"barefoot" shoes for touring

[deegack]

I am looking for a new pair of sneakers/running shoes for our september trip. I figure this gives me plenty of time to break them in slowly over the summer. I will alternate with my reef flip flops which is live in during the spring/summer.

I tried a pair of the merrell version of the barefoot running shoes and find them very comfortable. I like them a bit better without socks than with. And like that you can wash them.

However, I'm concerned about walking all day in the park with them. Anyone have success using them in the park? Like I said above I will spend some time breaking them in this summer and use them for long walks etc.

thanks

 

[thedonduck]

My silly DH wore his BRAND NEW 5-finger shoes for a week long trip in January! Literally out of the box and no other shoes. Once he got them adjusted properly, he was fine! He said his legs felt funny by the end of the long day, but his feet were fine. I don't think he will forget a change of shoes again!

If you have a pair to trade off with and they are broke in, you should be fine! Donald btw LOVED them!

 

[butiflfeet]

I'm a runner and I primarily wear barefoot or close to barefoot shoes whether I'm running or just walking around. I really like the Merrill pace gloves, it sounds like thats what you have. They're super comfortable and, like you, I prefer to wear them without socks. They are very breathable that way and I can wear them all day with no problems.

With most shoes now you don't really need to break them in, rather with barefoot-type shoes you need to let your legs and feet get used to walking around with your heel closer to the ground. Take it slow and build up how long you walk in them over the course of a month or so.

I've used my pace gloves at Disney World our past couple of trips and my feet were just perfect at the end of the trip. Our last trip was for the Wine and Dine half marathon and we had a week in the parks after running the race. My legs and feet felt just fine throughout the whole week alternating wearing flip flops and the pace gloves. I was very used to walking around and running in those type of shoes though so that might make a difference.

 

[deegack]

I'm a runner and I primarily wear barefoot or close to barefoot shoes whether I'm running or just walking around. I really like the Merrill pace gloves, it sounds like thats what you have. They're super comfortable and, like you, I prefer to wear them without socks. They are very breathable that way and I can wear them all day with no problems.

With most shoes now you don't really need to break them in, rather with barefoot-type shoes you need to let your legs and feet get used to walking around with your heel closer to the ground. Take it slow and build up how long you walk in them over the course of a month or so.

I've used my pace gloves at Disney World our past couple of trips and my feet were just perfect at the end of the trip. Our last trip was for the Wine and Dine half marathon and we had a week in the parks after running the race. My legs and feet felt just fine throughout the whole week alternating wearing flip flops and the pace gloves. I was very used to walking around and running in those type of shoes though so that might make a difference.

Thanks! I am wearing them today and so far love them! I may have to buy more in different colors.

 

[lindsay314]

I've never tried those shoes, but my friend's DH did. They were apparently really comfortable (and waterproof!) so he didn't really break in the shoes before the trip. He was fine the first couple of days, and then his feet were sore the third day, and he couldn't bear it the fourth day; he had to wear his sneakers. So if they're comfortable on your feet, they can be great--but be sure to break them in first!

 

[nkereina]

Not to hijack OP's thread but for those that have experience with these shoes, how do your legs and back feel at the end of the day? I can imagine your feet are comfortable and blister-free, but with zero support, I would also have to imagine your legs and back must be achy from walking "bare foot" all day with no cushion or support? That would be like working at a cash register in the grocery store with no mat under you I would think. I could see where these shoes would be good for an hour run or so, but I'm skeptical for how good they are for an all day leisurely walk on pavement around the parks

 

[thedonduck]

Not to hijack OP's thread but for those that have experience with these shoes, how do your legs and back feel at the end of the day? I can imagine your feet are comfortable and blister-free, but with zero support, I would also have to imagine your legs and back must be achy from walking "bare foot" all day with no cushion or support? That would be like working at a cash register in the grocery store with no mat under you I would think. I could see where these shoes would be good for an hour run or so, but I'm skeptical for how good they are for an all day leisurely walk on pavement around the parks

Honestly, my DH wears them a lot and for long periods of time as well. It does take time to retrain muscles while wearing (hence the breaking in of them!) but he swears by them now. He legs felt sore at the end of the night for the first couple days (of all day wearing) but now it's no biggie! When we purchased them, they said that you need to work your way up to wearing them, because it's a workout in themselves.
He does rotate them with regular tennis shoes and sandals (as FL weather dictates). But when we go to Disney he will wear them! Just remember that we were made to not wear shoes...

 

[maxiesmom]

The barefoot shoes are about to go the same way as the shape up shoes. They make people walk in a different manner, and people are starting to have injuries from them. From what I have read the are ok to use every now and again, but do not make them your main shoes. And if you tend to pronate, they will offer you no support, so you should not wear them.

 

[fall08CP]

The barefoot shoes are about to go the same way as the shape up shoes. They make people walk in a different manner, and people are starting to have injuries from them. From what I have read the are ok to use every now and again, but do not make them your main shoes. And if you tend to pronate, they will offer you no support, so you should not wear them.

I disagree. Humans were not created to walk on pillows like sneakers and shape ups; we were made to walk barefoot. The only reason you'd get injured is if you go cold turkey as opposed to the recommended gradual build-up. There's a reason many of the best runners in the world do it barefoot. There's a reason rural tribes are running into their 80s- barefoot. And guess what? Not one of their runners deals with over or under pronation! When you run barefoot, you land "correctly" on the balls of your feet as opposed to heel stroking and rolling. I highly recommend racing "Born to Run" and reading the research of how Nike sneakers have created most of the foot problems in our country. There's a reason Nike is jumping on the barefoot bandwagon: they're trying to make a buck off the problem they created in the first place! Once your muscles are built up, they'll never get injured again. I used to have miserable Plantar fasciitis, so bad I would cry trying to stand up in the morning and limp into the bathroom to soak my feet and perform 20 minutes of exercises. When I switched over to minimalist shoes, the pain was gone 100% within 2 weeks. Two years later, I'm still pain free.

Good read on the Tarahumara tribe of barefoot runners: http://health.usnews.com/health-new...ays-humans-evolved-to-run-like-the-tarahumara

 

[thedonduck]

I don't want to hijack the OPs thread, but just wanted to respond to PP. When wearing (especially running) in minimalist shoes, you MUST adjust your running stride. That is where the chance of injury may occur. When people wearing regular shoes, they have a heel to toe movement of their foot. This is actually quite unnatural, but over time we have all adjusted/modified our running pattern to this. We run this way BECAUSE of tennis shoes (not because it was the way we are suppose to run). When switching to running in minimalist or barefoot shoes, you need to retrain your body to run more "naturally"

 

[Eeyore98]

The barefoot shoes are about to go the same way as the shape up shoes. They make people walk in a different manner, and people are starting to have injuries from them. From what I have read the are ok to use every now and again, but do not make them your main shoes. And if you tend to pronate, they will offer you no support, so you should not wear them.

I don't know about barefoot shoes, but I have extreme pronation due to an extra bone in both of my feet (accessory navicular syndrome), and the ONLY shoes that have allowed me to work without pain, standing all night on a concrete floor, are the shape-ups.

 

[kaligal]

These are those shoes that look like rubber gloves on feet, with each toe in its own little pocket, right?

I have seen people wearing them in the parks.

I have always wondered...aren't your toes uncomfortable with those shoes forcing them to be spaced apart? It looks uncomfortable!

I need the support of regular shoes, but have always wondered about those interesting-looking ones.

 

[staceyatdisney]

The barefoot shoes are about to go the same way as the shape up shoes. They make people walk in a different manner, and people are starting to have injuries from them. From what I have read the are ok to use every now and again, but do not make them your main shoes. And if you tend to pronate, they will offer you no support, so you should not wear them.

Actually the opposite is true regarding barefoot/minimalist shoes. The big shoe companies are all on-board now - thus the injuries. Injury occurs when the uneducated runner buys a pair of barefoot/minimalist shoes and runs a long distance without retraining their body.

To the OP, I would start walking immediately in whatever minimalist shoe you choose if you plan to wear them in the parks. Start slow too. At first try walking 1/4 to 1/2 mile and see how you feel. Build up from there. Your legs and feet need to get used to these type shoes.

For what it's worth, I've probably run 2000+ miles in Vibram Five Fingers over the last few years. I wear minimalist shoes exclusively and I've done the parks in minimalist shoes for 10 days with no issues. My favorite minimalist walking "around town" shoe these days is the New Balance Minimus Zero Trail. They are insanely lightweight and so comfortable.

Good luck. Take it slow and you will be fine.

 

[lilsk8nmac]

The barefoot shoes are about to go the same way as the shape up shoes. They make people walk in a different manner, and people are starting to have injuries from them. From what I have read the are ok to use every now and again, but do not make them your main shoes. And if you tend to pronate, they will offer you no support, so you should not wear them.

Sorry to break it to you, but I've worked in the shoe business. The barefoot running shoes are some of the best shoes for your feet. I myself skated for years and had to have orthotics as I naturally prone out. These sneakers do not cause any kind of medical problems with my feet. They actually help me to NOT prone out. They are also the most natural shoe you can wear. I will agree that the shape up shoes are the devil. I NEVER recommend those to anyone. First of all you are more likely to break an ankle in them, esp if you try to run(unless they are like Reebok Run Tones, which are designed for shaping while running), and the shaping shoes have moving air in them which if you step on anything remotely sharp, you are out an 80$ pair of shoes.

The natural running shoes on the other hand work like a charm. I have fitted those in them that have no arches, high arches, and plantar fasciitis, among other things. They also breathe extremely well and are light as a feather, which is better on your legs.

I will be wearing mine in Disney this summer. I have other pair of sneakers and comfortable sport sandals to wear as well, but most of the walking and touring will be done in my barefoot like running shoes.

 

[Lintasare]

I tried the Five Fingers shoes and I hated them. I have a high arch and in them it felt like my arch was falling. Plus I have short toes so they didn't fit into the toe pockets right. Worst shoe purchase I have ever made.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry to break it to you, but I've worked in the shoe business.

Hate to break it to you, but me too.

Barefoot shoes are ONLY good for you if you know how to re-adjust your stride. And most people don't. Thus the strain on certain body parts, which over time leads to injury.

 

[bas71873]

Not to hijack OP's thread but for those that have experience with these shoes, how do your legs and back feel at the end of the day? I can imagine your feet are comfortable and blister-free, but with zero support, I would also have to imagine your legs and back must be achy from walking "bare foot" all day with no cushion or support? That would be like working at a cash register in the grocery store with no mat under you I would think. I could see where these shoes would be good for an hour run or so, but I'm skeptical for how good they are for an all day leisurely walk on pavement around the parks

I bought these shoes this spring for our trip to FL this summer and I love them (I was tired of my Keen Whisper and just wanted something different although I still love my Keens too). I've been wearing them to Busch Gardens, and other places we go in the summer that require a lot of walking, to test to them out and they are great. I usually have to wear sneakers (the ones I wear to the gym) because by the end of the day my feet & back are killing me, but not with these. I wear them without socks and I've had any rubbing or blisters and my feet & back are fine by the end of the day. My only complaint is that they are not very breathable, but they are great for water rides and you can throw them in the washing machine. I also like that they are "small" enough that they look cute with gym shorts, khaki shorts or a cute jersey skirt. A versitile shoe IMO.

http://www.zappos.com/product/7813370/color/94619?zfcTest=fw:1


On a side note, DH bought a pair of the FILA Skeletoes and wore them to BG last weekend and his feet did fine, no blisters, no pain in his feet & back, but he did say his calves were sore the next day.

 

[deegack]

OP here. I didn't realize barefoot shoes were so controversial. Mine are not the five toe shoes but the merrells that look like regular running shoes but light. I figure I am barefoot most of the day unless I am outside and then wear flip flop 6 months out of the year (with appropriate pedicure because I know that matters to some people), so these might work for me.

I wore them most of yesterday and other than getting use to having something on the back of my ankle, they were great. I'll probably wear them every other day or so until our trip to make sure my foot is use to them.

 

[disneydiva06]

We just got back from a two week trip on Wednesday, and my oldest son wore Fila Skeletoes almost the whole trip. He said he didn't have a single blister, ache, or pain. The only complaint I would have is OH MAN, did those things STINK by the end of the day! We made him take them off outside and douse them in Febreze before we'd let him back in the room.

 

[rmoore7]

This is a fascinating thread and I am thankful to those who have made specific recommendations from personal experience. I run on the beach regularly and based on the barefoot vs shoes debate in the running community have tried to run barefoot. Ouch! When I go to Disney I usually wear my Asics running shoes to walk in the parks, but I’ve been contemplating buying the “minimalist” shoes for some time now. Keep the suggestions coming as I have enough time to buy a pair and get used to them before our August trip.

The only complaint I would have is OH MAN, did those things STINK by the end of the day! We made him take them off outside and douse them in Febreze before we'd let him back in the room.

Is this a problem for those of you who use these shoes regularly?