Milliseid tosse siis soovitab

Here are 7 main categories of shoes for you to consider. Of course, every barefoot runner or walker is at his or her own unique place on the spectrum from fully barefoot to needing full support, so judge accordingly.

I discuss the following general categories of shoes in order roughly of most rigid and least barefoot-like to nearly bare. I haven’t written about traditional footwear, but realize that modestly supportive shoes (or shoes with a mild arch) may give your feet the rest they need to recover in between barefoot or nearly-barefoot workouts.

1 . Newtons and other toe-running shoes. I love the concept behind the original Newtons, getting you up and off your heel. I just wish they’d bring you closer to the ground, rather than farther away from it, and wish the lugs were farther forward (as they stand it’s more of a midfoot shoe than a true toe-runner’s shoe). I think Newtons have their purpose as a training tool, though not as an everyday runner. However, I applaud their efforts as one of a growing group of shoes coming out to help get you off the heel. Shoes that get you off the heel may help you break old habits. Look for shoes that are light, low, and without extra cushion. Additionally, make sure they don’t lock you into a particular stride where your foot can’t land on the forefoot where it wants to and move or spring naturally. Some shoes are constraining in this area. You don’t want to be locked in a position, even a good one. Injuries often arise when there’s a conflict between where your foot wants to go and where your shoe directs it to go.

2 . Tri shoes. Marketed toward triathletes, tri shoes tend to be fairly lightweight, often slip on quickly, and are better ventilated than traditional running shoes. Tri shoes are distinguished from true racing flats because they’re a bit heavier with a higher heel. Yet some of them, such as the K-Swiss, are getting very close to a racing flat. They all tend to have a bit too much of a raised heel. Look for shoes with the least heel possible. Most of them still have a curled up toe (toe-spring) as well, so look for models with the least toe-spring. I like that they’re getting lighter and slide on and off quickly. This is ideal for barefoot running when you want to bring your shoes along.

3 . Nike Frees and Free Flexing Shoes. I love shoes that let your feet flex because it helps you land more naturally and stay more injury-free. Nike Frees are a step in the right direction, I just wish they made it easier to get off the heels and run with a forefoot strike. I’m hopeful this will soon change as similar models by other brands are coming out all the time.

4 . Racing Flats. I must admit, if I’m going fast in a shoe, these are my shoes of choice—no matter what the distance. My favorite? The Asics Piranha. True flats have little or no toespring and do not have a raised heel, making it easier to run on your forefoot and keep you closer to the ground. Each season shoe manufacturers debut more and more new flats. While your regular running-shoe store might not stock many flats, often you can find the best selection at a store that stocks shoes for track and crosscountry racers—or online.

5 . Vibram FiveFingers and other Glove-like Shoes. Vibrams are just plain different and fun. With individual slots for each of your toes, they let your toes spread and move more freely and let you run with a far more natural style. I’d like them to go further to get even thinner, lighter, and with less binding or restriction between the toes. I think their new Bikila and future models to follow go a definite step in this direction. The biggest challenge with the FiveFingers is that you still don’t feel the ground nearly as much as you do when barefoot, so it’s easy to overdo it. Also, some of their models, such as the KSO Trek have built in modest arch support. Now this is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly for a transition shoe, but it is something to watch for. I can’t wait to see what Vibram does next, and what the competition does; yes, expect to see more FiveFingered– type shoes in the marketplace. Remember this, fit is most important. These shoes don’t work for everyone. If they bind your toes, prevent free movement (up or down of the toes), or twist or cock your feet when running, then no matter how cool or “in” they seem to be, they may not be for you.

6 . Moccasins and Moccasin-like shoes. To me, for the winter, nothing beats my neoprene moccasins, which are really a cycling bootie with an insulated insole. And for walking year-round, a moccasin gives you the closest to barefoot feel of any footwear. However, true leather-made moccasins wear out very quickly unless you use a double-soled version, but then these too will inhibit full proprioception of the ground.

Custom moccasins are also quite costly, particularly given their wear. Other alternatives are Feelmax, which give you a true moccasin-like feel and, with only a 1 mm Kevlar bottom, let you sense the ground beneath you. Feelmax are a great shoe, but because you’ll feel everything, they are not a suitable everyday runner until you’ve built into daily barefoot or near-barefoot runs.

7. Beach socks. Sockwa Beach socks were originally designed for use on the beach. They let your feet move freely and give you the bare minimum of protection for your feet. These can be a smart choice if you’re a near full-time barefooter, but just need a bit of protection from the elements. They’re just about as close as you can get to barefoot, without being fully barefoot. I love my Beach Sockwas, though you’ll wear through them quickly on the roads. Fortunately, they cost a mere fraction of the cost of traditional running shoes.

Honorable mention: Sometimes the best minimalist shoes can be found in dance shoe stores. Modern dance is a version of dance that’s performed barefoot or nearly barefoot. In the near-barefoot category, dancers often wear a flesh-colored leather pad (often called a foot thong or dance paws—some actually shaped like a thong) over the ball of the foot to protect the skin from being torn during repeated spins on hardwood floors. There’s nothing under the toes, and the leather sole is typically only a millimeter thick, just enough protection to prevent your pads from getting beaten up. These small measures of foot protection allow your toes to fully grab and feel the ground.

I like the Ellis Bella foot thongs. You can find different shapes and sizes that fit your feet best. Many dancers prefer the Capezio Sandasol for its sandal-like look and feel (as it wraps around your heel like a sandal) and at a mere ounce or two, you barely notice you’re wearing them.