Any barefoot runners?

[Go West Young Man]

More discussion here... http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=vibram

[Doc4]

I've been running in vibram5's for a while now and really like it. If it's new to you, start slowly as it works muscles in your lower legs a lot differently.

I've never done the actual barefoot thing. But I was in Vancouver a month ago and saw a woman running downtown barefoot. I like having that extra bit of protection for the "what if I step on glass" thing, but to each her own.

[JeffJ]

I'm slowly breaking in a pair of vibram 5s. I'm been adjusting my stride for the past year or so.

[intheshaw]

I've been running and working out with my vibrams for the past year or so now. I found it to be quite tiring the first few months as it broke in the unused muscles in my legs. I switched my workouts from more long distance running, to fast, short runs.

[Threeme2189]

I have recently gotten back to running. And while I don't run barefoot or with VFFs I do believe that it is the right way to run. All of those "cushioned" and "stabilizing" shoes are pure garbage that make you damage your joints instead of using your muscles to absorb the impact.
Muscles repair themselves, joints do not.
I now wear and run with the most minimalistic flat-soled shoes I can find and try to maintain good technique, as if I'm running barefoot.

[Trey76]

I've barefoot run for three years. I've had incredible results with regards to my feet (fallen arches, morton's neuromas), my knee (skiing accident), and my back (bulging L4S1). My feet went from a 13 to an 11.5 and from a narrow foot to a wide. I love my VFFs (had to wear them due to USAF rules for PT gear).

[raisindot]

How do these 'barefoot shoes' handle rough terrain? My preferred route goes around a pond with numerous high and low grades and a trail of rocks, pebbles, and fallen branches, combined with grassy dirt paths and cement. My highly padded shoes handle these obstacles quite well. I'd be worried about jamming my 'barefoot shoe' on a rock. Is this not the case?

[Pebcak]

How do these 'barefoot shoes' handle rough terrain? My preferred route goes around a pond with numerous high and low grades and a trail of rocks, pebbles, and fallen branches, combined with grassy dirt paths and cement. My highly padded shoes handle these obstacles quite well. I'd be worried about jamming my 'barefoot shoe' on a rock. Is this not the case?

Watch where you place your feet.

You're basically running in barefeet so if you're not paying attention it's going to sting.

[thebikingengineer]

How do these 'barefoot shoes' handle rough terrain? My preferred route goes around a pond with numerous high and low grades and a trail of rocks, pebbles, and fallen branches, combined with grassy dirt paths and cement. My highly padded shoes handle these obstacles quite well. I'd be worried about jamming my 'barefoot shoe' on a rock. Is this not the case?

The Merrel Trail Gloves do a decent job of shielding you from sharp rocks. You get less proprioception because of the added protection, but for rocky (or similarly poke-y) runs they'll do you right. My Vibram KSOs were horrible over any rocks, the Merrels are much better.

[Go West Young Man]

You learn to pay attention and place your feet carefully, rather than just blast through letting your shoes do the work.....

[Threeme2189]

You learn to pay attention and place your feet carefully, rather than just blast through letting your shoes do the work.....

^^^ This.

[Trey76]

The Merrel Trail Gloves do a decent job of shielding you from sharp rocks. You get less proprioception because of the added protection, but for rocky (or similarly poke-y) runs they'll do you right. My Vibram KSOs were horrible over any rocks, the Merrels are much better.

Vibram Treksports or the Flow work well for trail running. I was a crosscountry runner for years. Just don't drop your heels on anything...