[jj193]

Barefoot has got to be worse for your knees. Shoes spread the forces out over a longer period of time. You probably a lighter footed gait bearfoot though.

Be normal, wear some asics

[Shokata]

(Original post by Turkey Dinosaur)
The department at Harvard University were the "pioneers" as it were of barefoot running and they have done a large amount of research in the area. Many barefoot preachers focus on these findings as evidence against shoes however in reality that is not the case (something which is clearly stated on the front page of their website). They noticed that a fore or mid foot strike, shod or unshod, resulted in reduced impact when running, not that barefoot running is significantly better with regards to health, fitness, performance or injury prevention.

When you throw in the stats showing that the majority of shod runners are heel strikers, you could say that those using fore- or mid foot strike are quite likely to be barefoot runners, right? So while shod runners can and some surely use fore- or mid foot strike (despite it being technically trickier due to how a modern running shoe has a raised heel therefore you need to point your toes down more to be able to change your strike), all those positive results like reduced impact etc are likely to show in those (barefoot) runners using forefoot strike.

So I guess what we're all saying here is if you do wanna go for it, do it but do it slowly, let your body adjust, rushing it might lead to an injury.

Naminam, I recently bought my second pair of Vibram FFs, Komodosport - I had Sprints for four years and they're by far the best pair of shoes I've ever had. So have a look around, try some on if you find them in a shop and get your hands on a pair, I can't recommend them highly enough!

[EonBlueApocalypse]

Running shoes have been around since the mid 20th century. What do you think people did before that? Not run or get injured all the time? The foot by itself is a bio-mechanical masterpiece and the huge heels on running shoes force an unnatural way of running that makes you more prone to injury. Proof that barefoot running is good? It's backed by evolution and thousands of years of use before running shoes or even shoes were invented.

[SimplyEccentric]

*Looks up gaelic football*

That looks bloody brilliant.

[String.]

(Original post by SimplyEccentric)
*Looks up gaelic football*

That looks bloody brilliant.

It is , I honestly think its one of the best sports in the world.

Look up some videos on YouTube , highlights of some all Ireland finals perhaps... Unbelievable !

[Turkey Dinosaur]

(Original post by Shokata)
When you throw in the stats showing that the majority of shod runners are heel strikers, you could say that those using fore- or mid foot strike are quite likely to be barefoot runners, right? So while shod runners can and some surely use fore- or mid foot strike (despite it being technically trickier due to how a modern running shoe has a raised heel therefore you need to point your toes down more to be able to change your strike), all those positive results like reduced impact etc are likely to show in those (barefoot) runners using forefoot strike.

Irrelevant.

This isn't really an issue of shod vs. barefoot, rather technique, fore or mid strike vs. heel strike. You can fore or mid strike fairly easily in "conventional" running shoes, perhaps even just as easily as with minimalist/"barefoot" running shoes - again it is a matter of technique, not which type of shoes you chose to wear.

The whole "barefoot revolution" has simply been a stunt to sell the next generation of expensive running shoes.

(Original post by EonBlueApocalypse)
Running shoes have been around since the mid 20th century. What do you think people did before that? Not run or get injured all the time?

There isn't any data regarding running related injuries prior to the 20th century, it isn't that nobody got injured before this time rather nobody could be bothered to study or document them.

The foot by itself is a bio-mechanical masterpiece and the huge heels on running shoes force an unnatural way of running that makes you more prone to injury.

Actually there is little or no evidence that barefoot running is associated with an overall reduction in injury risk.

While it is hypothesised that it may reduce the incidence of knee injuries there is actually little or no evidence that that is the case. Inversely there is growing anecdotal evidence that forefoot strikers are associated with increased incidence of Achilles injuries.

Proof that barefoot running is good? It's backed by evolution and thousands of years of use before running shoes or even shoes were invented.

Tradition is not a valid argument, in reality we simply didn't have or know better at the time.

[almasy]

Were you born wearing shoes?
no?
then you probably don't need them to do a perfectly natural thing like running.