Why YOUR RUNNING SHOE choice MATTERS//Run Form + Foot Strength + Shoes

[@CraigKeene]

Im guessing most folks watching are trail, but I’m strictly a road runner, avg. 28mi/wk. I’ve only worn Xero Clouds for the last five yrs. I live in Midwest, so when it’s below freezing I will include the Luna Tabus as a protective layer. I add barefoot running into my weekly regimen @ 5mi/wk. I will say it’s been interesting watching my feet change over this time. They’ve gotten wider and a lot of extra padding has evolved especially on the forefoot. My arches are much more pronounced, and my toes are now super strong, which has greatly improved my overall balance. I did experiment w/ several other running shoes but once I committed myself to what I’m doing now, it has worked well for me, and my wallet!!! 😀 There is so much interesting science I discovered about our feet.

[@Ekskrement]

Hey Eric - thanks for the videos, I'm getting a lot out of each and every one! One question for you - I'm doing about 80km a week and recently with about 2000m of elevation gain & lost (no loops, just out and back) and I usually run in zero drop shoes. Now that's I've ramped up the elevation gain, I've developed a lot of lower calf/upper achilles stiffness at the beginning of workouts. In your opinion, would shoes with more of a drop help me out here?

[@leeassoulin3132]

Thanks Coach! Would love to get a video on the different specific kinds of shoes you would recommend for different runners. Beginners, trail runners, marathoners etc. I’m a ‘beginner’ and I’m running in a pair of Nike Vaporfly with a massive heel that is probably the root cause for some recent injuries. Interested to know what I should pick as my first minimal shoe.

[@JB-hq9yj]

You started your running journey in the Nike Vaporfly?!

[@-TroyStory-]

I run in Merrell Bare Access XTR on asphalt and the VERY minimal Merrell Vapor Glove on dirt and sometimes on asphalt for short runs. LOVE my Merrell’s!

[@guzgrant]

I ran in Altra Olympus the other day as a test for 100:milers which I tend to get fatigued towards the end . Zero drop but way to much cushion . Worse shoes I have used in years . Couldn’t feel the floor and the extra cushion fatigued my legs clomping around .

[@meganmcisaac5601]

I've recently bought a pair of Merrel Vapor glove 4 to help improve my running. I need to practice form and strength training but previously to buying the shoes had some IT band trouble. After watching your other video I plan to resume 10-15 mins a day running in my new shoes and see how I go. I was wondering what your advice is regarding increasing running time and distance in the coming weeks in terms of getting used to new shoes and recovering my knee? Planning on incorporating the strength training into my plan too. Anything else I need to consider? Thank you for videos, great resource!

[@bendallas5397]

Hey comin to ya from not too far away in Bozeman. Just wanted to say thanks for all the awesome content! Its been really helpful in my progression as a runner.

[@margaretphipps644]

Hi Eric. I am wondering how you recommend transitioning to a minimalist shoe. For the past few years I have been running in Brooks Glycerin and then just recently switched to Nike Infinity React. However, I have been struggling with plantar facitis and looking to try a more minimalist shoe to see if it would help. Most of my runs are on road. Thanks!

[@BornToRunCoach]

this ones for you kzbin.info/www/bejne/jneZoIuKatZ-g7M

[@bentimberfalling]

What's your favorite shoe for running on the road, the college i run for has just about only sidewalks and asphalt to run on.

[@BornToRunCoach]

Right now for road runs I use the Atra Escalante for most of my runs.

[@CM-lz1cm]

I use zero drop in my rotation. I put gel insoles in them to protect my heels from rocks and stones. I've noticed that my feet have grown a full shoe size. There's nothing better than running in your bares. However all the elites appear to wear carbon plated shoes. This can't be good to wear these for training for the reasons outlined in this video.

[@BornToRunCoach]

Exactly. Watch someone run in slow motion in super shoes and see how biomechanics are so out of whack! They wear them because they work and would be at a disadvantage if they didnt wear them for competition. Which of course trickles down. Stay tuned for Born To Run 2 coming next Oct.

[@LeeJ_L]

Hi Eric, i think your philosophy makes sense for foot strength development and allows the body to provide impact absorption without relying on overly cushioned shoes. I appreciate all runners are different but what shoes are you choosing for trail and mountain running? I use Altra Superior shoes for ultra distances but I'm open to considering other brands/shoes.

[@BornToRunCoach]

Hi Lee, right now our trails are not open yet, so will be testing more shoes. But in years past I was a big fan of the Salomon SLab shoes. This years looks more like Dynafit, Salomon and Arcteryx. I use the Superior sometimes as well bet have a narrow foot so doesnt always work well. Thanks for watch and the question.