believe it is worth it. I wont go back to shoes and I have been running since the 5th grade and I am 59. The over priced horrific running shoe/foot coffins do cause injury. Our bare feet are the perfect shoe. The arch is not a static object but a mechanism. We are supposed to pronate and supinate. These are natural functioning mechanisms of the human foot. The advertising and marketing from running shoe companies are based on misinformation and lies and manipulation.
yeah just like the winter-clothing sellers, we came here bare-nude
I've ran on Nike Free's for a couple of months and in those months I've obtained the worst shinsplints I've ever had in my life. Took me a couple of months to fully recover. Now I run on Asics and I'm still free of any injuries. I do believe barefoot running is a legit way of running but not in a modern world where almost every surface is concrete. If you want to run bare foot, I suggest to do it on the grass.
Shin splints are caused by the talus being forced up between the tibia and fibula, causing inflammation of the connective tissue. In order for the talus to do that, you have to land hard on your heel, which means your form was bad, not necessarily the shoes
I know this is a long time away from when u made the comment but Nike frees are not for running. Nike has other models that are way better for running.
Try googling „Forefoot running“ .
It’s not the shoes (or lack of, in that case) that destroy our feet, it’s the running style and let me tell you, in all my experiences of running barefoot, the only problems I had were starting because I wasn’t used to it which resulted in my feet hurting and a few months later, stepping into a wasp that was for some reason laying on the ground while I wasn’t watching.
I’m glad that you are healthy now because of your ASICS,
But My feet even improved from barefoot running, I used to have orthopedic soles because my feet hurt like shit when I walked for a few meters and now? I don’t need them anymore!
Have a nice day! :)
I used to run on gravel driveways when i played football and track it made my feet and ankles much stronger then anyone on my team. I never got injured playing 3rd grade to 21 years old. Never got anything but a couple concussions. I also run on the front of my feet even with shoes or cleets and never land with my knees straigh. So that probably helped my cause.
I actually use to run faster when I took off my shoes.
yeah, as a kid i remember i loved running barefoot
same, much more faster without them and i think we all just run more natural when we take them off, man i can fly running barefoot on grass!
I'd run barefoot more if there wasn't so much dog shit
For real bro
Me too. Anytime I was going to foot race as a kid, I'd kick off my shoes
I'm watching this years later. I've known about barefoot running for a long, long time but never took it up--mostly because i worried it would make my injuries worse. I've suffered chronic back aches, tendonitis in the knees (mostly left knee), plantar fasciitis, hip pain (left hip). I finally started running barefoot. I started with just 62 steps per day and each day I'd add just 62 more steps. (Yes, I count them all). I'd get up in the morning, feel sore hips and knees, and go run my steps. After a week, the knee and hips started to relax--still hurt, but not as much. Instead, my feet were really sore. Not like broken bone or painful--instead like muscle soreness. Still, I'd add another 62 steps to the prior day's total. A month later, despite running barefoot every day little by little adding more to the run, my hips and knees were pain free. The muscles in my feet got so much stronger. I was able to run pain free. I should also mention that because of injuries I had packed on the weight. During that first month I didn't change my diet at all and I'm only topping out at a quarter mile so there was zero weight loss expectation. But I did all of that at 6'2" and 280lbs. The next month I worked up to 3/4 of a mile every day (no days off). I focused aggressively on my diet and lost 20 lbs. But still, there I was, 48 years old 265 lbs running every single day with no joint pain at all. It's been over a year. I run every. single. day. No days off.
I remember seeing indigenous people in south america and will never forget how thick the callouses on their feet were, or how much all around tougher their feet looked. Wider too I think. They were people that had grown up without shoes and the callouses on their soles - I shit u not - were more or less an inch thick. Fear of pebbles be gone. How come none of the barefoot runners I see in videos have feet even similar to the ones Im describing?
Because the insigenous people have been doing it their whole life, you said so yourself.
Because they don’t practice what they preach
Saffiros OF COURSE!
I know a guy that has inch thick calloused feet. He runs year round barefooted. I think he's crazy but he said he didn't have any more knee problems. He started off running in grass.
If Tibetans can trek though the Himalayas that way...
This information makes so much sense. NEVER take the ability to walk and run for granted!! I have a 2" short left leg (motorcycle accident) so I have to wear a lift. I try to walk on the beach barefoot once in a while but need to really limit myself because of what it does to my spine. Adding a 2" or even 1 1/4" (I cheat because it's so stiff) adds weight and stiffness. I also wear hiking boots year round because of the logistics of adding a lift to anything less stable or with a heel is unworkable. There are a surprising number of people out there with this challenge.
The Nike Free is not even close to being a barefoot shoe. It's not even minimal. It's all false marketing.
You're absolutely correct, sir!
I walked around in a pair if frees saving my merrells for actual running and a friend wanted to go for a run so I actually took them out for a 10k run and 20 minutes in my knee was shredded. Hate those things now!
They encourage a natural forefoot strike. There heel drop is only 4mm for the 3.0, compared to traditional shoes which often have around 12mm, there is much less cushioning but still enough so concrete won't screw you, and it's extremely flexible.
***** I do a ton of shoe research… maybe a little TOO much. LOL! I love shoes.
Nike Frees are only minimalist compared to all the other Nike running shoes. However, they are not minimalist when ompared to true minimalist shoes like Vivobarefoot and Skora.
Nike Frees lack a wide toe box and have too much cushioning.
Check out Skora and Vivobarefoot running shoes. Vivabarefoot is crazy minimal with only 2mm of rubber and no insole. Skora have a tad bit of cushioning but also have a wide toe box.
Agreed. The dop of Nike Free is no where near minimal.
Well my feet are so flat footed that when I land on the front of my foot it makes the arch on my feet feen like it it getting pierced by a hot needle
Lil Badger u gotta strengthen your arch muscle. Walk on the balls of your feet and make sure your big toe is active. Do calf raises and toe exercises
well maybe it's better if yoU DON'T LIVE IN SCANDINAVIA WHERE YOU CAN'T RUN BAREFOOT IN THE WINTER.
wear socks
Just wear minimal shoes
I’m watching this because I recently found out I ran faster and farther without shoes.
Also I’ve noticed less feet pain and soreness. It’s amazing really lol.
Also realized a lot of people have virgin feet 😂
By k
Merrell Vapor Gloves are the perfect in-between: enough protection to prevent cuts/scrapes, but barely noticeable on the foot! I love my pair, probably put over 300 miles on them so far.
Love mine too
What about support for our backs, knees etc.. thousands years ago body was build for it? Skin softer?
5:10 - 5:13 unfair characterization the slower you run the more of your foot that will come in contact with the ground from Back to Front however the faster you run the less of your foot that will hit the ground so that it's only the front of your foot that's going to hit the ground when you're running really fast.
I used to buy expensive running shoes and orthotics and always still seemed to get shin splint issues, then tried Vibram five fingers which seemed to give no problems..
I get the barefoot running, but what do you do in the winter when it's cold and snowy?
just rip the sole of the shoe
Bob Mulhall Keep running! People run barefoot in winter, too. Search online and/or here in UA-cam to discover and explore the extent of our natural potential.
It's not bad at all. I usually switch to vibrams and my feet are fine unless it's wet snow.
can you do what Wim Hof does? if didn't think so. nuff said
Then you can do some kneipping to stimulate your body and immune system to toughen up.
I'm in Colorado, it's April and there's snow above about 9,000 ft. I'm gonna try barefoot snow shoeing; I'll let you know how it works out.
Im in Newfoundland, its April, 3 days ago I shoveled almost 3 feet(excuse the pun) of snow out of my driveway. And I can throw a rock into the ocean from my back yard so, pretty much at sea level. The whole barefoot movement is gonna take an halt here I tell ya.
When asked about hazards like concrete and broken glass, he just blows it off at 11:00.
taucan62 l
taucan62 cause for most of us it's bullshit
Yeah he really didn't address that property. I'm assuming that he meant to talk about building up a foot callous and forgot lol
You get used to it after awhile, lol...
He says less is more.
Im sure Meaning minimalist shoes similar to vibram
I love Altra zero drop shoes but the Altra Escalante model has such a soft cushion the my ankle started hurting so bad after just one run. I still use Altra and live them but not the Escalante model.
I find that I run a lot faster barefoot. If I run with shoes I run 30 seconds- 1 minute slower in a 3k or 5k. I feel very comfy barefoot and I wish I was allowed to race barefoot.
Oh, and I'm injury free too.
he is exactly correct. I have been an amatuer boxer and a national team member and I wasted 8 years running on running shoes and they RUINED my form and I could not run for more than 6km without giving up. Now I can run all day, literally from 10-20 km without feeling my legs.
Get a very comfortable pair with as flexible sole as possible with as less cushion as possible
"That's all I know, that's all I want to know." Great journalism.
I train and race in Saucony Guide 10s which have an 8mm offset, which means they have an 8mm tilt from the inside of the foot to the outside. I got these from a running shop where they record your running stride pattern from behind you on a treadmill. I land with my feet inside of the line of my hips so these shoes are supposed to correct that by matching the angle that my foot hits the ground. I've had them for about 8months now and I still run in the same way and have developed the worst knee problems I've ever had. I think I'll buy something a lot more minimal next time like Merrell shoes which aren't sold as a specific running shoe but are quite minimal in the sole cushioning.
Well what kind of shoes does Sonic wear because he runs all the time and never gets hurt
I ran Cross Country in high school in Onitsuka Tigers with no padding. I still run in them occasionally (yes they are 45 years old). The padded shoes I own, Nike Downshifter 8 and Nike Epic React Flyknit 2, do not feel right to me.
would run barefoot but I live in Arizona so I don't want burns on my foot
Vivo barefoot!
Run fast! Your feet wont be on the ground as much. :p
Isn't it like 115 today
Same
It was midday -- I thought to myself " the ground isn't quite hot today " Big mistake
I ran varsity track and cross country in high school and college. Both my teams and when talking to some friends on other teams and their all disallowed the Nike Free because it was the shoe with the consistent most amount of injuries for their student athletes. The problem is that it's a shoe that still encourages a heel strike due to the heel padding while at the same time making the foot muscles compensate a lot. Instead of being a best of both worlds it can actually be the worst of both. For young runners in training they often wouldn't ease into this change in running and hurt themselves, they also sustained the same knee and hip injuries as everyone else. They were also very prone to being damaged or getting debris stuck in them, unless you're running on roads and easy trails or paths they are pretty hard to maintain and you'll find yourself picking rocks out of them.
I feel if you want the barefoot experience you need to take out that heel and ease into it and give your body time to adjust. I raced in spikes a lot which are quite minimalist and didn't have heel support because you naturally forefoot strike when you're running quickly, I believe training yourself to run in that style without the support of a trainer all the time could be of great benefit and make you less prone to injury. I developed IT band syndrome in my right knee from over running and forefoot running actually helped a lot. So much so that I'm rethinking how I run and just bought a pair of minimalist shoes to give my feet a little protection from the road and trail while I try it out in earnest.
I'd like to see this guy do barefoot trail running.
Watch some of his talks. He has nothing against protective shoes, such as vibrams. He actually uses them on rough terrain when necessary
Hurts like heck at the time!
I ran/walked 7 miles barefoot. Thru gravel roads and some forest trail. And I'm going to do more cause I'm practicing. Used strava app to record
Go to any 3rd world country
Like 2 weeks ago i was riding my bike in central park ny and there was a jogger bare footed doing his thing..
You run bare foot in my area and you will be less a few toes soon as they frostbite up, turn black and fall off. Just like cow ears, cats tails, etc.
I’m a sprinter. I’ve always known you go faster on you’re forefoot. It’s ironic - the professor references the terra humana tribe. Which is also the name of a 90s Nike shoe
running barefoot can help with getting form correct if you're running on a soft surface like grass but if your gonna run long distances on pavement or concrete, a shoe with more substantial padding is a definite must have
the last time i checked eliud kipchoge won the 2019 marathon on t-shoes
WILLY MANSILLA he doesn’t heel strike. If your form is good seems to me like you can use what you want. I think if your form is bad certain shoes can really mess you up.
But he grew up running unshod
When you walk you touch your heel first but when jogging or running it’s on your toes first which will change your posture depending on how fast your moving, and shorter and quicker strides will generally make your body adjust to the right angle naturally. Like leaning more forward and picking knees up to the right height.
If you walk barefoot you don't land on your heels. You straighten your posture and focus on your torso not to over stride. You take more notice of hip rotation and forward leaning. Like falling forward and catching yourself. If you close your eyes and take a few steps you definitely won't land on your heels, at least after you feel the pain of slamming down. It takes awareness to get the proper locomotion. But you adapt. You can walk fast barefoot, you can walk slowly, also you can sprint fast barefoot and run slowly.
All of these motions take getting adjusted too and we as humans are adaptable.
I just ran home from the farmer's market with a backpack full of food, barefoot, in the heat. No problems. And I started this barefoot journey about 8 years ago. It takes time.
Did the guys at Nike HQ just admit that their products evolution is all trial on error??..0_o
that’s literally what everything is
I have been full time in health and fitness since 1996, and done my fair share of athletic training and high performance over the years. I absolutely agree in barefoot walking and running, but not on concrete...which is man made. Yes, Africa is natural Earth and easier to run on...which i do similarly in the forest. I also use vibrams, even though the company seems to be struggling, and i use them performing internationally.
"that's all I know, and all I wanna know" 💀💀 fucking dead
I mostly run sprints that forces you land on the front of ur foot. That padding (cushion) protects your knee cartilage mostly but of course u need to have a correct form
If you have runner’s knee issues and you run without shoes to cushion you, will your knees not suffer from the impact of asphalt?
Try googling „Forefoot running“ .
It’s not the shoes (or lack of, in that case) that destroy our feet, it’s the running style and let me tell you, in all my experiences of running barefoot, the only problems I had were starting because I wasn’t used to it which resulted in my feet hurting and a few months later, stepping into a wasp that was for some reason laying on the ground while I wasn’t watching.
My feet even improved from barefoot running, I used to have orthopedic soles because my feet hurt like shit when I walked for a few meters and now? I don’t need them anymore!
I hope that answered your question!
You Need to watch out though! If you have knee problems the transition May be pretty difficult, so go easy at first, but you’ll profit from it, if you have any more questions, just ask me :)
Have a nice day
Casual Yoyo Thank you!
Mon3yMotivateD1 no Problem :)
I'm from the south and I can say running barefoot makes sense, seems to strengthen each toe and area of the foot to make it a more effective run. I feel like we should run on natural earth with proper form about 3-5 miles daily, and we'll be better for it.
Converse are the best running shoes, nice and flat so they don't mess with how your foot hits the ground
EXTRA GROOVY i actually is 100% agree right there it’s a very supportive running shoe as well
Yeah, unless your feet have arches, than you'll need supports for that. Otherwise they can make your arches go down.
Aren't they too narrow?
@@trinitylivingston1286 read this guys book, no stonemason worth his salt would put a support UNDER an arch. The arch is supposed to compress to absorb shock
Interesting. I think I agree with him....I would opt for little to no cushion runners but still need a barrier because my skin/soles are soft. I noticed if I wear an aggressive sneaker on my treadmill, my knees and hips hurt. If I go barefoot...zero pain.
I agree with all of this information, but what you've said is that it's not the fault of the shoes bu the fault of people for running incorrectly if you have the correct style of running the natural way and with shoes on it should be the same equivalent as running barefoot, it's all in the technique not the shoes
I recently went to plant trees in the periphery of a rainforest, since the forest was in decline...We had to climb up really slippery slopes to plant, and there were tons of leeches. No shoes work up there, the best grip on those rocks actually come from bare feet. And leeches tend to go inside socks and shoes as well. There's also something refreshing about feeling all that cold muddy Earth beneath your toes...
My heels never touch the ground when I run, even in boots...
Growing up I thought knee pain and hip pain were expected when running competitively, after high school sports I started running on the front of my foot and I have been pain free since. Aside from the acclimatization period my calves had to go through which took about 6 months, I was constantly sore during this time. I only need shoes for the protection they provide, a thick sock will do. Shoe 'technology' is a gimmick, if you want to improve your running performance -- train.
6 months?! Holy shit! 🤯
nice bro after watching this video i started taking my shoes off when i squat in the gym
really stoked on the comfortably thx
2019. The bare foot running thing seems to have fizzled out?
Because with a shoe that has adequate flexibility and a thinner heel you can adjust your foot strike to effectively emulate barefoot running while still protecting your feet from concrete and other unnatural modern surfaces and hazards.
Simonet1309 there was only one injury at a running camp that i went to, it was the dude wearing no shoes. He broke his ankle.
@@riceteam6838 circumstantial
What about winter? I live in north. We have snow from nov-march
And I live in Texas. It gets pretty darn hot here in the summertime. Actually according to numerous sources...so hot that the devil actually goes home for the summer to cool off. We've got lots and lots of roads down here and a lot of hospitality. Do some training here during July and August in the afternoon.
There's really not that much glass just lying all over the place like most people insist. I've been running 99% of my mileage barefoot for the past three years and have yet to step on a shard of glass.
live where i am and lots of small stones, you feet get massively dirty as well
John Dickey what if it rains, what if there is something on the ground you don't see you foot gonna be messed up you need protection
Bruh if anything the rain helps. I've also heard your feet automatically put less weight on the ground when they feel an object below them, like if you step on a pebble or something.
John Dickey what if it cold
Wear socks
It takes time to readjust the body weight to accommodate the landing on the front of the foot. It takes more energy to do it but there is less impact on the body. What you need is a protective layer for the sole of the foot rather than creating a callous.
I bought vivobarefoot for this reason :)
Are they good?
Ive been gradually doing this. Maybe ran half a mile to a whole mile 10 times in the passed 4 months. I stepped on a shard of glass last time and there was no blood. I just pulled it out and kept going. Your feet get tougher
I seriously don’t get the debate. Going back to basic biology and design, bare foot running/walking is better because it what we were born to do. Humans balance better with no shoes because their feet can splay and we have extensive nerve endings that give us the ability to sense the many surfaces of the earth. Shoes are like the ibuprofen for feet. They make us comfortable while masking the real problem.
Sounds very interesting, Wish I could get away from stepping on something sharp... I'll look for the Nike Free shoes though
Check Altra
I used to run on sidewalks barefoot as a kid and my foot would somtimes build up callus, those callus cracked up, it was really horrendus but it wasnt painful, sometimes when I run barefoot, little pebbles or rocks hurt
I like this guy's idea. But shoes have a purpose. I would agree that less is more. Those adidas with the battery thing.. Wtf lol I'm rocking some under armour hovr sonic 2's and loving them. But certain activities barefoot will always be king. Kickboxing, deadlifting. Running in a grassy field
I ditched my expensive running shoes and wear barefoot shoes with the wide toe box. My foot pain is gone after years and year of pain.
Ironically the ad for this vid was for ASICS 😂👌🏼
Asics = running on dildos
In 1960 Barefoot runner Abebe Bikila was an Ethiopian marathon runner who was a back-to-back Olympic marathon champion.
He is the first Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist, winning his first gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome while running barefoot.
At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he won his second gold medal.
Wrestling shoes are a good alternative
I am looking for the most comfortable sneaker out there. neutral stand. I do 5 mile walking in the morning then looking for shoe to wear all day long that just give me comfortable for the entire day. I am a 6 ft 3 male with 2 knee replacements and a bad back. ty all for your suggestions
There is such thing as broken glass.
Justin Davis Watch where you are going
there is such thing as watching the whole video
In summer, when I’m running barefoot my skin gets pretty thick. Small pieces of glass gets stuck but they don’t actually hurt me. I tend to check my feet though just to remove any stones or glass that is stuck so they don’t hurt me in the future.
In Hull there’s loads of glass, nails, building materials, pebbles and rubbish even in the park I’ve worn thin shoes and they got a chunk of glass in them within the week had to throw them away I’d love to wear more natural thin shoes but I don’t feel safe at least not where I live a the moment.
The comments section is No trouble to tell who dont watch all the videos, huh?
Vibram is am Italian company. They might also have a factory in the US. I have experienced the soles in some Merrel Shoes, lots of kilometres in vibram soles.
Just wear shoes and change running style ...
So, would it make sense to wear Converse All Stars which has zero drop, a very slim sole, and is flexible?
The front part of the shoe need to be wider, so you can spread your toes. Try crossfit shoes or some other shoe without cushioning and a wide front.
All down to foot strike, nothing more or less.
But if you have the high differential (heel cushion) your heel can't come down after the forefoot. This loads your calf muscles so they can fire at a higher load. It's the length-tension relationship, you can't contract your biceps as strong when it's closer to your shoulder as when your arm is straight. Block that heel load and your stride becomes less efficient. Try jumping in shoes vs without, your heel drives into the ground to load muscles in your legs and feet more efficiently without shoes than with shoes, where it blocks the loading of those muscles. Now a lot of people may not be able to jump as high without shoes but it's probably due more to weakened feet (due to wearing shoes) than to the potential energy you can create with the longer leverage.
AstoundingPilot -SW- uh, 20 minutes for a 5k isn't fast. My 5k pr is 18:44, I run forefoot
@AstoundingPilot -SW- Tell that to Ussain Bolt
yes! You can land on your forefoot no matter what you wear on your foot.
Which higher heels make more difficult.
I have worn "running shoes" for many years and I can't tell you how many times I almost tripped and fell going down steps. The heels of these shoes stick out close to an inch behind your heel and easily catch on the edge of steps. I've switched to "barefoot" shoes and find them so much more comfortable, mainly because of the big, wide, deep toe box that let's your toes move and they don't trip me on steps. They do take getting used to.
Shoes actually cause sever damage to toes that's why they curl inwards and cause bunions, healthy human foot have straight toes and triangular foot
crappy shoes "cause sever damage to toes...". Good shoes, especially for running, have ample room for toes to spread out.
I personally slow-run to cover 5-10 mile distance comfortably and would be open to a less is more type shoe. Anything that feels natural is good, like running at a pace where you can talk and allowing your foot to land the way it was intended. However, running on asphalt and trails, I would feel better about the situation with something on my feet.
I dont think he understands running on sidewalks in the afternoon is *HOT*
You get used to that after awhile though.
Don't forget the MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL. Looking Cool > Being Healthy. (but sure it's a 'debate'. Just like tobacco was a debate 40 years ago, which also had a lot to do with LOOKING COOL.
3:23 "with nothing on their feet" lol . The guy is wearing homemade sandals.
Yep...made out of car treads
I hate to say this but i got an achilles tendon injury from running barefoot. I dont know what kind of injury but in the beginning it hurted very bad. It started when i tried to run a bit more than usual and with a slight gradient/pitch.
Meanwhile its 6 months and i still can feel pain in the region. :(
I've got a better idea, how about low impact sports like swimming and cycling
Impact is a great way to strengthen the bones.
I must say I agree with his opinion, in fact most of my workout including outdoors I use water shoes. Why? They stimulate barefoot running. Its also my argument of saying the progression of starting barefoot running. Also water shoes are cheap and inexpensive to buy at your local dollar store or at walmart. Which make this a alternative minimalist shoes. They also imply to the term shoe, which is formal for the urban and suburban environment.