Is Running Barefoot Better For You? | Earth Science

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[Spearfisher]

Not sure if anyone will read this, but part of the point of barefoot running is the strengthening of all the individual muscles (toes, etc.) that running shoes mute out - so it would take months, if not a year, of training to see changes and benefits. That said, to give bare feet the maximum chance of 'working, ' they need to be running over, and attempting to 'grip, ' soft soils. The biggest workout, and most movement of the muscles in the foot, that I've found is running barefoot on the beach through sand.

[BuleBolang]

I tried vibram five finger barefoot running shoes two months ago now and I’ll never run with running shoes ever again. It’s a gradual process, but I’ll never go back to shoes. I suffer from severe knee pain from the army and I have zero pain when running barefoot now.

[natesilvers]

I've ran over 100 miles a week barefoot and my legs felt great. I've rarely worn shoes (mainly in the winter) since I started running two years ago. People say roads are not natural but I say our feet weren't designed to run on ANY surface in a shoe. You are blocking all nerves designed for feedback to run gently, it's like trying to play darts with a blindfold on, you are blocking your senses. Thick cushioning blocks the sensory mechanisms in the foot which causes the athlete to strike the ground harder in an attempt to allow the foot to sense what it's landing on. When you run barefoot you run more gently, it feels like there is zero impact as if you're weightless.

I cringed at this guys heel strike in the shoe and whilst his barefoot strike was better he wouldn't of had enough time to learn how to run gently barefoot, it's a skill that you need to learn and remember via muscle memory. Also in the video the heel never touched the ground but it should kiss the ground to complete the muscle contraction of the calf muscles or you'll get very tight calfs. Although this all depends on the running speed, if he was sprinting then it wouldn't touch the ground. People have chronic shortened calf muscles from wearing shoes with elevated heels so their calves have to stretch longer than the 4-12mm drop of their shoes they are used to. That's why you get tight calfs, not from impact from overstretching shortened calfs.

[YukuuS]

ran with 'barefoot' running shoes for years and I love it! When running properly, all the stabilizing muscles will start getting stronger and protect your other joints. I no longer experienced knee pains when running long distances. Even my fast twitch muscles improved. Calves will burn at first until you gain some endurance.

[markwitzmann]

I'm a total barefoot runner. I run in the mountains, on grass, on the beach and in forests. I used to run in minimalist shoes 👟 . The most important thing is to transition properly and slowly. You need to build your calf strength up as well as the achilles and ankles. This does not happen overnight. Your body will start to adapt. It's the most amazing feeling as you have 💯 per cent proprioception and a huge connection with Nature. There are many barefoot exercises you can do to assist your ankles, knees and core strength. They are all on this channel.

If you go totally barefoot go in very slowly. Your feet will be sensitive but after time they become used to the trail. Downhill on stony ground is a bit sore but you adapt. I'm still transitioning to total barefoot so it's an ongoing process. But I run between 7 and 11km and I'm happy with that. Respect your body and be patient. It's an amazing journey 🦶🏽🌳🌲🌿☀️⛰️🪵🌍

[vivianymoralestorres]

I come from an island in the carribean and most of my childhood I spent running barefoot through dense tropical forests and on hard, hot pavement. I only really started to wear a lot of shoes when I moved to the US. Even so, I try to spend as much time as I can completely barefoot. It feels more natural and I never get as fatigued when I run with running shoes.

[djryanashton]

I have spent the past year running in trainers and completely a half marathon with said trainers.
I had constant injuries such as plantar fasciitis and groin, knee and ankle pain.
Whereas before I loved running, the injuries had made it a miserable affair.
I started barefoot running a few weeks ago and it's the best decision I ever made. I started slow - wearing socks and running only about 1km on the treadmill. Once I got up to about 4kms, I got blisters from the friction from the socks and treadmill and decided to buy some barefoot running shoes (I'd rather not say the name as I don't want this to sound like a pod advertisement - haha). I cannot believe how fantastic it is to run now!!!
I'm still on the treadmill, but my pace has shot through the roof and my injuries have almost completely dissipated (except for the gastrocnemius muscle which is constantly sore - in a good way - from getting stronger, as it was completely under-developed from using trainers).
Barefoot running is one of the best things I have ever done and I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
(I just re-read what I wrote, and it sounds like I'm advertising a product, but I just wanted to share my experience with the hopes that others choose to take up barefoot running).

[PT]

I use the Vibram five fingers to run. It's basically like an extra skin at the bottom of my feet so I don't have to worry about rocks or broken glass or other sharp objects.

[GeesDrive]

Everyone knows running in slippers is the fastest

[peterpark]

Former heel striker. It took me 3 years of barefoot running to transition to barefoot running well. It took a long time. And a lot of sore calves and Achilles tendinitis along the way. Occasionally top of foot pain.
The benefits: I don’t roll my ankles anymore ever since I use my whole foot. Used to all the time. I have never had a knee or waist or back problem. And never outside of those early top of foot issues, never any problems with my feet.
One thing I noticed is now I have a great arch on my feet and my feet have widened out significantly to be these awesome foot mitts. My foot composition has really splayed into casting a wider net and supporting balance when I run.
I’ve been running essentially injury free on long runs, which is great.

[ExopMan]

I'm not a runner but going to "minimalist" shoes (just by chance) helped my knee problems greatly. I'm very tall (not overweight) and my hips and knees would hurt even with day-to-day activities, I like the lightweight/flexible shoes and they allow me to push myself much more before getting pains/soreness. The brand I like is "Inov" but they're a bunch out there. I had ran with my midfoot before the shoe switch but I think they made me go midfoot when walking, and that made a difference.

[Draontail]

I wear barefoot shoes on a daily basis(Vibram). Never going back. I have so much LESS pain in my joints and feet.

[gerriecuijpers]

Yes! I started walking barefoot last year april. After half a year I found out that my chronich back-pain had left me and I have been painfree for a year now. And this after more than 20 years of different therapies and more, which didn't cure it.
I had to stop running 4 years ago on advise of the hospital. Last mai I felt that my passion for running grew stronger and stronger and I just couldn't resist.
Long story short: I started slow-jogging and two months ago I combined the barefoot to the jogging and now I'm joggin' barefoot. I love it! My body tells me this is the right way for me. I only had to listen to myself, the natural me.

[rudycox]

My jury is in. I have been running since I was 15. I was constantly having to stop due to some kind of injury. At 45 years old I had so many problems with my knees and feet that felt it was time to give up running. While researching ways to deal with my injuries I learned about barefoot running. Started slowly, used sandals and 5 finger shoes. All my injuries went away. I am 54 now and have had no knee problems since going to barefoot/forefoot running. I do have to be careful with my tendon if I do too much to soon after, but a couple days rest and I am good again. I use racing flats when I do marathons, though my best marathon was in my in a pair of 5 finger shoes. Never go back to big bulky training shoes.

[skybite]

I've been wearing minimalist shoes for quite a while now and I believe that they're better than normal running shoes. I feel that they help to train your legs especially your calves and strengthen certain muscles that are neglected when wearing normal running shoes.

definitely a +.

[siljasjodin]

I'm a barefoot walker since my childhood, including some spontaneously running in forest trails, both as a kid as an adult as well. I started to create my barefoot lifestyle-content on YouTube some months ago (summer 2021) and I have in a very short time learned a lot about barefooting from other YouTubers, from their comments on my channel and through other YouTuber's experiences and knowledge.

As I've never payed any attention at all to why I occationally have an urged need of being barefoot, I got much more clarity now. The maneuver of taking off my shoes has always been something natural, never even thought about it or analyzing it.

But I can definitely say that my entire body undergoes a deep transformation, feeling so good afterwards and that's the only thing that I have consciously noticed and that's my main drive for me to walk barefoot - the reward of feeling so good afterwards!

[tanty]

I tried barefoot running a few times until I stepped on a sharp pebble. I love barefoot running and I switched to minimalist running shoes like Vibram, and Xero. I love them.

[cookingwithchauhan]

Have been running in Vibrams for about 2 years. It takes time to get used it, but I have injury free now since wearing them.

Start slowly and try it. It is not for everyone, it is a personal choice and suits me.

Good luck all and stay healthy.

[vitamink]

The shock absorption of running on your fore or middle foot does indeed help speed. Your ankle acts like a sort of spring, bearing the tension then pressing back. That's part of the reason why sprinters sprint on their toes. It also is better for he knees

[MubasherSMalik]

I never enjoyed running until I researched barefoot/natural running, now I only run this way and have been for over two years - I love it. You need to introduce it gradually to avoid injury.