Barefoot running -- healthier faster easier than running in shoes?

As interesting as that find is, I wouldn't want to be running and stand in dog shit barefoot.

 

Well, I'm sure there's plenty of places to do so without running that risk.

 

Problem is assholes breaking glass bottles/leaving syringes/spitting on the side walk.

 

Guys I highly doubt this research is/was done while running on rocks and glass. C'mon now. If it was turf/grass then I see how it wouldn't hurt your feet at all.

 

Obviously it's ill-advised to run in places where you run the risk of running on broken glass, syringes and other obvious dangers.

The results from this research isn't suggesting you run down the filthiest places, if you want to run barefoot just find somewhere that provides a decent place to run even if it's your own backyard and running in 'laps' around it.

 

About a year ago, I decided to run barefooted after I read about how it was better. I ran for 2 miles on the road; my feet were cut up so badly. So, like Insidious said, make sure you run on a decent surface.

"Evolution Running" is the name of a video that talks about running correctly, the way we evolved to. It would be a great thing to check out if you're interested in running correctly.

 

My football coach makes us stretch barefoot during our training camp. Of course I would consider running on a turf field barefoot perfectly safe.

 

Unless some drunks stumbled across it on the way back from the pub the night before.
I walk too much for my job so i cant risk anything like that >.<

 

When I first read it, I knew from experience visiting developing countries what barefoot running is like so took the necessary precautions. It always helps to apply common sense to everything.

 

Well of course. Think of it this way. Shoes slow you down because they weigh heavier than your feet alone. Shoes are there to protect your feet, not give you boosts.

My friend has them. They are quite comfortable. Be careful, they make your feet smell unbearably. If you do get them, wash them often.

 

There seems to be a general misunderstanding in this thread, it's not the fact that the shoes weigh more than not wearing shoes, it's the fact that they absorb the 'spring' in your step and that you run in a completely different bio-mechanical way (gait) that you move.

 

So shoes don't have weight?

 

I did read something similar in a newspaper a very long time ago -- the supposed benefit is that when you run with shoes the heel impacts the ground, whereas when you run barefoot the front of the foot does.
Personally I wouldn't want to run barefoot outside, it'd take a while to build up tolerance to the ground surface, and even the smallest stone would hurt, not to mention bits of glass or metal or whatever if you're doing it along the side of a road.
If I ever wanted to run barefoot I'd keep it to a treadmill

 

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It's surprisingly short to buildup a decent tolerance, the first day was the hardest. I personally dislike treadmills as they're very rote or you're doing something else that's very distracting and takes away from optimal physical exercise/training.

 

ive had sooo many ankle injuries from barefoot running its not even funny... KEEP YOUR SHOES ON!

 

Well this man just said that he gets less injuries with his shoes off, and he did something you didn't do which was provide examples. Why should we take your word over his?

 

about 6 months ago i was having alot of lower back pain after i ran and had to go to the chiropractor about once a week. i tried running in about 7 different pairs of shoes from various companies; Nike, Adidas, Under Armor, and ASICS. i tried different insoles and had my gait analyzed by about 15 different people. My friend introduced me to Vibram FiveFingers and at first I was pretty skeptical because they look like they would grind your heels to shit and destroy my back even more because of the lack of padding.

well being the good friend that he is, he bought me a pair, the Bikila's, which are the ones specifically designed for running. Since then i have bought 2 more pairs, not because they wear out (quite the contrary), but because they are so amazing!
I run 5-7 miles every other day now with no back pain whatsoever.

they do take a little getting used to because you use the balls of your feet more and your toes for balance, so at first your feet might be a little sore for a few days. but once you get used to them im sure you will be addicted to their awesomeness.

I highly doubt i will EVER buy another pair of standard running shoes for the rest of my life.

I just throw mine in the wash machine on a gentle cycle with a little bit of non-chlorine laundry soap and they come out quite nicely. and i think it depends on your feet because i wore one pair about a solid week before i washed them and they never smelled.

 

I ran 7 miles today barefoot (well with socks). It felt pretty good. My legs feel better than they did when I was running with shoes. I plan on doing it again.

 

I tried socks the first time and it was disastrous, they wore out, got moist and pretty much stank (as I suspected they would but 'tested' out anyways). They were probably a bacteria haven when I finally got home and took 'em off.

 

Sorry misread your comment, but jeez you don't have to be a dick about it.