Footwear: Aggressive sole rockers cause damage – flat is better – Agree?

Not only am I not a podiatrist, but I don’t even play one on TV. I can only share my experience. I have malformed feet. As a baby I had casts. I spent many years in custom inserts. I continued to have problems with me feet and my knees. Just under 6 years ago I was encourage to give “barefoot” a try. I switch to minimal sole shoes: Inov-8 for trail runners and vivobarefoot for around town. It took around a month to get used to them… but after that, oh what a difference. No more pain other than tired muscles that is :-) I haven’t looked back.

There was a nice list of several options a few days ago. There website seems to be having problems.. hopefully it will be back on Monday:
http://www.gearjunkie.com/ultimate-barefoot-running-shoe-guide

–Mark

i went to flatish shoes and have never looked back

LOL Mark you make a much better podiatrist than the ones I met. You walked so effortlessly at the Pt Reyes trip I'd have never guessed.

That list from Gearjunkie was very helpful. Taught me that what I'm looking for is a flatter sole shape (and low drop) that's popular with minimalist shoes, but protection and cushioning that's a little more traditional. Of all of them the Altra trail runner looked most promising to me, at least on screen, in terms of meeting my requirements. Unfortunately not available until April 2011.

Are the vivobarefoot presentable enough for business casual (also looking for flatter business casual shoes as well)?

How fast/slow do you recommend getting used to the flatter shoes? I'm assuming you upped a little every day for that month. I've read flatter shoes with lower drops tend to place a lot of stress at first on your calves, Achilles tendon and even lower back as you make posture adjustments – did you find this to be the case?

Eric, which do you use?

And do your flatter shoes have much protection, cushioning and a generous enough toe box for expansion/splaying?

inov terrrocs 330

and NF hedgehog

the former are my goto summer shoes, the latter for rougher terrain and later in the season when theres lot of mud and some snow

the terrocs are flat, fairly flexible sole, and have a wide toe box … they arent the most protective in rough or broken terrain … but it basically teaches you to watch where you step …

the hedgehogs are wide enough for my feet, though it took some breaking in, flat, and fairly stiff soled … better for rougher terrain

ultimately it comes to what fits yr feet and feels best

i personally can no longer stand those shoe with lift or a lot of cushion …. one thing is that flat shoes i believe will strengthen yr feet and leg muscles more

I can't help you on the trail shoe since I am in the same boat as you. I use asics fortitude 12.5 2ee as my running shoe. It has a lots of cushion, lots of mesh, but no rockstop type protection. On rocky trails my feet feel the pain of all those sharp rocks. I would like something with less cushion, more protection but most of all I would like something that is shaped like my foot.

But on the "also looking for flatter business casual shoes as well)?" Check out the sanuk sidewalk surfers.
I started wearing sanuks sidewalk surfers about 2 years ago. I love them for casual wear. I have a pair of leather ones for work shoes and several others for everyday use.
Jeff

My take on it is that the reason some shoes have a pronounced rocker is because they are relatively stiff and boot-like. This means that they inhibit or preclude the natural biomechanics of the foot. So during the walking motion there is little flex in the foot's forefoot as it forces the shoe to roll up and over the rocker of the shoe (Montrail Namche). A flatter, more flexible shoe (Innov8) allows the foot's natural biomechanics to express itself, and it feels so darn liberating, like going barefoot or maybe wearing moccasins. I for one gave away all my stiff-soled shoes and in the process kissed blisters, etc. goodby.

Think you have something there, though marketing is part of it – people expect something that "looks fast." They want the latest technology, not something that has worked for thousands of years.

The problem with a sharp rocker is that it shoves your toes up and exposed your metatarsal heads to far more force than they were supposed to take. It concentrates the force rather than distributes it in a healthy way.

Thanks Jeff – which shoes do you use for backpacking?

It's amazing rethinking all of my footwear. Fortunately I have to replace most of my shoes anyway now – and I'm someone who takes care of my stuff so it can be used for many years – my main pair of dress shoes is going strong after 10 years after resoling thanks to regular polish.

Re the Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers, they look very nice and a good value – which leather model do you use for work? Do the soles feel cushioned? My only limitation is slip ons – I don't like any shoe I can't move fast and sure-footed in – so usually only use lace ups. Slips ons for me are just for around the house.

> vivobarefoot presentable enough for business casual

Vivo barefoot have several models that can pass for business casual. I use a pair of Dharma for that purpose. They mostly look the part, though the stretch panel by the heel is why I say they can pass for business casual, but most likely aren't. Appropriate length pants hides the panel mostly.

As to how fast you will get used to the shoes. I don't know. My experience was it took a few weeks. I just started to wear them. A couple of days around town, and then on an overnight trip which logged around 35 miles in the sierras. My calves were really sore for a few days (I moved around like an old man) but I bounced back pretty quickly. I continues to wear then and do a number of short and couple of longer hikes over the next month. Within a month I was fully adjusted. I don't recall any issues besides the calves…. but it was 6 years ago.

–Mark

"Thanks Jeff – which shoes do you use for backpacking?"

I have been using my Asics on maintained trails and some old hi-tech hikers on the rough stuff. I tried my Asics on the rough stuff but my feet paid for it. I am a weekend warrior that lives in a swamp. So my feet do need some rock protection. I have been looking at the Asics Kahana trail shoe since Asics are now making them in 12.5 and 4e width. The reason I like my Asics fortitudes is the all the mesh in the toe area. It really allows some wiggle room for your toes.

"Re the Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers, they look very nice and a good value – which leather model do you use for work?”

I use the Board rooms at work and the Donny’s in off hours.

"Do the soles feel cushioned?"

Like walking on a cloud.

" My only limitation is slip ons – I don't like any shoe I can't move fast and sure-footed in – so usually only use lace ups. Slips ons for me are just for around the house."

The side walk surfers probably are not for you in that type of situation. They tend to have a loose fit. You may want to try the Over boards. They are a styled after boat shoes.

I also have had a metatarsal problem for the last year. Mine started with jumping on the trampoline with the kids. I every time I do calf raises, heavy squats or jump on the trampoline it flares up again. I am looking forward to finding out which shoe you settle on.

Merry Christmas
Jeff