Barefoot running shoes

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Original Poster:

2,799 posts

160 months

Saturday 24th November 2012
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Can anyone recommend a good barefoot running shoe? I've just had a wander round Nottingham looking in a few sports shops and running shops and none seemed to offer any at all, which means ordering online.

The main ones I know of are the Vibrams but they tend to look a bit "silly" not that I really care but are they worth the silly look over just a normal barefoot shoe?

Ill be using them mainly for treadmill running but want to also use them as my lifting shoe for things like deadlifts and squats.

InertialTooth45

2,111 posts

188 months

Saturday 24th November 2012
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I have the new balance minimus zeros and the five fingers. The five fingers are a fair bit more extreme but the Minimus zeros are a decent shoe.

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Original Poster:

2,799 posts

160 months

Saturday 24th November 2012
quotequote all
Which minimus zeros do you have, I presume I'm looking at the mr00s for treadmill and weights.

InertialTooth45

2,111 posts

188 months

Sunday 25th November 2012
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They're road shoes not cross country, not sure on anything more specific.

DrMekon

2,492 posts

217 months

Sunday 25th November 2012
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I have Vivobarefoot Neos for road / gentle trails and New Balance MT110 for rougher paths and mud.

If you haven't run barefoot before, be very careful. I was running up to 100km p/week and still managed to give myself 6 months of problems with peroneal tendonitis. I reckon doing the couch to 5km programme would be a good idea, as would the advice to go up 1km at a time. I did 5km (felt awesome), then 8km (felt awesome), then 10km (ankle went in the space of about 1/2 a km, 5km into a winter nightime run - it was a very cold walk home!).

Once you get used to them, minimalist shoes are great fun - feels like much more is going on - keeps you mindful of your form.

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Original Poster:

2,799 posts

160 months

Sunday 25th November 2012
quotequote all
DrMekon said:
I have Vivobarefoot Neos for road / gentle trails and New Balance MT110 for rougher paths and mud.

If you haven't run barefoot before, be very careful. I was running up to 100km p/week and still managed to give myself 6 months of problems with peroneal tendonitis. I reckon doing the couch to 5km programme would be a good idea, as would the advice to go up 1km at a time. I did 5km (felt awesome), then 8km (felt awesome), then 10km (ankle went in the space of about 1/2 a km, 5km into a winter nightime run - it was a very cold walk home!).

Once you get used to them, minimalist shoes are great fun - feels like much more is going on - keeps you mindful of your form.
I've been happily doing 2km on the treadmill with some basic minimal shoes and front foot striking and not had issues. On Friday, I did 3km but finishing very quickly, a lot quicker than I normally do and my calves have been punishing me since, so I know to go back and just carry on steadily increasing the distance/speed rather than pushing too hard again.

Thankyou for the replies, will be ordering the minimus zeros from Amazon later. Don't want to go for Vibrams just incase I struggle with the toes.