FAQ
How do you define barefoot shoes?
Readers often ask why we do not include Altra or other zero-drop shoes. The answer is about how thick the sole is. Our definition of a barefoot shoe is that it should have a thin sole or stacking height, as it is sometimes called. I put the cutoff amount at 10mm or less (ideally) to allow good feeling and toe spread and give you the feedback you need to keep your natural movements.
That said, some categories don’t always make sense. Cable readers asked about heavier, work-start style shoes, so we now include LEMS boots. Their soles are 13mm, but there are no arches. It seems to me that keeping your hair apart rather than being able to the barefoot community helps a lot more. Zero Drop Shoes are a huge step from premium, super-matched running shoes, and if you want to start, that’s great.
How do I start with barefoot shoes?
You wear padded shoes most of your life. Don’t expect barefoot shoes to throw them away and be able to do the same mileage (whether walking or running) in barefoot shoes. To a certain extent, you have to relearn how to run and walk. You will need conscious efforts, which can be very difficult. You are not just learning, you are Don’t study Some deeply rooted habits. The key is to be slow. Very, very ridiculously slow.
The method of barefoot shoes depends on what you are going to do. I happened to start running, which is good because I have Take your time (I suck). If you are currently a super marathoner and want to try barefoot shoes, it will be hard for you to back down. If you are somewhere between these poles, it’s still hard not much. Concentration of subjects that are usually used for distance no Make distance.
If you don’t know where to start, check out Graham Tuttle’s YouTube channel, especially his footsteps practice. If you’re coming from a shirt for years, these will help you develop your feet and ankle strength when you start a barefoot run and help reduce muscle soreness. Tuttle also offers some paid plans designed to give you a more personalized guide (I haven’t tried any of them). Another YouTube channel I found is the Movnat channel, which is not barefoot specific, but has a lot of barefoot suggestions scattered throughout the content. If you haven’t read Christopher McDougall Born in running and A born hero Interesting are the readings related to barefoot. indeed, Born in running It can be argued that since the shoes were born in the early 1970s, they have been able to run for barefoot than anything else.
It is also worth mentioning that barefoot shoes are not a zero-sum game. For over a year, I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes, regular shoes for other tasks, and the rest of my time. It’s not all or nothing. If you run barefoot and then slap on your favorite Converse, that’s OK. It is also important to know that everyone is different. It took me six months to fully transition to barefoot shoes. But that’s me. This may take you two months or two. Go at your own pace and don’t worry about other people’s experiences.
