Great video. After a few months switching to barefoot shoes, I’m still only wearing the primus lites they’re awesome. My advice in getting rid of cushion shoes- like Nike says: Just Do It
Can totally relate. Used to be a web dev, and when work was slow at my run specialty job, I would entertain my coworkers by changing the text on NIke's website to say things like: "Barefoot. Just Do It." (:
@@gudboyngdisyerto durability is kinda crazy, they last a good while, I wear a 12.5 in basketball shoes and went with a 12 and they fit very good, my foot is not tight, there’s room but not too much so
@@samhall1452 I don’t think I’m at 3000 yet I wear mine for every day use too though so it’s hard to say. I have had the same pair for two years now and the sole is not very worn at all despite being basically the only shoes I wear. The stitching around the mesh part on the top has started to come off near the big toe other than that they’re good. Its winter now and I can’t bring myself to wear my clunky boots I’d rather have cold feet than stop wearing my primus lites.
Almost five months ago I found your channel and since then I only use barefoot shoes. I work in a restaurant have have to stand for a long time but after switched to barefoot shoes my feet dont hurt at all. And I know my feet have gotten much stronger.
Sweet! Yea, I got such a feeling of relief too, after struggling with aching feet for years at my part-time run specialty job. Barefoot shoes were a game-changer.
Hi Andrew. I found your video to be excellent. Thank you for making it! I started my barefoot shoe journey around the same time as you, although I'm not a runner. I have dabbled with running but never seemed to progress to being a regular runner. I've recently revisited this and have been following a Couch to 5k program. What I realised from your journey, is that I've not made that next step of actually running barefoot, so you've inspired me to listen to my body more. Instead of following a prescribed training program that's essentially a 'one size fits all' approach, I'm just going to run...barefoot...and see what happens. Thank you 😊
Right on, Lee! It's definitely more challenging, trying to figure out what your body needs (rather than follow a plan), but in the end, totally worth it, because you feel healthier and happier. Take it slow, and you'll have a ton of fun with it! (:
Be warned, running barefoot is a solution for many people. But first try to see if it suits you. My tip for people with flat feet is that there are different types of flat feet. And that not all people with flat feet find the solution in minimalist shoes. Do you have an extra bone on the inside of your foot? then this can indicate an accesive navicular bone, this bone can cause a lot of problems when you run without a running shoe (I experienced this myself). Also for flexible flat feet it is important to wear sturdy shoes and insoles. I am really a fan of minimalist shoes and recommend it to everyone, but first see if it is something for you and if necessary discuss it with your doctor. Nice video!
Finally my feet adjusted to running without shoes. Today i ran close to 10km without getting fatiqued. On gravel and asphalt. At first i had trouble adapting to forefoot strike maybe simply because of lack of proper calf strength and it just felt weird? After about 2months this is the best feeling! Still need to lose about 8kg of weight too 💪 Please make more videos like this, your knowledge and experience helps people alot!
Btw i think best exercises for barefoot running is simply running (and walking) barefoot on different surfaces. Your body knows how it is supposed to function without cushioned shoes and/or shoes with elevated heels so its just a matter of adapting. Of course im only 2 months in on this so im no expert and these are just my thought. But i encourage everyone to just go barefoot and take the time necessary for your body to adapt. IT IS WORTH IT i tell you!
That's awesome, congrats, Albert! You're right, taking it slow is key, and your calves especially just need some time to adjust and get stronger. Eliminating processed foods and drinks is an easy way to lose weight. Just do 90% of your shopping in the produce and meat sections, and the pounds will fall away in no time.
@@AndrewFolts (´∩｡• ᵕ •｡∩`) You have done something really Important! Now, I can share this Life Changing content to people! You have made quite an amazing contribution to make the world a better place. ｡◕‿◕｡ Thank You
Some good advice! I am transitioning to barefoot walking (and running, but that´s in the future). I made the mistake of going for a long walk because I was angry and needed to blow off steam, even though my feet said no. Next day my left foot metatarsals burnt like hell when I walked home from work; stressfracture. I am taking it easy but still going for the barefoot lifestyle - the benefits to my back and the feel of my whole nervous system (after chemotherapy which seriously fucked things up) is just to great to go back. Thank you for being a role model.
Hey Viktoria! Congrats on tackling the barefoot transition-it's tough, but lots of fun. Recognizing when your body is saying "no" is definitely the key, and it'll help keep you happy/healthy more than any other skill. Huge props to recovering from chemo and building your nervous system back up naturally. Take it easy, like you said, and you'll be doing amazing things in no time! (:
cant help laughing on collapse technique cause i just remembered that i had actually fell when my front feet half landed on a quite big sharp rock and my reflex told my leg to bail the landing and ended up with getting off balance.. the fall probably has saved me from stiches or worse... if i may add.. the risk bruises and cuts will never gone no matter how good or Accustomed you are, youll just get it less likely and less severe.. great video and tips btw
Ha, yea...a lot of the "techniques" are just accidental reactions people have when they step on a sharp object barefoot for the first time. And then...what do you know, they actually work! (:
Sweet! Once you're ready for another pair, you can check eBay and Revivo.com, because there are often high quality barefoot shoes for half the price. I got my Primus Lite's for like $90 (you can find them even cheaper) and they've lasted 3,000 miles so far, so it was a hell of a bargain in the long run.
Congratulations for your video!! It´s the best video of minimalism that I have watched. You also talk all of the points, specially the tecnique barefoot and the progression. I have been running with barefoot shoes for 5 years. And at the beginning, I had many injuries in my calves and Achiles tendon. But, this year, I did the jump to change all of my shoes to barefoot shoes. I noticed a big difference. How longer you spend in barefoot shoes, better would be your adaptation. Thanks for your amazing job! !
Hey, congrats on your barefoot journey, Guillermo! It's hard to fight through injuries and keep trying new things until you find something that works. The simpler your footwear, the happier your feet. Appreciate you stopping by to watch the video! (:
i started way back over ten years ago with brooks puredrift(1pair then bought 2more) then new balance minimus trail, and wanted altras BUT they looked way too chunky but then they had the slimmer provision2.5 that i tried and then copped then Escalante1.0, and that one got me good. then picked up 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 and torin4 as well as some topo shoes! ive yet to go fully zero cushion tho as puredrift is my threshold, and my lower back needs some foam under my feet i found ;)
The funny thing is that when you learn to cushion yourself using your feet and calf muscles, "zero cushion" running will eventually feel softer than cushion shoes. It's all in your form. I can't stand cushion now, it makes my back hurt, ha. That said, you do need to transition slowly, like only 5 minutes to start.
Awesome! Saving to come back to this video later, and sharing with anyone I care about. Next will try no shoes at all, and explanation about stride looks really useful. Thanks. P.S. I already switched to barefoot style shoes for running, following your advice's. Now I can't go for a longer walks wearing traditional cushioned shoes.
Thank you! Appreciate the shares! And yea...once you go barefoot, it's hard to go back because your feet have so much fun! Which barefoot shoes are you using right now?
The main reason I’d started lookin into this lifestyle choice is because, as you said, it promotes natural function whereas cushioned shoes debilitate us. I recently had my first ankle sprain and I’d like to try my best to stay away from reexperiencing that. So yeah. But here’s the thing: I like to play sports too and I’m wondering what’s your opinion on the best choices for athletes of other sports who wanna live barefoot lifestyle. Should I only wear shoes during sports? What qualities should I look for in the shoes?
Depends on the sport. For basketball, volleyball, etc, I would recommend cushion, because jumping up and down on hard surfaces is unnatural. For football, soccer, etc, you have to wear cleats, and as far as I know there aren't any barefoot cleat companies. All cleats are pointy and narrow, so it'd just be a "best of the worst" type of situation. In general, you want to look for a wide, non-pointy toebox and as light and flexible as possible. Playing pickup soccer in cleats a couple times a week won't do much harm, but spending hours in them every day will deform your feet over time, which is what happened to me, so do your best to limit your time in unnatural footwear. Cheers!
@@Primape92 I did get a comment from someone who did parkour in barefoot shoes, so it's possible. It's less straight jumping and more climbing, rolling, etc, so maybe that makes a difference.
@@AndrewFolts on another note, what’s your thoughts on military/police boots? How would you alter them or in your perfect setting would you just negate them altogether?
@@Primape92 I got a comment from a soldier a couple months ago who said that old style military boots used to be similar to barefoot boots, but then they started adding thicker and thicker soles and more drop, so now I wouldn't recommend them at all. There's a boot called the "Mini-Mil" that's worth checking out though.
Great video. I kind of disagree a bit with the cost for barefoot shoes. For people who love running shoes, you'll still buy a lot of them even if they don't wear out :-) :-) I love your attitude and advice. Thanks!
Ha, yea...like any shoes, they can be addictive to buy, but ten barefoot shoes will still save you 8-10x the cost of ten cushion shoes in the long run. (:
I’ve been walking in barefoot shoes for ages and am now transitioning to running in them as well (up to 10k for now). My problem though: I live in a city where I inevitably end up running on concrete or asphalt for long stretches when training for ultras. Do you have any experience with running long distances on hard „unnatural“ surfaces in barefoot shoes? I’m a bit scared it will lead to injury in the long run.. great video as always!
I spent about two years running mostly on roads with barefoot shoes and didn't have any injuries, but I was only running 3-5 miles per day. I did find that thinner was better-my 3mm Vivo Primus Lite's worked best. Believe it or not, I switched to full barefoot running on concrete/pavement this year, and it's even softer than barefoot shoes once you build up some callus. I would check out Julia Chi Taylor on the channel Soles Journey. She's training for a cross-Europe ultra marathon right now, and might have some helpful tips. Overall, I just don't love the uniformity and tilt of roads. Even with cushion shoes, it's so monotonous that you end up straining the same parts of your body over and over and over, so I 'd work in some trail running whenever possible. Cheers! (:
I mostly have callus on the outside of my pinky toe where I land and on the inside of my big toe where I roll in. Also on my heel. The rest of my feet don't really get enough friction to build a ton of callus. Always a good idea to care a few bandaids and iodine (for sanitizing) if you want to be really safe, although I've only been cut bad enough to need them maybe two times in three years.
@Andrew Folts, the links are no longer working. The Notion link just takes you to Notion to sign up for an account; after signing up (which I didn't want to do, btw), there is just a blank template, no spreadsheet/shoe comparison. Leaving the account signed in and tab open, I went back and clicked the link in the description but still it took me to a blank template page. The Vivobarefoot link returned a 404 Not Found.
Hey Andrew, I just started my transition and even though I do want to run barefoot I’m afraid I might get hookworm. Anything to help not get it would be appreciated, thanks!
Well, know your local area. They're not common in my area, but if they are in yours, then maybe stick to running on roads and hard-packed trails (hook worms like wet sandy soil). You could also use a light barefoot toe shoe like the Vibram V-Trek, which is almost identical to being barefoot but with a tiny amount of protection: ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html
Hi Andrew. Love your channel. I am constantly injured for one reason or another, and stuck in that rut of searching for the next best shoe. However, I have collapsed arches. Does barefoot running work for people with collapsed arches? Would you recommend it? Thanks :)
Hey there, yes, barefoot shoes are excellent for flatter arches. In fact, when I started back in 2017 my arches were very low and weak from wearing stability shoes and inserts. But after a few months of wearing the Vivo Primus Lite (only 4mm thick) ua-cam.com/video/pMqB21BdMGw/v-deo.html they got stronger and now my arches are mid height. Obviously, it's important to transition slowly, so your body has time to build itself back up, and you can continue wearing your current shoes, if you like, just gradually switching over to a pair of barefoot shoes. For reference, my first "run" was only two minutes, to the end of the street and back. So don't underestimate the meaning of "slowly." (:
What a coincidence that I plan to barefoot run for the first time tomorrow at THE BEACH (on hard wet sand, obv). I'm not brave enough yet to ditch my 6.5mm Vapor Gloves on regular pavement. Also, I still get blisters under the balls of my feet when wearing Xero sandals on walks (not even runs) over about 4 miles, so the soles of my feet aren't callused enough, and/or maybe I'm not placing my foot down on the outer pinky side of my foot like I'm supposed to. One thing I disagree with you about, though, is ditching training plans (like Hal Higdon's). It's all well and good to not do too much one day that you can't run the next, but if you're doing too much too fast you can get an overuse injury and not realize it. A training plan increases the weekly mileage slowly (10 to 20%) and reserves some days for rest or other cross training like swimming so the body has time to repair itself. I made the mistake originally of going too far too fast and ended up sidelined for ~2 weeks with painful Achilles Bursitis. I'm now working more slowly from 10K toward a half marathon goal, and can feel a very slight pain in my shins that might've grown to full-blown shin splint pain if I'd progressed too quickly. Anyway, thanks again - your videos were one of the main reasons I started running again earlier this year. Until I had less on my feet, I didn't even know I could ENJOY running after so many years. Still gotta sell my old RedWing foot coffins on ebay..... :)
Hey Jason! Sounds like he barefoot forces of the universe are converging, ha! Building callus can take a long time in barefoot shoes-I was still getting the occasional blister in my Vivo's, even after two years. Especially when I upped my milage/pace. Running barefoot on pavement, though, I built most of my callus in two weeks, and by the first month, I no longer had any scrapes, cuts, or blisters. The road literally felt like a gentle massage. My running philosophy now is based on injury-prevention as the #1 priority, which is why I don't race, and since I don't race, training plans have no benefit to me. I'd rather just listen to my body. No doubt, my style of running is not for everyone, and so people are welcome to pick and choose what's helpful to them, based on their own goals. All that really matters is that people are running happy, and I can totally relate to the joys of getting back into running through less. I probably would have quit permanently if not for barefoot. Cheers!
What distance? And are you going all out or just racing for fun? I set my PR's in the mile (4:27) and 5K (16:57), so there's no reason you can't race in barefoot shoes without injuries, as long as your technique is good. You could also alternative with a thin cushion shoe like the Altra Vanish.
@@AndrewFolts wow! impressive! I am doing small distances, 5-10 km. I m trying to go sub20 and sub40. I have back pains and problems with the ankles the last 3 years since I run (exactly as you said in the video). altras sound good. also the first step in going down from hokas. it will take longer and more costs as you said, but I am afraid to go directly to the skin :))
Hello Andrew, great video. Thank you very much for such great information. I have been rotating between Nike and Vivos for a year now, however I dont think i allowed my feet to adjust to barefoot completely. I think I am going to take your advice on going cold turkey. I have a question: what about other shoes - like work shoes or hiking etc. If they are with cushion will that be ok or you suggest have all the shoes to be converted to barefoot shoes only? I am currently training for a half marathon and it has been gutting to re-train with barefoot - my calves and shins are always in agony where I started having second thoughts. I think I have to keep 3-6 months in mind like you recommended and give rest to my body enough to accommodate the barefoot running.
Hey Preet! Yea, you basically have to let your body set the transition time/speed. I wear barefoot shoes or go barefoot for hiking, casual, etc, but it's just whatever feels best for you. A magnesium glycinate supplement like KAL or just more mg in your dient can help with tight/sore muscles.
Great video. Have you experienced any foot pain since your transition to barefoot shoes and actual barefoot? I noticed you running on what appeared to be concrete - is that a good idea? I've transitioned to barefoot shoes but my left arch is very tight and my toes are tight. I've been stretching them and massaging them but still pretty tight.
Nope, no pain. I can run on concrete just fine, but I prefer trails, because they have a lot more variation. Roads get monotonous and that tends to stress the same muscle groups over and over. IMO, stretching causes injuries, which is why I haven't stretched in over three years. Tightness can be a sign of simply doing too much (milage, speed, etc). If that's not it, then nutrition can be a factor. A magnesium deficiency can cause tight muscles, and increasing it in your diet or adding a supplement can help a lot. Finally, shoe thickness can sometimes be the culprit. For me, anything thicker than 3-4mm can cause pain or tightness, because my feet can't feel the ground properly and get tired a lot faster. Hope you foot feels better soon!
If we aren't meant to run in bulky cushioned shoes, what's the deal with A LOT of running channels constantly reviewing the latest technology in running shoes (and most of them are bulky)?
Hey Kyle! Cushion shoes are easily 8-10x more profitable to sell and market because the foam wears out in 300-500 miles, while my VivoBarefoot Primus Lite's have lasted for 3,000+ miles so far. When I worked at a run specialty store, the average customer would spend around $300 to $600 on shoes per year. If they were selling barefoot shoes, that would cut the yearly profit down to about $50. That business model would put pretty much every run specialty store and UA-camr out of business in a year. Furthermore, cushion shoes require less initial effort. I'd say only 1-2% of the customers I helped had the discipline and work ethic to transition to barefoot shoes. Those that did loved it and never went back to cushion, but it's a tough sell for the average runner. I make a minimal living off ad revenue, but unlike most UA-camrs, I don't use affiliate marketing. I want people to know I'm recommending barefoot running because I believe it's the best option-not because I'm trying to get rich. Cheers!
@@AndrewFolts Thanks for the thorough answer, Andrew. I knew it. That's why Vivobarefoot are so freaking expensive (for what they are), because people won't come back to buy another pair for a loooong time. And because it's a niche market. I was really curious because in the comment section of these running channels NOBODY is questioning the insanity of all this shoe madness!! Not naming any channels, but we all know them. Everybody are OVERLY positive and apparently rich, because they straight up COLLECT HOKA or Saucony or some other expensive brands like it's no biggy :D I know even for westerners this is not a trivial buy, for us from poorer countries (Eastern Europe) this is a monthly salary almost :D How can you afford to buy so many 150$+ pairs of shoes? And should you even? I don't know how many of these running channel followers are pros or very, very dedicated hobby runners, but spending that kind of dough isn't justified if your daily job isn't a pro athlete IMO. And I am here with my canvas cheapo shoes running mile after mile, without injuring myself, having to slow down my pace or be careful about weekly mileage or anything. I am kinda mad, because there are a lot of running enthusiasts who, influenced by these channels, think they have to save up for the "good" shoe. I don't care for the rich folks who can buy the entire shoe store - more power to them. But don't involve regular people with your shoe fetish. Andrew, It would be fun if you ruffle some feathers talking about these channels. LoL But I think you are above such things, so nevermind. Best wishes - Kyle
@@kylestephens9593 Ha, yes...you are describing the "Shoe Matrix." It really is sad, because when I worked run specialty, customers would come in who clearly could not afford a $120 shoe, and they would say: "So these are going last me a couple years, right?" And I would say: "Actually, most people have to replace them after six months." It was part of the reason I quit. Almost everything in that store was pure nonsense, and that was a good family-owned store! Places like Fleet Feet are absolutely ruthless. They have quotas where they require their sales people to sell arch inserts to 50% of customers, whether they need them or not. As you've guessed, a lot of UA-camrs are no better. I think I might do a "running industry exposed by former shoe salesman" video sometime. I do love to rustle feathers! (:
@@AndrewFolts it sounds like a catchy videotitle and will do well! also, this is a thing that needs to be said, specially by a person who has been on the other side of the line, like you, Andrew. but if you do it, be careful to not name anybody specifically and be positive as a whole. (althought if someone wants to feel offended they'll find a way :D) because, for example, lately some watch brands have been misusing youtube policy about counterfeit to take down watch review channels for giving them bad reviews.
Hello, maybe someone can answer this Q? I just started running, literally 2 weeks ago. You could certainly say I’m a beginning runner. I’ve been thinking about running in barefoot shoes, and wonder if the transition might be easier because I’ve just started running? I’m just curious.
Hey Cooper! Yea, it would be, because you haven't learned any bad habits from running in cushion shoes yet. Just make sure to not buy anything thicker than 3-4mm. That's key. There are some great refurbished options at Revivo.com. Wildling and Vibram are good options as well. Remember to take it slow in the beginning and get lots of rest. You'll be amazed at how fast your skills improve. (:
@@AndrewFolts Thank you broski. One additional question if you don’t mind. How come there are something like running socks? Something that protects your foot but still leaves your foot open to move however?
@@coopercordes9827 Skinners and FreeYourFeet. They're not very durable though, and tend to get very hot/sweaty from lack of breathability. At 3.5mm, Wildlings are currently the thinnest shoe option.
Yea, just a light pair of Smartwool's. I tried going without once and I still have a scar from where the laces of the Primus SG rubbed through my big toe.
Yea, it's best done in the suburbs or country where there's less debris. Running down the center of the road or sidewalk helps, since most stuff gets swept to the side.
@@AndrewFolts I kind a live in an area like yours but, we have Recycling trucks that come every 2 weeks, so things fall off sometime, that's why the glass and other hazardous stuff falls out and them, a school at the street corner and , kids are good at throwing stuff around. Luckily, I have a Mountain where I live so, 70% of my running is there. About 900km of Mountain Trail running a year and 300 ish off the street. In Vivo's and Xero's ;)
@@Knotdead73 Yaas! Why run roads when you have mountains? My goal is to live in a little cabin or travel van where I can just go straight out the door and trail run every day!
Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't stepped in any yet after more than four months of full barefoot. I guess you're just paying such close attention to the ground that you always avoid it. Hoping to keep the streak alive. (:
Thank you! It is nice to hear someone actually speak about transitioning to barefoot running/walking instead of “barefoot” running/walking. “Barefoot shoes” are still shoes. They are definitely less harmful than regular shoes and are necessary in a few situations (like some winter conditions), but they are still shoes and limit our ability to feel the ground. This video is really well done.
Thanks, Rebecca! It's true. When I started running in barefoot shoes, I remember thinking: "Wow, I can feel everything...this is great!" But then I started full barefoot running and walking this year, and when I put barefoot shoes on it's like: "Wow, I can barely feel anything...this sucks!"
Thank you! This is a really great video. I am transitioning right now, as I wearing shoes pushed my toes together for decades and led to my "pinky's" turning sideways, and my big toe pushing in and up (normally wore high cushion with toe sweeps) which, for me, led to my weaker foot getting plantar fasciosis from a lack of blood flow. Not being a runner and having not done anything unusual to injure myself (I did a lot of walking at my job in logistics) . . . after about 5 diff shoes and months of working injured I had to stop, and figure it out as the inserts and arch supports and PT were NOT working. I love Biking, Hiking, Swimming, Camping, and Soccer (always hated Running because it hurt) and the idea of no longer being able to do any of this with my child was too much. After a lot of frustration, pain and fear, I found my road to recovery and ironically it cost practically nothing. I started my transition about a month and a half ago and its going well. The first time I walked completely barefoot on crushed asphalt (about 400 yards round trip) I couldn't walk for 2 days because muscles in my feet and lower legs were so sore. Now I can speed walk day after day, haven't tried running yet, but hope to soon. A few of your other videos were critical to helping me find my recovery. Thank you. and this video is such a great mini course I hope to share with people for years to come as I am sure over time this will come up. I am in my 40's and peers are starting to get injuries etc. Anyway, thank you! PS the "tight rope" on crushed asphalt (sharp enough to engage nervous system override but dull and even enough to prevent injury) walking slower than normal, was my turning point.
Hey Aaron, that's a great story! I love the quote: "I found my road to recovery and ironically it cost practically nothing." True for a lot of things in life. Glad you're doing well, and keep having fun out there!
this is a fantastic video. i started walking like this 33 days ago, after a decade of trail running in thinly padded shoes. how much grip bare skin has surprised me the most
In Barefoot Running: Step by Step, the author recommends that you start walking, and running barefoot on rough gravel to teach you good form immediately rather than starting on grass, which will not hurt as much and thus not teach as much. I've tried it and found I can slowly jog along on a pretty rough gravel trail near my house and boy I did learn a lot more than running on grass! The trick is to exaggeratedly bend the knees to absorb as much shock as possible. He recommends starting at a 5 min run max and then going every other day increasing in duration gradually and working up to a half hour of running over the course of a month - if your muscles feel blasted after a workout you know you did way too much and need to ease back.
I just started running in minimal shoes. After a few road runs I decided to try a gravel track. On gravel my form changed immediately and honestly it was the most fun I've had running in years. Recommended
It really is amazing how fast you can learn via rough surfaces. It took me probably a year to getting fully comfortable with barefoot shoes, but when I started running full barefoot on rough pavement, I was feeling good in two weeks and fully transitioned in a month. Also good advice about the time limit. So many people get hurt trying to go out for five miles on their first barefoot run, and it's like...just chill, ha! (:
I’ve seen so many of these videos, and this is by far the best! I appreciate you actually talking about barefoot running and not minimalist shoe running while calling it barefoot.
Took me posting this video to realize most people don't *actually* want to run barefoot, ha. My zero-drop video has like 10x views. But a few people go the distance, and it's a fun journey just learning to trust the toughness of your own body. Cheers!
Love your content and I appreciate your transparency in these videos! Got my first pair of barefoot shoes this week and have been working on transitioning to forefoot striking. I’ve already seen a difference in my toes spreading out already. Looking forward to more bomb content and I love your animations and style 🤟🏻
After watching a dozen videos on barefoot (and searching for decent content for longer than I care to admit), I just found your videos and am so grateful! Shout out to a fellow creative and barefoot enthusiast (beginner over here)! Thank you for the thoughtful, well organized, and enjoyable videos 🦶🏼🦶🏼
@@AndrewFolts I’m a product manager and entrepreneur these days but started out in the web design / dev scene (before it was called UX)! How about you?
Such a lovely video. My partner and I are on the beginning of our journey to barefoot running and this was the perfect introduction. Thanks a lot for your guidance and kindness
Yup, that's bound to happen, because you're using them so much more than with cushion shoes. Just give your body lots of time to rest and catch up in the beginning, even if it means taking multiple days off or going down to very low milage. You can also do some massaging and supplement with magnesium glycinate, as Mg is essential for muscle relaxation and most people are deficient (Soloray is a good option).
Build a LOT of callus, ha! Otherwise, I'd recommend a pair of 3mm leather moccasin boots. Got a pair last year, and they're the closest thing I've ever felt to pure barefoot, plus they're temperature regulating. See here: ua-cam.com/video/gITFv5zHOpk/v-deo.html
Great video, but as a barefoot runner myself, I have some comments to make. First of all, I kind of disagree with the idea that running barefoot on asfalt is harder than running on trails. I mean, unless it's a very smooth easy trail, trails usually have rocks and stones, wich for me makes them very very difficult to run on barefoot. Asfalt, on the other han, is a pretty smooth even surface, and yes, it's harder than grass or other surfaces, but that encourages good running form. Pretty much every source that you can check out recommends starting on a hard smooth surface like asfalt, because it teaches you good form without having to worry about stepping on a stone or a tree branch. Grass, on the other hand, is very forgiving, and you can still run with pretty bad form on it without feeling any pain. Also, if the grass is tall, you can't see what's beneath it, wich is also pretty dangerous if you are running barefoot. Second, I understand that for you the whole point of running barefoot is precisely forgetting about how fast you are running, but I nead to ask you: how fast are you actually running when going barefoot? Because you say you used to be a pretty fast runner (that mile PR is pretty damn fast), but then in the video you are always running incredibly slow, to a point where I wouldn't even consider that "running". Again, I know running fast is not your priority anymore, and that's great, but some people like to run somewhat "fast", that's why they like running in the first place instead of just walking, for example. Obviously, running slower is going to cause less injuries, regardless of if you're running barefoot or not. But again, walking is going to produce even less injuries than running slow and we still prefer running than walking. Do you get my point? As a barefoot runner myself, I've noticed that I have to slow down quite a bit when running barefoot, to a point where running barefoot on certain terrains is not fun anymore, and that's not just a temporary thing related to the adaptation proccess. Again, I'm not talking about setting PRs or anything like that. I'm talking about felling like you are actually running and being athletic instead of just shuffling your feet around.
Great questions! First off, I made the video to try and be inclusive to beginners, because so few people are willing to even try barefoot running, since they think it's dangerous. So, yes, I started on pavement (and a lot of people say gravel will build form and callus even faster), but most people are too intimidated to do that. So a local track or football field are places where a tentative beginner could get a small taste of barefoot running without the pain of blisters, etc, right away. How fast you can run barefoot depends entirely on the amount of callus you have and how good you are at dodging stones. I ran a 60-second 400m once, but I was bleeding all over the place, because there was so much friction. If I had trained more gradually instead of just randomly banging one out for the hell of it, I could have built up more callus and no doubt worked my way well below 60-seconds. I've also run a 20-minute 5K barefoot on pavement, which was less problematic, because it was closer to the speed I would usually run at barefoot. There have even been a few Olympic runners over the years who went barefoot and did quite well-like Zola Budd. The reason there's so few of them is that barefoot running requires more work, so why would you make things harder on yourself in an already insanely competitive sport, ya know? In terms of running speed, I was mostly running slow in the video to emphasize the point of keeping the knees bent, but also (again) to be inclusive to beginners and anyone for whom injury prevention is the top priority-which is a lot of runners. Normally, my speed varies from moment to moment, depending on how I feel and the terrain-like the hill shot, where I'm going a lot faster up than down. I can run pretty damn fast on a dirt trail, even with some rocks, because I've built up a lot of callus from road running and good reflexes, as well. If I trained on gravel, I could build up even more. If you're having to slow down a lot, it could be you just need a more callus to deal with sharp stuff, or perhaps, the more practice you get, then better you'll be at avoiding them entirely. Obviously, there are some terrains, like large rock gravel that's just impossible to navigate while running, so sometimes you walk, and that's ok. Like I said in the video, barefoot running is more of an adventure, so you just go with the flow and enjoy whatever nature throws at you. Keep working at it, because you'll only get stronger and faster as you go. (:
Hey Eliza. For road running, I'd recommend the VivoBarefoot Primus Lite. For trails, the Vibram V-Trek's. The key is to work into them very slowly to give the body time to transition. A good first run might literally be 5 minutes, then gradually increase from there.
@@AndrewFolts Hello, Andrew! Thank you very much for your advice. I will buy her exactly what you recommended. We also read “Born to run”. I really hope we will change our lives! Thank you very much, once again and congratulations on all your content on “bare foot” LifeStyle! 🙂
Every time I watch a video you post I feel the need to push myself harder. I completed 2 x 10K trail runs, barefoot! I have been transitioning to fivefingers for about 4 months. V-run for road and KSO's for trails. Last week i felt some discomfort on the trail and decided, to go shoeless. What a great feeling. I feel like saying if you want to learn how to run properly, take your shoes off!
Well done! It's true, there's no faster way to learn running than by going barefoot. I need to try the V-Run and KSO's when spring comes around. Cheers!
I'm now seven months into wearing minimalist shoes for running and walking, with the occasional bare foot runs on grass. My issue is first thing in the morning. My heels and feet ache for the first few minutes, after that they're fine. Is this something that's common or is just because I'm 46? Your videos are very informative and engaging, thank you. 😀
Hey Graham, just sounds like basic stiffness from not moving much all night. As long as it clears up in a few minutes once you start moving around, there's nothing to worry about. You could try taking some magnesium at night (food or supplement), since that's associated with muscle relaxation. Cheers!
Seems like all have different backstories regarding how we arrived at a desire for barefoot running/walking. I ran for 12+ yrs in Nike Pegasus types with ZERO injuries or pain. Wasn't till I wore Urban fashion boots that my feet were decimated, seemingly overnight. Now I cant imagine wearing anything but barefoot footwear.
I've been tempted to try totally barefoot running for quite some time. After watching your video i just had to go for it! First 5k on gravel behind, many more ahead!
I do just fast walking, about 10 miles a day. As I live in Switzerland I can do this real barefoot only about 4 month per year. The rest is to wet, to cold to do it. This is hard, summer is so fast gone. Think you live in a better region to do it full year. About a year ago I started in spring and autumn to wear Vivo barefoot shoes, but in winter when it is cold and snow on the streets this does not work either, there I have to wear real shoes, unfortunately. All the best and happy walking.
Yea, cold's a problem, ha! You should check out the Jaya barefoot boots by Ahinsa. They have an insulated version as well, but I've been wearing the uninsulated ones with some wool socks down to ten degrees, and they work fantastically, even in snow and rain. ua-cam.com/video/f3sS003Amz4/v-deo.html
I'm very poor and I'm looking for a pair of barefoot shoes that I can do everything in. Every day use, long countryside walks, trail running and probably weight lifting too. Maybe I forget about shoes all together and just go bare foot!
Yea, that's the cheapest option for sure! Otherwise, you could look into those sandal kits. Xero sells one for like $25, and I've seen people use them for everything you mentioned, plus there super durable Vibram rubber (1,000's of miles).
Hey Josh! Basically, I kept doing the stretches, warmups, and cool-downs I learned in high school track. Toe-touches, quad pulls, planks, butterfly stretch, leg swings, skipping, quad crossover, etc. Over time, I gradually removed one exercise at a time, until I wasn't doing anything at all-just going straight out the door and slowly increasing my speed. After three months of this, my injuries went away, and I haven't had any injuries since. I haven't done a single stretch or warmup/cool-down drill in three years, and probably never will. (:
Your previous videos pushed me to buy barefoot shoes. Now I am considering switching to all-natural barefoot running) You're awesome, thank you for the videos)
Sweet! The great thing about full barefoot running is that you don't even have to spend money to try it. You can just go out the front door and see how you like it. Although barefoot shoes are nice when winter comes around! (:
Hey Andrew , Love the video just wanted your thoughts . This year I got into running with more dedication and got a injury and while recovering went down the barefoot rabbit hole on UA-cam . Ended up buying some toe spreaders and waiting for my Saguaro Free 1 to arrive . I don't see myself running without shoes at this stage but as I'm about to transition from my Mizuno Wave inspire 19 to my 6m Saguaro Free 1 . Should i stop running all together in my Mizuno shoes ? As i wont be doing lots of distance in the Saguaro can I make up for it by doing a couple runs a week in the Mizuno ?
Hey Timothy, props on taking the leap to barefoot shoes! The two ways to transition are either to switch 100% to barefoot shoes right away, but keep your milage extremely low to start (literally my first "run" was two minutes), or you could do low milage in the barefoot shoes and then do the rest in your Mizuno's until you're fully switched over. Personally, I like option A, because you'll transition and improve technique more quickly, while having more time for your body to rest and adapt, and it also makes things simpler, so that you know how barefoot shoes are working for you vs possibly having issues still being caused by your old cushion shoes. But if low milage is not an option, then do option B.
Basically since '92 I started wearing teva guides the around '00 started wearing Chaco Z2 around 2002 tried to wear running shoes and they were too narrow and my metatarsal underneath my foot would get too inflamed...so just wore chacos until 5 fingers around 2009...Got some Luna sandals and resoled them with Vibram Sierra soles most bomb proof sandals around...Then a series of cheap Amazon barefoot shoes since 2018 then recently got the Vivobarefoot primus trail fg...Best shoe I've owned...Freaking love these things could hike up to Alpamayo base camp no problem
Feel like I should code a social media app where people just share their barefoot shoe journey, so you can see where they started and ended up. Also, imagine if Vivo used Vibram sole's, that'd be amazing. Keep having fun out there!
I play basketball and also want to transition to barefoot shoes. If I use minimalistic shoes throughout the day and regular shoes for basketball will it increase injuries?
I'm no expert in sports like basketball and volleyball, but I think some cushion is necessary when you're doing so much jumping. Bare feet just aren't made to absorb that much vertical impact, and if you land wrong with no padding, it's too easy to break a bone.
Hey Andrew, quick question, i started barefoot running 2 months ago and have noticed that my hamstrings have been really tight of late. I have started stretching them out after a run. I think this is because of the shorter strides with the fore/mid foot strike. Any advice?
Yea, could be. Try varying your stride a bit, speeding up, slowing down, getting some trail running variation, etc. You can also work on increasing magnesium in your diet or taking magnesium glycinate, as that's the nutrient most responsible for muscle relaxation. Everyone has their opinions, but I find that stretching does more harm than good. Haven't stretched in six years and still haven't had a single injury. Self-massage is a better, more gentle option.
Great video Andrew! I have been gradually building up in my Primus Lite Knits and getting better. Running is fun again, just waiting for my ITB injury from original shoes to subside before I push further. A question for you though: Do you run without the insole and socks? I sometimes run barefoot and on asphalt / concrete I actually love the feeling. The slapping sound and smooth surface is lovely but I feel like I’m not getting as good a feeling in the Primus Lite Knits maybe because I’m wearing socks / the insoles. Keep up the work, love the channel. As a web developer myself nice to see someone from that field moving into something else (as is my dream one day).
Hey, David! I don't wear the insoles, but I do usually wear an ultra thin pair of Injinji merino wool toe socks: ua-cam.com/video/_e6BC2vfl4w/v-deo.html. They prevent rubbing, keep the shoe fresh, and don't affect ground feel at all. That said, full barefoot is always going to give you more ground feel than a shoe, even one as thin as the Primus Lite, which is why I got barefoot whenever possible. Cheers to web dev! Still coding my personal websites, even though I don't do it for work anymore, and I love it. (:
I wish I could run barefoot, but I would have to drive to a find a good place to run, where I am a have never had a run where there was no broken glass on the ground. I walk barefoot unless I am going somewhere I need shoes then I wear my sandals.
About 10 years ago, i went barefoot, the only issue i had was form, I had to go to a pose running coach to stop getting blisters. but i have not had to buy shoes in a looong time!!
Any tips for trying to transition to barefoot as a high school runner? Wanting to run barefoot but I want to maintain speed and only have about a month until the season starts.
Hey Max, no need to transition all at once. Just start with five minutes of barefoot per day and do the rest of your run in your normal cushion shoes. As your body adapts you can increase the time until you're 100% barefoot, or whatever percentage works best.
Ok. So funny things happened to me recently. I have been running barefoot (with minimal aqua shoes or unshod) for few months now. But never above 15km. 1. I tried to run with a regular shoes. Did not feel good at all. Like ridiculous feeling in the knees. And I noticed my energy management got really bad. So, I don't think I am getting back to cushion ever again. 2. I ran my first HM with minimal aqua shoes. This is my first time doing a HM without cushion. My legs felt great! No pain. But I felt exhausted after. This is not my first time running a HM. I do it once or twice a month. But with minimalist shoes, that was a first. The feeling was very different from doing a half with cushion shoes. Now, I need to give my body some time off just to feel fresh again. The interesting thing is, this doesn't change my feeling about cushioned shoes. I feel better without that cushion, even while running longer. I look forward to doing my ultra without cush.
"energy management" Yea, that's a great way to put it. With cushion shoes, it's sort of like you're just along for the ride (like an automatic transmission), but barefoot running puts you in control (like a manual transmission), and you can "shift" up and down, which creates a lot less wear and tear on your body. The exhaustion will pass as you build strength all over your legs and feet (vs just a few muscle groups with cushion shoes). Good luck for your ultra! (:
Yea. That is kind of correct. I don't have a point of reference. But from a personal experience, barefoot or with minimalist shoes, allows me to control the load, if you will. Example: sometimes, I push using my calf muscles only, or I can change "gear" and take bigger steps with my quads, if I am hammering down at higher speed, it feels like I am using my entire leg. So, yeah. Like a manual transmission. Thanks. If all goes well, 50k in the mountains should be lots of fun.
Hands down one of the best videos I've watched on this subject, thanks Andrew. I've spent the last 3 summers running in huarache-style sandals, but then went back to cushioned shoes each time when autumn arrived. That was my biggest mistake as by the next summer I would have to train my leg and feet muscles again, etc. So I've decided to transition to barefoot style shoes full time. Best feeling in the world! Thanks again for you super informative video, keep up the good work.
People say you can't find concrete in nature and we aren't adapted to wear barefoot shoes. But neither can I find foam in nature. If anything rocks from mountains and riverbeds resemble concrete more than shoe foam
Yea, that argument has always struck me as silly. The African savannah is not soft whatsoever and people went barefoot or in minimal sandals there for thousands of years, ha.
The form tips running on the road are the funniest thing I've seen since Monty Python lol. Please...show me ONE elite runner doing a 20 mile training run on the roads at 6:30 per mile BAREFOOT. And no, the Tarahumara people (In their minima sandals) doesn't prove anything for the general population either--unless you can show me the roster of Tarahumara athletes who have competed for Mexico in the Olympics in the 5,000, 10,000, or marathon. Minimalist/barefoot running is a fad/cult, and it comes around every few years. It's actually pretty funny.
Humans were running barefoot for two million years before cushion shoes came around...that's one hell of a fad, ha! Also, the best runners in the world, including Kipchoge, all started off training barefoot for thousands of miles. They run with cushion shoes because they're paid to do so, but would have no problem at all crushing 6:30 miles on roads. If you don't believe me, just look up Abebe Bikila, who set the world marathon record barefoot in 2 hours 16 minutes, which works out sub 5:30 minute miles.
@@AndrewFolts I started running in 1977. I know all about Bikila. One of the greatest marathoners ever, in an era WAY BEFORE athletes were paid to run in shoes (circa 1970.) Where were the rest of the Ethiopians running barefoot in 1960, or 1964, or 1968? **IF** Bikila was paid to wear Puma in 1964 (I'd be you he wasn't) it was probably the equivalent of a free meal. Bikila is a legend, AND he's an anomaly. Your haven't addressed why the Tarahumara runners haven't done the same...where are their legit world class runners? The number of Kenyan athletes sponsored by shoe companies is tiny, compared to the number of athletes that run for sport...why aren't the 2:20 male Kenyans running their races barefoot? You are a proponent of an INDUSTRY just like athletes who run for Nike. You have a philosophy--and probably a product--to SELL. I get it. Same with the book Born To Run. I worked in a running store circa 2005 when the Nike Free came out...we sold a lot. Flash forward 10 years later and I was working there part time. All the customers who bought the Frees were back in real running shoes. You have an agenda you need to push, like EVERYONE else.. I admire that...but most of your arguments can be blown out of the water.
@@stevestarr9769 I've been running barefoot and in barefoot shoes since 2017. I set my PR's in the 400, 800, 1600, and 4k in barefoot shoes, so they certainly work for me. I make 90% of my income from UA-cam views, so it really doesn't matter to me whether people buy the shoes I talk about or watch my full barefoot guide and never wear shoes again. If I was cynical I could easily make 10x the money I make now by promoting cushion shoes, because there's a much bigger market for it and cushion shoes wear out (and need to be re-bought) far more often, but my experience has taught me that cushion is garbage for my body, so I stick with my little barefoot niche. Sure, you can probably gain a small advantage at a world class level by wearing carbon fiber Nike's, but the point of barefoot running is the joy-to feel the world and raw strength, rather than be cooped up inside a giant marshmallow. The Tarahumarans have decimated cushioned runners in numerous ultramarathons, but at the end of the day they run for love of running, and why spend your time on boring old roads, when you can have a blast out in the canyons?
If you would put in percentage, how would you? i.e.: cushioned shoes is 20% (very bad), barefoot shoes is 60% (good, but not that good) and barefoot is 100% (perfect)?
There's no "bad" type of shoe, since they all have different uses. Plus there are lots of different brands and models of shoes, so I can't give them an overall score, but you can check my individual scores here: www.notion.so/aofolts/Best-Barefoot-Shoes-Table-65d4f71b95e3469393310bde813fa94b
This left or right, black or white, barefoot or cushion etc is a very rigid way of thinking. Perhaps a balanced mix of different types of footwear can also be beneficial. Nike's may not be perfect, but they do run well on the days you need them, even when it's just occasionally.
Totally! I don't run enough intense milage to ever need cushion shoes anymore, but when I was training for the mile I often rotated in some Altra Vanishes at the track for my speed work.
I can't run. The moment I start running, my shins start to hurt a lot. I'm suspecting it's the shoes I wear, they have a lot of cushioning. When I use converse to walk on the street, I don't feel pain except for my heel, what would explain this pain would be the way I walk, using my heel instead of the tip of my foot. I suspect that it's the thick soles that cause my shins pain. but I can't say. I'm going to try walking by position my feet the correct way with my converse and see what happens.
You could try gettin back to the basics by going to a local park and seeing if it hurts to run barefoot on the grass. You'll naturally use a forefoot strike, because without cushion you'd break your heel. Thick shoes can cause pain, like you said, but the "drop" (aka how much they tip forward) can also lead to shin splints, because it forces you back onto your heels, instead of using your calves.
*Barefoot Resources*
barefoot checklist - - - - - aofolts.notion.site/Barefoot-Transition-Checklist-5cb107bf581240deba71fdcbcf101187?pvs=4
best barefoot shoes - - - www.notion.so/aofolts/Best-Barefoot-Shoes-Gallery-1f18928518cc4e229a01b6a78f610e14?pvs=4
*Best Barefoot Shoes* (referral links)
chart - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3Revh04
leather boots - - - bit.ly/3KtR7KV
v-trek - - - - - - - - - - amzn.to/3PKaD6N
flying fox - - - - - - - bit.ly/3L3fRKq
primus-lite - - - - - - tidd.ly/3zPMSpi
primus-trek - - - - - bit.ly/3oPawfq
z-trek sandal - - - - bit.ly/3QqZ6e6
highrise knit - - - - bit.ly/3PQD7w1
primus sg - - - - - - bit.ly/3oPawfq
escalante - - - - - - amzn.to/3clB4lM
injinji socks - - - - - bit.ly/3je4SnQ
Hi Andrew - your notion links aren't working, not sure why - says file not found/page doesn't exist/you don't have permission to access.
@@sleepintheheat Ah ok, thanks! Should be working now: aofolts.notion.site/Barefoot-Transition-Checklist-5cb107bf581240deba71fdcbcf101187?pvs=4
finally got a sub 5 mile for the first time 2 months after switching to barefoot shoes. thanks for the advice and help over the transition man !
Congrats, that's awesome! Props on getting it so quick. Which shoes did you do it in?
Great video. After a few months switching to barefoot shoes, I’m still only wearing the primus lites they’re awesome. My advice in getting rid of cushion shoes- like Nike says: Just Do It
Can totally relate. Used to be a web dev, and when work was slow at my run specialty job, I would entertain my coworkers by changing the text on NIke's website to say things like: "Barefoot. Just Do It." (:
how's durability and sizing?
@@gudboyngdisyerto durability is kinda crazy, they last a good while, I wear a 12.5 in basketball shoes and went with a 12 and they fit very good, my foot is not tight, there’s room but not too much so
Did you also get 3000 miles? I’d love to get some but have a hard time with that price tag unless they are going to be durable
@@samhall1452 I don’t think I’m at 3000 yet I wear mine for every day use too though so it’s hard to say. I have had the same pair for two years now and the sole is not very worn at all despite being basically the only shoes I wear. The stitching around the mesh part on the top has started to come off near the big toe other than that they’re good. Its winter now and I can’t bring myself to wear my clunky boots I’d rather have cold feet than stop wearing my primus lites.
Almost five months ago I found your channel and since then I only use barefoot shoes. I work in a restaurant have have to stand for a long time but after switched to barefoot shoes my feet dont hurt at all. And I know my feet have gotten much stronger.
Sweet! Yea, I got such a feeling of relief too, after struggling with aching feet for years at my part-time run specialty job. Barefoot shoes were a game-changer.
Hi Andrew. I found your video to be excellent. Thank you for making it! I started my barefoot shoe journey around the same time as you, although I'm not a runner. I have dabbled with running but never seemed to progress to being a regular runner. I've recently revisited this and have been following a Couch to 5k program. What I realised from your journey, is that I've not made that next step of actually running barefoot, so you've inspired me to listen to my body more. Instead of following a prescribed training program that's essentially a 'one size fits all' approach, I'm just going to run...barefoot...and see what happens. Thank you 😊
Right on, Lee! It's definitely more challenging, trying to figure out what your body needs (rather than follow a plan), but in the end, totally worth it, because you feel healthier and happier. Take it slow, and you'll have a ton of fun with it! (:
Be warned, running barefoot is a solution for many people. But first try to see if it suits you. My tip for people with flat feet is that there are different types of flat feet. And that not all people with flat feet find the solution in minimalist shoes. Do you have an extra bone on the inside of your foot? then this can indicate an accesive navicular bone, this bone can cause a lot of problems when you run without a running shoe (I experienced this myself). Also for flexible flat feet it is important to wear sturdy shoes and insoles. I am really a fan of minimalist shoes and recommend it to everyone, but first see if it is something for you and if necessary discuss it with your doctor. Nice video!
True, the most important part is always taking it slow and seeing what works for you, rather than just trying to force a one-size-fits-all solution.
Awesome video man!! So comprehensive and helpful, and also inspiring. Excited to give full barefoot running a try tomorrow :)
Thanks! Just take it real slow in the beginning and you'll have a blast at it.
Finally my feet adjusted to running without shoes. Today i ran close to 10km without getting fatiqued. On gravel and asphalt. At first i had trouble adapting to forefoot strike maybe simply because of lack of proper calf strength and it just felt weird? After about 2months this is the best feeling! Still need to lose about 8kg of weight too 💪
Please make more videos like this, your knowledge and experience helps people alot!
Btw i think best exercises for barefoot running is simply running (and walking) barefoot on different surfaces. Your body knows how it is supposed to function without cushioned shoes and/or shoes with elevated heels so its just a matter of adapting. Of course im only 2 months in on this so im no expert and these are just my thought. But i encourage everyone to just go barefoot and take the time necessary for your body to adapt. IT IS WORTH IT i tell you!
That's awesome, congrats, Albert! You're right, taking it slow is key, and your calves especially just need some time to adjust and get stronger.
Eliminating processed foods and drinks is an easy way to lose weight. Just do 90% of your shopping in the produce and meat sections, and the pounds will fall away in no time.
@@AndrewFolts Thanks for your reply! And please keep making more videos like this 💪
@@AlbertKarhuFilms Will do!
This guy is Amazing, just watched all the vids on barefoot on your channel!
The Content is Crisp and High Quality, can't wait for the next video!
Thank you, really appreciate that! Will keep the videos coming! (:
@@AndrewFolts (´∩｡• ᵕ •｡∩`)
You have done something really Important!
Now, I can share this Life Changing content to people!
You have made quite an amazing contribution to make the world a better place.
｡◕‿◕｡
Thank You
@@theperipateticaccrescent7685 You do what you can in your little corner of the world, and sometimes it becomes a big corner! (:
Some good advice! I am transitioning to barefoot walking (and running, but that´s in the future). I made the mistake of going for a long walk because I was angry and needed to blow off steam, even though my feet said no. Next day my left foot metatarsals burnt like hell when I walked home from work; stressfracture. I am taking it easy but still going for the barefoot lifestyle - the benefits to my back and the feel of my whole nervous system (after chemotherapy which seriously fucked things up) is just to great to go back. Thank you for being a role model.
Hey Viktoria! Congrats on tackling the barefoot transition-it's tough, but lots of fun. Recognizing when your body is saying "no" is definitely the key, and it'll help keep you happy/healthy more than any other skill.
Huge props to recovering from chemo and building your nervous system back up naturally. Take it easy, like you said, and you'll be doing amazing things in no time! (:
Fantastic content! Really helpful, looking forward to start the 3 mile loops , glad to see channel luke yours adding real value ! Keep it up
Thanks Mohamed! Simplicity will take you a long ways in running, and life in general! (:
cant help laughing on collapse technique cause i just remembered that i had actually fell when my front feet half landed on a quite big sharp rock and my reflex told my leg to bail the landing and ended up with getting off balance.. the fall probably has saved me from stiches or worse... if i may add.. the risk bruises and cuts will never gone no matter how good or Accustomed you are, youll just get it less likely and less severe.. great video and tips btw
Ha, yea...a lot of the "techniques" are just accidental reactions people have when they step on a sharp object barefoot for the first time. And then...what do you know, they actually work! (:
I'm not a runner but your videos convinced me to buy a cheap pair of barefoot shoes in aliexpress and i love them!
Sweet! Once you're ready for another pair, you can check eBay and Revivo.com, because there are often high quality barefoot shoes for half the price. I got my Primus Lite's for like $90 (you can find them even cheaper) and they've lasted 3,000 miles so far, so it was a hell of a bargain in the long run.
Love running barefoot, Vapor Glove 4 is my go to when I put something on my feet, great video!
Great shoe! It was the only barefoot style option I had to sell when I worked run specialty, so it got brought out A LOT, ha!
Congratulations for your video!! It´s the best video of minimalism that I have watched. You also talk all of the points, specially the tecnique barefoot and the progression. I have been running with barefoot shoes for 5 years. And at the beginning, I had many injuries in my calves and Achiles tendon. But, this year, I did the jump to change all of my shoes to barefoot shoes. I noticed a big difference. How longer you spend in barefoot shoes, better would be your adaptation. Thanks for your amazing job! !
Hey, congrats on your barefoot journey, Guillermo! It's hard to fight through injuries and keep trying new things until you find something that works. The simpler your footwear, the happier your feet. Appreciate you stopping by to watch the video! (:
Obsessed with you, watching all ur vids I’m buying a new pair of barefoot shoe keep it up I’ll be a loyal follower of you
Appreciate the love. Which shoes did you go for?
i started way back over ten years ago with brooks puredrift(1pair then bought 2more)
then new balance minimus trail, and wanted altras BUT they looked way too chunky
but then they had the slimmer provision2.5 that i tried and then copped then Escalante1.0, and that one got me good.
then picked up 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 and torin4 as well as some topo shoes!
ive yet to go fully zero cushion tho as puredrift is my threshold, and my lower back needs some foam under my feet i found ;)
The funny thing is that when you learn to cushion yourself using your feet and calf muscles, "zero cushion" running will eventually feel softer than cushion shoes. It's all in your form. I can't stand cushion now, it makes my back hurt, ha. That said, you do need to transition slowly, like only 5 minutes to start.
Awesome! Saving to come back to this video later, and sharing with anyone I care about.
Next will try no shoes at all, and explanation about stride looks really useful. Thanks.
P.S. I already switched to barefoot style shoes for running, following your advice's. Now I can't go for a longer walks wearing traditional cushioned shoes.
Thank you! Appreciate the shares! And yea...once you go barefoot, it's hard to go back because your feet have so much fun! Which barefoot shoes are you using right now?
@@JohSno Nice, that's a solid barefoot squad!
Great video, thanks
Thanks for stopping by! (:
The main reason I’d started lookin into this lifestyle choice is because, as you said, it promotes natural function whereas cushioned shoes debilitate us. I recently had my first ankle sprain and I’d like to try my best to stay away from reexperiencing that. So yeah. But here’s the thing: I like to play sports too and I’m wondering what’s your opinion on the best choices for athletes of other sports who wanna live barefoot lifestyle. Should I only wear shoes during sports? What qualities should I look for in the shoes?
Depends on the sport. For basketball, volleyball, etc, I would recommend cushion, because jumping up and down on hard surfaces is unnatural. For football, soccer, etc, you have to wear cleats, and as far as I know there aren't any barefoot cleat companies. All cleats are pointy and narrow, so it'd just be a "best of the worst" type of situation. In general, you want to look for a wide, non-pointy toebox and as light and flexible as possible. Playing pickup soccer in cleats a couple times a week won't do much harm, but spending hours in them every day will deform your feet over time, which is what happened to me, so do your best to limit your time in unnatural footwear. Cheers!
@@AndrewFolts so cushioned shoes for parkour and free running as well then, right?!
@@Primape92 I did get a comment from someone who did parkour in barefoot shoes, so it's possible. It's less straight jumping and more climbing, rolling, etc, so maybe that makes a difference.
@@AndrewFolts on another note, what’s your thoughts on military/police boots? How would you alter them or in your perfect setting would you just negate them altogether?
@@Primape92 I got a comment from a soldier a couple months ago who said that old style military boots used to be similar to barefoot boots, but then they started adding thicker and thicker soles and more drop, so now I wouldn't recommend them at all. There's a boot called the "Mini-Mil" that's worth checking out though.
Good video andrew!
Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!
Great video. I kind of disagree a bit with the cost for barefoot shoes. For people who love running shoes, you'll still buy a lot of them even if they don't wear out :-) :-)
I love your attitude and advice. Thanks!
Ha, yea...like any shoes, they can be addictive to buy, but ten barefoot shoes will still save you 8-10x the cost of ten cushion shoes in the long run. (:
I’ve been walking in barefoot shoes for ages and am now transitioning to running in them as well (up to 10k for now). My problem though: I live in a city where I inevitably end up running on concrete or asphalt for long stretches when training for ultras. Do you have any experience with running long distances on hard „unnatural“ surfaces in barefoot shoes? I’m a bit scared it will lead to injury in the long run.. great video as always!
I spent about two years running mostly on roads with barefoot shoes and didn't have any injuries, but I was only running 3-5 miles per day. I did find that thinner was better-my 3mm Vivo Primus Lite's worked best.
Believe it or not, I switched to full barefoot running on concrete/pavement this year, and it's even softer than barefoot shoes once you build up some callus. I would check out Julia Chi Taylor on the channel Soles Journey. She's training for a cross-Europe ultra marathon right now, and might have some helpful tips.
Overall, I just don't love the uniformity and tilt of roads. Even with cushion shoes, it's so monotonous that you end up straining the same parts of your body over and over and over, so I 'd work in some trail running whenever possible. Cheers! (:
Hey thanks for great info. Kind of weird qustion but How do you do your foot care? You don't seem like you have any callus.
I mostly have callus on the outside of my pinky toe where I land and on the inside of my big toe where I roll in. Also on my heel. The rest of my feet don't really get enough friction to build a ton of callus. Always a good idea to care a few bandaids and iodine (for sanitizing) if you want to be really safe, although I've only been cut bad enough to need them maybe two times in three years.
@Andrew Folts, the links are no longer working. The Notion link just takes you to Notion to sign up for an account; after signing up (which I didn't want to do, btw), there is just a blank template, no spreadsheet/shoe comparison. Leaving the account signed in and tab open, I went back and clicked the link in the description but still it took me to a blank template page. The Vivobarefoot link returned a 404 Not Found.
Appreciate the heads up! Just fixed them, and they should work correctly now.
Hey Andrew, I just started my transition and even though I do want to run barefoot I’m afraid I might get hookworm. Anything to help not get it would be appreciated, thanks!
Well, know your local area. They're not common in my area, but if they are in yours, then maybe stick to running on roads and hard-packed trails (hook worms like wet sandy soil). You could also use a light barefoot toe shoe like the Vibram V-Trek, which is almost identical to being barefoot but with a tiny amount of protection: ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html
Hi Andrew. Love your channel. I am constantly injured for one reason or another, and stuck in that rut of searching for the next best shoe. However, I have collapsed arches. Does barefoot running work for people with collapsed arches? Would you recommend it? Thanks :)
Hey there, yes, barefoot shoes are excellent for flatter arches. In fact, when I started back in 2017 my arches were very low and weak from wearing stability shoes and inserts. But after a few months of wearing the Vivo Primus Lite (only 4mm thick) ua-cam.com/video/pMqB21BdMGw/v-deo.html they got stronger and now my arches are mid height. Obviously, it's important to transition slowly, so your body has time to build itself back up, and you can continue wearing your current shoes, if you like, just gradually switching over to a pair of barefoot shoes. For reference, my first "run" was only two minutes, to the end of the street and back. So don't underestimate the meaning of "slowly." (:
@@AndrewFolts Thanks, Andrew - that's really helpful!
What a coincidence that I plan to barefoot run for the first time tomorrow at THE BEACH (on hard wet sand, obv). I'm not brave enough yet to ditch my 6.5mm Vapor Gloves on regular pavement. Also, I still get blisters under the balls of my feet when wearing Xero sandals on walks (not even runs) over about 4 miles, so the soles of my feet aren't callused enough, and/or maybe I'm not placing my foot down on the outer pinky side of my foot like I'm supposed to.
One thing I disagree with you about, though, is ditching training plans (like Hal Higdon's). It's all well and good to not do too much one day that you can't run the next, but if you're doing too much too fast you can get an overuse injury and not realize it. A training plan increases the weekly mileage slowly (10 to 20%) and reserves some days for rest or other cross training like swimming so the body has time to repair itself. I made the mistake originally of going too far too fast and ended up sidelined for ~2 weeks with painful Achilles Bursitis. I'm now working more slowly from 10K toward a half marathon goal, and can feel a very slight pain in my shins that might've grown to full-blown shin splint pain if I'd progressed too quickly.
Anyway, thanks again - your videos were one of the main reasons I started running again earlier this year. Until I had less on my feet, I didn't even know I could ENJOY running after so many years. Still gotta sell my old RedWing foot coffins on ebay..... :)
Hey Jason! Sounds like he barefoot forces of the universe are converging, ha! Building callus can take a long time in barefoot shoes-I was still getting the occasional blister in my Vivo's, even after two years. Especially when I upped my milage/pace.
Running barefoot on pavement, though, I built most of my callus in two weeks, and by the first month, I no longer had any scrapes, cuts, or blisters. The road literally felt like a gentle massage.
My running philosophy now is based on injury-prevention as the #1 priority, which is why I don't race, and since I don't race, training plans have no benefit to me. I'd rather just listen to my body. No doubt, my style of running is not for everyone, and so people are welcome to pick and choose what's helpful to them, based on their own goals.
All that really matters is that people are running happy, and I can totally relate to the joys of getting back into running through less. I probably would have quit permanently if not for barefoot. Cheers!
I want to race and be without injuries. zero-drop shoes with some cushioning would be the answer? but that would be more than 4 mm...
What distance? And are you going all out or just racing for fun? I set my PR's in the mile (4:27) and 5K (16:57), so there's no reason you can't race in barefoot shoes without injuries, as long as your technique is good. You could also alternative with a thin cushion shoe like the Altra Vanish.
@@AndrewFolts wow! impressive! I am doing small distances, 5-10 km. I m trying to go sub20 and sub40. I have back pains and problems with the ankles the last 3 years since I run (exactly as you said in the video). altras sound good. also the first step in going down from hokas. it will take longer and more costs as you said, but I am afraid to go directly to the skin :))
Hello Andrew, great video. Thank you very much for such great information. I have been rotating between Nike and Vivos for a year now, however I dont think i allowed my feet to adjust to barefoot completely. I think I am going to take your advice on going cold turkey. I have a question: what about other shoes - like work shoes or hiking etc. If they are with cushion will that be ok or you suggest have all the shoes to be converted to barefoot shoes only?
I am currently training for a half marathon and it has been gutting to re-train with barefoot - my calves and shins are always in agony where I started having second thoughts. I think I have to keep 3-6 months in mind like you recommended and give rest to my body enough to accommodate the barefoot running.
Hey Preet! Yea, you basically have to let your body set the transition time/speed. I wear barefoot shoes or go barefoot for hiking, casual, etc, but it's just whatever feels best for you. A magnesium glycinate supplement like KAL or just more mg in your dient can help with tight/sore muscles.
Great video. Have you experienced any foot pain since your transition to barefoot shoes and actual barefoot? I noticed you running on what appeared to be concrete - is that a good idea? I've transitioned to barefoot shoes but my left arch is very tight and my toes are tight. I've been stretching them and massaging them but still pretty tight.
Nope, no pain. I can run on concrete just fine, but I prefer trails, because they have a lot more variation. Roads get monotonous and that tends to stress the same muscle groups over and over.
IMO, stretching causes injuries, which is why I haven't stretched in over three years. Tightness can be a sign of simply doing too much (milage, speed, etc). If that's not it, then nutrition can be a factor. A magnesium deficiency can cause tight muscles, and increasing it in your diet or adding a supplement can help a lot.
Finally, shoe thickness can sometimes be the culprit. For me, anything thicker than 3-4mm can cause pain or tightness, because my feet can't feel the ground properly and get tired a lot faster. Hope you foot feels better soon!
I think buying a pair of casual barefoot shoes and wearing them all the time rapidly speeds up the process
Definitely! It took me a few months try wearing my Vivo's into work (standing job), and it was like...why didn't I think of this before! (:
What was that device at the end?
At what timestamp?
Lower background volume at least 6dB moving forward.
Yea, my newer videos do. Bumpin too hard here, ha.
If we aren't meant to run in bulky cushioned shoes, what's the deal with A LOT of running channels constantly reviewing the latest technology in running shoes (and most of them are bulky)?
It’s called gaslighting and marketing
Hey Kyle! Cushion shoes are easily 8-10x more profitable to sell and market because the foam wears out in 300-500 miles, while my VivoBarefoot Primus Lite's have lasted for 3,000+ miles so far.
When I worked at a run specialty store, the average customer would spend around $300 to $600 on shoes per year. If they were selling barefoot shoes, that would cut the yearly profit down to about $50. That business model would put pretty much every run specialty store and UA-camr out of business in a year.
Furthermore, cushion shoes require less initial effort. I'd say only 1-2% of the customers I helped had the discipline and work ethic to transition to barefoot shoes. Those that did loved it and never went back to cushion, but it's a tough sell for the average runner.
I make a minimal living off ad revenue, but unlike most UA-camrs, I don't use affiliate marketing. I want people to know I'm recommending barefoot running because I believe it's the best option-not because I'm trying to get rich. Cheers!
@@AndrewFolts Thanks for the thorough answer, Andrew.
I knew it. That's why Vivobarefoot are so freaking expensive (for what they are), because people won't come back to buy another pair for a loooong time. And because it's a niche market.
I was really curious because in the comment section of these running channels NOBODY is questioning the insanity of all this shoe madness!! Not naming any channels, but we all know them. Everybody are OVERLY positive and apparently rich, because they straight up COLLECT HOKA or Saucony or some other expensive brands like it's no biggy :D I know even for westerners this is not a trivial buy, for us from poorer countries (Eastern Europe) this is a monthly salary almost :D How can you afford to buy so many 150$+ pairs of shoes? And should you even?
I don't know how many of these running channel followers are pros or very, very dedicated hobby runners, but spending that kind of dough isn't justified if your daily job isn't a pro athlete IMO.
And I am here with my canvas cheapo shoes running mile after mile, without injuring myself, having to slow down my pace or be careful about weekly mileage or anything.
I am kinda mad, because there are a lot of running enthusiasts who, influenced by these channels, think they have to save up for the "good" shoe. I don't care for the rich folks who can buy the entire shoe store - more power to them. But don't involve regular people with your shoe fetish.
Andrew, It would be fun if you ruffle some feathers talking about these channels. LoL But I think you are above such things, so nevermind.
Best wishes - Kyle
@@kylestephens9593 Ha, yes...you are describing the "Shoe Matrix." It really is sad, because when I worked run specialty, customers would come in who clearly could not afford a $120 shoe, and they would say: "So these are going last me a couple years, right?" And I would say: "Actually, most people have to replace them after six months."
It was part of the reason I quit. Almost everything in that store was pure nonsense, and that was a good family-owned store! Places like Fleet Feet are absolutely ruthless. They have quotas where they require their sales people to sell arch inserts to 50% of customers, whether they need them or not.
As you've guessed, a lot of UA-camrs are no better. I think I might do a "running industry exposed by former shoe salesman" video sometime. I do love to rustle feathers! (:
@@AndrewFolts it sounds like a catchy videotitle and will do well! also, this is a thing that needs to be said, specially by a person who has been on the other side of the line, like you, Andrew. but if you do it, be careful to not name anybody specifically and be positive as a whole. (althought if someone wants to feel offended they'll find a way :D) because, for example, lately some watch brands have been misusing youtube policy about counterfeit to take down watch review channels for giving them bad reviews.
I gave this a like 28 seconds in 🤣
World record! !(:
Hello, maybe someone can answer this Q?
I just started running, literally 2 weeks ago. You could certainly say I’m a beginning runner. I’ve been thinking about running in barefoot shoes, and wonder if the transition might be easier because I’ve just started running? I’m just curious.
Hey Cooper! Yea, it would be, because you haven't learned any bad habits from running in cushion shoes yet. Just make sure to not buy anything thicker than 3-4mm. That's key. There are some great refurbished options at Revivo.com. Wildling and Vibram are good options as well. Remember to take it slow in the beginning and get lots of rest. You'll be amazed at how fast your skills improve. (:
@@AndrewFolts Thank you broski. One additional question if you don’t mind. How come there are something like running socks? Something that protects your foot but still leaves your foot open to move however?
@@coopercordes9827 Skinners and FreeYourFeet. They're not very durable though, and tend to get very hot/sweaty from lack of breathability. At 3.5mm, Wildlings are currently the thinnest shoe option.
Do you wear socks when running in your vivobarefoots?
Yea, just a light pair of Smartwool's. I tried going without once and I still have a scar from where the laces of the Primus SG rubbed through my big toe.
full barefoot on the road over here is impossible, so much glass and debris, you'd never know what you would step on.
Yea, it's best done in the suburbs or country where there's less debris. Running down the center of the road or sidewalk helps, since most stuff gets swept to the side.
@@AndrewFolts I kind a live in an area like yours but, we have Recycling trucks that come every 2 weeks, so things fall off sometime, that's why the glass and other hazardous stuff falls out and them, a school at the street corner and , kids are good at throwing stuff around. Luckily, I have a Mountain where I live so, 70% of my running is there. About 900km of Mountain Trail running a year and 300 ish off the street. In Vivo's and Xero's ;)
@@Knotdead73 Yaas! Why run roads when you have mountains? My goal is to live in a little cabin or travel van where I can just go straight out the door and trail run every day!
7:54 ... except maybe dog turds. 💩
Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't stepped in any yet after more than four months of full barefoot. I guess you're just paying such close attention to the ground that you always avoid it. Hoping to keep the streak alive. (:
Thank you! It is nice to hear someone actually speak about transitioning to barefoot running/walking instead of “barefoot” running/walking. “Barefoot shoes” are still shoes. They are definitely less harmful than regular shoes and are necessary in a few situations (like some winter conditions), but they are still shoes and limit our ability to feel the ground. This video is really well done.
Thanks, Rebecca! It's true. When I started running in barefoot shoes, I remember thinking: "Wow, I can feel everything...this is great!"
But then I started full barefoot running and walking this year, and when I put barefoot shoes on it's like: "Wow, I can barely feel anything...this sucks!"
I absolutely love your outlook on life, thank you so much for your informational videos on running! I look forward to more videos!
Ha, thanks, Ryan. I try to follow the Tao of Barefoot. Appreciate you watching! (:
Great video! And I love your sentiment: “I have the intention to be a runner for the rest of my life. “.
Be well & keep on running & enjoying it.
Thanks, Dominic. More intention, less tension! (:
Thank you! This is a really great video. I am transitioning right now, as I wearing shoes pushed my toes together for decades and led to my "pinky's" turning sideways, and my big toe pushing in and up (normally wore high cushion with toe sweeps) which, for me, led to my weaker foot getting plantar fasciosis from a lack of blood flow. Not being a runner and having not done anything unusual to injure myself (I did a lot of walking at my job in logistics) . . . after about 5 diff shoes and months of working injured I had to stop, and figure it out as the inserts and arch supports and PT were NOT working. I love Biking, Hiking, Swimming, Camping, and Soccer (always hated Running because it hurt) and the idea of no longer being able to do any of this with my child was too much. After a lot of frustration, pain and fear, I found my road to recovery and ironically it cost practically nothing. I started my transition about a month and a half ago and its going well. The first time I walked completely barefoot on crushed asphalt (about 400 yards round trip) I couldn't walk for 2 days because muscles in my feet and lower legs were so sore. Now I can speed walk day after day, haven't tried running yet, but hope to soon. A few of your other videos were critical to helping me find my recovery. Thank you. and this video is such a great mini course I hope to share with people for years to come as I am sure over time this will come up. I am in my 40's and peers are starting to get injuries etc. Anyway, thank you! PS the "tight rope" on crushed asphalt (sharp enough to engage nervous system override but dull and even enough to prevent injury) walking slower than normal, was my turning point.
Hey Aaron, that's a great story! I love the quote: "I found my road to recovery and ironically it cost practically nothing." True for a lot of things in life. Glad you're doing well, and keep having fun out there!
I've transitioned to barefoot and every point you make matches my experience. It has been so rewarding.
Right? Best decision of my life. It's like every run/hike is an adventure now!
this is a fantastic video. i started walking like this 33 days ago, after a decade of trail running in thinly padded shoes. how much grip bare skin has surprised me the most
Yea, it's amazing stuff! How cool would it be if barefoot shoe soles also magically regenerated, ha?
Man, Andrew!
You may not run with sole shoes but you've got awesome soul; and to me, your teachings are pure inspiration.
Thank you!
Ha, thank YOU for watching, Mark. Let's keep the sole train running! (:
In Barefoot Running: Step by Step, the author recommends that you start walking, and running barefoot on rough gravel to teach you good form immediately rather than starting on grass, which will not hurt as much and thus not teach as much. I've tried it and found I can slowly jog along on a pretty rough gravel trail near my house and boy I did learn a lot more than running on grass! The trick is to exaggeratedly bend the knees to absorb as much shock as possible. He recommends starting at a 5 min run max and then going every other day increasing in duration gradually and working up to a half hour of running over the course of a month - if your muscles feel blasted after a workout you know you did way too much and need to ease back.
I just started running in minimal shoes. After a few road runs I decided to try a gravel track. On gravel my form changed immediately and honestly it was the most fun I've had running in years. Recommended
It really is amazing how fast you can learn via rough surfaces. It took me probably a year to getting fully comfortable with barefoot shoes, but when I started running full barefoot on rough pavement, I was feeling good in two weeks and fully transitioned in a month. Also good advice about the time limit. So many people get hurt trying to go out for five miles on their first barefoot run, and it's like...just chill, ha! (:
Gravel's a lot of fun. It's cool how different surfaces have different teaching styles.
I’ve seen so many of these videos, and this is by far the best! I appreciate you actually talking about barefoot running and not minimalist shoe running while calling it barefoot.
Took me posting this video to realize most people don't *actually* want to run barefoot, ha. My zero-drop video has like 10x views. But a few people go the distance, and it's a fun journey just learning to trust the toughness of your own body. Cheers!
I don't understand why these videos can be sooo good. Andrew, you've got some crazy good skills - love the content and hope to see more of it!
Ha, thanks, Josh! When you love something it's easy to work hard on it. Will keep them coming! (:
Love your content and I appreciate your transparency in these videos! Got my first pair of barefoot shoes this week and have been working on transitioning to forefoot striking. I’ve already seen a difference in my toes spreading out already. Looking forward to more bomb content and I love your animations and style 🤟🏻
Thanks, Christian! Congrats on transitioning. I bet your toes are real happy, ha! Which barefoot shoes did you end up getting?
Thank you for the tip on Being Barefoot 🦶🏼also Barefoot running
You're welcome Angel! Appreciate you hanging out. (:
After watching a dozen videos on barefoot (and searching for decent content for longer than I care to admit), I just found your videos and am so grateful! Shout out to a fellow creative and barefoot enthusiast (beginner over here)! Thank you for the thoughtful, well organized, and enjoyable videos 🦶🏼🦶🏼
Appreciate you watching, Erin! What kind of creative stuff do you do? Happy barefooting out there! (:
@@AndrewFolts I’m a product manager and entrepreneur these days but started out in the web design / dev scene (before it was called UX)!
How about you?
@@erina5543 Same, designed and coded WordPress sites as a freelancer before I got into UA-cam.
Such a lovely video.
My partner and I are on the beginning of our journey to barefoot running and this was the perfect introduction.
Thanks a lot for your guidance and kindness
Thanks, Liesel! I've heard from people who picked up barefoot running in their eighties, so you're got plenty of time to have fun with it. (:
Anyone getting tight calves when switching to bare foot
Yup, that's bound to happen, because you're using them so much more than with cushion shoes. Just give your body lots of time to rest and catch up in the beginning, even if it means taking multiple days off or going down to very low milage. You can also do some massaging and supplement with magnesium glycinate, as Mg is essential for muscle relaxation and most people are deficient (Soloray is a good option).
Fantastic video! Started my barefoot journey last week
Sweet! It's work, but a lot of fun, and you body'll get crazy strong in the process. Enjoy!
Any advice for running barefoot in extreme conditions? Hot asphalt, snow, ice, salt on roads? Etc.?
Build a LOT of callus, ha! Otherwise, I'd recommend a pair of 3mm leather moccasin boots. Got a pair last year, and they're the closest thing I've ever felt to pure barefoot, plus they're temperature regulating. See here: ua-cam.com/video/gITFv5zHOpk/v-deo.html
This video was super helpful and entertaining. I'm finally going to start my routine to transition to barefoot running!
Thanks, I had fun making it too! Remember to take it real slow in the beginning. Pretty soon, you'll be having all sorts of barefoot adventures!
Great video, but as a barefoot runner myself, I have some comments to make. First of all, I kind of disagree with the idea that running barefoot on asfalt is harder than running on trails. I mean, unless it's a very smooth easy trail, trails usually have rocks and stones, wich for me makes them very very difficult to run on barefoot. Asfalt, on the other han, is a pretty smooth even surface, and yes, it's harder than grass or other surfaces, but that encourages good running form. Pretty much every source that you can check out recommends starting on a hard smooth surface like asfalt, because it teaches you good form without having to worry about stepping on a stone or a tree branch. Grass, on the other hand, is very forgiving, and you can still run with pretty bad form on it without feeling any pain. Also, if the grass is tall, you can't see what's beneath it, wich is also pretty dangerous if you are running barefoot.
Second, I understand that for you the whole point of running barefoot is precisely forgetting about how fast you are running, but I nead to ask you: how fast are you actually running when going barefoot? Because you say you used to be a pretty fast runner (that mile PR is pretty damn fast), but then in the video you are always running incredibly slow, to a point where I wouldn't even consider that "running". Again, I know running fast is not your priority anymore, and that's great, but some people like to run somewhat "fast", that's why they like running in the first place instead of just walking, for example. Obviously, running slower is going to cause less injuries, regardless of if you're running barefoot or not. But again, walking is going to produce even less injuries than running slow and we still prefer running than walking. Do you get my point? As a barefoot runner myself, I've noticed that I have to slow down quite a bit when running barefoot, to a point where running barefoot on certain terrains is not fun anymore, and that's not just a temporary thing related to the adaptation proccess. Again, I'm not talking about setting PRs or anything like that. I'm talking about felling like you are actually running and being athletic instead of just shuffling your feet around.
Great questions! First off, I made the video to try and be inclusive to beginners, because so few people are willing to even try barefoot running, since they think it's dangerous. So, yes, I started on pavement (and a lot of people say gravel will build form and callus even faster), but most people are too intimidated to do that. So a local track or football field are places where a tentative beginner could get a small taste of barefoot running without the pain of blisters, etc, right away.
How fast you can run barefoot depends entirely on the amount of callus you have and how good you are at dodging stones. I ran a 60-second 400m once, but I was bleeding all over the place, because there was so much friction. If I had trained more gradually instead of just randomly banging one out for the hell of it, I could have built up more callus and no doubt worked my way well below 60-seconds.
I've also run a 20-minute 5K barefoot on pavement, which was less problematic, because it was closer to the speed I would usually run at barefoot. There have even been a few Olympic runners over the years who went barefoot and did quite well-like Zola Budd. The reason there's so few of them is that barefoot running requires more work, so why would you make things harder on yourself in an already insanely competitive sport, ya know?
In terms of running speed, I was mostly running slow in the video to emphasize the point of keeping the knees bent, but also (again) to be inclusive to beginners and anyone for whom injury prevention is the top priority-which is a lot of runners.
Normally, my speed varies from moment to moment, depending on how I feel and the terrain-like the hill shot, where I'm going a lot faster up than down.
I can run pretty damn fast on a dirt trail, even with some rocks, because I've built up a lot of callus from road running and good reflexes, as well. If I trained on gravel, I could build up even more.
If you're having to slow down a lot, it could be you just need a more callus to deal with sharp stuff, or perhaps, the more practice you get, then better you'll be at avoiding them entirely.
Obviously, there are some terrains, like large rock gravel that's just impossible to navigate while running, so sometimes you walk, and that's ok. Like I said in the video, barefoot running is more of an adventure, so you just go with the flow and enjoy whatever nature throws at you.
Keep working at it, because you'll only get stronger and faster as you go. (:
Hello! My daughter is in high level speedskating, she is almost 13. What shoes do you think would be best to start with? Thank you!
Hey Eliza. For road running, I'd recommend the VivoBarefoot Primus Lite. For trails, the Vibram V-Trek's. The key is to work into them very slowly to give the body time to transition. A good first run might literally be 5 minutes, then gradually increase from there.
@@AndrewFolts Hello, Andrew! Thank you very much for your advice. I will buy her exactly what you recommended. We also read “Born to run”. I really hope we will change our lives! Thank you very much, once again and congratulations on all your content on “bare foot” LifeStyle! 🙂
@@elizafelea4650 Ooh, great read! Have fun with barefooting and good luck to your daughter in competition!
not participating, im size 11, but its good to teach more people about barefoot shoes :)
From Malaysia
Every time I watch a video you post I feel the need to push myself harder. I completed 2 x 10K trail runs, barefoot! I have been transitioning to fivefingers for about 4 months. V-run for road and KSO's for trails. Last week i felt some discomfort on the trail and decided, to go shoeless. What a great feeling. I feel like saying if you want to learn how to run properly, take your shoes off!
Well done! It's true, there's no faster way to learn running than by going barefoot. I need to try the V-Run and KSO's when spring comes around. Cheers!
I'm now seven months into wearing minimalist shoes for running and walking, with the occasional bare foot runs on grass.
My issue is first thing in the morning. My heels and feet ache for the first few minutes, after that they're fine. Is this something that's common or is just because I'm 46?
Your videos are very informative and engaging, thank you. 😀
Hey Graham, just sounds like basic stiffness from not moving much all night. As long as it clears up in a few minutes once you start moving around, there's nothing to worry about. You could try taking some magnesium at night (food or supplement), since that's associated with muscle relaxation. Cheers!
Seems like all have different backstories regarding how we arrived at a desire for barefoot running/walking. I ran for 12+ yrs in Nike Pegasus types with ZERO injuries or pain. Wasn't till I wore Urban fashion boots that my feet were decimated, seemingly overnight. Now I cant imagine wearing anything but barefoot footwear.
Yea, it's like the human body is fine until all of the sudden it's not. Some people never discover barefooting, tho, so better now than never!
I've been tempted to try totally barefoot running for quite some time. After watching your video i just had to go for it! First 5k on gravel behind, many more ahead!
That's awesome, Jere! Just take care of your feet and they're take you anywhere you want to go! (:
I do just fast walking, about 10 miles a day. As I live in Switzerland I can do this real barefoot only about 4 month per year. The rest is to wet, to cold to do it. This is hard, summer is so fast gone. Think you live in a better region to do it full year. About a year ago I started in spring and autumn to wear Vivo barefoot shoes, but in winter when it is cold and snow on the streets this does not work either, there I have to wear real shoes, unfortunately. All the best and happy walking.
Yea, cold's a problem, ha! You should check out the Jaya barefoot boots by Ahinsa. They have an insulated version as well, but I've been wearing the uninsulated ones with some wool socks down to ten degrees, and they work fantastically, even in snow and rain. ua-cam.com/video/f3sS003Amz4/v-deo.html
I'm very poor and I'm looking for a pair of barefoot shoes that I can do everything in. Every day use, long countryside walks, trail running and probably weight lifting too. Maybe I forget about shoes all together and just go bare foot!
Yea, that's the cheapest option for sure! Otherwise, you could look into those sandal kits. Xero sells one for like $25, and I've seen people use them for everything you mentioned, plus there super durable Vibram rubber (1,000's of miles).
Curious about your experiences with stretching leading to your injuries. We’re these general prehab movements or basic static stretches?
Hey Josh! Basically, I kept doing the stretches, warmups, and cool-downs I learned in high school track. Toe-touches, quad pulls, planks, butterfly stretch, leg swings, skipping, quad crossover, etc.
Over time, I gradually removed one exercise at a time, until I wasn't doing anything at all-just going straight out the door and slowly increasing my speed. After three months of this, my injuries went away, and I haven't had any injuries since.
I haven't done a single stretch or warmup/cool-down drill in three years, and probably never will. (:
Your previous videos pushed me to buy barefoot shoes. Now I am considering switching to all-natural barefoot running) You're awesome, thank you for the videos)
Sweet! The great thing about full barefoot running is that you don't even have to spend money to try it. You can just go out the front door and see how you like it. Although barefoot shoes are nice when winter comes around! (:
Hey Andrew, what barefoot shoes do you use (if any) when you're just walking around?
In the winter or in stores I use the Vivo Primus Lite or the Wildling Flying Fox. (:
Hey Andrew , Love the video just wanted your thoughts . This year I got into running with more dedication and got a injury and while recovering went down the barefoot rabbit hole on UA-cam . Ended up buying some toe spreaders and waiting for my Saguaro Free 1 to arrive . I don't see myself running without shoes at this stage but as I'm about to transition from my Mizuno Wave inspire 19 to my 6m Saguaro Free 1 . Should i stop running all together in my Mizuno shoes ? As i wont be doing lots of distance in the Saguaro can I make up for it by doing a couple runs a week in the Mizuno ?
Hey Timothy, props on taking the leap to barefoot shoes! The two ways to transition are either to switch 100% to barefoot shoes right away, but keep your milage extremely low to start (literally my first "run" was two minutes), or you could do low milage in the barefoot shoes and then do the rest in your Mizuno's until you're fully switched over. Personally, I like option A, because you'll transition and improve technique more quickly, while having more time for your body to rest and adapt, and it also makes things simpler, so that you know how barefoot shoes are working for you vs possibly having issues still being caused by your old cushion shoes. But if low milage is not an option, then do option B.
Basically since '92 I started wearing teva guides the around '00 started wearing Chaco Z2 around 2002 tried to wear running shoes and they were too narrow and my metatarsal underneath my foot would get too inflamed...so just wore chacos until 5 fingers around 2009...Got some Luna sandals and resoled them with Vibram Sierra soles most bomb proof sandals around...Then a series of cheap Amazon barefoot shoes since 2018 then recently got the Vivobarefoot primus trail fg...Best shoe I've owned...Freaking love these things could hike up to Alpamayo base camp no problem
Feel like I should code a social media app where people just share their barefoot shoe journey, so you can see where they started and ended up. Also, imagine if Vivo used Vibram sole's, that'd be amazing. Keep having fun out there!
I play basketball and also want to transition to barefoot shoes. If I use minimalistic shoes throughout the day and regular shoes for basketball will it increase injuries?
Or make it harder to walk?
I'm no expert in sports like basketball and volleyball, but I think some cushion is necessary when you're doing so much jumping.
Bare feet just aren't made to absorb that much vertical impact, and if you land wrong with no padding, it's too easy to break a bone.
@@AndrewFolts thank you
hey Andrew, thanks for the video! sadly I can't access your list of best barefoot shoes, would you mind double-checking that link? thank you!
Since the video I've actually created a barefoot shoes finder tool with filter/sort features and you can find it here: bit.ly/49U1Ryo
Hey Andrew, quick question, i started barefoot running 2 months ago and have noticed that my hamstrings have been really tight of late. I have started stretching them out after a run. I think this is because of the shorter strides with the fore/mid foot strike. Any advice?
Yea, could be. Try varying your stride a bit, speeding up, slowing down, getting some trail running variation, etc. You can also work on increasing magnesium in your diet or taking magnesium glycinate, as that's the nutrient most responsible for muscle relaxation. Everyone has their opinions, but I find that stretching does more harm than good. Haven't stretched in six years and still haven't had a single injury. Self-massage is a better, more gentle option.
Awesome video! This was a great straightforward guide. Appreciate you making it.
Thanks, John! Appreciate you watching. Happy running out there!
Great video Andrew! I have been gradually building up in my Primus Lite Knits and getting better. Running is fun again, just waiting for my ITB injury from original shoes to subside before I push further. A question for you though: Do you run without the insole and socks? I sometimes run barefoot and on asphalt / concrete I actually love the feeling. The slapping sound and smooth surface is lovely but I feel like I’m not getting as good a feeling in the Primus Lite Knits maybe because I’m wearing socks / the insoles. Keep up the work, love the channel. As a web developer myself nice to see someone from that field moving into something else (as is my dream one day).
Hey, David! I don't wear the insoles, but I do usually wear an ultra thin pair of Injinji merino wool toe socks: ua-cam.com/video/_e6BC2vfl4w/v-deo.html. They prevent rubbing, keep the shoe fresh, and don't affect ground feel at all. That said, full barefoot is always going to give you more ground feel than a shoe, even one as thin as the Primus Lite, which is why I got barefoot whenever possible. Cheers to web dev! Still coding my personal websites, even though I don't do it for work anymore, and I love it. (:
@@AndrewFolts Top man! Thanks for the reply. I’ll have a gander at them!
I wish I could run barefoot, but I would have to drive to a find a good place to run, where I am a have never had a run where there was no broken glass on the ground. I walk barefoot unless I am going somewhere I need shoes then I wear my sandals.
Yea, trails are your best bet. Pair of Vibram FiveFingers are the closest to.full barefoot when that's not an option, though.
This video reminded me I used to love playing football (soccer) barefoot as a kid. Maybe I should try it again
Yea, I love barefoot soccer! Feel like I can run so much faster and have so much more agility than with cleats.
Super informative! Thanks so much!
Thanks for watching Robert! (:
About 10 years ago, i went barefoot, the only issue i had was form, I had to go to a pose running coach to stop getting blisters. but i have not had to buy shoes in a looong time!!
Yes...a barefoot wallet is a full wallet. (:
Any tips for trying to transition to barefoot as a high school runner? Wanting to run barefoot but I want to maintain speed and only have about a month until the season starts.
Hey Max, no need to transition all at once. Just start with five minutes of barefoot per day and do the rest of your run in your normal cushion shoes. As your body adapts you can increase the time until you're 100% barefoot, or whatever percentage works best.
Naa when I heard barefoot. I didn’t think it literally meant barefeet 😂😂 wtf man this is so extreme
Yea, it's so funny that as a society "barefoot shoes" is the first phrase we now associate with "barefoot." Our ancestors were pretty hardcore, ha.
I really dig Andrew's outlook and personality, man
Ha, thank you. I try to cultivate the personality I myself would dig. (:
I am thinking of transition to barefoot running shoes. Have you tried freet they made in the uk, I have seen some reviews, which were positive
Haven't tried them yet, but they're 3-5mm thick and, I've heard, very well made, so they should be great.
Ok. So funny things happened to me recently. I have been running barefoot (with minimal aqua shoes or unshod) for few months now. But never above 15km.
1. I tried to run with a regular shoes. Did not feel good at all. Like ridiculous feeling in the knees. And I noticed my energy management got really bad. So, I don't think I am getting back to cushion ever again.
2. I ran my first HM with minimal aqua shoes. This is my first time doing a HM without cushion. My legs felt great! No pain. But I felt exhausted after. This is not my first time running a HM. I do it once or twice a month. But with minimalist shoes, that was a first. The feeling was very different from doing a half with cushion shoes. Now, I need to give my body some time off just to feel fresh again. The interesting thing is, this doesn't change my feeling about cushioned shoes. I feel better without that cushion, even while running longer.
I look forward to doing my ultra without cush.
"energy management" Yea, that's a great way to put it. With cushion shoes, it's sort of like you're just along for the ride (like an automatic transmission), but barefoot running puts you in control (like a manual transmission), and you can "shift" up and down, which creates a lot less wear and tear on your body.
The exhaustion will pass as you build strength all over your legs and feet (vs just a few muscle groups with cushion shoes). Good luck for your ultra! (:
Yea. That is kind of correct. I don't have a point of reference. But from a personal experience, barefoot or with minimalist shoes, allows me to control the load, if you will. Example: sometimes, I push using my calf muscles only, or I can change "gear" and take bigger steps with my quads, if I am hammering down at higher speed, it feels like I am using my entire leg. So, yeah. Like a manual transmission.
Thanks. If all goes well, 50k in the mountains should be lots of fun.
@@regetonybelony7377 Sounds like a blast! Looking forward to doing some barefooting in the mountains in a few weeks myself. Cheers!
Hands down one of the best videos I've watched on this subject, thanks Andrew.
I've spent the last 3 summers running in huarache-style sandals, but then went back to cushioned shoes each time when autumn arrived. That was my biggest mistake as by the next summer I would have to train my leg and feet muscles again, etc. So I've decided to transition to barefoot style shoes full time. Best feeling in the world!
Thanks again for you super informative video, keep up the good work.
Thanks, appreciate you stopping into watch the video! Which huarache's do you use? I've been wanting to switch it up from my Xero Sandals.
@@AndrewFolts Thanks Andrew, I am actually a huge fan of the Xero Genesis Sandals, these are the ones I regularly use.
@@Japanrunner Nice, I have some Z-Trek's. The durability on Xero's is crazy!
minia made me think you were very very short
Ha, what's minia?
Plus we reconnct with soil, the source of our body ❤
Most def! Nothing reawakens the soul like a bit of dirt. (:
Wrestling shoes have been around for year.
Yea, I imagine they'd work pretty well to!
That was so helpfull - thank you!
You got it, thanks for watching! (:
12:47 that was a nasty Iniesta move ⚽️
Ha, I wish I had known about barefoot running back in high school. Feel like it would've upped my game.
The video is helpful. Thanks, I like your style of communication. Do you play drums? I saw the kit in the background
Thanks, David! Yea I drum, you?
@@AndrewFolts Welcome. I play guitar
People say you can't find concrete in nature and we aren't adapted to wear barefoot shoes. But neither can I find foam in nature. If anything rocks from mountains and riverbeds resemble concrete more than shoe foam
Yea, that argument has always struck me as silly. The African savannah is not soft whatsoever and people went barefoot or in minimal sandals there for thousands of years, ha.
Or try desolation wilderness near tahoe, tons of granite everywhere’
Hey Andrew I have one question what if you forgot a cloth and water to wash your Feet 🦶🏼 what do you use.
Oftentimes I'll wipe my feet off on wet grass. If not that, then maybe a local lake or pond. (:
@@AndrewFolts Thank you
The form tips running on the road are the funniest thing I've seen since Monty Python lol. Please...show me ONE elite runner doing a 20 mile training run on the roads at 6:30 per mile BAREFOOT. And no, the Tarahumara people (In their minima sandals) doesn't prove anything for the general population either--unless you can show me the roster of Tarahumara athletes who have competed for Mexico in the Olympics in the 5,000, 10,000, or marathon. Minimalist/barefoot running is a fad/cult, and it comes around every few years. It's actually pretty funny.
Humans were running barefoot for two million years before cushion shoes came around...that's one hell of a fad, ha! Also, the best runners in the world, including Kipchoge, all started off training barefoot for thousands of miles. They run with cushion shoes because they're paid to do so, but would have no problem at all crushing 6:30 miles on roads. If you don't believe me, just look up Abebe Bikila, who set the world marathon record barefoot in 2 hours 16 minutes, which works out sub 5:30 minute miles.
@@AndrewFolts I started running in 1977. I know all about Bikila. One of the greatest marathoners ever, in an era WAY BEFORE athletes were paid to run in shoes (circa 1970.) Where were the rest of the Ethiopians running barefoot in 1960, or 1964, or 1968? **IF** Bikila was paid to wear Puma in 1964 (I'd be you he wasn't) it was probably the equivalent of a free meal. Bikila is a legend, AND he's an anomaly. Your haven't addressed why the Tarahumara runners haven't done the same...where are their legit world class runners? The number of Kenyan athletes sponsored by shoe companies is tiny, compared to the number of athletes that run for sport...why aren't the 2:20 male Kenyans running their races barefoot? You are a proponent of an INDUSTRY just like athletes who run for Nike. You have a philosophy--and probably a product--to SELL. I get it. Same with the book Born To Run. I worked in a running store circa 2005 when the Nike Free came out...we sold a lot. Flash forward 10 years later and I was working there part time. All the customers who bought the Frees were back in real running shoes. You have an agenda you need to push, like EVERYONE else.. I admire that...but most of your arguments can be blown out of the water.
@@stevestarr9769 I've been running barefoot and in barefoot shoes since 2017. I set my PR's in the 400, 800, 1600, and 4k in barefoot shoes, so they certainly work for me. I make 90% of my income from UA-cam views, so it really doesn't matter to me whether people buy the shoes I talk about or watch my full barefoot guide and never wear shoes again. If I was cynical I could easily make 10x the money I make now by promoting cushion shoes, because there's a much bigger market for it and cushion shoes wear out (and need to be re-bought) far more often, but my experience has taught me that cushion is garbage for my body, so I stick with my little barefoot niche. Sure, you can probably gain a small advantage at a world class level by wearing carbon fiber Nike's, but the point of barefoot running is the joy-to feel the world and raw strength, rather than be cooped up inside a giant marshmallow. The Tarahumarans have decimated cushioned runners in numerous ultramarathons, but at the end of the day they run for love of running, and why spend your time on boring old roads, when you can have a blast out in the canyons?
If you would put in percentage, how would you?
i.e.: cushioned shoes is 20% (very bad), barefoot shoes is 60% (good, but not that good) and barefoot is 100% (perfect)?
There's no "bad" type of shoe, since they all have different uses. Plus there are lots of different brands and models of shoes, so I can't give them an overall score, but you can check my individual scores here: www.notion.so/aofolts/Best-Barefoot-Shoes-Table-65d4f71b95e3469393310bde813fa94b
@@AndrewFolts thank you!
@@rodrigosouto9502 np!
This left or right, black or white, barefoot or cushion etc is a very rigid way of thinking. Perhaps a balanced mix of different types of footwear can also be beneficial. Nike's may not be perfect, but they do run well on the days you need them, even when it's just occasionally.
Totally! I don't run enough intense milage to ever need cushion shoes anymore, but when I was training for the mile I often rotated in some Altra Vanishes at the track for my speed work.
I can't run. The moment I start running, my shins start to hurt a lot. I'm suspecting it's the shoes I wear, they have a lot of cushioning. When I use converse to walk on the street, I don't feel pain except for my heel, what would explain this pain would be the way I walk, using my heel instead of the tip of my foot. I suspect that it's the thick soles that cause my shins pain. but I can't say. I'm going to try walking by position my feet the correct way with my converse and see what happens.
You could try gettin back to the basics by going to a local park and seeing if it hurts to run barefoot on the grass. You'll naturally use a forefoot strike, because without cushion you'd break your heel.
Thick shoes can cause pain, like you said, but the "drop" (aka how much they tip forward) can also lead to shin splints, because it forces you back onto your heels, instead of using your calves.
What kind of Telecaster is that in the background?
60th anniversary neck and some random body. Got it for a steal.
@@AndrewFolts NICE...