Long story short, I am getting getting back into fitness after an injury and a period of personal struggles. I used to do obstacle course racing for a while, but then I stopped due to aforementioned issues. In the meantime I however got into minimalist/barefoot running and I do like it a lot.

That being said, I never ran OCR in minimalist footwear, I would always wear regular trail shoes. So I picked up an used pair of trail shoes for the upcoming race (I am on a tight budget, unfortunately), ran my usual route in them and... Absolutely hated it. I am so used to minimalist footwear right now that it feels like running with two pillows tied around your feet. And in a comfortable way.

So keeping all that in mind I am tempted to just say "fuck it" and run the race in my minimalist shoes (they are basic Saguaros, the model with a strap), but I am a bit hesitatant about the lesser level of foot protection and stability they offer. Did anyone run OCR or a mud run in such shoes?

I've noticed that the Bedrock Cairn [regular] seems to be a somewhat unpopular choice for running, I'm under the assumption that it's because they're noticeably thicker / less flexible than other sandal options but still too thick for the crowds that prefer more stack height/cushion.

I'm still not sure how I feel about minimalist footwear, the 14mm on the regular Cairns is still something I'm adjusting to.

I have some still-returnable Cairn Evo 3D's here still, which are 16mm & I'm aware that they're more firm as well. Would it be ill-advised to use them for general running & trail as well? Maybe something about them I might not be aware once they're in action?

I grabbed a pair of Z-Trail sandals for Black Friday and it's just now getting warm enough to use them. As far as comfort goes, they're fine once I figured how how to adjust them. They're a little narrow but i can deal with it.

As far as durability goes, I'm not quite as certain. Maybe i need to adjust my expectations, but I have worn them twice now, and they are already getting beat up. Today i took them on a very chill hike - less than 2 miles - on some easy terrain. The main issue was that the path had gravel on it and it would occasionally get stuck under-foot, but that's what happens when you wear sandals. I'd shake it out and move on.

When I got home I noticed the gravel had already started tearing up the foam footbed. Maybe my expectations are too high, but the foot bed seems to be the same material as Old Navy flip-flops that cost $3. They're also getting torn up around the sides where softer layer of foam is exposed. Maybe my expectations are out of line but they are literally called "trail sandals" so I thought they'd be a little more durable. I can already tell the footbed is going to be trashed before the sole wears out.

I got these on sale for around $25 so I can't be too mad, but I would definitely not recommend paying full price for them.

Can anyone help me find the manufacturer of these shoes? I see them on these two different sites, with the same description of them. I got these for my 3 year old last summer and they worked very well for him, they're good wide toe box, flexible, and we took out the thin insole they're very thin. Oh, and of course zero drop!

I'm hoping to start a little in-person shop in my town so families can come try on shoes that are actually orthopedically appropriate for little feet and this is a good affordable option I've found. Googling this brand gets me nowhere.

Any leads are greatly appreciated!

Brand: Kindly the Label velco canvas shoe

(I guess it doesn't let me post the link).

https://preview.redd.it/wx9y1bgajjtc1.jpg?width=1325&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c20438efcb2867cfdf16d970d00724d9e51290a

Just putting this out there for a fair warning!

Got these 5 months ago, liked them at first. Only used them for a few hours every other day, and they are now falling apart.

Splitting in the front, soles are completely gone, laces and inside are fraying.

These are made to be replaced it seems, my Altras lasted 3 years prior to getting these!

I am pretty sure that I am going to wear them with socks, but still am kind of curious. They are partially wool, which is supposed to be better at dealing with bad smells.

Hi, any advice on how vivobarefoot fit? i typically wear a 10-11 usually a 10.5 for comfot i checked the size chart which told me to go for size 9, i read an article which told me to go up a size which would be 11, the scan on the website told me to go for size 8! any idea? my most recent trainers are Asics in a 10,5 i also have a pair of Merrell Wrapt walking boots in a 10.

I was told by a podiatrist to not wear barefoot shoes.

The reason was because I was changing my stride from longer strides to much smaller ones. This will reduce the stretch ( I forgot which ligaments were mentioned but probably Achilles or the hamstrings) and my flexibility will diminish overtime.

At the time I took his word. Now I'm mostly barefoot or zero drop.

My takeaway from all this is to rotate shoes to see what clicks. And finding out what shoes work for which functions is complicated. And my relationship with podiatrists are also complicated!

I'm curious if anyone's else's podiatrist mentioned something similar.

I have a few pairs of the whitin brand from Amazon and after wearing them for a while I’m realizing my foot is spreading more. Removing the insoles, my foot is wider than the insoles.

Are name brand barefoot shoes wider than cheaper brands? I need something wide…

Hello,

I'm new to barefoot/minimalist running. Around August of 2023 I switched to my first minimalist shoes. Prior to the switch, I only ran for about 9 months and in Asics. So I'm a newbie when it comes to running and a newbie when it comes to running in minimalist shoes.

I try to get 5k in 5 days a week and 10-15k once a week. I also cycle in my shoes, using flat pedals without pegs. I don't use the insole.

Overall my transition was pretty good. I don't run with any pain and the mileage doesn't seem to both my feet. However after 600 miles on these Xeros, I've worn through a lot of the toe and heel sole. I don't think this is an issue with the Xeros, and I very much want to buy another pair.

However, is there something wrong with my running? I've always been a person that wears out my heels, but I feel that I'm not landing on my heels. The wear pattern on the shoes clearly show otherwise. I do run on surface that are not flat, sometimes up and down hills and on sections of road that are slanted from side to side.

I purchased a pair of Xero shoes about 2 weeks ago for work and honestly hate them compared to my Vivos. I know Xero’s website says they cannot be worn/used upon return but if I just cleaned them off would they take them? Anyone tried before?

Thanks!! ^_^

Hi there guys

i recived a gift the Primus Trail II FG All Weather

i was wondering im new to this and i wannaa start use it daily from my lame working shoes

thing is im not much of a a trial guy or hiking i mostly work stand and sit basically

going gym and some times travel ... will i still enjoy the benefits of this Primus Trail II FG All Weather ? like the other barefoots? my goal is basically make my foot strong get rid of plantar fasciitis and not feel my foot tired anymore which i also think its effects my body tiredness and mental aswell

what you guys think is it will work?>

I'm looking for some barefoot/minimal shoes that are stylish enough that look normal shoes (I usually wear NIke's) that has good durability. I'm also looking for something that is breathable since I've been getting sweaty feet with my current shoes (Air Max 90s) which have been leading to Athlete's foot. I won't be do any running but just normal daily life activities.

I'm planning to wear socks with the shoes and I'm a size US 10 in most shoes. According to Anya's reviews, I've got the mountain foot type (2nd toe is the longest) and average width/height and somewhat flat feet. Also in Canada, if that affects the availability of the shoes.

I've looked at some brands like Vivobarefoot but according to reviews online, it seems like they don't last that long.

Looking for any recommendations, thanks!

Hey!

I bought the following:

1. EL-X for gym --> Perfect, I love it.
2. CVT-HEMP for BJJ --> Quite ok, but of course it's breaking down...

I used to run marathons with Vibram FF 8 years ago... I want to go back running, but I have seen some comments that the quality of the shoes is decreasing. Could you please comment in your experiences with the new shoes?

Also, what do you suggest for a runner?

Just purchased my second pair of barefoot shoes after taking a break from them last year. I’ve been wearing my original Xero hfs for the past three weeks and I’ve been super happy with them. I decided I needed another pair to rotate and to grab another color that looks good.

So naturally I grabbed the HFS II which is supposed to be an improved version (hence the II). But man I can’t be more wrong, they feel like a COMPLETELY different shoe and I literally no ground feel at all which is something I really enjoy. The sole is way stiffer and overall just not what I was expecting.

Does anyone have any recommendations for another brand that makes nice looking barefoot shoes that I can wear everyday and is similar to the original hfs ii?

I have no idea why they thought this was a good idea.

Thanks!

I ordered a pair of white Vans, and got the wide version even though my feet are not wide. I was planning on removing the sole, so without a sole and with them being wider, I figured they’d be close to barefoot shoes (though obviously not perfect).

Has anyone done this before? Does this seem like a good or bad idea? White sneakers always have been and always will be a staple of my outfits, but literally every plain barefoot white sneaker I’ve seen (and many of which I’ve ordered, tried on, and returned) just look terrible compared to a pair of Converse or Vans for example (also doesn’t help that I’m very particular about my fashion). I have true barefoot shoes for the gym and hiking, and some Xero sandals I wear most of the time when it’s warm, so I’m hoping removing the soles of Vans would basically be “good enough”.

I just tried on my wide Vans with the sole still in, and the footbox honestly feels pretty wide. Not as much as dedicated barefoot shoes of course, but better than expected.

i started wearing wide toe box shoes few months ago, and started running like a month ago, rn i run i my daily shoes (hobibear idk what model) but i dont wanna use daily shoes for this, so here is the question topo athletic terraventure or five fingers? and if five fingers then which model? thanks for help.

I work with heavy machines and its mandatory to use security steel shoes. Do you any Brand that has sutch thing?

Looking for a pair of boots for work ( work in roofing ) I don't necessarily need thin barefoot soles, but do want something that has no built in arch support and a natural shaped foot.

I ordered a pair of Jim Green Barefoot Rangers, and they are very nice. I ordered my inidcated size, but they are easily a half or whole size too big and will have to exchange them.

One thing I didn't really like too much about them, while the shape is great, they are very high volume, I have to crank down the laces pretty hard to get them to fit snugly. I do wish it was a little higher up on the ankle as well.

I've also been looking at the Lems Boulder Summit, they look nice too, but they seem like the toe box may be a bit wider than the Jim Greens, and seem more built for colder weather than where I'm going to be wearing them.

If you've had both, or have any experience with either brands, I'm all ears.

Anyone have experience with Vibram Furoshikis? Would they be a good pair for someone that has never worn barefoot shoes before?

Vibrams have these models (not counting the v-treks) in the hiking/trailrunning department. That’s three shoes for the same purpose?

Does anyone have experience with these shoes that help to distinguish them?

Anyone know of any companies that sell size 16 bare foot shoes? Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I used to run track and high school as a sprinter and have become a distance runner since then. I've been running pretty regularly and do a few 5k's a month and will do a random 10k here and there. I run in Asics GT-2000's.

I bought a pair of Vivobarefoot shoes 4 months ago and have been wearing them to the gym, I also do my HIIT works with them on the treadmill as well. I've been considering starting running in them and was wondering if I should take the same precautions with transitioning to running in barefoot shoes as someone who isn't an experienced runner.

Thanks!

I've tried on new balance 1080v13 x wide 4e and they were massively too small in the mid foot and the toe box. So I've been looking at barefoot shoes/ minimalist shoes. I was wondering would my feet fit into x wide ahimsa or realfoot City jungle shoes? If not what shoe will fit my feet? Because I'm honestly

stuck. I've been looking for shoes that will fit me for 3 weeks now, and I can't decide what would fit me. Any recommendation would be great what shoes will actually fit me?

The picture I'm uploading is A3 paper thanks in advance!

I started running 9 months ago, and have been using my trail glove 7 a lot.

The question is about the uneven wear on the left and right foot. I know that there is some assymetry to be expected. But, my wear pattern assymetry was alarming to me.

Predominantly running with mid foot strike and I expected to see the pattern seen on the left shoe. However, It seems my landing on right foot is significantly more on the side of the foot.

Any wisdom on the cause of assymetry is appreciated. Any drills to try and achieve better balance are also welcome.

Why does it seem most people who do running always make it endurance based rather than something like HIIT?