What the heck are these?

[Sparkyifhungry]

I can't stop looking at these, they just make me giggle. I'm drawn to them in a strange way- they are bizarre aren't they. Does anyone run in these. They just cheer me up😂

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

I think it's for those wanting to take natural running to the extreme! They are quite grotesque aren't they!

I suppose you just happened to find yourself browsing the running kit sites eh?

[Sparkyifhungry Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Ah you caught me there Ullyrunner! Fancy a nice pair of shorts for the summer, but found these. Don't think they'd do much for my 'special' running style!! 😜

[AllieG Graduate]

Aren't they odd! For bare-foot runners I think, or at least to make you feel like you're running barefoot without worrying about gravel/broken glass/dog poo?

I think they'd just feel odd between the toes, but horses for courses and all that!

[Sparkyifhungry Graduate in reply to AllieG]

I know, weird though. Never tried running barefoot, but I believe it's meant to be good for you. You'd need those socks with toes in as well😉

[Pigivi]

Running barefoot on a beach feels good ... not too sure about roads or mucky fields! As for everything for every person that loves it and finds it good there is one that hates it and think is rubbish

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Barefoot/natural shoes.

My physio has suggested that those would be the most suitable type of shoe for me albeit I would have to transition to them. At the moment, the road shoes I use have a drop of around 7mm (most shoes are in the 10mm-12mm range) and they feel great so I am not sure I really want to go lower than that.

[misswobble Graduate]

I like to have something solid between me and the gravel, stones, THORNS, etc. If you get a bit of grit down your sock it almost drives you mad. If you walk around the house in bare feet you soon find the stuff you can't see, and it feels like walking on eggshells. Mind you knowing our house it probably is!

[mfamilias Graduate]

I've seen them - there's a big debate about whether barefoot running is good for you or not. They look like they belong on a lizard. I'd maybe be tempted to try them to climb up the Montparnasse tower, with another pair on my hands. A kind of lizard-spider woman gone wrong.

[Hidden]

I have seen a girly wear them at a parkrun once .. weird looking ...

[RainbowC Graduate]

Strange beasties. I'd definitely not want to try them - my toes look pretty odd, so I can't imagine they'd fit comfortably at all... Even in prettier colours I don't think they'd appeal!

[Coddfish Graduate]

I had a few weeks working in Kuala Lumpur recently and had to resort to the treadmill in the hotel gym to get my fix. There was a very tall Dutchman often using the gym at the same time as me who wore something similar. He was also able to leap onto the sides of the treadmill leaving the belt running to whip them off, scratch his feet and put them back on. I found the whole thing fascinating. Not sure they'd give you a lot of protection outside. I have a friend who wears something similar to give her grip when working with free weights, I would be scared of dropping a weight on my poorly protected tootsies.

[rmnsuk Graduate]

I think the thing with barefoot running is that you must do a midfoot strike or it'll hurt big time. But running barefoot is another complication on top. Well I walk barefoot regularly in the house and garden and sometimes outside, so I gave it a go and it didn't work for me. I changed to heel strike during week 2 cos I was getting all sorts of aches and pains. Definitely something to do after you graduate if at all.

Very controversial with 'independent' proponents on both sides. I'm not sure how it can be a scam by the running shoe manufacturers as claimed by some, cos it's the same people who sell barefoot running shoes for just as much as 'normal' running shoes.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I have Vivobarefoot walking boots and trail shoes. (And New Balance minimalist trail... and a rather knackered pair of Adizero trail... and before that Brooks Green Silence) I can't run with a load of stuff underneath me.

I don't fancy the Five Fingers though - I cannot run without socks. And I have some issues with some of my toes.

[charliesmummy]

be no good for me. my second toe is longer than my big toe. knowing my luck Id lose another toenail ive worn toe socks which were fine but these just look so uncomfortable

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

The manager of my local sport shop says they take 45 mins to put on...