Better than 5 Fingers? Barefoot Running shoes!

[Parker]

The shoes that started this whole thing, were the Nike Air Rifts---they had a split toe design, like Ninja shoes, and you had to wear a special sock. I have three pairs of them. They were meant to emulate runners of East Africa. They started out as regular running shoes with a split toe in the late 90s, then became minimalist running shoes in the early to mid 2000s. Then came the Nike Frees.

[BB]

The second big push with the toe shoes, specifically the Vibram 5 finger types was around 2006 or so. Originally they started out as deck shoes for working around light rigging maybe 10 - 15 years ago. Then around 2006 the barefoot runners started to look at them, before that they were going barefoot, using wrestling shoes, moccasins, the thin Asics tigers, Nike Cortezes, or maybe Frees. The Vibrams seemed like the closest to barefeet.

The Barefoot thing coincides nicely with Crossfit because they were both gaining steam then, and inside of Crossfit there was a large contingent of trainers that jumped on the Barefoot bandwagon as it became popular.  That is where I think many regular folks came to find out about the "goofy fucking toe shoes" as I once heard them described. There use to be multi page threads on them there, searching out colors , etc...... just like your average kid discussing a new pair of Nike AF's.

While there may of been some narrow sporting influence to them years ago, they're now just your average aging hipster's 15 minutes of fame shoe, much like the Sketchers Shape Ups (which actually bit that design from the much smaller MBT shoes).

[hench]

that would make sense actually

I thought I read somewhere that shoes like this were made for rock climbing and that people started thinking they were fashionable. So I think there is a legit use for them, running would not be one of them.

[Marlo Stanfield]

lol, the irony. The guys who wear those shoes don't give a crap what people think. They care about function over looks. You, on the other hand, seem to care an awful lot about shoe fashion and what the world thinks. If you want to know what happened to men being men, then look no further than yourself

 sure thats why all athletes wear these shoes 

[NeoSeminole]

sure thats why all athletes wear these shoes  

lol, and this proves what? Cleats are better for football and baseball, but you don't wear them for jogging or going to the gym. Next time you try to make a witty remark, at least make sure you have a point

[Aerian]

lol, and this proves what? Cleats are better for football and baseball, but you don't wear them for jogging or going to the gym. Next time you try to make a witty remark, at least make sure you have a point

Point is these are not meant for the average person to wear as running shoes.  Maybe for the person that has been running barefoot for 1/2 their life or are not used to wearing soled shoes, but most of us in the modern world have grown up on shoes with a sole.  That means our feet are not meant to take the heavy punishment that these types of shoes will dish out.  Only a very select few people can really move from normal running shoes to these and get away with it in the long term.

[King Shizzo]

Those Reebok crossfit shoes look comfortable.

[BikiniSlut]

There is not a feasible science behind these shoes. Do not be fooled.

[King Shizzo]

There is not a feasible science behind these shoes. Do not be fooled.

Those five finger non-shoes are gay. It would be better to go barefoot.

[Marlo Stanfield]

lol, and this proves what? Cleats are better for football and baseball, but you don't wear them for jogging or going to the gym. Next time you try to make a witty remark, at least make sure you have a point

the point is, since when running "barefoot" is "technology" or "improvement" ?

[NeoSeminole]

Point is these are not meant for the average person to wear as running shoes.  Maybe for the person that has been running barefoot for 1/2 their life or are not used to wearing soled shoes, but most of us in the modern world have grown up on shoes with a sole.  That means our feet are not meant to take the heavy punishment that these types of shoes will dish out.  Only a very select few people can really move from normal running shoes to these and get away with it in the long term.

then maybe you didn't visit their website or read the warning label that comes with their shoes. They caution anyone who has never worn minimalist shoes to gradually adjust to them. I thought this was common sense but apparently people need to be told what to do. It's like wearing a cast for a while and then expecting to jump right in where you left off. However, with time, your leg muscles will adapt and you will be able to run in them without injury

[Marlo Stanfield]

then maybe you didn't visit their website or read the warning label that comes with their shoes. They caution anyone who has never worn minimalist shoes to gradually adjust to them. I thought this was common sense but apparently people need to be told what to do. It's like wearing a cast for a while and then expecting to jump right in where you left off. However, with time, your leg muscles will adapt and you will be able to run in them without injury

whats the advantage of running " as close to barefoot" as possible ?

[King Shizzo]

then maybe you didn't visit their website or read the warning label that comes with their shoes. They caution anyone who has never worn minimalist shoes to gradually adjust to them. I thought this was common sense but apparently people need to be told what to do. It's like wearing a cast for a while and then expecting to jump right in where you left off. However, with time, your leg muscles will adapt and you will be able to run in them without injury

Christ!  Why so serious?  You a paid sponser or something?

[tommywishbone]

whats the advantage of running " as close to barefoot" as possible ?

Quite clearly- none.

[NeoSeminole]

the point is, since when running "barefoot" is "technology" or "improvement" ?

- return to body's natural mechanics
- strengthen your leg muscles and ligaments
- more grip compared to sneakers
- lighter and breathe easier
- greater sense of streognosis

[King Shizzo]

- return to body's natural mechanics
- strengthen your leg muscles and ligaments
- more grip compared to sneakers
- lighter and breathe easier
- greater sense of streognosis

God would like to recruit you to the drone army.

[NeoSeminole]

whats the advantage of running " as close to barefoot" as possible ?

the biggest advantage is a return to your body's natural mechanics. You gait is governed by your footwear. Most sneakers have a heel drop which alters where your foot makes contact with the ground while running. By removing this heel drop and replicating the sensation of being barefoot, running becomes more natural and efficient

[King Shizzo]

the biggest advantage is a return to your body's natural mechanics. You gait is governed by your footwear. Most sneakers have a heel drop which alters where your foot makes contact with the ground while running. By removing this heel drop and replicating the sensation of being barefoot, running becomes more natural and efficient

We arem't hunter gatherers anymore.  It doesn't make that much of a difference. 

[NeoSeminole]

God would like to recruit you to the drone army.

translation:

"I don't have an intelligent reply so I'm going to pretend the speaker is a moron and hopefully elicit a few laughs from my uneducated peers"

[King Shizzo]

translation:

"I don't have an intelligent reply so I'm going to pretend the speaker is a moron and hopeful elicit a few laughs from my uneducated peers"

You enjoying that alcohol on the reservation?  Don't use the word "moron" and fuck up a sentence.

[NeoSeminole]

We arem't hunter gatherers anymore.  It doesn't make that much of a difference.

that's irrelevant. People wear Vibrams for many reasons. They are better for the gym or running. They are more comfortable and you can wear them in any environment. When I did the Tough Mudder in them, I laughed at all the people with sneakers who got their shoes stuck in the mud or were slowed down b/c their shoes became water-logged. When it came to the wooden balance beam part, I watched as everyone in sneakers kept slipping off and falling in the water below. I had no problem getting over

[King Shizzo]

that's irrelevant. People wear Vibrams for many reasons. They are better for the gym or running. They are more comfortable and you can wear them in any environment. When I did the Tough Mudder in them, I laughed at all the people with sneakers who got their shoes stuck in the mud or were slowed down b/c their shoes became water-logged.

Hidden agenda outed.

[NeoSeminole]

Hidden agenda outed.

oh yeah? And that would be what? I originally bought Vibrams for running. I used to get horrible shin splints and hated running. So I looked into Vibrams. At first, I almost threw them away b/c they made my legs hurt after every run. Over time, I adjusted to them and now I can run 5 miles with no problem. I love wearing them in the gym b/c I feel more stable since I'm lower to the ground and can splay my toes out for greater traction. After reading some of the comments from guys who did the Tough Mudder, I decided to use them for the race. I had no problem covering the 12 mile course. So it's no surprise that I highly recommend them to anyone

[Steelrabbitt]

These are great.

[King Shizzo]

oh yeah? And that would be what? I originally bought Vibrams for running. I used to get horrible shin splints and hated running. So I looked into Vibrams. At first, I almost threw them away b/c they made my legs hurt after every run. Over time, I adjusted to them and now I can run 5 miles with no problem. I love wearing them in the gym b/c I feel more stable since I'm lower to the ground and can splay my toes out for greater traction. After reading some of the comments from guys who did the Tough Mudder, I decided to use them for the race. I had no problem covering the 12 mile course. So it's no surprise that I highly recommend them to anyone