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It may be worth it. I found my size in runners a tad snug in boots. And thank you kindly for the well wishes. I'm in the middle of two job interview cycles and hoping for the best.

I normally wear a 10.5 USA in running shoes. I originally got a size 11 USA in these and still felt my toes slightly rubbing on the inside, so I got an 11.5 USA instead. But also keep in mind that my feet are just a touch wider than most just due to wearing barefoot-style shoes and sandals for the last 4 years.

I've never tried Freet shoes, but the Feldoms look more like Xero Mesa Trail IIs, which I reviewed here: th-cam.com/video/m2834LnppqA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=24YqcHitCu6mJ4hN I would say that the Scrambler Low, while having the barefoot essentials (zero drop sole, wide toe box, no arch support, etc), they are a bit more rigid in the sole -- especially in the heel area. Some may not like this because they want more ground feel, but shoes like these can come in handy if you know you'll be running on sharper rocks, like gravel. They're also good for mixed terrain runs because the tread lugs are less noticeable on roads, whereas some trail shoes on flat surfaces can feel like running in cleats.

@@robertgallagher2226 I wish I had an affiliate link for ya, but Shamma doesn't do that. 😆

Yep -- toe loop is totally adjustable. The toe loop and forefoot strap are the same strap, just weaved through sole anchors.

Unlike many other Xero Shoes, I find the Forza Runner to actually run just a bit big. Not hugely big, enough to be pretty true to size.

Absolutely! I just have to scrub 'em down before I bring them into the house or else my wife yells at me. 😆 But I see where you're coming from. As a Xero Shoes affiliate, they used to pressure us more to publish our reviews within a certain time frame from a launch date. They don't do that as much anymore and we're much more in control of when we put out reviews to remain in the program -- probably for the reason you just mentioned. For instance, I have two Xero Shoes boot reviews coming out for boots that my wife and I have been wearing for even over a year. I'm also about to put out a review of some Shamma Sandals I've put over 1,000 miles of road running on. So, stay tuned for longer-term wear tests!

I have some reviews on heavily used shoes. Here is my review of the Shamma TrailStar Maximus sandals after 1,000 miles of roads: th-cam.com/video/_ClccGmqh5E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=zzg3ntqRTvzDCoEr

7.3 miles

@@Jackalopeadventureclub thanks, bud!!!

Thanks!!

@@graikonungr7502 For daily wear, that may depend on what type of Earthrunners you choose. Due to the softer trail foam in the sole of the H-Trails, I don't know if they would hold up longer on cement and asphalt. While great for providing that "tacky" traction in wilderness environments, a harder rubber may be better for more regular city wear. The tread on the H-Trails may also be a bit aggressive for errands to the grocery store and whatnot. But for hiking or trail running, they'd be exceptional.

I don't know why folks equate barefoot running with the Raramuri/Tarahumara. They don't run barefoot. Running barefoot in the Copper Canyons is treacherous. Barefoot Ted even brought high quality thin motorcycle tire rubber for them to use in making huaraches and Christopher McDougall said none of them wanted it. 😆 I tried running trails in Shamma Warriors for a while (their thinnest model) and wound up with a plantar plate strain from stomping a sharp rock. Now, while I love those for roads, I only run trails in thicker sandals like Shamma Maximus or Alpha models.

"none of them wanted it"....wise peeps up there in the mountains🤣

They're still some of my favs! I usually run in sandals, but if I'm in shoes on the trails, I'm usually wearing Xero Scrambler Lows (sounds like a weird Dos Equis ad 😆).

Shamma Sandals. shammasandals.com They make many sole styles and a few different strap/lacing configuration styles, too. They're my favorite. My Shamma TrailStar Maximus sandals have almost 900 miles of road running on them and they're still my daily runners.

Absolutely. If pain persists past these relatively simple remedies, always consult a physician.

Just run faster!! 😆 I've never had the problem, but I do trail running and rarely just hike. Maybe some kind of insect repellent?

I can only speak for me, but most people who experience pain or injury with minimalist running footwear do so because they do too much, too soon/fast. Most non-minimalist footwear today has a raised heel - or a "drop" that is designed to cushion the heel or heel-first walking or running. Wearing shoes with a raised heel over a long period (for most people, most of their lives) will shorten the Achilles tendon. This means that running barefoot or in "zero-drop" minimalist footwear will stretch out these shortened Achilles tendons back to their natural length-causing pain in those tendons as well as the calf muscles they're attached to. For this reason, when anyone is transitioning to more naturalist footwear, they should do so slowly and gradually - only increasing time in them by about 10% weekly. This will allow for natural stretching and lengthening of those tendons and calf muscles. Also, most folks who experience this pain are running with an overstride (foot taking on load in front of their forward momentum). Usually, allow the overstriding forces to bypass the foot and send these forces up the chain into the ankles, shins, knees, hips, and back -- which is why overstriders tend to have injuries related to these areas and less so the feet. But when you switch to barefoot running or minimalist footwear, suddenly the feet are required to help distribute the forces. Most people's feet are weakened due to motion-control shoes -- which have isolated the moment in them and contributed to atrophy in the foot muscle, tendon, and ligament structures. However, with time and slow conditioning, the feet can be strengthened again. The only foot injuries I've had during running have been from sharp rocks on trails, which is more of a problem with my vision (I have bad eyes) spotting rocks than my feet.

I think a similar size will work pretty well.

@@keneticchannel thanks!

@@katarzynam2282 They're only as alike or different as you choose to see them. 😉

Probably because I don't try that hard or follow trends. I just make videos for fun, usually based on stuff that's happened to me. 🤫🤭

Thanks! As far as sandals are concerned, it kind of depends on how minimal you want to go and what kind of running you plan on doing. My favorite sandal brand is Shamma Sandals out of Santa Cruz, CA. I don't have any brand deal with them at all, but would love to! 😆 1. I run in their TrailStar Maximus model most of the time-racking up over 700 miles on my main pair. I plan on reviewing them during a sole-swap video when I hit 1,000 miles on them (they'll easy make it). shammasandals.com/products/trailstars-maximus 2. My second favorite of Shamma is the Elite Warrior, which is very thin, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for trails. But great barefoot-feel for roads. shammasandals.com/products/warriors-sandals 3. For running trails, a really great budget (under $100) are the Xero H-Trails. I just reviewed those recently here: th-cam.com/video/2KwRyPQTbT8/w-d-xo.html 4. For a good intro budget sandal, a good starter sandal would likely be the Xero Genesis sandal, which I've review here: th-cam.com/video/VxBFyYiHFiA/w-d-xo.html

You may like the Xero Forza Runner. I did a review of it here: th-cam.com/video/ktFORXYsl1g/w-d-xo.html

@@keneticchannel Thank you, I'll give it a watch.

That's precisely why I made this video! Awesome to hear. I personally find that cushioning and support only bypass my bodies own healing and strengthening systems. Going barefoot as much as possible has actually heightened my arches, strengthened my feet, and reduced injury-because I can feel the ground and build instead of brace my feet. Motion is lotion. Sensation is the path to healing. Pain is a signal to change, not deaden.

@@keneticchannel I've been doing this exerice a few time a week now and I can tell you that my foot is a lot better now! I have even started walking barefoot again which I haven't been able to do without pain for the last years. So thank you again for posting this video!

Pretty accurate sizing. I couldn't tell you how it compares to the Vapor Glove. For that price, you can almost order two at a time and return the one that doesn't fit as well (Thanks, Amazon! haha).

*you're No, I guess I'm not. Care to explain?

I think he’s saying that there is a conflict between the consumerism of collecting sandals while at the same time seeking minimalism

He likes minimal shoes so he buys a lot of them... don't overcomplicate it

Were you wearing them on concrete and asphalt frequently? Because most trail running and hiking shoes are made with a softer rubber designed to grip natural terrains a bit "tackier" than road shoes. This also mean that if they're worn more on roads, concrete, and asphalt, they may wear down faster than road shoes. I'd recommend the Xero Forza Runner if you're looking for shoes that hold up well on man-made surfaces: th-cam.com/video/ktFORXYsl1g/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Vi2VjZBuUjOh1mcR

Quite comfortably, if you listen to your feet and legs! Many have reported it being more comfortable because it's maximally efficient. You definitely can't run on your heels this way. Try it sometimes on a smooth sidewalk.

@@keneticchannel interesting 🤔 I will try it. Thank you.

Just like the p in swimming.

Good to hear! Yeah, I had a little issue with the buckle sliding at first, but as it gets a little dirty and cleaned-and-dried out, it stiffens a bit on top to give the strap material a little bite for the buckle to hold onto.

These feel a bit wider than the Mesa Trail IIs in my opinion, but not sure if that's the case. I like the sole better, though both are good. And when you say wide, so you mean wider than are comfortable in standard shoes or barefoot-style shoes? Because most models of barefoot-style shoes are wider than standard shoes. These are definitely wider than standard hiking boots or trail running shoes, but Xeros aren't the widest in the barefoot-style world.

@@keneticchannel Hi, thanks for the reply. I'll tell you this : I normally wear the Xero Prio, for everyday walking and I love them. They're perfect for my feet. Do the Mesa Trail or the Scrambler have the same width? I was reading and watching reviews comparing the two, and I came to this conclusion: the Mesa are basically the true minimalist shoes of the two, while the Scramblers are more of "real" shoe (so more structure) but can still be considered minimalist. Do you agree? Right now for trail I'm using the Altra Lone Peak. They're way more cushioned than the Xero Prio, and have lots of space in the toe box. What's the widest barefoot shoes you can think of? Thanks.

@an.20.24 I haven't tried the Prio, but the Mesa Trail II seems like the trail version of it. The Scrambler has a more substantial sole -- especially heel -- but is more minimal than standard shoes. But if you like the Prio, you may prefer the Mesa Trail II, which I reviewed here: th-cam.com/video/m2834LnppqA/w-d-xo.html

@@keneticchannel Yeah, that's the same feeling I've had while looking at the Mesa Trail: it's basically the trail version of the Prio, so, as minimalist as you can get. I'm going to look at the review you made for the Mesa. Thank you a lot for the info!