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Are zero drop and barefoot shoes safe for running? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 months ago by merlo@lemmy.ml to c/running@lemmy.world

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Hi, It's been a while I feel like I want to try barefoot running but I'm not sure, I would like to hear more opinions. I've always been more confident walking barefoot, did Kendo for a bit, walked the Camino de Santiago multiple times, but I started running "seriously" only recently and I feel that every pair of running shoes I try is somehow hurting me or making me feel uncomfortable.

I tried watching youtube videos on the topic but the opinions there are quite conflicting, so I thought asking here!

Do you use zero drop / barefoot shoes? Do you use them to run? Do you know a proper "guide" on the matter?

Thank you in advance!

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[–] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I was an obese runner (I know, how can you be running 20 miles a week and still be obese!?), so my experience with barefoot running was that it was hard to ease into because my feet were barely able to keep up with the pounding from how much I was running even with the thicker soled Altras. Zero drop is a nice compromise.

Some runs I would take my shoes off entirely and finish the last mile completely barefoot.

My running ceased when a log fell on my foot and then running exacerbated that injury into a stress fracture. I probably won't go back to barefoot running, but I will continue to use zero-drop shoes with sufficient cushion. If I manage to lose enough weight I might go down on the padding (heavy shoes have their downsides, and I prefer how lightweight shoes like Altra's Escalante Racer are), but I am realizing that my feet hurt even without running from how heavy I am - I need to lose weight for my feet to be healthy and in the meantime I need to be realistic about my feet's need for cushion and support.