I ended up on this sub after reading "Born to Run", I loved the book, it summarized everything I love about running and made a pretty convincing argument to ditch the running shoes. What made you guys discover barefoot running? I'm wondering if the book had a big impact on the barefoot running community or if there are other sources and materials that managed to challenge the status quo a bit?

I heard (fact check?) that the soles of the feet are very transmissible and that this is a pathway for pollution like PFAS

If this is true, is there any rule of thumb for the benefot of Barefoot VS the tradeoff?

I intrepet it as Barefoot being not worth it in the city... But I don't know where to draw the line. For example, right now I'm walking up a concrete path on the edge of the city

Hi, first off I'd like to state that I know winter shoes don't really have much in common with running, but I just wanna reach more people.

I have really wide feed and I currently have ahinsa shoes, which aren't that bad, but could be wider. I just found out about realfoot and I saw how wide their shoes are.

I wanna ask if any of you have some experience with those shoes and if you could probably recommend me something or tell me how they feel etc. Also because winter is approaching very fast, I'd love some amazing, warm, anti-slip and preferably all natural winter shoes. (However all natural shoes are usually very expensive and I don't wanna waste all my money just for a single pair of shoes, so I don't think I would mind if it was a bit synthetic.)

I've already found some on their site, however the sole looks quite slippery even though they say, it's anti-slip. So if any of you could help me I would be very happy.

Need new hiking boots and I live in England so I need something that will be decently waterproof. It says on the website only water resistant and I am wandering just how much they’ll keep the water out. Are the leather tracker AT more waterproof with their glued outsoles perhaps? Any one with experience with both? Thanks

In the mainstream running communities, it seems like the only zero drop running shoes talked about are Altra and Topo (mostly Altra).

I’m new to trying zero drop, so found a pair of Whitin for $30 to try it out. First impressions are positive. I like the experience of foot function/engagement with the ground more naturally. Though I haven’t tried running yet as I’m rehabbing some mild injuries.

So, my question, what benefits do Altra have compared to Whitin with being about 4x the cost?

I think I have never run so much in my entire life, lol.

I just bought a pair of boulder boot waterproof grips. I've wanted one for years because they sound extremely comfortable and light weight. However I have some concerns and questions.

Anyone in canada have these boots? I won't be hiking with them in the winter. But I'll be wearing them to work at an industrial plant and I'm constantly between plants and outside in short bursts. I do electrical maintenance and am on ladders frequently, going all over the place. Will they keep my feet dry in shallow or packed snow below ankle? Will the grip well on snow if I'm carrying heavy items or do I need to get yaktrax for them?

I run/walk trails here in central Texas. We have 2 inch thorns from mesquite trees, cacti, yucca, scorching hot roads (or really cold ones), and sharp gravel that are like razor blades.

Because of this, I almost exclusively wear running sandals, and with socks this time of year.

The only time I go true barefoot is in the rain or right after. When the clay rich mud sucks ALL sandals right off my feet. I gotta say my form is different at these times. My grace improves, my knees bend more and I tighten up and take faster lighter steps. And it's less slippery AND less tiring! My boots on the other hand, are super slippery because the mud cakes in them and it's running with mud on mud, and it's tiring AF as they are heavy and get heavier as they came with clay.

As much as I like barefoot running, it's just not a realistic expectation for me.

Anyone else have this experience?

Hey Y’all!

Looking for a recommendation from this brand. Specially looking for a trail shoe with deeper lugs that can stand up to mountainous terrain for longer distances!

Thanks in advance 🤠

I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for about 3 years (all my shoes are barefoot) and I like volleyball (I'm a beginner), do I really have to buy shoes with thick soles to make an attacking shot, is there any special technique?

I am looking at buying a pair of JK 300s. Has anyone ever resoled these boots with a zero drop sole? How did it work out? Hope someone is able to give some feedback on this one. Thanks in advance.

Just curious how you guys do it.

What’s your go to winter shoe(no boots) for winter around 0 C temps?

Hi,

Ich möchte mich mal an Zehensocken versuchen. Möchte aber gleich welche haben, die ich mit in den Trockner werfen kann. Alles andere geht hier im haushalt nicht zu gut. Dafür sind wir zu viele Leute und haben zu wenig Platz zum trocknen.

Habt ihr Empfehlungen?

Hi!

I ran a half marathon just under two weeks ago. Around mile 10 I noticed this pain on the outside of my left knee but kept going. I finished but afterwards was limping in pain. This pain persisted for the next few days and I continued to limp. After around 3-4 days later, the pain went away and I was able to walk normally.

I tried running again around a week later (so start of this week) but there was pain after about 0.3 miles in again. Same thing again on Thursday. I’ve been icing my knee but likely not enough.

Does anyone know what this might be? IT band problems or something less/more severe? I just want to be able to run again and not lose all my progress.

Thanks!

Hi All, I've been wearing the HFS' now for about a year and hoping some experts here can help me out. I initially bought them with the hopes to get into barefoot running as I love their overall look and profile. However, with much trial and error of running technique, stance, etc. they absolutely do not work for me and cause pain. I've ran with generic New Balance and Asics for years both in and out of the military and they never caused me issues running long distance. Granted, they are ugly, and I wanted something with a little more aesthetic to them hence the HFS. So my question is this: Are there any similar looking running shoes to the Xero's that have actual padded insoles and aren't barefoots? I really love the slim profile, muted color and no obnoxious designs.

Thanks...hope this makes sense.

https://preview.redd.it/05kks4yidz3e1.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93c31a8ebc74dd701e0edb34e100775d1958705c

Have you tried Bridge Soles? If so, what are your thoughts on them? They are created by the founder of Altra shoes, Golden Harper. They are suppose to help with injury recovery and to help you gradually transition to zero drop. https://prgear.com/products/bridgesoles

Hey folks, hopefully this isn't an off-topic question in this subreddit. I do a fair amount of hiking/backpacking with a heavy pack since I carry a bunch of photography gear. The original Xero Mesa Trail is my day to day / running / light hiking shoe, but I've been using Altra Lone Peak for bigger hikes where I carry a heavy pack.

The Altras offer zero drop, wide toebox, and a flexible sole, but still have some padding. But, they've finally torn and I need a replacement.

I'm debating between getting another Lone Peak (or maybe Superior), or just using my Xeros. My goal is to minimize joint impact, though a side benefit of the Lone Peaks has been that they fare much better in light mud and rain than the Mesa Trails. Those get soaked immediately.

Any input would be appreciated! The contenders I'm considering are: Altra Lone Peak or Superior, Xero Terraflex 2, Xero Scrambler Low, and Vivo Primus Trail all-weather (most like mesa trail but water resistant).

Hi maybe the answer is obvious but I've been wearing flat shoes and boots for the last 2 years now as I used to get plantar faciitis regularly in hopes of strengthening my feet. So far it's worked well and I don't get any symptoms anymore.

However I've started to get back into running slowly (had cancer last year and lost all fitness and my vo2 max dropped by 10!) by running on a cheap treadmill just in my socks mainly mid/front striking.

Anyway I'm easily running 30mins regularly and tempted to run outdoors especially as my treadmill broke.

However I don't fancy running in my old Brooke trainers as they have a notable drop and toes are pushed up too. It just doesn't feel like what I'm used to anymore.

Should i just skip the gait analysis if my heart is set on zero drop/flat trainers? I assume there's no need for pronation support if the trainers are meant to be flat or am I setting myself up for injuries?

Also do running shoe stores cater for zero drop much? I'm thinking of checking the nearest store but it's 12miles away! Some of the brands I'm seeing seem to be online based like vivo and altra, but doesn't seem right to drop £100+ on shoes I haven't tried...

I’ve spent what feels like an eternity running (barefoot) into walls searching for a good shoe that will last, and that isn’t too goofy looking.

I’ve heard great things about solerunners, but I heard they have changed their sole. Just how bad is the change? The Pure 3s seem to be a crowd favourite but I’m sorry they’re just not it for me, they look too much like reef shoes imo.

I’m so tired of searching so I would really love some advice from barefoot vets.

For context:

I’ve been barefoot whenever I’m not at work for about 2 years now, so progress is going well.

When I have to wear shoes, I’ve been wearing Vans. They’re a wider box than usual, but they’re becoming quite painful. Relief immediate upon taking them off.

I work at a very busy laundrette working the dryers so an anti-static material would be awesome.

I don’t run often but I go on relatively regular long walks. My fitness has been increasing rapidly with this job so I reckon I’ll be running more in the near future. Will be on road surfaces.

I understand I’ll probably have to buy a couple pairs for different occasions, but I was hoping there might be a ‘catch-all’ shoe that I somehow haven’t come across yet.

If you’ve read this much, thank you, and I’m keen to hear your suggestions.

TIA! :)

Hey guys

I (26f) have been struggling with pain in my foot which feels like it won’t get better and I’m seriously starting to question whether I need to go back to conventional shoes / give up running because I’m at my wits end :(

I’m hoping other people may have experienced similar situations and could share how they pushed through.

I have been running pretty consistently for the last 12 years. I used to run pretty far when I was younger but after suffering with ankle and knee injuries, I took a break and ever since have only been running 3-5km. Running is the one thing which has remained consistent in my life and I use it for a lot of stress relief and because it gives me such a buzz - I have tried other forms but nothing comes close to the feeling I get from running.

I started wearing barefoot shoes about 14 months ago and I love it. I was wearing my old On Running trainers for runs while my feet built strength in the barefoot shoes until about 5 months ago when I decided to switch to my barefoot shoes for runs as well. Running in barefoot shoes got rid of my shin splints which I would sometimes experience when running, and I have noticed that since wearing barefoot shoes I don’t get knee pain anymore and my foot/ankle stability has improved massively.

About three months ago I noticed a slight pain in the heel and arch of my left foot, but it wasn’t too bad and I continued running. It got worse and so I started stretching my calves daily and doing squats / other strengthening exercises. I think I have plantar fasciitis and was trying to loosen up my calves after reading online that tight calves can cause it. Been doing this for like 2 months now and today the pain is worse than ever. Recently the inside of my ankle has started to stiffen up and become so painful I am almost limping around. This is so disheartening and is getting in the way of life.

So yeah would be good to hear any similar experiences and if/how you managed to bounce back from this. Really don’t want to give up running but also don’t want to be living in chronic pain either :(

https://xeroshoes.com/go/Cwcomfy

Everything is on sale. Up to 70 percent off! Affiliate link

Any budget friendly winter shoes recomendations? up to sum like 100€.

I want to buy barefoot shoes on AliExpress and I am planning to use this for everyday use and sports and running jogging and walking and outside use only might use it inside if I have to it can be waterproof or not

People bring up that he wore shoes for Tokyo but few people know he was still training barefoot, imagine how good that felt running in the rain, not wet socks or shoes.

I've been wearing 0 drop/wide shoes for years now and never looked back into coffin shoes (regular shoes/boots of all types)

Boots: I'm looking for a functional/durable 0 drop/wide foot shaped splay/etc for hiking/treading/light mud/trials/desert etc. basically all arounders. If I have to get seperate specialized I will.

Looking to get some soon since blackfriday deals and doing a family trip to some snow and then dry ass desert for some camping after. Let me konw where to start looking. My cousin donated a pair of paratrooper boots but they're coffin like and have minimal ground feel.

Wondering if anyone has a pair of these collecting dust in their closet that they would be looking to move on from. Willing to pay up to $150 depending on condition, would prefer new/like new.

https://preview.redd.it/s3h4ohpenq3e1.jpg?width=620&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6ccfe11e215f152b0503289d7f89b514f0fa70e