4 Years of Barefoot Shoes: Why I’m OBSESSED

In this video, I share my transformative four-year journey with barefoot shoes. I highlight three main benefits: improved foot mechanics, increased foot and calve strength, and enhanced sensory feedback. I explain how barefoot shoes changed my walking and running gait, prevented injuries, and even helped me complete a marathon. I also emphasize how these shoes strengthened my feet, improved my balance, coordination, and posture, and provided a more natural training experience. Despite initial discomfort and cramps, I persisted and now find conventional shoes uncomfortable and unstable in comparison. I now use barefoot shoes almost exclusively, having migrated from Vivos to Vibram 5 fingers for added toe freedom. Overall, I credit barefoot shoes with my improved physical health, strength, and overall well-being.
⌚️Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:23 Improved Foot Mechanics
3:11 Improved Foot Strength and Calf Strength
4:25 Enhanced Sensory Feedback
7:09 Conclusion
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📚BOOKS MENTIONED:
- Exercised
- Born to Run
- Built to Move
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WHO AM I?
Hey everyone, my name is Josh and I’m an Investment Actuary-turned-TH-camr. Through my videos here on this channel I share my career experience and also general self-improvement experiments based on my experience. I hope you enjoy!

[@stationtostation8311]

i started wearing vivos a few years ago, as soon as i put my first pair on i was converted. Recently bought some Vibrams after putting it off due to worrying about the looks id get but honestly, like you said, its so worth it and most people are just curious anyway.

[@tobbyb7748]

Very well presentation and put together video with engaging points. Keep it up.

[@JoshPalmer21]

Thank you very much!

[@anniwilson2534]

Barefoot convert of many years here. My feet have got wider at the forefoot, better toe splay. My go to brands are Vivobarefoot (Tracker ESC boots and Primus Trail shoes), VFFs (V-Run and V-Trek) and Earthrunner sandals.

[@idunsgarden]

I’ve been barefoot a lot more the past few years and am trying to wear more barefoot style shoes now in an attempt to heal some things. I tried on some of my old work shoes and had to get rid of them, could barely stuff my feet in them now.

[@JohnMoseley]

I started with Vivo but they weren't wide enough for me. My main aim initially in going barefoot had been to take the pressure off my little toes, and Vivos only did that partially. For real relief, I've had to go to Softstar Primal models, though I also wear Lems Boulder Boots and Primal 2 trainers quite a bit without discomfort.
You say you're not sure your foot shape has changed. It seems pretty clear mine has: I tried on a pair of Vivos recently and couldn't get them off quick enough. They hurt. Ergo, I'm pretty sure my foot's got wider - unless it's that Vivos have got even narrower.

[@JoshPalmer21]

Thanks for the heads up on the softstar primals I haven’t heard of them. I will try them out! You clearly know your barefoot shoes!

[@JohnMoseley]

@@JoshPalmer21 🙂I had to hunt around a bit to find something that worked for me. I wish more companies would cater to the wider-footed demographic. Even some of the others that claim to do that have been let-downs for me: Ahimsa and Realfoot - big disappointments. Freet came closer and are worth checking out if you don't know them. Really good value. Their Connect trainers have one of the most comfortable soles ever, much more flexible than Vivo. I also have a pair of Bohempias in wide and they work, but because they aim to echo the look and feel of plimsolls like Vans, Keds and Converse, aren't the most comfortable, though they're good for cycling and short walks.
Hope you like the Softstars. The Softstar Primal model I wear is the Sawyer and I think it's a great shoe for both look and feel.

[@FatYokel]

@@JoshPalmer21 I 2nd the Freets, I have many models and most are winners.

[@lonowear]

Hey Josh would you like to try our FLOW barefoot trainers? Looks good, priced right, sustainably made

[@OC-CPA]

I was surprised to hear you say you wear your barefoot shoes in the house. Why not just walk barefoot in your own house? I feel part of the reason barefoot shoes haven't really "changed my life" is because I spend most of my time barefoot at home anyway-I only spend significant time outside my home 2-3 times a week, and I usually spend most of that time sitting (typically in a car and/or at a desk), meaning I spend very little time actually moving around in shoes. And I've always worked out barefoot at home. I would like to make a habit of walking/jogging/running more outside, so if I am able to make a habit of that, that's when I think barefoot shoes would be useful for me. Until then, my collection of barefoot shoes will likely continue to have a minimal impact on my life.

[@JoshPalmer21]

Seems like you have good experience! My feet get a bit cold which is why I wear them in the house. Otherwise I would be barefoot like you!

[@OC-CPA]

@@JoshPalmer21 Seems like wearing socks would keep your feet warm while still having a barefoot experience? At least, that's what I do when it's cold. There are socks with grippy bottoms if you're concerned about slipping on hard floors.

[@amarazad4483]

This is interesting. I have had barefoot shoes for about a year now and I still don’t find it natural to walk/run mid/front foot. It makes running much tougher on my ankles and knees compared to supported shoes. Is changing walking/running style something that takes that long or is it something that has to be consciously learned?

[@JoshPalmer21]

Interesting! I found I adapted quite quickly, but everyone is different!

[@JohnMoseley]

I found it hard to work out how to walk, but at the same time felt benefits right away, so it's always seemed well worth it to me.
Something that seems to have helped was my experience with Feldenkrais technique, which, contrary to yoga, advocates letting your muscles and tendons contract fully as a way of increasing flexibility. I had been feeling I needed to stretch my achilles tendon when walking barefoot. When I went the other way and let the achilles tendon contract and soften, along with the muscles of my calves, I found myself settling into a comfortable barefoot walking gait.

[@christinemarie2264]

I've been wearing barefoot shoes for 5 years now. I started wearing them because my feet were in so much pain from being on them at work. My feet never hurt now, even after the roughest week at work. I don't really get low back pain anymore. They haven't helped my knee pain. The foot and back pain relief is enough for me to never go back to traditional shoes. I have a couple pairs for fashion and I hate wearing them. I've always suffered from toe claustrophobia. I get nauseous if I can't wiggle my toes.

[@chris_1988]

Why not credit Andrew Folts for using his footage? 🤔

[@JoshPalmer21]

Thanks for pointing that out, will add in

[@dancan6622]

Come one give up the crouches. we were born to walk whiteout shoes

[@JoshPalmer21]

😂👍

[@steven7169]

No we evolved a heel pad.

[@JoshPalmer21]

Ha! Good point