The study explores the biomechanical effect of minimalist footwear on men with mild bunions, finding that these shoes increase the alignment and flexibility of the metatarsophalangeal joint, helping restore foot function. The top shoes for bunions include Allbirds Wool Runners, New Balance 990v4 Unisex, Brooks Running Ghost Max, and Hoka. These shoes provide ample space for toes and have a soft, cushioned sole to protect feet.
Bunions can significantly impact exercise routines and daily life, so choosing the best shoes for bunions is crucial. While it is impossible to reverse bunions, wearing foot-shaped shoes or shoes with a wide toe box can help prevent them from worsening. Barefoot shoes, with their natural foot shape, can also help reduce awkward movements that might exacerbate bunions.
If identified and treated early, bunions can often be completely reversed. The anatomically shaped toe box in barefoot shoes allows the toes to feel the ground better, reducing awkward movements that might exacerbate pain. Barefoot shoes can also improve balance and stability by allowing the feet to feel the ground and adjust to uneven surfaces.
In conclusion, minimalist shoes can help alleviate foot pain and improve overall well-being. However, it is essential to ensure proper shoe fit and address weak foot muscles to prevent the growth of bunions and improve overall health.
📹 Top 5 Barefoot Shoes LIES! (Plantar Fasciitis, Bunions & Flat Feet)
We review the barefoot shoes benefits, minimalist shoes benefits for bunions, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, knee pain and back pain.
Are Birkenstocks ok for bunions?
Birkenstocks is a leading sandal brand for individuals with bunions, offering footwear with adjustable leather uppers to provide optimal support and prevent irritation. Men’s dress shoes, crafted from solid genuine leather, may not be optimal for individuals with bunions due to their inherent lack of flexibility. It is preferable to utilize soft upper leather, as it offers greater flexibility than leather.
Can I straighten my bunion without surgery?
Bunions cannot be corrected without surgery, but mild ones may not impact quality of life. If a bunion is painful, consult a podiatrist to discuss surgical options. If not ready for surgery, non-surgical treatments for bunion pain include maintaining a healthy weight, wearing comfortable shoes with wide toe-boxes and low heels, using custom orthotics or shoe inserts, soaking feet in warm water and Epsom salt foot bath, using bunion splints to align the toe, and managing pain with anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. These treatments can help maintain good health and prevent the need for surgery.
Can you reverse a bunion forming?
Bunions cannot be reversed and will likely continue to grow over time. However, many people don’t need surgery to treat bunions, and pain relief can be found through home remedies, orthotics, and other treatments. Nonsurgical treatments for bunion pain include taking over-the-counter pain relievers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), applying heat and ice, and wearing special footwear and orthotics.
NSAIDs can help reduce inflammation, which is a common symptom of bunions, and can help relieve swelling and pain within an hour. These treatments can help alleviate the discomfort and inconvenience of bunions, making them a convenient and effective option for many people.
Are zero drop shoes good for bunions?
To minimize risk of injury, it is recommended to choose running shoes with a “zero drop” or “low drop” in their drop, which is the height difference between the heel and toes when standing on both feet. Regular shoes typically have a drop of up to 10 mm, while shock absorption models with cushioning may have a drop of 12 or 15 mm. Higher drops can place extra stress on metatarsal joints and may shorten the Achilles tendon and surrounding ligaments. It is also advised to avoid narrow or tapered toe boxes, as they are not ergonomic.
Should I walk barefoot if I have a bunion?
Barefoot walking can be beneficial for managing bunion pain, especially if the bunion is painful or tender. Wearing well-fitting shoes and avoiding rubbing against the toes can prevent the bunion from worsening by reducing pressure on the toes. However, walking barefoot may expose biomechanics shortcomings, as the underlying cause of a bunion is often a misalignment in the foot or a lack of strength in supporting muscles. If the bunion already suffers from poor alignment, walking barefoot may worsen it.
Podiatrists can help with bunion treatment, but there are various treatment techniques with different short and long-term results. Orthotics are often prescribed by podiatrists, but they do not correct the alignment, meaning the feet return to their incorrect position when removed.
Do minimalist shoes help with bunions?
Barefoot shoes are a great option for bunions due to their wide toe box and flexible materials, which do not pressure or worsen existing bunions. They also allow the foot to move naturally without compressing the toe joints. Barefoot shoes can improve bunion symptoms by allowing the feet to move freely due to their anatomical shape and design, reducing stress on toe joints affected by bunions. They also enhance the strength, flexibility, and mobility of the toes, including those affected by bunions.
What shoe shape is best for bunions?
Bunions can be alleviated by wearing shoes with a wide toe box and ample arch support. Soft, stretchable materials are ideal for reducing pressure and irritation on foot protrusions. New Balance’s signature 990s shoes, popular for running and lifestyle, offer long wear support with ENCAP midsole cushioning and a polyurethane rim. Their flexible suede and mesh construction prevents constriction of the foot and offers shock absorption. The rubber outsoles also provide excellent shock absorption. These shoes are perfect for those seeking relief from bunion-related discomfort.
Can walking barefoot fix bunions?
Walking barefoot can be beneficial for managing a bunion, especially if the bunion is painful or tender. Wearing well-fitting shoes and avoiding rubbing against the toes can help prevent the bunion from worsening by reducing pressure on the toes. However, walking barefoot may expose any biomechanics shortcomings in standing and walking, as the underlying cause of a bunion is often a misalignment in the foot or a lack of strength in supporting muscles.
If the bunion already suffers from poor alignment, walking barefoot may worsen it. Most podiatrists have knowledge on treating a bunion, but there are various treatment techniques with varying short and long-term results.
How did I cured my bunions naturally?
Bunions, also known as hallux valgus, are bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of the big toe. They are caused by the movement of the big toe towards the second toe, which causes the first metatarsal bone to shift outwards. To cure bunions naturally, you can try massaging and exercising your feet, taking paracetamol, soaking your feet in a foot bath, icing your feet, using castor oil, bunion pads, and bunion splints.
Your doctor will guide you through your treatment options during your appointment. This guide provides clear steps and proven methods to reduce bunions size and manage pain effectively without resorting to surgery.
Can shoes help correct bunions?
When choosing shoes to accommodate bunions, prioritize comfort and proper fit. Shoes with a wide toe box allow for toe room without pressure, while built-in arch support distributes weight evenly and reduces strain on the bunion. Materials with flexibility and breathability can help manage symptoms. The right footwear not only offers relief but can slow the progression of bunions over time.
Bunion care and prevention tips are essential for maintaining good foot health. Choosing the right footwear is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for bunions, but there are other essential care and prevention tips to consider.
Who should not wear zero drop shoes?
For those who have been a runner for over a decade, wearing shoes with a narrow toe box may cause common problems like bunions, hammertoes, or plantar fasciitis. Zero drop shoes may exacerbate these issues or cause worse injuries. Toe separators can help stretch toes, strengthen muscles, ligaments, and joints, restoring natural functioning and potentially reversing common injuries. It’s essential to consult a podiatrist before choosing zero drop shoes for every runner.
📹 The 10 Best Shoes for Bunions
In this video we review the 10 best shoes for woman and men with bunions. Each one of these shoes have a wide toe box that can …
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I was born with clubbed feet, and endured 2 surgeries when I was a 6 and 7. I put up with terrible foot pain my whole life until I switched to barefoot shoes. It took me about 6 weeks to adjust to them. I had new muscles that were developing and once I made the transition it was an amazing difference. My problem wasn’t my feet, but the horrible shoes I was trying to squeeze them into. The doctors wanted my feet to confirm to regular people shoes instead of putting me in shoes that fit my feet. All my foot, knee, and hip pain cleared up. I’m never wearing normy shoes again.
I recently switched to transitioning barefoot shoes. I had fought plantar faciitis for over a year and was done. Too many arch supports,pads, injections that were not working. My hips are crooked and one knee turns, but despite that, My feet instantly felt better.mI like feeling the ground under my feet, not stacks of padding which made me feel off balance. I am NOT a runner! Just an older person trying to walk without foot and leg pain.
yes but why do they have problems? because they have lived their whole lives in poor shoes that atrophy the foot! no wonder they suffer in barefoot shoes! what you said is not true, the university of Exeter has proved that cushioned shoes increase the load even when forefoot striking compared to barefoot or minimalist shoes. so not true that there is more load impact in minimalist shoes
Wearing “normal” footwear like running shoes and hiking with orthotics, Blundstones, and Birkenstocks caused my right foot to develop severe supination that made walking uncomfortable and affected my gait, plus I had uncomfortable hammertoes, and an ingrown toenail on my big toe, and my 2nd toe was curled up into my big toe (spooning). I started wearing barefoot footwear exclusively 5 months ago and my toenail is perfect, the hammertoes are much improved, my big toe is now nicely separated from its neighbour, and the supination is 75% resolved. In terms of gait, I feel that I’m walking more erect, not less and I no longer have the feeling that I’m teetering forward (and I never wore shoes with more than a short heel like runners or hiking boots). The pain in my left knee that was replaced 5 years ago and that had started bugging me already also diminished to almost nothing with barefoot footwear. I’m 64, so the theory that barefoot shoes are for young people who already walk well doesn’t hold either. I’ve come to distrust podiatrists who dismiss the notion that barefoot shoes can be better (they’d rather sell me orthotics, and believe me, I’ve bought at least 10 pairs over the years at great cost). I still see a chiropodist regularly for nail treatments and the last time she exclaimed how well my foot was doing and I told her it was as a result of going barefoot. She harrumphed and was quite dismissive. The lesson is that every type of practitioner stands by what they were taught and aren’t very willing to consider other notions.
I’ve found over the years that when I can go barefoot more of the time I have fewer foot issues, and certainly less (or no!) plantar fasciitis. That was one thing the COVID lockdown was good for; since I was home pretty much full time, I hardly ever wore shoes. My knees are also a lot happier in the long run with shoes which are closer to a barefoot walking experience. As I understood what is being said here is that barefoot would be good for the vast majority of people, but depending on other issues, you will likely need to work up to it, and possibly fix other problems first. And yes, I do love my Hokas! (Because walking around at work barefoot isn’t an option.)
The idea that Athelstan sponsored by Nike would wear anything but the most expensive Nike shoes as an argument for not going barefoot is kinda insane. It’s pretty well documented that a lot of the design features in Nikes shoes have caused issues in runners rather than helping them and have increased the incidences of heel striking. This isn’t to say that the best in the world should be running barefoot (I have my reservations about that many road miles being good for anyone) but they are also elite athletes not regular people.
Straw Man Fallacy: When a person creates and then argues against a position on the issue that no one is actually making. e.g. Referencing a book about a hidden tribe and stating “Spoiler alert: Those guys get smoked in races anyway.” The book was actually about the location of the tribe, their lifestyle, and running as a cultural tradition. The book was NOT about the tribe members trying to win races against other people. Although the author was allowed to run in one of the tribe’s races, that was obviously included as the culmination of the time and effort the person put into building a relationship with tribe members. And the author lost the race!
Barefoot shoes are totally worth it. However I didn’t know about them until a few years ago, and I’m in my 50’s! If I would have started in my youth my feet would be in so much better shape. Since I’ve been wearing barefoot, my foot pain of 25 years is totally gone. However i had to start with a few hours of wear per day and work up. Parts of my foot started hurting initially because my foot was so weak, because all that “support” of traditional shoes made my natural foot unable to function optimally. After I transitioned to barefoot 100%, my foot pain disappeared, my lower back pain disappeared. I will never go back to traditional shoes. And falls in the elderly are lower too with barefoot shoes. It only makes sense as there are 200 nerve endings in your feet and your if your feet cannot feel the ground due to a 1 inch rubber sole, how can your nerve endings possibly serve you? They probably shrink? Due to non use. Don’t knock barefoot shoes until you try them. And don’t worry you wont go out of business if that’s your concern, there are plenty of people who are dismissive of minimalist shoes, those people will still be your customers.
I feel in more control flat footed walking as opposed to over cushioned shoes where I can’t feel what and if I’m even walking right. However I have Achilles tinnitus and planter fasciitis. I read and hear a lot. I’m started to feel it comes down to experimenting and finding what works for you more than following another’s thoughts and recommendations.
Too much discussion around barefoot shoes is centered around running and not enough is focused on the shape especially in the toes. I was i so much pain every day because of my big toe being squished to the side. There aren’t any regular shoes that are both wide enough and straight enough on the big toe side. I actually prefer barefoot shoes for shorter walks up to 10km and more cushioned shoes for longer walks. It would be great if the pointed toebox was banned especially in women’s fashion. I think the shape of shoes is so understudied that there can be no conclusions drawn on how they affect regular walking.
About 3 years ago i switched to minimalist shoes. I was struggling with chronic knee pain and was prescribed opioid pain killers(never took them) and orthotics. My feet were overpronated, i had bunions, anterior pelvic tilt and out-toeing. Switching to minimalist shoes didn’t fix these problems magically but they did force me to focus on how i was walking. My knee pain was resolved fairly quickly, and is what made me stick to wearing them. The rest of the problems have taken a lot of time and focus to improve. My right ankle has perfect alignment now and im slowly improving my left ankle, my hip alignment has improved and i no longer walk like a duck. My bunions are almost gone and my arches are more defined and i have dropped half a shoe size!
I started doing some barefoot walking when I was 48 years old and the benefits were good for a few years. My serious knee pain really diminished and a broken bone in my foot seemed to magically heal itself. I became an advocate for barefoot walking to anyone who would listen. Curiously my shoe size went from size 12 to size 14, proof that my feet were spreading out. However, after about 4 years I developed achilles tendonitis but wasn’t too concerned and I kept walking barefoot which was a HUGE mistake. The tendonitis turned chronic and I tore an achilles tendon. I was seriously crippled for more than a year. The tendonosis didn’t go away for the next 14 years, despite me doing constant rehab during that time. Finally, when the pandemic hit and I was forced to stay home for more than a year, the long rest of not walking much allowed the pain in my achilles to completely disappear. I was careful to wear supportive shoes after that and could walk normally again for the next 3 years. Thinking I was cured I cautiously started walking barefoot again this spring but the achilles tendonosis has returned anyway after just a few months. I am now 68 years old and the affliction is going to be a lot harder to beat this time around. Maybe if you start really young, barefoot walking is a good thing, but in my case it has seriously crippled me and limited my ability to walk much. While barefoot walking can certainly improve some foot and knee issues, it can also cause new and very serious problems to deal with so BE CAUTIOUS.
I’m 21 years old and consider myself very healthy and active. I also got sucked into the barefoot lifestyle for a little while and some problems arose. I have very high arches in my feet and when I switched to barefoot shoes, for a little while it wasn’t bad but I eventually developed very intense pain in the bottom of my heels which I had never had before. It makes sense because we mostly walk on very hard surfaces. I can walk around on the grass barefoot and feel fine but the barefoot shoes do not work for me in everyday life. Even walking around my house barefoot which is all hardwood floors, I get that pain in my heels and even in my fascia. I would love for barefoot shoes to work for me in every day life but they don’t. So gonna have to leave the barefoot walking/running to grass and other soft surfaces.
I had my first pair of Vibram for 10 years before glue on heel started unbinding to the point that I had to buy a new pair. I bought a daily wear pair with hemp cloth and went on a 5k when my hips had been hurting me a lot..I even considered cancelling the event for myself. But as I had a friend going..I talked myself into it. For the first time…I actually stuck to walking and wearing the shoes as they were intended…walking strictly on pads of feet for the entire 5k. I kept pace with another person who was also walking slower then the crowd..and made it to the end. My hips felt better and my knees felt really good too – because there is no Impact Event taking place like a heel strike which hammers the entire line from heel thru the knees into the hip joint cushion. Instead your calves are used as the shock absorbers they are designed for, alongside the muscles in the legs and butt…all that muscle IS the suspension system at work…instead of forcing the frame of the body to magically absorb all that. I really feel like these attacks on Vibram and like natural shoes…is coming from big spongy non-natural shoe brands that are upset at losing market share and dont want to see these going more mainstream. I can tell you I get lots of compliments and questions from people who wear them also..and those that have been curious and never seen them im person. I love mine. Oh..and the daily wear are also great for commutes on planes because I can stretch and bed my toes where a stiff soled shoe would have my foot locked in place strapped in like those Chinese women who’s feet were deformed by straps for the sake of looking young and youthful – but it actually breaks and deforms there feet.
8:22 The only non-minimalist shoe brand I’m aware of with a natural shaped toe box shoes is Altra, hence why minimalist shoe companies have claimed wide toe boxes as their own. I can speak from experience that forcing my large toes inward via shoes causes joint pain that doesn’t exist with a roomy toe box shoe.
I’ve been in barefoot shoes for almost 20 years(used water shoes before the barefoot craze started), I can’t get my feet into regular shoes. My feet feel like they are in cement blocks if I try to wear regular shoes, and I trip and fall b/c I’m not getting enough feedback about the ground. I walk dogs for a living, and run for fun. Happy feet for me.
summary of the article is: “it depends”. I had feet pain for years and switching to barefoot shoes while im doing my run on my !forest trail! alleviated all of that while walking around on concrete it makes it worse so i wear regular shoes with lots of cushioning for that occasion. this article wont convince zealots so no need to be discouraged from zealous comments. there is no one perfect shoe for every occasion for everyone.
So wait, putting your foot into a say a pointier toe shoe every day wont over time cause the jacked up toe look, where to toe pushes more inward? Ie a point flat, vs a more rounded flat (not sneakers but dressier shoes for work?) A flat shoe has never bothered me, even in sneakers but they’re not barefoot ones. I often have like Adidas Stan Smiths or Puma Fast Cats. Small raise but more flat. Curious because i try and stay away from those pointier toe shoes, and higher heels my grandma and aunts and older cousins wore because they all have jacked up looking feet. Figured it was the shoes. Theyre all small people so like weight isnt an issue for pressure on the feet, I don’t think.
I’ve been an athlete and running coach for decades. This is the best explanation/analysis of the possible benefits and potential risks of running in barefoot shoes that I’ve seen. I believe barefoot shoes and barefoot running are beneficial in principle, but there is enormous variation among athletes and casual runners. Anyone transitioning to barefoot running or barefoot shoes should plan on a long, long, period of adjustment.
I am a research methodologist and reviewing the literature there is no valid, reliable and accurate research which supports the use of barefoot shoes. What does this mean? If you have any of the problems that this person is talking about barefoot shoes will make them worse. It’s also true. That other kinds of shoes can make problems worse that’s his point, understanding of the structure of your legs, your hips, your ankles, and your feet is necessary to know what’s best for you. Otherwise you’re just barking up various trees wanting to believe things and there’s a lot of that here a lot of what is called magical thinking the problem with it is that people who believe in it are convinced look at some of the comments here there’s a ton of that and I criticizing those people absolutely not. We’re all prone to that. It’s just human nature, what’s good about science we can sort out what’s actually helpful what is not good luck everyone
I have worn barefoot shoes and found that the made my toes wider and my feet wider and my flat feet know have a high arch but when I got my first pare of barefoot shoes I had to walk and run on my toes then walking and running in my heel in cushion toe cruiser shoes. I do not think that the doc has worn barefoot shoes before in his whole life he is just looking it up on the internet doc you wear barefoot shoes and see if you are wrong 😠😠😠😠😠
Did you make these myths up? I have heard 0 people make these claims except for number 5, which tracks (I used to be really into archeology, and they lived a lot longer than you assume, and there is evidence that they had less arthritis than we have today, so…) I def agree that we should develop our biomechanics over time though. That tracks too.
I tried to jump rope with barefoot shoes and my legs hurt like mad. However, when I do it with shoes with more cushioning, I experience 0 problems. I bet it would be the same if I tried them for running or even just walking. But I understand they may work well for other people. The problem is the cult behind barefoot shoes.
I have flat wide feet and had bunion surgery years ago on both feet..my feet have always hurt..until I started wearing barefoot shoes..I dont’ care what anyone or any study shows..I know my feet haven’t felt this good, ever. I wore them in Vegas last year for the first time and I never got tired of walking, in fact I was able to walk for a lot longer and further than I ever had before.I can’t wear them for work and after a 12 hour shift my feet are sore wearing regular shoes.
Seems everyone is talking about runners and I’m not a runner. I am a 67 yr old woman, have had broken left ankle and ten years later broken leg under the left knee from a tree falling on me so no running here (I’m bionic, LOL, lots of metal on that left leg). I wore too small shoes for years, once did a one day 20 mile charity walk when I was a teenager in, gulp, the recommended saddle oxfords, ugh, made a permanent callous on the ball of that foot that I have to shave off from time to time. Now, I’ve developed a callous on the actual side of my right foot below the toe box, just too many years of Walmart crap shoes. I walk a lot of miles each day on root-and-rock-ridden mountain homestead. Super wide toe box shoes are usually too wide in the heel. I’ve never spent more than $40 on shoes, could not afford it and still can’t afford shoes over $75. I took to wearing men’s hiking boots, Brahma brand, in size 6.5, to get the wide toe box, though they are a bit loose in the heel area, used to wear a men’s size 5. Generally over the years, I’ve had to increase my size to from 6.5 to 7.5 W women’s shoes, but some are still too toe-crunchy in the toe box, even wide width (I know wide width doesn’t mean wide toe box). Lately, I wear sloggers from Tractor Supply to do the barn chores, pretty flat I guess. I did get a pair of New Balance running shoes in women’s 7.5 and they are pretty comfortable so far, but I have to wear “chicken shoes” to the barn that I leave outside the back door so don’t really want to spend a lot of $$ on those.
I tried barefoot shoes for about 3 months and developed ball of foot pain in my right foot, so gave up on them. Our ancestors may have gone barefoot, but they were mostly walking on soil, grass and sand. We walk mostly on concrete and asphalt. We need more protection and cushioning. Save the barefoot shoes for walking on softer surfaces.
Barefoot shoes aren’t going to fix your feet if you have already got serious issues, although I think they could probably help relieve some pain if adapted to correctly. I think making healthy clothes and exercise a priority is better thought of as preventative. Barefoot walking in the woods always boosts my mood and helps me feel alive, and there’s science that backs this up (look up Shinrin Yoku, Phytoncides (particles released by plants that are anticarcinogenic), and forest bathing). Since starting to wear barefoot shoes and sleep on the floor grounded, a lot of joint pain I was having has been largely reduced. Swollen feet and ankles are no longer an issue. I also have largely cut out sugar and hyper-processed foods. I’m 27 and very physically active, so finding ways to reduce inflammation and help my body stay as healthy as it can as I age has been helpful for staying active pain-free.
Wow! You answered all the questions I had about barefoot shoes. I have recently developed PF, however I also have PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) and extremely bad knees, I pronate. I viewed another Dr with a protocol for PF. Barefoot shoes and barefoot walking were recommended. As you indicated, each person has to be looked at as a whole…hip, back, gait, knees, etc to determine the proper course of action. I am bone on bone with my knees and barefoot shoes don’t give my knees support. I recently had orthotics made but my PF is killing me but I guess I need to give it some time and follow some of your suggestions for PF. Thank you so much.
About myth 5: I had to think about that scene from Back to the Future where Doc tells some guys in a saloon that where he comes from people run for fun, and he gets laughed at. And I would think that all our ancestors thought that way. They wouldn’t have run until they absolutely had to. And they certainly didn’t run 5 to 10 Km at a time three or four times per week. So this argument “Our body was made for this” might not be entirely true.
What qualifications do you have to be able to say something like that? It’s not normal to walk in shoes like Nike Airmax. They unbalance our body and cause postural problems. Of course it will be uncomfortable at first to walk in barefoot shoes if you have spent years making sure your foot is just a lump.
this article exactly confirmed my toughts non of the extremes are good. Tight toebox pointy shoes with extremely raised heel can ruin your feet but we are also very likely to have problems by walking barefoot on concrete in the city(as i hed when started with barefoot to fast). So now i take sort of inbetween approach i wear barefoot shoes that fits nicely but have more than zero cushioning usually i buy some with 5mm minimal a than put 5 mm heel lift cushion and another insole there so i have like 1cm cushioning with heel raised just a bit and i love it i can walk kilometres on concrete without issues and i feel like i can get the strengtening benefits of barefoot shoe. I really urge people that they shoudnt go straight into barefoot walking if they were used to big heel lift because gooing from like 3 cm lift to zero will definetely stress your achilles if you wouldnt lower it gradually
U say: People have different bio mechanics, as if that is “normal” but it is NOT normal. Humans r the ONLY species in nature that have different bio mechanics! ALL other animal species have exactly the same bio mechanics, which is normal. If ya for example observe a herd of 100 zebras or an ant colony of 1000s ants, doesnt matter what animal ya choose, all move identical. Is this coincedence or r we as so called “intelligent” species doin something wrong?! I know the answer but just curious if u know why this is…
Making absolute claims when stating the myths. Although the foot doctor covers the info. well, I rarely come across folks who are into barefoot shoes that say it will resolve ALL your leg issues or that barefoot shoes is for EVERYONE or it AUTOMATICALLY fix your running form. I’m in the barefoot community and have seldom come across these type of claims.
I disagree with your view that you have to already be healthy in order to benefit from barefoot shoes. I have overpronation and I didn’t notice any kind of the problems that you guaranteed would happen if I wore barefoot. After some time, I actually find my barefoot shoes more comfortable now and I have seen a visible improvement in my overpronation that was clinically diagnosed as being a result of hypermobility. After seeing the difference from wearing barefoot shoes, I can attest that the genuine cause for my flat feet was just regular shoes that come with standard arch support. And do you know what the doctor ordered be my treatment? Insoles with with higher arch support!!! The science on feet is so frustratingly conservative and backwards that doctors are genuinely making many people’s foot health worse. I think you’re right that being healthy can be a prerequisite, but only in some cases. Many problems are actually caused by artificial arch support in shoes and barefoot shoes genuinely fix this problem and the subsequent health problems they cause. I guarantee that most of the people who suffer from barefoot shoes are older people or people with degenerative diseases and other conditions like arthiritis. Things like “hypermobility” and kyphosis are not going to prevent you from reaping the benefits of barefoot shoes. Don’t discourage people!!!
Zero drop shoes fixed a lot of my problems—until they didn’t. When I started wearing a second pair of the same shoe and model, I began having problems. Pain in the tops of my feet, and tendonitis in my right tibialis/arch. I don’t understand what happened. For now, I’ve gone back to wearing a stability shoe with a heel drop. I’m bummed. I think it really depends on the person and their special circumstances. Also, I’ve found that my needs seem to change each time I need a new shoe.
I had Morton’s Neuroma. I was trusting podiatrists and spend thousands on shoes, treatments and orthotics. Noting helped. Switched to barefoot and the issue went away in a few weeks. Of course I transitioned slowly slowly. I was walking very little in the beginning and slowly built up. By following common methods like ortotics that you recommed I suffered for years. Yeah I paid a lot of money for podiatrists checking me out with softwares and stuff. Im glad I broke from the advice of specialists like you. No hate, just your protocols didn’t work on me. For me barefoot worked.
3:50 aren’t all those things temporary? Aren’t you having “Achilles tendinitis” because you have spent years in regular shoes… not using your Achilles? You used the example of the weightlifter and how the only people benefitting are those with perfect form and strength already. Ok? So how does a foam sole help then? Does it help correct that structure or just provide squishy crutches??? I’m glad everyone in the comments is crapping on you. Best of luck to the people under your care
I spent 40 years wearing “regular” shoes…nike, reebok, etc, etc…every brand. I always had foot/heel pain, my lower back hurt…etc. Since my transition to barefoot shoes/water shoes in my late 40s, my heel pain, knee pain, back pain…all gone ! It takes a couple week adjustment period, and not walking stiff legged (which regular shoes promote), and all your pain magically starts to go away. I will NEVER wear regular shoes/orthotics ever, ever again. Give me a pair pf Minnetonka mocs !!! This vid is babble, the proof is in the doing it.
Walking barefoot can offer several health benefits for older adults, including improved balance, foot strength, and better sensory feedback from the ground. By going without shoes, the small muscles in the feet are activated, helping enhance stability and reducing the risk of falls—a common concern in aging. Barefoot walking can also encourage more natural alignment of the body, potentially easing joint strain over time. However, it’s important to consider individual health conditions. Older adults with diabetes, neuropathy, or foot issues may face increased risks of injury, making barefoot walking unsafe on rough or uneven surfaces. In these cases, supportive footwear may be necessary to protect the feet while still promoting mobility. For those who are healthy and careful, barefoot walking on soft surfaces like grass or sand could be a safe and beneficial practice.
I’m 45. I’ve never worn high heels. I’ve always hated cushioned types of shoes. I’ve always walked a lot, and minimal converse type of shoes have been my preferred footwear unless the weather forced me out of them. I don’t wear slippers, I walk barefoot at home, might use socks if it’s cold. My feet are triangle shaped and I find a lot of shoes uncomfortable. That’s why I love the wide toe box shoes. I’m not bothered about the barefoot experience, as for that I don’t need shoes 😂 But feet shaped footwear is simply more comfortable for me.
You’re wrong. Neither forefront nor heel landing is desirable. Midfoot is. You’re obviously not a runner. What barefoot does is change where your foot strikes relative to the upper body – it’s more over the center of gravity – not out in front. But more importantly, the foot lands behind a bent knee. Heel striking typically occurs in front of the knee. Knee injury to runners is associated with landing with a locked out knee, which is more common in “joggers” than “runners”. Watch a world class marathoner. You see the extensive range of motion of their legs. Record it. Slow it down. You’ll see that they land with the foot below their center of gravity. For mere mortals, the motion should be almost identical. The exception is the range of motion of the legs is much, much smaller. The rest should be the same. That’s the beauty of barefoot running. If you currently run a 12 minute mile. As you get faster, your motion doesn’t have to change. The range of motion just gets longer. Your feet should be striking the ground at the same relative spot at the same tempo. (That can also get faster as you get faster). If you look at the recommended positioning on a bicycle, you’ll see that the pedaling motion is similar to the motion of barefoot running. The ball of the foot over the pedal axle and the pedal at the 3 O’clock position, the bump just below the knee (in front – you can feel it) should be over the pedal axle. This means that the ball of the foot is never in front of the knee. The knee is bent in this position.
I think walking barefoot makes sense…but in nature, where the ground is uneven and softer not on hard, flat, man-made concrete. I walk around barefoot at home, in nature, or the garden, but i couldnt imagine going into town and pounding concrete for 2 or 3 hours at my age! Especially since im a heel striker. I think a healthy mix of both barefoot and protective wear is the best depending on where youre going to be walking. Also…if you’re going to be walking barefoot in nature or at home, then….why not just literally walk barefoot? Why buy the barefoot shoes at all?
This article is very biased and misleading in order to generate views. Take “Myth” number 1 for example: Barefoot shoes are recommended for everyone. I call it a “Myth” because I find its hard to believe anyone (seriously) makes this claim. Doctors would for example generally advise to eat more vegetables and reduce sugar intake. No serious professional would however make the claim that this holds true for absolutely everyone, no exceptions! This guy would make a article about it and claim that there are a few special individuals for whom this advice is counterproductive, which would be correct, but would also be misrepresenting or intentionally misinterpreting the advice. While I am not advocating for barefoot running here, I will point out that it is very unlikely serious research on this topic suggests that every single person can simply start walking/running barefoot and immediately experience all the possible positive improvements without an adjustment period or conscious effort and or habitual changes. This article bases the first 4 “Myths/Lies” on exactly such supposed claims intentionally misleading its audience. Surely barefoot walking/running has its actual drawbacks that deserve to be highlighted. A article like this one is a disservice to an open and fair discussion about this topic. Please be more professional and ethical in your analysis in the future.
I started walking barefoot at home because while I had great shoes, but if I fell asleep wearing them, I woke up with terrible foot pain. Over the months, my toes have spread apart and the muscles for my feet are much stronger. Bad side, I couldn’t buy anything except barefoot shoes or custom made shoes now. My feet were originally extra wide in the front. Now even wider. I desperately need my right hip replaced. They refuse to do it unless I get all of my teeth pulled by a Dental surgeon. I have tried for 3 years here in Washington State, Seattle area. I have failed. I am going to get another passport and go get it done in Mexico. Mexico has some of the best Dentists on Earth. Even Dentists admit to that. Plus it’s cheaper and I already speak fluent Mexican-Spanish. There isn’t a single business, especially Health Care, here that has enough staff. Go live somewhere else!
I wish I lived close for an office visit but I live in Texas Houston area. I’ve been to 2-3 foot doctors and don’t feel any of the orthotics help. What type of a doctor and what type of exam do you recommend I seek out that is similar to how you practice? I feel I need more of a whole body assessment not just my feet. Thanks
wtf some of these statements aren’t even starwmanned but outright imagined. where did this guy even find someone saying that transitioning to barefoot is quick and easy? whenever i see discussions on switching to barefoot shoes there’s always a mention of needing to take it slow and wearing the new shoes for shorter periods of time first, people always mention that you may injure yourself if you heelstrike with no cushioning. the rest of the claims aren’t really rebuked, more like “well this oversimplified argument is 80% correct, BUT *a fact that’s barely related to the topic*” “we sit in chairs we sleep in beds”. goddamn westerner, never heard of any other culture doing it differently. open a book or watch a movie. it’s really easy, might also learns a few things and it’s not like there’s recently been a whole craze with standing desks. people were searching for alternatives to sitting in chairs with modern office jobs for decades now. or have you missed it entirely, too? Maybe you even think shoes always looked the way modern ones do? and never in history was there a point when something stupid and harmful was fashionable and widely accepted? you couldn’t just say “it may not be for everyone, please consult a doctor and consider this things before trying new stuff”, noooo you had to go MYTHS BUSTED LIES REVEALED route and fumble it spectacularly this is embarrassing also as someone who had worn orthodics for several years with no improvement for minor flat feet, lower back issues and scoliosis I’d never trust someone like you to prescribe me any treatment much less orthodics after this article even if i had something life-threateningly severe your opinions on walking and running maybe flawed but the mental gymnastics are expert level.
sorry… but “tribe in brazil” and “smoked in marathon”…the book is about tribe in mexico and ULTRAmarathons…and look. the tribe guys WON lots ultramarathons naturally!. Thats why they study the taramuhara tribes and talk about barefoot (not at all, they have sandals and the writer knows its not that simple to who is not used to, its a long transition)…The book its about endurance, not speed…so…great vid but a wrong example in its beggining
You keep intertwining walking and running. They are biomechanically very different. Walking on a flat surface is almost always a heel strike. Hitting on forefoot is not very comfortable. Good running form is very different than good walking form. You only talk to some of Lieberman’s work,. What he notes is that there are a variety of foot strike types in these hunter gather groups, but they a re consistent in how they manage impact – even the heel strikers do it in such a way that they minimize the impact. That is because they almost all have minimal footwear. Footwear that lets them feel the foot to earth interface. That;’s all changing as the west invades these groups and they are now seeing the same issues that we do.
“Shorter, choppier steps?” Only if your running technique is shortchanged by not pushing the hamstrings or glutes back sufficiently. “more cushioning on the shoe” encourages landing on the heel and running faster thus placing that stress disproportionately on the knee and hips and that ‘tendonitis’ you might of got with barefoot running is now runners knee, lower back pain and hip injury. Barefoot shoes are not a replacement for adequate rest,10% rule, adaptation or resistant training to address asymetrical running form. They can be used in addition to designed cushioned running shoes. They are a training tool to run more effectively to prevent injury, not the reverse. People aren’t taught to run. They just do it. Barefoot shoes do not teach you how to run. They just help remind you not to land on your heel. Thats it. Landing on the forefoot is also going to cause problems if there is a lack of calf, lower leg or ankle muscle. That needs training. I run in both and discovered my weaker muscles as a result of it.
I have a few pairs of barefoot shoes. I love everything about them except they’re so low cushion that my feet just hurt, even with the adjustment period. It would be nice if someone would make a “minimalist” shoe with a tiny bit of cushion. Someone other than Altra. I’m not super impressed by the quality.
When I walk with 5mm heel lift and orthotics on the flat surfaces I am ok, Hiking long distances I am in pain but without orthotics I would be injured, on the beach (as beaches are cambered) I have terrible hip and joint pain, walking barefoot for 30 to 1 hour per day at home relieves my glute hip pain, It is a minefield trying to understand my mechanic’s
The whole premise of the advice in this article is assuming that someone has been wearing modern footwear their whole life. What would you recommend to parents for a newborn baby and child as they grow up? Would it really be best to give them modern shoes that crunch their toes together and cause muscles to weaken and imbalance? Downplaying the harms that modern footwear causes kids at those ages (for potentially the rest of their life) seems disingenuous
I watched like half of this and gave up. Because this doctor is missing the most important problem here. It’s not the shoes. It’s the people and their lifestyle. People have lived a long sedentary life. Sitting in front of a computer or the most walking that it is back-and-forth from the house to their car. And the obesity epidemic and the diabetes epidemic. These are the problem. Not the shoes. They need shoes that have cushion support or stability shoes. It’s because their muscles are weak, people are overweight and out of shape. That’s the problem. Not the shoes. Obviously the human body is designed to go barefoot. I feel sure there are tribes in Africa with people that have have never worn shoes at all and probably don’t have any of these problems the doctor is talking about.
Here is the fundamental problem doctors of all sorts lie, for the most part they’ve received the Rockefeller school of medicine education which largely excludes any form of natural healing and more homeopathic remedies. We’re told by these professional liars to put our children in shoes as soon as they start walking instead of letting their bodies develop naturally the way Creation designed them. While he is certainly not just outrightly bashing the idea of barefoot shoes he’s certainly not trying to paint them in a good light IMO
When I was in Iraq I was in boots pretty much all the time. I got plantar fasciitis while there. As soon as I got home I went back to working out barefoot at home and being barefoot most of the time I wasn’t working (back in boots). The PF cleared up within about 4 months. I am sure there could be more to it, but what worked for me was getting out of shoes as much as possible.
I don’t think you put a good name on your professional or in science unfortunately, I’m not one of those guys and some things you said the barefoot guys never said it. Both sides are id1ots imo and have the us vs them mentality instead of taking from eachother and improve people lifes, the reality is we created standards to get people cheaper stuff but unfortunately most people don’t fit t
The shoes that we commonly wear are the cause of all these problems. Then when people try to transition to barefoot shoes too quickly these problems occur. If you’ve spent years in pointy toeed. overly cushioned foot wreckers and are expecting a miracle you’re going to be disappointed. Its not the new barefoot shoes that are the problem. it’s the years prior in shitty shoes that’s the problem. Without a proper foundation the rest of the structures will suffer.
I think that every person has different needs and different feet. In my case, I have been doing barefoot since I was very young at home, even in the countryside, or even in town I would have my flip-flops in my hands and walk barefoot, I just love it!!, and, at the same time, I never had shoes that squish even a little my feet and I had t flat shoes all the time, until 5 years ago that I started to have feet pain. I have tried many different things, but Sketchers and changing a bit my way of walking by using putting lees pressure my heel (watched this in one of the many articles I watch in Youtube) has drastcally relief my pain. I still love barefoot and I always do at home, but with after few hours or just simple activities I start to feel again some pain
Interesting. I have been wearing only barefoot shoes since I discovered them. Before that I wore sandals. I hate supportive shoes. In the past, I’ve tried all the arch supports and custom supports etc. They seemed to help for a while, but not in the long run. I’m old now and even less am I willing to wear supportive shoes. I can’t balance properly in them. But as you say, everybody is different.
I have bad feet, my orthopedist basically saved my life and allowed me to practice Tennis again thanks to custom soles he assembles every year following my own evolution. As an orthopedist yourself, can you make custom soles for a barefoot shoe, or will I have to let go and keep wearing a limited selection of higher end regular shoes?
If we as a society had better understanding, footwear and practices for foot health and didn’t constantly peddle anatomically counterintuitive footwear over the centuries, wearing a barefoot shoe (or walking barefoot in general) wouldn’t be a shock to our bodies, and this doctor would certainly have less patients.
Yes if you are used to walking on “normal shoes’ for many many years you are going to need a transition period. The position of your big toe is very important for your posture. Besides there are some conflict of interest for this men right? You should not use your shoes to adjust your bad posture you should move mindfully. Just like we address bad posture with lifting we don’t say you need to ware cushioning.
Dunno about all the hype in either direction but I’ve using barefoot shoes (including cheap “water shoes” from Walmart) for the last 4 years and I now have ZERO plantar fasciitis, zero arch pain, zero ankle or knee pain. I’m 62 now and it did take time gradually working up to hiking rocky trails, etc.
I do agree with some parts of this manly number 4. It take time to adjust. i never did wear minimalist shoes . i went strait to barefoot and we are not talkings about weeks to adjust or even months but years. only young and healthy atletic poeple can adjust? Absolutely not, I was 60 overwait and defiantly NOT in shape and went cold turkey and 90 % of barefooters i know have the same story. Poeple with back pain knee problems, sciatica will tolerate the transition? wrong! that is exacly why I threw away my shoes. 15 years of constant back pain and sciatica gone instantly. no more pain meds and no more chiropractor. Yes i did go through some adjustments, achily tendonitis ball of foot pain, shin splints and more. thats the adaptation. The reason some fail to transition is just that, too much too fast and not listening to their body. You cant undo 60 years of damage caused by shoes in a few weeks, it takes years. After 3 years barefoot full time I know i will never go back to wearing shoes ever
I think the reason people wear barefoot shoes is not to maximize performance, but to develop stronger feet/legs, be more aware of their footfall patterns/posture so they are not unduly stressing the rest of their joints. Extremely supportive shoes definitely have their place for competition/injury rehab, but i think the arguement is that if you use these all the time, you lose strength.
Thoughts about stride. In cushy shoes, when going for a longer stride, we tend to reach forward from our center of gravity and land harder with our heel, putting strain on our joints and tissue in a position that’s not optimal. Our feet are mostly prevented from flexing like a spring, so the concussion is transferred up the chain. Barefoot, we receive feedback that encourages us to land with our foot under our center of gravity, and when we lengthen our stride, it is longer behind us, where our optimum support and push come from. It is our whole body absorbs the shock, instead of the shoe, but the position of the foot is different in relation to the body (than in a cushy shoe) while this happens. I have always shucked my shoes the instant I get home. Over the years I realized that I was more comfortable and capable in a minimal, hard-soled shoe, and that slippers are my enemy. If the sole and insole are anything but dead flat, it causes problems (blisters, tendon and ligament pain). If the shoe is loose at the instep, or the sole is stiff or thick, I’m clumsier and slower. And “large” toe boxes are barely tall or wide enough, possibly because I grew up running barefoot outdoors. Both experience and logic agree with the “start slow and gradually build strength” directive. Ligaments are generally the slowest support structure to respond, so giving the 6 week guideline is very helpful. But what came across as strongly was that “lots of people just won’t benefit from going barefoot.
What people don’t realize is just switching to barefoot shoes is not the total answer. Will they help…yes, but you have to strengthen your feet at the same time with simple foot strengthening exercises. Also, its not for everyone, but if you take a tracing of your bare foot and lay your regular shoes on top of the tracing, if your foot sticks out beyond the shoe, then those shoes are too tight and you need a shoe with wider toe box. This is especially true for children whose feet are still developing. Do you need to switch to BAREFOOT shoes…no, just make sure they have a wide enough toe box and provide proper foot mechanics. If you are not flexing your foot when you walk (unless you have a anatomical reason you cannot) then you are likely not using proper foot mechanics. Every day I see young and old literally stomping because there isn’t enough flex in their shoes.
I learned last year that I supinate when I gave myself plantar fasciitis during hiking. When I had my bunions shaved off at 20 years old, the podiatrist at the time told me that my ankles were crooked. In order to straighten them I would have to break my legs. I said Hell No then, but I am now wondering if that causes the supination in both feet. When I wear flip flops (not often) my ankles slowly move off of the heel, which is why I can’t wear heels that don’t have straps or I’d roll my ankles. NOW I get sharp pain in my left food on the side of it after hiking or walking long distances. Podiatrist just guessed arthritis without any tests and that annoyed me.
I was a ballroom dancer. As I got older, my feet hurt more & more from the high heels, & I noticed my ankles turning in. I bought shoes with wider toes & added arch supports—along with barefoot shoes. After trying both, my sense is my feet position must be corrected so rest of body muscles adjust before I wear barefoot. I walk around barefoot inside & that’s enough for now. But if I don’t wear arch support my feet will kill me esp if I walk or dance on concrete. I have a dancer friend with severe plantar fasciitis, & he needs cushioning & support to stay active. I think barefoot shoes are cool & I do strengthening & stretching so maybe I’ll wear them someday. But my friend probably won’t. Either way it’s fantastic if anything works, esp after years of wearing bad shoes & hard-floor impact.
You have to work your way into your barefoot shoes. Also do foot exercises to help strengthen and avoid injuries. A good foot massage goes a long way, and then continuous stretching of the feet. Also what I’ve found from my personal experience is if you are overweight, you should do more knees over toes exercises to help strengthen your knees. I find that walking barefoot is actually better than walking with barefoot shoes.
Barefoot shoes are from the looks of it easily among the worst performers in the bang per buck metric, so accusing you of slinging expensive shoes is…rich… But what else do you expect from a community that based on my admittedly limited experience and observation appears to be deeply steeped in anti-science sentiments if it does not suit their preconceived notions…
1:15 you should look into Maria Lorena Ramirez who won an ultra marathon wearing traditional sandals and a skirt and when they asked why she didn’t use the new sneakers, she claimed that all the people behind her did… nice article though. very interesting and a lot to take on account but what about our natural build, yes we use shoes because we’ve been using them for a long time and walking barefoot on concrete is not that appealing, but using shoes isn’t some how equivalent to use gloves?
I have flexible, pronating feet and have always felt that I need supportive stability running shoes and orthotics for my trail running. Recently I have been surprised to find that I like minimalist running shoes on trails that are not too rocky. I am wondering if alternating between stability and barefoot or minimalist shoes is an OK idea.
Hi Doc! Glad I found your website. I’m from Michigan butI live in California. As a former ballet artist,I would love to get the biomechanical exam. I’m returning to the dance studio for summer intensive training at 66. I’ve had hammer toe developed over the years and the pain comes and goes. I wrap toes every workout but could use some tips on, how to strengthen healthy ankles upon retraining on point shoes. Otherwise, I’m basically pretty healthy at 66. For a former dancer, teacher,coach, pescatarian/ Mediterranean diet and mostly wear wide toe box shoes, any tips on hammer toe resolve? Thank a Bunch!
It is absurd we as people need to wear some special shoes to somehow support our feet. I had issues as a child with pain in my feet. I was really overweight and wasnt healthy. Doctors recommeneed me special shoes with support. I tried them, didnt like and threw them away. So I took the most cheap, flat and thin shoes that were almost barefoot(at that time there were no barefoot shoes) and this fixed all my problems.
I transitioned to a pair of vibrams about a year after i started a running program at the age of 49. 13 years later i still wear them from april until sometime in october. Then just wear them around the house or change if I’m going to be inside for most if the day,. Had flat feet don’t have flat feet anymore.
if you wanna go barefoot, actually go barefoot and where it makes sense, like in the woods i think the “pain” of going actual barefoot prevents you from walking like youre in shoes i personally allways had shin splints running in normal shoes and running barefoot in the woods eliminated that but i would never think about going barefoot on hard ground.
So i guess i have a few questions. 1. Im hyper mobile(180⁰ movement in most joints), so will this help with possible hyper-extentions? 2. I mainly walk/run on my toes. I can’t run on my heels, it doesnt feel right. 3. I prefer to hike and walk barefoot, so would there be very little adjustment? I would say im pretty lean and fit due to hiking and work
I’m almost 60 and bought some new barefoot boots when I started a new job and was going to be walking loads of extra steps a day. I haven’t really had any issues and they are comfortable. Although I have noticed more hard skin appearing. May just be because I’m on my feet a lot more, and it may be caused by the shoes. Either way, I’m happy with them overall. I’ve had vivo’s summer shoes before, and they are definitely my favourite shoes when I’m going to be on my feet more or walking distances. article is interesting though. All things I didn’t really consider before!
This is such a useful article for me to see and take advice from as I have been off my feet for a number of years due to serious health issues. Historically it didn’t matter what footwear or exercises I did for lumbar disc issues, achilles tendonitis and knee pains that I had suffered for many years – twenty-five plus – I was always just managing the pain and never fixing the problems. I later became bedridden & housebound with ME/CFS in 2006 so I was in a bad place physically. I started a very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet which improved a lot of my ME symptoms but I still had joint and tendon issues. Finally in January 2023 I decided to try carnivore because I really needed to shift some pounds. Years of not being able to exercise deconditions you so much and it’s hard to avoid weight gain. It doesn’t happen overnight but as of today, mid April 2024, I have lost 4 stone and am just one stone from the top end of ideal weight for my height. No longer bed/housebound I am once more able to engage in natural weight bearing exercise such as mucking out my horses, do heavy diy and gardening. At my worst with my ME, I had to summon the strength to make it to the bathroom but I am now able to walk a good couple of miles without feeling fatigue (yes, I know…. for you runners out there that sound pathetic 😂) But the most important thing for me is that very quickly my ME symptoms of fatigue and brain fog lifted and over the months my joint pains, lumber issue and tendonitis have completely disappeared.
Walking barefoot is base settings. Full range of motion, full grip and feedback to the ground allowing better balance and stability. Anything added to your feet is for protection. Barefoot shoes give the illusion of wearing shoes, which is why people keep injuring themselves. I’m more likely to believe your injury if you’re young and athletic. You over estimated the padding. If you’re older, out of shape, and wore pillows on your feet for the last 30 years, I’m really not surprised you hurt yourself walking when you haven’t used those muscles ever. Your entire walk alignment changed. Everything is shifted back to the base settings. Now, you really don’t need overpriced barefoot shoes. You just need to be barefoot at home when you’re resting. (Plus we already solved this problem with broad square toed boots. The one people claim to hate, but everyone wears them anyways.) The absolute worst shoes you can wear have your feet stretched out all day in sort of a curved shape so you land on the heel and then it rolls forward to the toe. This is why your feet are so sore by the end of the day. Your feet shouldn’t be THAT sore after wearing shoes. If you’ve never noticed foot pain until recently, it’s the new shoes. 100% it’s the shoes. Shoe companies then try to sell you the solution by coming up with overcomplicated shapes that are supposed to fix the problem. Just go barefoot for a few days. Let the blood circulate a bit and heal. How can you let your feet heal if you can’t be barefoot in public?
As a personal trainer with a corrective exercise specialty I have made the personal choice to wear minimalist shoes. The “lies” in this article are dumb. I’ve also never heard anyone making most of them. Ever. I really feel like this guy is making them up just so he can hit his talking points and it really irks me that there is so much nuance missing. I think there are less disingenuous ways to discuss the pros and cons of footwear. As for that treadmill running mechanics, that gal is destined for injury regardless of the type of footwear she’s wearing. There are several interventions that need to be taken to correct her running mechanics, implying that just changing to the right footwear will solve her biomechanics is unethical.
I feel like there are too many butthurt barefoot shoe stans out here. I see all the recovery stories from barefoot shoe users, and thats awesome to hear, but the whole demonozation of normal shoes, with the extreme examples of the pointy, narrow toe boxes, trying to “go back to tradition like our ancestors” fallacy. Ive watched dozens of articles and read a ton of “studies” in favor of barefoot shoes and against, and this shit is in such a grey area. The only “science” and “proven studies” and evidence that ive noticed that give barefoot shoes credibility are all the articles and self proclamed comments saying “i had this issue, and after switching to barefoot shoes it went away.” But how may of those are people blowing smoke and how many of them are real? Theres a lot of science that goes against some claims, and just as many people saying shit like, “i tried them, and it made this problem worse for me.” So all and all, i think people swearing their lifes to this craze is a bunch of nonesense, but shouldnt detere people from giving them a shot. Ive worn, ran in, worked out in flat footed, zero sole barefoot shoes AND flats for over 10 years in crossfit, olympic lifting, powerlifting, biking, and hiking, and i dont have problems, so for me its whatever. Except for the fact that ive also worn shoes like Hokas, AND workboots for all of my working career in a drainage department, and those shoes have done me just as well and are just as, if not more comfy, just not as “freeing”. Need i mention how overpriced and how much of a money trap those shoes are.
Hiked great distances in shoes for decades. No problems with and on my feet. Standing in shoes for decades. No problems with and on my feet. Not two months barefoot walking and standing and I have in both feet a plantar fasciosis and problems with the posteior tendons. So it worked perfectly for me walking barefoot.
I’m having numbness in my feet with my 3rd and 4th toe, for 2 years. No doctor has been able to help me and it’s getting worse . My heels also hurt and calf. Are you practicing in the metro Detroit area? Could you let me know where? I really need your help. 😢 I want to be able play an run around with my 2 years old daughter better than this. 😢
Fully Agree with ya. Plus when I watch the YouTube people promoting barefoot shoes they all recommend a slow (5 mins a day) entry into the barefoot shoe world.. But what they don’t say is to stay in your Hoka’s, Brooks until my body is broken into the barefoot life… I’ve learned this the hard way. But working my way out of it. I work 7 weeks straight no days off cooking on a cruise ship.. So nightly and morning massage and stretching routines are mandatory. I love my “Shoes For Crews” “Bloodstone” model. I have a great full leg massage and stretch routine. I’m working my way out of Plantar Fasciitis with slow deep full leg & foot electric massager. Avoiding the Achilles and Knee. My massager is the mellow one that just vibrates with heat or no heat. Definitely not the massager that has that extension that pounds the muscles. My Plantar Fasciitis really has built up and feels like a big piece of beef jerky under my skin. When I put the massager with heat on the foot with cocoa butter lotion and firmly slowly work it, gradually going up my whole leg, calves, upper legs, slow stretches, warm soaks in the tub with epsom salt, as well as soaking in cold water for three minutes each ending with cold. Then resting with my feet elevated. ❤️ Sounds like a lot but it’s easy and I’ve gotten my feet back. Going into barefoot shoes should really be a slow process. It caused me a lot of downtime and issues that I could have avoided. I’m 53 and my Hoka Mach 5’s and Shoes For Crews work way better than zero drop shoes for me.
I wore moccasins for an entire year when I was 28. Ended up developing plantar fasciitis for the only time in my life. Now I’m 44, and I cross train my feet with minimal sandals, barefoot in the house, and super shoes for trail running, andother foot pounding activities. No foot pain since leaving the moccasins behind.
I walk barefoot most of the time (I spend a lot of time at home lol) and my flat feet have only gotten worse over the years, my feet were stronger when I wore sneakers a lot which is why I looked for this article because I’m severely confused with this new “barefoot shoe” craze 😂 I’m tired of the flat foot pain though my legs kill me all the time 😭 and I’m 9 months pregnant so it’s not helping