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My dude, the most important part is to have a shoe with a natural foot shape. The amazon one, while ticking other boxes, DOES NOT have a natural foot shape. You can see it when you compare both of the shoes from the bottom the one from Amazon is not going straight where you have the big toe part but it's actually curving inwards.
@@thaboseane502 Their modern warped use is for aesthetics but that's not why they were designed. Pointed shoes were designed for riding horses. High heels were designed to keep people out of the street muck. Corsets were designed for support and don't mangle or constrict (especially if they're made and fitted correctly). The tiny waists that people associate with corsets are made with padding and over exaggerated image manipulation.
It’s also cheaper to make shoes narrower and most ppl think you need arch support. But if you ask an engineer, arches are stronger with force being applied to the top forcing downward, if you apply force to the bottom forcing upwards, the arch fails.
@@lisaphares2286 That's so interesting 🤔 thanks so much, I love that I learned something new today.. I have a bunch of arch insoles that I thought were helping and now see they might not be
I think it started because of horses riding pointed toes make going in and out of the stirrups easier. And than it became a goofy fashion thing. Don’t quote me on it I’m not sure but I think that’s how it started. Doesn’t make any las stupid though. Lol 😂
I went completely barefoot for 8 months. No, I didnt work at the time. Long story. But the point is this: My balance imroved, my feet loosened up, back and knee pain were negligible. The minute I had to wear boots again knees, feet and back hurt again.
Bought my first pair of Vivo Barefoot shoes in August 2021 and now I have a total of 4 pairs (for different occasions). For 30+ years I had flat feet and no natural arch in my foot, since wearing barefoot shoes I have developed an arch, my posture has improved and my feet feel so much better.
Hey Shervin, no I haven’t shared this with any foot doctor. It was only when I went to the Vivo Barefoot store in London (was in there for over an hour), that I’d learnt about the importance of space around the toe box and that I’d been wearing the wrong size for years 😊.
Ive developed plantar fascitis and patella tendinitis wearing plenty of shoes with arch support and custom orthotics. Dealing with with this for years, I'm not overusing my legs, I can't even run anymore. I just got a pair of vivos, they fit really well and I hope they can help some issues go away.
The more I've been looking into getting barefoot shoes, the more I realize I already use something kind of similar. I used to skateboard a lot in my teens, and for the most part I've worn skate shoes ever since. They tend to have no height difference from heel to toe, are wider in the toes, and they're relatively thin and flexible so you can feel the board better underneath you (depending of course on which ones you get, but I'd say the majority and the ones I get especially are like that). They do give a bit more cushion for impacts than I believe a barefoot shoe would of course, but they seem to be a good middle ground from what I can gather, and might even be the better option for certain people from a budget angle and a transition point.
@gandito4058 I've gotten nike sb's the last couple of times. Really any will do, though. Nike, Lakai, Vans, Adidas, etc... all make good ones. I would try to feel them out in store, and sometimes they can be stiff at first, but when I skated, we always bent them in every direction for a while to get them to loosen up.
I was literally having this same thought recently when looking into barefoot shoes. My skate shoes have all the qualities you mention but still give you that extra inch when standing too 😂
@Ghostvix That's definitely an issue you can run into, which is why I'd recommend trying them on first. I've usually noticed there is more room than running shoes, though, where my toes are always squished.
There's definitely a health benefit in wearing the footwear that is most comfortable to you. I was yelled at a ton as a kid for walking outside without shoes on, so I naturally enjoy barefoot shoes, minimalist sandals, five fingers for walking, hiking, working out. But you really have to ease into minimalist footwear if you aren't used to walking without support. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR GAIT and that is an uncomfortable process for many people. You have to build up the muscles that you weren't using, and people tend to fatigue during this process and just slam their foot into the ground when fatigued. This can easily cause ligament strain and shin splints.
@@loganmedia1142 if I tried to walk barefoot for like 1/3 of year here I wouldn't need any shoes at all. Or even toe clippers XD And for the rest people are throwing shit on the ground so still probably not good idea
I recently started using the five fingers and people have openly mocked me, it’s fun, I’m out there walking super comfortable and that’s all that matters
I recently started wearing the fivefingers and I've had the opposite response - at least those who speak up with a comment. Plenty stare and don't say anything. I absolutely love them regardless.
@@snorrevonflake They seemed like a ridiculous option to me before I tried them. Now, surprisingly, I can confidently say they're the best shoes I've ever owned. 🤷🏼
Screw all those people! I've been wearing five fingers for 15 years now, love em! People may say things and i just tell them that I like them and fortunately their opinion doesn't matter, lol!! They shut up pretty quick!
I sprained my midfoot somewhere around 2016 and had pain every now and then for years after. I spent about a year transitioning to barefoot shoes and haven't had pain from walking too much on it in over a year. Anecdotally, I'd say barefoot shoes for the win
I had a crippling mid foot injury, low back pain, bad knees, against all advise by podiatrists and consultants I went down the bare foot / shoe, and correct toes route, absolutely extraordinary results , within a matter of weeks the pain subsided after years of suffering, within a year all pain gone, absolutely adore vivos !
I’ve been wearing my creepy toe shoes (vibram 5 fingers) for a decade now! I love ‘em. I feel awesome and am never going back. For reference, I’m 48, CrossFitter, yoga practitioner, and generally feel awesome most of the time. Longest run in vibrams: 10 miles. Longest hike in vibrams: 50 miles in mountain terrain.
The default state for humans is barefoot. The burden of proof is on shoe advocates to explain why footwear is superior. The science of cushioning, heel drop, etc, is lacking.
ปีที่แล้ว +27
There is a whole difference that should be made between "unsubstantiated claims" and "wrong claims". Vibram settled the class action because they were a bit reckless in their claims while they have no actual proof to defend them. Nothing says these claims were right or wrong. Now, if you think about the biomechanics of feet and legs, what they say makes a lot of sense : having shoes compressing the toes distorts feet over time (just look at the feet of women in their 50's who have worn "sexy" shoes for most of their life… nothing sexy to look at after a couple of decades) and it's just common sense that reducing foot surface reduces stability. Then, thick soles only dampen "wrong" (brutal) foot strokes and surely makes leg muscles lazy while letting people take wrong habits. Human have evolved to be moving mechanics, and it turns out that most technologies allowing human to avoid effort and reduce motion are actually detrimental to our well-being because… we just need to activate those muscles to be well, since a lot of biochemical reactions depend on juices flowing. Motion is life and muscles are the way to move. Vibram marketing and their lack of scientific background doesn't mean they are wrong, they are most likely too forward and should probably invest more in research and less in advertising.
I can’t remember barefoot shoe manufacturers claiming they’ll reverse your back problems. You need to figure out why you have back issues then go from there.
The arch support… the bane of every shoe I ever had…. Arch support kills my feet. My arches are in weird places for my foot size and so every shoe hits it at the wrong place and it ends up hurting me so bad! It even dislocated a bone in my foot! (No BS-ing about that one!)
I loved my barefoot shoes. I started them into my run rotation on the shorter runs, and then slowly but surely into the longer runs (5k+). I ended up using them for most runs within a few months. I backed off initially during the transition due to over use pain in my feet. While I have good arches, I don't think my feet were ready without any support. Once I got over that I really enjoyed them. It was weird having your toes separate on uneven terrain at first. Once they got stronger though it was very noticeable for stability and mobility as a whole. I will be getting another pair.
The point you make at 10:48 is how I feel too for the most part. I also have wide feet and I think situationally the barefoot shoes tend to be better. I have a pair of Tolos that I use on leg day because they give me that extra stable feeling. And I have a pair of Icarus for daily wear. I have tried to run in Altra (Olympus Via) but the foam is terrible. I just go back to my wide width new balances. I do wish the barefoot market had better looking shoes. I mean I can't really wear any none barefoot shoes that look good because they come in narrow width only. At the end of the day I am just glad to have some flat, wide, comfy shoes for most situations. I don't care too much about the potentially exaggerated health claims.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🧐 Barefoot shoes claimed to have health benefits, but are they as good as advertised? 01:27 🦶 Wide toe box in barefoot shoes benefits foot strength, balance, and posture. 02:53 🏃 Zero drop heels in barefoot shoes promote natural posture, ankle mobility, and reduced strain. 04:21 🦶 Arch support vs. no arch support in barefoot shoes, impact on foot strength and injury prevention. 07:13 👣 Thin, flexible sole in barefoot shoes enhances ground feel, sensory feedback, and natural movement. 10:10 🤔 Science isn't definitive on barefoot shoes, critical thinking and personal preference play a role. Made with HARPA AI
Awesome video man, all I know of I've been struggling with osteoarthritis in my right ankle, it even started messing with my knee and hip. I started noticing a difference in my pain while working from home being barefoot all day. I just bought some Xero shoes and wore them out yesterday. It felt amazing!! The toe box and 0 drop I believe make a huge difference for walking and daily activities. I'm sore today haha gonna go do some mobility and stretching now. I look forward to seeing if this improves my chronic pains 🤘🏼
My lower back pain from running disappeared with zero drop shoes. The Vibrams gave me multiple stress fractures though, so now I use Hoka shoes with virtually zero drop. Works for me.
Personally I enjoy the strength Ive gained in my feet for the 5months Ive been wearing them and how my feet have become the bottleneck of my performance. In the past Ive pushed further with regular shoes and I always got injuries in many places because I was pushing further than my body was ready for, and now I cant even if I wanted to so I like how they keep me from overdoing it. Also I never care about all the marketing, just try it out, see what it does for you.
@@ShervinShares I live upstate but like to visit the city. Earlier this year I started "urban hiking" in my VFFs and my first was the High Line and Central Park. Such a nice walk.
Beware the thin padding. I love zero drops but was road running with no padding and a little barefoot - after a few years got bone spurs. I learned: - med-high padding for long road running - strength train your calves!! - talk to a podiatrist sooner than later to help or if you have any pain. Hope that saves some hurt!
I love Whitens! 72 year old woman who after 20 years trying to strengthen my problematic hip decided to take a different approach and try barefoot shoes. Started with Whitens and with a few weeks had three pairs in different colors! Everyone said start out slowly but my feet felt so good in them I couldn't take them off. I am doing foot exercises and toe spacers in the evening and I can already tell that my arch is strengthening after only two months! Never going to back to regular shoes. Lucky that I am old, no one looks at what I am wearing anymore. Oh BTW my hip pain went away with 24 hours of wearing these shoes and hasn't come back since!
I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes since 2009, and they DO make your feet stronger, healthier, improve you balance, and makes your calves stronger. I’ve had flat feet my entire life, and I actually got a little bit of an arch from wearing these barefoot shoes.
How long did it take? I have no arch on one foot and a small arch on the other. I have orthotics very cushioned shoes and use tape sometimes to help. But atm it’s so bad walking barefoot hurts more than with the arch supports.
Good video, but the argument for not having arch support is to let your foot arch, when spread out as it lands, act as a bit of extra suspension. I actually got more knee pain when I added arch support.
So basicly no dark side of barefoot shoes? I live in germany and bought a german barefoot shoe for 50€, which turned out to be best investment this year so far. I can wear them while jogging on trail, without socks, 13km no blisters, no pain, no problem. My back feels better, feet feel better, more comfortable, more airflow... Normal shoes seem like a bad idea to me now.
@@krane15 I was referencing the video title. But sure, If you have problems with shoes, then just buy others. There are so many options. If a person looks decent, then the shoes can look ugly I guess...But I would never judge a person by their shoes :D
@@konstantin122 "But I would never judge a person by their shoes :D" If you say so. But we absolutely judge people by how they dress. Even if its sometimes unconsciously. As for the idiom about men and their shoe choice, I didn't make it up. But I have to agree, there is a lot of merit to it. In fact, some consider it a science.
@@konstantin122 For running, I typically chose Adidas brand. For general athletics, a crossfit will do. I avoid flat shoes like most in this video the plague, except for specialized shoes such as a shoe made for sprinting or wrestling. Unlike gym shoes, nobody walks around in those. At the moment, my current athletic shoe of choice are K-Swiss. Roughly 30% are wide. At last count, I have 5 pair of those.
The most neutral non biased video/opinion one could witness. You should look into reviewing politics as well it would be the birth of a completely new style of news
When I was 16 I got my first job and bought a pair of leather moccasins. Lived them! Wore them out. Now at 60 I have got problems because I went to standard shoes. I need a pair of shoes that will hold up to getting on and off tractors and washing mud and muck all winter!
Very helpful vid. I had loads of problems moving to bare foot runs but I accept I did too much too quickly. I’ll still be sticking with my cushioned shoes but I found this vid helpful. Thank you.
After seeing Cody Lundin's Calves and how powerful his legs are, I trust barefoot shoes. He's a survival expert that purely walks barefoot EVERYWHERE. hes a beast
I've been wearing Vibrams for 15 years straight now. I run on a regular basis every monring for 3K-4K. Vibrams encompass about 80% of my entire shoe range. I'm 52 and have never (touch wood) had any probelm with my legs or balance, or posture. Back before I made the change I was constantly experiencing shin splints, back pain, and shooting pains in my leg muscles on a regular basis. The five finger shoes work for "me", and still continue to do so. I had a complete medical done a year or so ago and had my gait and posture etc analysed with no abnormalities whatsoever. I cannot advocate that these shoes 'work', but they do indeed work for me.
Just do what I do, go barefoot 99% of the time. YES, that is easily possible today if you work at home on a computer. In fact, I can't remember that last time I put on a pair of shoes.
I just got my first pair because I drive for work and wanted the freedom to move my toes while driving. I don't take a lot of steps at work, so thought that'd be a good way to start with barefoot shoes. Even after wearing them the first 2 days I noticed muscular pain in my foot and big toe after years of wearing traditional running shoes. Kind of like a post-workout type of thing. This proves to me that the concept works. My toes feel better. The shoes actually fit so well, I pulled the laces out completely. I'll continue increasing their use into other activities to see if I can strengthen my toes and feet. They do look a little silly, but the comfort of being able to use your toes is worth the minor fashion faux pas.
As a podiatrist, I recommend my patients to use whatever they feel comfortable as what we are wearing, within a range of confortability it is better to be varied and different. Just make them know that there is no magic recipe different than strengthening and being lean. Biomechanics, though, make hard to recommend barefoot as main shoe as we move in non natural environments and that has a cost for our joints, mainly metatarsophalangic joints. Also want to point that there’s already in the market, for years, minimalists shoes as vans and converse, the most common problem with them is that people don’t choose the correct size.
I don't ride horses, so I have zero use for pointed, narrow toe box shoes. I haven't worn "normal" shoes for about 6 years. My feet are permanently messed up thanks to big name brands like Nike, Reebok and adidas... That being said, since wearing wide toe box, more minimalist shoes, I have seen some improvement. Some cushioning is a good thing in my opinion, as we aren't really designed to walk around on rock solid surfaces all day every day. Topo and ALTRA make good wide toe box shoes, but still have some cushioning.
I've been in Altras for years. The Lone Peaks are by far my favorite trail shoe, I love them. Born to Run 2 came out late last year and inspired me to once again pick up my Lunas and go for a run. I loved the enhanced ground feel. At 15 mm these were 10 mm (+ insole?) less than my Lone Peaks and 15+ mm less than the Timps I was rotating in and out. I loved it so much I got some Earth Runner Circadians (8mm) recently and took them out for a run. What a difference another 7 mm can make! I feel so many more features of the dirt/grass/rocks/roots. The Lunas by comparison now feel very soft, and wearing any heavily cushioned shoe just feels so numb. At first you feel every rock, but amazingly the brain takes over and within like a half mile you don't really notice them any more. We have some decently rocky and rooty terrain near us which made me believe I needed rock plates and super maximal shoes to run it which is just plain false. I've found my running posture and cadence are _way_ better when running in the sandals. That's not to say I can't maintain that form in the Altras, but it's very easy to get sloppy in the cushioned shoes. Now, I'll admit, 8mm is thin and I am not quite ready a long run in them. Most I've done is 5 miles so far. Zero drop is no problem, I walk around barefoot/in sandals and run in Altras all the time, but the thinness is something to get used to because there's no midsole to absorb the impact.
man five finger shoes saved my qulity of life!~ I couldn't walk. Multiple spine surgeries...Bunyons, nerve issues and horrific tarsal tunnel! Because I already couldn't walk...I didn't have to take it slow and gentle. I put these on and didn't take them off except to wash them and shower for 2 weeks! I also did an extensive amount of research on my feets. I don't sleep in them anymore but I wear them every moment of the day. Hiking -shopping -walking my dogs -cleaning...-every moment. They taught my brain to re-learn what my feet were actually supposed to do for my body. I can control more muscles and have more strenght in my feet now and walk with confidence. I have a super high arch and my arch is still high with more muscle. So happy I made the life switch. And it really is a lifestyle change. LOVE
Changing to barefoot shoes was the best decision i made over the last years. I run for about 15 years and in the last 5 years it was impossible to run without knee pain. It was a slow and gradual process, but it was all worth it. In the beggining your calf msucles get really sored, and you feel muscles in your feet that you never felt before. Now i run more than 20 km without feeling any pain in my knees. It feels fucking amazing.
i see a lot of barefoot shoe video recently but yours is most comprehensive & interesting video i've watched. Thank you. and its my time to wear my first barefoot shoe now.
I'm SPECIFICALLY trying to watch negative videos about this subject so I can get an even-handed review of this, and you're the second guy in a row to have an ominous title even though the video doesn't seem that negative. You're talking about how much you love these shoes! I'm actually biased in favor of them, like I'm interested in trying them. But I know ideas like "barefoot shoes" have this effect on people that leads to cult-like tunnel-vision, like how some people swear by strict diets or weird lifestyle choices that are supposed to be good because they're "in tune with nature" or whatever. THAT'S why I'm trying to find negative videos - I already buy a lot of the positive arguments and I'm just wondering if anyone has some really good criticisms of barefoot shoes. Y'know, before I commit to a weird change. I'm all about doing what's best for me, the person, not the relic of human evolution. Social convenience and semi-urban living aren't really less important to me than living a "natural" lifestyle - I gladly put weird shit with long scientific gibberish in the ingredients in my stomach and my hair. What matters to me is that I LIKE it, and I TRUST it. Yeah, this isn't a critique or anything like that, it's just a thought dump. I'll probably try minimalist shoes, I have weird walking habits anyway (sometimes I walk on my toes for fun, and I always feel compelled to walk ultra-quietly if I'm on the second floor of a building)
Watch videos put by actual foot doctors who also see injury in people who wore minimalist shoes. There is reason why mountain runners want rock plate in their shoes. Run mountains and step on sharp rocks in these shoes while you running “ properly “ and see what happens. Or go run marathons on pavement or cement in these shoes for longer period and see what happens. Also, weight of the person plays a role. I’ll bet you over 80% people will be too heavy and will never change how they walk. I agree with you that creates cult like environment which we could see years ago when barefoot footwear hit the market. Now we are on complete opposite craze, everyone obsessively buys Hoka.
I found Saguaro barefoot shoes are the most comfortable, only $40, but they don’t last all that long before showing wear. My Altra running shoes with wide toe box and zero drop heel, are at least twice that price (depending on color). With a thicker sole they offer greater lateral support when playing basketball or tennis. But with the Altra, you don’t feel the ground as well as you do with the thin soled barefoot shoes. Could never go back to conventional shoes.
4:04 My thought was, would a sole with a maximum point of only 10 mm be able to keep out stones or even shards of glass or would they go through smoothly like with CROCS Classic, for example! I can't really imagine protection there, especially not with my ~ 116 kg = ~ 256 lbs! And my splayed flat feet, how will they get back at me if I walk with them for a long time!
Something to keep in mind is that if you have a condition on your feet like flat feet, barefoot shoes are probably not for u. Your foot basically has structural problems and its "natural" shape wont do it for u. So your more likely to be needing specific made insoles
Going barefoot also plays a huge role in overall health. Your body absorbs the electrical magnetic pull from the earth helping your cell structure be stronger. Of course I have no idea if that is actually true or not, I have read it in multiple health journals.
45 y/o male with wide feet and since 15 I suffered with plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendon issues, tight calves and hamstrings, a forward rotation of the left pelvis and issues from my lumbar spine right up to my C2 vertebrae, 18 months ago I became fully barefoot and working from home using an electric standing desk and nearly every issues has corrected itself leaving just my c2 issue, normal shoes screw up your body
I've rolled my ankle in a "running shoe" and that SUCKED. Once it started to roll it was not controllable and ankle was at nearly a 45 degree angle.... hurt like fire.
After wearing barefoot shoes for some years I no longer sprain my ankles easily. I've made some nasty missteps without anything more than just a little uncomfy feeling
I believe the main reason for arch support isn't to directly support the arch but to prevent pronation. I'm also tired of people with flat feet telling everyone else they need to wear barefoot shoes. People are born with different feet. Get yourself biomechanically analyzed and buy shoes based on your foot. Get an arc based on your foot. Some people are born flat footed so arch support usually hurts for these people. That's why flat foot shoes are better for them.
I've been wearing my barefoot shoes for about 4 months, I am naturally pretty flat footed. I had no problems initially but recently, I have noticed that i easily keep getting cramp in my feet and sometimes calfs. I wonder if im doing something wrong? Is this part of the process? I definitely feel like my feet are stronger but this cramp situation is worrying. Any advice would be great!
The way shoes were made when I was a kid caused my pinky toenails to crack constantly and sometimes bleed. Now they don’t and barefoot dress shoes are things I actually want to wear.
After a mountain hike one day, I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot. And well, I didn't go to a doctor, so maybe it wasn't plantar fasciitis, and maybe it was some other kind of foot pain. All I know is that shortly after it happened I ordered a pair of the Xero Prio. No, I didn't order them thinking they would cure my foot pain, but yeah, after several weeks of foot pain, it stopped after a short time wearing the Xero Prio shoes. Anecdotal? Perhaps, but I will always look for a zero drop shoe option first.
I use to run ultra marathons. Ran the Comrades marathon, which is a 90+ km run on tar. I ran the last two I did with Vivos (believe they were Primus). Best choice I ever made. I've always had bad knees and the shift to minimal shoes coupled with fore-mid foot striking helped me a lot. What I will say, good socks are extremely important. Your feet generally move a lot more in shoes with no soles than they do in shoes that have sole and that creates hot spots that, over the long run gets very tender. I did most of my runs in balega socks, and for my longer runs, used Injinji socks because the had the individual toe "pockets". I also had to get arch support inserts as I have high arches and it just helped, especially with the initial transition. As your feet become stronger, you can remove them.
@@Man-go-Everywhere Zola ran barefoot on her shorter distances, as do most South African school kids. At least in the schools I went to. She did run Comrades a few years back, but wore Newton Running shoes. Decent shoes, but I personally got too many hot spots running with them. On tar, you mostly need at least some sort of barrier between your skin and the road over 90km. There are a few people that do it, but I'm talking of maybe about 5 people ever (for the Comrades).
The Barefoot shoes I have tried caused bad blisters between my toes because those shoes had seams inside. Maybe they are better nowadays. I totally understand the point and appreciate that some people find barefoot shoes as the right choice for them.
I get wide running shoes and use lock lace or cheaper knock-offs. The laces stretch and I can also open them up on the wider (bottom) and tighten them a little more on the top. Result: no more tying shoes and no squishing my toes.
I don't have any Barefoot shoes, but I walk around barefoot every day, since I work from home now. I often wear Croc style slip-ons, which give a lot of room for my feet to spread out. When I put on other traditional shoes, I feel like I am wearing high heels. My balance is thrown off and my feet are scrunched. I am no longer sure-footed in the traditional shoes. I don't need a scientific study to prove my own experience. Maybe I'll get a pair of Barefoot shoes one day, but I am just not impressed with their styles yet. In the end, let your feet be your feet. Foot muscles were designed to keep you balanced and walking.
Oh God. See what the bunions of a woman who has worn pointy toed spike heels through most of my adult working life I cannot stand in the shower barefoot without teetering. And if I lean forward with my eyes closed, especially at 6:30 am and I have collapsed arches and my big toes are incapable of being a brace for my foot. It's horrible.
I'm barefoot nearly 24/7- been like this for my full 28 years, shoes are annoying. Almost never wore 'em as a kid- only if there was a 'no shirt no shoes no service sign' where I was going. As an adult, if I do put shoes on (which is becoming more frequent because I've started losing my balance), it's usually because my extremely high arches are causing me extreme pain through my whole body. Literally radiates from the tip of my toes to the tips of my fingers and on up the top of my head. If the reason I wear them is because I'm going outside, I need arch support to prevent that pain, which does not give warning amd the odds increase if I have to stand for an extended length of time. So the notion many fanatics have that these shoes fix everything makes me irrationally angry. That doesn't work when your have such high arches that only 1/3 of your feet touch the ground, especially when they're already tiny to begin with. Constantly having 120lbs supported on 2 3 square inch and 2 2 square inch points with thin 2 inch long boney bridge as a stabalizer is not ideal. Add in balance priblems and you become a walking concussion waiting to happen. I do make sure my shoes fit, though. I've found the cheaper they are the better they fit. The best I've had are some cork base house slippers and minie mouse basketball shoes/high tops. Eh, but no one listens to the actual barefoot people like me. People with naturally developed arches and naturally pointed toes, naturally small feet. They just want to push their fancy expensive shoes and hate on capitalism... That thwy are participating in by buying overpriced toe socks.
Note, for running you should never land with your heel. You might think you should because of how thicc the shoe heels are, you shouldnt. Landing in the heel is great for walking and walking fast but never for running.
also depends on flexibility of the shoe. I went bowling & the shoes they gave me were like boots/firm & those hurt a lot while wearing them. But sneakers are very flexible & they don't hurt + stretch out as I wear them
Having worn only barefoot shoes for about 7 years now, I would not go back. Normaly shoes feel extremly akward. The only caveat being that I am not a runner, but for walking I'd always go with barefoot shoes.
thought about trying barefoot shoes, but decided against it. why? because the soles are too thin, and cannot be resoled. if i want a wide toebox and flat (not thin!) soles, i wear waldviertler as everyday shoe. if i want a wide toebox, but heels (hiking shoes/boots), hanwag has several models with a straight fit. all of those can be resoled, reducing waste. and all of them are produced here in europe.
I have just gone to minimalist shoes after a long discussion with my boss. I have large wide feet for a woman and much prefer no shoes. The difference since changing, I had planta issues and Achilles tendonitis. I have calcification on my right heel and very high arches. My lower back is better and I don't seem to have the lower back issues I use to. Will see how I am in 6 months.
after wearing barefoot shoes for 6 months my fit changed from 43 eu to 44 eu ,I can definitely say I have anatomical changes in my feet ,less lower back pain and knee pain(I am obese overweight with bmi of 35) ,but I recommend to gradual change ,because I hurt my ankle during running and my new actively muscles couldn't take the increases strain ,there is a company called altar wish have some great transitional shoes(I didn't use them my first experience was with vivo Primus iii lite) for at least few months .
I agree with the concept of barefoot shoes and I recognise the benefits of them but I think (and I want to highlight that this is only a thought) that the whole idea of barefoot experience has an hidden flaw...it could be impractical in our world in terms of mass distribution. There are a lot of professions that put workers in potentially very risky situations for their feet (construction workers, miners, woodmen, soldiers, alpine rescuers, firemen...and my list could go on). Those people need specific working boots made to provide the correct combination of safety, arch support, drop, stability, roughness and personalisation in terms of steel toe, steel plates, crampons etc.) If all shoemaking brands stopped producing normal shoes in favour of only barefoot models, I think that that part of population could be affected...with the disadvantage of having to use two kind of shoes with a completely different morphology in different moments. Having said that, I don't want to be rude or to offend any point of view. The purpose of this comment was to highlight this perplexity.
What's funny is I've always naturally gravitated to shoes that were flatter, more flexible, with more rounded toes. I also grew up as one of those crazy barefoot kids that people would call A little monkey because I would climb all over everything and I would walk around barefoot like a wild animal 😂 Even as an adult I absolutely hate wearing shoes unless I have to, of course because I'm a responsible member of society I do unfortunately have to go to a job that requires closed towed shoes..... But I make sure they're loose enough and flat enough. I was always so picky as a teen shoe shopping because I always wanted sneakers but I hated the ones that had the big poofy heels that were up off the ground. Even now when I go into stores and I see those Nike shoes that have like the 3-in thick foam padding at the heel I think it looks absolutely ridiculously stupid.
The Whitins are my favs! Yes I had to go a size up. Good durability even hiking in Sedona. (That is crazy good exercise for your feet.) Still haven't been punctured by a goatshead thorns yet.
looking for a steel toe in wide toe box, potentially made for working in snow since I work in a warehouse at negative twenty. Eleven hours in ice is pretty brutal and there are a lot of loose nails and stuff that i'd need to resist.
I prefer barefoot, been wearing barefoots only for over 10 years. I prefer the style, my back appreciates it and I love all the questions I get about my weird shoes. I’m just glad they make different styles. In high school I would wear moccasins because barefoot wasn’t a thing yet
"If I need to fit in with everyone..." Great argument, dude. Why would you ever need that? This is misleading at best. If it's better to wear shoes with high heels for foot health (which is what 99 % of people are currently doing) why does so many people have fucked up feet? And if we should have a higher heel, why aren't we born with a higher heel? God made a mistake? We are the only animal wearing these shoes that alter our natural gate. How could that possibly be good? Think about it; it alters our gate for every single step we take. We are supposed to take at least 10k steps each day, so if every one of those is done with improper form, just imagine how much the effect compounds over time.
The Amazon ones look like they have a lot of toe spring. If they didn't, they could be worth it for the savings. I love Xero, but they have durability issues and their warranty kind of sucks (they claim 5,000 miles, but it's only 50% off and they make you pay for shipping). I've had holes develop after < 200 mi running. $130+ every 200 mi is a lot. Altra last longer, but the toe box isn't wide enough for me.
I only wear shoes in certain situations and they are a pair of Xero genesis. I didn't wear shoes, ever, for years. I had good posture and no problems with my back. In the last couple of years, I've gone back to no shoes and at 59, once again have no back pain and good posture. It's also cheaper 👍
This cannot be overstated or said enough. Like teeth, getting that solve during those critical early growing years is imperative. Although crooked teeth can be fixed even as an adult. Your feet, not so much.
@Krane even crooked teeth should be checked with a dentist and orthodontist immediately. Crooked/misaligned teeth with kids could lead to misaligned jaw growths, which is only fixable with jaw sugery. And type of bone misalignment should be checked out specially if you have insurance, they will cover the cost. Anyone that see this, if you kids from the age of 10-15(15 is probably your last chance to get it fixed) has crooked teeth, even if their jaw is not misaligned. You need to get it checked out. When they are going through puberty, their bones are very malleable, and a small misaligned/issue can cause a lot of bugger issues.
so appreciated to know, im not alone , thinking "modern" shoes are crap! as wearer of 46+ with wide toes, its always a pain(literally) to find shoes that fit!(sometimes weeks 😬) personally, i prefer to have a small arch tho, just feels "right'er"! but pointy shoes are just *WRONG* & always leads to crampy & uncomfortable feet!
I do not have a chance to experience barefoot shoelaces in my country. There are only Keen shoes. but I can try them.. I'm a person who stands for long periods of time while working. what would your suggestion be? I wonder if keen will solve my problems? Or should I choose a skechers with good cushioning?
I love the five-fingers shoes. But they're not durable. I have several pairs, and they only last a few months. Being expensive and having to change them very often takes all the fun out of them. I've stopped buying them altogether. Also, our bodies evolved walking on earth and grass, not pavement and cement. As much as I prefer barefoot shoes, my spine and knees do not recommend them for city use.
I started with water shoes. from amazon .oh yeah I still wear them super durable still like new 2 years later, comfortable and 13-29 bucks . I do switch up sometimes even a heeled shoe a few times a yeah. I plan on walking not shuffling(no offense meant ) when I get 80 years old (God Willing) * New subscriber*
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My dude, the most important part is to have a shoe with a natural foot shape. The amazon one, while ticking other boxes, DOES NOT have a natural foot shape. You can see it when you compare both of the shoes from the bottom the one from Amazon is not going straight where you have the big toe part but it's actually curving inwards.
You were not created to be a runner....you were created to RUN JUST IN CASE YOU NEED TO RUN.
To be a RUNNER is 100% ANTINATURAL.
Still don’t understand why shoes aren’t shaped like feet. Why would we smash our feet into weird shapes?
Aesthetics! Same reason why coursets and heels exist, heck the whole fashion industry.
@@thaboseane502 Their modern warped use is for aesthetics but that's not why they were designed. Pointed shoes were designed for riding horses. High heels were designed to keep people out of the street muck. Corsets were designed for support and don't mangle or constrict (especially if they're made and fitted correctly). The tiny waists that people associate with corsets are made with padding and over exaggerated image manipulation.
It’s also cheaper to make shoes narrower and most ppl think you need arch support. But if you ask an engineer, arches are stronger with force being applied to the top forcing downward, if you apply force to the bottom forcing upwards, the arch fails.
@@lisaphares2286 That's so interesting 🤔 thanks so much, I love that I learned something new today.. I have a bunch of arch insoles that I thought were helping and now see they might not be
I think it started because of horses riding pointed toes make going in and out of the stirrups easier. And than it became a goofy fashion thing.
Don’t quote me on it I’m not sure but I think that’s how it started. Doesn’t make any las stupid though. Lol 😂
I went completely barefoot for 8 months. No, I didnt work at the time. Long story. But the point is this: My balance imroved, my feet loosened up, back and knee pain were negligible. The minute I had to wear boots again knees, feet and back hurt again.
That's the importance of strengthening and stretching in general, they'll make up for the obligations you have on your day to day basis
That's why you probably need zero drop shoes.
Good luck finding some that fit.
How do you go barefoot dude? Don’t your feet get crusty and dirty?
@@bjwkusgxjdksoap & water solve that problem. Foot file & other foot care products too.
I remember someone who did that. She was enjoying it a lot... then she stepped on a nail... 😣
Bought my first pair of Vivo Barefoot shoes in August 2021 and now I have a total of 4 pairs (for different occasions).
For 30+ years I had flat feet and no natural arch in my foot, since wearing barefoot shoes I have developed an arch, my posture has improved and my feet feel so much better.
wow that's amazing to hear! have you shared this with any foot doctor? i'd be curious to hear their perspective on how your feet have changed
Hey Shervin, no I haven’t shared this with any foot doctor. It was only when I went to the Vivo Barefoot store in London (was in there for over an hour), that I’d learnt about the importance of space around the toe box and that I’d been wearing the wrong size for years 😊.
Have you had to remortgage to fund this new habit 😂
@@jdaws4896 there are some barefoot shoes for like 50-60 bucks
Ive developed plantar fascitis and patella tendinitis wearing plenty of shoes with arch support and custom orthotics. Dealing with with this for years, I'm not overusing my legs, I can't even run anymore. I just got a pair of vivos, they fit really well and I hope they can help some issues go away.
The more I've been looking into getting barefoot shoes, the more I realize I already use something kind of similar. I used to skateboard a lot in my teens, and for the most part I've worn skate shoes ever since. They tend to have no height difference from heel to toe, are wider in the toes, and they're relatively thin and flexible so you can feel the board better underneath you (depending of course on which ones you get, but I'd say the majority and the ones I get especially are like that). They do give a bit more cushion for impacts than I believe a barefoot shoe would of course, but they seem to be a good middle ground from what I can gather, and might even be the better option for certain people from a budget angle and a transition point.
Which shoes did you get? Need something for transition
@gandito4058 I've gotten nike sb's the last couple of times. Really any will do, though. Nike, Lakai, Vans, Adidas, etc... all make good ones. I would try to feel them out in store, and sometimes they can be stiff at first, but when I skated, we always bent them in every direction for a while to get them to loosen up.
I was literally having this same thought recently when looking into barefoot shoes. My skate shoes have all the qualities you mention but still give you that extra inch when standing too 😂
It’s more about the size of the toe box though.
@Ghostvix That's definitely an issue you can run into, which is why I'd recommend trying them on first. I've usually noticed there is more room than running shoes, though, where my toes are always squished.
Was not prepared for all these Tarantino foot shots, you've definitely made someones day with this vid.
There's definitely a health benefit in wearing the footwear that is most comfortable to you. I was yelled at a ton as a kid for walking outside without shoes on, so I naturally enjoy barefoot shoes, minimalist sandals, five fingers for walking, hiking, working out. But you really have to ease into minimalist footwear if you aren't used to walking without support. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR GAIT and that is an uncomfortable process for many people. You have to build up the muscles that you weren't using, and people tend to fatigue during this process and just slam their foot into the ground when fatigued. This can easily cause ligament strain and shin splints.
thanks for your comment, I will bare that in mind!
I suppose this is an upside of living in a place with a fairly mild climate. Walking barefoot often is normal.
@@loganmedia1142 yep, it's a huge thing in NZ and coastal Australia
Do you think it's easier for people who wear flip flops all the time to transition to barefoot shoes??
@@loganmedia1142 if I tried to walk barefoot for like 1/3 of year here I wouldn't need any shoes at all. Or even toe clippers XD And for the rest people are throwing shit on the ground so still probably not good idea
I recently started using the five fingers and people have openly mocked me, it’s fun, I’m out there walking super comfortable and that’s all that matters
Try out Xero shoes they’re nice and wide plus they looks lot more natural being a barefoot shoe rather than the five fingers
I recently started wearing the fivefingers and I've had the opposite response - at least those who speak up with a comment. Plenty stare and don't say anything. I absolutely love them regardless.
I don't now why anybody would wear those - there are so many good options (without "toe fingers").
@@snorrevonflake They seemed like a ridiculous option to me before I tried them. Now, surprisingly, I can confidently say they're the best shoes I've ever owned. 🤷🏼
Screw all those people! I've been wearing five fingers for 15 years now, love em! People may say things and i just tell them that I like them and fortunately their opinion doesn't matter, lol!! They shut up pretty quick!
I sprained my midfoot somewhere around 2016 and had pain every now and then for years after. I spent about a year transitioning to barefoot shoes and haven't had pain from walking too much on it in over a year. Anecdotally, I'd say barefoot shoes for the win
I had a crippling mid foot injury, low back pain, bad knees, against all advise by podiatrists and consultants I went down the bare foot / shoe, and correct toes route, absolutely extraordinary results , within a matter of weeks the pain subsided after years of suffering, within a year all pain gone, absolutely adore vivos !
I've sprained my midfoot while running in barefoot shoes. =P There is no single recipe for all.
@@umartdagnir Not suggesting it is. Simply pointing out that a very slow transition and gradual muscle build up did wonders for me
I’ve been wearing my creepy toe shoes (vibram 5 fingers) for a decade now! I love ‘em. I feel awesome and am never going back. For reference, I’m 48, CrossFitter, yoga practitioner, and generally feel awesome most of the time. Longest run in vibrams: 10 miles. Longest hike in vibrams: 50 miles in mountain terrain.
The only thing I don’t like them for: olympic weightlifting. For that I wear Nike Romaleos 😊.
When Shervin drops on the weekend, the weekend is better!
Let's gooo Micah!!
The default state for humans is barefoot. The burden of proof is on shoe advocates to explain why footwear is superior. The science of cushioning, heel drop, etc, is lacking.
There is a whole difference that should be made between "unsubstantiated claims" and "wrong claims". Vibram settled the class action because they were a bit reckless in their claims while they have no actual proof to defend them. Nothing says these claims were right or wrong. Now, if you think about the biomechanics of feet and legs, what they say makes a lot of sense : having shoes compressing the toes distorts feet over time (just look at the feet of women in their 50's who have worn "sexy" shoes for most of their life… nothing sexy to look at after a couple of decades) and it's just common sense that reducing foot surface reduces stability. Then, thick soles only dampen "wrong" (brutal) foot strokes and surely makes leg muscles lazy while letting people take wrong habits. Human have evolved to be moving mechanics, and it turns out that most technologies allowing human to avoid effort and reduce motion are actually detrimental to our well-being because… we just need to activate those muscles to be well, since a lot of biochemical reactions depend on juices flowing. Motion is life and muscles are the way to move. Vibram marketing and their lack of scientific background doesn't mean they are wrong, they are most likely too forward and should probably invest more in research and less in advertising.
I can’t remember barefoot shoe manufacturers claiming they’ll reverse your back problems. You need to figure out why you have back issues then go from there.
Back problems can be caused by a hundred things. None of which has anything to do with your shoes.
The arch support… the bane of every shoe I ever had…. Arch support kills my feet. My arches are in weird places for my foot size and so every shoe hits it at the wrong place and it ends up hurting me so bad! It even dislocated a bone in my foot! (No BS-ing about that one!)
I loved my barefoot shoes. I started them into my run rotation on the shorter runs, and then slowly but surely into the longer runs (5k+). I ended up using them for most runs within a few months. I backed off initially during the transition due to over use pain in my feet. While I have good arches, I don't think my feet were ready without any support. Once I got over that I really enjoyed them. It was weird having your toes separate on uneven terrain at first. Once they got stronger though it was very noticeable for stability and mobility as a whole. I will be getting another pair.
The point you make at 10:48 is how I feel too for the most part. I also have wide feet and I think situationally the barefoot shoes tend to be better. I have a pair of Tolos that I use on leg day because they give me that extra stable feeling. And I have a pair of Icarus for daily wear. I have tried to run in Altra (Olympus Via) but the foam is terrible. I just go back to my wide width new balances. I do wish the barefoot market had better looking shoes. I mean I can't really wear any none barefoot shoes that look good because they come in narrow width only. At the end of the day I am just glad to have some flat, wide, comfy shoes for most situations. I don't care too much about the potentially exaggerated health claims.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 🧐 Barefoot shoes claimed to have health benefits, but are they as good as advertised?
01:27 🦶 Wide toe box in barefoot shoes benefits foot strength, balance, and posture.
02:53 🏃 Zero drop heels in barefoot shoes promote natural posture, ankle mobility, and reduced strain.
04:21 🦶 Arch support vs. no arch support in barefoot shoes, impact on foot strength and injury prevention.
07:13 👣 Thin, flexible sole in barefoot shoes enhances ground feel, sensory feedback, and natural movement.
10:10 🤔 Science isn't definitive on barefoot shoes, critical thinking and personal preference play a role.
Made with HARPA AI
Exactly what I was looking for, bit surprised actually
And through the whole video only personal experiences
Awesome video man, all I know of I've been struggling with osteoarthritis in my right ankle, it even started messing with my knee and hip. I started noticing a difference in my pain while working from home being barefoot all day. I just bought some Xero shoes and wore them out yesterday. It felt amazing!! The toe box and 0 drop I believe make a huge difference for walking and daily activities. I'm sore today haha gonna go do some mobility and stretching now. I look forward to seeing if this improves my chronic pains 🤘🏼
My lower back pain from running disappeared with zero drop shoes. The Vibrams gave me multiple stress fractures though, so now I use Hoka shoes with virtually zero drop. Works for me.
Personally I enjoy the strength Ive gained in my feet for the 5months Ive been wearing them and how my feet have become the bottleneck of my performance. In the past Ive pushed further with regular shoes and I always got injuries in many places because I was pushing further than my body was ready for, and now I cant even if I wanted to so I like how they keep me from overdoing it. Also I never care about all the marketing, just try it out, see what it does for you.
Great video! Seeing the high line and intrepid makes me miss NYC, but remembering storage spaces does the opposite haha
hahah getting both feelings in the same video
@@ShervinShares I live upstate but like to visit the city. Earlier this year I started "urban hiking" in my VFFs and my first was the High Line and Central Park. Such a nice walk.
Beware the thin padding. I love zero drops but was road running with no padding and a little barefoot - after a few years got bone spurs.
I learned:
- med-high padding for long road running
- strength train your calves!!
- talk to a podiatrist sooner than later to help or if you have any pain.
Hope that saves some hurt!
I love Whitens! 72 year old woman who after 20 years trying to strengthen my problematic hip decided to take a different approach and try barefoot shoes. Started with Whitens and with a few weeks had three pairs in different colors! Everyone said start out slowly but my feet felt so good in them I couldn't take them off. I am doing foot exercises and toe spacers in the evening and I can already tell that my arch is strengthening after only two months! Never going to back to regular shoes. Lucky that I am old, no one looks at what I am wearing anymore. Oh BTW my hip pain went away with 24 hours of wearing these shoes and hasn't come back since!
I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes since 2009, and they DO make your feet stronger, healthier, improve you balance, and makes your calves stronger. I’ve had flat feet my entire life, and I actually got a little bit of an arch from wearing these barefoot shoes.
How long did it take? I have no arch on one foot and a small arch on the other. I have orthotics very cushioned shoes and use tape sometimes to help. But atm it’s so bad walking barefoot hurts more than with the arch supports.
Good video, but the argument for not having arch support is to let your foot arch, when spread out as it lands, act as a bit of extra suspension. I actually got more knee pain when I added arch support.
So basicly no dark side of barefoot shoes? I live in germany and bought a german barefoot shoe for 50€, which turned out to be best investment this year so far. I can wear them while jogging on trail, without socks, 13km no blisters, no pain, no problem. My back feels better, feet feel better, more comfortable, more airflow... Normal shoes seem like a bad idea to me now.
No dark side? Read my comment.
@@krane15 I was referencing the video title. But sure, If you have problems with shoes, then just buy others. There are so many options. If a person looks decent, then the shoes can look ugly I guess...But I would never judge a person by their shoes :D
@@konstantin122 "But I would never judge a person by their shoes :D"
If you say so. But we absolutely judge people by how they dress. Even if its sometimes unconsciously.
As for the idiom about men and their shoe choice, I didn't make it up. But I have to agree, there is a lot of merit to it. In fact, some consider it a science.
@@krane15 Sure, maybe there is science involved regarding looks. But then again, I dont find them that ugly...What shoes you had?
@@konstantin122 For running, I typically chose Adidas brand. For general athletics, a crossfit will do. I avoid flat shoes like most in this video the plague, except for specialized shoes such as a shoe made for sprinting or wrestling. Unlike gym shoes, nobody walks around in those.
At the moment, my current athletic shoe of choice are K-Swiss. Roughly 30% are wide. At last count, I have 5 pair of those.
Transitioning to thin zero drop shoes after reading “Older but Faster”, let’s see how it goes.
ooo keep me updated! i'll have to check that out
The most neutral non biased video/opinion one could witness. You should look into reviewing politics as well it would be the birth of a completely new style of news
When I was 16 I got my first job and bought a pair of leather moccasins. Lived them! Wore them out. Now at 60 I have got problems because I went to standard shoes. I need a pair of shoes that will hold up to getting on and off tractors and washing mud and muck all winter!
Very helpful vid. I had loads of problems moving to bare foot runs but I accept I did too much too quickly. I’ll still be sticking with my cushioned shoes but I found this vid helpful. Thank you.
After seeing Cody Lundin's Calves and how powerful his legs are, I trust barefoot shoes.
He's a survival expert that purely walks barefoot EVERYWHERE. hes a beast
I've been wearing Vibrams for 15 years straight now. I run on a regular basis every monring for 3K-4K. Vibrams encompass about 80% of my entire shoe range. I'm 52 and have never (touch wood) had any probelm with my legs or balance, or posture. Back before I made the change I was constantly experiencing shin splints, back pain, and shooting pains in my leg muscles on a regular basis. The five finger shoes work for "me", and still continue to do so. I had a complete medical done a year or so ago and had my gait and posture etc analysed with no abnormalities whatsoever. I cannot advocate that these shoes 'work', but they do indeed work for me.
Just do what I do, go barefoot 99% of the time. YES, that is easily possible today if you work at home on a computer. In fact, I can't remember that last time I put on a pair of shoes.
I just got my first pair because I drive for work and wanted the freedom to move my toes while driving. I don't take a lot of steps at work, so thought that'd be a good way to start with barefoot shoes. Even after wearing them the first 2 days I noticed muscular pain in my foot and big toe after years of wearing traditional running shoes. Kind of like a post-workout type of thing. This proves to me that the concept works. My toes feel better. The shoes actually fit so well, I pulled the laces out completely. I'll continue increasing their use into other activities to see if I can strengthen my toes and feet. They do look a little silly, but the comfort of being able to use your toes is worth the minor fashion faux pas.
As a podiatrist, I recommend my patients to use whatever they feel comfortable as what we are wearing, within a range of confortability it is better to be varied and different. Just make them know that there is no magic recipe different than strengthening and being lean. Biomechanics, though, make hard to recommend barefoot as main shoe as we move in non natural environments and that has a cost for our joints, mainly metatarsophalangic joints. Also want to point that there’s already in the market, for years, minimalists shoes as vans and converse, the most common problem with them is that people don’t choose the correct size.
I don't ride horses, so I have zero use for pointed, narrow toe box shoes. I haven't worn "normal" shoes for about 6 years. My feet are permanently messed up thanks to big name brands like Nike, Reebok and adidas... That being said, since wearing wide toe box, more minimalist shoes, I have seen some improvement. Some cushioning is a good thing in my opinion, as we aren't really designed to walk around on rock solid surfaces all day every day. Topo and ALTRA make good wide toe box shoes, but still have some cushioning.
I've been in Altras for years. The Lone Peaks are by far my favorite trail shoe, I love them. Born to Run 2 came out late last year and inspired me to once again pick up my Lunas and go for a run. I loved the enhanced ground feel. At 15 mm these were 10 mm (+ insole?) less than my Lone Peaks and 15+ mm less than the Timps I was rotating in and out. I loved it so much I got some Earth Runner Circadians (8mm) recently and took them out for a run. What a difference another 7 mm can make! I feel so many more features of the dirt/grass/rocks/roots. The Lunas by comparison now feel very soft, and wearing any heavily cushioned shoe just feels so numb.
At first you feel every rock, but amazingly the brain takes over and within like a half mile you don't really notice them any more. We have some decently rocky and rooty terrain near us which made me believe I needed rock plates and super maximal shoes to run it which is just plain false. I've found my running posture and cadence are _way_ better when running in the sandals. That's not to say I can't maintain that form in the Altras, but it's very easy to get sloppy in the cushioned shoes. Now, I'll admit, 8mm is thin and I am not quite ready a long run in them. Most I've done is 5 miles so far. Zero drop is no problem, I walk around barefoot/in sandals and run in Altras all the time, but the thinness is something to get used to because there's no midsole to absorb the impact.
man five finger shoes saved my qulity of life!~ I couldn't walk. Multiple spine surgeries...Bunyons, nerve issues and horrific tarsal tunnel! Because I already couldn't walk...I didn't have to take it slow and gentle. I put these on and didn't take them off except to wash them and shower for 2 weeks! I also did an extensive amount of research on my feets. I don't sleep in them anymore but I wear them every moment of the day. Hiking -shopping -walking my dogs -cleaning...-every moment. They taught my brain to re-learn what my feet were actually supposed to do for my body. I can control more muscles and have more strenght in my feet now and walk with confidence. I have a super high arch and my arch is still high with more muscle. So happy I made the life switch. And it really is a lifestyle change. LOVE
Changing to barefoot shoes was the best decision i made over the last years. I run for about 15 years and in the last 5 years it was impossible to run without knee pain. It was a slow and gradual process, but it was all worth it. In the beggining your calf msucles get really sored, and you feel muscles in your feet that you never felt before. Now i run more than 20 km without feeling any pain in my knees. It feels fucking amazing.
i see a lot of barefoot shoe video recently but yours is most comprehensive & interesting video i've watched. Thank you. and its my time to wear my first barefoot shoe now.
you should try Skinners! I like to walk barefoot but sometimes you want to protect your feet :)
I'm SPECIFICALLY trying to watch negative videos about this subject so I can get an even-handed review of this, and you're the second guy in a row to have an ominous title even though the video doesn't seem that negative. You're talking about how much you love these shoes!
I'm actually biased in favor of them, like I'm interested in trying them. But I know ideas like "barefoot shoes" have this effect on people that leads to cult-like tunnel-vision, like how some people swear by strict diets or weird lifestyle choices that are supposed to be good because they're "in tune with nature" or whatever. THAT'S why I'm trying to find negative videos - I already buy a lot of the positive arguments and I'm just wondering if anyone has some really good criticisms of barefoot shoes. Y'know, before I commit to a weird change.
I'm all about doing what's best for me, the person, not the relic of human evolution. Social convenience and semi-urban living aren't really less important to me than living a "natural" lifestyle - I gladly put weird shit with long scientific gibberish in the ingredients in my stomach and my hair. What matters to me is that I LIKE it, and I TRUST it. Yeah, this isn't a critique or anything like that, it's just a thought dump. I'll probably try minimalist shoes, I have weird walking habits anyway (sometimes I walk on my toes for fun, and I always feel compelled to walk ultra-quietly if I'm on the second floor of a building)
Watch videos put by actual foot doctors who also see injury in people who wore minimalist shoes. There is reason why mountain runners want rock plate in their shoes. Run mountains and step on sharp rocks in these shoes while you running “ properly “ and see what happens. Or go run marathons on pavement or cement in these shoes for longer period and see what happens. Also, weight of the person plays a role. I’ll bet you over 80% people will be too heavy and will never change how they walk. I agree with you that creates cult like environment which we could see years ago when barefoot footwear hit the market. Now we are on complete opposite craze, everyone obsessively buys Hoka.
i was trying to talk in an unbiased way rather than sharing only the positives. i'm just one perspective of many
@@ShervinShares Yep, ignore the length of my ramble: it's not actually frustrating, it's funny. And great video mate
I found Saguaro barefoot shoes are the most comfortable, only $40, but they don’t last all that long before showing wear. My Altra running shoes with wide toe box and zero drop heel, are at least twice that price (depending on color). With a thicker sole they offer greater lateral support when playing basketball or tennis. But with the Altra, you don’t feel the ground as well as you do with the thin soled barefoot shoes. Could never go back to conventional shoes.
what about winter what is the solution for cold weathers
agreed! people should be able to wear those shoes (or any shoes) on dates or social events for sure!
Nike instead of trying to stop the movement by lawsuits and slander; Join the movement and make your own barefoot!
Don't be like Kodak or Nokia.
4:04 My thought was, would a sole with a maximum point of only 10 mm be able to keep out stones or even shards of glass or would they go through smoothly like with CROCS Classic, for example! I can't really imagine protection there, especially not with my ~ 116 kg = ~ 256 lbs! And my splayed flat feet, how will they get back at me if I walk with them for a long time!
If your favorite is wide toe box, I recommend you try out Kanes.
Something to keep in mind is that if you have a condition on your feet like flat feet, barefoot shoes are probably not for u. Your foot basically has structural problems and its "natural" shape wont do it for u. So your more likely to be needing specific made insoles
Going barefoot also plays a huge role in overall health. Your body absorbs the electrical magnetic pull from the earth helping your cell structure be stronger. Of course I have no idea if that is actually true or not, I have read it in multiple health journals.
45 y/o male with wide feet and since 15 I suffered with plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendon issues, tight calves and hamstrings, a forward rotation of the left pelvis and issues from my lumbar spine right up to my C2 vertebrae, 18 months ago I became fully barefoot and working from home using an electric standing desk and nearly every issues has corrected itself leaving just my c2 issue, normal shoes screw up your body
I've rolled my ankle in a "running shoe" and that SUCKED. Once it started to roll it was not controllable and ankle was at nearly a 45 degree angle.... hurt like fire.
After wearing barefoot shoes for some years I no longer sprain my ankles easily. I've made some nasty missteps without anything more than just a little uncomfy feeling
I believe the main reason for arch support isn't to directly support the arch but to prevent pronation. I'm also tired of people with flat feet telling everyone else they need to wear barefoot shoes. People are born with different feet. Get yourself biomechanically analyzed and buy shoes based on your foot. Get an arc based on your foot. Some people are born flat footed so arch support usually hurts for these people. That's why flat foot shoes are better for them.
I've been wearing my barefoot shoes for about 4 months, I am naturally pretty flat footed. I had no problems initially but recently, I have noticed that i easily keep getting cramp in my feet and sometimes calfs. I wonder if im doing something wrong? Is this part of the process? I definitely feel like my feet are stronger but this cramp situation is worrying. Any advice would be great!
The way shoes were made when I was a kid caused my pinky toenails to crack constantly and sometimes bleed. Now they don’t and barefoot dress shoes are things I actually want to wear.
After a mountain hike one day, I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot. And well, I didn't go to a doctor, so maybe it wasn't plantar fasciitis, and maybe it was some other kind of foot pain. All I know is that shortly after it happened I ordered a pair of the Xero Prio. No, I didn't order them thinking they would cure my foot pain, but yeah, after several weeks of foot pain, it stopped after a short time wearing the Xero Prio shoes. Anecdotal? Perhaps, but I will always look for a zero drop shoe option first.
which barefoot shoes are best for walking on hard, uneven cement surfaces? thanks
Looking shredded my man
thank you!!
I use to run ultra marathons. Ran the Comrades marathon, which is a 90+ km run on tar. I ran the last two I did with Vivos (believe they were Primus). Best choice I ever made. I've always had bad knees and the shift to minimal shoes coupled with fore-mid foot striking helped me a lot.
What I will say, good socks are extremely important. Your feet generally move a lot more in shoes with no soles than they do in shoes that have sole and that creates hot spots that, over the long run gets very tender. I did most of my runs in balega socks, and for my longer runs, used Injinji socks because the had the individual toe "pockets". I also had to get arch support inserts as I have high arches and it just helped, especially with the initial transition. As your feet become stronger, you can remove them.
Zola Budd ran barefoot as did 90 percent of Africa
@@Man-go-Everywhere Zola ran barefoot on her shorter distances, as do most South African school kids. At least in the schools I went to. She did run Comrades a few years back, but wore Newton Running shoes. Decent shoes, but I personally got too many hot spots running with them.
On tar, you mostly need at least some sort of barrier between your skin and the road over 90km. There are a few people that do it, but I'm talking of maybe about 5 people ever (for the Comrades).
The Barefoot shoes I have tried caused bad blisters between my toes because those shoes had seams inside. Maybe they are better nowadays. I totally understand the point and appreciate that some people find barefoot shoes as the right choice for them.
What did u film. With this? Just curious 😊
I get wide running shoes and use lock lace or cheaper knock-offs. The laces stretch and I can also open them up on the wider (bottom) and tighten them a little more on the top.
Result: no more tying shoes and no squishing my toes.
I don't have any Barefoot shoes, but I walk around barefoot every day, since I work from home now. I often wear Croc style slip-ons, which give a lot of room for my feet to spread out. When I put on other traditional shoes, I feel like I am wearing high heels. My balance is thrown off and my feet are scrunched. I am no longer sure-footed in the traditional shoes. I don't need a scientific study to prove my own experience. Maybe I'll get a pair of Barefoot shoes one day, but I am just not impressed with their styles yet. In the end, let your feet be your feet. Foot muscles were designed to keep you balanced and walking.
This is the 4th video I've clicked that promises to provide a more critical view on barefoot shoes, only to provide affiliate links instead.
Oh God. See what the bunions of a woman who has worn pointy toed spike heels through most of my adult working life I cannot stand in the shower barefoot without teetering. And if I lean forward with my eyes closed, especially at 6:30 am and I have collapsed arches and my big toes are incapable of being a brace for my foot. It's horrible.
I'm barefoot nearly 24/7- been like this for my full 28 years, shoes are annoying. Almost never wore 'em as a kid- only if there was a 'no shirt no shoes no service sign' where I was going. As an adult, if I do put shoes on (which is becoming more frequent because I've started losing my balance), it's usually because my extremely high arches are causing me extreme pain through my whole body. Literally radiates from the tip of my toes to the tips of my fingers and on up the top of my head. If the reason I wear them is because I'm going outside, I need arch support to prevent that pain, which does not give warning amd the odds increase if I have to stand for an extended length of time. So the notion many fanatics have that these shoes fix everything makes me irrationally angry. That doesn't work when your have such high arches that only 1/3 of your feet touch the ground, especially when they're already tiny to begin with. Constantly having 120lbs supported on 2 3 square inch and 2 2 square inch points with thin 2 inch long boney bridge as a stabalizer is not ideal. Add in balance priblems and you become a walking concussion waiting to happen.
I do make sure my shoes fit, though. I've found the cheaper they are the better they fit. The best I've had are some cork base house slippers and minie mouse basketball shoes/high tops.
Eh, but no one listens to the actual barefoot people like me. People with naturally developed arches and naturally pointed toes, naturally small feet. They just want to push their fancy expensive shoes and hate on capitalism... That thwy are participating in by buying overpriced toe socks.
Note, for running you should never land with your heel. You might think you should because of how thicc the shoe heels are, you shouldnt. Landing in the heel is great for walking and walking fast but never for running.
Ok so you only wear barefoot shoes 80% of the time? Do your feet not hurt when you are wearing regular shoes?
yes if i'm in a rush or just want to feel taller - I'll wear my Adidas Ultraboost. And I got a shoe size bigger than normal so my feet don't hurt
also depends on flexibility of the shoe. I went bowling & the shoes they gave me were like boots/firm & those hurt a lot while wearing them. But sneakers are very flexible & they don't hurt + stretch out as I wear them
@@ShervinShares ok cool to know, I also miss being taller in regular shoes so I may get a regular pair and see how I go. 😀
@@PeteOnPurpose find wide toe box regular shoes! that's been key for me! also love your videos
@@ShervinShares Yes mate will do and thanks I find your videos very inspiring. 😊
I live in Brazil and when I use regular shoes, I feel weird, many brazilians uses "chinelo" as their main shoes.
Having worn only barefoot shoes for about 7 years now, I would not go back. Normaly shoes feel extremly akward. The only caveat being that I am not a runner, but for walking I'd always go with barefoot shoes.
same!
thought about trying barefoot shoes, but decided against it. why? because the soles are too thin, and cannot be resoled.
if i want a wide toebox and flat (not thin!) soles, i wear waldviertler as everyday shoe. if i want a wide toebox, but heels (hiking shoes/boots), hanwag has several models with a straight fit.
all of those can be resoled, reducing waste. and all of them are produced here in europe.
Been wearing bare shoes for a few months now. Never going back
what about slippers like how everyone in hawaii wears. or birkenstock sandals?
i guess it must be very comfortable for sure, but ballet dancers have their feet very compressed and they are very stable nonetheless
I have just gone to minimalist shoes after a long discussion with my boss. I have large wide feet for a woman and much prefer no shoes. The difference since changing, I had planta issues and Achilles tendonitis. I have calcification on my right heel and very high arches. My lower back is better and I don't seem to have the lower back issues I use to. Will see how I am in 6 months.
How are you doing now?
after wearing barefoot shoes for 6 months my fit changed from 43 eu to 44 eu ,I can definitely say I have anatomical changes in my feet ,less lower back pain and knee pain(I am obese overweight with bmi of 35) ,but I recommend to gradual change ,because I hurt my ankle during running and my new actively muscles couldn't take the increases strain ,there is a company called altar wish have some great transitional shoes(I didn't use them my first experience was with vivo Primus iii lite) for at least few months .
Wow thank you for sharing your story!
I agree with the concept of barefoot shoes and I recognise the benefits of them but I think (and I want to highlight that this is only a thought) that the whole idea of barefoot experience has an hidden flaw...it could be impractical in our world in terms of mass distribution. There are a lot of professions that put workers in potentially very risky situations for their feet (construction workers, miners, woodmen, soldiers, alpine rescuers, firemen...and my list could go on). Those people need specific working boots made to provide the correct combination of safety, arch support, drop, stability, roughness and personalisation in terms of steel toe, steel plates, crampons etc.) If all shoemaking brands stopped producing normal shoes in favour of only barefoot models, I think that that part of population could be affected...with the disadvantage of having to use two kind of shoes with a completely different morphology in different moments.
Having said that, I don't want to be rude or to offend any point of view. The purpose of this comment was to highlight this perplexity.
Is it easier for people who wear flip-flops exclusively to transition to barefoot shoes??
i looked on amazon and the whitin shoes have bad reviews
What's funny is I've always naturally gravitated to shoes that were flatter, more flexible, with more rounded toes.
I also grew up as one of those crazy barefoot kids that people would call A little monkey because I would climb all over everything and I would walk around barefoot like a wild animal 😂
Even as an adult I absolutely hate wearing shoes unless I have to, of course because I'm a responsible member of society I do unfortunately have to go to a job that requires closed towed shoes..... But I make sure they're loose enough and flat enough. I was always so picky as a teen shoe shopping because I always wanted sneakers but I hated the ones that had the big poofy heels that were up off the ground. Even now when I go into stores and I see those Nike shoes that have like the 3-in thick foam padding at the heel I think it looks absolutely ridiculously stupid.
I love it, thanks for sharing
The Whitins are my favs! Yes I had to go a size up. Good durability even hiking in Sedona. (That is crazy good exercise for your feet.) Still haven't been punctured by a goatshead thorns yet.
I went to check the Vivo shoes and I just cannot believe how much they cost, there's no way they're even remotely close to their actual value.
High heels to runners = painful transition. im assuming it would be the same with barefoot shoes
looking for a steel toe in wide toe box, potentially made for working in snow since I work in a warehouse at negative twenty. Eleven hours in ice is pretty brutal and there are a lot of loose nails and stuff that i'd need to resist.
If barefoot shoes are minimalist, with less structure, thinner soles, less padding and no arch support - why the fuck are they so expensive?
I prefer barefoot, been wearing barefoots only for over 10 years. I prefer the style, my back appreciates it and I love all the questions I get about my weird shoes. I’m just glad they make different styles. In high school I would wear moccasins because barefoot wasn’t a thing yet
"If I need to fit in with everyone..." Great argument, dude. Why would you ever need that?
This is misleading at best. If it's better to wear shoes with high heels for foot health (which is what 99 % of people are currently doing) why does so many people have fucked up feet? And if we should have a higher heel, why aren't we born with a higher heel? God made a mistake?
We are the only animal wearing these shoes that alter our natural gate. How could that possibly be good? Think about it; it alters our gate for every single step we take. We are supposed to take at least 10k steps each day, so if every one of those is done with improper form, just imagine how much the effect compounds over time.
human walk with no shoes for thousands of years, now human dont. pretty simple calculation for me to use barefoot shoes.
The Amazon ones look like they have a lot of toe spring. If they didn't, they could be worth it for the savings. I love Xero, but they have durability issues and their warranty kind of sucks (they claim 5,000 miles, but it's only 50% off and they make you pay for shipping). I've had holes develop after < 200 mi running. $130+ every 200 mi is a lot. Altra last longer, but the toe box isn't wide enough for me.
I only wear shoes in certain situations and they are a pair of Xero genesis. I didn't wear shoes, ever, for years. I had good posture and no problems with my back. In the last couple of years, I've gone back to no shoes and at 59, once again have no back pain and good posture. It's also cheaper 👍
If your kid has flat feet, you need to get them to a doctor. When they are young, you can fix their arch with shoes with arch or custom insoles
This cannot be overstated or said enough. Like teeth, getting that solve during those critical early growing years is imperative. Although crooked teeth can be fixed even as an adult. Your feet, not so much.
@Krane even crooked teeth should be checked with a dentist and orthodontist immediately. Crooked/misaligned teeth with kids could lead to misaligned jaw growths, which is only fixable with jaw sugery.
And type of bone misalignment should be checked out specially if you have insurance, they will cover the cost.
Anyone that see this, if you kids from the age of 10-15(15 is probably your last chance to get it fixed) has crooked teeth, even if their jaw is not misaligned. You need to get it checked out. When they are going through puberty, their bones are very malleable, and a small misaligned/issue can cause a lot of bugger issues.
Storage is a mistake my friend.
I only wear vibram five finger shoes so yeah I would wear them on a date. I’ve worn them exclusively for about 10ish yrs.
so appreciated to know, im not alone , thinking "modern" shoes are crap!
as wearer of 46+ with wide toes, its always a pain(literally) to find shoes that fit!(sometimes weeks 😬) personally, i prefer to have a small arch tho, just feels "right'er"! but pointy shoes are just *WRONG* & always leads to crampy & uncomfortable feet!
Two things for the price of one! Great vid
I do not have a chance to experience barefoot shoelaces in my country. There are only Keen shoes. but I can try them.. I'm a person who stands for long periods of time while working. what would your suggestion be? I wonder if keen will solve my problems? Or should I choose a skechers with good cushioning?
I love the five-fingers shoes. But they're not durable. I have several pairs, and they only last a few months.
Being expensive and having to change them very often takes all the fun out of them. I've stopped buying them altogether.
Also, our bodies evolved walking on earth and grass, not pavement and cement. As much as I prefer barefoot shoes, my spine and knees do not recommend them for city use.
I started with water shoes. from amazon .oh yeah I still wear them super durable still like new 2 years later, comfortable and 13-29 bucks . I do switch up sometimes even a heeled shoe a few times a yeah. I plan on walking not shuffling(no offense meant ) when I get 80 years old (God Willing) * New subscriber*