The painful truth about trainers: Are running shoes a waste of money?

The Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 4/19/2009 | CHRISTOPHER McDOUGALL

[Liberty1970]

At Stanford University, California, two sales representatives from Nike were watching the athletics team practise. Part of their job was to gather feedback from the company's sponsored runners about which shoes they preferred.

Unfortunately, it was proving difficult that day as the runners all seemed to prefer... nothing.

'Didn't we send you enough shoes?' they asked head coach Vin Lananna. They had, he was just refusing to use them. 'I can't prove this,' the well-respected coach told them.

'But I believe that when my runners train barefoot they run faster and suffer fewer injuries.'

Nike sponsored the Stanford team as they were the best of the very best. Needless to say, the reps were a little disturbed to hear that Lananna felt the best shoes they had to offer them were not as good as no shoes at all.

When I was told this anecdote it came as no surprise. I'd spent years struggling with a variety of running-related injuries, each time trading up to more expensive shoes, which seemed to make no difference. I'd lost count of the amount of money I'd handed over at shops and sports-injury clinics - eventually ending with advice from my doctor to give it up and 'buy a bike'. And I wasn't on my own. Every year, anywhere from 65 to 80 per cent of all runners suffer an injury. No matter who you are, no matter how much you run, your odds of getting hurt are the same. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, fast or slow, pudgy or taut as a racehorse, your feet are still in the danger zone.

But why? How come Roger Bannister could charge out of his Oxford lab every day, pound around a hard

[Liberty1970]

This was a fascinating article that underscores the power of marketing to lead people to think they 'need' something that may be unhelpful, at the least.

I tried running barefoot in my younger years, but suspect I didn't stick with it long enough for my body to adjust. I did find it comfortable on grass but not on pavement. In retrospect that may have been due to a poor stride (too much up-and-down wasted energy, resulting in a lot of stress on the knees), despite the efforts of my kinesiologist father on that score. I suspect that sustained running barefoot may actually have resulted in a better running stride (to minimize stressing my joints) which would have improved my overall performance due to less wasted energy, in retrospect.

For me the deciding factor was simply that I didn't want to step on glass or other sharp debris. In places where that is not a concern, the evidence in this article suggests we might be better off simply relying on the feet God designed us with.

[Liberty1970]

I find it ironic how, further down in the article, they mention how the more money is spent on a shoe, the more likely the runners are to have injuries, after all other factors are controlled. The shoemakers better watch out or they might find themselves facing class-action lawsuits with data like that.

[dawn53]

I’m not a runner, never have been, in fact I have MS. Hubby has had his share of back problems and a hip replacement but he works out religiously, even though he can’t run either.

There is only one kind of shoe that has “lived up” to it’s reputation and advertising. Of course they’re not running shoes, but walking or everyday shoes, but we’ve found MBTs do what they say they do. They’re ugly, they’re expensive, but they do get rid of the aches and pains caused by an improper gait.

[Kimmers]

This is a real interesting article. I sent it to my runner son.

I always found it interesting the best runners came out of areas with minimal living standards, compared to ours, and no shoes or food stuffs created for runners based on years of scientific research.

[Liberty1970]

*Ping* I thought you might find this article interesting. Far down the article they mention the excellent design of the human foot. One would naturally expect a foot design from evolutionary processes to be poorly designed, full of dead-end evolutionary pathways that lead to sub-optimal performance characteristics. In such a case it should be easy to design shoes that would be an improvement in a physically demanding yet basic function like running.

The failure to do so in a multi-billion dollar industry suggest that foot design is highly optimized, and that the most optimal design parameters were utilized rather than sub-optimal dead ends chosen by blind evolutionary processes driven by natural selection.

[Tax-chick]

... the deciding factor was simply that I didn't want to step on glass or other sharp debris. In places where that is not a concern ...

Which is ... where? Where is a person to run, for more than a few steps, over fine soft grass, free of debris, trash, rocks, fire ants, dog plotz, ad infinitum? If anyone lives there, well bless their hearts.

[theDentist]

Same here... I tried running while barefoot once.... ouch. It has been my experience that a new pair of running shoes (why can’t we call ‘em ‘sneakers’ like when we were kids) takes a lot of pain from the lower back. As time passes and the soles wear down, I begin to ache more and more. So for this runner, I’ll take the running shoes.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

My husband and son both are runners. Hubby was in a marathon recently....and there was a guy who was wearing a pair of *these*. He said that the 'shock' was absorbed in the calf muscles.

[Dr. Sivana]

So... Sally Henny-penny had it right all along...



The Kitten went on washing her white paws; so Lucie asked a speckled hen—

"Sally Henny-penny, have you found three pocket-handkins?"

But the speckled hen ran into a barn, clucking—

"I go barefoot, barefoot, barefoot!"

[Travis T. OJustice]

They look great for clamming! :)

[Tax-chick]

You do know what’s on the ground in a barnyard, right?

[Dr. Sivana]

In Beatrix Potter’s world, I would guess water colors.

[NewJerseyJoe]

In Hawaii, kids grow up playing soccer barefoot on lava beds (cooled ones, obviously). Or so I have heard.

[oh8eleven]

when my runners train barefoot they run faster and suffer fewer injuries
I've been a runner for almost 28 years (including three marathons) and that's been a known fact for a very long time. The problem is you have to run on "soft" surfaces like grass or synthetic track material which 99% of runners can't do on a regular basis.
Running shoes may have been "hyped" by marketing over the years, but they really are a necessity.

[neb52]

I had come across this after, yet again, trying to figure out on getting rid of shin splints. The extra stretches worked, but I kept thinking about this. I saw a serious runner that was running in what look like spandex like slips. It mad me think even harder. After reading this article I may look into this low profile feet gloves. My concern like yours is my foot coming down on debris and causing injury.

[r9etb]

I’m a fairly serious runner, including trail running. Believe me: the right shoes make a huge difference.

[r9etb]

(cooled ones, obviously)

Pansies.....

[AFreeBird]

Now those are some interesting shoes. Keeps the design of the foot intact, while offering the protection of a shoe.

[Tax-chick]

Good point.

[avid]

I had them when they first came out. Very comfy and great as casual “hang-around” shoes for the summer when it doesn’t matter how you look. Mine didn’t held up too well, though. The newer models might hold up better.

[Jubal Madison]

“MBTs”

dawn53 - What are MBTs? I had a bad accident 2 years ago and have pins and skin grafts(on the bottom of foot) in my foot. Shoes have been a problem, I have tried the “name brands” and to be honest, I don’t see any difference from the cheapos from Wallyworld. I do have a problem with my gait - if you think they might help (I think that might be why my lower back gets sore) I’d like to try them. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks—JM

[fr_freak]

When it comes to preparation, the Tarahumara prefer more of a Mardi Gras approach. In terms of diet, lifestyle and training technique, they're a track coach's nightmare. They drink like New Year's Eve is a weekly event, tossing back enough corn-based beer and homemade tequila brewed from rattlesnake corpses to floor an army.

Unlike their Western counterparts, the Tarahumara don't replenish their bodies with electrolyte-rich sports drinks. They don't rebuild between workouts with protein bars; in fact, they barely eat any protein at all, living on little more than ground corn spiced up by their favourite delicacy, barbecued mouse.

This article is very interesting and everything, and there might even be some real truth to this, but when I read the above portion, I got the impression that the author was one of these "noble savages are better than Western civilization"-type people. After all, what in the world does drinking and not eating protein have to do with their not wearing shoes? Is the author suggesting that their shoeless superiority is so great that they can get drunk the night before and still win? Whether one wears a shoe or not, it isn't going to help a hangover, so this has to be a complete non sequitur. If the author will embellish this part, than how can I trust anything he writes?

[Larry Lucido]

Yeah, right. Put ME on that jury. I’d vote to charge the dumbass plaintiffs and their attorneys all the litigation costs. While I have no use for companies that overcharge for crap, I have even less use for people who buy that crap and then whine they were “deceived” (sniff!). Fool and his money, and all that.

[kickonly88]

AS Rush is fond of saying; follow the money. During my days at Lackland AFB we had a TI who could out run any of our sorry asses, backwards while wearing combat boots. And he ‘smoked like a diesel locomotive on bad fuel!’
It’s like wearing a lifting belt in the gym, it just takes the stress of the essential back muscles never allowing them to get as strong as they would without it.

[fr_freak]

Running shoes may have been "hyped" by marketing over the years, but they really are a necessity.

What about thin-soled vs. thick-soled shoes? Have you experimented with that? If so, what is your opinion on that?

[Desdemona]

I'm not a runner, but a walker. We have the same issues, but at different rates. I've traded "up" out of cross-trainers twice, spent money on the latest technology and ended up with plantar facilities in one foot. And it always seemed to be only when I wore those shoes. Hmmm. Because my ankles tend to turn over (but never in bare feet, imagine that), I did the rollbar thing for one pair and they turned more than normal. Went back to cross-trainers this last time and it's all diminished.

After reading this article, my Spanish relatives are really rather vindicated as we walk in the door and kick our shoes off. We used to catch all sorts of crap for that. "Put your shoes on!" was a regular mantra from my sainted grandmother. Well, Grandma, see, it's like this....

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

The guy who was sporting them was a serious trainer (looked like he did some weight training, too). He had some of the most beautiful legs I’ve ever seen.....and they were SHAVED. LOL! *shhhhh....don’t tell my husband* :-)

[jimtorr]

The Mail was pretty slow to publish this article. Vin Lanana has been the head track coach at U of Oregon since July 2005.

[Turbo Pig]

Regarding the Vibram five fingers....

Those have to be the coolest shoes EVER!

I’m 42, 40 pounds over weight, and can’t believe I just said that, and am going to get a pair!

[AFreeBird]

MBT Shoes. Requires javascript

[ottbmare]

This is fascinating. I’d love to run barefoot because I hate the big clunky thick training shoes that seem to add so much weight to the end of each leg. Yet the Fivefingers are very expensive (local shops quoted me $90 for what is essentially an experiment with a product that doesn’t promise to last very long). I wonder if it would work to just find a soft pair of moccassins or Keds to protect my feet as I run through the woods. Tree roots are painful!

[Jubal Madison]

Bless You - They have several places that sell them in Tulsa, which is really convenient,as both of my grown daughters live in Tulsa metro. I am going to give them a try. Thanks AFB—JM

[Alice in Wonderland]

Which is ... where?

[Tax-chick]

Ah, in travel magazine ads! If only we could all live there ;-).

The beaches I’m familiar with are notable for shells and other Bad Stuff for the hypothetical barefoot runner.

[Nuhna di Abuv]

Maybe so, but there’s no difference between the original Nikes and the Walmart knockoffs.

[dawn53]

Best way to try an MBT is to find a dealer in your area, and go try one on. That way you can get a feel for if they will help or not, and the right size too (because the sizes aren’t consistent with normal shoes...at least that’s been our experience.)

Here’s a link to their website and a dealer locator. If you don’t have a dealer in your area, then buy them on zappos.com...that way you get free to and from shipping.

They’re expensive (around $250, but worth it, at least for me.) I have a brace for foot drop that I have to wear with other shoes, but when I wear MBTs I can go without the brace and still walk fairly normal. I just found out our dentist was wearing them too. He’s had foot trouble for years and he says they help.

http://www.swissmasaius.com/

[antiRepublicrat]

One would naturally expect a foot design from evolutionary processes to be poorly designed, full of dead-end evolutionary pathways that lead to sub-optimal performance characteristics.

That's pretty much the idea. Those with poor foot design couldn't outrun the carnivores, didn't survive, didn't pass on their genes. Only those with the best foot design survived and passed on their genes, resulting in our current design after millions of years. The current design could use some improvement though. The ankle is too fragile and the soles are too susceptible to punctures and cuts.

[Alice in Wonderland]

I quess I'm luckier than most. My first 50 years were spent on a beach . . . one that was cleaned routinely by parks department . . . usually at 5am.

[Mr Rogers]

I started running before running shoes were common. I started with street shoes. Hurt like all get out after a while.

[Sherman Logan]

Far down the article they mention the excellent design of the human foot.

Make that the "normal human foot."

Those of us born without arches need supportive shoes or we get crippled up pretty fast.

[Tax-chick]

That’s a deal!

[cornelis]

: )

[oh8eleven]

What about thin-soled vs. thick-soled shoes? Have you experimented with that?
I prefer a sole that's flexible (not necessarily "thin"), so much so that when soles became fairly stiff years ago, I took a hacksaw and cut through the outer sole at the flex groove.
I also replace my running shoes every 3-4 months. Expensive? Yes. But in 28 years, I've never had an injury that I couldn't run through.

[oh8eleven]

there’s no difference between the original Nikes and the Walmart knockoffs.
Maybe not, but when your knees start aching at mile nine of a 20 miler, you might think twice about the few bucks you saved putting those Walmart specials on your feet.
Like I said though, finding whatever works for you is the key.

[Jubal Madison]

Thank-you. They have a place in Tulsa - and an added bonus is my 2 grown daughters live in metro Tulsa. (Not that my wife and I need an excuse - we go a couple times a month!) Because my foot is now somewhat deformed, it would probably be best to try it on. The orthopedic surgeon said I may have to go with custom made shoes at some point. I looked into it - trust me $250 really isn’t that expensive if I have to go that route. Anyway, again - Thank you.—JM

[Liberty1970]

That's pretty much the idea. Those with poor foot design couldn't outrun the carnivores, didn't survive, didn't pass on their genes. Only those with the best foot design survived and passed on their genes, resulting in our current design after millions of years. The current design could use some improvement though. The ankle is too fragile and the soles are too susceptible to punctures and cuts.

The problem I described is well known within theoretical evolutionary literature. The basic idea is that if mutations find a method for some task, natural selection will then refine the method to whatever is optimal, but only in gradualistic steps because the odds of multiple coordinated mutations occuring in a single organism is too low. So if a poor initial design is chosen you end up with an optimized poor design, even if much better designs are available via different evolutionary pathways. We should expect sub-optimal designs to greatly outweigh the best solutions in nature if they were chosen by chance factors due to the variety of potential solutions to any given task.

The current design could use some improvement though. The ankle is too fragile and the soles are too susceptible to punctures and cuts.

If you read the article, you'll note that toughening the soles would be contradictory to some of the advantages to running barefoot in the first place. Soles are already pretty tough, such that hardening them further would not make a huge difference (i.e., shards of glass have not been a hazard for most of human experience, for example), and the extra weight would be a constant drag. Better to let us tool users design hardened boots for those occasions when we need them.

As far as the ankle, it's a similar problem of balancing strength with flexibility and mass. Let's put it this way: people who believe in evolution are forever claiming that various body parts are badly designed - and then failing to specify an improved design. Where are the Evolutionary Science clinics with crowds of people entering them to get improved ankles, improved knees, improved eyes, and so on? There aren't any, beause the claims of poor design are poorly conceived (as repetively demonstrated in critical reviews on the subject).

[Liberty1970]

Those of us born without arches need supportive shoes or we get crippled up pretty fast.

Ouch. My condolences. Yes, we all bear a lot of evidence of degeneration in our body, and not just from the aging process.

[Mr Rogers]

oh8eleven, sounds like your experience mirrors mine. I jog about 15-20 miles/week on trails in the desert. I’ve gone 3 months without running right now from an injury, but I got that from a horse so it doesn’t count! Apart from needing protection from thorns and rocks, I find cheap shoes hurt my legs.

The Nike Pegasus worked OK for me, and the Air Pegasus has been my mainstay for as long as they’ve existed. I’ve tried Walmart knock-offs...even cheaper versions of Nike. I’ve also tried more expensive shoes. The wrong shoe, at any price level, gives me knee pain within a few weeks. With Air Pegasus, I can jog for years without injury.

About 3 years ago, I decided it was silly to experiment with different brands/types just because they worked for someone else. But going without shoes? In southern Arizona? I’d need callouses 2 inches thick...

[Nuhna di Abuv]

4 miles in 30 minutes on a treadmill 2 days on, 1 day off in my Nikes. It is the author’s position that 1/2 an inch of rubber isn’t going to make any difference whether the shoes cost $120+ or $40-

[oh8eleven]

I find cheap shoes hurt my legs.
If you ran in the original Pegasus, you've been on the road a looooong time.
Good shoes and synthetic socks (Orlon is the best) are the keys to success.

But going without shoes? In southern Arizona? I’d need callouses 2 inches thick...
LOL ... even the Tarahumara wear sandals.