Barefoot Running Technique | Explained

[@implorapace]

This video is a great resource! I’ve been walking in barefoot shoes for a few months and the change is amazing. I feel it all through my spine. Before I would feel a release in my upper body and shoulder blades towards the end of my walk and now it happens in the beginning. My posture is better and more relaxed, I’ve even observed a higher cadence as I’m walking. Two days in a row I’ve had to run to catch the tram and it felt amazing! The feeling of running as a kid. Now I feel more confident to increase my speed from walking. Thank you!! 🙏

[@TristWallace]

Been in Altra shoes for about two years now and my legs and feet are so much stronger. I’m also taking less impact on my knees. My Torins are almost dead but thankfully the new version is coming out next month 👍.

[@wildrapha]

Yes I had the same experience, I ran for 3000 km in altra escalante at slow pace because I was struggling with injuries. Now I’m much more resistent to running related injuries (shin splints keep flaring up when I do excessive speed work). Let me know what u think of the new torins!

[@keneticchannel]

While this is true, one should aim for more of a whole-foot landing than a forefoot strike. That barefoot running on the treadmill looked like the person's heels weren't even touching, which means the Achilles is left unloaded. Even though the forefoot touches down first, the midfoot and even heel should make contact with the ground in order to properly load up the muscles and tendons of the legs for the appropriate recoil for good form. If you only land on your forefoot, you're asking for a metatarsal injury or torn calf. Every part of the foot has a role in the landing. Outside forefoot, ball of foot, midfoot, heel (just a little bit) - that's the essentially proper order of landing.

[@wildrapha]

Hi there, 100% agree. I run barefoot regularly for short streches on trail, and it is exactly how you say it (heel touches the ground slightly after most of the vertical impact has been absorbed). Thanks for the comment!

[@Jabarikjay]

Definitely going to the soccer field tomorrow and taking a few laps barefoot! Great video

[@wildrapha]

Thank you! How did it go? Did you feel a difference with your usual running form ?

[@camilleweyler6278]

Thanks for the video raph! I will be. Areful on my next run!

[@wildrapha]

Sounds good 👌

[@mitchruns10]

Great video Rapha, very insightful. Will definitely keep that in mind when buying my next shoes.

[@wildrapha]

Awesome!! thanks for watching

[@Stroh_Studios]

great explanation! Thank you!

[@wildrapha]

You're welcome!

[@rinaldobastubbe1464]

nice vid Rapha….

[@wildrapha]

Thanks 🙏

[@michaelportfilm]

Super helpful vid. Can you recommend some barefoot/minimal running shoes? I run barefoot on grass a lot but don’t really want weird looks from people if I run on the path barefoot. Some very minimal shoes might work..

[@stephencooke8651]

Interesting video, how do you maintain the form of barefoot running in modern shoes which have demonstrated performance enhancing properties? Do you commit a portion of your training to barefoot?

[@wildrapha]

If you are conscious of your natural barefoot technique, you can easily replicate it in modern shoes, and you will even feel a boost because, as you mention, they have performance boosting properties. The problem is when runners wear modern shoes without being conscious of their natural form (that’s when they start overstriding, rolling their feet etc. ) Yes, I train mostly in minimal running shoes that don’t have a drop, no arch support and only a bit of cushion. When I go on long runs in the forest, I like to take my shoes off for 5-10k, feels revitalizing! Moreover I spend most of my time barefoot at home (which I think is underrated). Thanks for your comment ✊

[@io-rj6sk]

@@wildrapha isnt there alot of prickly sharp and rocks in the forest?

[@wildrapha]

@@io-rj6sk hmm yes depends on the trail. but when you do this regularly your feet become very resistant to this kind of stuff. i am more scared of broken glass than rocks

[@io-rj6sk]

@@wildrapha so do u still run in only barefoot shoes? i assume u dont do road runs so for ur trail shoes u only use the vibram and altras? u have to run slower when u take the shoes off rite coz of the objects on ground

[@raphasreviews]

awesome stuff

[@mazupazu]

I own two pair of shoes, vivo forest escape and some altras for running because it hurt me while i was sprinting in full barefoot shoes. (Technically i also have some boots for work and sime wrestling shoes) Now a few minths ago i met a run school in my city who runs completely without shoes. They have amazing technique! Old, fast fuckers! Its a little much for me and i dint have time when they meet up anyway.

[@SvenSchumacher]

Barefoot-shoes are not barefoot. It's a step in that direction and better than modern running-shoes, of course. I run without shoes if possible. In the wintertime it's not possible, and so I put on barefoot-shoes. Even with only Skinners (socks with rubber) the feeling is not the same. It takes more than a year to get used to real barefoot running, even if you walk barefoot regular outside your home. It's not easy, and artificial ground like gravel is really uncomfortable. It's worth it.

[@todallard8791]

You did not mention the damage done to your feet by wearing cushioned shoes squeezing your toes into those torture chambers making your feet to weak to function the way they were intended. The main sales pitch of the cushioned shoe tells you they are garbage "good for 300-500 miles" what breaks done that fast the upper NO the sole NO the cushion YES and you will notice the wear pattern on cushioned shoes is different than on the "barefoot shoe" The wider the shoe "more toe room" the better the wear on the shoes. You should also make sure the more you are barefoot and in "barefoot shoes" that they are still wide enough your feet will get wider. My first Prios were my normal size my second I had to go up a 1/2 size for more room and now I will need to find a wider shoe as the xero's are not wide enough now, they are still comfy to run in but the z-treks give my toes more room (they are sandals though).

[@wildrapha]

Thanks for the personal insights! I will definitely keep this in mind for a next video on barefoot running!