Barefoot running shoe recommendation

[Fug]

I'd like something for light jogging and walking. I'll be on pavement with this first pair.

I've been researching brands and vibram seems pretty popular but I read that the quality may have dipped recently.

What is your experience with barefoot running shoes? Who makes the best quality?

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

 

[Fug]

If you live near grass but I'm not about to hoof it bare on asphalt.

 

[Tito Tapped]

Vibram makes the rubber. You can get better shoes that also use it. The Merrell Vapor Glove 6 is a pretty good one.

 

[William Huggins]

I don't think mother nature intended us to invent miles of what's basically sold flat rock and then run on it......I might use them to walk about on grass or even run cross country but I wouldn't be using them as my primary running shoes on the road.

 

[Fug]

Vibram makes the rubber. You can get better shoes that also use it. The Merrell Vapor Glove 6 is a pretty good one.

Cool, I will check it out.
I was looking at the v-trek but this is almost half the price on sale though...

 

[Contempt]

How exactly is it barefoot running if you're wearing something on your feet?

 

[Fug]

I don't think mother nature intended us to invent miles of what's basically sold flat rock and then run on it......I might use them to walk about on grass or even run cross country but I wouldn't be using them as my primary running shoes on the road.

I prefer grass but asphalt is what's outside unless I drive. I just walk or do a really slow gentle jog pace to minimize impact. There's a hill I do and sometimes I will run up the hill to get my heart rate up and it's low impact.

 

[Fug]

How exactly is it barefoot running if you're wearing something on your feet?

The idea is that you're using the muscles in your feet more naturally compared to cramming them into a narrow, thoroughly cushioned shoe that encourages a heel strike running style that's harder on your joints.

But I don't want to expose my bare skin to broken glass and whatever other debris I might encounter while jogging outside.

 

[Contempt]

The idea is that you're using the muscles in your feet more naturally compared to cramming them into a narrow, thoroughly cushioned shoe that encourages a heel strike running style that's harder on your joints.

But I don't want to expose my bare skin to broken glass and whatever other debris I might encounter while jogging outside.

So more "uncushioned" than barefoot.

Either way, my knees are way too fucked for running anymore

 

[Fug]

So more "uncushioned" than barefoot.

Either way, my knees are way too fucked for running anymore

Not really cushion, just enough material to protect you from cutting up your feet on glass or a rock, keep road grime and whatever else off your skin.

That's too bad man. I used to run trails with my dad but eventually he tapped out because it was too hard on his joints. If you can still walk, that can be good for health.

Edit: shoot man, if you got bad joints, what do I know? Maybe the barefoot shoes aren't the way for that. I had some joint issues before and could see myself wanting some cushioning during that time. Luckily, I was able to resolve the joint problems for now. I'm definitely proceeding with caution.

 

[Stoic1]

I've done this and regretted it. Got this nasty planar fasciatis in one foot after only a few short (3mile) runs. I think i limped around for weeks.

Do not recommend. Unless you have Kenyan blood.

 

[GergreG]

I've done this and regretted it. Got this nasty planar fasciatis in one foot after only a few short (3mile) runs. I think i limped around for weeks.

Do not recommend. Unless you have Kenyan blood.

Agreed. Be very careful. I tried some 'minimalist' Newtons and had gradually increased my distance running with them, but then got sick and had a 3-4 week break from running. After getting better I did a 14k run in them - without building up distance gradually again in the shoes and I slightly tore my PCL. Took about 18 months to recover. My physio said that minimalist shoe running has kept him in business in the past 10 years.

 

[biscuitsbrah]

I've done this and regretted it. Got this nasty planar fasciatis in one foot after only a few short (3mile) runs. I think i limped around for weeks.

Do not recommend. Unless you have Kenyan blood.

Gotta build up to it honestly. I think most people’s feet and joints are too unhealthy and unconditioned to be wearing barefoot shoes, lots of potential for injury. Especially if you are heavy or do lots of miles right off the bat

 

[Fug]

Agreed. Be very careful. I tried some 'minimalist' Newtons and had gradually increased my distance running with them, but then got sick and had a 3-4 week break from running. After getting better I did a 14k run in them - without building up distance gradually again in the shoes and I slightly tore my PCL. Took about 18 months to recover. My physio said that minimalist shoe running has kept him in business in the past 10 years.

I've done this and regretted it. Got this nasty planar fasciatis in one foot after only a few short (3mile) runs. I think i limped around for weeks.

Do not recommend. Unless you have Kenyan blood.

What shoes do you use now?

 

[biscuitsbrah]

Lems are my favorite. They have the widest forefoot which I really like. They aren’t specifically an athletic shoe but I do all my S&C in them. Everyone I know uses vivo but they aren’t my jam

https://www.lemsshoes.com/collections/all-mens-products/products/mens-primal-3

 

[Killer Whale]

I'd like something light jogging and walking. I'll be on pavement with this first pair.

I've been researching brands and vibram seems pretty popular but I read that the quality may have dipped recently.

What is your experience with barefoot running shoes? Who makes the best quality?

View attachment 1111544

Unless you want to look like a dork get a pair of something like these.

Speed Force II - Men - Xero Shoes

Even lighter than the original. Men's Speed Force II is the most minimal, closest-to-barefoot Xero Shoe ever. Weighing only 5.9 oz (M9) so nothing slows you down.

xeroshoes.com

If you can find a pair of Saucony Hattoris snag those up quick, they don’t make them anymore and they’re the best barefoot shoe in my opinion.

 

[Flower2dPeople]

Gotta build up to it honestly. I think most people’s feet and joints are too unhealthy and unconditioned to be wearing barefoot shoes, lots of potential for injury. Especially if you are heavy or do lots of miles right off the bat

Pretty much. Start with the 80's - early 90's "classic" running shoes. This reminds me of cyclists puking on the side on the road because the new hot trend is eating 100-120 grams of carbs per hour. If you're not asian (rice eater) and don't ease into it, your body will complain.

 

[Yoricks Wisdom]

There's a couple of guys in my area who run barefoot.

It's usually just back and forth to each other's houses in the middle of the night.

 

[shunyata]

I've done this and regretted it. Got this nasty planar fasciatis in one foot after only a few short (3mile) runs. I think i limped around for weeks.

Do not recommend. Unless you have Kenyan blood.

Test drove vibrams about a decade ago for a good year or two when they were the rage in socal.

Already had dirt hippy jiu jitsu foot callouses from wearing sandals or going barefoot everywhere.

The shoes were fine overall, no joint issues, but any shoe designed to wear without socks fucking stinks pretty quickly.

Phased out of them on smell alone.

Back to flip flops in warm weather and hiking boots / work boots as needed.