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Running Goes Barefoot

well.blogs.nytimes.com

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Re: Running Goes Barefoot

#21

Post by cpach »

kingkawn wrote: post #17
delackner wrote: post #12

This is turning into a recurring topic on HN. Last time it appeared I commented that some traditional japanese split-toed shoes I have are super comfy to walk in, and someone responded that they might make really good running shoes. Well I haven't tried running in them, but I recently danced on a hard packed dirt field three days straight, 6 hours, then 8 hours, then 12 hours, in these shoes with a split toe and sole…

Please describe the circumstances for dancing on hard packed dirt for 26 hours in three days.

The Burning Man festival?

Re: Running Goes Barefoot

#23

Post by learnalist »

I want a pair!

But...

Could this be an example of media hype? What do you mean?

Well, as already mentioned this is not the first time an article has appeared on the HN. Not a bad thing. But lets look a little closer.

Like him or hate him Tim Farris has reviewed these. I used to like reading his blog until I couldn't help feel 90% of his stories were there to push you to buy something ( Lead Gen, no less from another article in the top 30 today ) or left you wondering if he was paid to write that story.

The New York times has ran at least two articles related to these shoes.

Wired has an article and a review.

There is a chance that they are being discovered on the merit for what they may or may not be. I don't live in an english speaking country. Equally I am a huge running fan. I am yet to see any here, not even in boutique shops. ( Oslo Norway ) So I wonder how these amazing shoes are only being discovered in mainstream tech ( type ) sites which are aimed at a particular market.

So I googled it a little. "vibram site:news.bbc.co.uk" - 0

"vibram site:guardian.co.uk" - more than 1.

Interestingly they first hit the guardian end of 2006.

"vibram site:dagbladet.no" - 0 ( main norwegian site )

"vibram site:abc.net.au/news" - 0 ( australian site )

menshealth ( us site ) - 0

menshealth ( australian site ) - 0

Clearly my searches are small subset of places I like to read, yet for me it does hold some validity that this could be "new media marketing".

Would love to hear if any of you agree or disagree and why?

Equally would love to hear how as consumers we can read thru the lines of "hidden marketing" and "real" reviews.

Re: Running Goes Barefoot

#24

Post by nunb »

learnalist wrote: post #23

I want a pair! But... Could this be an example of media hype? What do you mean? Well, as already mentioned this is not the first time an article has appeared on the HN. Not a bad thing. But lets look a little closer. Like him or hate him Tim Farris has reviewed these. I used to like reading his blog until I couldn't help feel 90% of his stories were there to push you to buy something ( Lead Gen, no less from another…

I would normally be suspicious of something that keeps cropping up like this (ref. PG's "The Submarine"). However, sometimes something comes up because the truth will out.

I think the "discovery" of these shoes being American is not an accident. Other markets are too small, and the USA probably has the biggest contingent of foot-damaged runners in the world. Although I live in Italy, Vibram keeps its Five Fingers shoes out of the market (they are available in Germany, even though Vibram is an Italian company). Part of the reason is, people already prefer flat-soled shoes here. Nike style sneakers are almost non-existent.

Some alternatives to VFF: Closer to home for you, perhaps, is the Feelmax Planka, and the UK has Vivo Barefoots which may be a bit overpriced. I don't suppose thin soles will perform well in a cold environment though!

As for me, all through summer I wore what in a different age would be called "canvas plimsolls", and I am now dreading having to wear winter boots. If someone could make a waterproof canvas hi-top, I'd rest easy. So yes, I do think these articles are coming out because people experience the sheer joy of wearing minimalist shoes (perhaps explainable by the sensory organ density of the foot?).

These are almost identical to the shoes I wore. http://www.seejackshop.com/images/uploads/ASOS-plimsolls.jpg

Re: Running Goes Barefoot

#25

Post by khafra »

cr0tus wrote: post #15

you have to be careful where you try this your inclination might be to try this on trails. wrong. trails are full of rocks and tree roots. if you run barefoot or in vibram toes, you will have broken toes. any trail runner seriously bonks their toe box once per run. this is why trail shoes have toe boxes that are rock hard i don't understand what the fascination is with barefoot running, and i say this as someone with…

I tried Vibrams on a day hike up a small mountain with my brother. We walked quickly the whole way, breaking into a jog a few times. The mountain was rockier than I'd expected--about 80% of the trail was midsize to gigantic rocks. I didn't break any toes, but I did have very sore feet for about a week after that.

Re: Running Goes Barefoot

#26

Post by xiaoma »

cr0tus wrote: post #15

you have to be careful where you try this your inclination might be to try this on trails. wrong. trails are full of rocks and tree roots. if you run barefoot or in vibram toes, you will have broken toes. any trail runner seriously bonks their toe box once per run. this is why trail shoes have toe boxes that are rock hard i don't understand what the fascination is with barefoot running, and i say this as someone with…

Sometimes those token "freaks" show up and kick the shit out of everybody.

That's what happened with the three Tarahumara went to Leadville, CO in 1993 and took first, second and third places in the premier 100 mile trail race. Seven came back the next year, wearing hats of their sponsor Rockport, but sandals made of tire-treads instead of Rockport shoes. The slowest of them finished 11th.

AFIK, they lost their sponsorship, and were unable to come back the next year.

Re: Running Goes Barefoot

#27

Post by smmcbride »

tom_b wrote: post #4

I'm not a runner, but recommend "Born to Run" as a fun read (it's mentioned in the article and clearly inspired the article). I've always thought ultra endurance athletes were a little off - in a fun way - and the book tells some good stories on these folks, including the Tarahumara Indians, who run barefoot or with minimal gear for incredible distances as a social activity.

A friend of mine from our jogging group just finished "Born to Run". He now starts every sentence with, "You know the Tarahumara Indians..." :) He's also showed up to run for the past few weeks in sandals!

Re: Running Goes Barefoot

#28

Post by ApolloRising »

msb wrote: post #13
bhousel wrote: post #2

I've started barefoot running and I have to agree that it really helps you focus on running with proper form. People interested in running barefoot should definitely start out slow and run somewhere safe, like a soccer field or park. If you decide you like it, I also recommend checking out the Vibram Five Fingers. I only just got a pair a few weeks ago, but so far I'm having lots of fun running in them, and they give…

That settles it, I am going to have to try the barefoot run this week. I have yet to come across a bad overall experience by anyone who has run barefoot or used the Five Fingers or the Nike Free. I wonder if returning to lightweight running shoes after a period of barefoot running would help to improve form at all. BTW - Light review and photo comparison of the Vibram and Nike here: http://skylertanner.com/2009/05/17…

I've been using the Nike Free 3 Series sneakers for the past 2 months or so and have noticed greatly reduced lower back pain. My feet were sore for about 2 weeks while I adjusted to the shoes but after that, I feel that they were a great purchase.

They are much lighter than the average sneaker and every time I put on my dress shoes it feels like I have lead weights attached.

The Vibram "shoes" would get a lot more attention but the Nike will get the job done.

I should have bought more than 1 pair since they are incredibly hard to find now in certain sizes.

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