r/BarefootRunning

Hi everyone,
I’m not a barefoot runner. Honestly the polar opposite. But I’m looking for new sandals and have been considering Earthrunners for a while so I thought i would ask somewhere that people would be able to share their opinion based on spending a lot of time on their feet in them.
I have Chacos, LOVE them, but want something a little more earthy. I tried Birkenstocks but the footbeds were too wide in the wrong places and too narrow in others.
But Earthrunners aren’t sold in stores (that I can find) so I can’t try them on before I buy them.

I guess my biggest concerns are 1. How easily Earthrunners move with your foot? How easily do they trip you up while you’re walking/running in them? I’m a super klutz.
2. How comfortable are they for people whose feet are both wide and tall (not the arch, just from the sole to the highest point of my foot)?

Any trail runners in this community? I’m trying to get faster at my hills. I don’t have any kind of cardio limiter, more of a form limiter.

What feels most natural steep uphill is to shift my knees forward past my toes and run on the balls of my feet. Keeps me upright and I feel fast and strong.

Problem: it’s too taxing on my calves to maintain for even a mile let alone multiple miles uphill.

If I land midfoot, I can’t really drive off the toes since it will strain my calf.

I’ve experimented with different levels of leans and a quicker cadence uphill, but it just doesn’t feel natural.

Does anyone have this skill of long distance running up steep hills down and have any insights?

Im considering purchasing sandals for walking and light running and Im wondering if theres anything specific I should look.

Do sandals for barefoot running have an arch or does that defeat the purpose of barefoot footwear?

How do barefoot sandals and minimalist shoes differ? Im assuming the minimalist shoes offer more cushion, grip, and support?

Amazon reviews show sole is getting flat after unreasonably short time..
I really want to get them but as a nomad who travel on foot I need something reliable.. I usually don’t have addresses and am in remote undeveloped countries…

Any recommendations..?

I've been using Altras for the last few months and love the space and zero drop, no issues but I'm now interested in even more natural options like Vibram. I want a toe pocket type but something to bridge the gap between a Altra Lone Peak 9+ and traditional 5 finger. Something with a sole that i can walk on footpath, maybe stones on a forest track. There's just so many vibram types i don't know where to start. I also have birks so I'm sorted for sandals.

There is absolutely no shop even kilometers from where I live for trying .. (!)
My usually size in normal barefoot shoe is 42. Have the option for spyridon evo 43
V alpha 42
V trail 42.5
V train 42

I like to use socks for smell and comfort..
which model would be the best..?
Mostly running on asphalt and light trail and trekking/hiking ..
I’m a nomad so I can’t have few pairs .. it need to be all around shoe that can handle trekking but not to be to thick.. I had the v trek few years ago and they were not breathable enough for me and also prefer lower ankle…

Gambol website is offering the above Luna sandals. I am thinking of buying my first Luna and they offer delivery in India, but unsure if they sell authentic sandals.

Is there a way to buy them in India where there are more options to choose from?

Hey guys!

I've been in the barefoot space for a while, and so far I've been using the Jim Green Anatomx Rangers for everyday and casual, but I need a new shoe more fit for sports like soccer, football, long distance running, etc. The Anatomx last for the rangers feel great for me, and essentially fit my feet perfectly, so I'm wondering if you guys know of any shoes that have a similar shape while accommodating for sports and being active.

I’m working on a gift for my wife, who gardens every day. Would the synthetic leather bedrock sandals be a durable choice for gardening? That includes a lot of crouching, and getting into dirt from time to time…

When I walk / run barefoot I land with the front of my foot. In all barefoot shoes I've tried including Lem's primal and Topo ST6, I instinctvly avoid landing with the front of my foot when walking, and running doesent feel as natural.

Are there shoes that really are like I'm not wearing shoes? Should I try vibram 5 fingers, or ultra barefoot sandals? I would like some cushion so I can run more often, if its not possible then that's fine

It’s getting easier already

I’m not aching afterwards nearly as much as I was in shoes. The niggling pains of recovered tendinitis and bursitis is not increased.

I was slow before and I’m even slower now. But it’s not a race and slow is okay.

It’s quiet without shoes. So quiet I scared several unsuspecting walkers who couldn’t hear me approach.

Different terrains have entirely different obstacles to navigate which affects your movement more then I expected. This makes speed incredibly inconsistent.

Spiky plants are sometimes very hard to avoid. Thistles, holly, brambles and hawthorn are common where I live and I spent a lot of time jumping over or going around them to avoid splinters.

Gravel is a special kind of pain

It will be a while before I stop taking my wetshoes/skinners with me.