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Your running shoes are a lie

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Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#21

Post by jnorthrop »

harpastum wrote: post #17

This is an interesting idea for discussion, but I think the author handles it very poorly. Yes, it's entirely possible that high-end running shoes aren't helping us as much as we think they are. Yes, it's possible that there's a correlation between high priced running shoes and injuries. On the other hand, the author claims a lot of things that are simply ludicrous: "Logically, that should be obvious - the impact on…

Data is hard to come by for the benefits of going barefoot since the science is funded by those with an interest in selling something... however you make a valid critique of the article.

An article by Adam Sternberg that appeared in New York Times magazine a couple of years ago does a better job at the barefoot question (http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/)

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#22

Post by Radix »

jusob wrote: post #2

It might be possible to run barefoot on a track, but not on the dirt!

It might be possible to run barefoot on dirt, but not on a track!

Until recently the local highschool track had nothing on it but a thin film of rubber on a solid cement. I remember being unable to run very well on it (hard), but I could run through my back yard even when we still had the underbrush and briers, I was in better shape when I was younger. ...I wish people didn't think going barefoot was socially unacceptable.

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#23

Post by qazwsxedc »

bretthoerner wrote: post #16
chaostheory wrote: post #13

http://www.nike.com/nikefree/ barefoot running seems like a great idea, but not in a park where geese and dogs like to leave stuff on the ground

The article mentions them, "And then comes the grand finale: we cut back to the Kenyans, whose bare feet are now sporting some kind of thin shoe. It's the new Nike Free, a shoe thinner than the old Cortez dreamt up by Bowerman in the Seventies. And its slogan? 'Run Barefoot.' The price of this return to nature? A conservative £65. But, unlike the real thing, experts may still advise you to change them every three mon…

You could get wetsuit booties for a lot less

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#24

Post by peregrine »

numair wrote: post #12

I run 5 miles barefoot every day. It's seriously so much more enjoyable than running with shoes on ever was. In fact, I didn't run at ALL until I went barefoot. It is also a very tough, rewarding workout on the right surface - for example, I run on soft sand (which, by the way, is the best way to run if you want to save your knees). My best friend is a varsity track athlete who swears by his running shoes. We always…

The best running shoes by far are the Nike Free.http://www.nike.com/nikefree/

I've been wearing the same pair for at least 3 years now and I will never go back to any different kind. When I do wear new shoes I feel like I've got rubber blocks on my feet, I'm clumsy and awkward and uncomfortable.

Feeling every crack, in the side walk and letting your feet do anything they want is extremely rewarding.

Prior to switching to Nike Free's I had sever shin splints when I ran track after switching I never had to ice for them again.

I seriously cannot suggest them enough for running in our concrete environment.

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#25

Post by numair »

gcheong wrote: post #19
numair wrote: post #12

I run 5 miles barefoot every day. It's seriously so much more enjoyable than running with shoes on ever was. In fact, I didn't run at ALL until I went barefoot. It is also a very tough, rewarding workout on the right surface - for example, I run on soft sand (which, by the way, is the best way to run if you want to save your knees). My best friend is a varsity track athlete who swears by his running shoes. We always…

Maybe a shoe could be developed with sand in the soles to give one that "running in sand" feeling for those who don't live near a beach?

Interesting idea ... I wonder if it's possible in shoe form. My feet sink quite a bit (half a foot, perhaps more) with each step when running, so perhaps it'd be more of a new form of ultra-high-end treadmill? That'd require quite a bit of mechanics, but I bet it would be a worthy challenge for someone into hacking up physical products.

By the way, while we are on this subject - I could never understand why people run on roads. You're getting car exhaust fumes and you're running on hard pavement; seems like a bad deal all around. I drive by people on Pacific Coast Highway who run on pavement, directly parallel to the sand - I guess people follow the patterns they know best...

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#26

Post by qazwsxedc »

snewe wrote: post #20
harpastum wrote: post #17

This is an interesting idea for discussion, but I think the author handles it very poorly. Yes, it's entirely possible that high-end running shoes aren't helping us as much as we think they are. Yes, it's possible that there's a correlation between high priced running shoes and injuries. On the other hand, the author claims a lot of things that are simply ludicrous: "Logically, that should be obvious - the impact on…

"Yes, it's possible that there's a correlation between high priced running shoes and injuries." It could simply be that people that buy the most expensive shoe are also the people that jump into running too quickly, train too hard and do not have the body types (yet) for running. I run about 15 miles a week and all good runners that I know (they aren't injured all the time) do not own the most expensive shoes...they…

It's the same with bikes. People that spend a fortune on a road bike have a lot more accidents than people who buy a $99 supermarket mountain bike and leave it in the garage. Therefore Carbon-fibre must attract SUVs!

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#27

Post by gcheong »

jnorthrop wrote: post #18
nonrecursive wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a pair and I really like them. They aren't expensive and they feel good :) Also check out Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot shoes. They're more expensive ($140-$200) but they look cool. They're the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I like them so much I've bought 3 pairs.

I've been running and lifting in my pair of FiveFinger KSO's for a little over a year now and I love them. No more running related injuries and my feet are strong and healthy. However, they are most certainly goofy looking and not appropriate for work dress. A couple of weeks ago I finally broke down and payed up for a pair of Vivo Barefoot Aquas ($109 on Amazon -- http://www.amazon.com/Terra-Plana-Mens-Aqua-Sneaker/…

"However, they are most certainly goofy looking and not appropriate for work dress."

Yeah, my wife saw me looking at those and gave me that 'no way' look. I find it funny that our concept of footwear has evolved to the point where wearing something that looks like a foot is considered goofy. If anything I figure I can just claim I'm re-creating the Big Foot hoax.

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#29

Post by numair »

peregrine wrote: post #24
numair wrote: post #12

I run 5 miles barefoot every day. It's seriously so much more enjoyable than running with shoes on ever was. In fact, I didn't run at ALL until I went barefoot. It is also a very tough, rewarding workout on the right surface - for example, I run on soft sand (which, by the way, is the best way to run if you want to save your knees). My best friend is a varsity track athlete who swears by his running shoes. We always…

The best running shoes by far are the Nike Free. http://www.nike.com/nikefree/ I've been wearing the same pair for at least 3 years now and I will never go back to any different kind. When I do wear new shoes I feel like I've got rubber blocks on my feet, I'm clumsy and awkward and uncomfortable. Feeling every crack, in the side walk and letting your feet do anything they want is extremely rewarding. Prior to switchi…

The thing that concerns me about running on concrete in general is the impact on your knees. Would be interested to know if you / anyone else has done research on this matter; I'm basing my concerns on advice given to me by an orthopedic surgeon a few years ago.

Re: Your running shoes are a lie

#30

Post by peregrine »

numair wrote: post #29
peregrine wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The best running shoes by far are the Nike Free. http://www.nike.com/nikefree/ I've been wearing the same pair for at least 3 years now and I will never go back to any different kind. When I do wear new shoes I feel like I've got rubber blocks on my feet, I'm clumsy and awkward and uncomfortable. Feeling every crack, in the side walk and letting your feet do anything they want is extremely rewarding. Prior to switchi…

The thing that concerns me about running on concrete in general is the impact on your knees. Would be interested to know if you / anyone else has done research on this matter; I'm basing my concerns on advice given to me by an orthopedic surgeon a few years ago.

Well the idea of running barefoot is that you run the correct way so your knees have low impact.

When running with regular shoes you slam down on the back cause that's the only place you can, this put alot of impact on your entire leg. But when you run with these your foot is able to fall on the balls of your feet allowing for your foot, ankle, and leg to share the impact. Think of it as a spring.

I am not trained as an ortho or anything I've just been researching this a lot, so please take what I say with a grain of salt.

The shoe has three levels of padding Higher the number the more the padding. To help you adjust to the new experience.

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