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What is the mileage needed to run half-marathon in minimalist shoes without injury?

4 min read

Asked by: Daniel Schultz

Can you run a marathon in minimalist shoes?

And stuff the shoe can get much lighter and a lot more minimalist which in turn makes your foot work more to keep you stable.

Are minimalist shoes good for distance running?

The study found that runners benefited the most when wearing minimalist shoes 35 percent of the time; when worn any more than that, they didn’t get any faster or stronger. In fact, the researchers advised against training in minimalist shoes full-time, as there weren’t any extra benefits—but a lot more potential risks.

Do minimalist shoes reduce injury?

In a 26-week randomized control trial (RCT) addressing BMI and training volume in minimalist shoes (n=61), it was found that the minimalist shoe intervention group had a higher rate of injuries recorded at 16 injuries compared to the traditional shoe runners at 11 injuries.

How long does it take to transition to minimalist running 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.

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 you run long distance barefoot?

One can speak hours and hours about barefoot running/walking but the best thing is to try it and see if you can derive some benefits from it. You do not have to run marathons to find them useful. You can just wear them from time to time to strengthen your feet.

Does barefoot running prevent injuries?

Based on a review of current literature, barefoot running is not a substantiated preventative running measure to reduce injury rates in runners. However, barefoot running utility should be assessed on an athlete-specific basis to determine whether barefoot running will be beneficial.

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.”

Do minimalist shoes strengthen your feet?

Conclusions: Minimalist shoe walking is as effective as foot strengthening exercises in increasing foot muscle size and strength. The convenience of changing footwear rather than performing specific exercises may result in greater compliance.

How do you start running with minimalist shoes?

How to Transition to Barefoot or Minimalist Running

  1. First, acclimate your feet. Practice walking barefoot or in your new minimalist shoes before you attempt to run. …
  2. Practice your running mechanics. Practice landing on your midfoot versus your heel. …
  3. Gradually increase distance. …
  4. Use caution.


Should you wear socks with barefoot running shoes?

The short answer is: socks are allowed! When they hear the term ‘barefoot shoe’, lots of people immediately think of conspicuous toe shoes. The ‘barefoot’ in barefoot shoes has much more to do with the feeling provided by the shoes, which comes as close to barefoot running as is possible while wearing shoes.

Is it better to run in flat shoes?

A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that running in those comfortable, highly cushioned shoes often marketed to prevent injury, might actually increase leg stiffness and lead to greater impact loading when your foot hits the pavement.

How far can you run in racing flats?

It’s really to be used during races, so you’re going to get about 100, to 200 miles out of a racing shoe. Remember, miles doesn’t sound like a lot except if you’ve factored into what distances your race may be.

How should minimalist shoes fit?

Fit: Minimalist shoes should “fit like a glove”, snug and without extra space around the toes and heel. If you plan to wear them with socks, make sure to try your new pair with socks on.