Is Barefoot Better

Wall Street Journal ^ | June 06, 06 | TARA PARKER-POPE

[agrace]

This of course disturbs the older generation terribly (grandparents). "WHERE ARE HIS SHOES?????"

:) I am barefoot most of the time and am passing that tendency on to my three kids, much to the consternation of my husband and father-in-law.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I used to love running barefoot at the beach. And walking/running barefoot in the grass is nice as well.

Could it be that our feet are made to run/walk, that shoes don't make it better?

I could see a company making a kevlar-type sock covering that would protect from actual punctures but allow the foot free movement like being barefoot.

[Chi-townChief]

Right up until she caught that spike.

[Frohickey]

Time to short NKE

[Tom D.]

If you get shin splints, change running shoes. In my running days, if I ran in New Balance shoes, my shins killed me. I switched to Adidas shoes and never had a shin splint problem with them. I don't know whether I just got lucky with Adidas or whether all of their shoes fit my feet better, but I do know that every model of New Balance I tried about killed me.

Try switching brands.

[Hardastarboard]

One series of studies from Canadian researchers concluded that heavily cushioned shoes were more likely to cause injury than simpler shoes. They also concluded that more expensive athletic shoes accounted for twice as many injuries as cheaper shoes. The data aren't conclusive.

I run. These guys are idiots.

[AnnaZ]

Thanks for the input.

I've always worn Nikes (I mean, literally since I was 12! LOL), and I always suffer when I run on cement/asphalt. I have absolutely no problems on tracks or trails. But just one mile on the street and BANG! they flare up.

: \

[Centurion2000]

This is about as little a shoe as I would want to ever wear.

[retrokitten]

This of course disturbs the older generation terribly (grandparents). "WHERE ARE HIS SHOES?????"

LOL!!! I hated shoes when I was little! I would immediately pull my socks and shoes off. My grandpa used to call me "the little hillbilly". ;-)

[socal_parrot]

Right up until she caught that spike.

Sucked for Mary Decker too.

[trebb]

I'm 53 and have run all my life. I always use cheap sneakers, without all the padding and support (usually the $8 - $14 WalMart specials), and have never had any foot problems - arches still high and ankles are strong.

[retrokitten]

Something about that pictures is so disturbing.

[macamadamia]

I agree with you. People who buy more expensive running shoes usually run more miles...or lots of miles. When running lots of miles, the smallest discomfort or anatomical problem becomes magnified. The obvious example of this is chafing. Shoes, shorts, shirts can work fine for a two mile run, but for say 14 miles or more in July....it can be a different story.

[Chi-townChief]

You got that straight - I don't think I've ever run unless someone was chasing me.

[maine-iac7]

This of course disturbs the older generation terribly (grandparents). "WHERE ARE HIS SHOES?????"

Now,, now, let's not blanket judge. :O)

I'm a great grandmother and I am sitting here, in the afternoon, without yet donning any foot-gear.

Often, I will be halfway to town and have to turn and drive back home because I forgot to put on shoes.

To me, shoes are merely things to protect your feet when you are going to be walking on man-made surfaces or in areas where man litters - or to keep feet from freezing.

Otherwise, it's barefoot for me - has been all my life. Many folk, including doctors, have warned me that it will make me flatfooted. My arch is still so high that I can't comfortably wear shoes with laced fronts.

In addition, going barefoot allows the natural pressure points in your feet to be exercises -good for your health.

But the shoes I do wear, my criteria - one that my kids and grandkids follow - is that they must be of natural materials - like leather (for breathing) and ultra flexible for a more natural step.

I really don't think man will improve on God's design any time soon...

[xsmommy]

runner ping.

[absolootezer0]

what are these "nike" things? never worn them. i wear doc martens 99% of the time i'm in shoes. never found another shoe more comfortable. they might cost more, but i've only bought 6 pair in the last 12 years. still own and wear all but one pair. they're even really comfortable to play street basketball in.

[retrokitten]

I am in total agreement with you. The minute I hit the door after work the second thing I do is take off my shoes and socks (I try to avoid socks at all costs, but winters are just too cold not to wear them). I go barefoot as much as I can.

The best shoes I have my Redhead hiking boots from Bass Pro Shop. I can step in water or snow and they stay nice and dry, yet my feet don't sweat in them. I can walk around in them all day and they aren't heavy. I only wear them for hiking, but they are awesome.

Now, if we could get Bass to make high heels, we might be on to something....

[mtbopfuyn]

When I was babysitting this one baby/toddler, her mom would dress her in a new outfit every day and of course she had to have shoes to match. She'd walk around with shoes on as long as mom was there, but the minute mom walked out the door she would hold her foot up for me to take her shoes off. Smart kid.

[mtbopfuyn]

The minute I hit the door after work the second thing I do is take off my shoes and socks

Mine come off the before I start the car engine to head home. They don't go back on until I arrive at my destination and cut the engine. There's more shoes in the car than in the closet.