Anyone got any experience with or views about barefeet running shoes?

[pinkhat]

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I run in minimalist though not totally 'barefoot' shoes, off road. One thing which occurred to me when reading is that most comment is based on *changing* whereas for many of us here, we've never run before, we may even be buying more or less our first pair of trainers. I tried out some more conventional trail shoes and they were all wrong for me, I couldn't feel the ground, my gait was shot - but I love my other shoes. It was pure chance with the first pair.

I have been running for 11 months now without injury (I have fallen in snow and the brambles drag me to the ground sometimes) - which according to a poster in Sweatshop puts me in a minority of runners. Not fast and not far and I always observe the non-running day.

I bought some New Balance minimalist shoes - they were a bit too snug so they went back but I did find all the warnings on them quite off putting.

[pinkhat Graduate]

Thanks, GoogleMe. It was a pair of New Balance minimus trainers that had caught my eye on amazon (great price) after I'd done a bit of reading about it. Completely barefoot not an option as I run through woodland tracks but had thought that as I'm still early on (w4), if I was going to change, now would be best time to do it. Tempted by research which seems to indicate it can be better for your knees - although also mindful that I maybe just latching on to an alternative to the exercises my physio has recommended to protect my knees from running!

[AnnaVictorya]

Hiya

It is actually not the shoes, but your running form that defines it. I Started running in the trainers I had ( I think those were cross trainers and not running shoes) and then I bought a pair of lightweight nikes - a conventional running shoes. But I have researched barefoot running, watched a few clips on youtube and just switched to barefoot running style in my conventional nikes. I sis this by moving center of gravity a bit forward, focusing on forefoot strike ( instead of heel strike) and increasing cadence. At first it felt awkward, but then I got used to running like this. When I saw a sale on Amazon I got myself a pair of Merrel Bare Access for 19 quid so could not resist the price. They are light but still protect the sole of my foot when I run in town, so give me confidence to run without fear on stepping on a thorn. I also been running on a sandy beach, so sand gets in the shoes and works like sandpaper, so I have been running totally barefoot, but the sand is softer than the pavement so I think it ( like grass) absorbs a lot of pounding that you get if you run on the street. I do feel it is easier to run with forefoot strike in barefoot shoes. So this is what you need to focus on - the correct form ( fore or mid foot strike) above the shoes. But heck, if you see a bargain price on decent shoes, I say go for it! :o)

[pinkhat Graduate]

Hi - thanks for that, makes sense! I had been wondering if you could simply apply the principles but use my current shoes and you've answered that - will give it a go first I think & curb my impulse to buy for a week or so until I see how I get on! It sounds as if it's working for you - thanks again for the insight!

[Vivwestie Graduate]

Hi. When I started c25k back in August, I did so wearing some rip-off MBTs! More stomping than running! Then a couple of friends said that they'd had to give up doing it cos of hip/knee injuries. So I researched the subject before buying some running shoes and what I saw about barefoot running seemed to make sense. So I ordered some vivo barefoot trainers and I've had them ever since. I've had aches and pains and sore muscles, but kept going and paid attention to forefoot running and high cadence and the aches and pains and soreness left as the different parts of my legs strengthened as the programme built. I personally think that barefoot shoes make you pay attention much more to your form because you can feel every nuance of the ground beneath your feet and then the body makes adjustments accordingly. I think they're great, but do realise that they're maybe not for everyone, especially if you've been used to cushioned trainers. The body needs to adjust to any new activity, but barefoot does seem a much more natural way to move.

Have you considered going to a good running shop and getting your gait analysed?

[pinkhat Graduate]

Thanks Viv - no I haven't, hate to say it but find them a bit intimidating!

[greenlegs Graduate]

I thought I'd find a running shop intimidating, but actually they were lovely. On the other hand, they were definitely into the opposite of minimalist/barefoot type shoes. I hadn't read anything about heel-strike/midfoot etc then, so I ended up with typical chunky-heeled shoes (which feel fine) - but I am very tempted to try something like the new balance minimus ones. Though I suspect it might confuse my body to use both alternately!

I'm going to go on reading round it a bit more though - I've just ordered Chi running and am looking forward to reading it (not just about footwear). Any excuse to buy books is a good excuse as far as I'm concerned.

[pinkhat Graduate]

Switching between two styles of shoes do early into my running 'career' ( only on wk4!) was my concern but then again if I wait until I graduate, then it's only going to be harder, right? I'm taking the advice above about changing style in current shoes & also ordered pair of new balance minimus that I saw for only £28 on amazon. My intimidation at specialist running shops is that a) everyone else looks soooo fit & b) I feel come out having spent a fortune!