I Wore Barefoot Shoes For 3 Years, this is what happened... 

Loved this! Transitioning into barefoot running (and largely trail running) has been one of the best decisions I've made in my adult life.

I have had flat feet since I was a kid. I had been barefoot or zero drop for a year when I got out of the shower and noticed something different. I saw my footprints have really changed , I have arches, it just took 60 years to get.

As someone who never really wore shoes and really struggled when I was forced into them. Imagine my joy when I discovered barefoot styles!

I made the switch maybe 5 or 6 years ago, not only to barefoot shoes, but also walking "really" barefoot a lot. It has changed my life in a fantastic way.

About a year ago, I got a pair of minimalist steel toe shoes. I wore them exclusively for about 6months or so. I don't remember the shoes being advertised as barefoot or zero drop heel or anything like that. It started raining heavily (PNW) so I went back to my waterproof hiking boots. My feet felt fine while I wore the boots, like wrapped in pillows walking on clouds, then I took them off. When I did that, my feet would join the rest of my body in pain. One day, I was in the middle of cleaning when a barefoot shoe commercial came on. I had heard at least some of the commercial beforehand, but this time, something made me go hmmm. I ran into my room, grabbed my steel toe shoes, and went oh. They literally had the zero drop heel, I could feel the ground through the sole, they were very flexible but the toe box wasn't quite big enough to truly be a 'barefoot' shoe but close enough. I remember at first, when I would wear them, I had to walk differently, or I would slap my forefoot down like a clown. I immediately went back to the shoes, and all of my pain went away. I am 40 and have had knee pain and back pain for several years and have had stiff weak ankles my whole life. With barefoot shoes, I feel completely renewed. My balance has improved; my energy level is through the roof now. I didn't seek this out. I am not a runner or athletic in really anyway. I found it by complete accident. I literally stumbled into it.

I have been wearing Vibram five finger shoes now for over 4 years full-time. By wearing the toe shoe design I do not need toe spacers. I had moderate dorsal bunions for decades. I am 73. I am a avid hiker mountain climber. I recently hiked 5 miles with a 2500 foot elevation gain. Yes, got tired, but after 3 days fully recovered. The transition was not easy or pain free. I have no longer any significant pain in my hips as well. No more tendonitis, plantar faciitis, chronic fungus, my arches are back, no more flat feet. I am a health care provider, optometrist, and only a few podiatrists and medical doctors will talk or email me back. They work, I will not and cannot go back to regular shoes.

I really struggled in general due to flat feet that he me dependent on thick soles and orthotics. Picked up my first pair of barefoot style shoes in September 2019 and even though it was as slow and painful (initially) as you describe, I just knew it was the right thing to do. 2021 now and doing regular 10-15 mile hikes and everything is so much better than it’s been with any other type of shoe before, completely orthotic free. That and I love how you can feel the ground you are walking on!

Love this! I bought my first pair of vivobarefoot shoes in 2015 and haven’t looked back since. I’m not a runner so didn’t notice much of a transition, but I cannot wear normal shoes now. It feels like I have wooden boards strapped to my feet. So all my shoes are vivo now and I love the freedom of movement they give me.

Great video. I wore and ran in Vibram Five Fingers for over 4 years and relearned how to run (mid foot striking instead of heal striking). I have since then went back to minimally soled shoes but I have maintained my mid foot strike. It is a long road to transition but totally worth it! The book Born to Run was what originally inspired me to research into it more. Love your content! Keep it up!

Great video. I started wearing barefoot shoes around 2016 for training in the gym, a few runs a week and when out on the bike. Over the last 2 years I’ve worn them and them only, around the house tend to go shoeless. My feet are pain free, and I no longer have any issue with an inflamed IT bands. Thanks for taking the time to share with us 👍

It's interesting to me, as someone who discovered barefoot shoes totally separately from sports and by accident, just how much of an impact it's had on a non-runner. I was looking for a smart/casual ankle boot and found the Vivobarefoot Gobi's in a sale, and they were the same shape as my feet! Loved them, and 6yrs later still wear them (do need replacing soon)... along with some VB Motus', VB Primus trails, VB Tracker boots (best hiking boots ever). In fact I wear bare foot shoes exclusively now, as I find shoes with too much cushion feel vague and wallowy, impact my balance, and actually not that comfortable anymore. I also cannot stand shoes that cramp my toes, and as a guy who has duck feet that means pretty much all non-bare foot shoes. It has also made me a LOT more aware of my feet and ankles, which are significantly stronger, and has highlighted to me just how much my hips are out of alignment, something that has been the case for over 20yrs since I badly broke my ankle resulting in surgery as a kid, but I've only become physically aware of it in the past 2yrs since switching shoes! I walk better, with better balance and stronger feet and ankles. It has occurred over a few years and it took me surprisingly long to work out how to walk properly, but I didn't know any better. I can only imagine what it does for runners who do their research and make the right changes in training.

I'm about 2 years into my barefoot living and I absolutely will never go back. I'm not a runner, but I am experiencing all the same results you speak about here. Except I haven't hurt myself as you did. I was previously developing bunions and had severe back and hip issues with a pinched nerve in my lower spine that they wanted to correct with surgery. Now I do have achy feet and legs when I'm on my feet a lot, but like you said, it feels more like a workout, not an injury. I am balanced, and my hips swing naturally when I walk, with no pain. Bunions are almost completely straightened out and my body feels in alignment. I recommend barefoot shoes completely for people who want real healing and aren't afraid to put in the effort. ❤️❤️❤️

I switched to vivo hiking boots last year and within the past two months I’ve begun wearing their sneakers, I started every other day and now my feet feel disgusting in my Vans. I sold most of my shoes on poshmark. It’s been so much fun seeing my foot mobility increase. I wiggle my toes with awe every time I look at them! My sciatic pain isn’t around anymore. I can’t wait to see what happens! I’m glad you mentioned your feet grew, I’ve been trying to limit my shoe buying, so that’s motivating ❤️

This is a comprehensive video on the transition to barefoot shoes or minimal shoes and I really enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing this. I have VFF for last 5 months and the transition is definitely slow, patience is key. Vivo are gonna be my next purchase for sure

I have MS, and after a relapse left a lesion on my brain stem I had numbness tingling, pins and needles, and altered sensation in my feet and legs. It became really hard to walk. I had another kind of shoe help me walk before, clog shoes, so when those failed to help I remembered the barefoot shoes my brother and showed me a couple years before. Since I walked a little better being barefoot in my house than when wearing shoes outside I thought it may help. I had an REI credit that was expiring, I purchased my first pair of barefoot shoes. I worked with my physical therapist and gradually started improving my balance and gait, though the numbness persists. Two and a half years later, and though I struggle a lot a times, I am able to do 2-4 mile hikes in my barefoot shoes. I need all the sensory perception I can get to make up for what I have lost, and the barefoot shoes help phenomenally.

Excellent overview of your experiences. Really love the way you broke it up in the different sections.

Thanks for the excellent video! I switched to vibram 5 fingers and couldn't be happier.

I'm 21 and have had flat feet my whole life. After about a year or 2 of wearing barefoot shoes and toe spreaders, I notice a much more noticeable arch in my foot when it's wet. Something I never noticed before. It's crazy the lies mainstream podiatry tell us

Very gratifying to know about the increased ankle mobility and foot size growth. I was struggling with chronic sprains and plantar fasciitis for awhile with all my hiking and trail runs over the years. Have only recently seriously transitioned. Appreciate your valuable information. Thanks!

Love your video. I am 74 and have always been active. But I was raised in a different era than you. But by the time I hit my late teens I had for the most part had stopped wearing heels. I have better balance and today I have feet like a 20 year old. My mother crocheted some barefoot shoes and I still have them. I really recommend this.

I’m so glad this video was in my recommendations! 🤓

You are a really talented story teller

The honesty about the time it tales to adjust and the potential injuries👍🏾

My first pair of VivoBarefoot shoes came in today and they’re the new Geo Racer Knit Men’s and it’s incredible I’ve never had this much feeling and connectedness with the ground since at least 10 years ago! And I’m pretty sure I’m going to wear this brand for the next 10 years. I just turned 20 years old a few days ago and I want to take the initiative of finally working out my calf muscles out properly

Really well done. Thank you and I'm glad you are doing so well.

I’m just one week into my barefoot shoe journey and I’m glad this video came up in my feed. It’s early days and all good so far. Thanks for sharing. Subbed.

The fact that your shoe size actually grew is awesome!

Its amazing how something as simple as just having extra room and flexibility in your shoes can really help your feet. My feet also expanded from a size 10 to an 11.5 in us sized shoe and some times even size 12.

Great video! Thank you for creating this.

Loved this too, Laura you've made a really great video so well explained! thank you,

I've been wearing Vivo's for around 3-4 years. Transitioned in my late 50's. For around 12 months I had stiff painful Achilles on getting out of bed but that wore off after a few minutes. So glad I persevered. My toes have spread back to "normal" and my small toe that had started to curl under is strait again. I have high arches and they, like the rest of my feet and ankles are strong and flexible. I am on my feet all day as I work full time in the NHS (often for 12 hours solid). Use them for the Gym, dog walking on both pavements and in the hills. I wholeheartedly agree the change to barefoot shoes changes lots of other aspects of life in a positive way. I've lost that annoying postmenopausal tummy as I move more and eat better.

I feel like my knees have gotten better since wearing barefoot shoes after a few months. I had my old outgoing heels on last week and my feet killed me! I never noticed how tight they were!

Bought my first (vivo) barefoot shoes this winter and I love them! Got to pairs of barefoot shoes now and I'm already starting to feel and see a difference. Slow transition but it's worth it! love your comments about the awareness for the people around us and the planet!!!!

Thank you for sharing your journey

That’s awesome insight, thanks for sharing, I am a great fan of vibrams but haven’t quite made the transition to full barefoot yet. When I started it made a huge difference to my posture and running form.

A very interesting video - thanks! And one that very much matches my experience: In September of 2018 I was just 2 months off my 60th birthday and I reluctantly started a trial at my wife’s gym on a months free trial after a bit of ‘badgering’ by her. At 5ft 3ins I weighed 13st (83kg) and had a belly on me that friends would often ask when “it was due”. Long story short I really enjoyed the gym and became a bit of a health fanatic, (annoyingly at times), and this included discovering Vivo’s in November of 2018. I must admit I went at it 100% and wore nothing else and paid for it with particularly sore Achilles Tendons as well as sore feet and calves. It’s now 30 months later and over the last 14 months I’ve walked my dogs 4 to 6 miles every day and all on pavements and have at times had a bit of tendon soreness etc. - I’m not a runner. After an original ‘tut’ from my wife I’ve now converted her to Vivo’s - oh and I have lost over 2st (14kg) - win win. The moral of my story: It’s never too late!! I’ll be 63 this year.

For the most part this was a beautiful and clear report. Well done and God bless you. Thank you.

Thanks Laura for this video! You have a very pleasant way of sharing information :)

Great review!

Thank you for an excellent explantion of the benefits and some cons of barefoot shoes. I have been running with barefoot shoes for 8 years now and I swear that they have corrected many of my running forms, mistakes, and relieved by injuries, especially around the knees and ankles.

Amazing. Thank you. Let the journey begin 🙏🕯️🤍

That’s amazing! Thank you for making this vid

This is amazing, especially because i’m going on year 2 of the process and my experience so far is exactly like yours.

Nice vid!! Thanks for the info and your experience.

Thank you Laura... everything is clear and well explained.

Thank you for this information. I've had my eye on Vivobarefoot shoes for a while, so I will try a pair as soon as I can.

Nice video! I first switched to barefoot shoes for running 3 years ago. Then a year ago, I started wearing exclusively barefoot shoes the rest of the time too. It's been a great journey -- pretty much for the reasons you detail in the video! I couldn't agree more about patience! Expect to ramp up running miles over the course of seasons and years, rather than weeks and months. Shoe tip: the Merrell Vapor Gloves are wonderful barefoot shoes, especially if you have narrow heals. (Vivos are high quality, but never seem to fit my feet quite right.)

Lovely message not just about shoes :)

I’m not a runner but have been hiking on rugged dirt trails for 2 years in Xero Shoe’s Xcursions. I love them! I’d been looking for barefoot hiking boots and these are almost perfect. Like high tech moccasins. They make hiking so enjoyable!

I started about the same time, and all you said was the same thing I experienced. The only time I can't is at work but I found flat shoes and took the insoles out and bought the wide version. Not quite the same but that is all I can do for now.

Thanks for the video. I'm only about 6 months into the transition to barefoot, so it's really interesting to see a long term review. I agree with your comments about patience. I was told it would take time, but I'm only now (after quite a few setbacks) at a stage where I can do 5K without worrying about it.

Bought some Merrell barefoot shoes last year and have practically lived in them since, also using them for some short trail runs. My feet have spread from a 12 to a 13. I forgot my walking boots when hiking with my wife recently and wore the Merrells instead - aside from hitting the odd stone (ouch!) they were brilliant. I’m still not sure if they’re a little on the large side (thumbs width of space in the toe box) as they can feel a little flappy at times with the added width.

Well done! Most excellent. Thank you.

Excellent video! I appreciate your insight.

This is a very good video representation of the transition to barefoot shoes. Me and My 11 year old daughter transition too to stop her plantar facitus . Mine was for my bunion and knee. awsome video

Thanks for this video! This felt very helpful.

I’m a few months in, and I’m hooked. My Vapor Gloves are the last thing I take off in the day. I feel ready for anything when I wear them.

I had a bad sprain too and been wearing barefoot shoes for about 2 years now. Can't run in them because my metatarsals aren't up for it yet but my feet are slowly but surely getting stronger - so maybe one day. As you say - patience is key. Nice to see your video.

Transitioned to barefoot almost by accident when I started training in karate (where we train exclusively in bare feet), and decided to extend they into the rest of my life. My flat feet developed arches, and the ankle problems from a previous life playing rugby and basketball disappeared. Got rid of the orthotics prescribed to deal with those problems, and have had no real ankle issues in the last 10 years. It is worth trying….but slowly for sure.

Sweet video. Great presentation

Your videos are popping up on a lot of my interests. Saw your fasting recently

“I decided to chuck in a cheeky little sprint.” … LT MERCH! 😉💪🏼

The timeline you described is accurate for me as well. My daily drivers for the last three years are minimalist/barefoot

Thank you, that was very informative!

I'm right at the start of the journey and my feet and ankles are so sore. I start on Vivo this week and will take my time. Thanks for the video.

When I was in the Navy our Chief Engineer was wearing the Vibram five fingers. So I started wearing them just for exercise on the grass. My runs were better and a lot less taxing. Once I was out of the Navy I started wearing them more out in town. Once I was out massage school and I was riding a bicycle everywhere I started wearing them almost all of the time. Now I only wear Vibram and like you I can’t wear any other shoe unless they are wide. Everything else is like wearing a coffin. I can’t even wear short heels. Thanks for sharing! I’ve been wearing my shoes exclusively for 7 years now.

Awesome video, thank you! I'm so glad you mentioned the going a size up! Ive transitioned some years ago (not fully yet) and notice the same, I though I was going crazy! ;) . I do feel I need a bit more cushioning in longer runs (30km up) but love the feeling of barefoot so much . Big fan of vivobarefoot too!

I just want to say thank you! After watching your videos about barefoot shoes, I bought my first pair. I absolutely love them. I always had trouble finding shoes that were wide enough and still comfortable. These are wide, comfortable and the zero drop feels so good. I will never go back! Yes, some getting used to, but not difficult.

Really appreciate all your effort you put in this video and explaining how we can regain our natural, proper geometry!

You’re lovely, I’m so glad the RU-vid gnomes suggested your channel to me 🥰

Thank you so much for this video.

I absolutely can confirm what you said about awareness. I have problems with my right ankle and tensions unfortunately pull through up to the temple which pulls down my awareness of myself and the surrounding.

Love your jacket!! It is darling! Would you share where it's from? Also loved the info on barefoot shoes!

I need companies like this to make some CUTE and dress versions of these shoes to wear to events with dresses and stuff. I can't have my feet spread out and then have to hobble about in heels for events

Been wearing barefoot shoes for 5 or 6 years now. Transition took 4 months (thats how long my feet hurt like hell) But i was a bit drastic: 3mm zero insole Merrell Vapor gloves! I got 2 injuries during that first year: aquiles tendon strain from suddenly starting to run forefoot for 8km just out of the blue (used to run on nike pegasus mega cushioned!). And some microfractures of the tarsus bones from excess strain (also from long distance tra running). After those I either shortened the distance or wore slightly more padded shoes like Merrell trail gloves or VFF Bikila evos. That made further transition smoother. These days I walk on Groundies all day and run in VFFs. Dont get much chance to walk actually barefoot but will kick shoes off at any chance I get. My knee pain that made me run less than 3km is gone and ive gone as far as 50km with no pain! Also havent sprained an ankle like EVER since getting bf shoes! Plus my feet look as perfect as baby feet! No bunions, no twisted toes, no bumpy calouses, nothin besides the crooked toe from horse stepping on it... dont wear barefoot shoes around horses... :P

I'm soooooo very glad that you are covering this. I have been curious for some time. And NOW here is my #1 Crush covering the topic!!! Now only to find them in size 14 U.S. LOL

I wrecked my left knee in '97 training for a race (I had race XC and Track in middle school, high school, and 2 years of college, from '77-'82 and had raced all distances from the 400 to the Marathon). I never had the knee looked at because at that time, it seemed like everyone was winding up with injured "running knees" and the stories of people's orthoscopic surgeries and other surgeries were almost all horrible. I couldn't run in a "normal" pair of running shoes at all, but by 2007, I could hike and downhill ski aggressively. After seeing people in Vibram FiveFingers for a few years, and hearing excerpts from "Born To Run," I decided to purchase a pair of FF Bikilas in July 2012. I put them on at the store, wore them home, changed into running shorts, and ran 7.5mi up and down our local 1,200' peak. It was the first time I'd run since '97. I ran 27mi that first week, on a combination of local dirt/rock trails, and sidewalks/pavement. It was heaven to be back running again. I was 49 at the time. My then 12yr old daughter switched to them at the same time, as a 7th grader, and started running track and XC beginning in 8th grade, and ran both, through high school. 9 years later, I'm still running in them. My daughter and I backpacked in them with fully loaded packs, Rim-To-Rim at the Grand Canyon, in 2013. It was so amazing not to be in hiking boots, and have our feet and ankles free. If you've ever been on the trails in the GC, you know how ridiculous they are! In 2015, we ran the 24mi Rim-To-Rim for the first time, and wore the FF's. She was 14. She's run it 5 years in a row with me (in FF's) and I've done it an addition 2 times in 6yrs, plus 2 Rim-To-Rivers (17mi). She was the only athlete at her high school to compete in every distance from the 100m to the 5K in XC, and the only athlete to never have an injury. I privately volunteered my time as a running form coach, and routinely took the most injured and typically the worst runners on the team, got them out of their "normal" shoes, into FF's, and New Balance Minimus V1's, and racing flats, and they moved up into being in the top 5 of their respective teams. Something I like to say about minimalist shoes is that; "Shoes are not a religion. Shoes are a tool. Choose the right tool for the job, just like you would choose any other tool." So with respect to FF's (we wear the Spyridon and V-Alpha trail running models), FF's are not always the best shoe. They are not a fast shoe, and they are too thin when trails are extremely pebble/jagged rock strewn. So when conditions, or racing is such that FF's are just not going to be the best choice, we switch to Merrell Trail Gloves, or Vapor Gloves, or New Balance Minimus V.1's, or racing flats. We also love Vivo Barefoot and Xero Shoes, but find them a little to thick and heavy for running (just our personal opinion), but we do hike in them. I wear Vivo Barefoot Primus Trails at work, and I'm standing on a concrete floor 9hrs a day, as a mechanic. I still run year round, and only on the local trails, and am training for another R2R at the GC, in mid-August. Was just there on the last weekend in May '21, to run the 17mi Rim-To-River, in FF's, of course! I have found this video to be an excellent tutorial on the barefoot running style. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zSIDRHUWlVo.html

Great video, I just ordered an inexpensive pair to try out. Between the Freakanomics podcast about these types of shoes and your video, the logic behind the concept seems sound.

Very good video, Laura. A while back I found some interesting RU-vid videos done by folks who are convinced there are genuine mental/physical benefits obtained from being barefoot, even beyond those you mention. They call it "grounding" and there's quite a sub-culture devoted to this belief. It includes some engineers and scientists who have conducted tests to measure such things as electrical flow from the body to earth when barefoot. According to the group, going barefoot provides all sorts benefits that we're deprived of when "insulated" by shoes. Might be an interesting read for you.

Great video. Thanks. I just started my transition by replacing my Nikes which were at the end of their life with a pair of Hoka Ones that have a 5 rather than 10mm heel drop and also have more room for my toes. Not by any means a barefoot shoe but my first step in that direction and will do the same when I next need to replace my work shoes.

I’ve just started my true barefoot shoe wearing journey a few months ago. I have ugly feet. And this concept totally makes sense and I’m hoping this will help me to become stronger. (I could write more and more but..) I did purchase some inexpensive minimal shows and so far they’re ok. I can feel my ankle and feet muscles going to work finally. . Anyhow, great video. I’m gonna watcha few more. Thanks!

You just opened my eyes that explains something from my past. I grew up in a house with a basement, and I noticed, as a kid, when I walked in the house I did not heel strike. If you do that on wooden floors with a basement beneath there is a very loud "thump" noise. My Dad would not allow that. So growing up from age 6 to 19 I always stepped mid-foot in the house so that my steps would be quiet. I continue to walk this way in my present house, without shoes. Now that I have my first pair of barefoot shoes I already have that understanding of stepping mid-foot, but just have to remember to do it while wearing the shoes.

Thanks for posting this. It gives me encouragement to keep going. I transitioned cold turkey to barefoot shoes about 4 to 6 months ago. It's been a painful process, but I look at it as muscle pain as my feet are strengthening. Getting a workout for the first time in a long time after living in cushioned overprotective shoes. Most of the pain is at night. After walking a few steps in the morning and giving my feet & ankles a full stretch in bed, I can get through most the day with minimal pain. I've found rolling my feet in the morning and evening helps as well. I'm looking forward to year one, two and three to hopefully less pain as my strengthening continues. One benefit I've already notices is less back pain and stronger core muscles. This is definitely a whole body experience. Thanks again.

I spent years thinking I needed a wide shoe, but then my heels always slid in them. Wrong, I needed barefoot shoes. Some call them foot shaped shoes. What a difference it made for me. It took away the foot & calf pain that I had experienced for so long. I also found that using toe spacers helped to stretch my toes & bring them back to proper alignment. I've been told I look like a gazelle when I run now. I think the shoes allow you to spring forward in a more natural way. I'm glad I found your video. I've been preaching to all my friends about the benefits, now I'll just refer them to your video.

I really enjoyed this video!

Thank you for sharing. I switched to barefoot running in 2012 and have not gone back. The transition for me was pretty easy but I was a forefoot runner prior to this switch. I find running in this way is more enjoyable and actually easier.

Been wearing barefoot shoes too for the past 3 1/2 years or so and it's improved my posture, and helped get rid of headaches. Such a good decision!

Fantastic video! I wear Vibrams throughout the summer, and L.E.M. boots for wok & winter, and have for five or six years.

I have been wearing barefoot style shoes since 2008, all through high school I would notice my joints and back would hurt . After high school I made the switch and never went back. In 2014 a job required me to wear "regular shoes" so I got a pair of luggs and they wreaked my feet. I ended up getting plantar fasciitis claimed workers comp for the shoe requirement they enforced on me. My favorite is the five finger barefoot running or hikers.

I’ve lived in Queensland, Australia for the past 9 years and most of the time I wear sandals or am barefoot. Have my feet spread? Absolutely! “Shoe shape” is not natural. Regarding balance and foot strength, totally agree. I used to do a lot of hard rock climbing, and this involves standing on very small edges. My feet got really strong and I have good balance. This was a really interesting video - in particular the bit about eliminating heel strike. I will now try to consciously reduce this.

This advice on foot speading and balance could probably be used in alot of fighting sports.

Great video. Keep us updated!. I'm almost at my first year. I use the shoes from Xero shoes. Great fun

Thanks for your video! It really is helpful and encouraging to know these things for making the switch. I’ve been in my Earthrunners for a while, now wearing Vivos I noticed some aches and pain, especially on my left foot. Not sure if those uncomfortable sensations are just soreness and pain or perhaps even a light injury. Those came after being in the Primus Trail FG in a city environment. Was wondering if you could share on what types of injuries or pains someone might have from wearing barefoot style shoes too much too quickly. Thanks!

I'm quite heavily overweighted and I hike a lot in very uneven and rugged areas. I used to twist my ankles at least once a year and it was painfull as hell. Of course for many years I bought sturdier and more supportive shoes, but they only made it worse! When the shoe didn't bend at all when I stepped on small rock or dent, of course my ankle had to. I still get shivers just thinking about it...😫 But then I found barefoot shoes and I haven't twisted my ankles since. I have worn only barefoot shoes for over three years now and my feet are healthy, painless and strong and my balance has improved immensely! I'm never going back to wearing foot coffins again.

I wear Altra's which are zero drop. I love them. I probably transitioned from 8mm drop too quickly and had tight calves for a long time. I would definitely recommend my Altras but totally agree that you need to take time to transition into them. Really interesting video. Thanks Laura

Very interesting. I have been a walker, back packer outdoor working for many years. I have used a German made shoes, walking boots and tree surgery boots for years. Then, I had an accident, the recovery took a long time. Special support from a dentist made a massive contribution, now My left foot and hips are playing up. I have learnt a lot about holistic health, diet and resting properly and just a few months ago. I changed to Brooks mountain running shoes. These very good. I will take a look at the barefoot shoes. Thank you, take care

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience!

Many thanks for the video sweetheart. Do you think toe spacers will speed up the process?

I love my Vibram V-Runs! It makes for a very exhilarating run.

After I became a full time bare-footer my shoe size actually went from size 11 to size 14 over a period of a few years. I never started barefooting all the time until I was in my mid-forties so it's not like my feet naturally grew any. And of course all my foot pain that I had lived with for many years completely disappeared. All this just proves how much wearing shoes all day were deforming my feet.