Most runners lack the discipline required for minimalist running shoes
Video taken from the channel: Doc On The Run
Best Minimalist Running Shoe 2020 Alex Hill Reviews the NEW Xero Shoes HFS
Video taken from the channel: Xero Shoes
Minimal / Barefoot Training Shoe Review
Video taken from the channel: Tom Merrick
Best Barefoot Running Shoes 2020! [Benefits for Flat Feet?]
Video taken from the channel: Michigan Foot Doctors
Best minimalist shoes in 2020? Vivobarefoot Primus Lite vs Softstar minimalist shoes
Video taken from the channel: Upright Health
7 Best Barefoot Running Shoes (Review) In 2020
Video taken from the channel: Best Shoes Seller
Are Barefoot Running Shoe Benefits FAKE? [2020 Update]
Video taken from the channel: Michigan Foot Doctors
Walking in barefoot running shoes is an excellent way to strengthen your feet, and the Vivobarefoot Stealth II Women’s Running Shoe is a perfect choice to lace up for your walks. Made of 100% vegan-friendly materials, the shoe features a 3-mm thick rubber.We’ve bought and tested over 20 unique women’s barefoot shoes for the past 7 years. For 2020 we’ve compiled the current best 10 to test side-by-side. Our experts did a ton of research to find find the most impressive minimalist and barefoot-inspired.
Shoes are evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100 to determine a “Minimalist Index” in which a shoe garners points across five distinct categories (flexibility, drop, weight, stack height, and motion.The super-lightweight trail running shoe. View Product. Colorado $ 99.99.
A high top sneaker with Xero Shoes DNA. View Product. PRIO $ 89.99. The NEW minimalist running/fitness shoe from Xero Shoes View Product.
The Speed Force $ 99.99. Our lightest, most minimalist, closest-to-barefoot performance shoe yet. All materials on this.
To help the shoe check in at 7.7 ounces (men’s size 9), it uses a lightweight reinforced mesh that locks your foot in place. Buy Men’s Buy Women’s Full Review —BEST MULTITASKER—.The Best Running Shoes You Can Buy Right Now While some of these options may lack the features of their pricier counterparts, these running shoes.
These 10 scored highest in both fit and cushioning, making them some of the best running shoes. 73% of African Americans said they did not have emergency funds to.The carbon-fiber-infused shoe engineered for your fastest marathon yet. For Him For Her “On combines the best of a traditional and minimalist running shoe while staying exceptionally light.”.Minimalist and barefoot shoes of 2020 10 best barefoot running shoes gear minimalist barefoot running shoes minimalist running shoes 10 best barefoot shoes 2020 reviews The Best Minimalist And Barefoot Shoes Of 2020 Gearlab 10 Best Barefoot Running Shoes Gear Patrol The 10 Best Minimalist Barefoot Running Shoes Improb Barefoot 12 Best Minimalist Running Shoes Read.
The Merrell Women’s Vapor Glove 2 Barefoot Trail Running Shoe is a quality shoe that is sure to perform well during your workout. Vibram This Italian company was founded in 1937.Barefoot accuracy is what running in minimalist shoes is all about, and it all comes down to ground-feel — how close can each shoe come to feeling like you are actually running barefoot. The best minimalist shoes achieve this feeling through a precise combination of design features like a thin outsole, zero-drop, a wide toe box, a lot of.We looked at the top 10 Barefoot Shoes and dug through the reviews from 92 of the most popular review sites including Wiki EZ Vid, Shoe Advisor, Best Play Gear, Sports Send, The Shoes for Me, Running Gear Lab and more.
The result is a ranking of the best Barefoot Shoes.Using one of the 10 best running shoes for women in 2019 gives you that type of shoe. They are durable, strong and comfortable. Everything you need for a quality exercise time.
Wearing one of the 10 best running shoes for women in 2019 will also keep you looking good and the most attractive person in the room. Who says exercise has to be dull.Our shoes are great in appearance and light in foot. Your feet are free to move.. Easy on and off: The pull tab of the heel helps to quickly put on and take off.
In this article, we will review the best women’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. More than 90% of shoes on the market will worsen heel pain. That is why choosing a perfect women’s running shoes is an essential decision if you want to get rid of the plantar fasciitis.
But first, It is important to know that even the best supportive shoes will not cure your plantar fasciitis alone.
List of related literature:
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from Neale’s Disorders of the Foot |
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from Marketing Management: Text and Cases |
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from Marketing in the Age of Google, Revised and Updated: Your Online Strategy IS Your Business Strategy |
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from Top Stocks 2019: A Sharebuyer’s Guide to Leading Australian Companies |
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from Understanding Sport Organizations: Applications for Sport Managers |
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from Running Girl |
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from Marketing Management, 3rd Edition |
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from Smart Shopping Montreal |
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from Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation E-Book: An Evidence-Based Approach Expert Consult |
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from Hansons Marathon Method: Run Your Fastest Marathon the Hansons Way |
176 comments
Have you ever try minimalist casual or formal shoes? I’m in search of those. I got the Vivos Lisbon and also have Camper’s Peu
Omg that start at 4:39 was horrendous . Great video and great points!
I am a medical provider who loves Vibram five finger shoes, but almost no other medical providers will even talk to me. I have worn these shoes over 3 years and even now my foot muscle strength continues to improve even faster now than earlier. I say go all the way and now i am wearing the EX-L model and it really works. Did I go through a lot of pain, you bet ya. Have I essentially cured almost all my foot, leg, and hip problems, yes. No more hip pain, no more heel pain, no more chronic swelling of my big toes, no more inability to hike for miles, or stand on my feet most of the day without pain. Was it worth it, Yes. I am 72 years old. So it can be done. But if lots of people did this, these shoes would destroy a lot of podiatrists business. Good.
I bough vapour gloves you try out in the gym and to be honest after 3 months my feet do feel stronger and I don’t get any foot pain. I’ve never run more than a mile in them but wear them day to day walking so not sure how they would be over a distance run. The most important thing for me was comfort and I find them and the vibram five finger very comfortable.
I wear a pair of Xero Hana and Xero Prio since about a year and I like them. The Hana is really thin and very responsive and the Prio is a great running shoe with enough support and thickness even to run outside in the forest.
the nike 4.0 was my favourite ever but its been discontinued. if you can pick it up in your size get a pair!
Love this unbiased talk on minimalist footwear!!! I tried to switch from minimalist to more cushioning after years of being injury free, and got a stress fracture! I think that stress that was on my feet travelled up the chain somewhat…
67 yo male. Bought Lems Primal 2 minimalist shoe. Fantastic shoe. Doesn’t need wearing in, wide toe box, flat no heel at all and super comfortable. I don’t run in them yet but there are plenty of YouTube vids on this shoe of people who do. Great video, for me this is one shoe that lives up to the sales hype in every way. I have recycled all my old footwear and won’t wear anything but minimalist shoes. Am researching alternatives to Lems.
Yes, thank you indeed this is very good information. Although i think the link to “do a test run” is wrong, it is actually a link to the podcast bersion of this video…
I prefer walking barefoot or wearing the suede socks I’ve made
If I wouldn’t get so many looks of dismay, disgust or disapproval, I would go barefoot as much as I could. It has many benefits, health and wallet alike..
When a child is unshod noone bats an eye, when a woman is unshod she might get mild critique….but when an adult male goes unshod ‘he must be a hippie, homeless, or escaped from an asylum’. This is clearly a social affair.
Big brands in shoewear have us in their grasp of portraying the act of being shoeless is just not-done.. Shame on them for doing so, shame on us for believing it..
My toe splay is wide too. I only wear Vivo’s and Lems, now, after trying Xero and Soft Star over the years.
I wear regular runners, Nike Zoom to be exact, and I’ve noticed I never heelstrike when I walk or run, ever.
I’m in my 30s, average shape, and perfer a minimalist shoe.
My dad is in his late 60s and loves the Hokas.
Without even thinking about it, I’ve liked the minimalist shoes since high school. I like Addias Sombas, Puma Suades, Nike Cortez, and old school Teva sandals. I got the original Merrell trail gloves when they first came out, however the trails in Arkansas were a little too stoney to be comfortable. They are great on grass, but I need at least the padding of the Tevas.
I like and reccomend the Merrell Flex and Bare Access. Zero drop, very flexible with just enough padding to make landing on cement feel like sand.
Are you a practitioner of the ido portal movement method? I’m digging those break dancing moves. Lol
Hi Michigan Foot Doctors, I think by showing a Hoka shoe next to essentially a Converse, you’re straw manning minimalist shoes a little bit. There are much more advanced minimalist shoes including altra shoes and topo athletic shoes. And the thinking now is that barefoot running is almost completely gone (at least in the running groups and online circles I’ve visited). The most minimalist you get in most places is zero drop with reduced stack height and a lot of flexibility. There aren’t many left running in vibram five fingers, running on pavement with nothing on is just too hard on the bones in the foot. And people were breaking bones in their foot on small rocks. So I think showing advanced maximalist shoes like the Hoka Bondi, but not advanced minimalist shoes like Altra or topo, really straw mans minimalist running. I recognize that you showed arc teryks shoes and new balance, but I wouldn’t describe either of those as true minimalist shoes, the way you would describe the Hoka Bondi as a true maximalist shoe. The Hola Bondi is the perfect example of modern maximalism, where arc teryks and new balance are not perfect examples of modern minimalism, Altra and topo are.
There’s a lot of great shoes a company called Xero shoes puts out.
I hear a lot about running with minimalist shoes. Mainly that you’ll land on the balls of your feet instead of your heels. This is said to be better for your knees. But when walking with barefoot shoes you’ll still land on your heels, only with less cushioning.
Does this mean you (especially your knees) are worse off wearing minimalist shoes when walking?
Funny I also get pinching on my fifth metatarsal (pink toe) in primus shoes.
Awesome video. Check out these minimalist shoes: http://magneticfirstimpression.com
Super helpful fact base without a sales pitch for a product or lifestyle just the pros and cons refreshing
If you’ve been barefoot for awhile, feiyue is a big step in the wrong direction. Cheapness aside, they are massively padded and narrow in the front. Feet can’t fully express themselves. In my experience, my ankles invariably end up somewhat sore and I’ll get the occasional footcramp… this is going from 10+ years of barefoot to something like this. The soles are incredibly gummy, which is typically why you only get a few months out of them.
So starting off with minimalist shoes is okay? I’m not in good shape currently and have just started running with minimalist shoes. Never ran with other shoes. I’m assuming my cardio and muscles/ligaments/bones will improve at the same rate so it’ll be safe.
What is the recommended extra space in front of toes while in the shoe?
Do you prefer maximalist shoes or minimalist shoes! LET US KNOW in the comments!
For maximalist shoes: https://youtu.be/GT3LjVp_cxk
“We can’t give advice online so don’t listen to anything we say” lol that earned my like
Thank you SO MUCH for this video! I have high arches and pronated. I wear Adidas Swift Runs(wife bought em) and they are DESTROYING my ankles!
I feel minimalist shoes would be the key to breaking through my fitness goals.
Thank you!
Stack height only refers to the midsole height, not including the upper.
Would you recommend walking in minimalist shoes for those with flat feet? I used to wear corrective insoles, however, after walking with minimalist shoes for a few days, the soreness forced me to walk in a different manner which fortuitously also corrected my “duck feet”.
I love the great quality of your video and appreciate the reviews, but please slow down the fps to like 30.
Thanks Tom, saw a shoe brand called Tesla on Amazon which look good with great reviews…
Thank you for your video!
I just got my first pair of Vivobarefoot minimalist shoes a few weeks ago, after my partner has raved about the Merrell barefoot shoes for a year of daily use. I have flat feet and I find the shoes are great for correcting the way I walk because it’s making me more mindful of how I hold my feet. I wear them all day through my very active job and I find my feet are far less sore at the end of the day then when I wore regular sneakers. They may have been pricey but well well worth it. Can’t wait to get to a point where I feel comfortable running in them!
Great job. Wonder why minimalist companies continue to design shoes with a traditionally pointed toe (where the shoe gets narrower toward the front, whereas the human foot continues to widen)? Only Lems, Altra (some models) and Xero (some models) leave enough room for the toes to splay out unconstructed by the upper.
30euros on vivobarefoot with this link:
https://vivobarefoot.mention-me.com/m/ol/ey9jj-58c14cd46e
This dude needs to try boost if he really thinks Nike free is comfy.
Feiyu is definitely my pick since my childhood where we had them on all kinds surfaces! Lol, but usually it worn out so quick.
How can I prevent over compression of the cuneiforms when running on the balls of my feet? I’ve chasing pain around between turf toe-type symptoms and pain in top of my foot from what I think is compression from over-flexion of my ankle. I’m struggling here.
You should try to replace the laces with “Elastic no tie laces”. They will give the “give” to your feet and let them adjust to the shoes as they want. Works for me and it will be a cheap experiment for you to try it out…. (many of the vivobarefoot shoes comes with both regular laces and elastic no tie laces)…. There are many cheap, cheap options on the WWW for Elastic no tie laces or you can even make them yourself. well, try it out…
You included two Vivobarefoot Barefoot shoes but didn’t include the Merrell Vapor Glove? Fail.
You don’t talk much about xero much anymore. I loved mine but durability of sole to the upper and stitching wasn’t nearly as tough as vivo. I also prefer the way xero shoes look. I think I’m going to try some Lems next I think.
Omgosh. First off, this review was incredibly useful. Having said that, even if it was total crap the fact that he says, “I don’t live in the Pacific Northwest, even though I am wearing a Patagonia jacket and it looks like I’m about to go on a hike” made my day. He read my thoughts exactly. Gold. And again, thank you for the review!!
You know I love all your super helpful videos. Can’t thank you enough.
I like the look of the runamoc shoes but damn. Over 100 dollars for what is similar to water shoes is just too much for me.
I like the Ballop Triangle shoe. Super minimalistic and light slip-on. (Agree fully with your view on the Five Fingers. I have them as well. Great when cliff diving though, and the smell is not as big an issue…)
Great review, not sure how you dropped a 4 star on the cheapo shoe. I recommend trying a Merrell, either the bare access, trail gloves, or vapor gloves. These are superior minimalist shoes. Great support, light weight, looks great, decent quality, comfortable and reasonably priced.
i currently run in vivobarefoot shoes, 3mm soles and insane sensory feedback. i started out about 8 months with a 400m run which gave me sore calves and feet, it was humbling. i am currently capable of running 10k properly. you definitely know when you have done too much and really have to build slowly but it is a lot more fun and interactive to run this way. It really promotes great running technique and other than an overused tendon i havent really had any injuries.
Good comparison. Thanks for the video. Really helps a lot. I will check out softstar. What vivo size did you buy? How long is your feet in cm? I recommend to check out Zaqq from Germany.
Last 2 times I purchased same style of vivobarefoot shoes leather quality was different. My first pairs had excellent leather quality. Whereas second pair started peeling off and developed deep scars even though I waxed them and all…
Thank you for the great video. This is a nice site with lots of minimalist shoes http://magneticfirstimpression.com/sitemap.html
When out on the trails and no ones looking anyways the vibrams are still unmatched for their ground feel. That being said a company called Xero is really coming up, light and aesthetically pleasing shoes. Check em out.
All i’ll wear anymore is soft star! own 2 pairs of primal sawyers, a pair of dash and have tried but returned a pair primal run amoc’s. I also have a wide feet and difficulty finding shoes that work long tern for me. I’m ordering a pair of hawthorne chukkas next week. Try out the primal sawyers, your wide feet will thank you!
Running with my water shoes has been comfortable and I notice a greater strength in my legs and calf. I do switch the cushioning overtime with trail running shoes. But running on a pavement does hurt my legs a lot especially I live in the city.
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I have a similar experiences with you. Xero and many other are not wide enough for me. Even some Lems and Vivos are not wide enough. Runamoc wide looks clownish but allows for some toe splay. Belenka are pretty awesome too plenty of toe space.
Barefoot running is the way to go I brought my fitness lvl to a whole new lvl switching to barefoot style
I love minimalist shoes, Yet thier extremely expensive. I’ll just get me some huaraches made from the raramuri or xero sandles and call it good
I like the vivos best when I take the insole out. I have the same white ones and they are much tighter with the insoles, as soon as I removed it they where so much more comfortable, my toes had more room and I could feel the ground much more. The only time I leave them in is if I’m wearing my vivo boots, when it’s cold with the thermal insoles. Great review
What minimalist shoes do you recommend if you wanted to wear them in social settings but have enough breathability to wear without socks and won’t get all nasty?
Been wearing vivobarefoot since about 2011 and have absolutely loved them…. But they are SO expensive and fall apart too easily. Will check out this other brand!!
Why minimalist? I have worn orthotics x15+ yrs… (flat feet and metatarsalgia) can people whom wear orthotics even consider this kind of footwear? Are there foot exercises to allow to try and wear shoes such as this?
I was a runner until I got a plantar fibroma a couple years ago from riding another persons bicycle with a different style of pedals. I switched to minimalist shoes and sandals, and my fibroma has shrunk significantly. I’m also able to put weight on the ball of my foot again without discomfort.
I also have very wide feet. What vivo size do you wear and is it the same as for your regular shoes?
I looked a bunch up as I’m really interested. I have no idea how to size them!
I love my vivobf shoes!
They are imo absolutely worth the money.
They look really nice, are comfortable to walk in and almost feel like walking barefoot.
So glad I chose the vivos:-)
Actually I think the Vibrams look awesome. We are just not used to see all the toes anymore. If you see them every day on several people it just becomes normal and good looking.
Tnx for this video.
I have the vivos, 5 months now, almost the only shoes i were.
However, when i wake up, my feet are very stiff while walking the first steps. And the hips feel very tight. Can u advise on how to feel better, and why is that?
Tnx in advance
Xxx
The price of these shoes is still ridiculously high considering the amount of material used. Realistically Vivobarefoot has no direct competition since their shoes are the only ones that don’t make you look like a weirdo, hence why a pair of thin trainers like these cost over $100
I want to see min shoes for kids!! My feet are terrible and wish to keep my kids feet strong.
I’m a fan of the five fingers. I’m currently running in an old pair of merino woolnlined winter ones. Initially tricky getting the toes in especially wearing the socks but ultimately got used to it. I love the lack of support. In summer i have a pair of the ones you reviewed. I can’t buy women’s sizes they come up way too narrow so i have to go with the men’s sizes to get the appropriate width. Be prepared to send them back and forth to get the right fit for your first pair. Avoid ebay. I ended up buying fakes someone was trying to offload.
I saw somwhere that Vibram had to pay few millions due to advertisments that they used back in 2010-2014. I have started using their shoes a month ago and I really happy with them. I feel like I am among them that really feel the diffrence.
I want something that helps my plantar fasciitis and rt knee arthritis pain. Ty. I am 70.
more reviews like this! great job. i didn’t even know about these brands until now.
When I saw your name, I first thought of Joseph Merrick, the elephant man
Those are Softstar Dash RunAmocs, not Primal RunAmocs. The Primal RunAmocs would be wider in the toe box, and have a somewhat different style (I do work at Softstar).
9:50 Can I see your toes? Can you describe your toe splaying process? How long did it take and what caused it the most?
Hello
I don’t see any vids on cronic leg pain? Do you have a vid on that.
Ty
My favorite barefoot training shoes are the ones I was wearing when I was born.
Ive had my pair of VFF for like 4-5 years. yes they look dorky but ive never got a negative comment on them, old ladies LOVE THEM they are fascinated lol toe socks are awesome. the shoes have held up for literal hundreds of miles.
How about modern pave, concrede dead flat, hard surfaces. I do not argue with bare foot method. In ancient time there were mostly grass lands…
I couldn’t help but cringe at all the heel striking going on in this video! My knees began to hurt just watching it. I do, however, agree with the premise of barefoot running and have been doing it for about 4 months now. Yes… do take it slow!
I had the exact same problem with the primus lites. Not enough volume in the toe box, wide enough, but not high enough. After returning two pairs due to quality issues (sole separated from the upper) I got the stealths. WAY better, softer on the top of my feet and definitely more volume in the toe box. Love them! Hopefully they will not have the same quality issues.
You didn’t include enough of the same footage of the person running on grass. I needed to see it maybe 50 more times to get tired of it
I’m 30 and have dealt with flat foot issues my whole life. I’ve gone to podiatrist, gotten custom insole, tried all the “flat foot” shoes with good support and none have ever worked. I couldn’t run more than 1/4 mile without a burning feeling in my arch and my calves tightening to the point of making it difficult to even walk. I came across something on the internet that said flat feet people should actually use minimalist shoes to strengthen feet instead of the supportive shoes. So I said “what the hell tried everything else”. I got the Nike free 5.0. I ran a mile nonstop for the first time 15 years. They feel amazing. No flat foot problems at all. I think the general theory on fixing flat foot issues is completely backwards.
So basically run like those Mexicans from that doc on the national geographic
you did not mention vivobarefoot or Xero shoes which are much better
Vivos are my choice pricey but they hold up to alot of abuse. I used to wear merrell trail gloves but the generations after 2 have a tiny toe box and the mesh blows out in a couple of weeks. The vapor gloves are amazing but don’t last very long
Personally, I think Xero shoes are the most functional barefoot/minimal shoe brand.
Are vivo shoes run true to size? Or should you size down a whole size since they don’t have half sizes
It’s funny that shoes that are supposed to give you the feel of being barefoot are so expensive, because being barefoot is free.
I by far prefer the Top One Feiyues with an green triangle under the sole. It’s much more barefoot feeling and a bit softer in the fabric.
Do u know where Americans can get affordable chainmale shoes?
Thank you for the video.
I have flat feet and I’ve seen many different doctorsfrom support for the arch until barefoot shoes (at the moment).
One of the comments I hear is that my feet won’t get “normal” because I am already 27 so most probably with barefoot shoes I will get many problems (foot,knee,hip) when I get older (60, 70) because I never corrected/compensated the arch.
Any experience on this? Flat free and wearing barefoot for many years?
Thank you once more
Here’s a review of 6 vivobarefoot shoes guys:
https://youtu.be/ycCn7-7brkc
I sent y’all a message on Instagram with some videos of a problem I’m having. Be very grateful for a response!
Awhile back I got back into running after a few years off. bought some zero drop minimalist shoes and loved them straight away. If I’d been running regularly, I think I’d have had a harder time transitioning out of that ‘addiction to cushioning and support’. I have read that ppl with higher arches tend to do better in minimalists, which I do have
You can put vibrams in the washing machine sorts them right out
I am new to barefoot shoes. I am a 72 year old woman who is having trouble with my toes and a neuroma developing. My doctor told me to wear wider shoes.. My massage therapist told me to get correct toes to stretch my toes and get some barefoot shoes. It is very difficult to decide without trying them on. I have been wearing Brooks ghost with orthotics so my feet are tender, so I cannot have real thin soles. I walk daily 30-60 minutes on the cement or pavement. I also workout in the gym. I found Lems Primal 2 but they are out if stock in my size.
Do you have a recommendation for me. I am close to giving up and buying a new pair of traditional shoes in a wider size. Thanks for your help.
Carolyn
Check out the review I did on my channel! I cover VivoBarefoot, Vibram FiveFingers, Xero Shoes, Lems, Merrel, New Balance, Tadeevo, Otz, SoftStar, and Nike
really interesting. Have been considering buying minimal shoes for running for a long time, however I suffer from foot pronation (slight fallen arches) and I worry that a minimal vivo barefoot running show could worsen my problem because of the lack of arch support.
anyone have any advice?
Very helpful brother. Iam looking into the shoes from Xero but its a pain in the ass the order them from the netherlands
If you’re not going to be running in them, just hey a pair of watersocks shoes at Walmart for $5.
4 of of 7 are made from the same China factory, with same design.
Vivos FTW! I have two pair of RAs for daily wear, one is water proof.
For trainers I’m still trying to wear out Merrill trail rummers.
What are the benefits of switching to these types of shoes? Are they more comfortable to walk in than the regular shoes with thick soles? My other concern is they don’t seem to provide adequate protection against sharp objects such as nails or glass shards. (edit: meant to ask whether they provide adequate protection from the typical urban environment but I guess my brain wasn’t working so well at that time)
I have fragile/repeatedly injured feet and I need to buy shoes specifically for when I wear thicker socks. I bought feiyues for wearing at home with thick socks in the winter. So I bought one size bigger, 44 instead of 43. Turns out these shoes are amazing when you buy one size bigger and put in insoles from a regular running shoe. Absolutely amazing comfort levels. It feels like hovering over the floor. I almost only wear them at home and I’ve had them for three years.
Thank you for bringing up ethics! It can really help decision making
My last Vivobarefoot lasted 8 years. For £110, that’s amazing value
Great Review! I started with Vibram KSO and loved them but the smell is definitely an issue. The first two iterations of the trail glove were awesome minimalist shoes, the new ones are overbuilt and not minimalist. At least the vapor glove is a quality minimalist shoe. Just got a pair of Primus FG and they are great so far, minimal, great traction, and good looking. My most used minimalist shoes are my Shamma Sandals can’t beat a completely open toe box.
Have you tried the “zero shoes” they’re a US company… Will be good to hear your experience on them
Great video, but I think the Nike free are women’s shoe only.
I wear the Merrell Vapor Trail shoes. Wide toe box so my toes can spread out. They’re about as close as you can get to being barefoot wearing a shoe. You almost forget you’re wearing shoes……….
Do you have narrow, normal, or wide feet?
I have wide feet and I’m very skeptical about getting some flat trainers because I have wide feet.
Vivobarefoot has the best lineup of minimalist shoes IMO. I have 4 different pairs (running, casual, mocassin-type, winter boots) but they’re pretty expensive. My Primus are finally dying after quite a few hundred miles walked/ran, I think I’ll bite the bullet and pay $160 again because they’re just freaking perfect. If you haven’t tried them, I would highly recommend.
Nike Zoom racing flats. Minimal padding but keeps support (no ankle rolling). Good feel for the floor. Light when jumping or doing core work where feet are elevated/moving. Not supportive enough for squats
I bought a pair of shoes around $10 on eBay (chinese brand). Been using them for 2 years now
4/5 stars for a shoe with a life of 4 to 6 MONTHS? Regardless of price, Why bother putting this shoe even in the GD list??
Great video. Check out these vegan shoes: http://27outfits.com
I’ve been running barefoot since 2009 when the craze began. I did it because I was a fatty who suffered knee pain in regular shoes. Though I feared glass would shred my tender soles and my feet would stick to the 40-degree pavement, I decided that one run couldn’t kill me. My first run was 4 miles, painful and I kept thinking I was trailing blood, but once I was done, I noticed I’d suffered no harm (the pain was from the cold pavement). My calves were on fire the next day, but unlike shod runs, I had no knee pain. It’s also hard to describe, but there is this feeling of “feeling” that I got when running barefoot that is hard to describeit’s as if running shod was running anesthetized while running barefoot exposed my senses to the world beneath me. This was important because even if painful, I really enjoyed the feeling of “feeling.” I know it sounds stupid, but I’d rather feel the discomfort and pain and the sensory excitement of different surfaces to being anesthetized.
Since then I’ve been running barefoot and never looked back. I use Vibrams when the weather or surface is impractical (hot asphalt, winter ice, goats heads, mountains). The worst injuries I’ve suffered were glass splinters, though this happens maybe 3 times a year, and a high quality tweezer solves that quickly (do not buy cheap tweezers). I’ve never had knee problems since moving to barefoot nor do I suffer plantar or bone problems, but I imagine that has more to do with me slowly increasing my workload and not competing. I can now run 15-20 miles barefoot and prefer it: I would only wear shoes if you make me.
But I agree that barefoot is not for everyone. I have a student who is a natural runner and I’ve noticed she doesn’t care for barefoot, I assume it’s mostly because she’s light. This makes sense to me because I started as a fatass runner and even now that I’ve lost weight am still heavy for a runner; so I am more likely to suffer knee problems than a lightweight runner. Also, I had a naturally bad gait (my heels always wore on the outside) and had to see podiatrists and get special fittings and change shoes frequently. With barefoot running I don’t worry about any of that: I even suspect that my gait was never a problem.
If anyone is considering it, I’d give them a few bits of advice: (1) run 1/2 of what you normally run, and if you’re a beginner, run even less so your feet get accustomed, and do not use your heels (2) clean pavement or clay are best, so try those… yes, runners think pavement is awful, but to my bare feet, pavement feels like carpet while the harshest is old unmaintained asphalt (3) do not fear glassyou can run over glass and 99% of the time it won’t puncture you, while the 1% of the time it does, you can pull it out with good tweezers. In honesty, the first glass is the worst because of the mental fear you had, but once you get it out, you realize it was nowhere near as bad. (4) Be ready for soreness in muscles you never expected: my calves were burning, and some folks report sole pain, both of which subside as you do it more. (5) if you take it easy and follow those steps, you may find like me, that running barefoot may be your preferred way to run, but as I said, it doesn’t work for everyone… but at least you gave it a fair chance.
You look like a superhero with those toe shoes.
You don’t like frogs, do you?
Thank you for sharing this information. I never heard of barefoot or minimalist shoes until a few days ago. Your reviews help select the right shoes for me. I looked into Softstar after your review what a great company. So excited to find one using leather tanned in the USA and making it in the USA. I make my best effort to buy products in the USA; shoes is a tough category. But not anymore! And for ladies, they make ballerina flats in many customized color options, so I can wear them with my suits to work and finally ditch the high heels!
My feet thank you, Upright Health.
Great video. Check out these cool shoes: http://haloeffectrevealed.com
Nice vid. Would like to see how the joe nimble nimbletoes and the merrell vapor glove shoes compare to these.
I bought the 5-fingers because you said so long ago. Seldom wore them. They are kind of thin for a person walking on concrete.
Now I wear the (zero drop?) Converse low-tops which have been great.
=> Now I will listen.
Tongue pads? What a great idea. I think I could use triple pads.
Hmm I certainly don’t have toe flexibility in the Chuck Taylor’s.
I wear a water shoes (sports shoes on amazon) because I do it mainly not to run but for body-weight conditioning.
Awesome video. Check out these minimalist shoes: http://27outfits.com
those vibram 5fingers are awesome for weight training and trail running, and yeah, the smell will haunt them FOREVER
Finally! I have found the video that has pushed me over the top and get myself some minimalist shoes. I researched and researched my door type, recorded my run pattern and form…now I see. I need to move to short distance, even paced, form-building runs. Thank you!!!
Minimal shoes = cheap chinese kungfu shoes.
Not cheap shoes = not minimal shoes.
Definitely going to have to check out more of your reviews. I have extremely wide feet as well. Also short and high arch. I find that most shoes with good reviews don’t fit.
what would you suggest for the lowest profile “shoe” to replicate barefoot barbell squats, in a gym that requires shoes.
So happy to see ya explaining this! I wear moccasins every chance I get. I’m 76, raised barefoot at home and have nice healthy feet that never hurt or bother in anyway and walk 5 miles NP. Worked for years on my feet in 2.75 inch heels and went home to my moccasins. Be healthy and that goes for your feet:)
I just started running a month ago and already have knee problems. I am so glad I discovered barefoot running and minimalist running shoes! Thank you.
I’ve been running barefoot in 30$ shoes for 3 months. It took 2 -3 weeks of my calves to adjust, but now I run entirely on the balls of my feet and feel more nimble than I ever have. Best shape I’ve ever been In thanks largely to minimalist shoes. My feet feel very strong.
Quick tip for smelly shoes: Throw a used herbal teabag in them and leave overnight. It will absorb the odours and leave your shoes smelling great.
Using Vivo barefoot boroughs right now. They are the best shoes I’ve ever owned, movement is more natural and my feet have no pain after a day in them. Only issue with the boroughs is (and you’ll see this in the review section of these shoes on vivos site) is the padding on the inside back of the shoes. It digs into the back of your ankles and it made my left one bleed after first day of use. I’ve had them months now so they’re fully broken in and they’re just the best. Very stylish too, got a lot of compliments.
Thumbs-up for Al Bundy reference! I’ve been sold on the minimalist shoe for years now, but I like how this video opened with the model of the foot showing all the foot muscles that won’t be used with regular shoes.
Does anyone have any tips for playing basketball in these types of shoes? I own vtrain vibram fivefingers and everytime I play basketball in regular shoes I have horrible pain, any advice?
Great review! Thanks! I never heard of Softstar but now I’m going to give them a try
Thanks for this. Having folded my ankle inwards whilst running down the stairs I’ve realised that I need to strengthen my feet and ankles. I’m barefoot around my home which is helping.
Don’t forget beach shoes and surf boots. They are cheap alternatives which are pretty close to barefoot.
I love the five-fingers from Vibram. Made 3000km with the KSO Evo’s, I changed now to the V-Run and it is absolutely great.I was always a heel destroyer and now I am a decent middle-foot runner.
Vivobarefoot are one of the few minimalist shoe companies that actually make shoes for wide feet. Lems are another. I split my Merrel Vapor Gloves inside of 5 weeks and my Feiyues (which I loved) didn’t last a month.
I play even basketball in vivos,. Awesomeness!!! No ankle sprains, no knee pain and it feels so nice!!!!! Got few years of my life back 😉
I have always had issues running. Calves get super tight and shin splints become unbearable after maybe 100 yards. The last time I was able to run I wore some cheap fila shoes that looked like Vibram knock-offs. I’d love to be able to run again. Was it a coincidence that I could run wearing those? Thinking of the Xero running shoes.
I’ve been wearing minimalist shoes for 10 years now and it still bugs me that a minimal shoe costs the same as these high tech, ultra support, super cushioned, extra grip shoes.
Also, are New balance still made in the US?
What happened if you stepped on a sharp objects??? Did you made that study too???
Sorry but Nike free isn’t a minimalist or barefoot shoe. I also can’t get behind any shoe as barefoot if it doesn’t let your toes fully splay out.
The one topic not covered is if the runner is overweight. There’s a lot of new runners who are just starting because they are overweight. If you’re overweight, start out with walking before running. Being overweight even includes being muscular. Your feet and legs need to adjust after a lifetime of wearing shoes with too much support. STOP the heel strike when running or jogging. For walking it’s ok. When going downhill, it’s safer to just walk. Your run times will be slower in the beginning. Ok to keep track of time, but don’t try beat your old run times. Focus on feedback from feet and not on running times. With running shoes, I find my joints hurt afterwards. With minimalist, joints are fine, muscles and feet are tired/sore, but no real pain. I also use a training mask on an easy set when running with minimalist shoes. If it’s harder to breathe, then it will force you to slow down. It will raise your heart rate and breathing as if you are running faster.
Love both my Feiyue and 5fingers, I personally dont have a problem at all putting the 5fingers on, the more you use toe shoes you get used to fit them on directly. I have a pair of 5fingers classic I can put on without using my hands,, just slip in. So it takes practice!
Excellent advice. Feeling my calves and Achilles stretch after “just” walking around for half a day in zero-drop shoes convinced me that slow and methodical is the way to go.
No matter I wear my suit shoes or my minimalist shoes, in the end of the day when I come home I enjoy taking of my shoes, wash my feet and walk barefoot on the grass in my garden! It feels really great!
I’ve had primus light for a few months and finding the lace loops tearing apart. I have 4 other pairs of vivobarefoot and these are disappointing:(
I recommend inov8. I have had several pairs and they provide a lot of feedback
if you want something for lifting with a bit of support the Kobe lows are good. They are stiffer like any other basketball shoe but still super light and supportive
I have so much respect for your transparency about the links. Not to mention, great review. Thank you.
If you have very wide feet like I do then you will struggle to find minimal shoes that fit.
Vivo barefoot are good, though they cost a lot and the thin mesh parts don’t hold up over time. They always fail right where the toes bend as it causes a pinch point that weakens the mesh.
Vibram 5 fingers are good, though the quality of the glue they use seems to have dropped off as I’ve had some separation in certain areas, but the shoes last a long time. You tend to need a couple of pairs to allow them to dry out fully after wearing them or they can get a bit smelly, but you can also throw them in the wash.
I am elderly and just started wearing “barefoot” shoes. My stability has greatly improved and steps are much safer. They really do improve stability. They take a few days to get your muscles accustomed. I don’t much care that they look different. I do have arthritis, but my knees and hips actually feel a lot better with these shoes.
Just bought some Brooks Adrenaline 20 « Run Happy » shoes. Great support but I now have ankle pain. I’ve been running minimalist trail runners for about a year. Why is it that I added support and got an injury?
I’ve used the Prio for a little over a year now. I want to speed force came out I feel like it was too ugly to even consider. I love to look of the HFS and the idea of a road specific shoe. I don’t typically do a lot of road running but my wife wants to train for a half marathon so I guess now is it time to pick these up to train in and run the race.
What do you guys think about high end leather barefoot shoes? We’re a new brand at DaVinci Barefoot. Our shoes aren’t for running or training, but casual wear.
I had a pair of vivobarefoot Scotty boots and the soles wore threw in about 2 years. For how expensive they are, I feel like the soles, as thin as they are, should wear like iron. They were super comfortable while they lasted.
I would give Merrell vapor gloves a look as well. The sole wear is similar, however they are half the price.
Hey Guys, we created a new barefoot shoe brand and we’re looking for feedback and or testers. If interested, the name is DaVinci Barefoot. We’re high end leather barefoot shoes for casual wear. We’re looking for video reviewers and testers if interested.
To be honest -Minimalist shoes that look good, super light, good on road, and are sturdy award should go to Merrell Vapor Glove
You dont run?!!! I dont drive…so i dont review the best car to drive…wtf…waste of a click
I’m a novice runner. I started using minimalist shoes because I was getting plantar fasciitis when running with regular shoes. Minimalist shoes have helped my pain a lot.
I’ve been researching barefoot shoes for half a year now and discovered about 6 or 7 makers. I now own several Xero shoes and 1 Vivobarefoot in which I like. I only heard of Softstar yesterday. I gotta a feeling I’ll be owning a pair of these in my near future.
My favourite pair of shoes overall are the vivo barefoot primus lite. I have two pairs and where them everywhere.
I used to like Nike frees years ago but moved on.
I have two pairs of 5 fingers. The one you included here which I don’t like and 5 fingers vtrek. I highly recommend the vtrek. I where this on every single hike or run. They are the most incredible shoes in existence and aren’t even comparable to other 5 finger shoes.
Peace
That’s is true I’m glad I did my research before taking off on minimalistics, I ran 1/4 of a mile Walk the rest of the mile on an off for about 30mins and I felt like I could run a lot more but due reading reviews of people crying hurt I stoped… Next day I woke up with some pain in my ankles and feet and I was like not that bad, 2ndbday I woke up like ouch yeah kinda bad I almost fell went trying to go downstairs lol
I think something that’s not being mentioned is the shock forces being applied on your bones after impact to the ground. Overtime materials and bones have to be strained or stressed after impact. I’m assuming improving your form is your best option. I did some force plate studies for a lab in my bioengineering class. Be safe and smart yall!
My to-go shoe is unfortunately out of production. But I have managed to stack several pairs. They are the closest to barefoot I have experienced and they last a long time. The shoe is Mizuno Wave Universe 5.
Feiyue is designed and made by Chinese, Asians tend to have wider feet that’s why it’s a little wide around the heel I guess
Wildlings shoes everyone! They’re super comfortable. I own lems water proof boulder boot for when the weather is wet, but pretty much wear my Wildling Nebulas daily.
Thank you for the awesome video. This is a cool site with lots of vegan friendly shoes http://www.kstylery.com/sitemap.html
Great video man! Wish I could’ve of seen it years ago would’ve saved me a lot of injuries
Broke my metatarsal from sprinting intervals in minimal shoes
More shoe and less talking head, please. A picture tells a thousand words.
Thank you for this video!!!! I was considering minimalist running shoes. I ran 7 miles shoeless (had socks). Running shoes weren’t broken in all the way.