I went to see a podiatrist for plantar fasciitis several years ago. I had a flat foot and super tight calves at the moment. He got me orthotic insoles and told me to stretch my calves. I did that for several months and the plantar fasciitis stopped bothering me. However, when I went ice skating later that year, I was shocked how weak my feet felt. My legs couldn’t stay still when I was standing. They were constantly shaking. My balance was poor and I was never like that. I have been athletic for most of my life and balance was never a problem. I realized the rigid insoles had weaken my feet, I started to decrease the time wearing them. I only wore them for long walks and started to do more exercise barefoot. Little by little, I used the orthotic insoles less and less. After couple of years, I stopped using them completely and even got my arch back! I’m not flat footed any more! Since then I also started to transition to barefoot shoes. My feet and legs are much stronger and healthy now!
A couple of weeks ago, I viewed a session where you recommended standing on a step, and swinging the unweighted leg of a painful hip. I did, it helped immediately. I continued to do this daily, increasing the motion range in every direction. I had a pain free day today. I’m sold on this, it will remain part of my daily routine.😊
What I have seen recommended to people with arthritis in their knees is to sit in a high table and dangle their legs, while wearing heavy ankle weights. Maybe you add ankle weights to your routine.
One thing I've always recommended to people wanting to start with barefoot/minimalist shoes is to simply go barefoot at home, rather than wearing slippers. That alone made the transition for me so much easier, but that being said I had already been doing that for years at home. It's also funny, after months of barefoot shoes, wearing 'normal' shoes again makes them feel so, so heavy.
I started the move to barefoot style footwear ~ 2.5 years ago and can second the comments made here. I walk a LOT for health/fitness (> 3000 mi/year) and noticed that chronic sacral, lumbar, knee aches pretty much vanished!
I was obese as a teen, I started running trying to lose weight and would get bad shin splints. One day I ran 1 mile out and out of desperation I ran barefoot. I immediately found relief. I went from 230 to 170 and then with weight training I dropped to 145. I’m now 34, I have found that my arch is higher and have zero knee pain. Minimalist shoes are awesome, I walk barefoot a lot and love it.
I switched to Altra shoes for hiking a while back and really loved them. I like the big toe box so much. I liked them so much that I got some for daily wear as well. I chose the Altra Olympus 4 shoes for hiking because of the ample stack height. In PA the Appalachian Trail is notoriously rocky. That thicker stack helps cushion the blow from some of those pointy rocks. The hardest part of a transition to zero drop shoes is learning to change your foot plant away from a heel strike style. You have to shorten your stride a bit, but it really works. Question: You mentioned how once you know your feet almost any good shoe can be used for many applications. Is this why when I was a kid back in the 60s and 70s we could just wear good old Keds and Chuck Taylors all the time?
People's feet were never designed for walking barefoot on hard surfaces like tarmac. Also, the diaphysistic diameter of the metatarsals of ancient man were significantly larger than that of modern man, making it easier to resist ground-reactive forces. (Source: "Human Locomotion: The Conservative Management of Gait-Related Disorders" by Thomas C. Michaud).
I've favored shoes without heels and with thin soles since I started Tai Chi in 1997, as that's the favored footwear for it, but I do appreciate the added benefit of a wider toe box. The problem with all these "minimalist" shoe brands is they're still considered relatively specialized, and not mainstream, so there's not a ton of competition, which means prices are still relatively high. There are a few cheaper options, but the vast majority are still pricy, which makes the comment from the guy in the video joking about his friend with $200 carbon sole shoes pretty ironic, cause a lot of the nicer quality minimalist shoes can run that expensive too. I'm still looking for a cheap pair of minimalist shoes I can exercise in, cause minimalist shoes tend to have much thinner soles, which means they also wear out faster and need replacing, so it can get very costly.
The funny thing in life is that many of us go out and buy a $50K car, that is worth half that in 3 years, but never think that spending a few dollars more on something that could immeasurably improve health.
Love my Vivo barefoot shoes. The transition was not easy, but so worth it as I no longer need orthotics and my arch strength has come back. I also feel stable & secure with my balance and have great foot flexibility. Highly recommended but do take it very gradually.
When I started school and wanted to wear fashionable pointy toe patent leather flats, my parents put me in saddle oxfords with a big wide roomy toe box. I hated those shoes during the six years that I wore them, but now I am glad I did.
Starting wearing Xero shoes two years ago and have not looked back - much more comfortable for me. I do find their thicker soled shoes better for walking on rougher ground.
I have been using Zero drop & minimalist shoes for a while. I have had short Achilles my whole life & had been wearing boots or other shoes with a big offset for a long time just to compensate. It’s been a struggle, but the transition has been good.
I was diagnosed with having Tailor's bunion, Haglund's deformity, and heel spurs. Not much can be done about those medical conditions except for wearing loose and shoes (that are soft on the inside). My shoe size is 10.5. After I began wearing size 13 shoes, the pain in my feet has finally stopped.
@@Texasbird026 When I walk on a level pavement, I don't feel my heal slipping. It IS a problem when I hike on uneven, sloping terrain. I am still trying to figure out what to do...
I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes since 2019. My feet and calves are so much better. My posture and balance is better. My big toe joint is still displaced when my foot is relaxed, but look almost normal now when my weight is on my feet. My Mum always took care of my feet but I don’t think anyone considered what the rounded toe on the shoe was doing to the big toe joint. They just considered where the toes ended in the shoe. Also I liked to pull my socks tight so that wouldn’t have helped. My Mum’s toes started crossing after being put in stockings for DVT. She eventually had to stop wearing stockings and go into bandages. She was given bootees called Kerrepeds, which are pretty straight and also zero drop. Her toes straightened out. I think parents should be informed as to the shoe situation with their children. I see kids in really heavy, stiff and and bulky shoes with a narrow toe box, a heel and sometimes toe spring. It goes through me for their little developing feet and the impact on the rest of their bodies.
I have high arches, and Croc's have the arch support in the wrong place for my feet; it sits too close to the the heel which leaves most of my arch without any support. It is almost impossible to find a low heel in women's shoes. On the outside there is an illusion that the shoe has arch support and a low heel. Feel inside and the heel is high with a tiny bump for the arch that doesn't go under the arch at all. I miss my old Kelso Earth Shoes. The lower heel automatically provided arch support.
I have had a pair of Chuck Taylor High Tops that I used exclusively for weight lifting, but going back and forth between that and regular shoes made the Chuck Taylor's seem awkward, so I stopped using them. After seeing this video, I went back to the Chuck Taylor's for everything and my feet feel better, my balance is much better. Now I need to find a good moccasin or slipper to wear around the house. I prefer barefoot, which is what I do in the spring/summer/early fall, but it does get a little chilly for even stocking feet.
Love my barefoot shoes. Only wish more shoe companies would start making them. The ones I have are mostly made in Europe and are expensive. If I remember correctly Splay is made in the US and are on the cheaper side.
wore a pair of xero prios daily for 4 years before they finally broke down. I didn't take them into nature, but everyday wear for work, play, gym, etc. lems boulder boot and lems primal 2 and lems primal zen i all own and/or worn and again, great shoes, light, everything mentioned here. Go to their shoe list though there are plenty of brands now a days, where a few years ago it was only a handful. New brand out of berlin looks cool - wildling shoes
I do highly recommend barefoot style shoes if you do want to try them out especially if you are older take your time. Give it 6 months it will change your life and you will never go back. Wish everyone a fantastic year
The shoe I bought about 3 years was the Saucony Cohesion 10. I would say its the best brand and shoe I ever had. I used to have to work on my feet for 9 hours a day and once I got that, I didnt need orthotics. Also, I jog about 3 to 6 miles depending on the time 3 times a week. While I can run on asphalt and has less shock than other brands, I jog on a dirt path, and that has saved my feet from a lot of shock. The sole hasnt worned out at all despite my runs. I am still wearing it and bought another pair for the future.
Zero shoes hurt my feet! I tried over and over! Finally went to a pair of wide Hoka’s and all my foot pain went away! Stretching honestly is not going to stretch your calf’s flexibility! Like all muscle stretching! Weight training is better for stretching than static stretching!
Yup, zeros aren't for everyone. The Hokas are great. They don't have a huge drop, but it's not zero. Your comment about weight training is true, but you have to remember to keep focused and slow on the eccentric contraction phase of the exercise.
I wore zero drop Altras backpacking and hiking for two years. The arch in my left foot fell and caused posterior tibial tendonitis which was extremally painful. My doctor told me zero drop has made more money for podiatrists than anything in history. Sorry, but I'm not buying what this guy is telling you based on my own experience. Buy shoes with good structural support and buy good insoles.
@@williamkemp5437 Interesting.... I didn't actually start wearing Altras for the zero drop. I wanted the big toe box. I have always loved a wider feeling shoe. Always wore New Balance in the past, but thought I'd try the Altras for hiking. I've been having some lumbar issues recently and have been wondering if wearing these zeros all the time is contributing. Hmmmm.....
@@charliejg I loved the big toe box because my Vasques were pinching my toes on the side. Wearing Altras was like wearing a comfortable pair of slippers when I backpacked. I've been wearing them around the house with a pair of Physix insoles that I bought off Amazon. It definitely helps but I'll never wear them with 30 lbs. on my back again. I'm back to a lighter pair of Vasques now for that.
I currently wear Topo Athletic tennis shoes with Correct toes. It’s really made a difference in my toe and foot comfort. Now I just need to start strengthening
Great Video! I have a set of Correct Toe Spacers and recently got a pair of toe socks. I have flat feet but my go to shoes are Altra Lone Peak 6 and Xero Hanas. I'm still looking for a pair of shoes to play Pickleball in. Right now I am using a pair of Xero Prios but I'm not entirely happy with them. My foot shape is Roman /Plateau 3 with the first three toes being approximately the same length. I look for shoes with a more square shape toe box. I also have narrow feet and ankles, so I can't wear a wide width shoe. Any shoe advice would be appreciated.
Just wear something comfortable with a good size toe box, in the 0-8mm drop range. The zero drop/barefoot camp or maximum cushioned shoes camp (as well as stability) are all just marketing ploy to sell more shoes. Sure, people do have preferences...
I've been using the barefoot style Vibrams for years now and have went from being unable to walk a quarter of a mile to these days getting 16k to 20k of steps a day on concrete. The shoes are a godsend. I have high arches and wide feet. I dread having to put on "normal" shoes. They're so uncomfortable to me now.
Ugh... I have felt in my gut that barefoot was the best for health, but I am so influenced by fashion - my body shape is "supposed" to wear heels and pointed toed shoes. Thanks for the insight!
For plantar fasciitis, my list is Merrell, Hoka, and my daughter bought me On Cloud Running shoes, I'm adding them to the list. I like. Birkenstock, but not for standing only walking.
Sounds weird but I finally healed mine by sticking the bottom of my feet in the hottest jets of the hottub 15 minutes a day, STOPPED stretching like they recommend and then, after healed, avoided steep inclines when running (it stretched right where I had the problems). Also when I was inside at home (while healing) I wore high heel on my affected foot ( it took the stretch off my arch plantar area). After two weeks that worked! I started running again and just avoided uphill stuff and ran pretty much on the flat. Have had no problems since. Using ice and doing the plantar stretches seemed to aggravate and prolong the problem. People might think i am nuts, but it worked FAST! (I am a veterinarian ... lol .... just saying, I am not crazy ;) also, I have a really high arch and putting high quality sport shoe arch supports really stabilized my foot. ps ... remember Earth Shoes ... like Birkenstocks and Crocs, but were tennis shoes ... late 1970's? They were great!
I had plantar fasciitis or so my podiatrist thought I did. Yet I still had pain no matter what he did or provided to me. Turns out he was wrong and my dermatologist was correct. My foot pain was due to my psoriasis. Turns out I have psoriatic arthritis. Ever since I have been taking Monoclonal Antibodies I have been pain free on my feet and other parts of my body. My Podiatrist was aware of me having psoriasis and not once did he think my foot pain could be related to it. I never saw him again.
I still struggle to find barefoot shoes that fit as I have a high arch and instep. Have all my life. While I have worn a three strap Birkenstock for decades and I have great toe spacing, the arch support does not help my foot any. Birks because the only thing that would work as I could adjust the straps to stay on my feet. If I find shoes deep enough to accommodate my instep I wallow around in them. I had trouble with crocs because even those cut into my instep. At least plantar fasciitis is not an issue. Perhaps the low drop. That said - I have recently bought two pairs of Altras for walking on concrete but wind up wearing very flexible cheap water shoes around the house with the insoles removed because I am not finding any barefoot shoes that can accommodate the volume ot a high arch. I am working with both PT and Massage therapy from a daughter who specializes in fascia) to bring spring back into a frozen left arch (and it is very slowly working) and the right arch does flex as I walk but - The one pair for walking is the Via Olympus 2 which *does* have a stiffer sole and rocker but will, I think make a good transition shoe for distance and the other one is the Atra Escanlante 4 (for which I had to buy longer shoe laces to accommodate the instep, but at least the tongue covers the socks. IT sucks to buy shoes with a igh instep. Also, old folks, like me tend to lose the fat padding on our feet. For walking on hard surfaces I NEED a little cushion that I don't need for around the yard. My balance is infinitely better in the water shoes. Nobody seems to consider genetically high arches to be a "foot condition" but there is a whole host or problems associated with them. I look back at my childhood in the 1960s and realize, even then, there were problems that should have been / could have been helped by going barefoot. A lot. We also are prone to supination. Talk to me about the peroneal tendon on my left foot and the 1st and 5th metarsal head callouses even with birks and my fight to not have hammertoes.
The muscles in the ball of my foot is always sore and achey after using my feet. Always… I even bought Brooks, and still doesn’t help. Anyone have any ideas?
I work with heavy equipment so I need to wear steel toes, of course they are heavy but I am used to the weight after wearing them for 20+ years. I once wore my lightweight walking shoes at work one day, big mistake, my feet were killing me with pain at the end of the work day. So for me I wear steel toes at work, walking shoes elsewhere and bare feet at home. Other than having Lederhose syndrome (sp?) my feet do quite well.
Minimalist shoes are great, esp in theory. However, when running/jogging over, say, 5/6 miles...wear some well cushioned shoes. That is not to say everyone oughta buy the Hoka Bondi or, say, the Asics Superblast😆
I like some cushion for walking but it's so hard to find ones that have a wide enough toe box. Altra Lone Peaks do but they feel clunky for just every day walking.
@@elizabethw.454 Try NB, they usually have rather large toe boxes. There's also 2e or d (instead of b) for women. I have wide feet, or rather short length feet myself. Yea, Altra has big toeboxes too but pricey...
Brooks Glycerin GTS20 is the same for me. I got them, heaven. Went to see the Podiatrist I'd just started seeing and he laughed and pointed to his shoes. Yup, same shoes.
I'm older so this may be why but zero drop (Altras say) hurt my feet like crazy, but I don't wear shoes with an actual heel. Crocs a total no go. Wide toe box feels best though, I'd rather there would be not be any sort of narrowing at all--like just a big fat toe.
What do you think about cowboy boots? I see some sources where they say the raised heel is bad for your back and some that say they are not. I'm not sure which is right.
Best shoes EVER for no foot pain are GNL Shoes (Glide'nLock). I can't put the website, it was taken down. Seriously the BEST! The GNL website wasn't taken down, my comment with it was removed.
I’ve used YogaToes spreaders for many years. I can’t imagine the trouble so many women will have as they continue to wear stilettos; such ridiculous footwear 😢
Well if they're worn all of the time, not good. But not entirely ridiculous! I think if the feet are properly cared for, they can wear a variety of shoes. I wear zero drop shoes most of the time but other shoes have benefits too (such as thicker/harder soled shoes protect your feet from nails, glass etc in a way zero drop, flexible shoes cannot).
The short bunched calve muscles were the ideal leg look for women, achieved by wearing those high high heels. As a career Nurse I gave up the heels 👠 to cope with 12hr shifts on flat feet.
What type of shoe do you recommend for hallux rigidus in big toe joint , high arches and prone to plantar fasciitis? Seems like what helps one issue is not good for the other😢. Already had surgery on right toe and now have issues with the left. Wearing carbon foot plate and arch support but not much relief
I actually got cold laser and ultrasound therapy at my chiropractors for hallux rigidus of my right big toe. It worked to take the pain away completely! Took 2x a week for a month, but no pain after 6 months so far. I literally couldn’t walk on it it was that bad! The podiatrist didn’t even know what was wrong he just said I had a bunion and needed surgery!
Umm...basically most of this video is incorrect. Tapering toe boxes do not cause problems, miss-fitting tapering toe boxed shoes cause problems. Minimalist shoes can be good but they often are dangerous and can lead to people cracking/chipping their heel bones. If you want to run in minimalist shoes you must train to run a completely different way. You also have to be vary careful when buying minimalist shoes. If you have the wrong foot type, watch out. (Tech term time here.). One type of foot is called a posterior tibial tendon deficiency (affects 1/3 of all people) you should NEVER be running in a minimalist shoe. Also the other is called a Pes Cavus foot. (about 10 percent of the population) you should NEVER be running in a minimalist shoe. So about 43 percent of the population should not be in minimalist shoes. The doctor is also wrong on different shoes for different things. He is absolutely wrong on this A tennis shoe has a special sole for playing on courts and a running shoe has a different sole. A hiking shoe has a lug sole so you don't fall off the mountain. I read all the stuff from Dr. Rossi. Even been to a lecture. Here is the true reality. If you line up 100 people from one type of foot on one side and see the changes little bit by little bit you will see that feet vary ALOT. Been in the shoe business for 40 years. Been in the orthopedic shoe business for 30 years. Been a Certified Pedorthist for 30 years. Been fitting foot prescription from various doctors for 30 years. Now I am going to let you in on a real secret. Adidas/Nike/NewBalance/Hoka etc, spend millions of dollars developing shoes. They all have experts that design these shoes. Podiatry recommended galore. The only true way to get the right shoe is to see a Certified Pedorthist with years of experience. One last thing on heels versus flats. The human body likes variety. Go ahead and wear heels. Go ahead and wear a bunch of shoes. Just make sure you are wearing the correct size. AND NEVER EVER BUY YOUR SHOES ON LINE. Shoes are made all over the world and their is no committee on sizing shoes. You will have no idea on what you are doing.
My feet are miserable. I have long toes and croccs suck for me. I have a wide foot. My big toe on my right foot will not lay down. My feet and legs tingle . I cannot find shoes that fit. I am wearing mens sandals with velcro ties. One painful calus one not painful. Toes on right foot want curl down. Why is that? I feel off balance and dont have strength since covid.
I don't know, but running in crocs sounds like a bad idea. I can't take a long walk in them without blisters, even with socks & good fit. I use them and find them comfortable for yard work & short outings, but yikes! A marathon?
😂 Toe Spring… Basically every Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Puma shoe ever made has toe spring. Especially basketball shoes. It’s why many NBA stars have some of the nastiest looking feet in the world. Hammertoes, Bunions, all of it.
Shoes are worn to protect your feet and ankles. Good shoes can be expensive, and must be replaced often. Especially if you wear them daily. I had barefoot shoes years ago. They worked fine in the gym, but did a number on my ankles when worn outside as my daily shoe. These days when I experience pain in my knee or hips, it is time to replace my shoes. Beware of folks selling fantasy.
Crocs are only made for people with long toes. It has ridges in the sole for your toes and if you have not so long toes there will be excess length at the front if you get shoes long enough for the heel. Disappointing trying to get new crocs to replace the ones I bought 20 years ago after the dog damaged them. Crocs are unfortunately over engineered.
The media an dfashion industry encourages women to wear very high, very narrow heels that are ruining feet everywhere. Also women should not feel that to be sexy or feminine they must wear high heels. I wear athletic shoes most days of my life.
Zero shoes hurt my heart as they are made in China. When asked why they're not made in the USA, their answer is "it's not doable financially." Yet, Rockport makes their shoes, in a comparable price range, here in the USA. Shame on Zero Shoes. ☮️💞🙏🏼
They probably hurt your feet because your not used to barefoot style shoes it does take a good 6 months for your muscles in your foot and leg to strengthen again. So yeh unlikely it's because there made in china but i do agree and prefer to buy home country made 😁
You can listen to the full interview with Dr. Ray McClanahan here th-cam.com/video/JcBTvXuaGIY/w-d-xo.html
I went to see a podiatrist for plantar fasciitis several years ago. I had a flat foot and super tight calves at the moment. He got me orthotic insoles and told me to stretch my calves. I did that for several months and the plantar fasciitis stopped bothering me. However, when I went ice skating later that year, I was shocked how weak my feet felt. My legs couldn’t stay still when I was standing. They were constantly shaking. My balance was poor and I was never like that. I have been athletic for most of my life and balance was never a problem. I realized the rigid insoles had weaken my feet, I started to decrease the time wearing them. I only wore them for long walks and started to do more exercise barefoot. Little by little, I used the orthotic insoles less and less. After couple of years, I stopped using them completely and even got my arch back! I’m not flat footed any more! Since then I also started to transition to barefoot shoes. My feet and legs are much stronger and healthy now!
A couple of weeks ago, I viewed a session where you recommended standing on a step, and swinging the unweighted leg of a painful hip. I did, it helped immediately. I continued to do this daily, increasing the motion range in every direction. I had a pain free day today. I’m sold on this, it will remain part of my daily routine.😊
Which video is tis? Tq
@@nisahahmad264 Not sure. If you REALLY want to see it, work your way back. I thought my description was pretty clear.
What I have seen recommended to people with arthritis in their knees is to sit in a high table and dangle their legs, while wearing heavy ankle weights. Maybe you add ankle weights to your routine.
@@dpstrial Seems to be working fine as is. Not going to fix what isn’t broken…
Oh that's great to hear!
One thing I've always recommended to people wanting to start with barefoot/minimalist shoes is to simply go barefoot at home, rather than wearing slippers. That alone made the transition for me so much easier, but that being said I had already been doing that for years at home. It's also funny, after months of barefoot shoes, wearing 'normal' shoes again makes them feel so, so heavy.
I started the move to barefoot style footwear ~ 2.5 years ago and can second the comments made here. I walk a LOT for health/fitness (> 3000 mi/year) and noticed that chronic sacral, lumbar, knee aches pretty much vanished!
I was obese as a teen, I started running trying to lose weight and would get bad shin splints. One day I ran 1 mile out and out of desperation I ran barefoot. I immediately found relief. I went from 230 to 170 and then with weight training I dropped to 145. I’m now 34, I have found that my arch is higher and have zero knee pain. Minimalist shoes are awesome, I walk barefoot a lot and love it.
I switched to Altra shoes for hiking a while back and really loved them. I like the big toe box so much. I liked them so much that I got some for daily wear as well. I chose the Altra Olympus 4 shoes for hiking because of the ample stack height. In PA the Appalachian Trail is notoriously rocky. That thicker stack helps cushion the blow from some of those pointy rocks. The hardest part of a transition to zero drop shoes is learning to change your foot plant away from a heel strike style. You have to shorten your stride a bit, but it really works. Question: You mentioned how once you know your feet almost any good shoe can be used for many applications. Is this why when I was a kid back in the 60s and 70s we could just wear good old Keds and Chuck Taylors all the time?
Finally you guys are talking about anatomically correct shoes (also called barefoot shoes). Please post more about barefoot shoes
For some of us they are the Devil's spawn. I would be crippled if I went bareroot or wore barefoot shoes.
People's feet were never designed for walking barefoot on hard surfaces like tarmac. Also, the diaphysistic diameter of the metatarsals of ancient man were significantly larger than that of modern man, making it easier to resist ground-reactive forces. (Source: "Human Locomotion: The Conservative Management of Gait-Related Disorders" by Thomas C. Michaud).
I've favored shoes without heels and with thin soles since I started Tai Chi in 1997, as that's the favored footwear for it, but I do appreciate the added benefit of a wider toe box. The problem with all these "minimalist" shoe brands is they're still considered relatively specialized, and not mainstream, so there's not a ton of competition, which means prices are still relatively high. There are a few cheaper options, but the vast majority are still pricy, which makes the comment from the guy in the video joking about his friend with $200 carbon sole shoes pretty ironic, cause a lot of the nicer quality minimalist shoes can run that expensive too. I'm still looking for a cheap pair of minimalist shoes I can exercise in, cause minimalist shoes tend to have much thinner soles, which means they also wear out faster and need replacing, so it can get very costly.
The funny thing in life is that many of us go out and buy a $50K car, that is worth half that in 3 years, but never think that spending a few dollars more on something that could immeasurably improve health.
I find that toe socks also help. The fabric between the toes act as mild spacers as well as helping air circulation and wicking away moisture.
Sure!
💜
Wow !!
This is SO informative and EXTREMELY appreciated.
Thank You, Ray and Mike.💜
Glad you enjoyed!
I appreciate so much these interviews with a specialist! Thank you so much!
We're glad you like them!
Love my Vivo barefoot shoes. The transition was not easy, but so worth it as I no longer need orthotics and my arch strength has come back. I also feel stable & secure with my balance and have great foot flexibility. Highly recommended but do take it very gradually.
I took Mike's advice to walk on the toes to strengthen the foot. It's helpful
I started running in my Tevas at age 14. I have been running for 25 years.
When I started school and wanted to wear fashionable pointy toe patent leather flats, my parents put me in saddle oxfords with a big wide roomy toe box. I hated those shoes during the six years that I wore them, but now I am glad I did.
This is like a dream come true for me. Dr. Ray meets B&B. I've learned so much from you all! Thank you!
GOOD EXPLANATION OF ERGONOMIC SHOE DESIGN. NEED MORE PICTURES AND PEOPLE MODELING THE SHOES.
Starting wearing Xero shoes two years ago and have not looked back - much more comfortable for me. I do find their thicker soled shoes better for walking on rougher ground.
You have pretty much described what is wrong with every steel toed work boot which is probably why my feet hurt so bad when I get off work.
I have been using Zero drop & minimalist shoes for a while. I have had short Achilles my whole life & had been wearing boots or other shoes with a big offset for a long time just to compensate. It’s been a struggle, but the transition has been good.
Well, we're glad you're adjusting okay!
Heels were always better for me because my feet are super flat. But, I definitely need wider toed shoes ❤ great info!
No problem!
I was diagnosed with having Tailor's bunion, Haglund's deformity, and heel spurs. Not much can be done about those medical conditions except for wearing loose and shoes (that are soft on the inside).
My shoe size is 10.5. After I began wearing size 13 shoes, the pain in my feet has finally stopped.
Didn’t your heal slip on larger shoes? If so what did you do?
@@Texasbird026 When I walk on a level pavement, I don't feel my heal slipping.
It IS a problem when I hike on uneven, sloping terrain. I am still trying to figure out what to do...
Super! Great information to restore health to our feet and keep them healthy! Thank you very much. ❤
I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes since 2019. My feet and calves are so much better. My posture and balance is better. My big toe joint is still displaced when my foot is relaxed, but look almost normal now when my weight is on my feet. My Mum always took care of my feet but I don’t think anyone considered what the rounded toe on the shoe was doing to the big toe joint. They just considered where the toes ended in the shoe. Also I liked to pull my socks tight so that wouldn’t have helped.
My Mum’s toes started crossing after being put in stockings for DVT. She eventually had to stop wearing stockings and go into bandages. She was given bootees called Kerrepeds, which are pretty straight and also zero drop. Her toes straightened out.
I think parents should be informed as to the shoe situation with their children. I see kids in really heavy, stiff and and bulky shoes with a narrow toe box, a heel and sometimes toe spring. It goes through me for their little developing feet and the impact on the rest of their bodies.
Thanks for sharing!
I have high arches, and Croc's have the arch support in the wrong place for my feet; it sits too close to the the heel which leaves most of my arch without any support. It is almost impossible to find a low heel in women's shoes. On the outside there is an illusion that the shoe has arch support and a low heel. Feel inside and the heel is high with a tiny bump for the arch that doesn't go under the arch at all. I miss my old Kelso Earth Shoes. The lower heel automatically provided arch support.
Absolutely true. Not all feet are the same and there is no such thing as a universal shoe.
I have that same prob with almost all shoes with arch support - the arch is in the wrong spot - even my orthotic insert has it wrong.
So true, I developed fasciitis when I ran with nice triangle shaped half inch too small shoes. My toes were too crammed and we're not spreading.
Same here but with narrow stiff soled hiking boots.
Oh no, that's never good!
I have had a pair of Chuck Taylor High Tops that I used exclusively for weight lifting, but going back and forth between that and regular shoes made the Chuck Taylor's seem awkward, so I stopped using them. After seeing this video, I went back to the Chuck Taylor's for everything and my feet feel better, my balance is much better. Now I need to find a good moccasin or slipper to wear around the house. I prefer barefoot, which is what I do in the spring/summer/early fall, but it does get a little chilly for even stocking feet.
Love my barefoot shoes. Only wish more shoe companies would start making them. The ones I have are mostly made in Europe and are expensive. If I remember correctly Splay is made in the US and are on the cheaper side.
Earth runners are wonderful!!! I have worn them for about 3 years and they have helped me.
Finally!!!!!! I found the true answer not marketing answer!
wore a pair of xero prios daily for 4 years before they finally broke down. I didn't take them into nature, but everyday wear for work, play, gym, etc. lems boulder boot and lems primal 2 and lems primal zen i all own and/or worn and again, great shoes, light, everything mentioned here. Go to their shoe list though there are plenty of brands now a days, where a few years ago it was only a handful. New brand out of berlin looks cool - wildling shoes
Thank you!!! that was great information for my poor old feet! Happy New Year!!🥳
I do highly recommend barefoot style shoes if you do want to try them out especially if you are older take your time. Give it 6 months it will change your life and you will never go back. Wish everyone a fantastic year
The shoe I bought about 3 years was the Saucony Cohesion 10. I would say its the best brand and shoe I ever had. I used to have to work on my feet for 9 hours a day and once I got that, I didnt need orthotics. Also, I jog about 3 to 6 miles depending on the time 3 times a week. While I can run on asphalt and has less shock than other brands, I jog on a dirt path, and that has saved my feet from a lot of shock. The sole hasnt worned out at all despite my runs. I am still wearing it and bought another pair for the future.
I just bought my first pair of Altras.
What is the website..
Where do we find the list of shoe brands or his website.
Zero shoes hurt my feet! I tried over and over! Finally went to a pair of wide Hoka’s and all my foot pain went away! Stretching honestly is not going to stretch your calf’s flexibility! Like all muscle stretching! Weight training is better for stretching than static stretching!
Yup, zeros aren't for everyone. The Hokas are great. They don't have a huge drop, but it's not zero. Your comment about weight training is true, but you have to remember to keep focused and slow on the eccentric contraction phase of the exercise.
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I wore zero drop Altras backpacking and hiking for two years. The arch in my left foot fell and caused posterior tibial tendonitis which was extremally painful. My doctor told me zero drop has made more money for podiatrists than anything in history. Sorry, but I'm not buying what this guy is telling you based on my own experience. Buy shoes with good structural support and buy good insoles.
@@williamkemp5437 Interesting.... I didn't actually start wearing Altras for the zero drop. I wanted the big toe box. I have always loved a wider feeling shoe. Always wore New Balance in the past, but thought I'd try the Altras for hiking. I've been having some lumbar issues recently and have been wondering if wearing these zeros all the time is contributing. Hmmmm.....
@@charliejg I loved the big toe box because my Vasques were pinching my toes on the side. Wearing Altras was like wearing a comfortable pair of slippers when I backpacked. I've been wearing them around the house with a pair of Physix insoles that I bought off Amazon. It definitely helps but I'll never wear them with 30 lbs. on my back again. I'm back to a lighter pair of Vasques now for that.
I currently wear Topo Athletic tennis shoes with Correct toes. It’s really made a difference in my toe and foot comfort. Now I just need to start strengthening
Great Video! I have a set of Correct Toe Spacers and recently got a pair of toe socks. I have flat feet but my go to shoes are Altra Lone Peak 6 and Xero Hanas. I'm still looking for a pair of shoes to play Pickleball in. Right now I am using a pair of Xero Prios but I'm not entirely happy with them. My foot shape is Roman /Plateau 3 with the first three toes being approximately the same length. I look for shoes with a more square shape toe box. I also have narrow feet and ankles, so I can't wear a wide width shoe. Any shoe advice would be appreciated.
Birkinstock evas are my go to.
Light with support
Walk forever in these.
Just wear something comfortable with a good size toe box, in the 0-8mm drop range. The zero drop/barefoot camp or maximum cushioned shoes camp (as well as stability) are all just marketing ploy to sell more shoes. Sure, people do have preferences...
I've been using the barefoot style Vibrams for years now and have went from being unable to walk a quarter of a mile to these days getting 16k to 20k of steps a day on concrete. The shoes are a godsend. I have high arches and wide feet. I dread having to put on "normal" shoes. They're so uncomfortable to me now.
Ugh... I have felt in my gut that barefoot was the best for health, but I am so influenced by fashion - my body shape is "supposed" to wear heels and pointed toed shoes. Thanks for the insight!
Great information!
For plantar fasciitis, my list is Merrell, Hoka, and my daughter bought me On Cloud Running shoes, I'm adding them to the list. I like. Birkenstock, but not for standing only walking.
So why would you wear Birkenstock shoes at all if you're not going to stand or walk in them?
Avoiding plantar fasciitis isn't hard but getting it healed is a complete nightmare
Sounds weird but I finally healed mine by sticking the bottom of my feet in the hottest jets of the hottub 15 minutes a day, STOPPED stretching like they recommend and then, after healed, avoided steep inclines when running (it stretched right where I had the problems). Also when I was inside at home (while healing) I wore high heel on my affected foot ( it took the stretch off my arch plantar area). After two weeks that worked! I started running again and just avoided uphill stuff and ran pretty much on the flat. Have had no problems since. Using ice and doing the plantar stretches seemed to aggravate and prolong the problem. People might think i am nuts, but it worked FAST! (I am a veterinarian ... lol .... just saying, I am not crazy ;) also, I have a really high arch and putting high quality sport shoe arch supports really stabilized my foot. ps ... remember Earth Shoes ... like Birkenstocks and Crocs, but were tennis shoes ... late 1970's? They were great!
I had plantar fasciitis or so my podiatrist thought I did. Yet I still had pain no matter what he did or provided to me. Turns out he was wrong and my dermatologist was correct. My foot pain was due to my psoriasis. Turns out I have psoriatic arthritis. Ever since I have been taking Monoclonal Antibodies I have been pain free on my feet and other parts of my body. My Podiatrist was aware of me having psoriasis and not once did he think my foot pain could be related to it. I never saw him again.
Nothing better than finding relief for pain that you are told is either in your head or something way off. So glad you found relief!
I have hard time finding shoes with wide toe box.
Wow! Your situation perfectly reflects that of my sister-in-law.😦
That's great they figured it out rather than telling you something like your not doing the home care adequate or something
Glad you found the problem and was suggested to have SURGERY to fix!
I still struggle to find barefoot shoes that fit as I have a high arch and instep. Have all my life. While I have worn a three strap Birkenstock for decades and I have great toe spacing, the arch support does not help my foot any. Birks because the only thing that would work as I could adjust the straps to stay on my feet. If I find shoes deep enough to accommodate my instep I wallow around in them. I had trouble with crocs because even those cut into my instep. At least plantar fasciitis is not an issue. Perhaps the low drop.
That said - I have recently bought two pairs of Altras for walking on concrete but wind up wearing very flexible cheap water shoes around the house with the insoles removed because I am not finding any barefoot shoes that can accommodate the volume ot a high arch. I am working with both PT and Massage therapy from a daughter who specializes in fascia) to bring spring back into a frozen left arch (and it is very slowly working) and the right arch does flex as I walk but - The one pair for walking is the Via Olympus 2 which *does* have a stiffer sole and rocker but will, I think make a good transition shoe for distance and the other one is the Atra Escanlante 4 (for which I had to buy longer shoe laces to accommodate the instep, but at least the tongue covers the socks. IT sucks to buy shoes with a igh instep.
Also, old folks, like me tend to lose the fat padding on our feet. For walking on hard surfaces I NEED a little cushion that I don't need for around the yard. My balance is infinitely better in the water shoes.
Nobody seems to consider genetically high arches to be a "foot condition" but there is a whole host or problems associated with them. I look back at my childhood in the 1960s and realize, even then, there were problems that should have been / could have been helped by going barefoot. A lot. We also are prone to supination. Talk to me about the peroneal tendon on my left foot and the 1st and 5th metarsal head callouses even with birks and my fight to not have hammertoes.
The muscles in the ball of my foot is always sore and achey after using my feet. Always… I even bought Brooks, and still doesn’t help. Anyone have any ideas?
I work with heavy equipment so I need to wear steel toes, of course they are heavy but I am used to the weight after wearing them for 20+ years. I once wore my lightweight walking shoes at work one day, big mistake, my feet were killing me with pain at the end of the work day. So for me I wear steel toes at work, walking shoes elsewhere and bare feet at home. Other than having Lederhose syndrome (sp?) my feet do quite well.
Minimalist shoes are great, esp in theory. However, when running/jogging over, say, 5/6 miles...wear some well cushioned shoes. That is not to say everyone oughta buy the Hoka Bondi or, say, the Asics Superblast😆
I like some cushion for walking but it's so hard to find ones that have a wide enough toe box. Altra Lone Peaks do but they feel clunky for just every day walking.
@@elizabethw.454 Try NB, they usually have rather large toe boxes. There's also 2e or d (instead of b) for women. I have wide feet, or rather short length feet myself. Yea, Altra has big toeboxes too but pricey...
@@rualablhor I will try to find some Wide NB online. The stores never have them. Yeah Altra are so pricey it's really aggravating.
@@elizabethw.454 Hoka in my experience, has low drops 5mm, and rather large toe boxes too (and great cushioned), but pricey also.
@@elizabethw.454 also...Merrell has big toe boxes fyi
Awesome info. Now, let's talk about socks...
I have slightly wider feet. Maybe a 1E. I thought a 4E shoe would cause problems but it's nice. Nothing worse than crunched feet.
Great video...thank you so much
I strongly suggest the Nike Pegasus. I have the 37, and they are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.
Brooks Glycerin GTS20 is the same for me. I got them, heaven. Went to see the Podiatrist I'd just started seeing and he laughed and pointed to his shoes. Yup, same shoes.
What if you're knocked nead and walk inward?
I'm older so this may be why but zero drop (Altras say) hurt my feet like crazy, but I don't wear shoes with an actual heel. Crocs a total no go. Wide toe box feels best though, I'd rather there would be not be any sort of narrowing at all--like just a big fat toe.
What do you think about cowboy boots? I see some sources where they say the raised heel is bad for your back and some that say they are not. I'm not sure which is right.
hopefully I can receive a reply: which brands for toddlers/young kids under 10?
My foot dr told me to get heavy stiff shoe or boots.
Crocs doesn't help with my overpronation. The Rubber also is easy to peeling my skin off.
Birks are great with support but can't run with those.
Best shoes EVER for no foot pain are GNL Shoes (Glide'nLock). I can't put the website, it was taken down. Seriously the BEST! The GNL website wasn't taken down, my comment with it was removed.
I've been reading about barefoot running and shoes for the last few weeks, so this is a weird coincidence
I’ve used YogaToes spreaders for many years. I can’t imagine the trouble so many women will have as they continue to wear stilettos; such ridiculous footwear 😢
Did the yogaToes make a noticeable difference?
Right. Thanks for sharing!
Well if they're worn all of the time, not good. But not entirely ridiculous! I think if the feet are properly cared for, they can wear a variety of shoes. I wear zero drop shoes most of the time but other shoes have benefits too (such as thicker/harder soled shoes protect your feet from nails, glass etc in a way zero drop, flexible shoes cannot).
The short bunched calve muscles were the ideal leg look for women, achieved by wearing those high high heels. As a career Nurse I gave up the heels 👠 to cope with 12hr shifts on flat feet.
Waiting for wide toe box trail runners to get to the $50 range
Is this recommendation good for people with inflexible flat feet, fallen ankles, and os trigonum? I’m young but I deal with all of the above!
Where’s Bob and Brad?
Website is?
Www.bobandbrad.com
I work on concrete everyday in flat shoes, super lightweight Xero brand.
How about simple no sole moccasins? They’re about as zero as you can get.
Flat shoes saved me as a teenager when doctors have been recommending heeled orthotic shoes
Thank you for sharing!
What type of shoe do you recommend for hallux rigidus in big toe joint , high arches and prone to plantar fasciitis? Seems like what helps one issue is not good for the other😢. Already had surgery on right toe and now have issues with the left. Wearing carbon foot plate and arch support but not much relief
I actually got cold laser and ultrasound therapy at my chiropractors for hallux rigidus of my right big toe. It worked to take the pain away completely! Took 2x a week for a month, but no pain after 6 months so far. I literally couldn’t walk on it it was that bad! The podiatrist didn’t even know what was wrong he just said I had a bunion and needed surgery!
brilliant
Umm...basically most of this video is incorrect. Tapering toe boxes do not cause problems, miss-fitting tapering toe boxed shoes cause problems. Minimalist shoes can be good but they often are dangerous and can lead to people cracking/chipping their heel bones. If you want to run in minimalist shoes you must train to run a completely different way. You also have to be vary careful when buying minimalist shoes. If you have the wrong foot type, watch out. (Tech term time here.). One type of foot is called a posterior tibial tendon deficiency (affects 1/3 of all people) you should NEVER be running in a minimalist shoe. Also the other is called a Pes Cavus foot. (about 10 percent of the population) you should NEVER be running in a minimalist shoe. So about 43 percent of the population should not be in minimalist shoes. The doctor is also wrong on different shoes for different things. He is absolutely wrong on this A tennis shoe has a special sole for playing on courts and a running shoe has a different sole. A hiking shoe has a lug sole so you don't fall off the mountain. I read all the stuff from Dr. Rossi. Even been to a lecture. Here is the true reality. If you line up 100 people from one type of foot on one side and see the changes little bit by little bit you will see that feet vary ALOT. Been in the shoe business for 40 years. Been in the orthopedic shoe business for 30 years. Been a Certified Pedorthist for 30 years. Been fitting foot prescription from various doctors for 30 years. Now I am going to let you in on a real secret. Adidas/Nike/NewBalance/Hoka etc, spend millions of dollars developing shoes. They all have experts that design these shoes. Podiatry recommended galore. The only true way to get the right shoe is to see a Certified Pedorthist with years of experience. One last thing on heels versus flats. The human body likes variety. Go ahead and wear heels. Go ahead and wear a bunch of shoes. Just make sure you are wearing the correct size. AND NEVER EVER BUY YOUR SHOES ON LINE. Shoes are made all over the world and their is no committee on sizing shoes. You will have no idea on what you are doing.
u are wrong
@@1neponen1*Proceeds to not tell us why the commenter is wrong* 💀
I went hiking wearing traditional moccasins. Just tanned leather. Smartest thing I ever did. I'll never wear hiking boots again
My feet are miserable. I have long toes and croccs suck for me. I have a wide foot. My big toe on my right foot will not lay down. My feet and legs tingle . I cannot find shoes that fit. I am wearing mens sandals with velcro ties. One painful calus one not painful. Toes on right foot want curl down. Why is that? I feel off balance and dont have strength since covid.
Ray,
What is the website? You started listing a Few shoes but never listed your website
Links are in the description of the video.
Can you guys please help with a frozen back video
Interesting but where is the solution? Besides crocs guy named nothing, also he is selling a bunch of products but shoes so
.
Unfortunately another brand commercial
I don't know, but running in crocs sounds like a bad idea. I can't take a long walk in them without blisters, even with socks & good fit. I use them and find them comfortable for yard work & short outings, but yikes! A marathon?
Only found one brand of shoes ... this is not a list
😂 Toe Spring… Basically every Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Puma shoe ever made has toe spring. Especially basketball shoes. It’s why many NBA stars have some of the nastiest looking feet in the world. Hammertoes, Bunions, all of it.
I find shoes that don't have a back are really tiring!
Barefoot shoes are the ultimate for foot health.
Why bob and Brad if they aren’t here?
Barefoot would be the best based on your video so why don’t you recommend that?
Barefoot is different than zero drop. Can you imagine walking barefoot when temperatures drop near or below freezing ? I can't.
Imo zero drop isn't necessary...just stick with 8mm or lower, preferably 4/5mm. Most sneakers are 8 and under fyi
Shoes are worn to protect your feet and ankles. Good shoes can be expensive, and must be replaced often. Especially if you wear them daily.
I had barefoot shoes years ago. They worked fine in the gym, but did a number on my ankles when worn outside as my daily shoe.
These days when I experience pain in my knee or hips, it is time to replace my shoes. Beware of folks selling fantasy.
"osis" refers to a condition. "itis" is an inflammation of that condition. It can matter which you call it.
Crocs are only made for people with long toes. It has ridges in the sole for your toes and if you have not so long toes there will be excess length at the front if you get shoes long enough for the heel. Disappointing trying to get new crocs to replace the ones I bought 20 years ago after the dog damaged them. Crocs are unfortunately over engineered.
The media an dfashion industry encourages women to wear very high, very narrow heels that are ruining feet everywhere. Also women should not feel that to be sexy or feminine they must wear high heels. I wear athletic shoes most days of my life.
Hello, how are you doing?
Memory foam sucks. Everything has memory foam!
I have no fat left on my feet. I walk bone to bone!
Same here, I need shoes that are super cushioned.
Me too😢
Where bob and brad. This was extremely weird lol
Those are generalities. Not good for everybody.
Zero shoes hurt my heart as they are made in China. When asked why they're not made in the USA, their answer is "it's not doable financially." Yet, Rockport makes their shoes, in a comparable price range, here in the USA. Shame on Zero Shoes. ☮️💞🙏🏼
And I've been told how ugly Crocs are... To bad anyone feels the need to comment on my footwear when I didn't ask their opinion.
You posted this on an American made smartphone/computer as well, right?
Many brands are made in Asia fwiw
labor in u.s is too expensive thats why they went to a poor country to do their items.
They probably hurt your feet because your not used to barefoot style shoes it does take a good 6 months for your muscles in your foot and leg to strengthen again. So yeh unlikely it's because there made in china but i do agree and prefer to buy home country made 😁
ALTRAs and xeros!