3 ms·
Sure, but I'd imagine the average human could walk substantially further on flat modern roads in modern footwear than on cobblestone with ancient sandles. You
by watutalkinbout 3mo ago
Sure, but I'd imagine the average human could walk substantially further on flat modern roads in modern footwear than on cobblestone with ancient sandles.
You use 10–20% more energy for just mildly uneven surfaces - probably more for roman cobblestone.
- lstodd 3mo agoActually no. Uniform flat surface is tiring compared to a trail even in best shoes. Try walking 10 km on hardtop then compare to walking same distance on unpaved road. For shoes we also went not too far: Merrel sandals basically replicate roman caliga with modern materials. And it's not like you can use even halfboots in mediterannean unless it's winter - it's just too hot.
- watutalkinbout 3mo agoEmpirically, yes. You seem to be equating flatness with surface hardness. Tarmac isn't unforgiving to walk on because it's flat, it's because it has no give.