when i was in sweden and we were hiking to various sites, we had to ford a number of glacial rivers...after a while of trudging through them wearing my chaco sandals (which, i must say, did admirably considering the terrain i put them through), i decided it was easier to just take them off and go barefoot

once you got past the 40°F water, it was actually quite comfortable

6/2/2008 6:51:54 PM

Been workin my way up more miles while barefoot. Got stuck at ~2 miles for awhile then 3, but today I got up to 4 and felt fine! Really fun running in the rain while barefoot, mud feels cool. =P

7/6/2008 8:15:59 PM

i walked about 1.5 miles barefoot on the lake johnson paved track and had like 7 blisters when i was done...hurt to walk for like 3 days after that

7/6/2008 8:18:48 PM

i'm gonna order me some fivefingers shoe things..seriously

7/6/2008 8:21:48 PM

I used those five fingers for like 1.5 months until I started barefoot. Really helped build up my feet some. The first barefoot run went like a charm except for some big pieces of rock around the train tracks in downtown Cary where I run; those still suck to run on.

7/6/2008 8:28:05 PM

has joe#'s started a trend? nice.

ive not run for over 2.5 weeks now but am ready to get out there again once my arm heals up nice and good. i wore my ff's to physical therapy today and my therapist loved them

7/7/2008 8:11:54 PM

Yeah to be honest I started lookin around after reading this thread. =P

7/7/2008 9:58:43 PM

I'll just add this

DO NOT FREEBALL IT WHILE RUNNING! WEAR THE TIGHTEY WHITEYS UNTIL YOU BLEED FROM THE CHAFFING OR ELSE THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY

[Edited on July 7, 2008 at 10:04 PM. Reason : ]

7/7/2008 10:04:30 PM

does this count as running barefoot?

7/13/2008 5:56:52 PM

talk about your "barefoot running shoes" again. that shit was great

7/13/2008 5:59:32 PM

i havent worn them in a long time.. i actually havent been running since before i had my surgery last month. im going to try and get back into it this week. i might need my fivefingers for the first few runs since my feet probably have softened a little

7/13/2008 6:02:19 PM

i went walking/jogging the other day at lake johnson the other day...i haven't done any since before i moved over to this side of town nearly 2 months ago

1.) 2 months is sufficient time to get soft - i have two massive blisters on my feet...the left one has blood in the fluid (or so it appears...the other one is clear liquid)...it's a bit annoying

2.) lake johnson asphalt paths are ROUGH...i could go 2-2.5 miles at lake lynn without any problem whatsoever, but a mile on LJ paths tore my feet to pieces

[Edited on July 13, 2008 at 6:36 PM. Reason : .]

7/13/2008 6:35:46 PM

they got that 190% aggregate

7/13/2008 7:32:36 PM

these cool breezy days are awesome for running barefoot. I convinced the girlfriend to wear the FF's in a couple of her jogs. I think she likes them, just feels silly wearing them.

I did about 10 miles w/o the FF's today. I loved running through the freshly-cut grass in Piedmont park.

9/23/2008 7:21:41 PM

bttt. ran about 10 miles today

perfect weather

11/5/2008 8:37:58 PM

did about 7 miles a couple of hours ago

my toes are still really cold

11/15/2008 8:18:35 PM

these shoes make crocs look like the coolest shoes ever.

11/15/2008 8:25:09 PM

you can't run in crocs though

11/15/2008 8:30:04 PM

those are some kick ass lookin shoes.

11/15/2008 8:36:03 PM

ran about 5-6 miles earlier this morning. my feet are still cold even after sitting in a hot steam shower for an hour

12/6/2008 11:37:10 AM

i need to wear shoes in the winter. my feet are freeeeezing.

1/20/2009 6:36:56 PM

wait. you went barefoot running today?????????????

1/20/2009 7:32:01 PM

Quote :

"BAREFOOT RUNNING SHOES"

Quote :

"DOES NOT COMPUTE"

1/20/2009 7:55:46 PM

Quote :

"wait. you went barefoot running today????????????? "

yeah

i bought some injinji socks to wear with my fivefingers so that should help me get through the winter.

1/21/2009 6:29:53 PM

went on my first run with my new fivefingers. they're slightly more comfortable than the older ones. i did about 7 miles tonight

2/17/2009 7:55:26 PM

Here's a decent forum all about barefooting, it's still kinda new but there are a few people on it: http://www.livingbarefoot.info/BarefootCommunity/ucp.php?mode=login


I ran the Krispy Kreme Challenge barefoot this year and no I didn't step in any puke. Centennial campus is nice to run on b/c the bricks feel good. The only bad part about Lake Johnson is near/on the dam because most of the asphalt has weathered away leaving more of the rock exposed. Where the hell are all you barefooters? I haven't seen any of you anywhere in Raleigh.

[Edited on February 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM. Reason : additional]

2/18/2009 9:29:39 AM

bttt.

I'm debating between going to Fleet Feet and getting some running shoes, or ordering some Vibram Five Finger KSOs instead....
Decisions decisions!

4/27/2009 6:22:03 PM

just dont walk barefoot on the paved trail...one of the worst things i've done in my life ever

4/27/2009 6:27:07 PM

Idk, I've gone barefoot a number of times, but never for running. Usually just walking, marching band, dicking around in the mountains. Pavement doesn't bother me, neither does gravel (depending on the size). Running barefoot interests me though.

4/27/2009 6:28:53 PM

maybe the concrete they use at lake johnson is different and fucks someones foot up easy...or maybe i just got women feet

4/27/2009 6:29:39 PM

i used to walk (never jog or run, i don't do either) barefoot at lake lynn several times a week and the pavement never bothered me...i've done lake johnson, too, but the part that sucks about LJ is that there's a lot of the pavement that's in the sun and even though i think my feet are pretty calloused, that pavement BURNS

4/27/2009 6:39:44 PM

my feet are so fucking flat that it makes them sore even to run with shoes on
let alone barefoot

4/27/2009 7:41:50 PM

^

4/27/2009 9:51:37 PM

they make some for winter use, the surge.


after running through battle park barefoot to get something from the car, then trying it again w/ keens, i am definitely buying some fivefingers. i'm going to try them on at great outdoor prov but order from rei b/c i have gift card. i'm trying to choose b/w the swift and kso. rei only carries the swift, but i am worried about keeping stuff out. i plan on taking them to glacier nat'l park, although i have real hiking boots too, but also to wear around everywhere else.

which should i get?

[Edited on April 30, 2009 at 10:57 AM. Reason : ]

4/30/2009 10:55:02 AM

I was considering the Sprint and the KSO. I like that the KSO can "keep stuff out" like grit and sand and whatnot... but I think that if I'm using them as an introduction to barefoot running, I won't need something like the KSO. I have water shoes (cheap ones from Walmart, years old) if I want to mess around in waterfall areas like Graveyard Fields or if I want to play on a sandbar at the beach. Although KSOs would keep you warmer because it covers your feet... you could just get those toe socks too.
But since I'm primarily interested in running, I think I'll go with the Sprint. I may just head over there today

[Edited on April 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM. Reason : spell.]

4/30/2009 11:42:54 AM

i'm interested in running, hiking, and kayaking. those last 2 are what i think the kso would be better for, and i do those more often. that seems like the obvious answer but i have concerns with the straps. the sprint has top and ankle straps that are independently adjustable (= better fit?). the kso only has the one on top that wraps around the ankle but i'm worried i couldn't wrap it tight enough and run out of velcro. i guess i wont know until i try it on.

stop overthinking this

[Edited on April 30, 2009 at 12:00 PM. Reason : s]

4/30/2009 12:00:15 PM

:p

I tried on the KSO today. It's harder to get your foot into the shoe, but it does seem like it'd be better for what you're interested in. It fits a little differently, but I don't think you'd slip out of it.

I'm getting the Sprint, just have to wait for them to have the right size. There's no difference in what the shoe can be used for, but it just felt like a better fit to me.

[Edited on April 30, 2009 at 6:45 PM. Reason : hsafdhlk]

4/30/2009 6:45:06 PM

i tried them on and decided on the sprint. i wear a women's 8.5 and got a size 39. i ordered them from REI for $53. they should be here on the 11th.

i twisted my bad knee on friday, so when shopping on saturday i wore my good extra supportive sneakers, still ended up having to take a celebrex, stopping to get ice packs and tylenol. it kept hurting more. when we got home around 4-5 i put on my worn out chaco flip flops and did some work around the house, my knee felt better. i worked barefoot in the yard all day yesterday digging holes, spreading seed and soil, etc. and i have no knee pain. with the exception of splinters, sap, and gouges from sticks, i think barefoot is the way to go for me.

i dont know what i'll do in the winter

5/4/2009 10:26:27 AM

Quote :

"that seems like the obvious answer but i have concerns with the straps. the sprint has top and ankle straps that are independently adjustable (= better fit?). the kso only has the one on top that wraps around the ankle but i'm worried i couldn't wrap it tight enough and run out of velcro. i guess i wont know until i try it on."

you don't want them tight. You just want them to be secure enough that they won't fall off your foot.

5/6/2009 7:07:49 PM

Got mine today Sprints, 41W. Going for my first run in them tonight--I was prepping myself earlier by running in water shoes lol.

Orthopaedic doctor said barefoot running is A.O.K.

5/7/2009 9:47:47 PM

Just got back. Left foot on the bottom hurts some, as does the ankle--I'm overcompensating for the lack of strength in my left leg. But I like the Vibrams quite a bit. I like experimenting with my form. And I like pushing off with my toes Quality purchase. I can't wait to run fully barefoot, but I'm wary because of all the glass and whatnot. Yay

5/7/2009 11:06:00 PM

I ran around the block barefoot today after hearing a little about barefoot running on NPR today. I liked not making any noise

so where are some good places to run? Does anyone run on woods trails?

[Edited on May 17, 2009 at 5:46 PM. Reason : sf]

5/17/2009 5:46:10 PM

Quote :

"barefoot running shoes"

lol

Somehow I always end up leaving without my shoes when I get into an argument with family or significant others.

I usually wear birkenstocks or flip-flops anyway, so in the rare situation where I need to unexpectedly run I'll just ditch the shoes

I've always liked the silence and low-impact stride that seem to be natural results.

[Edited on May 17, 2009 at 7:12 PM. Reason : .]

5/17/2009 7:10:04 PM

Quote :

"so where are some good places to run? Does anyone run on woods trails?"

I like running barefoot on all types of terrains but large gravel. wooded trails and other dirt paths are among my favorite. i love hiking barefoot.

5/17/2009 10:11:34 PM

i was reading about barefoot running from this site:

http://runningbarefoot.org/

earlier today and decided to give it a test shot today. i think i jumped into it a little too quickly. i was just planning on doing about a half mile total just to get the feel for it. i went the first half walking and then the second half i did running. by the time i got back home i had two serious blisters at the front of the balls of my feet. perhaps i should just stick to walking for a while until my get more accustomed to it.

and reading some more on that site, i guess it's pretty common when first starting out:

Quote :

"Something most people find when they start out barefoot running is that they build up too quickly and they get some minor injuries such as blisters. This seems to be because it is such fun to run with this new liberating manner, that we forget to take it easy at first! So, be careful about that. I had some blisters and some strange pains in my feet which slowly went away once I learned how to run as gently as possible. It is all in the technique: how you run. It is not so important how thick the skin on the bottom of your feet is, as most people seem to think."

[Edited on May 30, 2009 at 5:49 PM. Reason : /]

5/30/2009 5:47:59 PM

^ yea, take it easy at first. Walk for 30 minutes one day, skip a day, then do 30-40, and repeat until you give your feet enough time to get accustomed to not having any unnatural cushioning.

if you feel like going longer distances at first, start walking on dirt or grass. the park is awesome. you should expose yourself to small amounts of pavement to more quickly build up your callouses.

when you decide to run, you will very quickly learn the correct form, mainly because anything incorrect will hurt.

basic point: dont rush into anything. your body will let you know when you're ready for longer distances.

5/31/2009 11:42:50 AM

short run today in my FF Sprints. We'll see how this goes.

5/31/2009 6:30:52 PM

awesome. good luck

i haven't run any this weekend. hope to pick up this week

5/31/2009 9:30:21 PM

i hiked moderate-rated trails in Glacier National Park yesterday in my fivefinger surges. i'm going to wear my sprints today since it will be warmer. i started out in hiking boots which quickly hurt my knees. after just a few minutes in the fivefingers they were allllright.

you can do anything in these shoes.

i've even been able to convince Fumbler to get a pair after he tried them on at sportsman & ski haus here in montana.

YAY!!!

[Edited on June 9, 2009 at 11:15 AM. Reason : ]

6/9/2009 11:14:46 AM

I ran again the other day in the sprints. I was sore in the cliche "places I didn't even know about" for about two days. If I don't bike to work tomorrow, I'll run again then.

6/9/2009 1:52:02 PM