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Barefoot Craze
August 25, 2010, 11:18 pm / Categories: Footwear, Running
Historians might look back on 2010 and find puzzlement in what has to be among the more unexpected recreational trends of our time. After decades of product development and marketing hype, footwear companies are doing 180s to drop features like gel pockets, air pumps, and arch support in favor of “barefoot-style” shoes.
It’s a bonafide craze in the running world, with a dozen or more major companies now embracing minimalist shoes and building big marketing campaigns to get new lines off the ground. Christopher McDougall’s “Born to Run,” a bestselling book that gets deep into the barefoot theme via the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s Copper Canyon, has seriously ramped up interest in the trend as well.
To be sure, running barefoot — that is, sans shoes — was for many millennia the only way to get around. The human foot, a biomechanical masterpiece of muscles, tendons and 26 bones, evolved to absorb weight and spring bodies in stride. Historically, when shoes did come into play, they were most often minimal, the likes of hide sandals and moccasins made for protection and warmth.
Then Nike came along. “The phenomenon of cushioning in running shoes is a recent invention,” says Dr. Paul Langer, a podiatrist and marathon runner in Minneapolis. Langer says misinformation in the 1980s started a myth that cushioning in shoes is always better. “It became more about marketing and less about biomechanics,” he said.
All marketing and paleontology aside, I’ll admit to becoming smitten myself to the minimalist movement. Though I rarely run barefoot, my shoes in recent years have become more and more minimal, and many, if not all, of the shoes I run in now are “barefoot-style” or “barefoot-inspired” models. This includes shoes from Inov-8, Newton, Vibram, IceBug, and others.
The attraction? For me, the minimal shoes result in a quicker stride cadence, less heel striking, less ankle movement, and a faster pace. I feel lighter on my feet, as these shoes often shave several ounces per foot compared to their traditional padded counterparts. I am also less prone to injury now with my new shoes and my new running style. The old heel-strike method of running — which I unwittingly practiced in big padded running shoes for years — was tough on my back, ankles and knees.
Today, I often put down 30+ miles a week on roads and trails running in barefoot-style shoes. Each year, I run marathons and long wilderness events in shoes from Inov-8 and Newton. I am in the best running shape of my life, and I am injury free. What can I say, I am a convert.
—A version of this article ran originally on VentureThere.com. Gear Junkie’s recent barefoot coverage includes stories on Vibram FiveFingers “foot gloves,” Kigo Minimalist Footwear, the $175 Newton shoes, Merrell’s barefoot-type shoe, “spy photos” of New Balance’s to-be-released barefoot shoes, and a controversy involving Inc. Magazine and a marathon Gear Junkie ran in barefoot-style shoes in 2007.
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There are lots of limitations and lots of people not suited for barefoot-style shoes. For me, the Vibram FiveFingers, for example, are too thin for road running. I only use them on trails. But other minimal shoes are great for me on the road. Everyone needs to find their comfort zone.
MY FiveFingers KSOs are just about falling apart. I’ve been wearing them for two years for hiking (nothing too serious), the occasional run and the gym. I’ve finally decided that they aren’t going to be replaced. Came to the conclusion last week while hiking a rocky trail with my 3 year old. I could feel all the rocks and could actually feel the heat of asphalt as we walked (I waked, he rode) back to the car. I like minimal, but not that minimal. My END Stumptowns and Nike Frees great.
And how many individuals in XYZ cultures experienced severe foot trauma? Check with foot care professionals. There are serious and frequent injuries occuring from barefoot running. Especially in the 40+ age bracket. I may be biased by being in the insole business but I’ll stick with a moderately cushioned shoe and a custom insole. Been foot pain free for all 55 years of life by following that strategy.
I have been using Vibram Classic for a quite now and I have to say I’m very impressed it. Well, at first it looks kind of odd for its design, but hey wanted to join see what the hype was all about. In terms of comfort and convenience I’d give a two thumbs up. By the way, I like this new model for 2011.
These shoes are a good concept to promote running on the balls of your feet. You could accomplish the same thing with normal running shoes and follow the same principals. Look up chi running and they offer the same concept but suggest certain technique to follow to help.
Barefoot running is a great way to save your knees. It brings us back to the way humans are supposed to run. I have seen a huge difference in my running since switching over to barefoot minimalist running.
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I’ve seen a lot about these in recent months and the comparison to indigenous people of x, y, and z is always brought up shortly after. The real question I have is how many of our ancestors spent time on concrete?