cushion vs barefoot running (what i learned after 3 years)

Growing up, I loved to run, but hated "running," so this is the story of how I became a shoes salesman, discovered barefoot shoes, and ended up running for three years with zero injuries. Enjoy! (:
BEST BAREFOOT SHOES
/ shop below + support the channel for free.
chart - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3oYwe0V
leather boots - - - www.etsy.com/l...
v-trek - - - - - - - - - - amzn.to/3PKaD6N
flying fox - - - - - - - www.wildling.s...
primus-lite - - - - - - bit.ly/3QU5wm8
primus-trek - - - - - bit.ly/3oPawfq
z-trek sandal - - - - bit.ly/3QqZ6e6
highrise knit - - - - www.feelground...
primus sg - - - - - - bit.ly/3oPawfq
escalante - - - - - - amzn.to/3clB4lM
MORE VIDEOS
best barefoot shoes - - - - • BAREFOOT SHOES / the b...
zero-drop transition - - - - • ZERO-DROP / transition...
barefoot transition - - - - - • RUN BAREFOOT / a shoes...
plantar fasciitis cure - - - • PLANTAR FASCITIS / cur...
#barefootrunning #barefoot #barefootshoes

[@tactnastyv2]

“I didn’t feel the need to change anything about my body” damn. That’s bliss brother

[@AndrewFolts]

Took thirty years to realize I was fine the way I was, ha! (:

[@eyeballin2901]

Did not expect to sit through the whole video but it was super chill and engaging. Good job. :)

[@AndrewFolts]

Ha, thank you. Glad your eyeballs enjoyed it! (:

[@chrisswan4257]

Yeah great video Andrew - very easy to watch. Very informative too 👍

[@huskiehuskerson5300]

Oh thank you for that, your majesty

[@spectazular7489]

It's only fucking 6 minutes

[@Blood-Talon]

@@spectazular7489 Lmao I know this dude must be a goldfish or something

[@captainspirou]

I've been doing barefoot/minimal for 8 years now. My advice when starting is to go totally shoeless. Not even minimalist. Why? Because with minimal footwear you'll try to run how you always did and at the same speed and you'll get injured fast. When going totally barefoot you'll be forced to slow way down and you'll be much more aware too. You will quickly see that heel striking is uncomfortable and you will change to the forefoot to compensate. You'll probably get blisters, which sucks, but you can recover from blisters much faster than leg injuries. The blisters are letting you know you're pushing too hard too early.

[@captainspirou]

Basically barefoot keeps you from overtraining.

[@AndrewFolts]

"You can recover from blisters much faster than leg injuries." So true. I've been running completely barefoot lately, even on pavement, and it's tough, but super rewarding. If I started all over, I'd go full barefoot from day one.

[@The-ul6fd]

The sandals are a good halfway house. Between shoeless and barefoot runners. Had the vivo running sandals and running technique approaches shoeless technique

[@AndrewFolts]

@@The-ul6fd The Eclipse ones? Been wanting to try them. How did you find the straps-did they rub at all?

[@The-ul6fd]

@@AndrewFolts yes or an earlier version. They are white and light grey, got them around 6 years ago. Little bother with rubbing really. There’s always going to be some fabric to foot interaction...but nothing much.

[@adamwesterbur5758]

This was really insightful and encouraging. Being a skinny guy all my life I’ve spent more time trying to “correct” it with weight training which only leaves me feeling injured and worse about myself. I really respect how your journey brought you back to appreciate your genetics and celebrate them.

[@AndrewFolts]

True that! Took me ten years of lifting to realize I actually like being skinny, but now I'm living it up. Skinny strong!

[@dr.sharkmonk374]

​@AndrewFolts I have been skinny my whole life and all of a sudden in med school I wanted to get bulky to look good just to come to a realization last year that man do I feel so free in my natural genetically god given body and that gifted high BMR, why was I trying to gain those extra hypertrophied muscles that I will have to maintain everyday with chuking those extra proteins and weight training and having to maintain it for ages to come just to satisfy the general norm.. I am so glad I am out of that route and clear in my head .. I just do what I like sometimes basketball, sometimes HIIT, sometimes BFR and sometimes running take protein as a recovery and not as an absolute must need. Happy natural gang.

[@tishguerrero]

I’m 3 days in taking a dive into barefoot world. Sore calves but not alarming. Definitely feeling more grounded and less anxious. Thank you for your advice & post. ✌🏽

[@AndrewFolts]

That's great, Tish! Take it slow, and your calves will get stronger in no time. (:

[@pajerry33]

I have sore calves from 1km walk then 1km x 5 intervals around a grassy field at max pace or close to it. I already have big calves due to my flat feet. I will try practice.

[@nothersheep]

Dude, I LOVED those graphics.

[@AndrewFolts]

Thank you! Bringing them back for my Barefoot Transition guide (coming soon).

[@VisUnchained]

I thought ,my running days were over because of low back problems until I started transitioning to minimalist and full barefoot running. It has changed my life for the better and I have begun to crave the additional texture of the ground when i am barefoot.

[@AndrewFolts]

"crave the additional texture." Know just what you mean! It's like hearing a language you used to know after years of missing it.

[@andrewhale337]

Exactly my feeling as well! After below freezing temperatures, running every now and then on minimalist windsurfing slippers.. I‘m back to barefoot! it‘s like throwing off weights!! .. and the direct contact to the ground, hard to describe to shoe-joggers. (not to mention the benefits to toes, knees & back!!)

[@leevancleef553]

OoOoOh... i've been running barefoot for almost a year and hadn't noticed my lower back pain is gone. It was never debilitating but it was constant.

[@thetruths7389]

How about you step on glass, stones, twigs? Don't that botther you?

[@VisUnchained]

@@thetruths7389 go eso it usually. Most glass is laying flat and not pointed up and most twigs and rocks can either be avoided by watching where you step or you can tread more gently. The beauty of the way feet are created is that they are incredibly responsive. There is an occasional bruise or laceration or puncture but most of the time I don’t even really notice that until the next day

[@earthsskin]

2022: ive given up running to chop wood, carry water and fulfill my need for exercise through daily tasks

[@AndrewFolts]

I'm down with that philosophy! (:

[@danielgibbs514]

I feel like you’re referencing the book. I love that book! Good job!

[@valdo9482]

@@danielgibbs514 what book?

[@noahapollo]

@@danielgibbs514 What book?

[@brophetic4456]

What book?

[@ellenj9969]

Love your vid, well done. Also, my dad was an avid runner all his life and, like me, he never stretched or warmed up before a run, and all went fine! He always used to say, just start out slowly on a run, like you are hardly moving. That very slow pace at the start of the run worked as a warmup, and he’d gradually increase speed as he warmed up. I have been doing the same thing, at his suggestion, for decades now, and it works great. I’m glad you found a method that makes you happy and makes running fun (as it should be). I love the simplicity of it, and am carefully starting to experiment with minimalist running shoes- which is another way of simplifying running and thus making it more enjoyable.

[@AndrewFolts]

Your dad sounds like a savvy runner! I agree, I think just slowly increasing your speed is the best way to warm up without hurting yourself. Simplicity = happiness! (:

[@mikewellwood1412]

@@AndrewFolts By the same token, is it really necessary to cool down at the end (or "warm down" as some people say)? I don't run actually, but I Nordic Walk, and the groups I've walked with are very fussy about warming up and down. When I walk on my own, I hardly ever bother. For cooling down, I just slow down towards the end.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@mikewellwood1412 True, a good run/walk should look like a bell curve with gentle tails at the beginning and end. (:

[@timonrittinghaus6873]

I was always avoiding running because of my weight and I feared for my knees, but because with barefoot running your body works as it is supposed to be I never hat the issues with my knees that I was scared of. Started slow though, but by now I can run 10ks and looking forward to a half marathon, took me only a year from never running before at all. :) Btw, I run with skinners-socks, but I want to try Shamma Warrior Sandals now!

[@AndrewFolts]

Dude, you're killing it! This is such a cool story, and I'm glad you're out there knocking off 10k's and half's. How do you like your Skinners? Does the fabric breathe well enough?

[@mauxmere]

I also want to try the warriors once I wear out my shamma chargers, 600k and starting to fall apart.

[@mladentase]

I stopped getting injuries as well when I transitioned. I started fully unshod and after some while got minimal shoes. Now I run both unshod and with minimalist shoes. Taking it easy is the most important thing since simply putting on minimalist shoes doesn't solve the problem. Your body has to adapt SLOWLY. Stretching and warm up is still something I do and preach.

[@AndrewFolts]

Truth. So many injuries happen simply because people say "YES" at times when their bodies are telling them "NO."

[@РоманПросветов-ъ3ы]

Glad to see, that i am not the only man with this same 'weird' story... Thank you for sharing!

[@AndrewFolts]

We're all weirdos, secretly! (:

[@joebobmarley2854]

Me too..

[@John81oConnory]

I wore vibrams as my daily shoe for two years straight to finish high school, but always took them off to run. Never felt more perfectly made in my own body in my life. 200+ lbs at 5'10" and no pain. Ever.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@John81oConnory Ha, wish I had known about Vibram's in high school. Even more, wish I would have had the guts to wear them! (:

[@dananderson6459]

Great video! I'm also on a running shoe journey and looking towards the minimal options. One thing I have had help with inflammation is.....reducing sugar and carbohydrates. I know, I know more fad diets but it has eliminated the pain in my scar tissue from previous injuries and maintain higher levels of training than before without injuries. I was very skeptical before and attempted it as a way to prove it wrong but ended up feeling amazing. Just sharing my experiences. Thanks for the video.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, I agree. I eat a higher fat diet and usually fast on tea and a bit of cantaloupe in the morning. Definitely helped keep things calmed down!

[@davidr5685]

I use to be a sprinter/powerlifter until someone told me "you can't do both".my response "watch me". Like you, I love the feeling of the ground and the no loss of power. I'm currently training for my 4th ultra 150 miles, average 220 per month. Most injuries, like you said, have been tied to too much shoe = loss of mechanics.

[@AndrewFolts]

So true. I remember the first time I leg pressed 500 lbs in 3mm Vivo's. I thought: "There's no way I can do this without cushion." But turns out it was easier and didn't stress my feet at all. Three years later, I'm barefoot running on pavement and still loving it. Human body's pretty amazing.

[@davidr5685]

@@AndrewFolts you are so absolutely right! I never made that connection but yes power lifting shoes are basically like socks! That might be why I've had success transitioning. Could you please do a vid about how you handle rocky trails or types of socks or lack of? Your feet do build a tolerance but it's hard to run really rocky trails for hours without rethinking about zero drops. Hahaha

[@AndrewFolts]

@@davidr5685 I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the next video I'm about to released, ha. For long-distance barefooting you need a ton of callus for padding, but you can only get it from abrasion (not simple impact). Running on rough pavement will help you build it pretty quick, but be prepared for lots of little cuts and scrapes.

[@DaroLinguiniJohnson]

What the shit?! KZbin please give this man the subs he deserves

[@AndrewFolts]

Ha, I wonder if the KZbin algorithm takes into account comments that say you deserve more subs? If I have 100K tomorrow, I'll know who to thank! :)

[@DaroLinguiniJohnson]

@@AndrewFolts really hope it does tho

[@Monorijder]

+1 :-)

[@sapientia_et_virtus]

Yeah, man. You deserve them. Hopefully since your content is so good, they'll come rolling in soon.

[@chrisswan4257]

Great to hear your story. So many things ring true for my journey. Despite being active and trying to look after myself, I've spent most of my adult life injured and dealing with pain in my hips, knees, lower back. I had pretty much given up on the thought that I might be able to sustain running as an enjoyable hobby. I've been to chiropractors, physios, had scans and had no end of advice on stretches, strength building exercises - you know the story! Anyway I got to the place where I just decided that I was bio-mechanically cursed. Then at the age of 42 I got given a pair of old altras, watched a vid on barefoot technique and got myself running. The effect on my whole body has been incredible. I've ditched all but a few of my strength exercises and stretches but have become stronger and more flexible. Ive just transitioned to vibram five fingers and just can't believe the difference its made to my sense of well being. I find it quite funny that I've spent twenty two years trying to fix various parts of my body and all along it was all about the feet.

[@AndrewFolts]

Wow, what a comeback story! I was almost thirty by the time I discovered Altra's, so I can totally relate. Barefoot shoes introduced me to the idea of "less," and ever since then I've been applying it with a lot of success to other life problems. Have fun with your Vibram's!

[@MichaelKraeuter]

Thank you for sharing! I started to wear barefoot shoes years ago and love them! I've been working on foot flexibility and getting my toes to splay naturally. It is a journey to get back to how we are intended to move.

[@AndrewFolts]

Journey is well worth it. Those toe spacers can really help, I've heard. Cheers!

[@ABSENSEOFSENSE]

After countless reviews on on a multitude of shoe brands coming across this video has been refreshing and welcomed and obliterates all the nonsense that's coming from so many cushioned shoe brands. Really good video mate and I will be taking your advice.

[@AndrewFolts]

"obliterates all the nonsense" Ha, love it! You might like the "zero-drop/minimalist" video if this one was helpful, and I'm coming out with a full-barefoot running guide soon, so watch out for that. Cheers!

[@bemde]

I highly recommend "born to run", it's a fantastic book about a similiar journey: not understanding how running causes so many injuries when it's something humanity has done since.. well, being on two feet. I'm back to running barefoot too (but starting really slowly, I'm back to 6km in 40min after I had some unrelated injury). I would love a video on how to run barefoot faster as I feel pretty much stuck on one pace (but keeping that for longer would probably not be a problem). Any tips from people in the comments?

[@AndrewFolts]

Love B2R! People keep knocking me for being a "sample size of one," but I'm like...my sample size is all of human history up to the 1970's, ha! What tires first-your muscles or your lungs? Or is it something else?

[@Actualhumanlive]

I have arthritis in both feet from wrecking my big toe joints in barefoot shoes running up hills. I also pulled my calf muscles so much I had trouble walking. I used the shoes for about three years and had to give up running thereafter. I vote... a no.

[@AndrewFolts]

​@@Actualhumanlive How long is your stride? Just wondering because the farther out it goes, the more the toe bends, especially on hills. We've been barefoot running and hiking for the same amount of time, and I've never had any calf strains. Although they were very sore in the beginning, ha!

[@joebobmarley2854]

@@AndrewFolts exactly, modern tennis shoes are a very new thing for humans. I wish I was barefoot my whole life and didnt have to sit in a desk at school all day

[@joebobmarley2854]

@@AndrewFolts are you barefoot running or wearing Vivo's?

[@jeremyboley2259]

Great video. I made the switch to barefoot running, with toe shoes, 13 years ago and have not had a single injury. I think the key is to move from a heel strike to a mid toe strike extremely gradually. Listen to your body.

[@AndrewFolts]

Right on! Yea, the gradual part is where most people go wrong, trying to do too much too fast. Which toe shoes do you have?

[@jeremyboley2259]

@@AndrewFolts Vibrams.

[@recyclinggremlin6827]

I love the way you format your videos ! Legit the most creative creator on this site :o) Thanks for sharing your journey !

[@AndrewFolts]

Haha, thank you. Had fun doing this one!

[@tonino5]

Great video! I've been running on my treadmill for 2 years now barefeet...I do about 30K per week with inclination & even combined with some killer HIIT sessions sometimes. No injuries, no pains whatsoever. I highly recommend it!

[@AndrewFolts]

Sounds like a pretty intense treadmilling! (:

[@tonino5]

@@AndrewFolts hehe it is...I started building it up slowly tho but since I have no injuries and no pains, I just keep going. My feet became stronger too =) barefoot running ...best decision ever!

[@thezeroconditional2287]

I gave this a go a few years ago after reading The Barefoot Runner and Born to Run, but unfortunately I got terrible Achilles and calf pain. And yes I did try to build up slowly. I was so disappointed because after reading those books I was really excited and hopeful that my flat feet weren't a flaw in my design but just not being served by the shoe industry. Still running now, and I do seem to struggle with whatever shoes I wear but I've just recently been to a podiatrist/posturist/bio-mechanic and she's given me exercises to strengthen all the supporting structures in my knees, calves and feet etc. I hope this helps. If I lived in the countryside or near trails I'd like to give minimalist or even barefoot running another go.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, trails are definitely better for barefoot running (or really any kind of running). More of a "balanced diet." If it helps, one of the missing pieces for me was not stretching. I feel like calf stretches in particular caused a lot of my PF symptoms. When I went 100% in my Primus Lite's (walking and running) and stop stretching and doing warmup drills, my PF symptoms went away permanently. But, yes, zero-drop and barefoot require a lot more calf strength, and you will be sore for months, no matter how you transition. Sore is ok, but obviously you want to stay mindful and get lots of rest so sore doesn't turn into strained.

[@syrus3k]

@@AndrewFolts I began by losing almost 10kg of weight, that helped a lot.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@syrus3k Woah, nice work! It's the simple things that make a huge difference.

[@AlexandraForToday]

@@syrus3k For me things started to change for the better after reading 'Older yet Faster' . Coming from tendonites.

[@ieeetransoncircuitssystemf1101]

the same, 15 months into barefoot running, 20km short of 1000km mark, and pure joy, no injury.

[@cindiluv6861]

Awesome storytelling and editing skills 😊 Thanks so much for the research and information highly appreciated 🤗

[@AndrewFolts]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching, Cindi!

[@thelthrythquezada8397]

Last week I found you and a few other barefoot channels. I stopped wearing shoes THAT DAY. I am blessed to work for a family business and they don't mind that I am wearing these runner soled "socks" I FLIPPING LOVE THIS! I don't have pain. the only bother I feel is all the muscles of my lower body is sore from not being awake for all these years. But as the days go and getting good sleep, eating clean I am able to recover after sleeping.

[@AndrewFolts]

Heck yea! Your feet'll wake up quick once you start using them, and the pain will go away in no time. Enjoy your new freedom. (:

[@elsarovira4994]

I started using my Xero Shoes and this time is forever ❣️

[@AndrewFolts]

For-ev-ooooooooooooooor! (:

[@mrsam2026]

Two weeks in and experiencing the feeling of foot arch muscles dancing when I'm at rest. 🦶 Thanks to the algorithm for bringing me to your channel. Thanks to you for the impartial product reviews.

[@AndrewFolts]

Happy feet, happy life. Appreciate you checking out the video! (:

[@izzyh.3581]

The almighty algorithm 🙏🏽

[@amyfrederick2025]

I merrells, just as everyday shoes when required. I love it and prefer my feet to be unhinged these are the next best thing.. thank you

[@AndrewFolts]

"unhinged" Great way to put it!

[@fju2112]

Great video. I started running early 30s and found that over-cushioning the feet was to my detriment. Even now I'm not using anything as minimal as we see in the vid, but it's motivating me to try. I run 5-6 times/week and thankfully injury free, also stopped stretching years ago. Loved the point about not being built to run on sloped marshmallows :)

[@AndrewFolts]

Right on! Well done going injury gree. Just take it slow with your transitioning and you'll have a lot of fun with barefoot shoes. Keep up the great work!

[@kris1103]

The thing about the barefoot running fraternity is the statement "everybody is injured" but most runners I know including myself who've ran thousands of miles for years without any injury. I have a pair of barefoot shoes, I'm not shitting on them, but the assumption all runners in mainstream running shoes are injured is just false. I have however seen plenty of barefoot runners limping in pain ⅔rds into marathons.

[@AndrewFolts]

Most barefoot runners I know are hardly social butterflies, so I don't think we'd like forming a fraternity. Also, I know more women barefoot running than men, so let's at least call it a sorority, ha! Every running tribe has their village idiots. I can't tell you how many times I had customers come in when I was working at a run specialty shop and complain that they went for one run in some Nike Free's and got plantar fasciitis. I can't speak to the general population, but I can tell you that 99% of the people I fit at that store were using cushion shoes, and most of them were coming in with injuries (or having just recovered from one). We can disagree about the shoes themselves, but a big factor is also probably that more newbie runners are using cushion-and newbies get hurt more often. For the most part, people don't start out in barefoot shoes, so by the time they buy a pair, they likely have more experience and less chance of getting injured.

[@henrystartt]

@@AndrewFolts I agree with the advantages of barefoot running but I would not say that the cushioning system is the problem. If 99% of your customers with injuries wore cushioned shoes this is probably due to 99% of the population wear cushioned shoes. If you are happy with your shoes and not injured you are much less likely to ask someone for help finding a shoe so, a disproportionate amount of people looking for advice would be experiencing an injury. Also, if someone is wearing barefoot runners I would assume they have done more research into running as the average person would not know about them or wear them without looking into them.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@henrystartt I'm sure you're right, a lot of confused and injured runners go to run specialty stores. But the problem with cushion remains, which is that it wears out in 300-500 miles, often sooner. So you're basically running on a slow-motion time bomb. A very expensive time bomb, ha! Better to run in a barefoot shoe, which lets you feel the ground and performs as well on Day One as when you finally throw it in the trash because it's falling apart at the seams.

[@henrystartt]

@@AndrewFolts I guess it boils down to putting time into training your body to adapt to barefoot shoes or putting money into cushioned shoes! Not everyone has the time or determination to go though the change and learn proper technique to not have to rely on the cushion. For many people who run 3-5 times a month such as my parents its more comfortable for them to buy a new pair of shoes every year or two then spend a year in pain switching over.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@henrystartt Yea, makes sense in that use case, for sure.

[@momekh]

Precise. Entertaining. Educational. More videos should be like this. Bravo, good sir, bravo!

[@AndrewFolts]

Thanks, Momekh. Will keep 'em coming! (:

[@eoinnaughton3234]

how does this great guy only have 100 subs deserves a lot more

[@AndrewFolts]

KZbin fame, here I come! ;)

[@eoinnaughton3234]

@@AndrewFolts hopefully great vid:)

[@painedforever]

I've been running barefoot for 3 years now, and I started with Vibrams. I picked them because I couldn't figure out what sort of shoes to get. I didn't know if I over-pronate or under, or what sort of stride I had. Barefoot seemed simple, so that's what I went with. And y'know what? I'm pretty happy with them. No injuries, no persistent aches and pains. I do, however, change up my workout, sometimes working on my shoulders, sometimes on my core. I'm not trying to lose weight or get buff, but just trying to keep myself strong and build up endurance.

[@AndrewFolts]

Nice! Vibram's are a great place to start. Most over-pronation is just caused from running in cushion shoes (which are too soft) or stability shoes (which make your ankles weak). We did a gait analysis at the run specialty shop I used to work at, and 9 times out of 10, when you had people take off their cushioned shoes and run in socks on the treadmill, their over-pronation disappeared! Glad you found the road to zero injuries, strength, and endurance! (:

[@Gerhard2770]

I changed to bare foot running and after 6 years developed an osteochondral defect of my ankle. Now I am not allowed to ever run again....Walking is still painful sometimes after more than a year’s rest. So be careful.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yes, self-care should always be the #1 priority. Curious if you full barefoot running or using a barefoot-style shoe? If so which one? Sorry to hear about your ankle. Hope it keeps improving!

[@Andre-bi3gq]

Did you take rest days?

[@Gerhard2770]

@@Andre-bi3gq I use to run 3 times a week and did atleast 1 half marathon a month.

[@Gerhard2770]

@@AndrewFolts The way I see it, is you can't punch a brick wall everyday with your bare hands. You will get into trouble.You need boxing gloves. PS. I ran in the same pair of Nike free for 6 years.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@Gerhard2770 Ha, why would you punch a brick wall? Metaphor doesn't translate. With barefoot running, you land softly with open toes that roll smoothly, so it's like doing finger pushups on a brick wall, which you could easily do every day.

[@8ibbles]

I love the split screen, illustrated thing going on in this video. Super creative!

[@AndrewFolts]

This is still one of my favorite videos I've made and it's fun to watch. Glad you enjoyed it too. Appreciate you hanging out, yo!

[@Halogalandwanderer]

people can say what they want about five fingers but they cured my chronic shin splints

[@AndrewFolts]

They can have my money too! :)

[@gabbechico8471]

how? i mean, how did u start? dosege? and so on? going from 20-35mm in the heal to what 2-5 mm is not good for nothing in the body at the begining, ! tell me! i have shin splints that dont go away, and i got altra, joe nibles, hoka, nothing helps.

[@MaxGalofre]

What cured your shin splints is probably your calves, tibialis, ankles, feet, and toes doing what they're supposed to do. The shoe just allows it to happen, but I don't think they did a miracle.

[@gabbechico8471]

@Scott Sid been using Joe nibel shoes for pver 6 month now, still my shins dont want to heal propelry! but i hear you!

[@Halogalandwanderer]

@@MaxGalofre that is true, I wondered about my wording after I posted the comment. It seems to me that the shoes, or the lack of cushioning merely allowed my legs/feet/ankles to strengthen and operate in the way they’re designed to operate

[@sarahjensen2473]

Good luck with the widespread inflammation! I have chronic inflammatory issues and I feel best with time-restricted eating, and low-carb/high fat. Low doses of prednisone to stop a spiral down have been a lifesaver, even with the risks involved. Diet and exercise don't get recommended enough by doctors because they expect us to want a miracle pill. I hope you have a good medical team who supports the hard work approach! I'm glad this video popped up for me. It verifies my own observations. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@AndrewFolts]

Thanks, Sarah. Yea, inflammation is a tricky. Fasting in the morning helps, and low-card/low-sugar too. Also, my Cu was low, which is apparently common for joint inflammation. But...yes, there's nothing better than good old fashioned exercise. Hope you keep feeling better! (:

[@SGF08Y]

Fooled me into thinking you had 1000's of followers! Enjoyed your video man and thinking of buying some minimal shoes now.

[@AndrewFolts]

Heh...I wish I had a thousand followers. Gettin' there. Glad you enjoyed it-ditching cushion for barefoot shoes was probably the most life-changing decision I've made. Have fun out there!

[@SkyyThePuffin]

Excellent video and presentation, thank you! I've been on a journey where I am trying to love running again after many of the same problems. I have spent the last year improving my neglected strengths that were sapped from years in cushioned shoes. I'm not 'there' yet, but these type of shoes have been saving my health.

[@AndrewFolts]

That's awesome! So glad you're regenerating your strength. Cheers to a full recovery!

[@22ryanoc]

Just keep those Achilles strong. It’s taking me so long to fully recover from sore Achilles/heels. I got a spin bike and inline skates in the meantime.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yup, it's called the "Achilles Heel" for a reason! (:

[@Liam-B]

I've worn jikatabi since I was twelve (after a skiing accident sprained all my lower joints) to help with inflammation and natural strengthening. 14 years later, after walking, working while standing, lifting, hiking, skating, and mountain biking, I have zero issues with stiffness or inflammation of any kind even standing for 18 hour shifts at work, or hard workouts. Plus it's a great way to flex your work ethic to encourage others to do more with less, and do better. I genuinely can't live in regular boots or shoes for more than a few days without having lots of weird issues.

[@AndrewFolts]

Congrats, Liam, that's amazing! How'd they work for skating? I had a comment from someone asking about barefoot skating shoes but wasn't sure if the thin sole would work.

[@Liam-B]

They work great! I'd imagine there is more risk of injury if you do lots of tricks though.

[@fernie51296]

Whenever I train, I do it I’m barefoot shoes. Whenever I go on run, and whenever I go to work (I work in a wood shop). I’ve now reintroduced cushioned shoes though for when I’m going out. Purely for aesthetics reasons. I’ve realized that since I’m used to barefoot shoes and wear them MOST of the time, my gait doesn’t change when I put on a heeled shoe. Still isn’t great because of the toe box. But it’s all manageable. 👍

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, shouldn't do much harm if it's a small percentage of your day. Maybe someday there'll be a Gucci Barefoot line. Then we'll know it's really caught on. ;)

[@codywinter4818]

I'm a Parkour practitioner and I've also been experimenting lately with putting on some more padded but still no-drop shoes -(hard to find! But I can't do the drop anymore, it drives me crazy even more now than it used to.) - for only when I'm doing more impacty stuff. I'm unsure how I feel about it yet.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@codywinter4818 Ha, I know. When I put on my old shoes with drop, my feet are like YUCK, get this stupid thing off me!!! I would check out Lem's. They're zero-drop with a bit of cushion and a wide toe-box. I bet they would be pretty good for parkour.

[@codywinter4818]

Haha for real, Idk how you're supposed to walk with those clompers. Thanks @@AndrewFolts !

[@AndrewFolts]

@@codywinter4818 Ha, "clompers." That's the perfect word for them.

[@JerryBisMe]

I ran competitive cross country and never got injured because I fixed my form to forefoot running early on. All my peers got injured (some severely and frequently) because of what is being covered in the video. If I was running thousands of miles a season without problem, I definitely think it’s inevitable that people who run need to change their form or forever deal with the consequences of inaction. Also you get very nimble running on trails because your body is more in tune

[@AndrewFolts]

Nice work! Yea, I was a heavy heel-striker in HS track and was injured all the time. No one ever told me this was wrong, and the local shoe store just kept trying to correct my "overpronation," which was really jus caused by overly cushioned high-drop shoes and an incorrect stride. Once I switched to forefoot and barefoot shoes I was never injured again. Seven years and still injury free. Cheers!

[@duckyluver12]

This is so interesting. I had a really similar story working in footwear at an outdoor store. I had foot issues my entire life, and the more I learned about "good" shoes the more I doubted them. So I did the same deep dive as you did into foot shaped shoes. Now I only wear barefoot shoes.

[@AndrewFolts]

In the beginning, it's hard to accept the truth...because how could so many people be wrong, ya know? But the older I get, the more I realize that Tim Ferriss is usually right: "Everything popular is wrong."

[@teatarstudio9237]

This video is so much more than just a video about running and shoes

[@AndrewFolts]

Was a very successful accident, ha. Glad you vibed with it, cheers! (:

[@awos6559]

Interesting. I used to run on pavements and my knees started hurting after runs. I changed to trails and they stopped hurting and I love the scenery!! And it’s more challenging. And I use altras. Can’t understand why people put on dropping shoes or pointed ones!!

[@AndrewFolts]

For sure. I think the "balanced diet" of trail running is much better than the blandness of road running!

[@leonda4817]

I wear groundies (just like your vivos) all the time, almost never normal shoes. For running tough, i use shoes with moderate drops and firm relatively thin midsoles. Works for me. Strong lower legs and feet from my everydays life, and some moderate shock absorbtion during running. Best of both worlds.

[@AndrewFolts]

Whatever works is always the best option. Cheers! (:

[@Freestyle4evr]

I actually switched to barefoot running for a while, loved the nb minimus, then the altra escalante, but overstrained and picked up plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. Rested and rehabbed then tried to go back to barefoot or minimalist shoes, and actually reinjured. Have had to go back to cushioned shoes and besides some shin splints at the start as I got used to running again, haven’t had an issue I do think it’s an amazing feeling to run in minimalist shoes, but not always the answer - I think having rotations of shoes for those that can afford it is the smartest way

[@AndrewFolts]

I had the same experience-got borderline plantar fasciitis from the Escalante. It's a great-fitting shoe, but the cushion got sloppy in less than 200 miles, which was disappointing. Both the Escalante (25mm) and the Minimus (23mm) are "minimalist" shoes, but not "barefoot" shoes. Barefoot shoes have no cushion and a thin sole (3-12mm). I found no benefits from minimalist shoes. It was only going to a 3mm Vivo Primus Lite that led to zero-injury running, so if you ever feel like taking a crack at barefoot, that's what I would recommend. Totally different experience than minimalist shoes. Cheers!

[@hammill444]

Bingo. I seriously hurt myself with some merrell barefoot shoes. I wasn't even running. Just walking. Never again.

[@cantolin4]

I also switched to barefoot running three years ago. Before I switched I was struggling with plantar fasciitis. Not only did running barefoot reduce injury, the tactile sensation of the ground on my feet made running much more interesting and enjoyable. I ran track in high school but only after running barefoot did I feel I had learnt “correct” running form. Running barefoot taught me not to heel strike and to distribute my weight between the ball of my foot and heel upon landing. These days I couldn’t imagine spending $100+ on running shoes like I used to. I would much rather spend that money on something fun like rollerblades. Great video, I hope barefoot running becomes more popular!

[@AndrewFolts]

I sometimes wonder how my coach would have reacted if I had worn barefoot shoes in high school track. Probably would have flipped out! (:

[@abdolreza82]

Barefoot running on pavement (asphalt etc) will eventually damage your feet, legs, heels, hips, knees and etc. We are not evolved to run on these hard surfaces. If you want to run on a hard surface, you need to have cushioned shoes to emulate what you are supposed to run on. The lawn along the pavement (when it's not wet) is the best part of the sidewalk to run on.

[@mvhsguys]

Underrated comment

[@AndrewFolts]

I ran in 3mm barefoot shoes for two years on pavement and the hardness never bothered me, but I do think the tilt and uniformity are a problem-and cushion doesn't solve it., since you're going from firm and uniform to soft and uniform. Trails definitely provide a more "balanced diet," no matter what shoes you're running in.

[@abdolreza82]

@@AndrewFolts Great channel Andrew. It depends on where you run and how many runners use the trail. My rule of thumb is impact=injury! Running is amongst the most famous high-impact activities one can do! As we age our joints will deteriorate faster and cushioned shoes can be more forgiving and exert less force on our joints. And I prefer to mix running with low-impact cardios like swimming, rowing or cycling. Stay healthy my friend and cheers!

[@plyzogyz]

source for this pls? the whole point of barefoot is that ur calves is the new hard working cushion, shouldt matter which surface you run on. Cushioned shoes dont actually have an impact on the actual force shooting up your leg either

[@bigboxerable]

Yeah, I have given up on minimalist shoes because it is simply so miserable running on hard surfaces. The jarring was too much. As you say, we did not evolve to run on hard tarmac. It was a real pleasure to get back to cushioned shoes.

[@joshb8233]

Ultra are king. I'm finally back to myself after a long recovery smashed 86km this week. Barefoot shoes are no joke and strengthen the feet.

[@AndrewFolts]

Right on! I had great results from going zero-drop with cushioned Altra's (Escalante//Torin/Vanish), and then even better results from getting rid of cushion completely with barefoot shoes. Cheers to the minimalist journey!

[@JohnMoseley]

Me in London running shops: "Do you do any barefoot shoes?" Staff (with dead eyes): "No."

[@AndrewFolts]

I know what you mean...when I worked in a running shop, I used to wear Vibram FiveFingers, and everyone thought I was bonkers, ha!

[@JohnMoseley]

@@AndrewFolts At the risk of hyperbole, this feels a lot like what Marxist theorists call being "embedded in ideology." I doubt if most running shop people are thinking about it, but financially, it wouldn't work as well for them, would it, to offer barefoot products? I mean, in the right weather, you can have a great run completely barefoot or in sandals made from a Xero Shoes kit that costs about £20 - and as various companies are now showing, you can make great barefoot footwear that doesn't have to cost as much as the premium brands like Lems, Softstar or Vivo. In lots of ways, mainstream, non-barefoot athletic footwear brands manufacture dissatisfaction and a consequent sense of need in its consumers: they put people in inherently uncomfortable and damaging footwear made to look as if it offers ever greater levels of comfort, and people think, "Oh, these gave me shin splints, but maybe with even more cushioning and spring..." There's a Cowspiracy type film waiting to be made here. Enjoyed your video, by the way. 🙂

[@AndrewFolts]

@@JohnMoseley Ha, yes, I just uploaded a video on this a few days ago. Running stores don't sell barefoot shoes because they last too long, and with a negative 10x hit in revenue, they'd all be out of business within a year. I own some Xero sandals, but I don't care for them because they're 5mm instead of 3mm, like my Primus Lite's. I've run 3,000 miles in the Vivo's thus far, so I think the $130 price tag is totally justified. Funny you say "conspiracy film" because VivoBarefoot literally has a video called "Shoespiracy." It's quick and worth watching. Also, you're right. The problem, as usual, is "more." Everyone's first instinct is always to add more cushion...more stability...more support. That's ultimately why I quit my running store job. They brought in this bogus arch insert machine and I couldn't stand working in Idiocracy any longer! How about "less" for once???

[@JohnMoseley]

@@AndrewFolts I'm grateful for Vivos because without their London shop and the very helpful staff there, it would have taken me a lot longer to find out about barefoot shoes at all. Also, their tracker hiking boots got me through a couple of winters. Whatever works, and if it got you a shoe you love and that lasts, no question, the investment's worth it. But most of their shoes don't give me the toe space I need and I don't find the sole as flexible as it could be. Am currently deeply in love with my freet Connect 2s, the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned, and a lot cheaper than Vivos. Was just looking up the thickness of the thinner sole offered for the Xero DIY kit sandals, and their websites are so bad that I actually can't find it, but, from memory, the thinner soles - the ones I have - were only 2mm. I've just measured them and this seems right. At any rate, they're wonderfully floppy. Sadly, here in the UK, they seem to have stopped selling them. I've seen the Vivo film, but I think what's really needed is one not made by a brand and that really gets into and undermines the psychology of standard running shoes: the logical fallacy that assumes the manufacturers must know what they're doing and must have runners' best interests at heart, and looks in general at the history of shoe manufacture and how we ended up with such odd-shaped, damaging things as normal, and how "normal" is something that can change radically over time. Holbein paintings like the Ambassadors and portraits of Henry VIII seem to indicate that men at the time wore very flat shoes with very wide toe boxes. It would also be great to go in detail into the damage caused by normal footwear, not just to runners. There's a great video from Northwest Foot and Ankle of an old lady who's started making her own shoes talking about how every single person of her age she knows has foot deformity of some kind. She sees the shoe industry as almost as bad as the tobacco industry.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@JohnMoseley Oh man, I wish there was a Vivo store in the US. At one time, had thoughts of starting a franchise! ;) I do think it's disappointing they don't have wides. I have narrow feet from playing soccer, and they get a little tight in winter if you have more than one layer of socks. I don't like Xero at all. They just seem like a scammy company, in general. It's too bad they stopped making 2mm sandals, though, because I actually like the Z-Trek's I have (except for the thickness). Could be cool if the major barefoot brands teamed up for a documentary. They'd have plenty of business to share if they knocked off even 25% of the cushion customers So awesome about the lady making her own shoes. I want to try that when I have the time. Cheers!

[@jvd1111]

One thing that gets overlooked more than anything else is form as it relates to running. One of the reasons you likely feel less injury prone from your barefoot running is that your body is forced to execute each step in a more natural alignment. Your foot strike and the proprioception you feel in your feet forces you to run on your mid foot and engage muscles that would potentially lie dormant with the aid of super cushioned shoes. In short, by being barefoot you feel your body. It hurts to run on your heel barefoot, so you adjust and run correctly and engage your hips, glutes and the rest. The cushion shoes aren’t the problem, it’s usually the runner with poor form. The form is the variable here, in my opinion.

[@AndrewFolts]

For sure! Cushion shoes allow you to get away with bad form, but then you pay the price with chronic issues that sneak up on you. Barefoot or barefoot shoes teach you VERY QUICKLY not to run with bad form! (:

[@nordfresse]

Running itself puts a lot of strain on the body, barefoot or not. Walking/hiking is so much better...

[@AndrewFolts]

With a proper mid-foot stride, I've found no difference in strain or injuries between walking and running. People all over the world run barefoot 10-100 miles on a daily basis and experience no health problems whatsoever. It's what we evolved to do. Like everything else in life, though, it probably comes down to genetics, diet, etc. Every person's body breaks down at a different rate.

[@nordfresse]

@@AndrewFolts We have certainly not evolved to run 10-100 miles a day. Why would we do that? It is pretty obvious that running puts more strain on the joints than walking. Over time everyone will notice it.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@nordfresse To chase game. One look at the human leg will tell you we're designed primarily for long-distance running, not walking. The mid-foot stride creates a spring-like action, while walking results in shock that goes straight up the leg from the heel-which (unlike the toes) has no flexibility.

[@nordfresse]

@@AndrewFolts Sure, we are able to run long distance and very efficiently, but that doesnt mean thats our default way of moving. Much like a deer can run pretty fast but doesnt do that all the time unless it has to run from a predator. Running as an exercise in order to burn calories and stay lean had never even occured to a human being before the middle of last century. Because most people had no extra calories to burn. The mid-foot stride is great for running but as any spring-like action it will eventually wear out. Walking does produce some shock up the leg but thats ok, in fact a healthy amount of shock keeps the cartilage in our knees in tact since it needs regular sqeezing to get nurtured. Can you really imagine early human beings running around all the time burning calories they then have to struggle to refill again. They did that for hunting ever so often but thats it.

[@AndrewFolts]

Look at any indigenous culture and you will find that running is a natural part of their daily routine from birth to death. Kenyan children run everywhere-not to burn calories but because they love it and because it’s what human beings are meant to do. Need we be running all day long? Of course not. But people can and do run miles every day for their whole lives without breaking down. Everyone has their own preferences, and that’s totally fine, but, for me, life would not be worth living without running.

[@TheRamontroncoso]

Everyone please remember that what works for one will not work for all. Shoes are only a piece of the puzzle and the primary focus should be creating muscular balance/tendon strength. Cool vid!

[@AndrewFolts]

True, true. Gotta balance the whole ecosystem, not just shoes (or lack thereof)!

[@_cineris]

Last summer I picked up some Merrell Vapor Glove 3's and gave it a shot. Long story short, either it's not for me, or my form sucked or something. After only a handful of runs in them, I'm still dealing with the achilles tendinopathy, 9 months later. I'd had no injuries up to that point (2 years of 20-30 mi/wk), but was convinced by videos similar to this to give it a try, something I now very much regret. I do appreciate the content and sincerity in your video. I just think it's worth pointing out that your mileage may vary, and that if you don't transition properly (and perhaps even if you do) there is a very real possibility of injuring yourself.

[@AndrewFolts]

Running is a combination of many factors. It's hard to know exactly how or why injuries develop. As you say, could be the shoes or the stride or many reasons. Most frequently, people just do too much too soon. No sure what milage you started with in the Merrell's, but my first barefoot run was just to the end of the street and back. I took it very slow, and if I had gone out right away on my usual 3-5 mile runs, I can guarantee you I would have gotten hurt-because it's a whole new skill set. If you ever had the interest to try again, I would suggest starting from zero. Literally just a five-minute run. Injuries don't just appear out of nowhere. You body gives you signs, so, especially in barefoot shoes, it's very important to listen and stop when your form starts to break down or you feel pain. There's no rush at all. Happy running! (:

[@_cineris]

​@@AndrewFolts Thanks for the reply. I had originally intended to do the first 2-3 minutes of an easy 3 miler, then switch to my normal shoes to finish. But it ended up feeling really good and I wound up running the whole thing. Did something similar, including some speed work in the Merrell's over the period of a few weeks, and then BOOM. I've been working my way to lower and lower drop (0 drop trail shoes now!), and less cushioning over the past months since. So there's a good chance that I'll revisit it, more cautiously in the future. Happy running!

[@rosemarie9932]

@@_cineris it is the Merrell Vapor shoes that gave you injuries for sure, as all their barefoot shoes have a built up arch which is not natural at all! Best stay with completely flat natural barefoot shoes with no support at all!

[@ericpetersen8645]

Max shoes have allowed me to run fast, high mileage into my 50s. I was injured using previous generation designs. The stack height replaces worn down cartilage and compressed joints. You’ll understand in 20 years...all your pieces are barely broken in!

[@AndrewFolts]

Oh, I understand right now. I have some kind of rheumatoid-like arthritis throughout my entire body. It causes me to have chronic insomnia, and I had to give up weightlifting completely. For me, cushion just causes me to have a clunky stride, which results in higher impact. Barefoot running is the only form of exercise that doesn't cause me instant inflammation. I've gotten comments from people in their 60's and beyond who are running barefoot with arthritis, as well-same story. Cushion just doesn't work for them. But I fully get it...when you have joint pain, just do whatever works!

[@InfiniteQuest86]

1400 was such a breath of fresh air. Great shoe. Xero shoes are pretty amazing too.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, I ran some good races in the 1400!

[@austinado16]

Good video. Glad you found the barefoot running style scene! Shoes are not a religion, they're a tool. Choose the right tool for the job, like you would any tool(TM). The info you seek is largely contained in the book "Born To Run," which is probably credited as the stimulus for the barefoot/minimalist running and shoe movement. I discovered Vibram FiveFingers in July 2012. I'd injured my left knee badly, back in the late 90's, while training for a race, in traditional running shoes, running with heel strike form. I was not able to run again after that, and had re-injured the knee several times, once to the point I could barely walk for several weeks and was in a fancy carbon fiber brace. The day I purchased the FF's, I ran 7mi up and down our local 1,200' peak. I ran a total of 27mi that week, both on trail runs, and just out on the road/sidewalks. I hadn't run at all since about '98, and it was amazing to return to the sport. I'd raced 7th grade through 2rys of eligibility in college, so long distance and track were part of my DNA. I didn't follow the protocals for a slow transition into the FF's, but that's just me. Stubborn, and willing to put up with pain and discomfort. While my daughter was in high school, 2013-2017, I privately coached and volunteer coached her and her fellow teammates. I routinely took the worst runners on both the boys and girls teams, got them out of their traditional shoes, into FF's and racing flats, and up into the top 5 on their respective teams. Their injuries went away, they got fast, they stayed uninjured, they performed and raced well, and their teams did great. My daughter is the only athlete who went uninjured, on any of the teams, for the 4yrs she was in school. She was running about 1,000-1,500/yr in FF's (Spyridon model) and other minimalist shoes, like the awesome New Balance Minimus V1's. Training the kids to run correctly was simple. With their parents present, the parents would shoot a cell phone video of their athlete running in their traditional shoes. Then I would simply have the athlete remove the shoes, keep their socks on, and run passed us again. We would compare the videos in slo-mo. The parents would be shocked at the instant transformation...."What did you just do to my son/daughter? They look great!" "I took them out of the high-heeled, restrictive, traditional running shoes, so that their feet and legs could function as designed." The quickest way to transition, is to jump right into FiveFingers. Why? Because your brain WILL NOT let you heel strike in FF's because the feeling of the shoe is that it's NOT a shoe, and that you are simply barefoot. Then all you have to do is work on your posture a little, your knee lift and knee drive just a little, and dial in your arm swing and hand position. Most people have developed a ton of muscle memory for really weird and non-functional arm/hand/shoulder/head/feet body movements from running so many miles in heel strike mode, or in a weird forefoot strike mode, while in high heel shoes. This muscle memory will take a few months to get over, and honestly, running form is something that should always be finessed and worked on. So you get into a pair of FF's, you take it slow, and while taking it slow, you start cleaning up your form. As you get stronger, your muscle memory makes the shift to cleaner form. As you get good...and strong...your form gets even better. And as you progress, you discover that while the FF's are fun, they are but a tool, and there are other, faster, more capable shoes out there. Merrell Trail Glove, Vapor Glove, Lythe Glove. New Balance Minimus V1 or V10 (the really thin ones), and of course, racing flats. My go-to is ALWAYS the FF Spyridons. Doesn't matter what the distance is, or the terrain. But I've been in them for 9yrs, so I have a volume of mileage, and experience with them. But if the terrain is really bad, or I'm seriously going to race, I'm in the Merrells, or the Minimus'. If interested, we have quite a few of our running and training videos posted to my channel, including our 5th in a row, Rim-To-Rim at the Grand Canyon. Cheers!

[@AndrewFolts]

Ha, I wish you were around when I was running track in high school. Would have saved me 10-years of cushioned misery and injuries. Great idea with filming the strides. Muscle-development takes time, of course, but it's amazing how fast you can improve your form simply by going barefoot and switching to a midfoot stride!

[@austinado16]

@@AndrewFolts It was shocking to see how the athletes were "allowed" to run, the volume of mileage year round they were pushed into, and the 90-something percent injury stats. When I initially offered to work with the teams as an assistant coach, I was told, "We don't teach form. Form fixes itself." That was coming from coaching staff with 30yrs of employment! I started reaching out to the parents of the injured athletes, and the athletes who were clearly being held back by their bizarre running form adaptations. 2 of my most fun success stories are a boy who was guy #5 on the XC team his Senior year, and a girl who was last on the team and crying during the first XC race of her Junior year (end of August). Girl: By mid-season of Track, (7mo later/April) she was tying with the top Senior girl, and slowed down at the end of a race, to let her win. During the upcoming summer training, they had to bring in a college gal in order to have someone who could keep up with her in training, and she was nearly untouchable during her Senior XC and Track seasons. She would run me down in practices and pass me like I was walking! Boy: He was guy #5, but far enough back from #4 that it was costing the team a lot of points. I worked with him only 2 times, briefly before the 2 State XC prelims meets. In the first race he shaved something like 45 seconds off his time on the same course he'd run just 3wks before. A week later, he shaved another 20 seconds. It was a huge points difference for the team, allowing them to qualify for State. They won state a couple weeks later, for the first time in years. His parents called me from each of the races because they were so happy to see him run so well.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@austinado16 That's incredible! I can totally attest to this. As soon as I ditched cushion, I regained so much energy. Where before it was like running through a swamp, I can now run and run and run with no fatigue-the only limit being my itch to get back home and work on a KZbin video, ha! Loved my high school coach, nice guy. But, like you experienced, he was totally stuck in the mud about a lot of things.

[@austinado16]

@@AndrewFolts You've touched on an interesting "development" in running. I've adapted to a "destination" type of training run, where, instead of the old-school "I'm going to run X distance, or X time-and-turn-around, today, I now do runs where I'm more interested in place I reach, or circuit I complete. It's much more of a, "I'm going to run X and just see what happens." style of training and running. The caveat being, I'm not racing anymore, nor am I training to race or to be fast. It's brought a new perspective to my running, and really added a lot of fun. I've also stopped running on streets and sidewalks, other than the very limited distances to and from the local trail heads.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@austinado16 "Here and now" running. Running for exploration and fun. That's what I do too. No watch. No cell phone. No training plan. Just going out and enjoying each step as it comes!

[@heyrmi]

2:54 I felt that. Deeply.

[@AndrewFolts]

Groundhog Day. 😫

[@DenserNL]

Own four sets of FiveFingers. Absolutely love the V-Runs. Changed from normal shoes to FiveFingers 2 years ago.

[@AndrewFolts]

Own some V-Treks, but need to try the V-Run some day!

[@DenserNL]

@@AndrewFolts You'll love them. So much thinner and lighter then the V-Trails.

[@BreaktheKarmicWheel]

"I just felt like runnin"

[@AndrewFolts]

Run wild n' free! (:

[@kulch2008]

Wow, my journey has been exactly the same. Hokas, torins, Escalante racers, Xero shoes, now 5 vibram 5 fingers. It's been an 10th month journey, never been injured, never felt better. Fantastic video mate.

[@AndrewFolts]

So funny! Looking back, I probably could have saved myself the time and money and just skipped straight to barefoot. But glad we made it here, either way. Which Vibram's do you have?

[@kulch2008]

@@AndrewFolts i got 2 pairs. V runs. Which are great for long runs. Kso evo. Which are the thinnest most flexible shoe, shorter runs and daily life. Thinking about v trail for trails, but need more time, only been 1 month in vibrams. But I love them. Ultimately want to do all my runs in the kso Evo, will slowly get there 🌠

[@AndrewFolts]

@@kulch2008 Nice, I've been wanting to try the Evo's...if only my Primus Lite's would die, ha. They're on 3,000 miles and still going strong. The V-Trek's work great, as well. Surprisingly breathable for a high-top shoe.

[@Julemand1997]

Hey didn't understand the part where everything began hurting again in 2019? Why did it do that?

[@AndrewFolts]

Still figuring it out. Working with a coach, doing testing, and experimenting with different nutrition. Pretty sure it's a thyroid issue. I'll make another video on that if I find a consistent solution.

[@zachpw]

@@AndrewFolts Feel like this is obvious but do you have a sodium/potassium deficiency?

[@AndrewFolts]

@@zachpw According to the HTMA test I just did, my K and Na levels are actually too high, but Na is low in relation to K.

[@luiskrotz]

Nice story. During college I was running with my chuck Taylor’s (cheap as hell) and never got injured. Then when I finished college and brought some nikes, adidas etc (which looked good and everyone was using) I kept always getting hurt, even while waking or on the gym. Since COVID I started running again and with my old chuck Taylor’s from college and don’t have injuries so far. I feel like shoes with cushioning somehow throw off my balance. Glad to hear I’m not the only one that feels something is not right with those running shoes that are the most popular and most common around.

[@AndrewFolts]

That's pretty sweet, ha! Yea, you're right...I feel like cushion just distorts your sense of the ground. If you ever want a thinner sole, Feelgrounds are only 5mm and look a lot like Chuck's. Cheers! www.feelgrounds.com/products/highrise-knit-black-white

[@luiskrotz]

@@AndrewFolts Those shoes of the link look awesome. Definitely putting them on my shopping list.

[@rubencohen2936]

Andrew thanks for spreading the message on what we've known for years. It's great when our feet start thinking for themselves. Live long and prosper my brother. 👣 👍 🇺🇸

[@AndrewFolts]

Much appreciated, Ruben. Vive la (barefoot) révolution! 🔥

[@BalduinTube]

I am not running , but hiking and have a similar experience. Less is more! In my thirties I did long hikes of 30-50km a day with standard walking boots. After some time my feet hurt but it was bearable. Then in my fourties the pain increased so I stopped walking long tracks. I always had pain in my feet after some km. At the end I could not even walk 1-2km. The doctor told me to wear special inlets but they did not make any difference, they just felt odd and wrong. After watching a similar story on youtube I switched to barefoot shoes (no rise, space for the toes) 2 years ago. After some days it starts getting better and better again. And now I am back to about 12-15km walks and it feels good! Looking forward to longer hikes now again. Most shoes are not good for our feet but nobody tells, so you always buy the wrong type of shoes over and over again. Stories like yours have to be told to wake up some people like me. Thanks for sharing!

[@AndrewFolts]

Oh man, I can relate. I remember when I first got into backpacking. I had these concrete-stiff Merrell's, and I had to buy inserts just to make them bearable. I just kept being sold MORE, MORE, MORE. But no one ever stopped to ask: "Hey, have you ever tried LESS?" I remember how good it felt to take off my hiking boots at the end of the day, and that should have been a red flag right there. With barefoot shoes/boots, you never need to take them off because it's like they're not even there! So glad you back to long walks. Cheers to many more!

[@ifirexx5673]

“Yes” to all the answers to your questions at the end of the video pls!! 😁

[@AndrewFolts]

Working on a barefoot transition video as we speak! (:

[@ArtOfHealth]

@@AndrewFolts why transition? In 2008 at 54, I bought three pair of five fingers. They fell apart and became unglued and they still do. I tried Merrell and both pairs were horrible quality. I am moving to Xero. Good luck to you!

[@AndrewFolts]

@@ArtOfHealth Just had another comment about that (100 miles). Then again, also talked to a guy who got 5,000+ miles from his Vibram's. Who knows. Glad Xero's are working for you!

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

thank you for sharing this! I've been running barefoot completely this past year, about to run my first fully barefoot marathon in the mountains in Colorado, it has changed me greatly. I've been sharing some videos on my KZbin channel about how to barefoot run if you want to see some tips

[@AndrewFolts]

Glad you enjoyed it! What's the location of your most recent vid? Looks beautiful. Cheers!

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

@@AndrewFolts Oaxacan coast of Mexico

[@AndrewFolts]

@@YOUENJOYLIFE Mmmm. (:

[@jackryan2135]

From Hoka's too vibram's, running wrecks my body.

[@AndrewFolts]

Impossible to say without seeing your stride, but the #1 cause of injury in any shoe is doing too much too fast and not taking time to let your body recover. Listening to your body plus a using a smooth forefoot stride, and you can run barefoot or nearly barefoot with no pain on any surface! (:

[@davidm4025]

GASP....Yes!!! I had almost a mirrored experience. I worked at a big box sporting goods retailer in the shoe dept mostly. I drank the koolaid brooks reps said about Cushion/support. Then born to run/five fingers happened and that changed everything for me on footwear and movement in general. The next time the brooks rep gave a presentation to customers and employees at the store I asked “if barefoot running form is the correct running form for almost everyone , why design a shoe that allows someone to run in an incorrect form.” Brooks rep said it’s everyone’s choice on how they want to run. Next question I asked was why does anyone’s foot need support or cushioning. Brooks rep did not like that question and said would speak to me after presentation. There was no talk after the presentation. Next day I was moved to apparel, and next month looking for new job. Love the content...keep it up. :)

[@AndrewFolts]

Lol...this sounds very familiar. I used to wear Vibram's into work and tell customers to run barefoot or in minimalist shoes. I finally quit a couple weeks ago (after a year-long Covid hiatus), but it's amazing that I wasn't fired before that. Right before everything shut down, they brought in this insert company called Aetrex. They had a bogus foot measuring machine (kind of like Dr. Scholl's). It never gave the same reading twice, and when I asked the rep about it, he did the same thing-hemmed and hawed, and then just ignored me the rest of the day. The sad part was, it was a well-meaning, family-run shop, but they were struggling financially and I guess it was either sell snake oil or go out of business. Really difficult choice...I feel bad for anyone running a brick-and-mortar store right now.

[@jkeiffer]

So you started having all these pains, but you don't know what caused them? Are they gone since you can't go to the gym anymore?

[@AndrewFolts]

Definitely improved since ditching the gym and weightlifting, in general. Most-likely thyroid and autoimmune-related. Still experimenting and getting tests.

[@keithamos6992]

I was having some knee pain. I decided to switch to a zero drop minimalist shoe and try slow jogging. I am now happily pain free

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey, way to go! Knee pain is no fun, so I'm glad you found a simple fix. Cheers!

[@cheeriosaltcream]

whoa whoa whoa. So what ended up being responsible for your aches and pains in your fingers and hip pain and your whole body? you just gave up weight/body weight training? That's it? That's sad

[@AndrewFolts]

It was super disappointing at first. Like ten years of leg pressing 500 lbs and working on my strength just down the drain. But it's weird because now I actually feel "stronger" being skinny. Like I have twice my normal endurance-I can just run and run and run and not get tired. Honestly, would not go back to weightlifting. But still figuring out the aches. Pretty sure it's a nutritional issue and thyroid/autoimmune related. I did manage to clear up my brain fog with seaweed (iodine) and I'm trying out some Mg and Cu per test results.

[@zoobdo]

@@AndrewFolts Elimination diet!

[@AndrewFolts]

@@zoobdo Yea, been experimenting, but no change in symptoms yet.

[@Barrrt]

@@AndrewFolts Could it possibly be rheumatism? I'm just an idiot on the other side of the screen so don't go worrying over what I say. Thanks for the good vid!

[@AndrewFolts]

@@Barrrt Yea, I've thought that since it's all over. We shall see!

[@yourbore]

got some Xero Primos a month ago. Ran five miles in them three weeks after walking around in them and it felt as if it was the first time I have ever used my calf muscles. They are extremely comfortably, my knees and back don't hurt anymore. Barefoot running is the beez neez.

[@AndrewFolts]

Ha, I'm picturing that scene from from The Matrix where Keanu Reeves is recuperating, but instead he's like: "Why do my calves hurt?" And then Morpheus goes: "You've never used them." kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpLHkHSdq7qXsA

[@yourbore]

@@AndrewFolts hahaha yes! That's awesome. Great video, dude.

[@AsianThunder0]

Uh, dude, you should get that whole body pain checked out. Cuz . . . that ain't normal

[@AndrewFolts]

I'm working on it. Getting tested and such. Seems like a thyroid issue. Will make a video on it if I make progress.

[@IrishMexican]

Tension Myoneural Syndrome? It’s what I had and now I’m back at it!!!

[@AndrewFolts]

@@IrishMexican Don't have back pain or cramps, so probably something different for me. Glad you're back in action!

[@TMBfan]

Brother, you’ve earned each and every one of your subscribers and I absolutely love your videos and presentation. You’ve got another sub!

[@AndrewFolts]

Thanks, dude! Making videos is a ton of work but a lot of fun, and it makes me happy when people have just as much fun watching. Appreciate you!

[@Mystic_Christopher]

I first bought Xeroshoes 2 years ago. Haven't gone back to regular shoes since. The Mesa Trail shoes they sell are amazing!

[@AndrewFolts]

Sweet! Still have my Z-Trek's. The durability is crazy. They probably will last 5,000 miles, like they claim. I bet even more!

[@Conqueroru]

I grew up playing basketball with flip flops on gravel driveway. I'm vulnerable to injuries, it didn't stop me. Now I'm training for boxing with stubborn trait in me -- when it hurts, suck it up and theres light at the end. I ran around barefoot on grass every time I had chance, never liked wearing shoes when I play as a kid. Played soccer and baseball barefooted. Sometimes would go barefoot on basketball court, when you jump so high then you have to land must be like to squatting or swift away quickly to reduce impact on feet.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yup, you learn how to cushion yourself REAL FAST when you go barefoot! (:

[@syrus3k]

I've been doing the barefoot/minimal thing for 6 months now, mostly after watching this video. I've had to build it up slowly, but it does indeed work really well!

[@AndrewFolts]

Going slow is the hardest part, but ultimately the most rewarding. Cheers to more gains!

[@Ocean.DreaMz]

Just gwtting into the barefoot shoe, but i knew i needed to get wide toe bix for a few yrs now but didnt want the "clown wide" look. Thanks for the tips & story 👍🏽

[@AndrewFolts]

Nice! Yea, your feet will tell you what's best if you listen. There are def many barefoot shoes that look normal now. You can check out the shoe finder tool bit.ly/49U1Ryo on my website to filter by width, activity, etc, which is helpful in narrowing things down. Cheers!

[@chaserwilliams1]

I’ve been running barefoot for almost 11 years now. I’ve ran a few thousand miles barefoot, and about 60 in shoes. I don’t stretch often, but after some overuse issues due to running a few 100k’s (also barefoot) I had some psoas and piriformis issues. Now I’m good. Still barefoot and going strong!

[@AndrewFolts]

Rad, that's a lot of barefoot miles! Glad you're back to it. What got you running barefoot in the first place?

[@chaserwilliams1]

@@AndrewFolts injuries. I was a decent runner in high school (4:32 miler), but took a few years off after graduating. When I started back I kept having terrible pains in my lower calves. I upgraded shoes and inserts, but after a few weeks I would have to take a month off before staring back. After doing that for about a year I went to a sports med dr and he said “Take a month off, buy more supportive shoes and inserts.” Out of frustration I looked into minimalist and figured I save the $100 to get shoes that felt like running barefoot and just run barefoot instead. 2 100ks, 1 50 miler, probably a dozen 50ks, and all types of fun stuff later I haven’t looked back yet!

[@AndrewFolts]

@@chaserwilliams1 Nice! Left off right around 4:30 too when I stopped racing. Feel like a lot of people find barefoot running through frustration, which sucks, but also gives you the motivation to stick with it long enough to reap the benefits.

[@chaserwilliams1]

@@AndrewFolts I totally agree. I don’t think it’s for everybody, but it has been a life saver for me! I’ve gotten down to a 5:43 barefoot mile, but I haven’t actually trained for a mile since high school. Are you on Strava?

[@AndrewFolts]

@@chaserwilliams1 Nah, I don’t have a GPS watch. Plus, my routes would be a lot of sitting on park benches and stopping to have conversations with people, ha!

[@colvinscorner]

You are the only person to actually explain what zero drop means. Every other article i have read or video ive watched never says, the difference between the back and front of the shoe, thank you sir

[@AndrewFolts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jefffoster695]

Interesting perspective. There's plenty of research now that agrees with you that stretching is taboo. I always have loved running but had some of my best miles and fewest injuries will less cushioned shoes.

[@AndrewFolts]

My dog taught me everything I know, ha. She never stretched. Just a quick full-body extension, then off to the races! Cheers to many more miles and as few injuries as possible! (:

[@lifeisbeautiful1562]

Nice content... My only problem is pebbles, glass pieces etc.. Since I run on roads there are plenty of it.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, it's a challenge and you have to be constantly scanning the ground. There's a list avoidance techniques in my Barefoot Transition video here that might be useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYa4lYydfdupbZI

[@TheSandkastenverbot]

Minimal or barefoot shoes are awesome to find a good running technique or to just move more freely during the day. It's a good idea to go minimal whenever possible. Doesn't have to be all the time of course. When it comes to running I still sometimes use medium or even highly cushioned shoes. Otherwise your feet might always be the weakest link and prevent the rest of the body to get stronger. This also concerns running technique: barefoot shoes are great to improve the landing phase. But they don't do much or can even impede improving other aspects of running technique, like reducing ground contact time and lengthening the stride.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, alternating cushion shoes and barefoot can be useful for intense training. It is technically possible to run barefoot at high speed, but certainly requires more technique and toughness. Bikila set the world marathon record barefoot in 1960: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZCxqpqfZZaJp6s&ab_channel=Olympics

[@raphaelv8062]

Switching to minimalist/barefoot shoes has been the best decision I've made regarding running, by far. Only downside is they get damaged faster than padded running shoes.. and it's easier to find them online than in shops which means you can't try them on..

[@AndrewFolts]

Which shoes do you have? Milage is weird. Every cushion shoes I've ever owned was shot in under 500 miles, while my Vivo Primus Lite's have lasted 3,000+. But then, some people get 1,000 miles out of their cushion shoes and plow through minimalist shoes. Lots of factors, who knows!

[@monomeesh]

I NEVER run because I get shin splints so easy. My go to quote is "it would be better to swim 3 miles than to run 1"... but I used to run barefoot all the time as a kid. Granted, this was on soft grass trails but OMG I'm SO excited to check this out. New life here I come?? Thank you!

[@AndrewFolts]

For sure, swimming is probably the easiest on the body. I used to get shin splints all the time when I was heel striking, but now I barely use those muscles when forefoot striking, so no more "shin-juries." (:

[@monomeesh]

@@AndrewFolts LOL! I'm almost irritated with myself for not having thought of that beautiful pun before

[@kaufmanat1]

As a person who runs, lifts weights, and works as a physical therapist, I'm glad you were able to reduce your aches and pains with barefoot running and not stretching. I also feel compelled to tell you that for the average person, NOT stretching is a terrible idea, and if stretching is causing you pain, it's a pretty good sign you're stretching wrong. Even my dogs stretch throughout the day. Yes, stretching, doing yoga, and improving your range of motion are definitely beneficial activities for most people. And if weightlifting hurts calisthenics are always good option.

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey Stan! Yea, dogs do stretch, but just sort of in a one-off way when getting up, ya know? In general doing what feels good is the best course of action-i.e. not forcing yourself to do something that doesn't feel right just because you're "supposed" to do it.

[@kaufmanat1]

@@AndrewFolts absolutely agree. If a stretch is uncomfortable while doing it, you're probably doing it wrong and should definitely stop doing that stretch. I teach that to all my patients. Generally, Stretching is all about relaxing the muscle and letting those sarcomeres slide past each other. A muscle in pain CAN'T relax, thus can't effectively stretch. For me, if I don't stretch my feet and calves, plantars fasciitis is inevitable, whether I'm walking the beach or running a marathon, whether I'm training in five fingers or hokas. But again, like I tell everyone, if you find something that works for you by all means stick with it, regardless of what the science or the experts say. No one knows your body better than you. And if something hurts, either stop doing it, or find a different way to do it. I have a feeling your channel is about to explode. Keep it up man. You're putting out a good message overall.

[@JORJE1908]

On the other hand I was wearing flat shoes and had serious pain in my knees (my knee problem was before I started running mostly for weight training), then I started using cushioned shoes and my knees feel great, I even do not need to wear my knee straps any more. The thing is that human anatomy and physiology varies a lot from person to person. Some of the brands making shoes spend millions on research on how to prevent running injuries. The most problems do not come from exercising but from over training, it is natural when a person goes to the limits day after day after day to develop injuries. A sample of one person is definetely not enough, but your story is cool and kind of inspiring because I feel the same way about weight training and now running with shin splints etc. So maybe there is still hope :p

[@AndrewFolts]

Agreed. Overuse is definitely the #1 cause of injuries. However, I don't buy the human anatomy argument because before Nike introduced cushioned running shoes in the 70's, no one needed cushion to stay healthy while running. Human anatomy hasn't changed significantly in hundreds of thousands of years, and a proper midfoot stride provides all the shock absorption you could ever need. We're long-distance runners by nature, and if barefoot didn't work, we'd be extinct.

[@JORJE1908]

@@AndrewFolts ok I guess we are getting in deeper scientific subjects now. Which some of them I am not an expert. I will just say the following, people nowadays are with no doubt a lot more healthy than our ancestors. Life expectancy is way higher and with better quality. This came from the technological and scientific revolutions we been through, in the past years. And mainly with the progress in medicine research etc. There is no reason to assume that this progress is not reflected in the shoes we are wearing, because do not forget that top brands have real researchers which using the collective knowledge from the past they try to make new knowledge. I am a phd student myself and while I can agree that probably we do not have a revolution in the shoe domain (we can all accept that at the end of the day this is an industry and a bussiness that needs to keep going), every year, there are incremental improvements. All signs show that even if you compare with 70s our athletes become stronger faster and better. This is due both to equipment and other things. As you have people with diabetes nowadays who they can regulate it and leave a better life, there is no reason to beleive that special equipement cannot help your body sustain for more time. Of course nothing is absolute and we always talk on averages.

[@JORJE1908]

Also I forget to mention the power of adaptation. people adapted cushion is some sense because they liked it notthe opposite, there were always non cushioned shoe choices.

[@hbutter1306]

I don't want to sound judgemental or pretentious but running "barefoot" is much better in the long run for your joints and spine. I wear flat shoes with no support most of the time (vans, my wood and leather cowboy boots) but I'm going to experiment this summer by making some leather, spartan style sandals. Really basic just a piece of leather strapped to me feet. Gonna see how that goes and if I like it I will make some modified versions that I can wear to work.

[@AndrewFolts]

I'd like to see someone run in barefoot cowboy boots. ha! If you end up doing DIY sandals. post a video. There aren't too many on YT.

[@richardburchett]

Thanks for sharing your story. I went from heel striking to a forefoot strike pretty early in my running journey. I would get the pf arthrosis pain with long runs and some quick research suggested it was caused by heel striking. I'm so glad I made the change; I can't imagine running any other way. There was a painful breaking in period as you have to build up strength and resiliency in a lot of smaller muscles. The end result was well worth it and allowed me to stay injury free even when putting in lots of miles. Thanks for spreading the word.

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey Richard! Lucky you for figuring it out early. Took me 27 years, ha! Can't believe I went through high school track without a single person telling me to forefoot strike instead of heel strike.

[@TheXV1CT0Rx]

Im 6 foot, 238 pounds. My body is not built for running but i have been using vivos for 2 months now and first few runs built my already large calves up to handle my weight. Now I am running a 10k tomorrow and I feel great in terms of foot, knee and hip health

[@AndrewFolts]

Right on! Worked with an ex-special forces guy once who was built like a tank and also ran in minimal shoes just fine. It's amazing what you body can do all on its own. Keep up the good work!

[@Rexyspride]

Hey man, great video. I'm not a runner but I have done a little in the past. I work in retail and am on my feet all day and have suffered from plantar fasciitis for years. Every single pair of trainers I purchase make my ankle hurt so much I am in agony after a week. The only pair of shoes which I don’t get this in are some Dr Marten boots! Basically I’m looking into a pair of Vivo Barefoot as when I wear nothing on my feet at home they feel fine. This is my last attempt to get something which doesn’t cause me agony. I also suffer from hip pain, a “wet” sensation on my knee, sciatica and a twinge in my left testicle all which comes from my back being twisted according to my chiropractor. All brilliant! I am in my early 40s and want to lose a bit of weight and get fit and when I did a bit of running I absolutely loved it! I want to feel that freedom again but I’m too scared to try running as I know my ankle mostly won’t be able to take it. As Vivo Barefoot are pretty costly I was wondering if you think they’d be the right choice for me? I’m at my wits end!

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey Paul, I feel you. I've had some kind of body-wide arthritis pain for a year and a half, but barefoot shoes (Vivo Primus Lite's) are actually the only way I can run pain-free. I'm working on a transition video as we speak, but my best advice is to take things very slow and always stop/rest when your body says so. Injuries don't appear out of nowhere-you always get warning signs if you listen closely. Sticking to trails instead of roads and using a short stride are also helpful for avoiding injuries. I tried every type of cushion shoe and even VFF's and Xero Sandals to get through 4 and 8-hour shifts at the run specialty store I worked at, but my feet and knees would always be aching from the concrete floor by the end of the day. The only thing that worked was the Vivo Primus Lite. It's 3mm, and for some reason, anything thicker than that just causes pain-and cushion is too unstable, which leads to arch fatigue. Vivo has a 100-day trial policy, so there's nothing to lose if they don't work. Working on weight is a great idea too, since every pound will take stress of your body. Swapping in a few plant-based recipes makes it easy to keep yourself full without having to limit calories. Good luck and feel free to check in! (:

[@SigneofHorses]

Love your story! It confirms I’m not for running.. did it for two years, hated it. No injuries tho and liked what it did for my body and endurance but I hated it. Horses are my thing.. same stories as yours but replace running with horses. My horses are barefoot and horseshoes are pretty much doing the same as runningshoes..limiting the natural effectiveness so they can run on pavement or perform on slippery grounds. Also I found I can walk around all day at festivals in my vikingboots and not have sore feet so why do I get sore after a day doing my desk job in normal shoes.. Looking for footwear that will work around the horses and barn in all kinds of weather and have the barefoot feel.. it’s a journey.

[@AndrewFolts]

That's true, horses/horseshoes are a great analogy. Are "viking boots" a brand or style of boot? You might like the VivoBarefoot Tracker boot, although, it only comes slightly above the ankle, so that might not be tall enough for barn work. I don't know of any knee-high barefoot boots, but if you ever find some, let me know, because I've had other people ask.

[@chrishunt2835]

Awesome video! Loved the story telling and the artwork on the note pad beautiful work.

[@AndrewFolts]

Ha, thank you. Had fun making it!

[@someguyusa]

I wear a pair of whitin canvas shoes from amazon for lifting, running, and most day to day stuff. It's basically just canvas and like a quarter inch of sole, no cushion. Wide toebox for my big hooves. It's fine. I first used barefoot and minimal shoes several years ago, and the adaptation to it sucked, but now it's just normal. Amazon shoes are way cheaper too.

[@AndrewFolts]

Canvas is a great tough material for an upper, glad you found some you like!

[@krejn]

I, on the other hand, while absolutely loving the idea of ditching shoes and feeling the ground and your own body and truly running the way humans were meant to run - I love shoes and running shoes specifically. Its just one of my hobbies that I love dearly so I'm kind of stuck in between this place of returning to your roots and salivating over the Nike AlphaFly running shoe.

[@AndrewFolts]

Luckily, there's no intergalactic law saying you can't have both! I see barefoot and shoes as serving different purposes. Barefoot, if you want to work on form, prevent injuries, and connect with nature. Shoes, if you're trying to get that extra 4% speed for a race.

[@krejn]

@@AndrewFolts of course man! Loved the video

[@kinto7378]

I understand so much.... I stopped running because one of my knee and a hip was hurting. Then I get health problems and I need to recover my breath so I needed to exercise myself Once I was walking with my just newly received earth runners lifestyle. And I feel the need to run : my breath was a total mess but what a surprise : no knee or hip pain !! My legs wanted to go on running!!! Then I finally bought a pair of Fivefingers V-trail and wow!!!!!!!!!! So happy with them. My breath is still in a bad condition but it get better so those shoes gave me the energy to run and I will always be greatful to those who invented them. I was used to walk barefoot a lot so the transition was nit so hard but still I preferred to go slowly ans it was really ok (Sorry for my poor English...I'm French.)

[@AndrewFolts]

"my legs wanted to go further" C'est super, Kinto! I felt the same way, so much more energy. I have some breathing tips in my Asthma video that might be useful to you. Continuez votre bon travail! (: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKeQo5isnLaXhqc

[@kinto7378]

@@AndrewFolts ooooooh merci beaucoup !!!! I'll check that now!!!