What are the downsides of minimalist running shoes?

Asked by: Stephanie Robinson

Most runners aren’t used to going barefoot, so a minimalist shoe will be a shock to the feet, and the muscles will initially feel overworked. The lower your heels are to the ground, the harder your Achilles tendon will need to work.

Is it good to run in minimalist shoes?

Minimalist shoes help you feel the ground: Minimalist shoes’ thin cushioning improves your connection to the terrain beneath your feet. Being more in touch with the ground improves “proprioception,” your body’s ability to fine-tune its running mechanics.

What are the disadvantages of barefoot running?

Barefoot running might increase pain in the plantar fascia, which can lead to plantar fasciitis. This will mean that you will have to wear shoes for awhile in order to heal the problem, and might have to stop running barefoot in the future. You will get blisters when you run barefoot.

Who should not wear minimalist shoes?

When running, the feet must support between 2.5 and 3 times your body weight. So unless you have the body frame of the leading athletes in the City to Surf, minimalistic footwear such as the Nike Free, are probably not such a good idea. If you are over-weight or untrained your risk of injury will be very high.

Can Zero Drop shoes cause problems?

Zero drop shoes have a higher correlation to injuries that occur in the lower leg and foot, while traditional running shoes cause more injuries to the hip and knee.

Is barefoot running better for your knees?

“Running barefoot decreased peak patellofemoral joint stress by 12% in comparison to shod running,” the researchers wrote. “The reduction in patellofemoral joint stress was a result of reduced patellofemoral joint reaction forces while running barefoot.”

Does running barefoot damage your feet?

“Running without shoes definitely leaves your feet vulnerable to cuts, puncture wounds and infection,” notes Bogden. Logging barefoot miles on hot pavement or in extreme cold also could damage the soles of your feet.

Who should not wear Zero Drop shoes?

“Although not everyone with flat feet suffers from foot pain, people with flat feet overpronate, which means their arch collapses for abnormally long periods of time during the gait cycle.” Thanks to the lack of support their arches are getting from zero drop shoes, this prolonged overpronation can lead to plantar

What are the pros and cons of zero drop running shoes?

Pros: Completely natural and neutral. Zero drop shoes are great for going back to basics, keeping weight low, and working on correcting your form. Cons: Zero drop is going to put a lot of pressure on your tendons and muscles in the lower leg.

Do Zero Drop shoes cause calf pain?

Zero-drop shoes as such are not bad for the Achilles tendon; it’s about how you use them. Like we’ve mentioned earlier, these shoes can cause Achilles pain when you transition to them too quickly from using shoes with a bit of a raised heel, and the tendon has to work in a range where it has never had to before.

Is it better to run with shoes or barefoot?

Shoes will also protect you from environmental hazards such as sharp sticks or gravel. Therefore shoes are more efficient in a way, as they require less bodily energy overall. A huge benefit of barefoot running is that it corrects your stride. Overstriding is a massive problem for runners.

Why do some people run without shoes?

Without shoes, you activate the smaller muscles in your feet, ankles, legs, and hips that are responsible for better balance and coordination. You may feel more grounded. Being barefoot helps you improve balance, but it also helps you stay grounded and connected to your environment.

Should I run without socks?

Despite the fact that you can run without socks if you so choose, the shoes will keep all of the perspiration and germs that accumulate on your feet contained. Furthermore, if socks are not worn to provide protection, blisters are more likely to occur.

How often should you run barefoot?

TAKE YOUR TIME
The transition to barefoot running should take place over several months. Complete habituation may take longer. In the first week, barefoot running should take up no more than 10% of your daily running volume up to a maximum of 10 minutes per day. Increase barefoot running by 5% each week thereafter.

How long does it take to transition to minimalist shoes?

Basically, you want to start by spending only one hour each day wearing your new shoes or walking barefoot. Each week you increase this time by one hour until you reach the 8-hour mark at the end of two months. At that point, most people should be able to fully switch to minimal shoes without harm.

Do marathon runners run barefoot?

A solid example of a barefoot runner these days is Ken Saxton, 51, a computer technician from Long Beach, California. Saxton finished 14 marathons barefoot in 2006, and has now completed a total of 56 marathons barefoot, including major races such as Los Angeles and Boston.