How barefoot is barefoot, really?

Okay, Pop Quiz time: Which of the following fictitious barefoot running shoes gives you more of a barefoot feel: a.) ASICs  Nuttin’-2C with a 10mm thick sole b.) Brooks Zilch-City with a 1mm thick sole If you answered B, you’re mistaken. But if you answered A, you’re also wrong. Yes, my apologies, but this was a trick question. In the barefoot/minimalist footwear world, there are several  concepts buzzing around, ideas upon which runners make buying decisions, that are potentially red herrings. In other words, these concepts... Read full post here

A new way to tie your huarache running sandals

Sonja came up with this novel way to tie your huarache running sandals that doesn't involve a cord coming up between your toes. As she points out, one potential drawback is that your foot can more easily shift forward on the sole compared to what happens when you have the cord between your toes... but, especially for people who have real trouble with that toe cord, or with the knot, you may want to try this out. I LOVE that people are getting so creative with huaraches! Read full post here

What's the best barefoot running surface?

When I tell people that I run barefoot (or when they see me out running without any shoes), the first response I get is, "Oh, so you run on the grass?" When I suggest to people that they should try running barefoot, the first thing they say is, "With my feet/knees/ankles/eyelashes, I'd need to run on the grass." So barefoot = grass is the common wisdom. But wisdom is rarely common, and what's common is rarely wise. What I've found is that the best surface for barefoot running... Read full post here

The motivation to run (barefoot or not)

What motivates you to run? I was asked that question about 6 months ago and, well, my answer ended up on page 61 of the December 2010 Runner's World! Actually, "on" isn't the right word, I'm the entirety of page 61! (that was more than a bit of a surprise). You'll notice I'm not either running barefoot or in huaraches in the picture... that's because at full speed, sprinting spikes are the only way to go (the movement of your skin, in addition to causing friction, is enough to slow you... Read full post here

Invisible Shoes on Boomer Alley Radio

Got 7 minutes for some laughs? Then you'll enjoy the interview I was invited to do on Boomer Alley Radio's "Better Mousetrap" show. You can hear it online on Saturday or Sunday: Saturday July 10 7 pm Pacific Time streaming on kfwb.com and live on KFWB NEWS TALK 980 AM (Los Angeles) Sunday July 11 4 pm Mountain Time streaming on radioconetwork.com and live on AM 1060 in Boulder/Denver metro ENJOY! -Steven p.s. I'll try to get a... Read full post here

Can you really run in huaraches?

When you're used to hanging out with barefoot runners or, at least, with people who've read Born To Run, you forget how "normal people" think. One of the questions I'm most asked by non-barefoot people is: "Can you really run in those?" What amazes me about this question is not how people have forgotten that, for tens of thousands of years, this is exactly what humans wore to run. What amazes me is that I'm usually asked this question by someone who has been watching me run in my Invisible Shoes. ... Read full post here

Will Barefoot Running Heal My Injuries?

I've written about the barefoot running / shoe debate before, but I want to highlight a specific point that comes up in the conversation, namely, will barefoot running hurt you or cure you? The short answer is: Who knows? It's not as simple as: take off your shoes and you'll be instantly cured of every injury you've ever had, able to run without effort for days at a time, and awarded the key to every city you breeze through on your double-marathon-a-day cross country jog. Running barefoot is... Read full post here

Barefoot Jason Reviews Invisible Shoes Huaraches Running Sandals

Well-known barefoot ultrarunner, and founder of Barefoot Running University, Jason Robillard, just published a wonderful review of Invisible Shoes at: http://barefootjason.blogspot.com/2010/04/huaraches.html We, of course, believe that with a bit more time in his huaraches, he'll like them even more than he already does ;-) Thanks, Jason! Read full post here