# Barefoot Running vs. Shoes:Lets discuss. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944 "2010-12-04T17:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/61 "2010-12-06T18:36:49Z")
**Cisco** , I would say you were improperly fitted. Having a high, strong arch would indicate you do not need arch support and that type of shoe was completely wrong. What you needed would be a flexible shoe(which you have) that allowed your foot to move as it needed. Pronation is how the foot absorbs shock and unneeded support would explain the pain you were having. I was a mild overpronator and did need some support. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/62 "2010-12-06T18:42:37Z")
**rhubarbarin** , sounds like when you run in shoes you’re overstriding slightly and landing midfoot would force your foot forward. You found a solution that works, that 's what matters. ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/63 "2010-12-06T19:55:21Z")
If evolution worked, we would have been born with built-in shoes. If God meant us to wear shoes, we would have been born with them. Sorry - just two of my favorite conflicting arguments that seem applicable. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/64 "2010-12-06T19:59:43Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Question for the minimalists. Do you think running shoes themselves are bad or is it more the changed footplant that makes the difference? To what you are asking, I would say the change in foot plant. I would say that minimalist shoes _help_ to make a difference because it hurts to heel strike in them, which forces you to change your foot plant. That said, I think running shoes are bad in the same way that minimalist shoes are - they are overpriced. > [@runner pat](#): > > I ask as I ran with a midfoot plant for almost all my miles but very much needed the support and cushion as my small attempt at barefoot/minimalist was a disaster. How did you run the rest of the time? Heel striking? ---
**Author:** ![silk1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@silk1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silk1976)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/65 "2010-12-06T20:22:05Z")
I would just like to chime in with a couple things - as someone who ran in shoes who recently converted into minimalist running (using huaraches): - I agree with Cisco in that minimalist running is an option, but not THE only option. There is no agenda with advocates of minimalist running. If one can run to the degree they are happy with in shoes, then continue with shoes. I don’t care. - I find it ironic that the running shoe companies produce lines of shoes (ie, racing flats) that have a flatter sole from heel to toe than their main line of shoes, and tout the flats as higher performance. In other words, the shoe companies produce a more minimal type of shoe and say its better. To me, its personal preference. People pick their side of the argument that, at a knee jerk reaction, resonates with them. Then they find the data to support their argument. As a result, most of the ‘reasons’ people provide, arguing one side or the other, are heavily flawed and illogical. In my personal experience, I find that compared to running in shoes, running with huaraches results in a HUGE increase in springy-type energy from my legs. The legs almost bounce off the surface, the stride is shorter and faster. When I go running in shoes now, they feel like an energy sink - the cushioning absorbs a lot of the energy that otherwise gets returned back to my legs when not wearing full shoes. It does take a good amount of time to figure out the new stride and build up to it though. I’d venture to say that most issues people have with minimalist shoes is that they try and run a 5k on day 1. Even for someone used to 20 mile long runs in shoes - doing more than a mile will likely result in severely sore calfs. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/66 "2010-12-06T20:46:10Z")
> [@silk1976](#): > > People pick their side of the argument that, at a knee jerk reaction, resonates with them. Then they find the data to support their argument. As a result, most of the ‘reasons’ people provide, arguing one side or the other, are heavily flawed and illogical. This is very true; I meant to say last time this topic came up that minimalism is something that appeals to me in a lot of different forms. I don’t like flashy things. I don’t like “busy” designs. I don’t like gimmicks. I am frequently spotted wearing blank t-shirts. Minimalist/barefoot running seemed cool to me before I even tried it. Guilty as charged. > [@silk1976](#): > > It does take a good amount of time to figure out the new stride and build up to it though. I’d venture to say that most issues people have with minimalist shoes is that they try and run a 5k on day 1. Even for someone used to 20 mile long runs in shoes - doing more than a mile will likely result in severely sore calfs. Definitely. My calves killed me for the first 2 weeks or so, and my feet felt BROKEN for awhile (this might’ve been because I ran too far, too fast on rocky desert trails). I am particularly tenacious and pain-resistant, and I considered giving up at times. What kept me going, though, was that I knew it was a different kind of pain. It wasn’t like plantar fasciitis or ITBS that was just going to keep getting worse until I rested; it was a breaking-down-to-build-back-up pain that I knew wasn’t doing any long term damage. I doubted this at times, but I stuck with it and turned out to be right. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/67 "2010-12-06T21:24:07Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > How did you run the rest of the time? Heel striking? Yes. Somewhere between 7:00-7:30/mile pace, I would transition to heel strike. My shoes wear pattern showed it was only very slightly heel first, heel and midfoot wear were very nearly the same. I did have different shoes depending on the planned pace. I would midfoot with a slight heel touch at faster training and longer racing paces, and 5K pace and faster was midfoot only, no heel touch. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/68 "2010-12-06T21:26:40Z")
Pat, I hope this isn’t too personal\*, but- why can’t you run anymore? (\*I’m banking on not, because I think you’ve told me before and I’m just forgetting) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/69 "2010-12-06T21:31:03Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Pat, I hope this isn’t too personal\*, but- why can’t you run anymore? > (\*I’m banking on not, because I think you’ve told me before and I’m just forgetting) I was hit on my bicycle June 2004, mangled my left leg. I can walk a limited amount with a cane. I now [handcycle](http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w197/runnerpat/handcyclesmall.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/70 "2010-12-06T22:06:17Z")
God, that sucks. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/71 "2010-12-06T22:22:32Z")
Thanks, since I wasn’t expected to survive, I figure I got off easy. No regrets. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/72 "2010-12-06T23:14:10Z")
I played soccer on a hard surface barefooted once when on a cruise. Had blisters on my foot at the end of the day. I like the idea of running barefooted but, due to my soccer experience, I’m not sure how well it would actually work. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/73 "2010-12-06T23:48:59Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Unless you’re Zola Budd, keep your shoes on 🙂 I wonder what you would have told Zola Budd. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/74 "2010-12-07T00:22:37Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > I wonder what you would have told Zola Budd. Probably nothing. He would have had to catch up to her first. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/75 "2010-12-07T00:34:19Z")
I really don’t have much to add that **Cisco** , **rhubarbarin** , and \*\*MOIDALIZE \*\*haven’t already covered. But I wanted to throw my hat in as a recent minimalist convert, running in Vibram FiveFingers, as I’ve mentioned in several previous threads. I am finding that even in the cold, wet weather, I’m leaving the house on my every run in my VFFs as opposed to a pair of Brooks flats I also recently bought to supplement the “barefoot” running. Having no built-up heel or unneeded cushioning makes the most sense to me and feels the best. I threw away my old Asics cushioned trainers and it’s not likely I’ll every put something like that back on. I will, however, look at other racing flats and minimalist shoes to vary my experience, although for the moment I’m quite happy in the VFFs. So much so, I’ve decided to run my (first) half marathon in them this weekend. I’ll post my thoughts on that. I will note that I sell VFFs and running shoes. I do not think that barefoot (or minimalist) running is for everyone, but it’s probably helpful to more people than are currently doing, so I encourage experimentation for those who are open to the idea. At the same time, I won’t hesitate to say, “Don’t fix what ain’t broke.” But if you’d like to try a different running experience, or you are having problems, give it a shot. You might like it and have great success with it. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/76 "2010-12-07T07:21:32Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Your first time running in bare feet can kind of be a hilarious experience, if you have a sense of humor. You **will** heelstrike, and each impact feels like Sideshow Bob stepping on the rakes (starting at 3:35 of [this clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9_vQ-41nqw&feature=related)). It really jars your entire body. About 5 strides in you’ll start to think ‘wt **F** is going on?’ and retrain yourself not to heel strike :). Not necessarily. I “trained” myself to run barefoot completely by accident. I’ve been taking an aerial circus arts class for the past year and a half; my instructor has us run around the gym as warm-up. No shoes allowed in the gym. Granted, this is a sprung floor, with nice dense carpeting, so it feels a little like running on a nicely manicured lawn. But I never even thought about my running form – she said run, so I did. I was more worried about whether I’d be able to climb the rope. 🙂 A year later, I started researching barefoot running, and decided to run while actually paying attention to my foot strike, in normal thick-heeled running shoes – with the intent of observing how I run normally, and then making adjustments away from my heel to see how it felt. Realized I was very solidly a mid-foot striker. Wondered how on earth that happened, particularly since I _know_ I was a heel-striker before (I injured my heel several years ago by running in shoes that needed replacing). So, it depends. You may not need to overthink it; your body will adjust to the feedback it gets naturally. I wouldn’t run on concrete my first go, but if you run around a lawn some might find it easier to adjust than expected. > [@Snickers](#): > > Heh. This time of year, I’ve no choice at all if I want to run outside. Barefoot (or Vibram’d, I’d wager) just isn’t an option when there’s 10" of new snow that just fell this weekend and it’s forecast to be 19F as a high. I’m intrigued and might try more minimalist shoes, but probably not until May. Meh, you can run in Vibrams in this weather if you want. I am, and today’s high was 22F or so (I got Bikilas in part because I wasn’t planning to change shoes during the winter – not going to buy two pair when one will do – and they have neoprene uppers that cover most of the foot, so they’re warmer than the KSOs). Yes, my feet get wet, but they’d get wet in normal runners too. If I keep moving I’m done with my run and back inside by the time my toes start feeling too cold. I have bigger issues with the people who don’t shovel their sidewalks. It’s all turned into long sheets of ice by now. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/77 "2010-12-07T11:48:49Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > I played soccer on a hard surface barefooted once when on a cruise. Had blisters on my foot at the end of the day. > > I like the idea of running barefooted but, due to my soccer experience, I’m not sure how well it would actually work. If you overdid it, you would get blisters. Just like you would if you had baby-soft hands from office work and shoveled without gloves for 2 hours. You need to break in your skin slowly, or else wear some sort of thin covering that protects from friction. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/78 "2010-12-07T14:13:20Z")
For some reason, by the way, the Vibrams give me blisters right in the middle of the bottoms of my big toes. If I wear Band Aids on my big toes, no problems. Otherwise, two perfectly round huge blisters in the exact same spot. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/79 "2010-12-07T15:08:13Z")
You drive off the big toe when you run, hence having blisters on both feet. The bandaids are a good solution as long as you’re fine with it. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944/80 "2010-12-07T15:09:15Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > For some reason, by the way, the Vibrams give me blisters right in the middle of the bottoms of my big toes. If I wear Band Aids on my big toes, no problems. Otherwise, two perfectly round huge blisters in the exact same spot. Do you wear the injinni (sp?) socks, the ‘toe socks’? I do and I’ve never had a blister, even when i was consistently running in them. I also don’t have to wash them as often. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barefoot-running-vs-shoes-lets-discuss/562944.md?page=5)