How to start barefoot running - #1 - Introduction

[@danielberg8437]

Running barefoot for about a year now, with up to half marathons completely barefoot

[@seanfitzpatrick9954]

Hi James! I love your candid testimony about transitioning to barefoot. I am someone who is definitely guilty of jumping in too fast. A few months ago, I bought a pair of a Viram fivefingers and just started doing everything in them. Walking, running, hiking… and I am a very active person. My goal was to not wear shoes at all and everything seemed great at first. I got pretty excited about how great I felt, even though I knew I should be careful. Day after day, I was putting on more miles and ignoring little pains, until finally my Achilles really started bothering me one run. I tried to back off on running, but the walking seemed to hurt me too. I realized that I had passed the point of no return when the pains carried over into normal shoes and I developed a hesitance to absorb a lot of impact with my calves and risk taxing my Achilles. I really want to do it right this time, I’m planning to start from the ground up and slowly transition until I don’t have to wear shoes for anything anymore! Keep up the good work, I appreciate your guidance! -Sean

[@mickdodge9778]

One foot wear that I have found is useful for a set of tender soles is to wear a set of socks until they wear out and the skin on the sole will become harder. Good video James.

[@Dinu-desculţ]

Yes, I learned to run barefoot since I was 2 years old (in 1961) growing up in a village in my country, Romania. But I don't know how to run in shoes, because I'm allergic to those stupid tools. My bare feet are the best shoes in the world: 🦶🏼🦶🏼= ☺✌🏻❗

[@bombie5549]

Wait until you hear about glass or pointy rocks on the floor 😂😂😂

[@Dinu-desculţ]

Dear @@bombie5549 , I like to walk around barefoot and people look at me. I actually appreciate it, because it means they are curious. Even if it makes them uncomfortable, the fact that they give me their concentration for a few moments means they are considering the merit of what I'm doing. Even if they give me a 'dirty' look, I always imagine that inside their mind they admire me for doing something that brings me pleasure. I generally give them a smile which tells them: "Yes, I'm enjoying this, and I'm going to continue doing this regardless of what you think of it. You can do it too, if you want to." ☺

[@archiescottincny]

I think an interview with Xavier would be great. He is amazing with his climbing and very experienced.

[@JamesFromCanada]

Xavier is freaking *amazing* and insanely knowledgeable. In the videos of Devils Head on my channel (particularly part 3) I chat with Xavier about some of his wild experiences and struggles hes had in the Canadian Rockies. Suuuuper amazing stuff!

[@NairbT]

I agree! We need more Xavier!

[@mgsrodrigues]

I would love to win the Swimrun Vivobarefoot Esc Tempest (Black/Orange). They would be the perfect shoes for my new Swimrun adventures. Not only that they are great shoes.. they also look nice!!

[@johnathangarner3518]

I run barefeet, not by choice but I land on my heels the majority of the time. I've been walking bare feet the majority of my life so I think that adds on to the running

[@stevegill1157]

This is great stuff and makes perfect sense. I had a really bad ankle injury about 5 months ago, maybe more, and have seen the physio 4 times now. I have been plagued with a number of other biomechanical issues which have preventing me from running since Nov 2021 Latest diagnosis back in Jan was Plantar Fascitis and like a good boy, I followed all of the Physios advice, but it wasn't getting better. I don't know what triggered the thought, but I started wearing a pair of Five Fingers that I have had for years, but hadn't worn very often due to the social stigma ha ha ... Thing is, the pain started subsiding straight away and the improvement was way better than wearing the orthotics/heel cushions. Like an idiot, I wore dress shoes to my nieces wedding two weeks ago and the pain the following day was just horrendous. Needless to say, I'm back to barefoot! Once the plantar goes, I am going to start a slow transition to barefoot running after 30 years as a heel striker... I'm seriously looking forward to it. Keep up the good work with the videos mate.

[@JamesFromCanada]

thanks for sharing your story! always stuff like this which makes me happy that other can change their life too!

[@veelo9383]

I'd love to win some Vivobarefoot Trail II All weathers, I've been getting into running recently and been hiking for a little while now, and these are the perfect shoes for some high paced mountain hikes for me. I've just discovered your channel recently and I've loved every video I've seen from you, you've been the push I've needed to start working on my cardio a bit more.

[@JamesFromCanada]

yay really glad to hear! Just wait until what comes out next :) Primus Trail All-Weathers are excellent too, good luck! :)

[@siemore]

Great Episode! Can't wait for the next one!

[@JamesFromCanada]

SALES up to 40% off on their sales section: tidd.ly/3TBDwnJ also, PLS SUB to help a tiny channel grow :) 10% off the Vivobarefoot global site with code: NOMAD10 btw ;)

[@essaysbyken]

Pretty solid intro! I would also recommend that people look into running sandals for a great intro to "barefoot" style running. I switched from barefoot-style running shoes to sandals a few months back and they have really improved my running form. Most closed-toe shoes don't let you lift your toes on landing (which is a must for barefoot running), but sandals do. I personally like Xero Genesis (huarache style), Xero Z-Treks and Xero Z-Trails (both sport sandal style), but Luna, Shamma, and Earth Runners also make fantastic barefoot-running style sandals (from what I hear-I have yet to try them. Also, one would think that running on harder surfaces would not be good for newbies but it is fantastic, as the harder ground will show you where your form is crap. Softer ground only insulates you from your mistakes.

[@jordanschneider1077]

I love the Xero Z-Trail sandals, they're fantastic.

[@zefsagala8327]

is it okay if i do barefoot running with socks? because the ground is really dirty in my place

[@Nocean831]

I would love to win a pair of the Vivobarefoot Tracker All Weather SG boots! I am just now starting to transition towards barefoot shoes and having a good hiking boot for the Pacific Northwest would be amazing!

[@JamesFromCanada]

PNW is super beautiful! Best of luck to you :)

[@SteveBurns80]

Mate, great video. Too many people over complicate the process with stupid foot exercises and workouts ect... It really is as simple as you say. I've been at it for over 3years and could never go back to normal shoes.

[@JamesFromCanada]

Thanks, really appreciate it! :)

[@dancan6622]

Great tips , take it slow and listen to your body. If you have been wearing modern shoes your tendons and facia will have atrophied and those are the tissues that really take the longest to grow. This will not happen in weeks or months but years, depending on your age

[@ThePallidor]

Fasting speeds up the process dramatically. A 6-day fast on only water does incredibly work on connective tissue.

[@stephan2539]

I’d appreciate a pair of Primus Trail 2 All Weather FGs as I’m looking to continue running as it becomes winter where I live.

[@markostevanovic6436]

I was scrolling through KZbin when I found your video and I find it quite interesting to watch and maybe apply it in my life. You sad that when u run over glass u don't have cuts right? Can u say more about this?I find it quite hard to gloss over it like you didn't have any problems not saying u should but...

[@sjwolters8715]

Recently bought my first barefoot shoes and now feel ready to start running in them!! Thank you for the video!

[@JamesFromCanada]

Very welcome :) Take it easy and be patient - it takes time for the feet to return to natural so be mindful of doing too much too quickly!

[@Gabriel-ServantOfGod]

I usually use crooks, which are wide, so i kinda am already near this way of life. I always loved crooks and sandals more tbh

[@shortlifeadvice8096]

Really amazing content. Keep it coming!

[@thefootwizard]

You've inspired me to try out barefoot running! Hope it can improve my performance

[@JamesFromCanada]

I hope it improves ur performance too :)

[@multitablez7825]

Such a great, underrated video... i have jsut started walking and landing on my front right foot first, and its weird at first. Then i have noticed, from doing this, over a few days, my running technique has increased by A LOT. i am trying some barefoot shoes soon, and i cant wait to walk and run in them, hitting front foot first on the ground.

[@andreaskingbo3039]

I would love to win a pair of Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III All Weather. Perfect for my beginner barefoot running training in the upcoming colder months. Thanks for the video James - some great tips. Love the content, keep going bud.

[@JamesFromCanada]

yay, added to the giveaway! Hope you enjoy and wishing you luck! :)

[@gabrielrosenfox3203]

Merci pour ce partage, je débute le pied-nu et c'est difficile sur des terrains rocheux avec des cailloux, même juste en marchant. Je retiens ton conseil d'y aller lentement et sans forcer.

[@JamesFromCanada]

lentement! c'est normal a utilizer votre souliers quelques jours est aussi pied-nu autres jours - un transition efficace prend des mois :)

[@SP-tx4mp]

Wohoo!

[@irfannurkanovic3715]

Great content James! I would like to win a pair of Primus Lite III All Weather to be able to carry on wearing barefoot style shoes all year round. Although Tracker All Weather SG also sounds tempting for snowy hiking :)

[@TheINFP_Diary]

OMG i'm so happy you used the jogging in place as a question! I asked myself that awhile back and i think it's truly the perfect way to see this point of viee

[@DanielRodriguez-zi9qe]

I had flat foot and didn't know qhy till I looked at my worn out shoes that collapsed inward, and transitioned to barefoot too get my arch back and I never want to look back

[@MrBeeMeR320D]

I just recently started with barefoot wlaking and only do it when i walk the dogs. It feels great and i'm gonna buy some barefoot shoes to be able to go on longer walks and running. I do have to wear 'normal' shoes still because of my work and living in a city environment so i hope that won't be a problem...

[@fritzkramerkramer7855]

awesome stuff brother!

[@danfleeman7047]

Would love to win a pair of vivobarefoot tracker esc forest for winter I switched to altra about a month ago the zero drop has helped a lot with my shin splints and plantar fasciitis so I got a pair of whitin barefoot shoes and I love the ground feel and won't to try the vivobarefoot forest for all day barefoot construction boot and barefoot hiking I hate having my toes jammed into a boot with a heel now my body feels so much better when I where a zero drop and even better when I'm barefoot now

[@JamesFromCanada]

Yesssss after 6 years of shin splints, barefoot after about 1 year got rid of them!! Such a huge change :)

[@belindamyers4493]

I definitely need a new pair of shoes!

[@yibjamin8328]

Helpful tips

[@FacelessFinneas]

you got a drone? it seems like you stepped up your editing style i really love this vid. and i want some trackers, to dance in

[@kaledotzler7143]

Been barefoot for about 5 months now and I've been eyeing up some Ra Luxes since hearing about BF running, from you nonetheless ;) P.S. Looking pretty jacked bro.

[@JamesFromCanada]

hehe what about the VFFs? :D

[@Sci-Fi_Fan296]

Great content and advice. My question for you is how do you avoid parasites when running barefoot? Look it up people if you don’t believe me. However, I am definitely a fan of wearing barefoot shoes.

[@JamesFromCanada]

hmm I've never had an issue before and I've walked full barefoot on a lot of gross waters and fields - will read more into it though!

[@ThePallidor]

Parasites are our friends. Look up Tom Cowan and Daniel Roytas.

[@Flamdring]

Thanks so much for the videos, James! You've inspired me to switch to barefoot shoes and now my feet are happy. I never liked the narrow shape of shoes as they lacked stability and as a result I was frequently twisting my ankle. Not fun... Switching to barefoot shoes has solved this issue for me. I am trying to get all my shoes replaced with barefoot shoes, and currently saving up for Vivobarefoot Little Sun in order to wear them in somewhat warmer months. Have you had a chance to try them? Will you make a review of their less sporty shoes? If I could find those, I would have loved Magna Trail for men, but they are nowhere on sale. Not even sure if they are being produced anymore.

[@JamesFromCanada]

awee yay super glad to read! Haven't tried the Little Sun yet but they seem super similar and a lace-up version of the Vivobarefoot Ababa (have a review of em on my site) which are really really comfy. If you're in US/UK I can send you a discount code for 20-25% off Vivo shoes, just let me know and I'll post it :)

[@Flamdring]

@@JamesFromCanada, thanks! I will check out your review of Vivobarefoot Ababa 😊 I am actually in Belgium, just returned from my studies in Denmark and was happy to read your own experience of life there. Not sure if UK code will work for us in the EU, but I could try! 😊 By the way, have you had any adventures in Spain? I used to live there for a while and the mountains are amazing for hiking. Miss that place so much!

[@JamesFromCanada]

@@Flamdring Ahh yeah Denmark... haha what a place to live.... I'll have code for 10% off global Vivobarefoot sites up working soon. Haven't been in Spain yet! Moved to Portugal recently and freaking love the nature here but craving some mountain adventures soon. Where in Spain did you live? I was really interested in living in Alicante :)

[@JamesFromCanada]

@@Flamdring Ahh yes, Denmark... Didn't love living there haha. Haven't been to Spain but it looks great - currently living in Pt. Where did you live in Spain? Was thinking of living in Alicante for a while Also, I now have a globally active Vivobarefoot code for 10% off. It's NOMAD10 ;)

[@Flamdring]

​@@JamesFromCanada , not sure what happened to my comment because I wrote quite a bit trying to answer your question and also giving you some suggestions on where to go in Spain, but KZbin deleted it! :'( I cannot say I loved it in Denmark either which is why I was happy to return to Belgium, but I wanted to use Denmark as a homebase for exploring Sweden, Norway and Finland which I did not manage to do in the end. Ah well! Where in Portugal are you? I visited Lisbon and Portimao in the south and loved it so much! The Portuguese are very chill and the country is beautiful. Spain as a whole is like France - it has everything from plains to mountains to beaches. I lived in Madrid, but I travelled quite a bit. The only region which I have not visited so far is the North of Spain and that is the place I would recommend you to visit since you love mountains. Check out Asturias, Navarre, Basque Country and Cantabria. All have amazing sights and food. Never been to Alicante itself because I was probably a bit affected by the Spanish friends of mine who considered it to be the place for the old people and tourists! Hope they are wrong! lol However, I do not recommend you to move to Madrid because while it does have mountains nextdoor, it is also insanely hot in the summer and there is nowhere to hide. There are no major lakes or rivers nearby and any swimming pool or tiny bit of water will be swarmed with people trying to cool down. Not fun. Check Barcelona as well because it has everything: beaches, wonderful city, mountains, and there is work too if you decide to find some part-time job there. But the north will be your place to go if you miss mountains.

[@robcooke7060]

I would like to win a pair as going from being barefoot for 80% of the time to working in offices and I have put a lot of weight on and now want to start running again and a pair of shoes would go a long way. Nice video too.

[@NairbT]

Hi JFC! I would love to win a pair of Tracker Forest ESC! As lately I've been guiding hikes much more in the Canadian Rockies, I need a pair of robust boots with loads of traction to give me more confidence while helping clients reach their goals in the backcountry. Thanks for keeping the great content coming! -BJ

[@JamesFromCanada]

hahah

[@michaeltocci9829]

Good info! Question: I have a short tibia, so I have a wedge that I put in my shoe to balance my pelvis. Since it seems that the barefoot shoes focus on a wide toe box, am I right in thinking I can wedge my heel and still get the benefits?

[@JamesFromCanada]

yes you could still benefit from the wider toebox and consistent sole

[@M.Montgomeryz]

I can confidently say I will never walk barefoot outdoors but I will wear barefoot shoes no problem. I need something to protect me from the ground.

[@ratnakordosshu6291]

You are really Handsome😍😍 By the way, why ,in your videos, you don't talk about cheap barefoot shoes? Like saguaro, joomra, whitin kind of shoe? vivo barefoot, xero, Vibram cost a fortune!

[@sev7463]

I went barefoot running in a park once. I cut my feet up pretty badly on broken glass that was hidden beneath leaves and fallen pine needles. I couldn't put my full weight on them after. Luckily some people who were walking helped me to my car. It was a very unpleasant drive to the hospital. Never again :)

[@webbediting7557]

yup exactly lol

[@bigbattenberg]

Why are my comments deleted? Posted two today giving some tips and tricks from personal experience, sharing information.

[@JamesFromCanada]

Try again? maybe youtubes spam filter hit them for some reason?

[@bigbattenberg]

@@JamesFromCanada Strange. Anyway, I pointed you to the website of Alexander Technique running. I learned a lot from it. I made the switch to barefoot/ bareform around 2018 and never looked back. I literally quit running for more than 25 years because of a persistent patellar tendonitis, which has never returned after going barefoot. Combined with calisthenics, at 50 I'm in the shape of a lifetime and in fact running in the top 1 percent of my age group. And there is very much a philosophical aspect to it - principles applicable to all aspects of life. Get to the root of the problem and fix it.. 'Science' would tell me to get shoes with more support to 'fix' pronation/ flat feet. Some parallels here with what 'science' commanded us all to do these past two years... (you won't have to guess my choice). Cheers from Holland.

[@saladbutter6772]

how long would it take to fix flat feet

[@susybling9012]

I would like to ask.. how do you not get sick? im just scared of getting sick/cold barefoot, even inside home. is there an advice or you should just adapt to it?

[@JamesFromCanada]

I keep my feet nice and toasty throughout the day - usually I wear socks and barefoot slippers around the home (we've got tile floors which are pretty chilly)

[@Dzaen2]

Is that your legs at 0:38 ? Or at least were similar to that photo? And you are claiming that barefoot running fixed that?

[@JamesFromCanada]

Those are not my legs but mine were very very similar and perhaps worse. I wish I had my old shoes and more pictures because my feet were in awful shape

[@hernancortes200]

Hey I missed the giveaway but I want to enter again anyway

[@JamesFromCanada]

anything for the brave Sr. Cortes!!

[@hernancortes200]

Based

[@gudboyngdisyerto]

do you also run in chip and seal? i thought i was ready for it after 2yrs of running with vff but i was wrong, though i only need a few weeks of adjustment. but with forefoot landing there is no way i could run long distance on chip and seal. i noticed i land midfoot to have as much surface area as possible to distribute the weight, otherwise balls of feet get blisters

[@JamesFromCanada]

Do whatever is most comfortable and effecient for your body! I land and power through from the balls of my feet. I make first contact with ball of foot and them the rest of my foot follows, and then extending power out through ball of foot again.

[@FacelessFinneas]

the paypal link doesnt seem to work for me btw

[@zefsagala8327]

is it okay if i do barefoot running (running with shoes) while using just socks? because the ground is really dirty in my place

[@JamesFromCanada]

of course! no wrong or right way to do things!

[@harry-_-barry]

I am considering barefoot running. But my only option is running strictly on concrete and without any kind of shoes. I start slowly and gradually want to progress in this. I am afraid that running on concrete may cause issues like fat pad atrophy and many more leg related issues. As an expert how would you advice me? Does really concrete barefoot running causes problems in a long term or it is just a few day problem like shin pains?

[@ThePallidor]

It's not the type of surface that matters but the technique/stride.

[@taterbug70]

I sliced through the main tendon on my right big toe when I ran barefoot through some grass. I stepped on the base of a glass bottle. Cut a crescent shape on my foot. Never run around barefoot.

[@JamesFromCanada]

yuck! So far I've had 0 injuries barefoot in 5 yrs but these incidents definitely can happen. Hope u healed ok!

[@taterbug70]

@@JamesFromCanada nope

[@taterbug70]

@@JamesFromCanada but if we have to make leather and tire shoes in the future, we are all going barefoot shoe whether we like it or not.

[@ThePallidor]

You didn't see such a big object?

[@taterbug70]

@ThePallidor no. It was night time and the grass was taller than the bottle shard. It was the base of the bottle with a piece of side and it was sitting upright. It was right next to the road. Just jogging along and it made a crunch under my foot which was how it felt to cut through the nerve and tendon.

[@devintheguru]

Yeah, I know what you mean about the whole wearing conventional shoes again. I went up over a whole shoe size after nearly two years of minimalist sandals and working on a natural forefoot gait. It also feels alien wearing minimalist shoes, cause my foot got larger, so they also don't fit anymore. I'm gonna stick with minimalist sandals before investing in new shoes for fancier "social engagements" 😂 But dress shoes are still a hell no. Best people will get from me are chic athletic shoes. I only try on conventional shoes with a large toe box made of soft fabric, absolutely no arch support, and preferably zero drop. Asking for all 3 in one conventional shoe is currently a really big ask 😆 but the first two are becoming more common. Arch support never worked on my foot anyway. I wore wide shoes before, but now I wear super wide, so it feels like a shoe corset on my arch 🤣 Wearing Dr. Scholl's gel pad foot support destroyed my arches back in 2014, and I started wearing them because of developing plantar fasciitis, and it made my plantar fasciitis worse! I went as far as wearing larger shoes to fit 2 Dr. Scholl's pads on each shoe 😂 At some point it occurred to me that the shoes were the problem and the pads made my feet worse. Walking barefoot saved my life from perpetual plantar fasciitis. Walking forefoot came much later, around 2021 was when I started to fix my walking and moving mechanics. 🌊🍵🙏

[@heitor4144]

yes i'm literally a die hard goggins fan lol

[@speccybald4227]

Why the hate on Goggins? Seems like you’ve totally miss-understood him!

[@JamesFromCanada]

nah I love goggins and have his book even - it's just a fun take on him :)

[@katecook1329]

Just discovered your videos, so helpful! I don't know if your giveaway is still active but if it is I would want to win primus lite for running and every day wear in the lab (I'm a microbiologist 👩🏼‍🔬). My chiropractor recommended barefoot shoes for my spinal problems and I would really like to give it a try! I've started by just walking barefoot in the park a lot but everyone looks at me like I am crazy 🤣

[@JamesFromCanada]

yay super glad to hear! Barefoot walking is the best way to get started. Good luck in the giveaway ;D

[@esdrasluna_]

Hey! Great content, I’d like to be able to win a pair of Vivobarefoot shoes because I’ve been slowly transitioning into barefoot running. The Primus Trail II All Weather FG would be great.

[@joshuazimmerle2736]

Hey man, I like your video!! I realize that you have posted this video about 11 months ago but if you're still picking a winner I would love it if you could consider me for the giveaway. One reason to consider me is that Vivo barefoot shoes are cool but I have not been able to afford a pair.

[@tabin00]

So I am looking at many barefoot videos on youtube but can't really find information about barefoot walking. Everybody talks about running, which is pretty easy and natural when you land on foot front. Bat walking naturally you heel strike. It feels very unnatural to walk and land on foot front.

[@JamesFromCanada]

Yes walking is fine heel striking since the impact forces are not equal to that of running I recommend the 'dont think about it approach' - your body will make movements the way it should - just walk without thinking :-)

[@Joniras1]

Why? Bc I wanna go running with you down where you are. Its beautiful there 😍 And I probably need some protection first 😅

[@JamesFromCanada]

Haha yess the running here is terrific!

[@pablorages1241]

ALWAYS wear shoes when running outdoors ... a friend got a tiny cut on his sole ... 2 weeks later he was dead ... he got an infection that took the doctors a while to identify ... by then it was too late

[@ThePallidor]

Most likely the doctors accidentally killed him. Many such cases. The treatments are usually much worse than the "infection."

[@pablorages1241]

@@ThePallidor If he'd been given the antibiotics sooner he prob would have lived

[@Jay-lo8bt]

Great video, I made the switch to barefoot shoes and running over the past year and the foot strengthening excersises definitely help to adapt faster. It has been amazing to experience natural running it really makes you feel that humans are born runners. Tony riddle aka "The Natural Lifestylist" has also been a huge inspiration to me, anyone interested in barefoot running or natural lifestyle should check him out. Thank you for sharing this helpful info 👍

[@TeenTri_Life]

I would love to try viram but I have webbed toes... (not even joking)

[@yossarean]

Natural form running is the way IMO, but this is a very unscientific take. Appeals to nature, correlations, baseless mechanistic speculation (scoliosis?). Please read and disseminate the actual research.

[@JamesFromCanada]

Well there are not many studies on barefoot for people aside from this on ncbi.nih.nlm.gov - which proves my points www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6604239/ Appeal to nature - Being closer to our biological origins and function IS healthier than artificial Mechanistic speculation - It's not speculation, it's factual observation of biomechanical differences Correlation - Bad input = bad output. Simple Having been the subject of thousands of hours of sport performance training, pediatric visits, $1,000's of custom orthotics, etc, I make these anecdotal points for a reason. We weren't made to sit 8 hrs daily in a chair, staring at a monitor, eating processed food, with improper footwear. No scientific method at all needed to disseminate what's a detrimental value Personal health & fitness is almost entirely a subjective metric which scientific process has little process in beyond observing biomarkers. Psychosomatics are equally if not more important than those markers

[@ThePallidor]

Appealing to nature for a natural activity -- imagine that😂

[@korybarron32]

This isn’t the whole truth though. Its great that it helped you so much but its not great for everyone. If you walk on flat floors and side walks all the time they’re not the best idea for everyone. It will tilt your pelvis forward and make it tighter. If you’re waking on the ground they’re great

[@JamesFromCanada]

if your pelvis is tighter from walking unshod then you have a major issue with flexibility in your hip flexors.

[@HeartInitiation]

nice video man, subscribed