Comment below what your favorite minimalist shoes are. Are there any that we missed? BAREFOOT GIVEAWAY WINNERS CHOSEN! Thank you to everyone who entered!
I've been doing workouts barefoot since I started with full body for beginners years ago.( I still get my but kicked by it) I wear Redwing boots as I am in maintenance field, however, I'm a Supervisor so I think I will be inspired to get those minimalist boots. Those looked great. For anyone to feel better, work out barefoot, it is humbling and real for that matter. These guys have changed my life, I'm 55, look and feel great.
Soft star is one of my favorites. I also have Lems and Altra as well as a pair of Earthrunners. Soft star is handmade here in the US. Drawback to Lems, made in China and sizing isn’t consistent. Altra has taken some of their best shoes, made changes and now they aren’t great. Solstice was my favorite from them. I’m barefoot all the time so I’m very particular about shoes when I’m wearing them.
You owe it to yourselves to buy some Vibram FiveFingers! Honestly, life is too short, so why worry so much about what people think about your shoes? Yeah, they do look funny, but just try them! Make sure you get a pair that "fit like gloves"... Once you have a good fitting pair, have fun with them! Yeah, you won't wear them in every situation... but if you appreciate minimalist shoes, they're really worth a try! I wear a pair of KSO EVOs mainly at work. It's a fun shoe to wear for walking / hiking / mowing the lawn or whatever you want to throw at them. I wear mine without socks. Put them on a shoe dryer at the end of the day, throw them in the washer as needed, and they'll stay relatively nice. My KSO EVOs are now nearly 3 years old and still going strong! Love 'em!
The algorithms! Been following you guys for a while but I just got introduced to Xero Shoes over the last few days and - here yall are. 😂 Thanks for all the info, I value the experience and perspective of you two trying to put good out into the world! 🤙🏼
My favorite shoe is the Merrell trail runner. I've been buying them for years, they last me about 2 years wearing them daily. Great for hiking. I've had the Xero barefoot sandals for 4 years now and they are sill holding up great! I only wear those in the summertime because I live in the Midwest US and it gets too cold for sandals for most of the year. Thanks for the tips!
I got my first pair of barefoot shoes (Xero Prio) a few months ago and absolutely love them. I feel more agile and in touch with my balance. I've been wearing them every day, including to the gym, and they are taking a good beating. I'd love to have another pair more dedicated for the gym, which would also give my current pair more time to rest, and the Forza Trainers would be perfect!! Thanks so much for sharing informational and inspirational content - love your channel 😊
I started wearing "barefoot" shoes and only have tried Vibram Five-finger shoes and Splay, I have a wide foot, in regular shoes I ware 4E Wide shoes and the Splay feel tight the Vibrams on the other hand are just perfect, great video.
Vivos are so minimal I often forget I have shoes on. Xero sandals are my default summer footwear, same for Xero boots in the winter. My Lems leather boots are my feet's happy place. Merrill Trail Gloves are for mountain biking, they have just enough stiffness and grip for the pedals. Altras are great for backpacking in rough terrain. Five Fingers are great for underwater grip, and I like them for trail running. You guys didn't mention toe socks, but they're great for unbundling the toes for better circulation. I got into minimal shoes on the advice of a sports podiatrist, and my foot health has never been better
My absolute favourites are Joe Nimble! NimbleToes are my go-to everyday shoes. I use them for everything! Their WildToes are my go to shoes when I am going out, as they're more boot like, and I always get compliments. They are also great for summer evenings/nights when it gets chilly, and I've even had them during winter with wool insoles. So far I've "just" tried a couple of Vivobarefoots and one pair of Xero shoes to compare, I like both, but Joe Nimble is still by far my favourites (four pairs so far). I find that my Joe Nimbles are less rigid than my Vivobarefoots, which I appreciate. I have Vivos Primus Lite III, which are a bitch to get on my feet, and they feet more restrictive. Barefoot all the way!
I've been wearing barefoot shoes exclusively for at least 3 or 4 years now. Currently wearing Vivo Ra II's for work and Xero Mesa Trail and 360s for active stuff (parkour, footbag, etc.) Love my Xeros and have converted several folks at our gym to the "barefoot cult," but I agree that they generally aren't the coolest looking shoes. Just saw the other day though they have a new "classic sneaker" style (Dillon) that looks pretty good.
I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for years now, and there’s really no going back. Traditional shoes feel like walking around with my foot in a cast. Even the Feiyue tiger claw shoes, which I wore for years because they don’t have the issue of immobilizing my foot, are no longer acceptable because of their narrow toe box. My favorite barefoot shoes are Xero’s and Vibram Five Fingers, but I’ve yet to try Lems or Altras. Thanks for your recommendations! If I were to win your giveaway, I would prefer the Xero Forza trainers (men’s size 8) because I haven’t tried that style yet, and narrow-toed Feiyue’s don’t work for me anymore (plus I already have multiple pairs). I do highly recommend the Vibrams since you guys are already into this kind of stuff. Sure they look a little silly, but they’re fantastic for hiking and trail running. And some of their models are among the best water shoes on the planet if you’re going to be wading through any streams on your hike. You won’t regret it.
I bought lems primal 2's about 2 years ago. since then i have added some merrell vapour gloves and a couple pairs of altras. i love them all, i have much stronger feet and ankles now! just wished i didnt have to wear safety boots for work.
my main issue with most shoes is the way the toe of the shoe is designed. I've never seen a human foot shaped like most shoes would imply they are shaped. The way most shoes are designed it is as if they think our middle toes are the longest and not the big toe. I made the switch to a particular type of water shoe(nordiv8 ~40usd) a year ago and they are still going strong 1 year later. I still wear them basically everywhere(a couple different styles/colors) but now that I know what the real issue was, aside from being really thick and heavy, I can just find shoes designed for an actual human foot.
Vibram Fivefingers are my prefered minimalist shoe brand, have worn them for 20ish years now. Just wish they would offer more neutral styles. They stand out a bit too much with the bold and clashing colours. Bought a pair of Wildlings a couple of years ago. Like their ethics and the barefoot-feel, but will not buy them again unless they come up with a sole with better grip.
My Xero shoes are awesome. My Wildling shoes are great. But after a break in time of around a couple of weeks, my Vibram Five Finger V-Trek have become the #1 most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. Who cares if people think they look ‘dorky’. I thought the important factor in a shoe was comfort and foot health..?
I have a pair of groundies brand they are a german brand for me they have been good, they have a sole that is durable so far only downside to no pad shoes is they dont have room to breathe as much but i mixed up some boric acid in water and sprayed inside and it make the stink go away ... boric acid is a safe antifugal you can use on shoes ... almost no one knows that ... i did a ton of research so your welcome bc there isnt anything better to treat your shoes with and it works like a miracle ... Jesus bless you!
@@Strengthside sadly we didn't cross paths, or maybe we did! We just don't know. If you guys are ever coming back let me know, I will make an exception for you and show you some cool places around. (Nature wise)
My favorite are the Vibram Five fingers. I love that I have the feeling of walking barefoot . And the toes are spaced apart and not squished together. When I hike in my Vibrams it’s like acupressure treatment for my feet. At the end of my hike my whole body feels more energized and alive. It’s amazing.
this. one thing i noticed on my first hike with them is my calves got way more sore than usual, probably because the shoes forced me to use a lot more of the muscle and tissue in my legs
My mom never allowed me to be barefoot, so I develop lots of issues with my feet, I entered martial arts and realized I had a huge problem, I got the Vibrant 5 fingers and started walking barefoot as much as possible, working on extending my fingers(for that the shows were awesome) and now I have strong healthy feet🙌🏻
How long did that process take you and did you have any issues along the way? Currently trying to go more barefoot myself and wearing xeros, to fix my flat feet
@@tobiashoffmann78 1-5 years is the norm depending on your problems and level of effort you put into it. I'm about 3months into my barefoot shoes, after working in mandatory builders-sholes gave me halgus valgus. I would say the current progress is good, my "center of balance" is a lot lower now, i have better grounding with my feet and my balance, it's like it used to be when i did martial arts. Keep going man walk 30-40 minutes a day in them if you are not very un-fit and you should see results. I also got me a pair of Correct toes i walk with in them that has probably speed up the process quite a bit.
Vibram is the one I would go to for every run, long or short. It took me a while to get use to them but once you are, you would love the ground feel, the ground grip. and the natural toes movement. I am used to people looking at me weirdly because I just love them.
@@shmokey59 I loved my Vibrams before they wore out. Planning to try the Xeros or Lems but to your question, if you're going to run in the Vibrams, I suggest avoiding the hard surfaces especially at first while you're adjusting.
For me the Wildling shoes soles are the most minimal and comfortable. I like their minimalist designs and responsible attitude to manufacturing. Another favourite brand that I wear in the midseason is Softstar, the model is Primal Sawyer. In Summer I wear Shamma sandals.
@@alexanderarena3134 For me they are perfect for working out. For running I would consider something with more cushion. But it all depends on individual needs.
After trying many of the top brands in barefoot shoes, Wildlings took the win for me as well. From the truly light & barefoot feel, to the ultra clean materials (linen, organic cotton, etc), they are in a class of their own:)
Hi there ! Big Vibram Fivefingers nerd here 😆I've been wearing them for years, as well as different models from Vivo. I'd say their biggest advantage of the toe separation is it actually gradually reverses the toe compression you get from wearing regular shoes. Also I really get the sensation of gripping the floor to a larger extent than with other barefoot shoes. I'd say another advantage (could be considered a drawback) is that people ask about them, and you get to spread the message about barefoot shoes ! 😉
I started with FiveFingers and still love them. But, I can not justify spending $100+ every six months on shoes... because that is how long they last. It's not really their fault either; making anything last long when the material is that thin is currently impossible. And to be fair, most shoes only last 6 months with everyday use. But oh, how I miss them. That whole gripping the floor thing was amazing. I walked so much better in them. I found a brand of barefoot shoes that are super cheap compared to the rest that I love almost as much but, just not the same. (And, I have to swap out the insoles in the shoes cause they ones they come with suck.. but hey, at least you can unlike MOST barefoot shoes.)
$15 a month (15x6 = $90) for having healthy feet is pretty reasonable, I don’t understand that mindset. Not having healthy feed generates tons of issues.
Barefoot snow boots. Steger Mukluks. Ely MN. The camo boots. They don't know how to size their own boots. Buy a minimum of 2 sizes bigger than your actual size. And if your going for super cold weather (-50 degrees F.) Go for the largest size so you can wear extra liners.
I’ve been wearing the Altra Escalante, love them. Wide toes, zero drop, feels very natural with a minimum of arch support. And their Lone Peak hiking boots for rougher trails.
I own the Lem’s Primal 2s in all colors. But I think the Primal Zens for HIIT Jump roping(Crossrope) & Burpees are a little better!for me personally. I’m 18 months into Barefoot shoe journey and at 65 find it very uncomfortable when wearing traditional shoes. I don’t wear them anymore and the chronic foot and toe issues that were forerunners of leg & knee problems have dissipated significantly.🙏🏽
Also lots of shoes on Amazon sometimes sold under "water shoes", sometimes "running". I;ve had 3 different companies. Loved them all. Wide toe box. Removal cushoning. I've tried 3 different Hiitave models and Saguaro. Much, much cheaper too!
I love my Vibrams. I don't wear them all the time but I do wear them a lot. I've ran in them, did mud run and obstacle course races with them. They are my favorite to ride my Onewheel with too. I'm sure they can look nerdy because of the individual toes and such but I think having the toes separated really help keep them tight to my feet like a glove which I appreciate. Now that the weather is getting warmer I plan on wearing them much more.
If your in Europe they have a program where you can mail your used shoes in and they repair them which is awesome! Reuse reuse as much as possible. 🙏 I hope they expand it to the US soon. Edit: UK only at this point.
@@zbridgjpxupzm yes, I wanted to correct that, but RU-vid would not let me edit or add to my comment. I realize it’s frustrating but I know that they’re looking to expand this program and the fact that they’re already doing this in the UK is a huge accomplishment! I believe it is just a matter of time to expand the program. Well, and awareness. Not many are even aware of barefoot shoes in the US. Thank you to strength side for helping with that awareness. 👍
I wear the Vibram FiveFingers!! Initially my goal was to increase strength and mobility in every toe joint because I was about to start a new business where I use my feet in VERY dynamic ways. Then over the years I realized they’re a great water shoe, and way cuter than most water shoes because most of them a pretty ugly anyway. And it also turns out they’re great for hot yoga! I get SOAKED in sweat from head to toe, and end up slipping and sliding all over the place. But not anymore when I wear my Vibran toe shoes! I can totally see them doing great for the Dirty Dash as well, but I don’t wear mine for that because they’re light green and it’d probably ruin the color. But if they were black I so would!
This video came at the perfect time! I've been recently getting into walking alot outside, and i think I might go with the Lems! Plus, I live in Colorado too! So I might see you guys out there. Great video and thank you for the recommendations!
I off with a pair of hand-me-down five-toe shoes. I loved the feel. Chronic knocks on the looks from others. When they wore out, I was hooked. I got a pair of Xero Prios and loved their "solid" feel and started to wear them everywhere. I also bought a pair of Vivo waterproof, insulated hiking boots for winter wear. I didn't want to wear the Prios while doing home remodeling, so I bought a cheap pair of Saguaro shoes. I LOVE them! They are super wide in the toe box and feel like I'm wearing socks. Two issues with them. The soles do wear quickly. AND, I cant stand wearing the Xero or Vivo shoes anymore. They feel too constricting and hurt my pinky toe that just wants to spread out and move! I'm buying more Saguaros. $40/pair. Love your content! Thanks for helping me get this 50+ year old body in the best moving condition of my adult life!
I started with Vibram 5 fingers. Love them. Then I tried Xero (shoes and sandals) love them too. Best I tried is Vivo shoes and boots. I use all three for exercise, running, biking and casual. I have been a barefoot shoe wearer ever since Born To Run book was published.
I have only worn 5 finger/ Vibrams for 13 yrs..train in/out of the gym..I'm old & broken now but mostly because of joint/muscle issues. Crocs for work & flip-flops for casual. Only now developing hammer toe with my second/ index toes..? I think the design has changed or..I'm just old!? 💪🏼🙃🤙🏼
Vibram 5-fingers is the OG! Been wearing them for over 15 years. I get compliments when I'm in the gym. It helps that some of the women's styles are dainty and kind of cute, but I think barefoot evangelists recognize them easily and are quick to acknowledge me as "tribe". I'm 53, so its kind of cool when a 30 year old athlete seems impressed with my footwear LOL. I like the 5 finger design /toe separation. I wear normal shoes to go out in, so the more separation when I work out, the better.
I started with the five finger shoes years ago. Loved them but my husband hated them haha I started wearing Xero many years ago and have a bunch of pairs of their runners and sandals. Love them! I ordered some ZAQQ from Germany because I wanted some dressier shoes and I've been living in the knee boots for a month while I've been traveling Europe. I've hiked up and down hills, run through train stations and airports and they have been super supportive without crushing my toes. Plus they look great for work. I also have a pair of SOQQs from ZAQQ and they are super comfy. I wear those when I'm just out and about.
Xero Forza Trainer size 15. Well, I've been trying to get a barefoot shoe for the last maybe 9 months since I've found out such a thing existed but haven't been able because of the war in my country (Ukraine). So far the regular services just don't want to bother shipping here. Plus my income declined significantly because of the same reason. I've been doing movement and calisthenics for the past 2,5 years and would really like to take my training outside more. So if you guys help me out I'd really appreciate that. Wouldn't ask if I was able to buy it myself.
Great Informationen! I have to total agree with wearing minimalshoes. Here in Germany we have the brand leguano. I am wearing this brand since 6 yeahrs. I had a lot of surgerys at my back and my knees. Minimalshoes are a important foundation for me and my healthy lifestyle. Take care.
I have been interested in the Leguano shoes marketed toward court sports, specifically pickleball (which I think I will try soon but not sure how my other minimalist shoes can handle the lateral forces/motions in court sports).
As a Kung fu student, I’m very familiar with those darn cavas shoes. 😂 It took a while to adjust to them but now wearing them is kinda second nature. They do wear out pretty easily though if you’re not super aware of your feet (like dragging your feet when moving/kicking etc)
Hey guys! Thanks for another great video. I would love to win the Xero Forza Trainer shoes...woman's size 9. I've been wanting to give barefoot shoes a try and think these shoes will come in handy for move to Mexico in a month. Thanks again. 😊
My favorite minimalist shoe that I think you'd both dig is the Wildling. They're thin fabric with crazy flexible soles and they do have thicker/warmer version for colder temps as well.They're from Europe and more expensive than Xeros, but cheaper than Vivo and they got shipped to me in the US in under a week when I ordered them.
I love the Vibram toe shoes. About a decade or more ago, I'm pretty sure my little toe broke while standing at work in running shows all day. And after that, normal shoes were no longer comfortable. I gave the toe shoes a try, and fell in love. A couple of down sides, were that they were too thin to wear in the cold, and my feet could get sore on long rugged trails. My second and third pairs were with the thicker soles, and that helped on the trails. I'm interested in those Xero boots that you mentioned, for the cold. Very informative video guys. The only thing that could have helped more, would be to know if any of those brands had vegan options, but I know that isn't a consideration for most people.
Vibram FIveFingers are optimal for a starter shoe cause they correct your toe allignment the fastest. But then again I am a massive nerd. Discord mod, reddiot user typa guy eventhough I am neither of those lmao
I bought the Merrell 'Vapor Glove 5' shoes, they're the first pair of barefoot shoes if used and overall I like them. Very light and refined, very little cushion. Feels like the base form of a shoe. The price was also fair.
I am a yogateacher and over time, my feet changed: they became wider, more flexible, stronger too. It then became difficult to find comfortable shoes, not to mention that I do not tolerate discomfort. In summer, I occasionally trail-run. My first barefoot shoes came from a Spanish brand (Camper), that does traditional shoe crafting, yet has a model that functions much like a barefoot shoe, which is the Camper Peu. As mentioned, I value comfort very much and they were just like "slipping on a glove" (and pretty, too), so I have 3 pairs of them. My second brand, consciously chosen, were 5 fingers, where I have two pairs of, a summery one and a pair I did trailrun with. In my opinion, they come closest to walking barefoot. I had no issues with transitioning (other than a sore soleus from switching to run on the forefoot), yet I do not run further than 3k. Yes, you will stick out of the bunch. It is a VERY special esthetic. Plus, I find them difficult to maintain. I put them in the washer at least once a season (rather twice). They do not respond well, over time (the glueing starts to loosen). Note that I'm talking European technics. I don't know whether you still have those weird washing machines w/the spinner in the middle, in the US. I guess, washing them in these might make it even worse. Last year, I discovered Groundies, who do super-stylish minimalist shoes at a very reasonable pricing. They have training shoes, too. I highly recommend checking them out, though I don't know about the shipping conditions when you live outside Europe. They even offer different toebox sizes (regular & wide - I'm good w/regular, and I consider my feet being wide). I am especially in love w/the model that looks very much like Converse, which I like style-wise but could never wear, due to my unwillingness to suffer from foot pain.
I found a pair of minimal boots that fit the bill for my job and have been wearing them at my standing desk for over a year now. They feel great! The Xero shoes would be a great addition to my growing minimal footwear collection.
I’ve been wearing the Vibram Five Finger shoes for running since 2014. I rolled my ankle in a pair of Nikes back then and haven’t been able to run in a “normal” pair of running shoes since because, I consistently roll my ankle over the sole of the shoe. The Vibrams are great because, the toe spread is the best I’ve found in a minimalist running shoe. These shoes don’t rub the foot too bad if you put them on correctly and wear socks with them so you won’t have to worry about blisters too often. Overall, the shoe pretty much feels like a glove for the foot rather than an actual shoe. I believe it allows the runner to get very close to primal barefoot running like how our ancestors did. I recommend listening/reading “Born to Run”. It’s a great book. There is a guy in the book that is referred to as Barefoot Ted. This book is what helped me get into the realm of minimalist running.
What up Josh! I’ve been following you for a couple years now. Love the videos! They’ve definitely helped me transition from the powerlifting/Olympic lifting mindset into a more primal movement/calisthenics mindset. My body has loosened up and I’m feeling better than ever. I have not made the switch to barefoot shoes yet and would love a chance to try out these xero forza trainers (size 10.5) or 10 if they don’t make half sizes. You’re the man ✊🏼
Thank you! I'm new to minimalist shoes so this is really helpful. I just ordered three pairs of shoes from three different companies you recommended (for hiking/walking, casual and "formal/business attire"). Next step is to clear my closet of all the shoes that pinch my toes -- not all my shoes yet, but it's a start.
@@jeanjulienguyot I bought Merrill Vapor Glove 5 for walking/hiking, Feiyue Fe lo 1920 for everyday, and Xero Phoenix (leather) for formal/business. The Merrills are great. I've hiked in them on a 3-mile trail (so far) and they are really comfortable. I returned the other two pairs. The Feiyues were too tight and Xeros were so short that my toes were jammed up into the front of them. It's expensive. I had to pay shipping both ways on the Xeros and one-way on the Feiyues. The video warned that Feiyues don't have a wide toe box so I should have known, but they are so cute that I was hoping I could wear them. The Xeros were just mis-sized. They were not the size they claimed to be even though the website said that they would be "true to size." I won't buy Feiyues or Xeros again on-line.
I once almost got myself a pair of Vibram 5 fingers, just for training purposes (no way I'd be wearing them in public :D ), but then realised that I had to buy special pairs of socks as well... It's a commitment I wasn't willing to take haha
Both my wife and I began moving into minimalist shows ~ 3 years ago and have found tons of benefits to date (disappeared knee, low back pain etc) so we're sold and almost wear ONLY minimalist shoes. Appreciate this brand overview.
It is totally possible to do trail running (and even road running) in minimal shoes. I have completed 2 100 mile trail races in Xero Mesa Trail shoes. Just like everything it just takes time to build the strength to be able to do this sort of thing. I have been doing all of my running in Xero shoes (my favorite for road are the Speed Force). I will say I haven't tried the Forza Trainer.
I love the Xero Mesa Trails. Definitely strengthened my feet and overcome my plantar fascitis. Though I use the Inov 8 terra ultra for the hardier trails.
The Forza Trainers by Xero look very efficient for my style of training which is really similar to what you guys do! Though I’m new to the barefoot community, I already have a pair of Feiyues that I’ve gone through pretty fast 😅 cheers to you all! I inspire to get to your level of strength and movement ✨ (P.s.. I wear a size 12 👀)
I have the lems primal 2 and like them a lot. If I could change anything it would be to get rid of the slight lift in the heel. Also have the xero prio which I like too but its a little more padded in the sole and heavier than the primal 2 but without the slight lift in the heel. The xero says made in china which sucks but it's why they aren't too expensive. Gonna give the softstar primal runAmoc shoe a try at some point. Feiyue toe box was too narrow for me and they didn't feel that good until the sole wore down some, which happens quick. At that point they have a lot better ground feel but aren't gonna last much longer before the sole completely wears out. Edit: The primal 2 and xero prio both suck walking on ice and you better wear wool socks with them in the winter or your feet are gonna get cold fast.
Been waiting for a video about minimalist footwear from y'all, glad to finally to see it, I've been using the vibram five fingers for quite some time now, they were quite liberating, also after wearing narrow shoes for so long, the five finger compartments helped naturally space the toes a bit more, used them for sports too, but it only resulted in more wear and tear, but otherwise great for training walking running or other low impact activities, some of them still have a thick sole but there are shoes which have a more barefoot/minimalist feel, but great for starting out I guess
I wore out my Xero trail runners, now trying out Altra trail runners. The sole is much more substantial than the Xeros, but still minimal like a barefoot shoe. So far working out great. Thanks for the review.
I used to wear Altras before Xeros but their most recent versions had smaller toeboxes. Hopefully they've changed that trend but for someone who used to buy EEEE width shoes I'm probably not going back
Love to try the Xero Forzas in 9.5! I've been wanting to start wearing minimal shoes, but haven't pulled the trigger yet! I'm in my late 30's now and starting to feel aches in pains in my legs and back! Just started following you guys and have been really into stretching and getting myself flexible and feeling better physically!
The best barefoot shoes by far, in my humble opinion, is Wildlings. They're a European brand and they look awesome, can be worn to work etc. They take a beating and are super minimal! For Sport I wear my five fingers. But for normal life, Wildlings all day long!
Primal 2 were my first minimalist shoe I tried back in 2016! It's cool to see it getting more exposure/love. There are some holes in the mesh now and the tread is pretty much gone but they STILL function for walking or light training. I think something people don't mention about minimalist shoes when discussing price is the build quality you typically get. None of the big brand shoes I ever had growing up lasted more than a year or two of basic walking (was not an athletic kid) but my minimalist shoes are all going strong many years after the purchase. I have a few different lems shoes...boulder boot, primal, 9-5 and they are all excellent. The only small issue I have with the primal 2 is the inserts can feel a bit slippery on your feet when wearing socks, luckily inserts are removable. Can't say I'm too thrilled with lems newer offerings though, for the reasons you guys pointed out in the video. I don't run in them but I can also vouch for xero huaraches for a warmer climate, they are an insane value for the price. Picked up my first pair of vibram five fingers recently as I wanted something a little beefier than the primal 2 for hiking. The vibram toe separation is actually a great benefit as my toes are still a bit crooked (esp. the pinky) from wearing standard shoes for so long even though I made the switch years ago. I know they don't look "fashionable" but wearing them is such a good experience I stopped caring about that. Awesome video guys, been really curious about your perspective on this.
Just started my minimalist shoe journey a couple of months ago with a pair of Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit shoes and I couldn't be happier. They do get cold and wet in the winter weather though, so I need a more weather proof pair for the bad days. Can't see myself ever going back to mainstream shoes.
Best barefoot shoe? Actual moccasins; best Production shoes would be SoftStar Run Amoc with bullhide soles. Both are literally gloves for your feet, I've tried most big brands out there, and unfortunately because of materials, most will end up smelling funky.
Been wearing barefoot shoes exclusively for 5 years. I love vivos. Xeros are good but they are ugly as all get out. I appreciate vivos attention to detail. I have actually had a great track record with their shoes holding up over time. I also have had a few pairs of Merrill vapor flys. Splays is a great shoe for kids but their adult shoes are no bueno. Very small toe box. I have a pair of 5 fingers but I don’t wear them much anymore. Anyways thanks for the content y’all are amazing!
Ny favorite (and thus far only barefioot minimalist shoe) is the Vibram Fivefingers: my reason is that several years ago, while wearing a pair hiking up a local "mountain", training to return at age 72 to trek in the Himalayan foothills of Annapurna, I broke one of my toes. My theory is that the separation of the toes provided by the Vibram Fivefingers, though it may have contributed to causing the event, helped limit the breakage by not dragging other toes along with it into the damage arena. Nonetheless, I'd love to win the Zero Forza Trainer, (size 12.5 wide in Altra Lone Peak6 running shoe--don't know my size in Zero)--only that I need plenty of toe space to accomodate the 5 (or is was 6?) barefoot toe breakages.over the years. Thanks for all the great videos! Solid knowledge and good entertainment. I was confused for a while, but eventually figured out that there are two of you.
Thank you for this video.The truth is that I never knew about minimalist shoes. I have learned so much from your channel. My flexibility and strength continues to improve. I like the Xero forza shoe. I will be 52 years young next month and I keep pushing my body to the limits for the next challenge. Thanks again guys. Keep inspiring 🪬
I use the Xero street runners($120) to run urban terrain, do handyman jobs , driveway car repair in the same pair of shoes. I've worn them everyday for a year now, they are starting to look old but not a single hole or tear anywhere, not even the outside after dragging it on concrete. The sole just started to wear thin in the front. It has the most dense tread I've ever seen but still flexible. Have the $89 pair too that I'm going to give a try once these are completely shot. A few times while walking on concrete or pavers for days at a time on vacation I put a second pair of insoles in and it was a great fix. Also, I used the Altra Trail Runners for Lawn Care , they were very comfortable but wore out pretty fast in that daily usage environment, they also did not have much ground feel due to the huge soles and the treads wore out before my eyes. I would stay away from them if you expect to be on concrete every now and then. I'm trying out the Xero trail runners this lawn season. I put 2 insoles in and so far I can tell they are much more durable and way more responsive to the ground than the Altras. The dense tread feels more like a baseball cleat but the double insoles make it work. Thanks for the videos!
I actually love the Vibram shoes for trail running. There is something about having the toe splay availability while on difficult terrain that feels very beneficial and satisfying when paying attention to your movements during a run. Would not recommend for PK tho, good way to break your toe randomly lol.
My first minimalist shoes were Vibram fiver fingers (a gift), and my favorite shoes ever (wearing them right now) are the VFF-CVT-hemp shoes. They're extremely minimalist and weigh less than my flip flops. I also wore VFF hiking shoes for my favorite race ever, when I set my half marathon PR on a trail race. I tried to use them to train for an ultra, though, and somewhere around 15 miles into my training runs, I would invariably miss a step and hit a root or a rock really hard and was bruising my soles. I switched to Altras at that point and they became my main running shoes for years after that. This was when they were still pretty minimal (I bought 3 pair of the Instinct 1.5s). I still use altras for trail running and sometimes hiking. I think the biggest issue with the VFF shoes is fit. If your toes happen to fit well into them, they can be great, but if they don't fit just right, they can be unwearable. Also, since one of my feet is significantly longer than the other, I blew several pair out around the big toe of that foot when I was running regularly in them. More recently, I've fallen in love with the Vivobarefoot shoes. I love that they're responsibly sourced and often hand-stitched (sometimes in Africa). They've been my main work shoe for years and I've worn out several pair of their desert boots. Right now, I have several pair that I wear for going out and for dressier occasions. They also made my favorite hiking shoe ever, which I'm still using. It's leather and waterproof and has excellent traction. The magna forest escape seems to be the closest thing to them that they currently offer, but I haven't had to replace mine yet, so I haven't tried them. Unfortunately, I'm wearing less minimal shoes right now because I developed a bone spur in my heel (many years of high-mileage running in minimal shoes on pavement, and I'm a bigger guy). I still wear them around the house and for going out, but not to work or for running or if I'm going to be doing a lot of walking.
Something that I've struggled with is sport specific shoes. I've recently found the Freet Feldom shoes for field hockey that fit a barefoot style shoe but they have a tonne of grip on the base for running on a water field in hockey
I found Vibram a few years ago and instantly fell in love. If it ain't broke, don't fix it haha but i love all of the other brand information! Did not realize other companies existed and comparable! Thanks guys!! I nerd out on your videos as an integrative nutrition health coach and holistic wellness professional. I just moved out to Wyoming/Colorado and am looking into getting some barefoot hiking shoes thanks to this video!
I switched to zero drop shoes about 6 years ago -- Altra's. I love the Escalante Racer's for working out and the Lone Peak's for hikes. Also own some Torin's for kicking around in. Recently got some Xero's and wear them all the time now and really like the way they look. Gonna probably try some Vivo's and/or Lems.
I've been wearing croc swim shoes for about 4 years now. I started to get valgus of my great toe and my pinkie toe was going under it's neighbor. Within 6 months my toes had space in between them and looked so much better. I had a nice pair of Brooks I ran in a couple of years before and had feet pain. After gaining some weight and being out of shape I started to run in my swim shoes and have not had any pain. Of course I recommend people slowly breaking themselves into the shoes. They discontinued the shoe but luckily I was able to buy 6 pairs to use over time. I've been looking into getting a shoe and wanted to try the xero. Nobody sales them near me so I would love to win their shoe. Thanks!
Same! First I got the book from the library. Then I bought two copies plus Grow Wild, about raising kids to use their bodies more. Plus I subscribed to Katy's podcast. She's changing my life. All thanks to Strength Side.
I just bought a pair not long ago due to accumulated weakness in my foot and ankle which has led to a tight calf muscle which has created a dog chasing it's tail situation...which I'm still working with!! when I was young I lived in my bare feet but then I got to a certain age and (I don't even know why) for some reason I just started covering my feet now I'm paying for it. I love my new minimalist shoes...I'm already getting ready to buy another pair because I use mine for the gym lol thanks for the confirmation cuz I knew that was what I had to do for my feet and just seeing your video this morning drove the point home I love your Channel! I'm only new here but I've already learned a lot and it's what made me realize I had to get back into my bare feet!! I'm incorporating as much as I can for where I'm at thanks for being there 😊 ps... I'm not entering to win the shoes because I don't do instagram... I just wanted you to know I appreciate your Channel :))
