The Drop Podcast E80 | Steven Sashen, XERO Shoes

[@matthiassventoest6800]

I am currently listening to the podcast at work…. and my goodness.., this guy, is a great talker.. I actually have been considering Xero shoes off and on, for about 6 months.., for my gym trainers. 1. I hear good things from others at the gym. 2. They are available, unlike other barefoot brands. really glad you had him on.., this may have put me over the top on making a purchase.

[@tsubakichan]

I got the Xero Genesis (5mm midsole sandal) a couple years back specifically because I knew my run mechanics were bad. I completely agree that with nothing to hide, your feet will tell you immediately if your footstrike is incorrect and your body adjusts. I still run most of my runs with "regular" shoes, but I make sure I do a "barefoot sandal" run each week to reinforce what good running form is like.

[@bpg201]

I love Xero shoes. I only occasionally run in them but I do like them a lot for gym stuff.

[@hocksun6002]

The process of transitioning to running on sandals or minimalist shoes every day takes awhile. But due to Covid and no races in my plan, I took the opportunity to play with running on these type of gear the entire 2021. I have no prior injuries and like any normal runners, used Hokas, Asics, Adidas, Topos as my daily trainers, marathons and ultra races. My last marathon I ran in Asics DS-Trainer :) The entire experience of running on sandals and almost barefoot (Skinners) are no doubt interesting. I have no serious injuries during the transition except for short issue with PF at the beginning. Now I can say I run 90% all the times on Vivobarefoot & Earth Runner sandals, from 10km and upto 15 miles. The only shoe I am evaluating that can retain the advantage gain from training on all this minimalist shoes are the Inov-8 Terraultra G 270. So, if running naturally barefoot or on minimal shoes can make our feet stronger and reduce injuries for the long run, why not? If I am at 50 years old and been running for 30 years can try this, am sure many other runners would be interested as well.

[@Believeintherun]

Very cool perspective, thanks for sharing! Best of luck in all your running, whatever shoe you choose.

[@Boluggg]

It's real simple. Strengthen your feet which has positive downstream ( or should I say upstream) effects and run with natural human running form and you will be less likely to get injured.

[@briannee9693]

I think of minimalist shoes as just one tool to strengthen the foot and teach the body more proper form/biomechanics. However, I don't believe they are necessary or that traditional shoes cause someone to run with bad form. I think someone can strengthen the foot through specific exercises and learn proper running form in conventional shoes with less risk of injury. I obviously haven't read any of the "studies" but it would be interesting to dive into the methodology that lead to his claims. I do like what he said about integrating minimalist shoes slowly into your routine to prevent injury.

[@CraigEggleton]

Good stuff and always enjoy the different perspectives.

[@justanoldfashionedrunner605]

i run from time to time in my Xero umara sandals, and i can say, that i have to run in a certain way, to be able to run pain free. I run in the same way in any other of my running shoes......for me it is most important to go through a rotation of many different brands and run mostly at a slow pace.....doing 60plus miles per week and injury free since 1986....long before Xero shoes has been founded.....started running in 1974...no market for running shoes then

[@Believeintherun]

That's an amazing non-injury streak!

[@duncanpowell5322]

I found it somewhat informative but it's interesting he's a sprinter and not a long distance guy. At times he sounded like a vegan 😉

[@Believeintherun]

He does live in Boulder so story checks out lol

[@newnormal1841]

. Xeros are my heros 🤺💐

[@slavasss2189]

36:54 disagree…. High heel with cushioning is ok, as you heel strike with a drop shoe…. Hard sole/ no cushion is good for zero drop shoes… both options are workable

[@QronoZ713]

Damn, this guy is a good seller! But a lot of his claims are quite questionable.

[@Believeintherun]

Hey we'll hear anyone out, he's definitely Ted Talk ready at any moment

[@valeriefromoregon]

He reminds me of used car salesman.. too pushy and non stop. So annoying.

[@jamesd5241]

For those wondering, to strengthen the foot needs targeted exercises which you can find online (companies like mobo do very well) but just walking around barefoot isnt enough to trigger adaption, which is why the science showed that foot exercises worked and minimalist shoes didnt (this guy claims the study was flawed of course) Its basically like saying walking or running are glute strengthening exercises, but in reality we know that if you want to improve your glute strength you need to do specific gym exercises with high load to really strengthen them, and just walking around, whilst using the glutes, isnt enough to get adaption.

[@jamesd5241]

While the guy clearly has some good knowledge in the area, he has let his bias cloud his judgement far to much. A good talker but far to eager to prove his own theory correct even when the "science" shows no support to it. Still an interesting discussion

[@mortimer6266]

At least he did explain why the «science» hasn’t been done yet. As you search you’ll find plenty of testimonies confirming his views though.

[@stevestarr9769]

Snake oil salesman. He'd try to sell snow to an Eskimo. Thomas, I give you and Robbe major props for not laughing at this guy.

[@brandonm4664]

This guy is too much for me. I have Vibram V-runs in my rotation and they work great in moderation (like everything else).

[@josephgschwartz]

He's a bit of a snake oil salesman. The science doesn't really back all of his claims. That said, there's some people who are running in these shoes and loving them so they're clearly for someone just not me. I'm sure he would truly hate what I like to run in... Hoka and New Balance.

[@Believeintherun]

He's definitely convincing! And hey, it does work for some people. Interesting conversation for sure.