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I was born with clubbed feet, and endured 2 surgeries when I was a 6 and 7. I put up with terrible foot pain my whole life until I switched to barefoot shoes. It took me about 6 weeks to adjust to them. I had new muscles that were developing and once I made the transition it was an amazing difference. My problem wasn't my feet, but the horrible shoes I was trying to squeeze them into. The doctors wanted my feet to confirm to regular people shoes instead of putting me in shoes that fit my feet. All my foot, knee, and hip pain cleared up. I'm never wearing normy shoes again.
I recently switched to transitioning barefoot shoes. I had fought plantar faciitis for over a year and was done. Too many arch supports,pads, injections that were not working. My hips are crooked and one knee turns, but despite that, My feet instantly felt better.mI like feeling the ground under my feet, not stacks of padding which made me feel off balance. I am NOT a runner! Just an older person trying to walk without foot and leg pain.
Wearing “normal” footwear like running shoes and hiking with orthotics, Blundstones, and Birkenstocks caused my right foot to develop severe supination that made walking uncomfortable and affected my gait, plus I had uncomfortable hammertoes, and an ingrown toenail on my big toe, and my 2nd toe was curled up into my big toe (spooning). I started wearing barefoot footwear exclusively 5 months ago and my toenail is perfect, the hammertoes are much improved, my big toe is now nicely separated from its neighbour, and the supination is 75% resolved. In terms of gait, I feel that I’m walking more erect, not less and I no longer have the feeling that I’m teetering forward (and I never wore shoes with more than a short heel like runners or hiking boots). The pain in my left knee that was replaced 5 years ago and that had started bugging me already also diminished to almost nothing with barefoot footwear. I’m 64, so the theory that barefoot shoes are for young people who already walk well doesn’t hold either. I’ve come to distrust podiatrists who dismiss the notion that barefoot shoes can be better (they’d rather sell me orthotics, and believe me, I’ve bought at least 10 pairs over the years at great cost). I still see a chiropodist regularly for nail treatments and the last time she exclaimed how well my foot was doing and I told her it was as a result of going barefoot. She harrumphed and was quite dismissive. The lesson is that every type of practitioner stands by what they were taught and aren’t very willing to consider other notions. I tried my Chacos which I used to love, my Merrells, and wide-toe box Keens the other day and I felt like I was in prison. I tried walking with them outside and came right back in to take them off asap. It was even worse putting my orthotics in them. So I’m a barefoot woman now, with healthy feet and pain-free knees.
@PJMack- When it comes to buying orthotics that break down your arch muscles by making them lazy,yes. As far as the cost of whole food vs junk processed "food", no- that theory falls flat. Be specific and include the object of your comment please.
@@user-ncswicYes! They were my first minimalist shoes, along with Lems Chelsea boots and Boulder Grip boots. I’ve since bought Xero and Luna sandals. Just yesterday I tried to wear a pair of my Birkenstocks and my feet and knees weren’t happy. I’m definitely a barefooter now.
I am 60 and I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for seven months now. The barefoot shoes have really improved things for me overall. Most shoes had support that caused my foot balance outward so that I always wore away the outside of my heels of my shoes. Now with barefoot shoes, I’m wearing them evenly. I can feel the stretch in my arches as I walk and it feels really great. Also my feet are much more flexible and I’m getting better toe spread. Wearing shoes with lifted heals caused my calf muscles to over tighten which caused back pain. Now this is not happening and I can tell that my posture is improving. Barefoot shoes aren’t just for the young!
I've found over the years that when I can go barefoot more of the time I have fewer foot issues, and certainly less (or no!) plantar fasciitis. That was one thing the COVID lockdown was good for; since I was home pretty much full time, I hardly ever wore shoes. My knees are also a lot happier in the long run with shoes which are closer to a barefoot walking experience. As I understood what is being said here is that barefoot would be good for the vast majority of people, but depending on other issues, you will likely need to work up to it, and possibly fix other problems first. And yes, I do love my Hokas! (Because walking around at work barefoot isn't an option.)
I walked barefoot as a kid a lot bc I spent months at a time in the rural area. I also spend most of my day shoeless and have excellent toe spread. I still developed foot problems later in life because, you know: life. Dr. Tom is right: y'all need more nuance in your lives regarding subjects. It's not a true/false situation.
@@SuperSomphon gaining weight, injuries, jobs or circumstances that imply standing long times on unnatural surfaces like concrete or whatever. you know, life. if you live in a village and so will your kids, kudos to you. for the rest of us, there's nuance and "maybe barefoot shoes" .
I live in Bangkok, no nature here for sure. We have to drive min 2 hours to get a hint of nature. I also went from 70kg to 127kg and found barefoot shoes a savior. All concrete flat flooring here, 10000 steps per day. I feel so much better now than wearing my Nike adidas etc. I respect the opinion here but I think it’s just the TH-cam doctors opinion.
@@SuperSomphon I reply your opinion as well. We're probably both right. What I found that is true in my case and in other's people case is more of the toebox space that barefoot footwear gives, rather than simply the thickness of the sole or the zero drop. I can't wear snug shoes anymore even if I have space in the front.
I started doing some barefoot walking when I was 48 years old and the benefits were good for a few years. My serious knee pain really diminished and a broken bone in my foot seemed to magically heal itself. I became an advocate for barefoot walking to anyone who would listen. Curiously my shoe size went from size 12 to size 14, proof that my feet were spreading out. However, after about 4 years I developed achilles tendonitis but wasn't too concerned and I kept walking barefoot which was a HUGE mistake. The tendonitis turned chronic and I tore an achilles tendon. I was seriously crippled for more than a year. The tendonosis didn't go away for the next 14 years, despite me doing constant rehab during that time. Finally, when the pandemic hit and I was forced to stay home for more than a year, the long rest of not walking much allowed the pain in my achilles to completely disappear. I was careful to wear supportive shoes after that and could walk normally again for the next 3 years. Thinking I was cured I cautiously started walking barefoot again this spring but the achilles tendonosis has returned anyway after just a few months. I am now 68 years old and the affliction is going to be a lot harder to beat this time around. Maybe if you start really young, barefoot walking is a good thing, but in my case it has seriously crippled me and limited my ability to walk much. While barefoot walking can certainly improve some foot and knee issues, it can also cause new and very serious problems to deal with so BE CAUTIOUS.
I hear ya, man. I think barefoot/minimalist running, while it does seem like more of a return to a natural state of movement, ultimately didn't work for me. I'm happy for those people. Having osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis, my experience in barefoot shoes (over many slow starts from months initially to years) had me trading one set of problems for another set. I have also noticed issues with ultra cushioned shoes as well. I will say the minimalist experience had me looking at how I walk and so I'm better off for that.
I also experienced achilles tendonitis while wearing barefoot shoes when I tried to run to catch a bus. I didnt find out that it actually was tendonitis and kept moving around. After things got really bad (no tendon tear fortunataly) I was prescribed a 2 month leave from work and gradual physiotherapy to re-state the tendon. Being in the 1st month, things are getting better and I am cautiously making small walking distances barefoot along with the PT. So, in my view, tendonitis is not a fault of berefoots, but of not treating it timely. Certainly, during the cure time ,one has to be very cautious about walking and give the tendon ample time to rehab.
About 3 years ago i switched to minimalist shoes. I was struggling with chronic knee pain and was prescribed opioid pain killers(never took them) and orthotics. My feet were overpronated, i had bunions, anterior pelvic tilt and out-toeing. Switching to minimalist shoes didn't fix these problems magically but they did force me to focus on how i was walking. My knee pain was resolved fairly quickly, and is what made me stick to wearing them. The rest of the problems have taken a lot of time and focus to improve. My right ankle has perfect alignment now and im slowly improving my left ankle, my hip alignment has improved and i no longer walk like a duck. My bunions are almost gone and my arches are more defined and i have dropped half a shoe size!
@@kuljeetsingh9630 Well, I'm just a random dude. I'm not qualified to give you any advice. All i will say is, my biggest problem came from my hip posture and doing daily exercises for correcting anterior pelvic tilt is probably helping me the most. Its probably not a good idea to self diagnose, so if you think you have a problem I would recommend finding a personal trainer or physical therapist to help you.
Barefoot shoes are totally worth it. However I didn’t know about them until a few years ago, and I’m in my 50’s! If I would have started in my youth my feet would be in so much better shape. Since I’ve been wearing barefoot, my foot pain of 25 years is totally gone. However i had to start with a few hours of wear per day and work up. Parts of my foot started hurting initially because my foot was so weak, because all that “support” of traditional shoes made my natural foot unable to function optimally. After I transitioned to barefoot 100%, my foot pain disappeared, my lower back pain disappeared. I will never go back to traditional shoes. And falls in the elderly are lower too with barefoot shoes. It only makes sense as there are 200 nerve endings in your feet and your if your feet cannot feel the ground due to a 1 inch rubber sole, how can your nerve endings possibly serve you? They probably shrink? Due to non use. Don’t knock barefoot shoes until you try them. And don’t worry you wont go out of business if that’s your concern, there are plenty of people who are dismissive of minimalist shoes, those people will still be your customers.
Nice! TYSM. I cannot stand shoes, live barefoot except when I have to leave the property. And yeah, the top runners are from the high plains in Africa and RUN BAREFOOT.
Wrong. If you started in your youth, your feet would probably be in much worse shape. In ancient times, people could go barefoot because they didn't need their feet for 90 years. The life expectancy back then was 20 or 30 years. Today, people are living to 80, 90, even 100 years of age. You'll need your feet for 3x as long as past generations needed them. Go barefoot for your entire life, and I can assure you that you'll have problems when you're in your 70's, 80's and 90's.
@@californianorma876 False. All top African runners wear shoes when running. Name me one African runner, who won an Olympic gold medal or a who won a major marathon barefoot. I'll wait....
@@user-sg8kq7ii3y Clarification: The "AVERAGE" life expectancy back then was closer to 30 years old. But this average was very heavily influenced by high rates of infant and child mortality. If a person in ancient times managed to survive through childhood and into adulthood, their chances of living to old age were quite reasonable. Some archaeological evidence suggests that certain individuals in ancient societies lived into their 50s, 60s, or even beyond, particularly in societies where they had access to sufficient food, shelter, and safety from major threats. There were some 'very old' people, even in the 'cave-man' era. So - it's not life expectancy, it's average life expectancy. It makes a huge difference. The world wasn't filled with predominantly young people - there was the entire range of ages fairly close to how it is now - EXCEPT that a huge percentage of mostly infants, but also children, died early. But that was common through all of human history actually - until just a couple hundred years ago. In the 1700's it wasn't uncommon for half of a couples' children dying as babies. Sad - but true. I'm not sure you based your "Wrong" response to @susanb3989 entirely on the "In ancient times, people could go barefoot because they didn't need their feet for 90 years. The life expectancy back then was 20 or 30 years." but since your response didn't actually give any data to back up why "If you started in your youth, your feet would probably be in much worse shape." then I presume you'll need to come up with a reason why going barefoot while young, as all early humans obviously did, would result in "much worse shape."
@@DrTomBiernackiplease explain how a running shoe or anything helps correct issues? How does restricting the muscles in your feet help anything long term?
@@DrTomBiernackiand I’m not talking about athletic running or athletic activities. I’m talking about the average middle class man working a job where they walk ten-fifteen miles a day
I've been an athlete and running coach for decades. This is the best explanation/analysis of the possible benefits and potential risks of running in barefoot shoes that I've seen. I believe barefoot shoes and barefoot running are beneficial in principle, but there is enormous variation among athletes and casual runners. Anyone transitioning to barefoot running or barefoot shoes should plan on a long, long, period of adjustment.
yes but why do they have problems? because they have lived their whole lives in poor shoes that atrophy the foot! no wonder they suffer in barefoot shoes! what you said is not true, the university of Exeter has proved that cushioned shoes increase the load even when forefoot striking compared to barefoot or minimalist shoes. so not true that there is more load impact in minimalist shoes
@@Ivan_KV He kind of does, but not very explicitly. He does mention that it's important to slowly get things right, or otherwise there is an increased risk of injury where orthotics can help with that.
spot on! he also omits sponsorship being a major driving factor in elite marathon runners wearing some of the massive padded canoes they do. These african greats come from humble beginnings and run to school often in... you guessed it... their bare feet!
I don't know. I grew up with very minimalist shoes and that was all I wore for most of my life until I started having some disc issues in my mid 20's and discovered that wearing cushioned shoes relieved the back pain. Now, well supported shoes is all I wear and can't stand walking with no support or cushion in my feet for long periods.
I feel in more control flat footed walking as opposed to over cushioned shoes where I can’t feel what and if I’m even walking right. However I have Achilles tinnitus and planter fasciitis. I read and hear a lot. I’m started to feel it comes down to experimenting and finding what works for you more than following another’s thoughts and recommendations.
Another important fact to consider about our ancestors, is that they had no idea what sidewalks or concrete was. Walking on pavement, is completely different than the varied, and generally much softer train that they walked in.
@@Acidkiddo Dude, nobody in Mesopotamia spent majority of time on stone roads (especially since it was ancient Rome that made stone roads regular thing instead of "that one road in kingdom"). You know who most of the people in Mesopotamia were? With agricultuce being a thing Mesopotamia was famous for? ...Farmers. And fields aren't stone, as you may or may not know. Also, first paved road in the area I originate from was built in 1950s and I'm from Europe. So, please, get some facts right before writing.
I grew up barefoot a lot of the time. I carried moccasins in my car for when I had to put shoes on. I started getting heel pain as I approached 70. Podiatrist suggested stretches and arch supports. I'm pain free now. Thanks science! and thanks people who study it and pass on their knowledge!
I had my first pair of Vibram for 10 years before glue on heel started unbinding to the point that I had to buy a new pair. I bought a daily wear pair with hemp cloth and went on a 5k when my hips had been hurting me a lot..I even considered cancelling the event for myself. But as I had a friend going..I talked myself into it. For the first time...I actually stuck to walking and wearing the shoes as they were intended...walking strictly on pads of feet for the entire 5k. I kept pace with another person who was also walking slower then the crowd..and made it to the end. My hips felt better and my knees felt really good too - because there is no Impact Event taking place like a heel strike which hammers the entire line from heel thru the knees into the hip joint cushion. Instead your calves are used as the shock absorbers they are designed for, alongside the muscles in the legs and butt...all that muscle IS the suspension system at work...instead of forcing the frame of the body to magically absorb all that. I really feel like these attacks on Vibram and like natural shoes...is coming from big spongy non-natural shoe brands that are upset at losing market share and dont want to see these going more mainstream. I can tell you I get lots of compliments and questions from people who wear them also..and those that have been curious and never seen them im person. I love mine. Oh..and the daily wear are also great for commutes on planes because I can stretch and bed my toes where a stiff soled shoe would have my foot locked in place strapped in like those Chinese women who's feet were deformed by straps for the sake of looking young and youthful - but it actually breaks and deforms there feet. Regular shoes deform the foot in so many ways.
Straw Man Fallacy: When a person creates and then argues against a position on the issue that no one is actually making. e.g. Referencing a book about a hidden tribe and stating “Spoiler alert: Those guys get smoked in races anyway.” The book was actually about the location of the tribe, their lifestyle, and running as a cultural tradition. The book was NOT about the tribe members trying to win races against other people. Although the author was allowed to run in one of the tribe’s races, that was obviously included as the culmination of the time and effort the person put into building a relationship with tribe members. And the author lost the race!
Not too long ago a marathoner ran a sub 2 hour marathon. It wasn’t official because of the course and runners were chosen to help pace him and for drafting. It was literally a race to see if he could go sub 2 hours. Regardless. That guy grew up running barefoot. He’s Ethiopian (I think). Anyway, the barefoot runners are more efficient. One guy said that he thought another runner (think American) could possibly challenge him. But he’d have to run barefoot. And the money is in wearing shoes. Would he be willing to sacrifice income to improve his running.
The more I gradually shifted towards barefoot shoes for walking the better my feet got. Being flat-footed and all I have no issues. And I walk approximately 10 miles five days a week for work. Becoming more conscious of your walking Dynamics is a benefit as well.
Agree with you on personalized approach. I recommend my patients start slow, taking 6-12 months to just walk in minimalist shoes a full day. I also have them doing strengthening exercises for their feet. Some may never get to the point of using barefoot shoes all day. It’s very much market driven.
The idea that Athelstan sponsored by Nike would wear anything but the most expensive Nike shoes as an argument for not going barefoot is kinda insane. It’s pretty well documented that a lot of the design features in Nikes shoes have caused issues in runners rather than helping them and have increased the incidences of heel striking. This isn’t to say that the best in the world should be running barefoot (I have my reservations about that many road miles being good for anyone) but they are also elite athletes not regular people.
Yeah, but why have a reasonable conversation when you can get all those sweet clicks, baby! And as an extremely media-savvy podiatrist, I’m sure he knows much better than you and me that well over 1,000% of all humans were born with severe biomechanical issues that only his healing hands can save. So let’s sloppily refer to all “the lies” and make recurrent references to a nonspecific menacing “they” like a Fox News host trying to scare you about immigrants. (and oh by the way actually barefoot running shoes are fine for a lot of people, but dear god don’t accidentally develop any self awareness and think twice before posting such sweet hot garbage as this)
That point was so disingenuous. Many top athletes get problems with their joints and health earlier than even couch potatoes. They go for performance, not health and longevity. You don't get to the 1% of athletes by worrying what's most healthy for your body, at best you choose gear that reduces that extreme strain.
I’m 21 years old and consider myself very healthy and active. I also got sucked into the barefoot lifestyle for a little while and some problems arose. I have very high arches in my feet and when I switched to barefoot shoes, for a little while it wasn’t bad but I eventually developed very intense pain in the bottom of my heels which I had never had before. It makes sense because we mostly walk on very hard surfaces. I can walk around on the grass barefoot and feel fine but the barefoot shoes do not work for me in everyday life. Even walking around my house barefoot which is all hardwood floors, I get that pain in my heels and even in my fascia. I would love for barefoot shoes to work for me in every day life but they don’t. So gonna have to leave the barefoot walking/running to grass and other soft surfaces.
If they give you pain, then get rid of that. I grew up with minimalist shoes and that's all I wore for most of my life till my mid 20's when I started having back pains due to disc issues. Now at 30 I can only walk comfortably in well supported, cushioned shoes, and anything flat or barefooted makes my back hurt until I can't walk anymore. I have no issues with my feet, but if any part of our bodies hurt just from walking, it means that we need to make changes. If you need support and cushions, then wear that. Don't force your body and risk an injury that you might not be able to recover from.
I'm glad to see that comments are actually smart. There's zero connection between highly technical running shoe that is designed to give as much of mechanical advantage as possible and people's foot health. It's like saying that soccer players should always walk around with their cleats.
I as a farmer rancher wore western boots for many years crowding my toes in the process. Finding wide shoes becamexa challenge as always limited in sizes with wide shoes availability. Double E and even triple e shoes in certain brands are what i need.
I've been in barefoot shoes for almost 20 years(used water shoes before the barefoot craze started), I can't get my feet into regular shoes. My feet feel like they are in cement blocks if I try to wear regular shoes, and I trip and fall b/c I'm not getting enough feedback about the ground. I walk dogs for a living, and run for fun. Happy feet for me.
I tried barefoot shoes 14 years ago.. never looked back. I walk and run and lift using barefoot shoes. No more ankle, knee or hip pain. Guess it works for me.
Amazing! So happy it's working for you. And for sure I don't want to make it seem like they are bad (I think many people are taking it that way), we should all work out way toward being able to walk barefoot, and if you can get there earlier, why wait! 😁
Barefoot shoes are good for situations where you could simply go barefoot. Good shoes provide a lot of foot, and ankle protection. I wore barefoot shoes in NYC for a conference, and my ankles and feet were not happy.
summary of the video is: "it depends". I had feet pain for years and switching to barefoot shoes while im doing my run on my !forest trail! alleviated all of that while walking around on concrete it makes it worse so i wear regular shoes with lots of cushioning for that occasion. this video wont convince zealots so no need to be discouraged from zealous comments. there is no one perfect shoe for every occasion for everyone.
Do you have a source to prove that these shoes correct bunions? Please point to the study done showing those people with bunions that wore barefoot shoes compared to those that didn't wear barefoot shoes had bunion resolution.
Wow! You answered all the questions I had about barefoot shoes. I have recently developed PF, however I also have PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) and extremely bad knees, I pronate. I viewed another Dr with a protocol for PF. Barefoot shoes and barefoot walking were recommended. As you indicated, each person has to be looked at as a whole...hip, back, gait, knees, etc to determine the proper course of action. I am bone on bone with my knees and barefoot shoes don't give my knees support. I recently had orthotics made but my PF is killing me but I guess I need to give it some time and follow some of your suggestions for PF. Thank you so much.
8:22 The only non-minimalist shoe brand I'm aware of with a natural shaped toe box shoes is Altra, hence why minimalist shoe companies have claimed wide toe boxes as their own. I can speak from experience that forcing my large toes inward via shoes causes joint pain that doesn't exist with a roomy toe box shoe.
I tried barefoot shoes for about 3 months and developed ball of foot pain in my right foot, so gave up on them. Our ancestors may have gone barefoot, but they were mostly walking on soil, grass and sand. We walk mostly on concrete and asphalt. We need more protection and cushioning. Save the barefoot shoes for walking on softer surfaces.
100% agree, they can be a really really good choice eventually, but they are not the only choice and some of the "barefoot bros" true to force them on people who are not a great fit 😊
Same thing was happening to me. Playing on the court in barefoot shoes. But using a roller and rolling the fascia made a huge difference. It m over weight and obviously road running isn’t natural. I’ll use altra for that so I have padding. The wide toe box is amazing though and I will never go back to pointed shoes. I can deal with a 5-12mm drop but the toe box is a must.
@@danielcielmaee3642if you were playing on the court while being overweight with barefoot shoes, it sounds like you progressed much too quickly. I started my transition almost 2 years ago and still run in my Altras. The most vigorous activity I do even now in BF shoes is backwards treadmill. I also do strength training for just my feet as well as all my leg workouts in barefoot shoes. I also just hiked 1st time in Vivos made for hiking. My foot pain was at a 7-8 some days(entire adult life) before all this and was considering multiple surgeries. Now it's a 0 most days. Going straight barefoot shoes all the time is like trying to max deadlift with back pain and no former training. But yes, wide toe box is a game changer Especially with toe spacers... I might even argue they're as important as or more important.
@@danielcielmaee3642if you were playing on the court while being overweight with barefoot shoes, it sounds like you progressed much too quickly. I started my transition almost 2 years ago and still run in my Altras. The most vigorous activity I do even now in BF shoes is backwards treadmill. I also do strength training for just my feet as well as all my leg workouts in barefoot shoes. I also just hiked 1st time in Vivos made for hiking. My foot pain was at a 7-8 some days(entire adult life) before all this and was considering multiple surgeries. Now it's a 0 most days. Going straight barefoot shoes all the time is like trying to max deadlift with back pain and no former training. But yes, wide toe box is a game changer Especially with toe spacers... I might even argue they're as important as or more important.
I have flat wide feet and had bunion surgery years ago on both feet..my feet have always hurt..until I started wearing barefoot shoes..I dont' care what anyone or any study shows..I know my feet haven't felt this good , ever. I wore them in Vegas last year for the first time and I never got tired of walking, in fact I was able to walk for a lot longer and further than I ever had before.I can't wear them for work and after a 12 hour shift my feet are sore wearing regular shoes.
I have bad feet, my orthopedist basically saved my life and allowed me to practice Tennis again thanks to custom soles he assembles every year following my own evolution. As an orthopedist yourself, can you make custom soles for a barefoot shoe, or will I have to let go and keep wearing a limited selection of higher end regular shoes?
I had Morton's Neuroma. I was trusting podiatrists and spend thousands on shoes, treatments and orthotics. Noting helped. Switched to barefoot and the issue went away in a few weeks. Of course I transitioned slowly slowly. I was walking very little in the beginning and slowly built up. By following common methods like ortotics that you recommed I suffered for years. Yeah I paid a lot of money for podiatrists checking me out with softwares and stuff. Im glad I broke from the advice of specialists like you. No hate, just your protocols didn't work on me. For me barefoot worked.
I am 53 and switched to barefoot shoes almost 3 yrs ago. Before I had plantar fasciitis and a bunion that had become painful. These no longer bother me. I have noticed some knee strain though
Barefoot shoes aren't going to fix your feet if you have already got serious issues, although I think they could probably help relieve some pain if adapted to correctly. I think making healthy clothes and exercise a priority is better thought of as preventative. Barefoot walking in the woods always boosts my mood and helps me feel alive, and there's science that backs this up (look up Shinrin Yoku, Phytoncides [particles released by plants that are anticarcinogenic], and forest bathing). Since starting to wear barefoot shoes and sleep on the floor grounded, a lot of joint pain I was having has been largely reduced. Swollen feet and ankles are no longer an issue. I also have largely cut out sugar and hyper-processed foods. I'm 27 and very physically active, so finding ways to reduce inflammation and help my body stay as healthy as it can as I age has been helpful for staying active pain-free.
"supportive" shoes are great for people that want to weaken their feet. support your feet by strengthening them and then letting them be active while ur walking/running
I was a ballroom dancer. As I got older, my feet hurt more & more from the high heels, & I noticed my ankles turning in. I bought shoes with wider toes & added arch supports-along with barefoot shoes. After trying both, my sense is my feet position must be corrected so rest of body muscles adjust before I wear barefoot. I walk around barefoot inside & that’s enough for now. But if I don’t wear arch support my feet will kill me esp if I walk or dance on concrete. I have a dancer friend with severe plantar fasciitis, & he needs cushioning & support to stay active. I think barefoot shoes are cool & I do strengthening & stretching so maybe I’ll wear them someday. But my friend probably won’t. Either way it’s fantastic if anything works, esp after years of wearing bad shoes & hard-floor impact.
this video exactly confirmed my toughts non of the extremes are good. Tight toebox pointy shoes with extremely raised heel can ruin your feet but we are also very likely to have problems by walking barefoot on concrete in the city(as i hed when started with barefoot to fast). So now i take sort of inbetween approach i wear barefoot shoes that fits nicely but have more than zero cushioning usually i buy some with 5mm minimal a than put 5 mm heel lift cushion and another insole there so i have like 1cm cushioning with heel raised just a bit and i love it i can walk kilometres on concrete without issues and i feel like i can get the strengtening benefits of barefoot shoe. I really urge people that they shoudnt go straight into barefoot walking if they were used to big heel lift because gooing from like 3 cm lift to zero will definetely stress your achilles if you wouldnt lower it gradually
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I've thought of doing that too, but some barefoot shoes don't have the structure for an additional cushioning to stay in place. Have you got brands you recommend?
@@MissSarahGM i wear the brand called Barebarics they have awesome designs that look like regular sneakers and i never had problems with the cushioning not being in place they have comfy well structured heels. They also sell additional insole just right for the shoe. But i dont know where are you from and if they sell worldwide.🤷♂️
@@Linci10Linci Thank you, they look chunky but only 6 mm sole. Good if an additional sole stays in place. They are available here in Europe, I will look them up!
@@MissSarahGM No problem glad to help. I wear them with that additional insoles which are quite thick and also gel heelpads which i glue in that setting could give you like 10mm in front and 12 mm in heel area which i find ideal. They are not cheap but the quality is awesome they last! If you want something "barefoot like" with more cushioning i also suggest brand Altra those are running sneakers with wide toebox, flexible sole and zero drop but starts at like 20mm up to 40mm thickness as they are for running on concrete or trail.
I tried the barefoot shoes while studying in Italy, I was walking constantly, and mostly on hard surfaces. I never went to the doctor, but my legs, feet, hips, all experienced issues. My feet first, and then my hip. It was so painful at one point that I couldn’t walk.
I went through the same thing, but I believe it was because of wearing the wrong shoes for so long, that when I put on the barefoot shoes it showed how much imbalances formed because of it.. now after about 1-2 yrs of working on all these issues, my body is healthier than it’s ever been and still wearing barefoot shoes daily
8:23 Yes, anatomical toe box is not the same as barefoot shoes, but it's very hard to find shoes without the pointy form apart from barefoot brands! I personaly don't mind the cushioning, I just don't want my toes to be squished
@@annmariethomas9968 do they have a high volume in the forefoot area? I often have issues that a shoe is to flat for me and squish my foot from above. I tried joe nimble for example and hat to refund them. Same for barebarics and belenka and lems. All of them are considered wide toebox but ar flat like hell for me 😅
Seems everyone is talking about runners and I'm not a runner. I am a 67 yr old woman, have had broken left ankle and ten years later broken leg under the left knee from a tree falling on me so no running here (I'm bionic, LOL, lots of metal on that left leg). I wore too small shoes for years, once did a one day 20 mile charity walk when I was a teenager in, gulp, the recommended saddle oxfords, ugh, made a permanent callous on the ball of that foot that I have to shave off from time to time. Now, I've developed a callous on the actual side of my right foot below the toe box, just too many years of Walmart crap shoes. I walk a lot of miles each day on root-and-rock-ridden mountain homestead. Super wide toe box shoes are usually too wide in the heel. I've never spent more than $40 on shoes, could not afford it and still can't afford shoes over $75. I took to wearing men's hiking boots, Brahma brand, in size 6.5, to get the wide toe box, though they are a bit loose in the heel area, used to wear a men's size 5. Generally over the years, I've had to increase my size to from 6.5 to 7.5 W women's shoes, but some are still too toe-crunchy in the toe box, even wide width (I know wide width doesn't mean wide toe box). Lately, I wear sloggers from Tractor Supply to do the barn chores, pretty flat I guess. I did get a pair of New Balance running shoes in women's 7.5 and they are pretty comfortable so far, but I have to wear "chicken shoes" to the barn that I leave outside the back door so don't really want to spend a lot of $$ on those. Is there a truly affordable and yet really good shoe for me anywhere? Used to be, we had shoe stores that checked our size with that slide device, but now we're on our own, like with everything else. So many conflicting videos here on YT. ~Cynthia, N. GA mountains
Hiked great distances in shoes for decades. No problems with and on my feet. Standing in shoes for decades. No problems with and on my feet. Not two months barefoot walking and standing and I have in both feet a plantar fasciosis and problems with the posteior tendons. So it worked perfectly for me walking barefoot.
i had my arm in a sling once for a few months had pt to recover. after you smashed your feet for decades practically immobilized into shoes you got hurt barefoot. sounds like i should start sooner and more carefully if im older and my feet are weaker from my previous footwear choices.
I only ever wear Vans, nothing with heels or joggers, so bought some barefoot sneakers to try out. They are comfy as anything but I don't jog so only wear them for day to day. So far, so good.
I have been wearing barefoot shoes for 2 years trying to help correct runners' knees. What I feel the results have been are: my feet get sore long before my knees. Over time, my feet have been able to walk farther. During the process of wearing barefoot shoes, I realized that part of my problem is that I have tailors bunions, which affect my gate. So, I have been addressing the tailors' buinions to even more effect. I feel like if I addressed the problems that were wrong with my gait first, then barefoot shoes would not have been necessary BUT I have gotten to a positive result over time due to thinking about my feet, and trying to correct problems. I can easily walk twice as far now than when I first started wearing barefoot shoes, the difference being 1 mile up to 2 miles. But after 2 miles, my problem isn't my knees, it's my feet. I feel like not only did the barefoot shoes help regain my ability to walk, slowly over time, but also, I feel like I will continue to improve. When it was my knees that were the problem, I felt like I would eventually walk to the point they would give out, and I would no longer be able to walk, after 1 mile. So 2 years, up to 2 miles, and not nearly as much knee complaints.
Hi Dr., i notice my right foot kind of tllt it to the right side when walking causing my foot pain..Do you have any good suggestion? Which type of shoes should i wear? Thank you.
Too much discussion around barefoot shoes is centered around running and not enough is focused on the shape especially in the toes. I was i so much pain every day because of my big toe being squished to the side. There aren't any regular shoes that are both wide enough and straight enough on the big toe side. I actually prefer barefoot shoes for shorter walks up to 10km and more cushioned shoes for longer walks. It would be great if the pointed toebox was banned especially in women's fashion. I think the shape of shoes is so understudied that there can be no conclusions drawn on how they affect regular walking.
"It would be great if the pointed toebox was banned especially in women's fashion" women are never very practical. they can just wear mens shoes but choose not to.
This is such a useful video for me to see and take advice from as I have been off my feet for a number of years due to serious health issues. Historically it didn't matter what footwear or exercises I did for lumbar disc issues, achilles tendonitis and knee pains that I had suffered for many years - twenty-five plus - I was always just managing the pain and never fixing the problems. I later became bedridden & housebound with ME/CFS in 2006 so I was in a bad place physically. I started a very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet which improved a lot of my ME symptoms but I still had joint and tendon issues. Finally in January 2023 I decided to try carnivore because I really needed to shift some pounds. Years of not being able to exercise deconditions you so much and it's hard to avoid weight gain. It doesn't happen overnight but as of today, mid April 2024, I have lost 4 stone and am just one stone from the top end of ideal weight for my height. No longer bed/housebound I am once more able to engage in natural weight bearing exercise such as mucking out my horses, do heavy diy and gardening. At my worst with my ME, I had to summon the strength to make it to the bathroom but I am now able to walk a good couple of miles without feeling fatigue (yes, I know.... for you runners out there that sound pathetic 😂) But the most important thing for me is that very quickly my ME symptoms of fatigue and brain fog lifted and over the months my joint pains, lumber issue and tendonitis have completely disappeared. (Even my neck crunching has gone which is a relief because that always sounded as though I was falling to bits. I am now in a much better position where I can concentrate on doing exercises that help strengthen my muscles using natural weight bearing exercise and more formal exercise because I'm no longer in pain and my recumbant bike is my best friend for improving my stamina. The only thing I do out of precaution more than necessity is still wear slight risers in my footwear to prevent undue strain on my tendons but I am hopeful that healing is still occuring. There is a common saying "No hoof, no horse" - in other words your horse is lame from poor foot care. This video has helped me realise the same applies to us as humans so thank you for making this.
I have been going barefoot almost all day for 15 years, I’m not even 40. In the house this is awesome. But when I go hiking or a 5 mile walk, doesn’t matter how many years I’ve done this, my feet hurt. I’m lazy and hate shopping so haven’t changed, but I can attest being barefoot doesn’t cure all ailments. I was even mostly barefoot as a kid.
Thoughts about stride. In cushy shoes, when going for a longer stride, we tend to reach forward from our center of gravity and land harder with our heel, putting strain on our joints and tissue in a position that's not optimal. Our feet are mostly prevented from flexing like a spring, so the concussion is transferred up the chain. Barefoot, we receive feedback that encourages us to land with our foot under our center of gravity, and when we lengthen our stride, it is longer behind us, where our optimum support and push come from. It is our whole body absorbs the shock, instead of the shoe, but the position of the foot is different in relation to the body (than in a cushy shoe) while this happens. I have always shucked my shoes the instant I get home. Over the years I realized that I was more comfortable and capable in a minimal, hard-soled shoe, and that slippers are my enemy. If the sole and insole are anything but dead flat, it causes problems (blisters, tendon and ligament pain). If the shoe is loose at the instep, or the sole is stiff or thick, I'm clumsier and slower. And "large" toe boxes are barely tall or wide enough, possibly because I grew up running barefoot outdoors. Both experience and logic agree with the "start slow and gradually build strength" directive. Ligaments are generally the slowest support structure to respond, so giving the 6 week guideline is very helpful. But what came across as strongly was that "lots of people just won't benefit from going barefoot." Maybe that wasn't the intended message, maybe it was bias, but I think it could deter some who should actually work their way toward going barefoot. Barefoot shoes "cause" injuries because people have not learned to assess feedback but suppress it, plus, someone whose feet have always been smothered will need to allow nerve recovery and brain development before they can expect to assess such feedback. One more factor is what you're used to walking on. If you are used to hills and bumps, your feet will advance to barefoot more easily than if you're used to flat floors and stairs only. Give your body the experience of various terrain, whether you change footwear or not. Considering whether you should go barefoot? Asses whether you are willing to slowly work your way to freedom and strength, or just want to be "fixed" without changing your life. Honestly, neither way is a guarantee.
I learned last year that I supinate when I gave myself plantar fasciitis during hiking. When I had my bunions shaved off at 20 years old, the podiatrist at the time told me that my ankles were crooked. In order to straighten them I would have to break my legs. I said Hell No then, but I am now wondering if that causes the supination in both feet. When I wear flip flops (not often) my ankles slowly move off of the heel, which is why I can't wear heels that don't have straps or I'd roll my ankles. NOW I get sharp pain in my left food on the side of it after hiking or walking long distances. Podiatrist just guessed arthritis without any tests and that annoyed me.
Literally no one says it’s a quick transition. Myth #4 is only a myth for people who haven’t looked into it enough yet. I do appreciate you emphasizing that it takes time though
Zero drop shoes fixed a lot of my problems-until they didn't. When I started wearing a second pair of the same shoe and model, I began having problems. Pain in the tops of my feet, and tendonitis in my right tibialis/arch. I don't understand what happened. For now, I've gone back to wearing a stability shoe with a heel drop. I'm bummed. I think it really depends on the person and their special circumstances. Also, I've found that my needs seem to change each time I need a new shoe.
About myth 5: I had to think about that scene from Back to the Future where Doc tells some guys in a saloon that where he comes from people run for fun, and he gets laughed at. And I would think that all our ancestors thought that way. They wouldn't have run until they absolutely had to. And they certainly didn't run 5 to 10 Km at a time three or four times per week. So this argument "Our body was made for this" might not be entirely true.
I have been wearing barefoot sandals at work. They are so cute and I love the feel grounds I have! But I've noticed that when I'm on my feet all day I have constant heel pain! Is it because my feet arent used to it? Do people eventually get over this or what?
I have on neutral foot and one that supinates. I don’t have knee or leg pain but my right hip abductor on the foot that supinates is stiff (lots of PT and stretching). I run in brooks ghost 15 but looking for a lower drop shoe. What do you recommend?
I’m prone to supination I noticed already lone peaks 7 kinda relieved my back pain and gave me better movement, other than than Mike structure are heavy ones that are with drop but they give stability I noticed I couldn’t accept them as they star causing pain beyond my biggest toe after getting mentally used to altars (even though I returned them to buy the wide version🤷🏻♂️) I hope that helped
I have always been a supinator ..both feet, with higher than average arches. I am tored of it being observed that some of us supinate...and then be ignored whilst dealing with pronators. I have a neuroma and a bunion on left foot. I feel sure there is a link, but who will ever give insight into supinators ? And where to get wholesome hiking or everyday footwear for us . Please ????
I have flexible, pronating feet and have always felt that I need supportive stability running shoes and orthotics for my trail running. Recently I have been surprised to find that I like minimalist running shoes on trails that are not too rocky. I am wondering if alternating between stability and barefoot or minimalist shoes is an OK idea.
What about something like barefoot shoes with insoles? I trip and am unstable in regular running shoes with a lot of height. I need something with wide toes and zero drop, but also a little arch support and padding.
There's a company named Jim Green that has a wide toe box and they have one close to the ground and one barefoot that might be close to what you want. I don't have a pair of the bare foot shoes but I use their steel toe option for work and it's good
Dunno about all the hype in either direction but I’ve using barefoot shoes (including cheap “water shoes” from Walmart) for the last 4 years and I now have ZERO plantar fasciitis, zero arch pain, zero ankle or knee pain. I’m 62 now and it did take time gradually working up to hiking rocky trails, etc.
I transitioned to a pair of vibrams about a year after i started a running program at the age of 49. 13 years later i still wear them from april until sometime in october. Then just wear them around the house or change if I'm going to be inside for most if the day,. Had flat feet don't have flat feet anymore.
I wish I lived close for an office visit but I live in Texas Houston area. I’ve been to 2-3 foot doctors and don’t feel any of the orthotics help. What type of a doctor and what type of exam do you recommend I seek out that is similar to how you practice? I feel I need more of a whole body assessment not just my feet. Thanks
Walking barefoot can offer several health benefits for older adults, including improved balance, foot strength, and better sensory feedback from the ground. By going without shoes, the small muscles in the feet are activated, helping enhance stability and reducing the risk of falls-a common concern in aging. Barefoot walking can also encourage more natural alignment of the body, potentially easing joint strain over time. However, it’s important to consider individual health conditions. Older adults with diabetes, neuropathy, or foot issues may face increased risks of injury, making barefoot walking unsafe on rough or uneven surfaces. In these cases, supportive footwear may be necessary to protect the feet while still promoting mobility. For those who are healthy and careful, barefoot walking on soft surfaces like grass or sand could be a safe and beneficial practice.
When I was in Iraq I was in boots pretty much all the time. I got plantar fasciitis while there. As soon as I got home I went back to working out barefoot at home and being barefoot most of the time I wasn't working (back in boots). The PF cleared up within about 4 months. I am sure there could be more to it, but what worked for me was getting out of shoes as much as possible.
Gradually getting used to walking straight with shoes and insoles, while strength training and working on flexibility while slowly increasing your barefoot time. Left me know if that helps? 😊
These are professional runners that will do anything it takes to win, that's why they get the sponsorships 😁, but fully agree always have to look at the $
I'm 45. I've never worn high heels. I've always hated cushioned types of shoes. I've always walked a lot, and minimal converse type of shoes have been my preferred footwear unless the weather forced me out of them. I don't wear slippers, I walk barefoot at home, might use socks if it's cold. My feet are triangle shaped and I find a lot of shoes uncomfortable. That's why I love the wide toe box shoes. I'm not bothered about the barefoot experience, as for that I don't need shoes 😂 But feet shaped footwear is simply more comfortable for me.
I’m almost 60 and bought some new barefoot boots when I started a new job and was going to be walking loads of extra steps a day. I haven’t really had any issues and they are comfortable. Although I have noticed more hard skin appearing. May just be because I’m on my feet a lot more, and it may be caused by the shoes. Either way, I’m happy with them overall. I’ve had vivo’s summer shoes before, and they are definitely my favourite shoes when I’m going to be on my feet more or walking distances. Video is interesting though. All things I didn’t really consider before!
So i guess i have a few questions. 1. Im hyper mobile(180⁰ movement in most joints), so will this help with possible hyper-extentions? 2. I mainly walk/run on my toes. I can't run on my heels, it doesnt feel right. 3. I prefer to hike and walk barefoot, so would there be very little adjustment? I would say im pretty lean and fit due to hiking and work
So wait, putting your foot into a say a pointier toe shoe every day wont over time cause the jacked up toe look, where to toe pushes more inward? Ie a point flat, vs a more rounded flat (not sneakers but dressier shoes for work?) A flat shoe has never bothered me, even in sneakers but they're not barefoot ones. I often have like Adidas Stan Smiths or Puma Fast Cats. Small raise but more flat. Curious because i try and stay away from those pointier toe shoes, and higher heels my grandma and aunts and older cousins wore because they all have jacked up looking feet. Figured it was the shoes. Theyre all small people so like weight isnt an issue for pressure on the feet, I don't think.
Interesting. I have been wearing only barefoot shoes since I discovered them. Before that I wore sandals. I hate supportive shoes. In the past, I've tried all the arch supports and custom supports etc. They seemed to help for a while, but not in the long run. I'm old now and even less am I willing to wear supportive shoes. I can't balance properly in them. But as you say, everybody is different.
Hi Doc! Glad I found your channel. I'm from Michigan butI live in California. As a former ballet artist,I would love to get the biomechanical exam. I'm returning to the dance studio for summer intensive training at 66. I've had hammer toe developed over the years and the pain comes and goes. I wrap toes every workout but could use some tips on, how to strengthen healthy ankles upon retraining on point shoes. Otherwise, I'm basically pretty healthy at 66. For a former dancer, teacher,coach, pescatarian/ Mediterranean diet and mostly wear wide toe box shoes, any tips on hammer toe resolve? Thank a Bunch!
I think that every person has different needs and different feet. In my case, I have been doing barefoot since I was very young at home, even in the countryside, or even in town I would have my flip-flops in my hands and walk barefoot, I just love it!!, and, at the same time, I never had shoes that squish even a little my feet and I had t flat shoes all the time, until 5 years ago that I started to have feet pain. I have tried many different things, but Sketchers and changing a bit my way of walking by using putting lees pressure my heel (watched this in one of the many videos I watch in TH-cam) has drastcally relief my pain. I still love barefoot and I always do at home, but with after few hours or just simple activities I start to feel again some pain
I think the reason people wear barefoot shoes is not to maximize performance, but to develop stronger feet/legs, be more aware of their footfall patterns/posture so they are not unduly stressing the rest of their joints. Extremely supportive shoes definitely have their place for competition/injury rehab, but i think the arguement is that if you use these all the time, you lose strength.
What about steel toe boots for work? I'm trying to find some and 0. I'm working in industrial field 8 to 12 hours per day and I really need they make steel toe box boot for us 😢😢😢
So I am happy with new tech, but I want a toebox that fits my toes. I struggle to find these shoes, and the only brands that seem to entertain a wide toebox seem to be barefoot shoes. So the only alternative is crocs.
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I was born with clubbed feet, and endured 2 surgeries when I was a 6 and 7. I put up with terrible foot pain my whole life until I switched to barefoot shoes. It took me about 6 weeks to adjust to them. I had new muscles that were developing and once I made the transition it was an amazing difference. My problem wasn't my feet, but the horrible shoes I was trying to squeeze them into. The doctors wanted my feet to confirm to regular people shoes instead of putting me in shoes that fit my feet. All my foot, knee, and hip pain cleared up. I'm never wearing normy shoes again.
I wear barefoot for about 2 years and cannot wear any more "normal shoes."
I recently switched to transitioning barefoot shoes. I had fought plantar faciitis for over a year and was done. Too many arch supports,pads, injections that were not working. My hips are crooked and one knee turns, but despite that, My feet instantly felt better.mI like feeling the ground under my feet, not stacks of padding which made me feel off balance. I am NOT a runner! Just an older person trying to walk without foot and leg pain.
Wearing “normal” footwear like running shoes and hiking with orthotics, Blundstones, and Birkenstocks caused my right foot to develop severe supination that made walking uncomfortable and affected my gait, plus I had uncomfortable hammertoes, and an ingrown toenail on my big toe, and my 2nd toe was curled up into my big toe (spooning). I started wearing barefoot footwear exclusively 5 months ago and my toenail is perfect, the hammertoes are much improved, my big toe is now nicely separated from its neighbour, and the supination is 75% resolved. In terms of gait, I feel that I’m walking more erect, not less and I no longer have the feeling that I’m teetering forward (and I never wore shoes with more than a short heel like runners or hiking boots). The pain in my left knee that was replaced 5 years ago and that had started bugging me already also diminished to almost nothing with barefoot footwear. I’m 64, so the theory that barefoot shoes are for young people who already walk well doesn’t hold either. I’ve come to distrust podiatrists who dismiss the notion that barefoot shoes can be better (they’d rather sell me orthotics, and believe me, I’ve bought at least 10 pairs over the years at great cost). I still see a chiropodist regularly for nail treatments and the last time she exclaimed how well my foot was doing and I told her it was as a result of going barefoot. She harrumphed and was quite dismissive. The lesson is that every type of practitioner stands by what they were taught and aren’t very willing to consider other notions.
I tried my Chacos which I used to love, my Merrells, and wide-toe box Keens the other day and I felt like I was in prison. I tried walking with them outside and came right back in to take them off asap. It was even worse putting my orthotics in them. So I’m a barefoot woman now, with healthy feet and pain-free knees.
@PJMack-
When it comes to buying orthotics that break down your arch muscles by making them lazy,yes. As far as the cost of whole food vs junk processed "food", no- that theory falls flat. Be specific and include the object of your comment please.
Have you tried Lems primal zen shoes? Very breathable, wide toe box, adequate support without unnecessary cushion, zero drop, no toe spring..
@@user-ncswicYes! They were my first minimalist shoes, along with Lems Chelsea boots and Boulder Grip boots. I’ve since bought Xero and Luna sandals. Just yesterday I tried to wear a pair of my Birkenstocks and my feet and knees weren’t happy. I’m definitely a barefooter now.
I am 60 and I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for seven months now. The barefoot shoes have really improved things for me overall. Most shoes had support that caused my foot balance outward so that I always wore away the outside of my heels of my shoes. Now with barefoot shoes, I’m wearing them evenly. I can feel the stretch in my arches as I walk and it feels really great. Also my feet are much more flexible and I’m getting better toe spread. Wearing shoes with lifted heals caused my calf muscles to over tighten which caused back pain. Now this is not happening and I can tell that my posture is improving. Barefoot shoes aren’t just for the young!
Bisogna partire dal fatto che i medici sono gli spacciatori delle farmaceutiche, da lì agire di conseguenza
I've found over the years that when I can go barefoot more of the time I have fewer foot issues, and certainly less (or no!) plantar fasciitis. That was one thing the COVID lockdown was good for; since I was home pretty much full time, I hardly ever wore shoes. My knees are also a lot happier in the long run with shoes which are closer to a barefoot walking experience. As I understood what is being said here is that barefoot would be good for the vast majority of people, but depending on other issues, you will likely need to work up to it, and possibly fix other problems first. And yes, I do love my Hokas! (Because walking around at work barefoot isn't an option.)
I’ve started my kid with barefoot shoes as soon as she needs shoes. So she don’t need to see Dr. Tom when she grows up 😊
I walked barefoot as a kid a lot bc I spent months at a time in the rural area. I also spend most of my day shoeless and have excellent toe spread. I still developed foot problems later in life because, you know: life. Dr. Tom is right: y'all need more nuance in your lives regarding subjects. It's not a true/false situation.
“Life”, care to elaborate? If life meaning you conform to society’s fashion shoes, sorry to say but that’s the choice you make.
@@SuperSomphon gaining weight, injuries, jobs or circumstances that imply standing long times on unnatural surfaces like concrete or whatever. you know, life. if you live in a village and so will your kids, kudos to you. for the rest of us, there's nuance and "maybe barefoot shoes" .
I live in Bangkok, no nature here for sure. We have to drive min 2 hours to get a hint of nature. I also went from 70kg to 127kg and found barefoot shoes a savior. All concrete flat flooring here, 10000 steps per day. I feel so much better now than wearing my Nike adidas etc. I respect the opinion here but I think it’s just the TH-cam doctors opinion.
@@SuperSomphon I reply your opinion as well. We're probably both right. What I found that is true in my case and in other's people case is more of the toebox space that barefoot footwear gives, rather than simply the thickness of the sole or the zero drop. I can't wear snug shoes anymore even if I have space in the front.
I started doing some barefoot walking when I was 48 years old and the benefits were good for a few years. My serious knee pain really diminished and a broken bone in my foot seemed to magically heal itself. I became an advocate for barefoot walking to anyone who would listen. Curiously my shoe size went from size 12 to size 14, proof that my feet were spreading out. However, after about 4 years I developed achilles tendonitis but wasn't too concerned and I kept walking barefoot which was a HUGE mistake. The tendonitis turned chronic and I tore an achilles tendon. I was seriously crippled for more than a year. The tendonosis didn't go away for the next 14 years, despite me doing constant rehab during that time. Finally, when the pandemic hit and I was forced to stay home for more than a year, the long rest of not walking much allowed the pain in my achilles to completely disappear. I was careful to wear supportive shoes after that and could walk normally again for the next 3 years. Thinking I was cured I cautiously started walking barefoot again this spring but the achilles tendonosis has returned anyway after just a few months. I am now 68 years old and the affliction is going to be a lot harder to beat this time around. Maybe if you start really young, barefoot walking is a good thing, but in my case it has seriously crippled me and limited my ability to walk much. While barefoot walking can certainly improve some foot and knee issues, it can also cause new and very serious problems to deal with so BE CAUTIOUS.
I hear ya, man. I think barefoot/minimalist running, while it does seem like more of a return to a natural state of movement, ultimately didn't work for me. I'm happy for those people. Having osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis, my experience in barefoot shoes (over many slow starts from months initially to years) had me trading one set of problems for another set. I have also noticed issues with ultra cushioned shoes as well. I will say the minimalist experience had me looking at how I walk and so I'm better off for that.
I also experienced achilles tendonitis while wearing barefoot shoes when I tried to run to catch a bus. I didnt find out that it actually was tendonitis and kept moving around. After things got really bad (no tendon tear fortunataly) I was prescribed a 2 month leave from work and gradual physiotherapy to re-state the tendon. Being in the 1st month, things are getting better and I am cautiously making small walking distances barefoot along with the PT. So, in my view, tendonitis is not a fault of berefoots, but of not treating it timely. Certainly, during the cure time ,one has to be very cautious about walking and give the tendon ample time to rehab.
About 3 years ago i switched to minimalist shoes. I was struggling with chronic knee pain and was prescribed opioid pain killers(never took them) and orthotics. My feet were overpronated, i had bunions, anterior pelvic tilt and out-toeing. Switching to minimalist shoes didn't fix these problems magically but they did force me to focus on how i was walking. My knee pain was resolved fairly quickly, and is what made me stick to wearing them. The rest of the problems have taken a lot of time and focus to improve.
My right ankle has perfect alignment now and im slowly improving my left ankle, my hip alignment has improved and i no longer walk like a duck. My bunions are almost gone and my arches are more defined and i have dropped half a shoe size!
Did you have video for this ?? How we can change our walking style?
@@kuljeetsingh9630 Well, I'm just a random dude. I'm not qualified to give you any advice. All i will say is, my biggest problem came from my hip posture and doing daily exercises for correcting anterior pelvic tilt is probably helping me the most. Its probably not a good idea to self diagnose, so if you think you have a problem I would recommend finding a personal trainer or physical therapist to help you.
Barefoot shoes are totally worth it. However I didn’t know about them until a few years ago, and I’m in my 50’s! If I would have started in my youth my feet would be in so much better shape. Since I’ve been wearing barefoot, my foot pain of 25 years is totally gone. However i had to start with a few hours of wear per day and work up. Parts of my foot started hurting initially because my foot was so weak, because all that “support” of traditional shoes made my natural foot unable to function optimally. After I transitioned to barefoot 100%, my foot pain disappeared, my lower back pain disappeared. I will never go back to traditional shoes. And falls in the elderly are lower too with barefoot shoes. It only makes sense as there are 200 nerve endings in your feet and your if your feet cannot feel the ground due to a 1 inch rubber sole, how can your nerve endings possibly serve you? They probably shrink? Due to non use. Don’t knock barefoot shoes until you try them. And don’t worry you wont go out of business if that’s your concern, there are plenty of people who are dismissive of minimalist shoes, those people will still be your customers.
Nice! TYSM. I cannot stand shoes, live barefoot except when I have to leave the property.
And yeah, the top runners are from the high plains in Africa and RUN BAREFOOT.
Cool story. You should have become a doctor in your youth.
Wrong. If you started in your youth, your feet would probably be in much worse shape. In ancient times, people could go barefoot because they didn't need their feet for 90 years. The life expectancy back then was 20 or 30 years. Today, people are living to 80, 90, even 100 years of age. You'll need your feet for 3x as long as past generations needed them. Go barefoot for your entire life, and I can assure you that you'll have problems when you're in your 70's, 80's and 90's.
@@californianorma876 False. All top African runners wear shoes when running. Name me one African runner, who won an Olympic gold medal or a who won a major marathon barefoot.
I'll wait....
@@user-sg8kq7ii3y Clarification: The "AVERAGE" life expectancy back then was closer to 30 years old. But this average was very heavily influenced by high rates of infant and child mortality. If a person in ancient times managed to survive through childhood and into adulthood, their chances of living to old age were quite reasonable. Some archaeological evidence suggests that certain individuals in ancient societies lived into their 50s, 60s, or even beyond, particularly in societies where they had access to sufficient food, shelter, and safety from major threats. There were some 'very old' people, even in the 'cave-man' era. So - it's not life expectancy, it's average life expectancy. It makes a huge difference. The world wasn't filled with predominantly young people - there was the entire range of ages fairly close to how it is now - EXCEPT that a huge percentage of mostly infants, but also children, died early. But that was common through all of human history actually - until just a couple hundred years ago. In the 1700's it wasn't uncommon for half of a couples' children dying as babies. Sad - but true. I'm not sure you based your "Wrong" response to @susanb3989 entirely on the "In ancient times, people could go barefoot because they didn't need their feet for 90 years. The life expectancy back then was 20 or 30 years." but since your response didn't actually give any data to back up why "If you started in your youth, your feet would probably be in much worse shape." then I presume you'll need to come up with a reason why going barefoot while young, as all early humans obviously did, would result in "much worse shape."
Love! Love! Love my barefoot shoes. Super wide toe box and bends with my foot in every way. No horrible thick foam, no more rolling ankles
Amazing, so happy for you!
@@DrTomBiernackiplease explain how a running shoe or anything helps correct issues? How does restricting the muscles in your feet help anything long term?
@@DrTomBiernackiand I’m not talking about athletic running or athletic activities. I’m talking about the average middle class man working a job where they walk ten-fifteen miles a day
I've been an athlete and running coach for decades. This is the best explanation/analysis of the possible benefits and potential risks of running in barefoot shoes that I've seen. I believe barefoot shoes and barefoot running are beneficial in principle, but there is enormous variation among athletes and casual runners. Anyone transitioning to barefoot running or barefoot shoes should plan on a long, long, period of adjustment.
yes but why do they have problems? because they have lived their whole lives in poor shoes that atrophy the foot! no wonder they suffer in barefoot shoes! what you said is not true, the university of Exeter has proved that cushioned shoes increase the load even when forefoot striking compared to barefoot or minimalist shoes. so not true that there is more load impact in minimalist shoes
Exactly. Funny how he don't mentioned it. Like if it were normal to be sick
@@Ivan_KV He kind of does, but not very explicitly. He does mention that it's important to slowly get things right, or otherwise there is an increased risk of injury where orthotics can help with that.
Its his job to keep you needing to go back
spot on! he also omits sponsorship being a major driving factor in elite marathon runners wearing some of the massive padded canoes they do. These african greats come from humble beginnings and run to school often in... you guessed it... their bare feet!
I don't know. I grew up with very minimalist shoes and that was all I wore for most of my life until I started having some disc issues in my mid 20's and discovered that wearing cushioned shoes relieved the back pain. Now, well supported shoes is all I wear and can't stand walking with no support or cushion in my feet for long periods.
I feel in more control flat footed walking as opposed to over cushioned shoes where I can’t feel what and if I’m even walking right. However I have Achilles tinnitus and planter fasciitis. I read and hear a lot. I’m started to feel it comes down to experimenting and finding what works for you more than following another’s thoughts and recommendations.
Another important fact to consider about our ancestors, is that they had no idea what sidewalks or concrete was. Walking on pavement, is completely different than the varied, and generally much softer train that they walked in.
This. Pavement was created for transportation of goods and "growth" (think destruction).
Ah yes, because in Mesopotamia the STONE roads they built were much softer.
The Mesopotamian cultures you refer to are only about 10,000 years years old. I’m referring to the last 1,000,000 years of evolution…
@@Acidkiddo Dude, nobody in Mesopotamia spent majority of time on stone roads (especially since it was ancient Rome that made stone roads regular thing instead of "that one road in kingdom").
You know who most of the people in Mesopotamia were? With agricultuce being a thing Mesopotamia was famous for? ...Farmers. And fields aren't stone, as you may or may not know.
Also, first paved road in the area I originate from was built in 1950s and I'm from Europe. So, please, get some facts right before writing.
I grew up barefoot a lot of the time. I carried moccasins in my car for when I had to put shoes on. I started getting heel pain as I approached 70. Podiatrist suggested stretches and arch supports. I'm pain free now. Thanks science! and thanks people who study it and pass on their knowledge!
I had my first pair of Vibram for 10 years before glue on heel started unbinding to the point that I had to buy a new pair. I bought a daily wear pair with hemp cloth and went on a 5k when my hips had been hurting me a lot..I even considered cancelling the event for myself. But as I had a friend going..I talked myself into it. For the first time...I actually stuck to walking and wearing the shoes as they were intended...walking strictly on pads of feet for the entire 5k. I kept pace with another person who was also walking slower then the crowd..and made it to the end. My hips felt better and my knees felt really good too - because there is no Impact Event taking place like a heel strike which hammers the entire line from heel thru the knees into the hip joint cushion. Instead your calves are used as the shock absorbers they are designed for, alongside the muscles in the legs and butt...all that muscle IS the suspension system at work...instead of forcing the frame of the body to magically absorb all that. I really feel like these attacks on Vibram and like natural shoes...is coming from big spongy non-natural shoe brands that are upset at losing market share and dont want to see these going more mainstream.
I can tell you I get lots of compliments and questions from people who wear them also..and those that have been curious and never seen them im person. I love mine. Oh..and the daily wear are also great for commutes on planes because I can stretch and bed my toes where a stiff soled shoe would have my foot locked in place strapped in like those Chinese women who's feet were deformed by straps for the sake of looking young and youthful - but it actually breaks and deforms there feet. Regular shoes deform the foot in so many ways.
Straw Man Fallacy: When a person creates and then argues against a position on the issue that no one is actually making. e.g. Referencing a book about a hidden tribe and stating “Spoiler alert: Those guys get smoked in races anyway.” The book was actually about the location of the tribe, their lifestyle, and running as a cultural tradition. The book was NOT about the tribe members trying to win races against other people. Although the author was allowed to run in one of the tribe’s races, that was obviously included as the culmination of the time and effort the person put into building a relationship with tribe members. And the author lost the race!
McDougall talks all the time about how shoes only hurt you and make you slower.
And the “tribe” is in Mexico not Brazil!
Very nice video, thanks for sharing it
Not too long ago a marathoner ran a sub 2 hour marathon. It wasn’t official because of the course and runners were chosen to help pace him and for drafting. It was literally a race to see if he could go sub 2 hours.
Regardless. That guy grew up running barefoot. He’s Ethiopian (I think). Anyway, the barefoot runners are more efficient. One guy said that he thought another runner (think American) could possibly challenge him. But he’d have to run barefoot. And the money is in wearing shoes. Would he be willing to sacrifice income to improve his running.
@@aieahi1 He is Kenyan. Eliud Kipchoge
The more I gradually shifted towards barefoot shoes for walking the better my feet got. Being flat-footed and all I have no issues. And I walk approximately 10 miles five days a week for work.
Becoming more conscious of your walking Dynamics is a benefit as well.
Agree with you on personalized approach. I recommend my patients start slow, taking 6-12 months to just walk in minimalist shoes a full day. I also have them doing strengthening exercises for their feet. Some may never get to the point of using barefoot shoes all day.
It’s very much market driven.
The idea that Athelstan sponsored by Nike would wear anything but the most expensive Nike shoes as an argument for not going barefoot is kinda insane. It’s pretty well documented that a lot of the design features in Nikes shoes have caused issues in runners rather than helping them and have increased the incidences of heel striking. This isn’t to say that the best in the world should be running barefoot (I have my reservations about that many road miles being good for anyone) but they are also elite athletes not regular people.
Yeah, but why have a reasonable conversation when you can get all those sweet clicks, baby!
And as an extremely media-savvy podiatrist, I’m sure he knows much better than you and me that well over 1,000% of all humans were born with severe biomechanical issues that only his healing hands can save.
So let’s sloppily refer to all “the lies” and make recurrent references to a nonspecific menacing “they” like a Fox News host trying to scare you about immigrants.
(and oh by the way actually barefoot running shoes are fine for a lot of people, but dear god don’t accidentally develop any self awareness and think twice before posting such sweet hot garbage as this)
That point was so disingenuous. Many top athletes get problems with their joints and health earlier than even couch potatoes. They go for performance, not health and longevity.
You don't get to the 1% of athletes by worrying what's most healthy for your body, at best you choose gear that reduces that extreme strain.
I’m 21 years old and consider myself very healthy and active. I also got sucked into the barefoot lifestyle for a little while and some problems arose. I have very high arches in my feet and when I switched to barefoot shoes, for a little while it wasn’t bad but I eventually developed very intense pain in the bottom of my heels which I had never had before. It makes sense because we mostly walk on very hard surfaces. I can walk around on the grass barefoot and feel fine but the barefoot shoes do not work for me in everyday life. Even walking around my house barefoot which is all hardwood floors, I get that pain in my heels and even in my fascia. I would love for barefoot shoes to work for me in every day life but they don’t. So gonna have to leave the barefoot walking/running to grass and other soft surfaces.
In barefoot style you need to change the way you walk and train new feet muscles. Step by step, you should be fine and feel better barefoot.
If they give you pain, then get rid of that.
I grew up with minimalist shoes and that's all I wore for most of my life till my mid 20's when I started having back pains due to disc issues.
Now at 30 I can only walk comfortably in well supported, cushioned shoes, and anything flat or barefooted makes my back hurt until I can't walk anymore.
I have no issues with my feet, but if any part of our bodies hurt just from walking, it means that we need to make changes. If you need support and cushions, then wear that. Don't force your body and risk an injury that you might not be able to recover from.
I'm glad to see that comments are actually smart. There's zero connection between highly technical running shoe that is designed to give as much of mechanical advantage as possible and people's foot health. It's like saying that soccer players should always walk around with their cleats.
I as a farmer rancher wore western boots for many years crowding my toes in the process. Finding wide shoes becamexa challenge as always limited in sizes with wide shoes availability. Double E and even triple e shoes in certain brands are what i need.
I've been in barefoot shoes for almost 20 years(used water shoes before the barefoot craze started), I can't get my feet into regular shoes. My feet feel like they are in cement blocks if I try to wear regular shoes, and I trip and fall b/c I'm not getting enough feedback about the ground. I walk dogs for a living, and run for fun. Happy feet for me.
I had over pronation I had all the problems, I went barefoot and concentrated on not being over pronated and now I have no issues and walk better.
I tried barefoot shoes 14 years ago.. never looked back. I walk and run and lift using barefoot shoes. No more ankle, knee or hip pain. Guess it works for me.
Amazing! So happy it's working for you. And for sure I don't want to make it seem like they are bad (I think many people are taking it that way), we should all work out way toward being able to walk barefoot, and if you can get there earlier, why wait! 😁
Barefoot shoes are good for situations where you could simply go barefoot. Good shoes provide a lot of foot, and ankle protection. I wore barefoot shoes in NYC for a conference, and my ankles and feet were not happy.
summary of the video is: "it depends". I had feet pain for years and switching to barefoot shoes while im doing my run on my !forest trail! alleviated all of that while walking around on concrete it makes it worse so i wear regular shoes with lots of cushioning for that occasion.
this video wont convince zealots so no need to be discouraged from zealous comments.
there is no one perfect shoe for every occasion for everyone.
lol barefoot just like vegan. very toxic
Some of his comments are not accurate. Barefoot shoes actually correct bunions and hammer foot.
Also he stated that remote indian tribes of SA got smoked in races. Fact was in ultramarathon races Mexican Indians smoked westerners.
Do you have a source to prove that these shoes correct bunions? Please point to the study done showing those people with bunions that wore barefoot shoes compared to those that didn't wear barefoot shoes had bunion resolution.
@@blairjolley I saw before and after examples on a blog called barefoot universe
Wow! You answered all the questions I had about barefoot shoes. I have recently developed PF, however I also have PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) and extremely bad knees, I pronate. I viewed another Dr with a protocol for PF. Barefoot shoes and barefoot walking were recommended. As you indicated, each person has to be looked at as a whole...hip, back, gait, knees, etc to determine the proper course of action. I am bone on bone with my knees and barefoot shoes don't give my knees support. I recently had orthotics made but my PF is killing me but I guess I need to give it some time and follow some of your suggestions for PF. Thank you so much.
8:22 The only non-minimalist shoe brand I'm aware of with a natural shaped toe box shoes is Altra, hence why minimalist shoe companies have claimed wide toe boxes as their own. I can speak from experience that forcing my large toes inward via shoes causes joint pain that doesn't exist with a roomy toe box shoe.
I tried barefoot shoes for about 3 months and developed ball of foot pain in my right foot, so gave up on them. Our ancestors may have gone barefoot, but they were mostly walking on soil, grass and sand. We walk mostly on concrete and asphalt. We need more protection and cushioning. Save the barefoot shoes for walking on softer surfaces.
100% agree, they can be a really really good choice eventually, but they are not the only choice and some of the "barefoot bros" true to force them on people who are not a great fit 😊
Thank you for the comment and have an amazing Christmas 🎄🎁 and happy new year! 😊🙏
Same thing was happening to me. Playing on the court in barefoot shoes. But using a roller and rolling the fascia made a huge difference. It m over weight and obviously road running isn’t natural. I’ll use altra for that so I have padding. The wide toe box is amazing though and I will never go back to pointed shoes. I can deal with a 5-12mm drop but the toe box is a must.
@@danielcielmaee3642if you were playing on the court while being overweight with barefoot shoes, it sounds like you progressed much too quickly. I started my transition almost 2 years ago and still run in my Altras. The most vigorous activity I do even now in BF shoes is backwards treadmill. I also do strength training for just my feet as well as all my leg workouts in barefoot shoes. I also just hiked 1st time in Vivos made for hiking.
My foot pain was at a 7-8 some days(entire adult life) before all this and was considering multiple surgeries. Now it's a 0 most days.
Going straight barefoot shoes all the time is like trying to max deadlift with back pain and no former training.
But yes, wide toe box is a game changer Especially with toe spacers... I might even argue they're as important as or more important.
@@danielcielmaee3642if you were playing on the court while being overweight with barefoot shoes, it sounds like you progressed much too quickly. I started my transition almost 2 years ago and still run in my Altras. The most vigorous activity I do even now in BF shoes is backwards treadmill. I also do strength training for just my feet as well as all my leg workouts in barefoot shoes. I also just hiked 1st time in Vivos made for hiking.
My foot pain was at a 7-8 some days(entire adult life) before all this and was considering multiple surgeries. Now it's a 0 most days.
Going straight barefoot shoes all the time is like trying to max deadlift with back pain and no former training.
But yes, wide toe box is a game changer Especially with toe spacers... I might even argue they're as important as or more important.
I have flat wide feet and had bunion surgery years ago on both feet..my feet have always hurt..until I started wearing barefoot shoes..I dont' care what anyone or any study shows..I know my feet haven't felt this good , ever. I wore them in Vegas last year for the first time and I never got tired of walking, in fact I was able to walk for a lot longer and further than I ever had before.I can't wear them for work and after a 12 hour shift my feet are sore wearing regular shoes.
I have bad feet, my orthopedist basically saved my life and allowed me to practice Tennis again thanks to custom soles he assembles every year following my own evolution.
As an orthopedist yourself, can you make custom soles for a barefoot shoe, or will I have to let go and keep wearing a limited selection of higher end regular shoes?
I had Morton's Neuroma. I was trusting podiatrists and spend thousands on shoes, treatments and orthotics. Noting helped. Switched to barefoot and the issue went away in a few weeks. Of course I transitioned slowly slowly. I was walking very little in the beginning and slowly built up. By following common methods like ortotics that you recommed I suffered for years. Yeah I paid a lot of money for podiatrists checking me out with softwares and stuff. Im glad I broke from the advice of specialists like you. No hate, just your protocols didn't work on me. For me barefoot worked.
I am 53 and switched to barefoot shoes almost 3 yrs ago. Before I had plantar fasciitis and a bunion that had become painful. These no longer bother me. I have noticed some knee strain though
Barefoot shoes aren't going to fix your feet if you have already got serious issues, although I think they could probably help relieve some pain if adapted to correctly. I think making healthy clothes and exercise a priority is better thought of as preventative.
Barefoot walking in the woods always boosts my mood and helps me feel alive, and there's science that backs this up (look up Shinrin Yoku, Phytoncides [particles released by plants that are anticarcinogenic], and forest bathing).
Since starting to wear barefoot shoes and sleep on the floor grounded, a lot of joint pain I was having has been largely reduced. Swollen feet and ankles are no longer an issue. I also have largely cut out sugar and hyper-processed foods. I'm 27 and very physically active, so finding ways to reduce inflammation and help my body stay as healthy as it can as I age has been helpful for staying active pain-free.
What biomechanical software do you use if I may ask?
"supportive" shoes are great for people that want to weaken their feet. support your feet by strengthening them and then letting them be active while ur walking/running
I was a ballroom dancer. As I got older, my feet hurt more & more from the high heels, & I noticed my ankles turning in. I bought shoes with wider toes & added arch supports-along with barefoot shoes. After trying both, my sense is my feet position must be corrected so rest of body muscles adjust before I wear barefoot. I walk around barefoot inside & that’s enough for now. But if I don’t wear arch support my feet will kill me esp if I walk or dance on concrete. I have a dancer friend with severe plantar fasciitis, & he needs cushioning & support to stay active. I think barefoot shoes are cool & I do strengthening & stretching so maybe I’ll wear them someday. But my friend probably won’t. Either way it’s fantastic if anything works, esp after years of wearing bad shoes & hard-floor impact.
Thank you for all the great, detailed info. Like the recommendations on footwear, braces, strengthening etc. Wish I was closer to your offices!
this video exactly confirmed my toughts non of the extremes are good. Tight toebox pointy shoes with extremely raised heel can ruin your feet but we are also very likely to have problems by walking barefoot on concrete in the city(as i hed when started with barefoot to fast). So now i take sort of inbetween approach i wear barefoot shoes that fits nicely but have more than zero cushioning usually i buy some with 5mm minimal a than put 5 mm heel lift cushion and another insole there so i have like 1cm cushioning with heel raised just a bit and i love it i can walk kilometres on concrete without issues and i feel like i can get the strengtening benefits of barefoot shoe. I really urge people that they shoudnt go straight into barefoot walking if they were used to big heel lift because gooing from like 3 cm lift to zero will definetely stress your achilles if you wouldnt lower it gradually
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the great response! 😊❤🙏
If possible, we would appreciate a quick and easy rating from you, and a good rating makes a BIG difference for us!
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Thanks again for watching!
All the best to you!
I've thought of doing that too, but some barefoot shoes don't have the structure for an additional cushioning to stay in place. Have you got brands you recommend?
@@MissSarahGM i wear the brand called Barebarics they have awesome designs that look like regular sneakers and i never had problems with the cushioning not being in place they have comfy well structured heels. They also sell additional insole just right for the shoe. But i dont know where are you from and if they sell worldwide.🤷♂️
@@Linci10Linci Thank you, they look chunky but only 6 mm sole. Good if an additional sole stays in place. They are available here in Europe, I will look them up!
@@MissSarahGM No problem glad to help. I wear them with that additional insoles which are quite thick and also gel heelpads which i glue in that setting could give you like 10mm in front and 12 mm in heel area which i find ideal. They are not cheap but the quality is awesome they last! If you want something "barefoot like" with more cushioning i also suggest brand Altra those are running sneakers with wide toebox, flexible sole and zero drop but starts at like 20mm up to 40mm thickness as they are for running on concrete or trail.
I tried the barefoot shoes while studying in Italy, I was walking constantly, and mostly on hard surfaces. I never went to the doctor, but my legs, feet, hips, all experienced issues. My feet first, and then my hip. It was so painful at one point that I couldn’t walk.
I went through the same thing, but I believe it was because of wearing the wrong shoes for so long, that when I put on the barefoot shoes it showed how much imbalances formed because of it.. now after about 1-2 yrs of working on all these issues, my body is healthier than it’s ever been and still wearing barefoot shoes daily
8:23 Yes, anatomical toe box is not the same as barefoot shoes, but it's very hard to find shoes without the pointy form apart from barefoot brands! I personaly don't mind the cushioning, I just don't want my toes to be squished
Did you find anything? For me its the same. I wear Barefoot shoes just for the toebox and the zero drop.
@@RathalosLARPSame. I love the wide toe box.
Altra running shoes offer a wide toe box. Works for me.
@@annmariethomas9968 do they have a high volume in the forefoot area?
I often have issues that a shoe is to flat for me and squish my foot from above.
I tried joe nimble for example and hat to refund them. Same for barebarics and belenka and lems.
All of them are considered wide toebox but ar flat like hell for me 😅
Try Jim green leather shoes/boots. Wide toe box.
Thanks for your explanations. One thing is indisputable, they are expensive.
Which program do you use to record and assess people walking, which program or app? Thank you
I will never go back to regular shoes after switching to barefoot, best thing I ever did. I am wearing Hykes Flex and would recommend them.
Seems everyone is talking about runners and I'm not a runner. I am a 67 yr old woman, have had broken left ankle and ten years later broken leg under the left knee from a tree falling on me so no running here (I'm bionic, LOL, lots of metal on that left leg). I wore too small shoes for years, once did a one day 20 mile charity walk when I was a teenager in, gulp, the recommended saddle oxfords, ugh, made a permanent callous on the ball of that foot that I have to shave off from time to time. Now, I've developed a callous on the actual side of my right foot below the toe box, just too many years of Walmart crap shoes. I walk a lot of miles each day on root-and-rock-ridden mountain homestead. Super wide toe box shoes are usually too wide in the heel. I've never spent more than $40 on shoes, could not afford it and still can't afford shoes over $75. I took to wearing men's hiking boots, Brahma brand, in size 6.5, to get the wide toe box, though they are a bit loose in the heel area, used to wear a men's size 5. Generally over the years, I've had to increase my size to from 6.5 to 7.5 W women's shoes, but some are still too toe-crunchy in the toe box, even wide width (I know wide width doesn't mean wide toe box). Lately, I wear sloggers from Tractor Supply to do the barn chores, pretty flat I guess. I did get a pair of New Balance running shoes in women's 7.5 and they are pretty comfortable so far, but I have to wear "chicken shoes" to the barn that I leave outside the back door so don't really want to spend a lot of $$ on those. Is there a truly affordable and yet really good shoe for me anywhere? Used to be, we had shoe stores that checked our size with that slide device, but now we're on our own, like with everything else. So many conflicting videos here on YT. ~Cynthia, N. GA mountains
Hiked great distances in shoes for decades. No problems with and on my feet. Standing in shoes for decades. No problems with and on my feet. Not two months barefoot walking and standing and I have in both feet a plantar fasciosis and problems with the posteior tendons. So it worked perfectly for me walking barefoot.
i had my arm in a sling once for a few months had pt to recover. after you smashed your feet for decades practically immobilized into shoes you got hurt barefoot. sounds like i should start sooner and more carefully if im older and my feet are weaker from my previous footwear choices.
How and where do you get a bio mechanical exam? Who provides that? My podiatrist? My chiropractor? My regular doctor?
I only ever wear Vans, nothing with heels or joggers, so bought some barefoot sneakers to try out. They are comfy as anything but I don't jog so only wear them for day to day. So far, so good.
I have been wearing barefoot shoes for 2 years trying to help correct runners' knees. What I feel the results have been are: my feet get sore long before my knees. Over time, my feet have been able to walk farther. During the process of wearing barefoot shoes, I realized that part of my problem is that I have tailors bunions, which affect my gate. So, I have been addressing the tailors' buinions to even more effect. I feel like if I addressed the problems that were wrong with my gait first, then barefoot shoes would not have been necessary BUT I have gotten to a positive result over time due to thinking about my feet, and trying to correct problems. I can easily walk twice as far now than when I first started wearing barefoot shoes, the difference being 1 mile up to 2 miles. But after 2 miles, my problem isn't my knees, it's my feet. I feel like not only did the barefoot shoes help regain my ability to walk, slowly over time, but also, I feel like I will continue to improve. When it was my knees that were the problem, I felt like I would eventually walk to the point they would give out, and I would no longer be able to walk, after 1 mile. So 2 years, up to 2 miles, and not nearly as much knee complaints.
May i know which motion capture software you used?
Hi Dr., i notice my right foot kind of tllt it to the right side when walking causing my foot pain..Do you have any good suggestion? Which type of shoes should i wear? Thank you.
Too much discussion around barefoot shoes is centered around running and not enough is focused on the shape especially in the toes. I was i so much pain every day because of my big toe being squished to the side. There aren't any regular shoes that are both wide enough and straight enough on the big toe side. I actually prefer barefoot shoes for shorter walks up to 10km and more cushioned shoes for longer walks.
It would be great if the pointed toebox was banned especially in women's fashion.
I think the shape of shoes is so understudied that there can be no conclusions drawn on how they affect regular walking.
Check out the brand "altra" they might be the perfect shoe for you 😁
@@DrTomBiernacki I'm not a runner - those shoes are useless to me.
"It would be great if the pointed toebox was banned especially in women's fashion"
women are never very practical. they can just wear mens shoes but choose not to.
@@rgw5991 you can make fashionable shoes with an anatomically shaped toe box - duh.
What gait analysis app is that in your video?
This is such a useful video for me to see and take advice from as I have been off my feet for a number of years due to serious health issues.
Historically it didn't matter what footwear or exercises I did for lumbar disc issues, achilles tendonitis and knee pains that I had suffered for many years - twenty-five plus - I was always just managing the pain and never fixing the problems. I later became bedridden & housebound with ME/CFS in 2006 so I was in a bad place physically.
I started a very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet which improved a lot of my ME symptoms but I still had joint and tendon issues. Finally in January 2023 I decided to try carnivore because I really needed to shift some pounds. Years of not being able to exercise deconditions you so much and it's hard to avoid weight gain. It doesn't happen overnight but as of today, mid April 2024, I have lost 4 stone and am just one stone from the top end of ideal weight for my height. No longer bed/housebound I am once more able to engage in natural weight bearing exercise such as mucking out my horses, do heavy diy and gardening. At my worst with my ME, I had to summon the strength to make it to the bathroom but I am now able to walk a good couple of miles without feeling fatigue (yes, I know.... for you runners out there that sound pathetic 😂) But the most important thing for me is that very quickly my ME symptoms of fatigue and brain fog lifted and over the months my joint pains, lumber issue and tendonitis have completely disappeared. (Even my neck crunching has gone which is a relief because that always sounded as though I was falling to bits.
I am now in a much better position where I can concentrate on doing exercises that help strengthen my muscles using natural weight bearing exercise and more formal exercise because I'm no longer in pain and my recumbant bike is my best friend for improving my stamina. The only thing I do out of precaution more than necessity is still wear slight risers in my footwear to prevent undue strain on my tendons but I am hopeful that healing is still occuring.
There is a common saying "No hoof, no horse" - in other words your horse is lame from poor foot care. This video has helped me realise the same applies to us as humans so thank you for making this.
I have been going barefoot almost all day for 15 years, I’m not even 40. In the house this is awesome. But when I go hiking or a 5 mile walk, doesn’t matter how many years I’ve done this, my feet hurt. I’m lazy and hate shopping so haven’t changed, but I can attest being barefoot doesn’t cure all ailments. I was even mostly barefoot as a kid.
Thoughts about stride. In cushy shoes, when going for a longer stride, we tend to reach forward from our center of gravity and land harder with our heel, putting strain on our joints and tissue in a position that's not optimal. Our feet are mostly prevented from flexing like a spring, so the concussion is transferred up the chain. Barefoot, we receive feedback that encourages us to land with our foot under our center of gravity, and when we lengthen our stride, it is longer behind us, where our optimum support and push come from. It is our whole body absorbs the shock, instead of the shoe, but the position of the foot is different in relation to the body (than in a cushy shoe) while this happens.
I have always shucked my shoes the instant I get home. Over the years I realized that I was more comfortable and capable in a minimal, hard-soled shoe, and that slippers are my enemy. If the sole and insole are anything but dead flat, it causes problems (blisters, tendon and ligament pain). If the shoe is loose at the instep, or the sole is stiff or thick, I'm clumsier and slower. And "large" toe boxes are barely tall or wide enough, possibly because I grew up running barefoot outdoors.
Both experience and logic agree with the "start slow and gradually build strength" directive. Ligaments are generally the slowest support structure to respond, so giving the 6 week guideline is very helpful. But what came across as strongly was that "lots of people just won't benefit from going barefoot." Maybe that wasn't the intended message, maybe it was bias, but I think it could deter some who should actually work their way toward going barefoot.
Barefoot shoes "cause" injuries because people have not learned to assess feedback but suppress it, plus, someone whose feet have always been smothered will need to allow nerve recovery and brain development before they can expect to assess such feedback.
One more factor is what you're used to walking on. If you are used to hills and bumps, your feet will advance to barefoot more easily than if you're used to flat floors and stairs only. Give your body the experience of various terrain, whether you change footwear or not.
Considering whether you should go barefoot? Asses whether you are willing to slowly work your way to freedom and strength, or just want to be "fixed" without changing your life. Honestly, neither way is a guarantee.
I learned last year that I supinate when I gave myself plantar fasciitis during hiking. When I had my bunions shaved off at 20 years old, the podiatrist at the time told me that my ankles were crooked. In order to straighten them I would have to break my legs. I said Hell No then, but I am now wondering if that causes the supination in both feet. When I wear flip flops (not often) my ankles slowly move off of the heel, which is why I can't wear heels that don't have straps or I'd roll my ankles. NOW I get sharp pain in my left food on the side of it after hiking or walking long distances. Podiatrist just guessed arthritis without any tests and that annoyed me.
Literally no one says it’s a quick transition. Myth #4 is only a myth for people who haven’t looked into it enough yet. I do appreciate you emphasizing that it takes time though
Zero drop shoes fixed a lot of my problems-until they didn't. When I started wearing a second pair of the same shoe and model, I began having problems. Pain in the tops of my feet, and tendonitis in my right tibialis/arch. I don't understand what happened. For now, I've gone back to wearing a stability shoe with a heel drop. I'm bummed. I think it really depends on the person and their special circumstances. Also, I've found that my needs seem to change each time I need a new shoe.
About myth 5: I had to think about that scene from Back to the Future where Doc tells some guys in a saloon that where he comes from people run for fun, and he gets laughed at. And I would think that all our ancestors thought that way. They wouldn't have run until they absolutely had to. And they certainly didn't run 5 to 10 Km at a time three or four times per week. So this argument "Our body was made for this" might not be entirely true.
I have been wearing barefoot sandals at work. They are so cute and I love the feel grounds I have! But I've noticed that when I'm on my feet all day I have constant heel pain! Is it because my feet arent used to it? Do people eventually get over this or what?
Crazy to see how many people disagree with even a little push back on barefoot shoes. What works for you might not work for others.
I have on neutral foot and one that supinates. I don’t have knee or leg pain but my right hip abductor on the foot that supinates is stiff (lots of PT and stretching). I run in brooks ghost 15 but looking for a lower drop shoe. What do you recommend?
I’m prone to supination I noticed already lone peaks 7 kinda relieved my back pain and gave me better movement, other than than Mike structure are heavy ones that are with drop but they give stability I noticed I couldn’t accept them as they star causing pain beyond my biggest toe after getting mentally used to altars (even though I returned them to buy the wide version🤷🏻♂️)
I hope that helped
I have always been a supinator ..both feet, with higher than average arches. I am tored of it being observed that some of us supinate...and then be ignored whilst dealing with pronators. I have a neuroma and a bunion on left foot. I feel sure there is a link, but who will ever give insight into supinators ? And where to get wholesome hiking or everyday footwear for us . Please ????
I have flexible, pronating feet and have always felt that I need supportive stability running shoes and orthotics for my trail running. Recently I have been surprised to find that I like minimalist running shoes on trails that are not too rocky. I am wondering if alternating between stability and barefoot or minimalist shoes is an OK idea.
What about something like barefoot shoes with insoles? I trip and am unstable in regular running shoes with a lot of height. I need something with wide toes and zero drop, but also a little arch support and padding.
There's a company named Jim Green that has a wide toe box and they have one close to the ground and one barefoot that might be close to what you want. I don't have a pair of the bare foot shoes but I use their steel toe option for work and it's good
Try Altra lone peak trail runners.They are wonderful.
Can I wear barefoot shoes if I have a high arch??
Dunno about all the hype in either direction but I’ve using barefoot shoes (including cheap “water shoes” from Walmart) for the last 4 years and I now have ZERO plantar fasciitis, zero arch pain, zero ankle or knee pain. I’m 62 now and it did take time gradually working up to hiking rocky trails, etc.
Doctor. Basic science explains that we shouldn’t land on our heals while running. What are we doing here?
I transitioned to a pair of vibrams about a year after i started a running program at the age of 49. 13 years later i still wear them from april until sometime in october. Then just wear them around the house or change if I'm going to be inside for most if the day,. Had flat feet don't have flat feet anymore.
What do you think about Altra barefoot shoes?
I wish I lived close for an office visit but I live in Texas Houston area.
I’ve been to 2-3 foot doctors and don’t feel any of the orthotics help. What type of a doctor and what type of exam do you recommend I seek out that is similar to how you practice? I feel I need more of a whole body assessment not just my feet. Thanks
Walking barefoot can offer several health benefits for older adults, including improved balance, foot strength, and better sensory feedback from the ground. By going without shoes, the small muscles in the feet are activated, helping enhance stability and reducing the risk of falls-a common concern in aging. Barefoot walking can also encourage more natural alignment of the body, potentially easing joint strain over time. However, it’s important to consider individual health conditions. Older adults with diabetes, neuropathy, or foot issues may face increased risks of injury, making barefoot walking unsafe on rough or uneven surfaces. In these cases, supportive footwear may be necessary to protect the feet while still promoting mobility. For those who are healthy and careful, barefoot walking on soft surfaces like grass or sand could be a safe and beneficial practice.
When I was in Iraq I was in boots pretty much all the time. I got plantar fasciitis while there. As soon as I got home I went back to working out barefoot at home and being barefoot most of the time I wasn't working (back in boots). The PF cleared up within about 4 months. I am sure there could be more to it, but what worked for me was getting out of shoes as much as possible.
What is the best way to transition from orthotic to foot shape shoes, not necessarily Minimalist shoes?
Gradually getting used to walking straight with shoes and insoles, while strength training and working on flexibility while slowly increasing your barefoot time. Left me know if that helps? 😊
The reality is that major shoe companies "sponsor" marathoners. They are selling shoes.
These are professional runners that will do anything it takes to win, that's why they get the sponsorships 😁, but fully agree always have to look at the $
In Africa and Asia millions of people walk with no shoes every day with no problems except against sharp and toxic things.
His comments are so accurate. The barefoot shoes ruined my feet. I wish that I had found this video before purchasing those shoes.
What happened?
@@markkihu9227 foot cramping could not drive. Couldn't feel the brake pedal
I'm 45. I've never worn high heels. I've always hated cushioned types of shoes. I've always walked a lot, and minimal converse type of shoes have been my preferred footwear unless the weather forced me out of them. I don't wear slippers, I walk barefoot at home, might use socks if it's cold. My feet are triangle shaped and I find a lot of shoes uncomfortable. That's why I love the wide toe box shoes. I'm not bothered about the barefoot experience, as for that I don't need shoes 😂 But feet shaped footwear is simply more comfortable for me.
TYSM. I am healthy. Have a nice video! 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️
Hykes Vivo for me, love the barefoot lifestyle, best decision ever.
I’m almost 60 and bought some new barefoot boots when I started a new job and was going to be walking loads of extra steps a day. I haven’t really had any issues and they are comfortable. Although I have noticed more hard skin appearing. May just be because I’m on my feet a lot more, and it may be caused by the shoes. Either way, I’m happy with them overall. I’ve had vivo’s summer shoes before, and they are definitely my favourite shoes when I’m going to be on my feet more or walking distances. Video is interesting though. All things I didn’t really consider before!
Amazing, I'm so happy that you are getting good results!
What about Birkenstocks? The are patterned after walking barefoot in sand.😊
My knees get worse with shoes with big heels because I felt less stability and I over pronate way more
Love your channel and all the great info. Question, would you possibly have a recommendation of a podiatrist in So. Cal, south of Los Angeles?
So i guess i have a few questions. 1. Im hyper mobile(180⁰ movement in most joints), so will this help with possible hyper-extentions? 2. I mainly walk/run on my toes. I can't run on my heels, it doesnt feel right. 3. I prefer to hike and walk barefoot, so would there be very little adjustment? I would say im pretty lean and fit due to hiking and work
So wait, putting your foot into a say a pointier toe shoe every day wont over time cause the jacked up toe look, where to toe pushes more inward? Ie a point flat, vs a more rounded flat (not sneakers but dressier shoes for work?)
A flat shoe has never bothered me, even in sneakers but they're not barefoot ones. I often have like Adidas Stan Smiths or Puma Fast Cats. Small raise but more flat.
Curious because i try and stay away from those pointier toe shoes, and higher heels my grandma and aunts and older cousins wore because they all have jacked up looking feet. Figured it was the shoes. Theyre all small people so like weight isnt an issue for pressure on the feet, I don't think.
Your clientele may benefit from working on improving there symmetry and not just compensate with motion control sneakers and orthotics?
Thanks for this info!
What are super shoes?
Interesting. I have been wearing only barefoot shoes since I discovered them. Before that I wore sandals. I hate supportive shoes. In the past, I've tried all the arch supports and custom supports etc. They seemed to help for a while, but not in the long run. I'm old now and even less am I willing to wear supportive shoes. I can't balance properly in them. But as you say, everybody is different.
Hi Doc! Glad I found your channel. I'm from Michigan butI live in California. As a former ballet artist,I would love to get the biomechanical exam. I'm returning to the dance studio for summer intensive training at 66. I've had hammer toe developed over the years and the pain comes and goes. I wrap toes every workout but could use some tips on, how to strengthen healthy ankles upon retraining on point shoes. Otherwise, I'm basically pretty healthy at 66. For a former dancer, teacher,coach, pescatarian/ Mediterranean diet and mostly wear wide toe box shoes, any tips on hammer toe resolve?
Thank a Bunch!
I think that every person has different needs and different feet. In my case, I have been doing barefoot since I was very young at home, even in the countryside, or even in town I would have my flip-flops in my hands and walk barefoot, I just love it!!, and, at the same time, I never had shoes that squish even a little my feet and I had t flat shoes all the time, until 5 years ago that I started to have feet pain. I have tried many different things, but Sketchers and changing a bit my way of walking by using putting lees pressure my heel (watched this in one of the many videos I watch in TH-cam) has drastcally relief my pain. I still love barefoot and I always do at home, but with after few hours or just simple activities I start to feel again some pain
I appreciate your objective video
I think the reason people wear barefoot shoes is not to maximize performance, but to develop stronger feet/legs, be more aware of their footfall patterns/posture so they are not unduly stressing the rest of their joints.
Extremely supportive shoes definitely have their place for competition/injury rehab, but i think the arguement is that if you use these all the time, you lose strength.
I'm so lucky when I were young I'm used to barefoot. 😮😮😮
What about steel toe boots for work? I'm trying to find some and 0. I'm working in industrial field 8 to 12 hours per day and I really need they make steel toe box boot for us 😢😢😢
So I am happy with new tech, but I want a toebox that fits my toes.
I struggle to find these shoes, and the only brands that seem to entertain a wide toebox seem to be barefoot shoes.
So the only alternative is crocs.