Faq
How do you define a barefoot shoe?
Readers often ask why we don’t include more or other zero -drop shoes. The answer has to do with how thick the sole is. Our definition of barefoot shoe is that it should have a thin sole or a height of the stack as it is sometimes called. I put the cut at 10 mm or less (ideally less) to allow a good sensation of earth and the drafting of the tip and to give you the types of feedback that your foot needs to maintain the natural movement.
Having said that, there are some categories in which this does not always make sense. The wired readers have asked for heaviest boot -style shoes, so now we include the Lems boots. They have a 13 mm sole, but no bow. The division of hair on the definitions hurts more than help for the community with bare feet in my opinion. The zero drops shoes are a huge step forward compared to high arch and super-pasta racing shoes, and if it is there you want to start, it’s fantastic.
How can I start with barefoot shoes?
You probably wore padded shoes for most of your life. Do not expect to launch them and be able to do the same mileage, which walked or run, in shoes on bare feet. To a certain extent, you have to re -enter how to run and walk. It will take a conscious effort on your part and can be very difficult. You’re not just learning, you’re you too divest Some rooted habits. The key is to go slowly. Much, very, absurdly slow.
The way you approach barefoot shoes depends on what you are trying to do. I happened to go to the race, which worked well because I I had To take it slowly (I sucked). If you are currently an ultra-marathon runner and you want to try shoes barefoot, you will have difficulty holding you. If you are somewhere among those poles, it will still be difficult not to overdo it. Focus the discipline you usually use for the distance in Not Making distance.
If you don’t know where to start, take a look at The YouTube channel by Graham TuttleIn particular, its exercises of strengthening the foot. These will help you develop the strength of the ankle and the ankle that you are missing if you come from years of padded shoes and help you reduce muscle pain when you start doing barefoot. Tuttle also offers some paid programs Aimed at giving you a more personalized guide (I have not tried any of these). Another YouTube channel that I found useful is the Movnat canalWhich is not barefoot but has many good barefoot advice sprayed during its content. And if you have not read Christopher Mcdougall, both Born to run AND Eroes born born They are fun readings related to barefoot. Indeed, Born to run He probably did more to spread the racing barefoot than anything else since the padded shoe was born in the early 70s.
It is also worth saying that barefoot shoes are not a zero sum game. For over a year I have worn barefoot shoes, normal shoes for other tasks and sandals for the rest of the time. It’s not all or nothing. If you go to a barefoot ride and then slap your favorite conversation immediately after, that’s fine. It is equally important to know that everyone is different. It took me six months to go completely to shoes barefoot. But it’s just me. Two months or two years may be needed. Go to your pace and don’t worry about the experiences of others.