# Running barefoot? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 21, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-barefoot/369615 "2006-08-21T17:24:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-barefoot/369615/21 "2006-08-24T15:06:44Z")
I used to refeere on very muddy pitches in my bare feet. I could out run all the players on those days. No build-up. ---
**Author:** ![SlowMindThinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@SlowMindThinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlowMindThinking)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-barefoot/369615/22 "2006-08-24T20:49:29Z")
[QUOTE=633squadron] That sounds interesting. I started out running with too much heel strike, which nearly ended it all for me! I now have a much better form. This thread has motivated me to experiment with barefoot running. I have seen for myself that starting out slow but steady works best. If I do start to run barefoot, I’ll start for very short distances on a track and work my way up. I am confident that my body will tell me if something isn’t working right. Having said this, I wear orthotics for pronation, and so I am not sure if barefoot running will work best for me. [/QUOTE] If I were you, I’d go barefoot as more of a drill than a running style. I am very flat footed and pronate severly, so I wear orthotics in motion control shoes. That helps prevent knee problems, back problems and other problems. E.g., flat feet tend to cause your hips to rotate and your spine to flatten (reduced curvature). If your hips rotate and the hip muscles become inflamed, they can pinch a nerve. I know, because this has happened to me. Just run barefoot on grass for long enough to help your form, but not for real mileage. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-barefoot/369615/23 "2006-08-24T21:52:46Z")
[QUOTE=GusNSpot] I used to refeere on very muddy pitches in my bare feet. I could out run all the players on those days. No build-up. [/QUOTE] Shut up and eat your box of chocolates, Forrest. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-barefoot/369615/24 "2006-08-25T00:10:09Z")
[QUOTE=LorieSmurf] Didn’t Nike develop a shoe for an African runner or team a few Olympics ago? He/they ran barefoot and the shoe made it feel like they were running with bare feet, but their feet were still protected? Or did I dream that? [/QUOTE] Yeah, Nike creatd the [NikeFree](http://www.nike.com/nikefree/usa/index.jhtml?ref=http://www.nike.com/nikefree) to silmulate barefoot running with protection for the bottom of your foot. (the website has a lot of info) I’m really intrigued by it; I like the idea that you use more muscles with a less padded shoes. But I haven’t tried it yet. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2006, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-barefoot/369615/25 "2006-08-25T05:16:30Z")
[QUOTE=Carnac the Magnificent!] Shut up and eat your box of chocolates, Forrest. 😉 [/QUOTE] Bawahahaha Kinda stepped in it didn’t I? he he he :smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-barefoot/369615.md?page=1)