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Generally found to be untrue. Lots of different running styles and gaits. Runners generally take the "shoe for every stride" approach now rather than a "one sty

Generally found to be untrue. Lots of different running styles and gaits. Runners generally take the "shoe for every stride" approach now rather than a "one style fits all" mindset.

rhinoceraptor 8y ago
If you have running shoes, then sure you have different styles. For instance, you can land on your heels and blow out your knees and hips, whereas without shoes you would never run that way.
bamboozled 8y ago
Not saying you’re wrong but do you have any evidence to say it’s “Generally found to be untrue”.
- notacoward 8y ago
  The question is more whether the "barefoot is best" meme was ever more than theory/anecdote. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/is-barefoot-style-running-best-new-studies-cast-doubt/ https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/is-barefoot-style-... As others have said, people are different. There might well be a subset of runners for whom a barefoot/minimal style is best, but AFAICT it's a minority at best, so "generally found to be untrue" is a pretty good summary.
  - bamboozled 8y ago
    To be honest that article just says that both techniques are similar in efficiency, which I think no one really disputed. There is also a claim which I’m not so familiar with which is that bare foot runners think their feet will become more “taught and spring like”, ,not really familiar with that idea. What I’m interested in, and the article doesn’t discuss is the injury rate between runners who run barefoot and without shoes. I haven’t any studies which say I’m more likely to be injured when going barefoot. I think the real reason more people wear shoes is that there is seems to be something taboo about going shoeless. As a bare foot runner I feel judged for taking off the shoes and going for a run. Edit: To the point about people who tried barefoot shoes and were injured, that’s probably because just running without shoes on with the same technique for 10 weeks isn’t an advisable way to run without shoes. It’s quite a different exercise.
    - notacoward 8y ago
      > I haven’t any studies which say I’m more likely to be injured when going barefoot. Can you cite any studies at all on the subject, even showing the converse? It's not clear why the entire burden of proof should be on one side. > As a bare foot runner I feel judged for taking off the shoes and going for a run. I've only been running a bit over four years, and I've seen plenty of judging from both sides. Personally, I have something that works for me, even through New England winters when barefoot simply isn't an option. If somebody half my age and half my annual mileage wants to look down their nose at me because I wear pretty standard shoes, all I can do is laugh.
- 21 8y ago
  For once, even if it's allowed no top athlete runs barefoot/minimal. And it's not because of ad dollars - you don't see them wearing hats or gloves just because some company would pay for that.
- eitally 8y ago
  I can't remember the source (or I'd paste a link here), but the current thinking is that, overall, the best way to choose shoes (for safety & performance) is to pick a pair that's comfortable. That might range from Tarahumara style sandals to Uber-cushioned Hokas to a super-stiff stability shoe. The important thing is to test a bunch and pick what works for you, and not to isolate in a specific sub-category (minimal, zero drop, cushioned, stability, neutral).
justinator 8y ago
Not to say you're wrong either, but there's been a huge shift in running: trail running is more popular than ever (or just not running on the road - see OCRs), shoes have wider toeboxes, and although minimal shoes seem to have come and gone, a neutral heel drop is pretty normal these days. Overengineered shoes in general are not as popular: if you look at something like thruhikers on the AT or PCT, a lot of them opt for a wide-toebox, neutral heal drop trail runner over an overly built up and heavy hiking boot. I've seen thruhikers do whole sections in Crocs. So perhaps "minimal" wasn't the right thing to focus on. But the design of the shoes have def. changed.

Generally found to be untrue. Lots of different running styles and gaits. Runners generally take the "shoe for every stride" approach now rather than a "one style fits all" mindset.

rhinoceraptor 8y ago

If you have running shoes, then sure you have different styles. For instance, you can land on your heels and blow out your knees and hips, whereas without shoes you would never run that way.

bamboozled 8y ago

Not saying you’re wrong but do you have any evidence to say it’s “Generally found to be untrue”.

notacoward 8y ago
The question is more whether the "barefoot is best" meme was ever more than theory/anecdote. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/is-barefoot-style-running-best-new-studies-cast-doubt/ https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/is-barefoot-style-... As others have said, people are different. There might well be a subset of runners for whom a barefoot/minimal style is best, but AFAICT it's a minority at best, so "generally found to be untrue" is a pretty good summary.
- bamboozled 8y ago
  To be honest that article just says that both techniques are similar in efficiency, which I think no one really disputed. There is also a claim which I’m not so familiar with which is that bare foot runners think their feet will become more “taught and spring like”, ,not really familiar with that idea. What I’m interested in, and the article doesn’t discuss is the injury rate between runners who run barefoot and without shoes. I haven’t any studies which say I’m more likely to be injured when going barefoot. I think the real reason more people wear shoes is that there is seems to be something taboo about going shoeless. As a bare foot runner I feel judged for taking off the shoes and going for a run. Edit: To the point about people who tried barefoot shoes and were injured, that’s probably because just running without shoes on with the same technique for 10 weeks isn’t an advisable way to run without shoes. It’s quite a different exercise.
  - notacoward 8y ago
    > I haven’t any studies which say I’m more likely to be injured when going barefoot. Can you cite any studies at all on the subject, even showing the converse? It's not clear why the entire burden of proof should be on one side. > As a bare foot runner I feel judged for taking off the shoes and going for a run. I've only been running a bit over four years, and I've seen plenty of judging from both sides. Personally, I have something that works for me, even through New England winters when barefoot simply isn't an option. If somebody half my age and half my annual mileage wants to look down their nose at me because I wear pretty standard shoes, all I can do is laugh.
21 8y ago
For once, even if it's allowed no top athlete runs barefoot/minimal. And it's not because of ad dollars - you don't see them wearing hats or gloves just because some company would pay for that.
eitally 8y ago
I can't remember the source (or I'd paste a link here), but the current thinking is that, overall, the best way to choose shoes (for safety & performance) is to pick a pair that's comfortable. That might range from Tarahumara style sandals to Uber-cushioned Hokas to a super-stiff stability shoe. The important thing is to test a bunch and pick what works for you, and not to isolate in a specific sub-category (minimal, zero drop, cushioned, stability, neutral).

justinator 8y ago

Not to say you're wrong either, but there's been a huge shift in running: trail running is more popular than ever (or just not running on the road - see OCRs), shoes have wider toeboxes, and although minimal shoes seem to have come and gone, a neutral heel drop is pretty normal these days. Overengineered shoes in general are not as popular: if you look at something like thruhikers on the AT or PCT, a lot of them opt for a wide-toebox, neutral heal drop trail runner over an overly built up and heavy hiking boot. I've seen thruhikers do whole sections in Crocs. So perhaps "minimal" wasn't the right thing to focus on. But the design of the shoes have def. changed.