Comments on: Barefoot Shoes: More Than Just an Oxymoron

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to SteveL.

I like this one: http://www.therunningclinic.ca...

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By: Chris Fielding

Chris Fielding — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

When typing into google, Barefoot is easier to spell.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This reminds of that line from the sh*t barefoot runners say youtube video "The man at the store told me these are the shoes to buy if I want to run barefoot"...

By: Chris Laird

Chris Laird — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I now use "pure barefoot" when I run unshod. I use "barefoot shoe" to describe a shoe made to protect the foot from the elements. And "minamilist shoe" for stripped down traditional shoes (not zero drop, cushioning that interferes with ground feel, etc)

By: Steven Sashen

Steven Sashen — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I've been called all manner of condescending names when I've used the term "barefoot shoes" or "barefoot sandals" for Xero Shoes (formerly Invisible Shoes). I point out that, as a stickler for linguistic accuracy, it pains me to do so... but as a business person, knowing that potential customers are searching for that term, I'd be an idiot not to use it.

That never seems to placate the "purists" who've criticized me, even though a casual investigation reveals that I spend more time barefoot than any of those critics. Nor do the many blog posts I've made where I extol the virtues of being ACTUALLY barefoot. In fact, I send emails to my own customers encouraging them to take off OUR shoes, too!

That said, I'd love to have some grading system that lets the public know how much any piece of footwear lets you mimic barefoot biomechanics, gives you (or mutes) proprioceptive feedback, and in other ways lives up to the idea of "barefoot-style-movement-promoting footwear."

FWIW, I've seen a pilot study that showed how unskilled barefoot runners continue to heel strike in most "barefoot" shoes, including VFFs, but don't do so in our huaraches. I bring this up because I believe the "barefootness" of your footwear does, in fact, make a difference.

By: Benoit_VFF France

Benoit_VFF France — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Runners who wear VFF for the first time – mean they don’t have a perfect barefoot technique – are not experiencing more impact than with their usual running shoes. A study made by an independent laboratory dealing exactly with this kind of experience will be published soon.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Gabe.

I saw someone power walking in Nike Shox the other day. Had to laugh :)

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Pete Larson's Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly - http://ow.ly/bdUO0
Blog: https://runblogger.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/oblinkin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Runbl...

By: John

John — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

If your feet are covered, you are wearing shoes, but what kind they are differs: Some have called my Vibrams, "Toe Shoes" and I will concede that is what they are: Shoes with noticeable toes. Around here in the 17601 zip code they still call running shoes, "running shoes" no matter how light/flat/minimal they may be. Or they may see the Vibrams and call them, "What the ____are those things???""

By: EricL

EricL — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I feel your pain. Besides disliking the oxymoron of "barefoot shoes", I've stuck with "minimalist" because it's a convenient catch-all that works for a wide range of shoes.

There's a huge difference between Vibram Five Fingers and something like the Altra Lone Peak (which I use for hiking and longer trail runs), but both qualify as "minimalist" in my book. IMO the difference between the two is much smaller than the difference between the Altras and conventional hiking boots or trail running shoes.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Benoit_VFF France.

Unfortunately, that finding was not supported by the ACE fitness study that came out last year: "...those subjects who continued to utilize a rear-foot strike pattern experienced a higher rate of loading while wearing the Vibrams and running barefoot. In fact, load rates surpassed those of running with the typical running shoes, perhaps due to the lack of heel cushioning of the Vibrams or while running barefoot."
https://www.acefitness.org/cer...
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Pete Larson's Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly - http://ow.ly/bdUO0
Blog: https://runblogger.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/oblinkin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Runbl...

By: Steven Sashen

Steven Sashen — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to SteveL.

Holy smokes! My prayers have been answered!

Thanks for the pointer, Steve!

By: EricL

EricL — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

An addendum: Another strike against 'barefoot' (or 'natural') in my mind is that both sound a bit pretentious, and might put off some folks who'd be more receptive if you used a more neutral term like 'minimalist' when talking with them.