I finally bought myself a pair of barefoot running shoes yesterday after thinking about it for literally about 2 years!
Aren’t they purrrdy?
So what took me so long? It’s not like this is such a big decision after all.
Paula Jager, the Fitness Editor for this blog, wrote a post not too long ago about barefoot running and the benefits of shoes designed to mimic how we walk and run naturally.
Here’s a snippet of what she wrote:
- The big fat cushiony heel support found in modern day running shoes goes against our natural gait and can result in a shortened Achilles tendon and calf muscle
- It takes more energy to run with the extra weight of the shoes
- Worst of all, they are designed to make you land with your heel while we are designed (by nature) to land on our forefoot. The repetitive strain of slamming on your heel results in undue shock and potential joint injury. By landing on the ball or forefoot with light steps allows our arch to act like the natural spring that it is.
- By wearing all that fake support our muscles, tendons and ligaments have weakened. And that’s not only the ones found in our feet but also in our hips and legs. This will also decrease coordination, agility and balance.
Well said Paula! I find the reasons for barefoot running to be rather compelling too which is why I’ve been considering these new types of shoes for quite sometime.
My holdup with getting my first pair of barefoot runners was actually my husband who doesn’t at all like the look of the Vibrams Five Fingers models which were some of the first barefoot runners on the market.
“They look really weird” he would say whenever I brought up the possibility of buying a pair for myself.
I figured the problem was just that it was a new fashion trend and he would eventually get used to it, so I just waited.
And waited.
And waited some more!
No chance. After all my waiting, he still hated the look of those shoes and so did all 3 of my kids!
“Don’t get those Mom, they look like frog feet” my boys would tell me.
As luck would have it, something else happened in recent months to change the deal in my favor.
Barefoot runners were introduced to the market that look more like a regular sneaker. Hurray!
When these new barefoot runners first came out, I was ready to bite, but they were a bit too expensive for my taste. I can’t justify spending $100+ for a pair of sneakers when it comes right down to it.
It just seemed excessive to me.
But yesterday, I found a pair that were an excellent price and they were snazzy and cute looking to boot.
So I snapped them up as we have a bunch of outdoor hiking type of activities coming up this summer and I need a really good pair of shoes anyway as my sneakers are pretty beat.
My question to all of you is, are these shoes really worth it? Did I succumb to marketing hype by buying a pair or will I be nothing but thrilled in the coming weeks as I wear them for my outdoor excursions?
Please chime in as I would really like to get your opinion. And, if you think my new sneaks are ugly (or cute), feel free to mention that too!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I’ve tried on many of the barefoot type shoes as they come on the market and find them to have a heel that is still too built up.
Mostly if I’m wearing a shoe I wear my own homemade slippers and soft moccasins but I do have a pair of Chinese canvas sneakers with a dipped rubber sole that I like.
Thank you for posting this. I almost bought some Fila Skeletoes that I found for a super great price at Ross (and in my enormous size 12 to boot!) but I’m just not *there* yet. I had no idea that there were other barefoot shoes out there. Thanks to you, I am about to purchase some Merrell Wonder Gloves!
Thanks so much for sharing your saga! I’ve been in the same boat for years now too. What brand did you end up settling on? I’m ready to take the leap, but not into the frog feet realm! 🙂 Thanks so much, Sarah – big fan!
I spent $80 on a pair of Merrell Trainers, and I definitely say worth it. But you may not want to ask me, I’m the kind of person who won’t do a sport if I can’t do it barefoot. (So I do Tae Kwon Do, Bellydancing, Pilates, and Barefoot Running. :))
I LOVE my Vibrams. I actually have the white ones you have pictured above! Those are the ones made specifically for road walking/running. I loathe the thought of ever putting conventional “running shoes” on my feet again. Best advice, like many others have said, take it sloooooow. I’ve heard to even only run 1/10 of what you were running at first to break them in and re-train your stride. I was a bad heel-striker so I really have to focus not to do that anymore. I think having the toes separate is actually really important to the barefoot experience because your toes can naturally spread out for balance and strength. I know they aren’t a fashion statement. I even think they are somewhat ugly! But I just don’t care. 🙂
Cute looking shoes!
Sorry, just saw that you posted the brand Merrell Barefoots…..
I have a pair of Inov-8 barefoot running shoes and I love them! They are light and SO comfortable!
Sarah:
Can you share with us the ones you have on your feet in the pic above & where you got them…they are super cute. Thank you!
I don’t run, but I love my Runamocs for every day use. They are the same 2 mm Vibram sole, but actually look really cute with anything, skirts, shorts, jeans, etc.