I keep waking up with sore medial Ankle Pain (Inside). I stretch and get it moving and then go for a barefoot run. (well, actually very minimal shoes; 2mm)

I don't want the doc to overly focus on barefoot running as the cause!

What I don't understand is that I get no pain throughout the day. [b]This only happens when I wake up.[/b]

I've been running for a few years now. Previously I thought I had a problem with supination causing my knees to ache. Improving technique didn't fully solve it until I started considering inflammation from food. I also had a problem with falling asleep during the day. I did 2 main things that fixed all these problems previously:

1. stopped eating protein in the daytime. It seems most protein, apart from glycine in things like bone broth gives me inflammation
2. started taking cod liver (not oil) for the b vitamins

I have ordered a barefoot shoe and both sizes fit me. The bigger size fits me extraordinarily well in width but it's a too long for my taste. The smaller size fits me as well and is comfortable but it's not as wide.

I do wonder which one should I get.

Title

Can't find anything similar googling around

Hey guys, I wanted to know if there were any updates on finding foot shaped safety boots with composite toe. I've looked everywhere including the ones mentioned here before but can't find any. Please share if you know of any. Starting a new job in the union and stressing about the damn boots! Regular boots or even in wide are just too tight. Foot shaped is the way to go!

Thanks!

I'll be there for half-marathon. I'll use huaraches.

I would be nice to wave someone else with minimalist shoes / barefoot.

https://rocknrollmadridrun.com/

I measured my feet after my run, and they're ~25.1-25.2cm without socks. The Vibram Fivefingers I've been looking into are the v-alpha.

According to the size guide, feet that are 25.1cm is *exactly* a size 41 (Women's). Does that mean that the shoes fit feet that are 25.1cm, or are the shoe's (inside) length 25.1cm?

I don't think I can size up without sliding around, and I typically feel unstable in men's sizes due to narrow heel and ankles - but I haven't tried VFF's before.

Do you think a size 41 (W) could work? I'm unsure if the v-alpha's stretches or not.

Also, I'm in EU, and many European retailers seems to have a different size chart . It's the same but one size larger. Does anyone know what that's about?

Would you go out on the street with shoes like that (Vibrams)? What exactly is wrong with that?🤔 What do you think of people who go out on the street like that? Thanks for your opinion!

I managed to snatch a pair of flip flops that are thin, elastic and conform well to the shape of my feet, so I thought I hit the nail on the head in terms of minimalist house shoes. However, after 2-3 months of buying them I noticed that I have been aggressively striking the ground with my heel, to the point where my wife started to point out how loud my steps have become.

Nothing else had changed about my footwear, lifestyle or training regime, so the only variable that I can think of are those shoes, which I am wearing quite a lot (both at home and in the office). Is that possible?

Hello!

To cut a long story short, I go to the gym and do crossfit/hiit/weight based workouts 5 times a week and run twice a week. I have quite wide, flat feet and have really struggled with lateral foot pain in my trainers, I have tried everything from supportive shoes, wide fit shoes, specialist running shoes and flatter shoes but i still consistently get lateral foot pain about 15 mins into my work out.

Recently I have just been forced to remove by shoes in the gym and work out barefoot and have no pain at all and it's making me wonder if barefoot shoes are the way forward but i have no idea where to start!

I'm Female, UK based and looking for something that can work for indoor gym workouts and road running.

Please help, It's a minefield!

AKA is there any benefit to heel drop?

I thought it would be easy to find a minimal, flat sandal, but it's surprisingly hard to find zero drop sandals outside of the "barefoot" realm. We all know the brands - Bedrock, Luna, Shamma, Xero, the list goes on.

It's not hard to find a foot shaped sandal, but it just seems weird to me that it's not more common for sandals to be flat. A Teva sandal is like 90% of the way to something Xero would charge twice as much for, and I don't understand why they have a centimeter of drop on what is essentially a flip flop with an ankle strap.

Am I missing something? Is there some benefit to heel drop? Is it just to make them squishier as the foam compresses?

Anybody have recommendation for really thin socks for skinners ? Normal socks not working in my skinners but I don’t want them to smell like a sewer.

Hey guys

I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes now for about 7 months and hoping to transition to barefoot running soon but I’m slightly nervous to do so as I have accumulated various running injuries over the years and also have a bunion forming on one of my feet. Sometimes after a day of walking in my barefoot shoes, my feet feel pretty tired and I’ve noticed recently pain along the outer edge of my foot, which I think could be peroneal tendonitis.

I want to make the transition to wearing barefoot shoes 100% of the time in future, as I’m currently still running in my On Running trainers.

Just wondered if anyone could suggest any exercises I could do which can help strengthen my feet and prepare them for when I make the transition to barefoot running.

Thanks!

It was great. Small strides and no heel striking. Thanks for all the tips everyone! It is so good to be back running outside!! Im just using a pair of basic running water style shoes for now. Feel great so far!

Here's my review of the all-new Xero H-Trails, Xero's answer to the rugged huarache sandals market: https://youtu.be/2KwRyPQTbT8?si=DLa97brrfEMLqMNj

I bought a pair and tying the shoelaces together makes the tongue look stupid. How are you guys tying your shoe if you have this model? Also, I have enough space to put my fingers in between my heel and the shoe yet my big toe touches the front of the shoe when I take a step but I'm afraid one size up may be too big. Does that mean Xero shoes just don't fit me? My first pair of xeros and trying to get into the barefoot game. Thank you!

Hey again,

I want to add something to my initial post.

The reason I‘m concerned about the foot fat pad is, that I have pain and I assume it’s because of a loss of my foot fat padding.

Then I took some research and the internet is full with articles about ‚fat pad atrophy‘, which exactly describe my symptoms.

Did anyone of you make some encounters and experiences with ‚fat pad atrophy‘?

It can’t be that I’m the only one having this, because the internet is full with that stuff.

But on the other side, I wonder if podiatrists invented it, in order to make money by selling orthopedic inserts and stuff.

I appreciate any hint or shared experience.

Much love

Hello I was wondering if the naboso mats are worth it ? I don’t see reviews on the internet about the mind and body mat ( for Pilates /yoga ) or the others one ? Thanks

Does the size guide measure foot length or shoe length?

e.g. when is shows "26.6cm = EU 42 = US 9" is that indicating that that is the appropriate foot length to wear those sizes, or that 26.6 cm is the actual length of their shoes in that size?

Similarly with the printout guide, are those lines indicating the appropriate foot length, or do they show how long an actual shoe (interior) would be in those given sizes?

Thanks

TLDR: should you use toe spacers if your toes are rotated/bent?

Obviously most of us are not physiotherapists, but I hope to hear what others think or have experienced.

In short, some of my toes are slightly (but noticeably) rotated inwards and one is bent almost like a cheese doodle. From wearing tight shoes. I've never had any pains or issues with my toes. The only reason I'm interested in trying toe shapers is if it might give me more balance.

My question is... Since my toes and feet has literally grown/moulded into this shape, will it actually be helpful to wear toe spacers? Whenever I put something in-between my toes (to simulate toe spacers), the bent and twisted toes stays bent and twisted. There's no pain still but it feels off to have my toes rotated and pulled aside (and then walking/running) at the same time. I am an optimistic person, but in my head I can't help thinking that this is how you break your bones so I really wish to hear how others think and if someone here also has rotated toes and tried toe spacers! I really want it to work if it works.

Is toe spacers worth trying? I already exercise my feet regularly.

Hey people,

why is it, that many of us have very little fat padding on our foot soles, while many natural born barefoot tribe people have very thick pads on their soles?

I‘m wondering if my fat pads are going to build up again by walking barefoot on rough terrain. Because they shrank over the last months. That’s why I want to change many things now and walk more barefoot and in huarache sandals in order to build the pads up again. But at the moment I can’t walk much barefoot at all, because it feels like walking on uncushioned bones and toe joints and hurts after a short while.

Do you have any experience in rebuilding the pads and how to do it?

Much love

Does anyone have experience running/jogging in these? I know they're not runners but I need an every day shoe that can withstand some elements in a city while being agile. I tend to be pretty light on my feet and need new shoes (my leather Vibrams are at the end of their life and want something to avoid an insignificant amount of water breaching the shoe.)

I'm a massage therapist so something with grip without my foot sliding around inside is also necessary.

I'm leaning towards the leather Vapor Gloves or Primus Trail All-Weather otherwise. The Magna's look like a good all-purpose.

Also, longevity is a concern. The Vapor Gloves are really appealing because of the Vibram soles. Do Vivo soles last? My CVT have gone three or more years of near every day wear in a city and still have some life in them. Kinda spoiled on Vibram soles tbh.

Now I just earth or walk barefoot over gravel, single track, beach to keep feet in shape. Earthing or any barefoot activity is exceptionally good for you, especially your mind as it releases dopamine, serotonin and DMT. Very powerful if you barefoot hike. I used to do up to 15k barefoot runs on tar as well but you lose layers of skin as you go.

Find me on Strava! https://strava.app.link/LWDP6NLR1Ib

Hello all! A shoe question, please let me know if this goes too far out of the subreddits theme. I've been running and walking with minimalist shoes for about a year now, and it's been great. My chronic knee pain is almost completely gone, yay.

But: I've started working with electronics and need to wear ESD shoes at work. I'd want it to be at least zero drop to prevent my knees from getting sore again. Does anyone know where I could find this type of shoe? At least in Finland this seems to be difficult to find.

Thanks!

Looking to get my first pair of VFF, but unsure of size. Is the official size chart for your size with or without socks?

I plan on using them mostly with Injinji, but it would be nice to have the option to go barefoot without looseness blisters. My feet are 26.0 and 26.2cm respectively (US 9-10), which seems like it could be the 42 or 43.

I am planning to start with KSO EVO, then V-Alpha if I like the shoe type.

Thanks.

I'm looking for some "barefoot" style shoes - zero drop, wide toe box, minimal foot contouring/arch support - but not completely minimal, I still like some cushion and decently firm construction. Altra, Topo and the Bahe Revive all seem to fit the bill. But I have unusually shaped feet with a lot of width toward the middle so even many of the models in the barefoot style brands are too tight unless I get the widest (measures for reference)).

Between these 3 which is going to give me the widest toe room. Assume their widest last/model. (i.e. Atra Original/Escalante 4, Topo ST4/Magnify, Bahe is only the Revive)

thanks

Hey guys, I’m 19 and I grew up wrestling very competitively but decided not to wrestle in college so I’ve picked up endurance running. I’ve been loving it and plan on doing a marathon when I come back from the summer from my internship. I been trying to walk barefoot for about 30 minutes atleast everyday and bought Altra timp 4s for the wide toe box, also today is day one of toe spacers and the middle of my foot under my two front toes doesn’t even touch the ground as I have severely curled toes and very flat feet. Stay tuned for the journey!