Why I Quit Barefoot Shoes (Not Clickbait)

Why I Quit Barefoot Shoes, Again
I have been wearing barefoot shoes for over three years however I have started to experience foot pain, so I decided to try some more cushioned shoes.
In today's video, I share my experience quitting barefoot shoes after three years and the shoes I now wear instead.
#barefootwalking #barefoot #barefootshoes
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My Fave Barefoot Shoes
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[PeteOnPurpose]

Are these the solution to walking on concrete?

[Beckah]

Why is this so hard to find? Foot-shaped shoes with cushioned soles?! Altra is the only brand I found and you can't buy it in my county. Yes, I can order them online from overseas, but I don't even know my true size. I have WIDE feet and have worn like 2-3 sizes+ for several years. Barefoot shoes are not an option as I have a painful joint condition and cannot even stand on soft floors without feeling pain in my feet and hips.

[Colonist]

I've come across the same situation. After years of use I have pain almost everyday. Mostly due to me waking on concrete more. I will be continuing to wear wide toe box shoes but will transition to something similar to what you tried out.

[CliffordFajardo]

I alternate between higher/lower stack height shoes for normal wear & even with my running shoes, but always wear wide toebox; its great having options depending on how your feeling / recovery!

[Ozymandiusz]

I don't understand the argument that barefoot shoes should be used on concrete. It's hard to compare it to "the ancestors of people who used to run barefoot all their lives." There was no concrete then, people had a different anatomy of movement, for example, they were shorter. With the development of technology, it is possible to combine the knowledge of healthy movement and comfort. Do not squeeze your toes, however, have some protection from continuous hard ground and choose the right drop.

[suaveeze]

The crazy part I started with altras because of the zero drop. And now Lems. But I guess in my situation knowing I’m mostly on cement I figured I would always need more cushion. I thing for everyday shoes they need have more padding. For specific use case like weight lifting and other sports you will need more barefoot less padding shoes. My approach has always been to go gradually first before going all out.

[ОлександрСвідовий-йф]

One more con about ground feel - it is freezing in winter. I don't want to feel COLD ground! That's the reason I stopped wearing my Xero boots.
I really love my Altras. Hope they will start making some more casual shoes in the future.

[kirbster]

I can vouch for this shoe. I found the Loan Peaks around 3 years ago when I bought them for trail running. However I didn't get on with them for trail running as the grip is uselss for wet UK trails IMO. BUT they were so comfy to wear, I have used them every day since (on my 3rd pair) as my general shoe. I run in usual shoes with varying drops, but I find wearing the loan peaks for general everyday use has been a game changer. I really think it has helped me stay injury free (touch wood) as it helps to stretch out my achiles and maintain stronger feet. I would recomend these to anyone as you get the benefts of zero drop with lot of cusion. I only wish they did a jet black pair so they look better when wearing to the office. Very comfy and recomend to anyone!

[miguelgonzalezvaz]

I find that combining altra shoes with naboso insoles provides the best of both worlds for human-made surfaces. The altra keeps the zero-drop and wide toe box, while the naboso insole provides the necessary sensory feedback that is lost when you add the extra cushion

[robot]

You bought the wrong altras if you’re going for ground feel. They have a plastic shank which takes away from that experience. More protection, less ground feel. The superiors don’t have the shank and will give you less cushion by a few mm. Still wear more comfy than barefoot on tarmac.

They actually do a gym shoes aswell called the solstice. (I’ve never used them)

The lone peaks have taken the place of my hiking boots, I use them for 15k plus or if it’s really wet out and entering woodlands (got waterproof ones)

[mod]

I am also going to try Altras. I've had exactly the same experience - after 2 years of wearing barefoot shoes, my feet started to hurt. I also walk on concrete most of the time. 🙈

[ApoRekt]

About the sizes... your shoe size changes throughout the day. I used to wear 42-43 but i bought my vivo shoes at 44 (even though they were a bit big).
Turns out, in the morning (which is when i bought them) they were big, but in the evening they fit me just right. This goes on on your whole body btw. We get "bigger" as the day goes on. Not a big difference for clothes but for shoes it is

[harrywood]

Altra's are way better if you take the insole out. Was a game changer for me.
Try Lems as well for casual if you like a bit of cushioning.

[RafaelL]

Not sure if they'd be wide enough for you but maybe try giving the Lems Primal Pursuits a shot. I know you weren't too much of a fan of the Primal Zens but since youre looking for some more cushion now I think the Pursuits would be worth a try. They look better than the Zens imo as well.

[magicmerls]

Dude you are rolling with your heel first on concrete. It’s supposed to be toes to heel on hard surfaces. The heel to toe is only for walking on grass, forest or very soft surfaces. If you switch that you are fine. I’m a 120kg and I run on concrete all day. If you have the right technique it does not hurt a bit.

[ami]

I bought a shoe called Arcus from a swedish company called Wyde Footwear. It is wide at the toe and has some cushion, and it feels better than the other barefoot brands I’ve tried. (For reference my feet are 25.3cm long and 10.3cm across at the toes. I have a narrow midfoot and heel.) My problem with the Arcus is looks awful on me. Too chunky for my short, squat legs. But for long legs and high volume feet, it might look better. I bear with the weird looks because these are the only shoes I’ve tried wide enough at the toe for me.

[yvetteshore]

Thanks for posting this! How many milimeters of sole with insole (total) would you say would be sufficient for support on concrete. I keep seeing this same comment over and over again- that barefoot insoles aren't enough cushion for concrete. I just ordered the Icarus because it has more cushion, 4mm sole plus 4mm insole. I also just ordered some Vivos, but think their thin insoles won't be a good fit for hard surfaces. I'm looking at the Topo brand now. Obviously, I'm just getting started, so thanks so much for underlining this concern.

[emmakayf]

The Lems primal is a great zero drop shoe with a wide toe box. They’re trail shoes so they have good tread but they’re made of leather and are super cute so hey work as daily shoe. I get so many compliments on mine (I have the blue). I have used them for day to day use, longer hikes (13+ miles) and running 2-4 miles.l and they have held up great. I used to get shin splints every time I ran and haven’t gotten them since making the switch :)

[coltongrasher]

At the very beginning of the video. What are the white sneakers you have on?

[therandomkorean]

Higher stack height is good for short term comfort.

The shortcoming is its prone to pronation and cause related injuries. Imagine if it was 5 times higher instead of 2.5 times. How much height is enough?

Id be interested to see your long term pain/injury progression with these.

Id argue anything closer to barefoot is optimal as long as you transition easy or you are strong enough to take on the road.