Minimalist shoes - benefits of barefoot shoes for modern minimalists

[@GL-hg1pm]

From my experience I would add that these shoes are not made for everybody without at least a bit of preparing first. I bought some minimalist shoes several years ago with the hope it would help with my chronic foot pain problem, but it wasn't the case, it felt much worse afterwards. I did blame the shoes for a while, but I understood in the meantime that I had very week archs and calves and hips flexors and I eventually found this channel and I suscribed to the foot pain fix program. After only two weeks of daily training I see big results, I feel I can walk again and I actually feel my muscles in the foot / calve area naturally working in a different way, the pain has almost totally gone and that applies for other symptoms too (as for example the fact I had a foot that was always much colder than the other). I think I may try to wear minimalist shoes again after several more weeks of the program, I have confidence in the fact my feet will be better prepared for it!

[@lisamoore9283]

I started wearing Vibram toe shoes about 5 years ago because I was having pain from a bunion. Absolutely no pain now. I cannot wear regular shoes anymore and I don't want to. My feet have gotten stronger and a have more of an arch. I was told I had flat feet when I was a kid and given special shoes to wear (the 60’s) that did nothing. We should not be wearing shoes with support.

[@rubencohen2936]

Very true and I share this information with other open minded people about their feet and shoes. We are a minority but we're foot smart. ❤👣

[@sportysbusiness]

I'm the same, started wearing VFF 3 years ago as I had a huge bunion on one foot and the fact that the foot collapsed inwards meant that I was destroying my knee. The doctor said I needed surgery on my knee (never commented on the foot!), when researching online I found a forum post about getting rid of bunions by strengthening the foot walking barefoot. Fast forward 3 years and my bunion is about 1/3 the size, feet are stronger, straighter and no more knee pain. I hate wearing normal shoes now, they're foot coffins.

[@peo_peo]

What's the deal with flat feet? I loved converse as a high school kid and was constantly told about how I'm gonna get flat feet. Now, converse are really freaking narrow so i accummulated bunions/and corns. This is my main issue with converse, and even sanuks (my fave). I talked to someone who comes to my work frequently about his vibram five fingers. He likened it to wearing gloves your whole life then finally taking off the glove. So, I agree. Our feet are the root chakras of the body and possess unfathomable intelligence.

[@Uprighthealth]

Thanks for sharing your expeirence!

[@todallard8791]

Corrective shoes as they were called were big back then I had them late 60's early 70's not because I wanted them, I loved to be barefoot as a kid.

[@AH-cy4md]

Last week I got my first pair of minimalist shoes. I got the Xero Prio. In all black, they don’t look weird, great for everyday wear. I went from wearing Saucony (squished my toes together, leading to a hallux valgus and big toe pain) and Nike shoes (a bit bigger toe box). I love the Prio’s! They’re more comfortable than I thought they would be. I removed the insole, I’m saving it to put in for when I go hiking. I’ve been walking and working out and find I don’t get the low back pain I would develop when wearing the “ordinary” shoes. They were about $90, more than I usually spend on shoes, but my feet, ankles, and back already feel better, and they come with a decent warranty. I looked at several minimalist shoe companies, I found the Xero’s to be a bit less expensive and I think they have a decent selection and lots of info on their site.

[@Uprighthealth]

Happy to announce you can get a 10% discount on minimalist shoes for kids from Splay! Use this affiliate discount link: splayshoes.com/discount/UPRIGHT My toddler loves his Splays 😁

[@tonilafountain636]

As a kid, I went straigh barefoot wherever I could, and just wore flipflops when I had too, or just ugg boots in winter! My feet are great!

[@flatbedladyv2191]

My feet were hrest begote i vame to the US. We were mostly barefoot in the Caribbean

[@cacoca79]

ok, i wore shoes at work while standing all day for over a decade and they had no cushion or arch support in them, they were flat and are called VANS CHUKKA BOOTS you know the ones that were made in the early 2000s and over time i developed foot pain, how do you explain this?

[@tonilafountain636]

@@cacoca79 Shoes don't often alow the foot to flex. No flex, weakens the tendons and mustles. No mustles, weak tendons? Ouchies! just life. Use it or lose it! Hope that helps explain things?

[@VicBxxx]

Witnessed 80 plus Greek old man that supplied dec chairs in Greece walking up and down up and down all day on sharp stoney beach all summer season barefoot - his feet were as they would have been before shoes were invented- everything you said is true WE DONT NEED SHOES!!! They are modern day corsets- I love five fingers- walking on holiday this summer I was stopped by so many people that were fascinated by them - I find them so comfortable and they’ve improved my gate so much - great video lovely you’re covering this important topic - thank you 🙏

[@lindasue8719]

I agree, I've Heard lots of stories of people who spend more time in the environment, without shoes and their feet either adapt or they have grown up that way. Like most people, when starting out with Barefoot type shoes, my concern was stepping on things. However, if one is actually Barefoot, one inherently pays more attention to where they are stepping. I think that's a big plus with these shoes, to put us more in touch with our environment.

[@captaincoyote1792]

How did a “young kid” like you, get so darned smart? You do a very nice job in presenting yourself “naturally” online. I’m a male, mid-60s, retired military and retired federal game warden. I spent two careers spanning 50 years mostly “outdoors”…..wearing boots. Since retiring, I’ve attempted the Appalachian Trail, after conditioning to “zero drop, wide toe box” shoes (Altra). Two years into minimalist shoes, I’ve developed pain in my right forefoot! I’m dreading seeing yet another doctor (ahhh, the wonders of “gaining age”), so I am doing foot exercises, and I’ve put slightly thicker insoles in my Xero shoes (I really like them), which seems to be helping. I actually tried putting on a pair of my Brooks the other day, to do a short run….I had them on for five minutes, and I couldn’t rip them off quickly enough (good thing, right, as the “zero drop” now is very comfortable. I hope that the forefoot pain (only one foot…isn’t that weird?), continues to dissipate. And I’m retired now….looking a “bit weird” with my footwear choices, I can write off to being a “senior”! I have tried an Amazon brand (Whitin)….and actually, for the price, I’ve been impressed. Again, Bravo-Zulu, we’ll done on this excellent video. Thank you, sir! Watching it was “value added” regArding this topic….and I’ve “subscribed”!

[@lisacollins3304]

Thanks for your comment. It was well thought out,and well stated. Comments are important too.

[@bekadid]

Soft Star started as kids shoes and they still have a great range of kids shoes. They're almost all my kids have worn.

[@Justin-Hill-1987]

It's all about being comfortable in your own two feet when wearing minimalist shoes, instead of letting the shoes do the comfort part for you, which is a plus for muscle/sensory development in the feet and better leg/back posture for the entire body...

[@GrownandHealthy]

There are many lower priced options for minimal shoes, such as the Merrell Vapor Glove (always discounted on Amazon), Feiyue (narrower toe box, slightly more padding), Lem's are also a highly recommended brand and many private label Amazon deals for bargain prices. I believe that Vivobarefoot has done the best job of innovation and design for this minimal shoes, thus far. They are owned/affiliated with the Clark's shoe company, so they have a heads up over their competition, which are mostly small startups.

[@andrewyarosh1809]

Interesting about the big $€£¥ behind Vivobarefoot. Also explains why their forefoot design (while somewhat foot shaped) does not leave enough room for toe splay and free movement.

[@andrewyarosh1809]

Lems don’t “make you look like a weirdo.” The 9-5 which comes in black and brown look like dress shoes. They have desert boots, mocs, etc. They are also cheaper than Vivobarefoot, which are also overstyled.

[@GirishAnem]

Nice, can you please post a link to the product you were refererring ?

[@peo_peo]

@@GirishAnem They're listed on naturalfootgear.com too which has a lot of educational resources on foot health!

[@giovanbattistafichera8439]

the Whitin brand (sold on Amazon exclusively) seems to be a good one as well judging from the reviews

[@Andrew-it7fb]

@@giovanbattistafichera8439 I tried a pair of whitin. They're really good for the price, about $35, but I like Lem's primal 2 a lot more.

[@swampssa]

@@Luminous03 What minimalist shoe is considered the most durable? I’ve had vivo, xero, lems, and merrels. I can firmly say that the lems have lasted the longest of the bunch. Xero the least.

[@terrymiller1759]

Yes, minimalist shoes cost more than most of us would like to spend, but the market is just too small to achieve the production levels necessary for a more economical shoe. I started off with water-shoes (or water socks) 20 years ago. At $10 - $15 a pair I wasn't too upset that they only lasted for a few months. I could buy 10 pairs for the price of one pair of Vibram Five Fingers, and they were much easier to put on. :)

[@ALoonwolf]

You probably already have exactly what you need to keep your feet from going numb in Winter. Take a pair of warm socks that stretch around your feet and ankles and simply cut a slit in the bottom from heel to toe. This creates a warm shelter that just sits on top of your foot and toes and gives you full mobility and complete contact with the ground. When it gets wet around the edges this weight causes it to hang in place even better. You get ankle warmth too.

[@VolkswagenNut1969]

I didn’t start trying them for my feet, but rather for my back. I’ve had almost crippling lower back pain for 12 years now and occasionally had to be hospitalized if I pulled it completely. After wearing Vibrams and a cheap barefoot shoe brand called Whithin (spelling?), for a month, my constant lower back pain and stiffness slowly melted away and I could actually (carefully) bend over again for the first time in years! The Within shoes seem to be just as functional and durable as the Vibrams, and run in the $25-$35 range, so there goes the “too expensive “ argument! :D I can’t wear my old regular shoes for more than a few hours now without my feet, hips, and lower back starting to stiffen up and hurt! It feels like throwing off painful steel shackles to get back in the barefoot shoes again.

[@kimfleury]

I'm more confused than ever - not your fault, but past and recent podiatrist advice. I grew up mostly barefoot in the 60s-70s, and as young as 9 had a ring blister form on the ball at the base of my little toe. By my mid-20s I had to see a podiatrist, who blamed it on going barefoot. He said it was a collapsed arch. That was around 1988. Moving and insurance changes meant going to different podiatrists over the years, and they've all told me different things. The latest guy told me I can't go barefoot in the house any more because I need the support, and I can't wear the plantar fasciitis inserts that I had to spring for because of the previous Dr recommendation. New guy says the PF inserts don't have enough support. He also said the Shoes For Crews style I was wearing is bad because there's no support (slip on because it's faster to get out of the house and make it in time for work and appointments). I brought other styles to the appointment, and he said I had to wear the one that is most firm. But then at my last visit he gave me a copy of a catalog page for Altra brand Escalante 2, designed to keep forefoot and heel at the same level. It's basically the type of shoe in this video. He said that would be better for all my foot problems - Taylor bunion, not collapsed lateral arch as all the other podiatrists have said; regular bunion in big toe; hammer toe, and plantar fasciitis. I'm bewildered. I just don't have a spare $20 here and there for all the different, incompatible recommendations, let alone the $50 for stabilizers, let alone $130 for a pair of shoes that I can't wear at work, or outside in winter. Until the past month I've always gone barefoot when possible, and wear Shoes For Crews to work, for safety. I just don't know what to do. Also, it's timely that you posted the first video within a week of my last appointment, when he told me to get these.

[@d.e.s4432]

I had PF that was finally painful enough to drive me to the podiatrist. They gave me orthotics and told me to wear giant New Balance Herman Munster style shoes. I wore my inserts and ugly shoes dutifully until the pain went away, then switched straight back to minimalist shoes. I wear Lems for everyday and Vivo for working out. I'm not fit, nor lightweight, and I haven't had a flareup of PF at all. I'd recommend watching some videos by Ray McClanahan, NW Foot and Ankle (he has a you tube but I don't know what it is off the top of my head). He's one of the only podiatrists I've ever heard discuss minimalist shoes and foot health.

[@GopherM]

I have no experience with either the Vivo or Xero line but have been transitioning to Lems over the past several months and find them comfortable after my legs and feet have gotten used to them. The price is about the same as Vivo and Xero so I guess people that are unhappy with those prices will also not like what they have to pay for Lems. I particularly like the wide toebox in the Lems.

[@gordonchen9533]

For "normal" looking shoes, I really like my Lems 9-to-5s. I'd argue Vivos are NOT the most normal looking minimalist shoes. Lems has several normal looking minimalist shoes: 9-to-5s, Boulder Boot, and Mariner. I recently bought FeelGrounds which look like Chucks, which I love, but I wanna caution they're highly breathable are not good for colder weather.

[@dryad_girl]

Gordon Chen I have Lems and love!

[@rubencohen2936]

I like mine too and never wear socks anymore. I wash my feet and the insoles also. They do have replacements insoles that are affordable as well. LEMS is a great company to do business with. 👍👣

[@lindasue8719]

I'm looking at ordering xero Prio because they come in black or almost all black.

[@texan_in_thailand5119]

To answer 49616e’s question about nails. I grew up in West Texas around old barns and construction sites. I’ve had nails go straight through both Nike’s (all the way out the top of my foot) and and leather soled cowboy boot (didn’t come out the top), so “regular shoes don’t provide any more protection against nails than minimalist shoes would. (FYI: full body stiffness and muscle aches from the tetanus booster are almost as bad as the sore foot.)

[@ulyssespayne5122]

Well done and good presentation. You handled the comments well. A part 2 on barefoot shoe benefits would be nice

[@d.e.s4432]

I've had good luck with Lems Mariners (looks like loafers/boat shoes) without socks. Though I usually use socks now, I definitely have gone sockless in the past and they don't really get too stinky. Best to air them out frequently and you might have to change out the insoles every once in a while.

[@sidilicious11]

I just spent a lot of moula on Xero Xcursion boots but I’m over being freaked out about the price because they are SO worth it! They are waterproof and great for hiking on trails here in the PNW. I have been yearning for boots like these for years! I’m so grateful to Xero and wish them the best, and hope they make good money for their contribution to our happiness.

[@healthy-natural-10]

I am using Hykes Pinnacle and love them, I will never go back to regular shoes.

[@keefyboy]

No sock tips: Get more than one pair and rotate them, never wearing 2 days in a row. They will dry out and bacteria won't continue to grow. You could also throw them in the freezer at the end of the day and keep them in their until the next scheduled wear day. I also buy a few sets of insoles and replace daily, like socks, because most sweat comes from the soles of feet. Lems and Vivo sell insole replacements for their lines.

[@Uprighthealth]

Thanks for the tips!

[@ghostman76015]

I use baking soda inside and wash every couple of weeks, I only wear toe shoes with no socks and rotate as well.

[@rubencohen2936]

Great to meet other no socks people. What freedom never to wear socks again. It makes life a lot easier. 👣😀

[@papacos4745]

I just bought a pair of the Lems Primal 2. Company from Boulder Colorado designed these shoes. I have only had them for a couple days now but let me say that they are a great all around casual shoe. I wore them at the gym lifting weights, at my work on concrete, and walking around town running errands. My feet felt better at the end of my day vs my Nike running shoes. They are a bit higher price but we'll worth the money. $105 before shipping & taxes

[@sterlingpratt4901]

I'd love to see your picks for minimalist footwear for people that have VERY WIDE FEET like you and I 😁

[@gtamantube]

Birkenstock cheapie foam sandals are big time arch builders; you get all the floppiness with some support

[@Freditovfss]

I own tthe Feelgounds shoes, they are the best looking minimalist shoes I've seen.

[@lordgrover]

New to me. Will investigate. Thanks.

[@disneytoysr4fun975]

Sadly they don't have a true barefoot toe box.

[@g.m.3286]

I've recently tuned in to many of your videos as I was making a google search on how to "naturally" improve my low/weak arches. I love all the info I have heard from you and the Upright Health team - Thanks for your dedication. My issue is that I had been in a boot for 6 weeks for a 5th metatarsal fracture and my doc, just told me to take it off last week and start walking around without the boot for a bit - in sneakers. When barefoot however, I’ve noticed that the foot with the injury has a much more defined pronation than the other. If I start moving my foot so that it shifts more towards the edge (pinky side) my foot starts to hurt there. Basically, my question is….. How do you recommend we treat or heal from a fractured metatarsal. Especially when I feel that walking around in a "maximum shock absorbent and padded shoe" is making my weak/low arch worse? Do you think that walking barefoot instead would be ok?

[@heidigibson1485]

I find it interesting, that doctors or specialist in this field tell you to buy shoes with more support, all the things that don't help, I haven't found 100% pain relief yet, but minimalist shoes have given me the most relief.

[@garethstroud5586]

I'm thinking of wearing minimalist shoes as a daily work shoe. I work in retail, being on my feet all day, even on cushioned trainers, by the end of the day I'm getting pain in my heel and when I take my shoes off it feels so much nicer. I'm hoping a barefoot shoe would feel as similar to not wearing any and reduces or entirely stops this pain

[@KumaBun]

As much as I very much appreciate the popularity of minimalist shoes... it sucks that they're so expensive. =/ Ridiculously expensive! I have very, very wide feet and it's hard to find shoes with wide toe boxes, but the ones with wide toe boxes almost tend to be offered by minimalist shoe companies. So far I'm okay with Altra, but I'm going to try to look for another pair.

[@Uprighthealth]

Let us know what you find!

[@rubencohen2936]

EBAY 👣❤💰

[@lordgrover]

@@rubencohen2936 How many times do you need to push ebay in one thread? It's tiresome!

[@sidilicious11]

solacium I just bought a pair of Xero Prios and they are quite wide with a wide toe box. They are around $85 I think.

[@cynthiadavis4734]

Love Xero Shoes. They also have kids shoes (a sneaker and a sandal).

[@lindasue8719]

The only thing I have found with "odour" and bare feet in shoes is to give my feet a quick squirt of antiperspirant spray. I'm not a fan of antiperspirant, and it can appreciate people may not want to do that on their feet, but it does work. I opt to do it sparingly. Also, I usually buy sneakers that go in the washing machine. However, most Minimalist Shoes advise against that. I haven't had two yet, but I would wash by hand and then put it through a spin cycle to remove some of the moisture. Otherwise they will be a nasty wet mess for days ( regular shoes, that is). I also have a "boot dryer" which gives off minimal Heat, but I've heard that heat should be avoided on Minimalist Shoes, too.

[@KingdomUploader]

I finally bought some Lems 2 years ago and that's all I wear, unless I'm barefooted. The first 2 months my right achilles tendon was sore but I kept walking amd my feet conformed. They cost $100 at that time. Love em!

[@picashlio3361]

I actually started in on yhe minimalist shoe trend without knowing it in an effort to reduce my knee hip and back pains after working. It litterally took me two weeks to become reaccustomed to walking naturally but was ulitmately one of the better health decisions I've made thus far. I use water shoes because I can by them cheap and in abundance at places like walmart. Personally I recommend the sport-z water shoe for its flexible sole, stylish design, soft uppers, and grip. I wear these daily even at work.

[@lordgrover]

Thanks for the vids. :) I have many pairs minimalist shoes from VFFs to Vivobarefoot to Tadeevo. Summer wear VFFs can't be beaten for comfort but they can be challenging to get away with in the office. By far my favourites for office/about town are Tadeevo Derbys - so comfortable and fit like gloves. Freet make some of the less-odd looking footwear, though I don't find them quite as comfortable. I really want to love my Freet Elgons, but there's something about the fit that ain't quite right. Look good though. Freet Connects are comfy but a bit too 'sporty' for day-to-day office wear. Keep up the good work!

[@DuyNguyen-lo2mm]

i Think my only issue with these shoes are they are more expensive while using less materials :D

[@DreBars]

are you from West Covina?

[@Andrew-it7fb]

It has to do with the economics of scale. Bigger companies are able to sell shoes for less because of how many they produce and sell.

[@picashlio3361]

Water shoes. Cheap and availible.

[@braillynn]

@@picashlio3361 And ugly.

[@living4adrenaline]

@@braillynn and not as durable. Quality not quantity go with xeros

[@Aztecatl7]

Xero now has kids version of their Prio shoe.

[@JoshOnGuitar]

I wish Xero Prios were just a liiiiittle bit wider in the toebox. My pinky toes still get red from friction.

[@rorydelapaz4083]

Softstar Shoes, Vivobarefoot, and Xeroshoes all have kid-size shoes. Luna Sandals now also make sandals for kids and that's a good option for the warmer months. I've had luck running with Softstar Shoes DASH RunAmocs with no socks and have not had any stink. I agree that they look like weird bowling shoes. I did wear an all black pair to Iceland and then France a few years ago and no one batted an eye when we went out to nice places. I was pretty much sockless when I wore the RunAmocs and no stink. I'm pretty sure the only time I wore socks was when we had to go through airport security under orders from my wife.

[@JOAFITNESSNews]

I love barefoot walking... using now the reebok nano, good stuff! I have cool interviews with doctors about this and more

[@ghashul]

Fivefingers were my first minimalist shoes, and they're still my go to for running and gym wear. For everyday use Xero sandals, and shoes from Lems and Vivobarefoot do me nicely!

[@Andrew-it7fb]

Which sandal did you get from xero? I'm thinking about getting a pair but can't decide between the different ones.

[@ShoeBoyReview]

@@Andrew-it7fb Did you end up getting one? I am thinking of getting one as well.

[@todallard8791]

When you look at the price of minimalist shoes you will see that they are mostly using sustainable materials and much smaller production runs than the coffins most people put on their feet, this will always result in higher costs as well as the lifespan of minimalist shoes being longer you don't need to buy as many.

[@rockway32]

A shoes that is very much disregarded/ forgotten is Saucony Bullet. Not quite 100% minimalist because their is a drop of about 4mm but it's light and flexible than the vivo ones, they usually go for 50-60$ in the USA. I got over 1000k on mine they are just starting to show wear

[@francisc1854]

For kids there’s a ton of shoes. Kids prios from Xero, vivobarefoot makes some, plae , and a bunch of other brands.

[@southpawhammer8644]

Work boots won't stop a nail, let alone any regular shoes. I've been wearing minimal for years with no issues

[@turkishheart]

I love minimalist shoes, or barefoot shoes. The less the better. I went from needing orthotics and having a lot of trouble with fallen arches, and neuralgias in the ball of my foot. Happiest with the barefoot shoes since I discovered them. My big issue is in the winter, walking through mud and rain, and even possibly snow..... wish there was some sort of cover or winterized version without added bulk and sole.??? Any recommendations???

[@skootwbs]

theres a Lems shoe i wear. very minimalist. style is not too bad. check em out.

[@therealchickentender]

There are many brands, many styles available and they are growing all the time. Merrell,, Xero, Lems, Wildlings, Nimbletoes, Vivobarefoot, Leguana.... for sandals there are Bedrock, Vibram, Xero, Luna, Earthrunners.... and there are many more I'm forgetting. Most of these companies are small, often very small, and the price of their shoes are all about economy of scale. Adidas, Nike, etc can manufactur footwear at a fraction of the price because of scale. It's little more than this. And as far as most of these barefoot shoe companies go, nearly ALL of them place a very high importance on sustainability; they are using renewable materials, shipping with minimal packaging, and offering resoling and reconditioning programs in a lot of cases. The big manufacturers do little-to-none of this. Is it worth the cost? Up to the buyer.

[@JT3KBV4]

I have a question. I want to move to minimalist shoes but my feet are flat one more than the other and I have a lack of balance due to sprained ankles from sports. I also have very limited foot dorsiflexion which affects my gait. My question is will this help improve arches and will this help my feet dorsiflex again and will it help with my foot pain from my flat feet

[@lindasue8719]

I'm a fan of being barefoot, and I've recently got into barefoot shoes. I really DO have to wonder: what would be the difference between these expensive shoes, and a pair of thin-soled, flexible, wide flats of some sort that one could find at w-mart, for instance? I don't think that there **is** any. It's not like they are specialty engineered for the most part. At the moment as a noob, I might be compelled to spend more on the assumption of better quality, but for myself personally I've always been a fan of buying inexpensive and frequently because I like variety. If I can find inexpensive shoes that fit the bill, I will definitely be trying them. In the meantime, yes, I do love my Xero Jessi sandals, and just ordered a pair of their Colorado sandals.

[@yourekittenme.]

It’s the toe box. Most “conventional” shoes have a narrow toe box that squeezes the toe together into an unnatural shape. And the heel. Barefoot shoes have zero drop.

[@lisacollins3304]

I was new to zero drop shoes,but I really needed them so I bought a few pairs from one particular company. Then,the owner sent me a rude message. Why? That is not a good way to keep customers. Anyway, if I need anymore minimalist footwear,I will find a different company that values its consumers.

[@christophermason7735]

I love my vibram five fingers and they have fixed my bad ankle pain. They look wired but I’m fine with that because spreading my toes individually really works best for me and reduces inflammation. However for work in my suit all the minimalist shoes look like trainers. Do you know of any that that would go with smart office dress? Zero rise very wide toe box will be fine. Obviously no toes for the office. I did try some leather vivobarefoot and the toe box was really narrow.

[@caseyclausen2627]

My favorites were the Skechers Gobionics. Wish they still made them.

[@gabriellec5962]

12:25 Kind of off topic but that was such a cute clip! I have never seen a baby carrier that sits on the shoulders like that, very neat. I bet it’s more freeing for you versus pushing a stroller, and definitely more exciting for your little guy with that view he has! Lol

[@Uprighthealth]

Yup, it's called the Minimeis. It's a bit pricey (as are all baby things). It's a much easier lightweight option than a stroller but it wasn't without its drawbacks. Maybe a review for another day!

[@watchingmywasteline]

I'm wondering about trying barefoot shoes as I my toes are becoming clawed

[@savitrirambarran9111]

Thank you very, very informative.

[@murusons]

How about surf shoes? I see these “aqua shoes” being recommended to be when i search barefoot shoes. Do you recommend?

[@gregk2389]

I have found tesla Baretrack for 35 and they are just like Merrell trail gloves

[@angier5269]

I would love to be able to wear minimalist shoes or go barefoot more frequently, but every time I start to switch over I get really bad plantar fasciitis. It's crazy because switching to toe shoes fixed my mom's plantar fasciitis. When to go back to wearing regular running shoes it goes away quickly. Any suggestions?

[@sandeepkrishnaatrshukla745]

That's because you are not using windlass mechanism of using the big toe properly in spite of minimal shoe but your mom uses it though..work on the big toe to improve it's dorsiflexion.

[@zeldadesantiago6974]

They have some reasonably priced ones on amazon around 40 dollars I run long distances and they work

[@rubencohen2936]

Check out EBay also 👣🤓

[@JackTheGroenendael]

I used to run in Vivo barefoot and Xero, and personally I find to me running on concrete or the road with those shoes at distances over 5km is not enjoyable and gave me foot aches. I really do need the padding when running on those surfaces doing a longer run. However, if I'm running on a grass track, nothing is more enjoyable than running true barefoot. I think I actually run faster with no shoes at all too.

[@the_wolfi]

There is also a small company called Wildling shoes and they make really beautiful shoes and they have all sizes between 18 - 48. The price is a bit lower than Vivobarefoot :)

[@Uprighthealth]

Thanks for the heads up :)

[@butterflypooo]

Is 49616e a reference to something?

[@MarcoH72]

pamBBB my question as well.

[@lindasue8719]

I was assuming it was a zip code (?)

[@glicialinden1631]

I am 72 live in Brazil where can buy a minimalist shoe ? My efetivarem very sensible I wanna buy the white model

[@d.e.s4432]

www.vivobarefoot.com, they're made in Europe and I think they ship internationally

[@rubencohen2936]

On EBay, search for, BAREFOOT SHOE OR MINIMALIST SHOE. sensible prices and ship directly to you. Sometimes some slightly used ones too. 🤓👣

[@tomfuller4205]

I have friends who only wear tabis, what is your thought on those?

[@tyh2989]

I am considering a minimalist shoe but after watching several related videos I'm wondering what should be my first pair. My have low to no arches, I wear out the heel primarily the fastest and I walk 8 to 10 hours a day on concrete at work. Once tried Newports and those had virtually no flexibility...at all. They killed my feet . Took 6 months after switching for the pain to stop . Crocs are all I've been wearing for sometime now. I wear the Crocs on-the-clock shoes to work; however, it's time for new shoes and I saw a Xeros ad and I might try it. The Lems looked ok but since I apparently heel strike heavily and they have the rounded heel I'm wondering how well that would work out. Any suggestions appreciated.

[@chellsee4167]

Go with the Lems. It's what a lot of beginners start with because of the air blown rubber outsole, it provides cushion. Or you could look into Altra.

[@kj3d812]

For those reading @tyh2989's comment about heel strike, the problem is solved by re-learning how to walk in barefoot/minimalist shoes. Cushioned shoes cause you to change your foot-strike and gait, resulting in hard heel-strike (because the cushioning allows it). Try that in barefoot shoes and you'll get a rude awakening. There are many videos here on KZbin on how to transition to barefoot/minimalist shoes and learn to walk without the hard heel-strike. I have low to no arches as well, learned to walk comfortably in barefoot shoe for quite some time, and then messed myself up by mistakenly listening to "experts" who insist we need "supportive" shoes for walking -- so I got some Keen hiking boots and promptly started having severe foot pain. It has now devolved into plantar fasciitis that has nearly left me immobilized and barely able to walk, after only a month or so in the 12mm heel-drop Keens with Superfeet insoles. NEVER AGAIN!

[@DaBinChe]

natural materials are better than synthetics as far as stink goes, not just true with shoes but with socks too. Cotton socks are the least stinky. Same with natural fabric shoes too...in the case of shoes I think they breath better than leather. Synthetic is the worst like polyester shoes and socks even a mesh shoe that breaths really well.

[@rcheas4894]

I think many of the Lem’s shoes look more normal for casual settings.

[@chandragray8186]

haha, I like the bowling shoe look.

[@allang1990]

Great video man!! What’s your opinion on Feelgrounds shoes. They are really stylish and are minimal. Have you ever tried them and if so what’s your opinion?

[@troyaranda2007]

Do you recommend running/jogging/walking to exercise in barefoot shoes?

[@jpt7667]

Wildlings, tadeevo and freet do kids shoes

[@joshuanuss1356]

Check out Lems! They have some stylish shoes and boots

[@clayton2599]

what if you have a slight leg length discrepency?

[@dreamervanroom]

Whoa Matt, my toes don't go up like that. I never considered that motion.

[@richardjackson7624]

I also have been wearing Vibram toe shoes for 3 years and I have no more feet pain, no more bunion, heel, ankle, hip, knee, and no more foot fungus. Go all the way. Separate toe shoes are the best. Our entire medical profession is totally wrong.

[@rubencohen2936]

Don't you love the freedom of not wearing socks ?

[@richardjackson7624]

Yes, I love them, wash your shoes like Vibram is OK, that keeps odors down.

[@lindasue8719]

Excellent point, remember back in the days when they recommended children wear ankle-boot style shoes??!

[@johnsmith-yv7rp]

Any advice on how to transfer from high Stability running shoes with orthotics to these shoes! Your vid makes sense but I tried walking in the grass for 20mins and woke up with back pain and painful feet the next day.... Should I maybe just remove the orthotics first and then move to less bulky trainers? Please anyone advise?

[@insquares]

Are there any concerns or things to think about with minimalist shoes and Achilles issues or previous plantar fasciitis?

[@queertales]

Hopefully he can make a video on this, with some good advice. If switching to minimal shoes for running or walking, it makes sense to do it very gradually to give the muscles in your feet time to adapt and stengthen. I used to use barefoot shoes for running, which helped get rid of my knee pain, but when I started using them for walking I got heel/ankle pain, probably because I was striking the ground too hard with my heel from being used to sneakers with lots of dampening.

[@ghostman76015]

My wife had plantar fasciitis and we kept buying thicker shoes and it kept getting worse. She decided after a couple of years to go the opposite direction and buy thin soled shoes for work and go barefoot at home. Changed her life and she has never gone back to buying the thick soled shoes for 10 years. She currently is on her feet for 10 hours a day and while they are definately sore from work they recover faster and the crippling pain left years ago with the thick soles.

[@earthmamma85]

Splay athletics is great for kids. Look into them

[@ElieZ]

No show toe socks are amazing.

[@rubencohen2936]

Never having to put on socks is freedom for feet. 👣

[@lucyberg4811]

@upright health I’m a bit confused. I’m on board with minimalist/barefoot she’s and I’m looking for the right shoe to fit my needs now. What confuses me is that it seems the norm for people to wear socks with their minimalist shoes. Don’t socks constrict the natural movement of your toes similar to shoes? I’d love to hear your thoughts

[@dontclickonmychannel400]

Not much, so long as your socks are not thick

[@markserlin643]

Why dont you mention Vibram Fivefingers?

[@danvdr]

He does. Start at about 11:30

[@shawneasterday1818]

what about barefoot shoes for people who work in the service industry? I have to work in non slip shoes are there any nonslip barefoot shoes out there?

[@soniathomas2545]

What are these shoes like in the rain?

[@sarahthatcher123]

Vivobarefoot have a fairly good selection of shoes for children.

[@plusbonus1165]

Conform .

[@chrislaudrille1035]

I don’t expect an answer here, but I have ankle issues and a fallen arch. Would these types of shoes make it worse, better or no difference

[@mohamedn87]

I am in the same boat. I notice that I have less severe pain when walking around barefoot at home. The answer is do your own research. The internet and watch videos like these and talk to people particularly those who wear minimalist shoes or have had shoe issues relieved by just wearing minimalist shoes. Then you can make your own conclusions or decisions as whether minimalist are worth it.

[@butterflypooo]

Why can’t I just wear cheap shoes w a flexible sole instead? I usually buy those for spring and summer bc I think they look cute and aren’t expensive.

[@sidilicious11]

pamBBB any flexible shoes with no heel rise👍🏻

[@yourekittenme.]

Large toe box?

[@megatron8461]

Not a bad idea for those who want to de clutter their closets. Like me, for example.

[@ssjenforcer191191191]

I got $20 water shoes from Walmart, and they're basically just minimalist shoes.

[@Birdphotoman44]

Check out Merrell vapor glove, very good, ca 50 dollars

[@dreamervanroom]

www.merrell.com/US/en/vapor-glove-4/36371W.html

[@disneytoysr4fun975]

Thank you Oppa.😍

[@pugamusmaximus]

What if you have Mortons toe? The second toe is longer than the first toe. Lol my feet are odd

[@Ice-Fall]

Shoes wear out. Feet are for life. What's important to you?!!?

[@peo_peo]

This is a good question. But I'd take a look at how we construct the surfaces we walk on. We use concrete as walking paths, make flat floors for our houses and workplaces. shoes are kind of imperative to protecting the feet from the chemicals that maybe floors are treated with. Also (just speculating) - the microbiome of these surfaces is essentially benign. Outside, on the dirt, our skin is coming into contact with soil that is rich in good bacteria. With rain and natural weather patterns, it makes sense that outside surfaces go through a death and rebirth process - a cycle - that makes it very healthy to walk on barefoot. You can easily clean the floors of your house (with natural cleaners) to take care of any accumulated dirt or chemicals, but as for other surfaces..... Idk. Shoes seem to be a good option. All that stuff matters in our industrialized flat surfaced society. What do you think? Does anyone have an opinion? Intuitive speculations here. Minimalist shoes are a great way to walk that fine line - you care about protecting your feet with a shoe but also allowing your feet to do its primal magic.

[@dreamervanroom]

Tai chi shoes? Not as flexible on the sole, cotton or plastic sole, as one would want. They are usually cheap. They come in loafers and Mary Jane's.

[@colleenmoore978]

Matt, when I wear toe shoes I get pain or numbness near toes 2&3 in the toe box. Any suggestions to relieve this? Is it a chiropractor issue with nerves feeding the feet?

[@anthonyjack1859]

My personal experience has been fantastic wearing minimalist shoes. I used to have flat feet, but after wearing these kind of shoes for 2 years, I have arches! The only problem is that I can't find any minimalist shoes to fit my very wide feet anymore (they got even wider after switching). I've tried Xero, Vibram 5f, and Vivobarefoot, all are too narrow. Anyone know of any other brands that might work for me?

[@dustinmoilanen7912]

Give Altra shoes a look. They have a very wide/roomy toe box and are my go-to. It will depend where your width is. If mid foot to heel I am not sure they would be much help, but if you are looking for room up front they might be the ticket. Almost all of their shoes have zero-drop and while the soles have some cushion, they are a far cry from most. Their "Superior 4" trail shoe is supposed to give you a barefoot feel and I can confirm they do. You feel everything in a great way. They are my #1 shoes to run in..trail or road. I also wear Inov-8 "Bare" shoes quite frequently...also a nice large/wide toe box.

[@anthonyjack1859]

@@dustinmoilanen7912 Thanks for your advice! Much appreciated

[@sidilicious11]

Anthony Jack I think the Xero Prios’s are quite wide.

[@anthonyjack1859]

@@sidilicious11 thanks for your reply. I find xero too narrow for me though

[@sidilicious11]

Anthony Jack did you try the Prios? The Xcursion’s are narrow but the Prios are much wider.

[@rayspetant]

would boxing/wrestling shoes work?

[@woot3055]

Has anyone ever tried a negative drop shoe?