I’ve been doing Vibram five fingers in the mountains as a trail guide for 13 years, carrying a 40lb pack on the daily. Frequently I’ve done multi day hikes with much heavier packs (cuz I’m usually carrying lots of stuff for OTHER ppl) and I totally agree with just about everything said here, especially the rolling the ankle parts and the development of the musculature and tendons and everything in the feet and low legs. I do minimalist boots on hunts OFF TRAIL because Vibram five fingers don’t seem to hold up well OFF TRAIL in all the brush and sharp rocks as opposed to ON TRAIL which is less aggressive on the footwear. I also never do “barefoot” shoes while running on concrete or pavement just because it feels like our feet and bodies never evolved for flat concrete surfaces.
This is the truth. I"ve worked with steel toed casket boots and then transitioned into these minimalistic shoes and have 90% less foot issue. I had "fallen arches" now I have an arch from strengthening my feet. I also have no more hip and back pain. One more thing look into "zero rise" type shoes. We're not supposed to walk in heels.
Once you are accustomed to your foot operating as it’s designed, there’s no going back. Non zero drop feels like Dorothy’s high heels. A lacking toe box feels like a hoof. One point not mentioned is the perception of weight. Increasing weight on your feet is a lot like holding weight at arms length. The further weight is held from your core, the more effort it takes to move it. You can go further, faster and with less effort expelled when there’s less weight on your feet. Especially when you’re really lifting your feet high off trail. The difference can be equated to hiking with vs without ankle weights.
Interesting I’ve worn square toed “cowboy” steel toe and regular boots my entire 31 years on this spinning rock i try and get as little as heel as possible because to me it feels more natural and I’ve only just begun to wear my moccasins (Indian style house shoes) more lately and strangely enough they are super flexible and I’ve noticed I tend to walk kinda tippy toe style or more toe down first heel second if that makes any sense in them and it feels very un natural but if I make my feet walk like I’m in boots and assume more naturally (heel first toes second) they are 90% more quiet been thinking of wearing them hunting if I can get my frickin feet to cooperate and walk normally idk I’m more confused than anything as to why I walk differently in them vs boots
Heya, appreciate the input, as always. Question : how do you approach the sizing of the shoe? I've been hiking a few long distance trails in the last years, usually wearing something like Altra Lone Peaks (so zero drop but decent padding) and i find myself choosing massive sizes. Any outdoor store employee wants to put me into 10s(EU43) but myself i end up choosing 11.5s or even 12 and keeping them pretty loose. I've not had any issues with my feet since choosing bigger and bigger sizes other than the shoes breaking faster because the mesh upper sees more flexion. I now want to transition to barefoot shoes and start to wonder if having a way oversized shoe might impede with the purpose of the shoe. If I want the sole to conform to the ground, i also need good dexterity, right? At least with gloves, good dexterity seems to fall off if the glove is way oversized. Do you find your feet change in size as you use them more in the mountains vs. being more stationary throughout the day and does this affect shoe sizing? And then of course, enabling the layering of socks for winter. I'm still trying to avoid insulated shoes. Thanks for any input. (Would have asked on rokslide, but I've been banned for no reason apparent to me)
“I’m not a podiatrist, physical therapist or a medical professional, but let me talk to you like I am…” I’m still waiting for the investing/financial sermon….or maybe like woodworking instruction….computer coding???
