To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes • Hacker News Board

Re: To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes

#61

Post by Torn » Thu, Jul 16, 2009, 9:29 PM UTC

buckwild wrote: post #57

jnorthrop wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those are great tips! As a 2+ year fan of the FiveFingers I don't think I could have put it better myself, although I would add that you should always maintain good posture as well (shoulders back, head up, back in neutral alignment, hips in line with shoulders).

Since you guys have been using these for so long, maybe you could answer this question for me. How thick are the soles? If I step on a nail or broken glass, will it penetrate the sole?

YMMV - but I've had small sharp things hurt a little, like sharp bits of gravel, and never had anything pierce the sole. I've also ran over small amounts of broken glass by the side of the road before, no problem.

The soles are really strong, but I wouldn't rule out a perfectly aligned spike or blade (scalpel tip or something?) going through -- but to be quite honest, something like that would probably damage a traditional running shoe; protection isn't a substitute for looking where you are going.

Re: To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes

#62

Post by gregwebs » Thu, Jul 16, 2009, 11:12 PM UTC

delackner wrote: post #22

gregwebs wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great point. There are also other negative aspects of shoes besides promoting heel striking that have little to do with form. Every shoe besides the Vibram Five Fingers I have ever seen has too small of a toe box. Arch support and cushioning don't let you use your arch and the rest of the leg properly. [1] The Vibram Five Fingers get this right also. 1. Mark Bishop,* Paul Fiolkowski,† Bryan Conrad,* Denis Brunt,‡ and…

I have a pair of shoes that have the big toe separated from the other toes (based on traditional japanese worker shoes) and while I haven't tried running in them, walking in them feels really joyful.

Very cool, I know what kind of shoe you are talking about. I have only seen pictures, though. They may be the best pair of running shoes you own!

Re: To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes

#63

Post by ryne » Fri, Jul 17, 2009, 8:08 AM UTC

mscarborough wrote: post #8

This reminds me of an article I saw in 5280 (local Denver mag), or some such, about an indigenous people in Mexico. Running is a big part of their culture and they run long distances and difficult terrain in sandals. Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarahumara [edit]: Here is the 5280 article, which goes into some interesting details: http://www.5280.com/issues/2009/0905/feature.php?pageID=1691

Men's Health did a feature a while back on a Western runner who attempted to play their games (a tag-like game) which consisted of running for a whole day and contrasted this with their lifestyle and diet which consisted of partying and corn mash. Apparently they have near immortality, low heart risk etc. http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?conitem=3b4b1ca01e9... A really interesting read.

And NYMag did a feature on shoe tech (comparing Masai, Nike Free, Vivo, Vibram) before the Ferris hype: http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/index1.html, much more in-depth than the Wired article.