I've worn barefoot shoes for eight years. My favorite moment was running a half marathon in a pair of xero shoe genesis sandals. A total Karen was next to me and she started telling me that I was not wearing proper foot wear for running. I started to tell her that I have not had any injuries since I made the transition to running in the sandals and she got really upset and started yelling at me that this was totally inappropriate. I just laughed and sped up a bit to get away from her. It still makes me laugh when I think about it.
I have been walking and running barefoot (actually barefoot with no shoes) whenever possible for more than 50 years (since I was a young child). I didn't know I was a pioneer, I just thought I didn't like wearing shoes. I even ran barefoot in the military when we did our annual physical fitness test. It was the only time I could get away with being barefoot while on duty. : - )
Me too. I don't do long distance running but short distance. I used to use the old ver nike barefoot cuz it was flexible amd doesnt give me blisters. But even then when I do a friendly competition with friends, I take of my shoes and run since I am faster doing so. Just got a barefoot shoes and tried it out. It was amazing it doesn't hurt me as much as when I use regular shoes. Althought I have bunion and flat feet, I am more often barefoot than wearing shoes that why I don't think I need to transition. For me, after wearing regular shoes for the whole day, it hurts to go barefoot. It doesnt do that with the barefoot shoes.
I tried barefoot shoes before but they didn’t stick until I had a bad knee injury this summer. I started wearing barefoot shoes to strengthen my feet to support my knee and now I’m hooked. I live near the sea so I like to walk along the rocky shoreline in my barefoot shoes. It helps to stretch and massage the feet and obviously provides a lot of stimulus. I’ve always liked walking on rocks, I find it to be very meditative, even more so in barefoot shoes.
i just invested in 160euro vivobarefoot shoes. And thats what it is... and investment. Its not about fancy footwear. Its about investment in your health and body! I do agree i would like some cheaper alternatives. If you live in warm areas you could go barefoot or flipflops. I dont have that luxury so gotta have shoes for work and colder days
I got into barefoot shoes a year ago. Because I move a lot and injured my ankle due to lack of flexibility in regular shoes. I've walked everywhere with them for about 2000km now. After my Merrels broke at 1500km I was helpless. Because I bought regular shoes and realised that I can't go back to regular shoes anymore. They went into the trash in a week. I had to search for a long time for new barefoot shoes. Got Vivobarefoot shoes for $180. Best shoes I ever had. Now everywhere I walk or hike I'm always the fastest waiting for everyone else. My friends are constantly amazed and giving me comments like "wow your balance is amazing" & "this looks so easy for you!". I'll never go back to normal shoes again. Barefoot shoes are the king!
I've always had issues with regular shoes, but barefoot shoes are actually pretty great. My only complaint with the vivobarefoot shoes is that lack of durability. I might just be really rough with my shoes, but I wore through the soles in about 5 months. Otherwise great shoe
I've not tried Vivo, but I run into the same issue with Xero and Lems shoes. I walk miles a day, and after about four or five months I have to get a new pair due to wearing out the tread on the soles. The shoes themselves hold up, it's just the soles. For me it's mostly due to concrete and hard surface walking. For the barefoot shoes I wear to work, they'll last a year or more, but there I'm on carpeting most of the day.
I've worn barefoot shoes for 5 years now. They feel like soft furry slippers, even on concrete. I resonate perfectly with you. We are cavemen, we are now walking as we have evolved to walk. My feet are stronger, my arches are so much higher, walking on rough ground in barefoot shoes is a joy. You are in serious peril of becoming very cool, healthy and human. Fuck Nike and saucony. This is one cool video
Great video. I started this back during my powerlifting days in the early 2000s. Having a large toe box is the determining factor for all my shoe purchases.
Do you know any brand/model that have large toe box but it's not barefoot shoes? I have spent a lot of time on flipflops or barefoot cause of pandemics and lockdown and almost all of my shoes hurt me now. My feet have adapted to me walking a lot around barefooted or in flipflops and now only two of my shoe, actually one of them is a Boot, fits me comfortably without hurt my feet like hell. Barefoot shoes kinda don't exist here where I live, and they're really expensive to import unfortunately.
@@nox_cadit I don’t know of any athletic shoes that have a wide toe box other than barefoot shoes unfortunately. For boots tho, it is a basic style that many brands make their own version of called the “Munson” which was a shape developed by a doctor during the war to accommodate the average healthy foot shape. It has an anatomical design with a wide toe and more narrow heel. Pretty easy to find boots like that
@@orlog3343 thanks! I can't even find the barefoot shoes here where I live and to import them I get taxed to the infinity and beyond T.T But i do need boots for work though, this info will be of great help!
More and more small shoe shops are creating barefoot shoes that are more fashionable as well as functional which is nice. I wore Vibram five finger shoes when they were some of the only barefoot shoes on the market 13ish years ago and I definitely looked weird back then, but I didn't care about that. They really help separate your toes when they're so used to being smashed together. I also go barefoot as much as I can, even in my office when I walk around, so it's helped as I slowly transition to doing it more full time and slowly replacing all my shoes. I don't have as much of a transition to get used to them but I am working more on my toes spread.
Meanwhile in new Zealand people just go barefoot everywhere not barefoot shoes but barefoot, the "no shirt no shoes no service" rule does not exist here and I love it.
Also, I have noticed when transitioning to barefoot shoes, that I needed to be more responsible for and conscious of my foot placement. No more sloppy walking. I learned to be aware of how my feet could be placed on the ground and how my shins, knees, thighs etc were affected by adding in a flow to my walking rather than a slapping action. Awareness was the key to success. I don't wear any other shoes.
people should just run around in slippers tbh you use so much concentration and strength to keep the slippers in place that your feet get strong automatically but still whenever possible i just run barefoot feels so refreshing and rewarding
I go barefoot as much as possible and have been in barefoot shoes for over a year. I have noticed that my balance is WAY better than just about everyone else I know, but, I also exercise and stuff so I'm not sure which to attribute it to more
I just got the same a week ago and I am only 2 months into running as well! Right now its my posterior tibial tentons that are taking a beating! Just hoping it's a phase 😅
I just got my Xero HFS’s and my first time ever using barefoot shoes. Did my first run and i automatically started running on the balls of my feet and not heel. Only pain was calve/achilles but am excited to keep going! Never going back to regular shoes
I didn’t realize you wore Vivobarefoot shoes. Ive been wearing them for over a year and my feet, knees, and back feel so much better. They’re great but they do take a while to get used to
As a kid, I ran around barefoot all the time. (Well, as an adult - at least inside now - all the time too.) Just bought my first barefoot shoes several months ago and have been slowly getting used to them. I walk in them like I did as a kid. It's so natural. I got them because of increasing pain with knees - less joint pain than soft tissue issues. It makes a difference. I just added toe socks to the mix now that winter is coming. I hope to build back to walking miles and miles again.
I think this might help me. Strained my ankle ligaments in right ankle 6 months ago. Nothing serious but enough to stop me playing football (soccer to you guys across the pond). I think wearing these will be a good all round workout for my legs.
I'm so pleased I watched this, I've just bought a pair of barefoot shoes and I'm coming to NYC in 2 weeks and I was going to wear them to walk around the city. After watching this, that could have been a huge mistake!! I'll keep the barefoot shoes and get used to them but I think I'll stick with my worn in trainers for my trip to the big apple!!
I'm glad barefoot shoes are becoming popular. I absolutely hate shoes and I have forever. There are some new barefoot shoes I think you should take a look at if you are interested. They are kind of a hybrid between shoes and socks. One kind are called Skinners 2.0, or a cheaper version would be called Whitin Shoe socks. I love them because they feel like you are wearing socks, but you can still go into places like normal cause you are technically wearing shoes.
I just started my barefoot shoe journey about 3 days ago, and I can definitely feel the lack of muscles around my ankles and within my foot. I used to walk about 13,000 steps a day like it was nothing (in regular running shoes). In barefoots, I get tired after like 5,000. Also I noticed that I'm able to walk completely normally with my toes up in the air. What I mean is, my toes aren't doing any of the work, even though they should be. All the work is being offloaded to the stiff soles of the normal shoes, making my feet and toes weak. I know it's going to be a long process but I wanna see the results.
One problem! The human foot was Not designed to walk, run or jump barefoot on Concrete , or tile floors. So you may getaway with for a while if you're young or have extremely strong and healthy feet, but eventually something is going to give, and it is not going to be the Concrete! 🤷♂️
So true. Also, I don't think there were many overweight people in their 50s and 60s in stone age times. I applaud these channels promoting better foot shape and strength, but barefoot is not going to be the answer for everyone long term.
Just recieved barefoot shoes from Amazon. Man are they comfy, most comfy shoes I've ever tried. I have a bunch of knee and back pain, hope this will help out.
I started wearing my 1st pair of barefoot shoes about 2 weeks ago.. And, so far so good.. I gave away all of my regular shoes, sssssooo I'm all in.. Merry Christmas to all who read this..
Totally agree, takes some time to get used to it but it will happen. I recently tried to wear an old pair of sneakers and my feet HURT...i didnt realize how mich they squeezed my feet 🙃
hmm. what If I just take a power sander to the sole of my regular shoes and take the insert out then its basically a barefoot shoe without spending extra money. I might try this!
I use vibrham five fingers for my barefoot experience. I plan on using the more lifestyle vivobarefoot boots for more acceptable solution to the barefoot style. It took me 3 months in truly barefoot shoes vibrhams men's classic. I got the hiker I been running 5ks in but plan switching to vruns keep these for hiking ones for hiking. Plan on using the lifestyle boots for a more appropriate barefoot style barefoot is awesome. Led me to not wearing my knees braces and back braces as much.
its not just modern shoes im 14 and have been training soccer since i was 5 and the nike adidas etc cleats are HORRIBLE they are so looks oriented and slim they really make my feet messed up i have a very noticeable bunion and like i said im only 14
It’s awesome how they can work after you’ve been wearing them for a while. It does take a while to get all your muscles used to them. Calves were hurting me for a while and it’s now my shin muscles, been wearing barefoot for 10 months and have ran three Ultramarathons in them and done a 55 mile hike as well and I am definitely pleased with the way things are going. I’ve also got Vivos for work and casual wear as well so I’m in either barefoot shoes, just socks, or totally barefoot, at all times now.
I’m a large male (potentially still growing), about 6’3 260 lbs, and am struggling with bad ankle mobility and stability, shin splints, and flat feet. I’m also an avid athlete that lifts at least 3 times a week (5-6 times during the off-season), and am practicing or playing everyday except Sunday. I have tried to solve my problems through recovery slides and arch supports, but am willing to move in the opposite direction in order to improve my leg’s health. Would these help my issues, or are my legs already under too much strain to receive this little support from my footwear?
I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for like 4 years. I believe that the “supports” do more damage than good. Going barefoot allows your feet to strengthen and build their own support. From what you’ve described, I would transition slowly and feel it out but yes I believe barefoot shoes will solve problems related to sprained ankles and weak arches.
The prices are insane. I typically buy etnies when they're on sale for $30-$40. Most of these new trendy barefoot shoes are well over $100. Those vivo shoes are $200. I bought a pair of Xero prios for $130 to try barefoot minimalist shoes out. This is twice the price of the most expensive shoes I've ever bought and other than the recent hype this barefoot trend has drummed up, I don't see any reason they should be this expensive. There's barely any material used compared to a normal shoe. They probably cost $5 to make. I don't know about the other brands but Xero says made in China right on the bottom. For this price, it should be 100% made in the USA. You shouldn't need to be rich to try barefoot shoes. That said, I'm loving them. Wish the toe box was a little wider on the outside. But they're very comfortable and so lightweight and breathable. Feels really strange taking them off at the end of the day and you're used to stepping down out of your shoes and your feet don't go down any lower than they were in the shoes. I definitely recommend it even though it's only been 3-4 weeks. I wear them all the time. Haven't worn regular shoes since. I haven't noticed any shin pain or any other difference in my body so far. Walked 13 miles in them at disneyworld one day with no issues. Good stuff.
no I don't really want to have to watch were I step as if on a difficult mountain trail in town, no I don't really want to have to massages my legs as if I did a 20 miles trail run....when I walk in town as someone who hikes difficult trails every week I see myself except you're struggling to daily walk this is not an improvement at all, not saying it's not fun I tried and it is fun but not better
This is the truth! I delight in seeing this message broadcasted. Thank you for making this video, more people need to know the damage modern footwear causes. I speak passionately about this because my life was changed as well. I wanted to be a runner but I would experience such pain that I gave up. It took a heartbreak and an Amazon ad for the five finger vibrams and I dove right in. The pain of developing the muscles in my foot and lower leg was psychologically transformative. I’m forever grateful for that heartbreak and that Amazon ad.
yes they got stronger & the more I wore them, the easier it got. But sometimes I walk less & my shins get weak again. so consistently walking in barefoot shoes is key. at least for me - i'm not a doctor & your feet are different than mine
I don't think walking on a hard surface like concrete is as unnatural as people believe. I grew up on a farm, and in summer droughts the ground would be dried, cracked, and hard AF. Plenty of places around the world experience that, and hot climates are where humas would have come up originally anyway. I think it's fine. You just have to get used to it like anything else.
It's the sensory input you get when you're on uneven surfaces. It's addictive and I find myself purposely walking over sticks, rocks, mud, puddles and whatever else I see. It's so bizarre but I love it!
I would recommend being mindful of yout heel while you are walking. Your slow-motion clips show you stepping pretty hard onto your heel. That will not be good for your knees, hips, and even feet in the long run... or long walk😆
One thing to consider wearing zero drop shoes is how you are supposed to be landing each foot. I have tried walking toes landing first (inside the show ofc) instead of my heal and that really activated my hamstrings. It starting out as a weird motion but in time it I got used it. So, it didn’t look like I was abnormally waking for too long. Nonetheless, when I switch back to landing on heel first, my knees starts to tense up for sooooome reason.
interesting,as by me it activated muscle below the calf, i trained to land on the ball of my feet but it was mostly right under the big toe were a struck ,i walk/run 7 miles regularly since about3-4 months ago, i just had to take a 5 day break because i felt a discomfort in my left hip and that was a big NO NO for me, i run to get stronger, not to destroy my joint's, so i looked more into proper running posture and at slomo forefoot runners, looked at usain bolt in slomo and updated a bit my posture and also noticed that their feet are slightly tilted to the outside and they land on the ball starting from next to the small finger and ending at the big toe, distributing the weight more widely ,i tried following that and so far i have not felt my hips, i also started thinking as i am running to just let go and try various different things in how i run to find what't easiest on my body's joints, and am very observant of any little discomfort and adjust my feet and posture so that i don't feel whatever discomfort comes up, i see each join't discomfort is a warning sign, and if not addressed ,it will metastasize into serious pain or injury ,if you have expirienced something relative to what i wrote here, i am curios about your issues and adjustments
on this same topic, ive been working on queing by instead of thinking about foot position for landing, thinking about actively pushing the glute drive each stride. It seems to make it easier to land right over the center of gravity and my feet naturally land how you are talking. @@humility-righteous-giving
If they have a wide toe box, zero drop, and minimal padding. Then yes - I think the goal is the minimal protection for your feet where it feels like you’re barefoot
👣 Yes they are. Try a pair of Xero Shoes Genesis sandal. They are very minimal and will strengthen your feet and legs. The only problem is they seem to be out of stock on these quite a bit. Xero Shoes makes great minimalist sandals because that's what they started making first, before they sold shoes and boots.
I don't understand, clearly the problem is the narrow toe box, so why take away the cushioning? Seems like a cushioned wide toe box shoe would be best for most ppl and have none of the drawbacks
lol its really funny cause some of the things my brother and this man has warned folks about are already things women experience. Like sandals/flats most women have already experienced thin shoes that you can feel everything through , hurt your shins/ankles/feet etc.
This was so informative it made me more hesitant to get these shoes, I work in manufacturing so I gotta protect my feet from stepping on sharp stuff, kicking heavy metal stuff, and walking on crazy hot ground (100-200°) but I also feel like I'm getting a bunion from all the walking I do, so I gotta figure something out
Trying my best to hold in a rant about how much I hate the 40+ hour work week and how we have to build our lives around our jobs and how it's killing us in multiple ways
Please stop editing your sound and video so there is no pause between sentences. Humans don't speak in one long continuous uninterrupted diatribe -- it's honestly pretty jarring and hard to listen to. We breath. We inhale, we exhale. We pause.
The real problem is people buying shoes that dont accommodate their feet. I worked at a shoe store and I recommended shoes to customers that fit their lifestyle, activities and feet. 90% of the time customers always settled for cheap shoes that did the opposite due to price over performance/comfort. Moral of the story, buy shoes that accommodate your feet despite the price tag. You wont have this problem. Stop being cheap. You wear $60 nike shoes to run a marathon that were made for casual walking....or you wear marathon shoes to do cross training activities....or the best one yet, wearing running shoes to play basketball 😂 I had an army recruit buy $80 asics that were made for older people to walk in for his army training......I dont think he made it through 😂 you get what you pay for.
I started some barefoot shoes last week and surprisingly i walked 3 whole days of 10-15k steps with no soreness. Guess my feet are stronger than i thought
I’d buy shoes that have toe boxes like my toes since I don’t feel they look odd. It’s just that sole that bothers me. Make Nike and adidas shoes since they are good just make the toe box on the form of the actual foot. What’s that hard?
I've been walking around bare foot for a long time. I live out in the boonies so there isn't much if anything that is "comfortable" to walk on. Mostly grass and dirt/rocks. The natural feel is just nicer once you get used to it
I like this and I wanna know more! Can you spin in barefoot shoes? I want to know if I can wear them to dance salsa! How about the arch support...is it good? Are barefoot shoes good for folks who have a middle toe that's longer than the big toe?
I'm walking barefoot for a couple of years now. No shoes at all. It's crazy how humans behave around you. I live in a big city in germany. Especially children are always looking at you :D Of course it's different and a choise you make. For me it is worth it.
I have had a pair of Forest Trackers ESC since September 2023. Now 7 month later I just love them. Used them EVERYDAY…….Carry a lot when I work. 15 kg of TV camera and 10 kg of tripod. Often 5 km of walking in a workday. No problems. Had some issues with my right knee before. Disappeared - and still the same. Googled a lot before I bought them and didn’t believe everything I read. For me - all the good things were true. The Michelin sole……..I can’t see they’ve been used. Incredible. I have always used heavy leather boots. They fit perfectly on my feet. BUT - the way they hold my feet forces my knee to do things in a wrong angle. What I´ve noticed since I started using Forest Trackers ESC is that I have always had a right foot that went inwards. I have tried to struggle that. Now I just accept it. Now It’s more than before - but I just accept that and feel so comfortable. Nobody is perfect :-) I´ve also been trekking in mountains. Thought I needed heavy boots with a lot of support. No - you just start to walk different. Not slower - just a bit more alert. A very good thing no matter what boots you wear. Next step will be the JUNGLE ESC. These Forest Trackers ESC actually changed my walking life :-) Go for it. Just ordered a second pair not to wear the first out. Lots of regards from a man that doesn’t just buy what other people say is perfect. Jesper Brinck - Denmark PS I use Lundhags Leather Grease very often. NOT Wax. Keep them soft and almost waterproof. Haven’t had wet feet yet - and we have had a lot of rain.
4:13 so i'ts... another trending "life style" fashion, just as the regular shoes. And, as always withe those new trends like the "simpler, healthier" food, footwear, housing, you pay counterintuitively more for less. I wonder why?
