Barefoot Shoe Comparison by Physiotherapist
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- čas přidán 6. 12. 2023
- What are the best shoes for a bunion?
Which shoe is more popular with patients? The Xero HFS or the Altra Escalante Racer?
Foot and Ankle Physiotherapist Andrew Wynd, reviews 2 very different, yet very popular - natural style shoes. Great choices for those needing wide forefoot options. Especially those with bunions or those wanting to wear their Flamingo Feet inside the shoes.
For foot and ankle products that solve issues like bunions, head to freestylefeet.com.au for all the info and more.
Made a gradual transition to minimalist barefoot shoes first - Vapor Gloves & VFFs - but would still get pain in the ball of the foot at times. Runs were largely limited to no more than 2-4 miles for a few years, and progress was slow. I've since then transitioned to the Altra Escalante as daily drivers and could not be more pleased, and the profile works very well for my foot shape, short and wide. I still run and train in my barefoot shoes, but the ability to interchange has given my foot some much needed breathing room to strengthen and adapt on its own terms.
I suffered an injury (which has completely healed) in 2019 - doing a calisthenics type of workshop while wearing VFFs. Following the workshop, whenever i was in the "active toes" position (like a calf raise, for on my hands & knees but on the balls of my foot), I would get a sharp pain on the ball of my foot. It felt like the tissue in that area was ripping apart... some of the most disturbing and awful pain I've ever felt. The same, if I tried to do a calf raise on the painful foot, it was just excruciating. Is this what's called metatarsalgia? Did the pain mean that something was torn or damaged? It healed by itself with rest and patience.
It does sound like metatarsalgia, but this is a little bit of a an umbrella term, which includes bursitis, plantar plate issues, neuroma (very possible), bone stress and others. Best to get a formal diagnosis then you can move forwards with a plan
Excellent content & advice Andrew, thank you
Thanks and you are welcome
I've done around 150km in racer's 3, flat foot runner. I'll never come back to normall running shoes. Never could grasp why every brand puts so much cushioning in the heel part of the shoe since forefoot running is most efficient way, must be for the masses who run heelstrike. I wish they havent discontinued their x country spike model.
Brilliant ! Good stuff
I can only wear zero drop shoes. I have a pair of Lems that are similar to the Vivos and I can't run very far in them. I'm just not strong enough and I get calf soreness. I have had several pairs of Altra Lone Peaks and Timps and while they are great for walking around, they have too much squish for much running and I prefer to use them as everyday shoes or the occasional recovery workout. The problem I have with squish is that my footfall doesn't feel stable and any movement I get that I can't control seems to affect my knees. I just got a pair of the Escalante Racers and after one 8 km run I can say that so far they feel just right for my needs. I am old and broken down, dealing with Ankylosing Spondylitis, and not the runner I used to be. But I still love to run and I like the relative stiffness of the Escalante Racers and the density of the midsole so they are not too squishy.
Thanks for your comments and experience it is very insightful . I am not dissimilar, I am not strong enough to run far in barefoot shoes. It’s a work in progress ! Keep at it and glad you are enjoying the Escalante Racer
Yes, Amazon sells these discounted barefoot shoes. I think they’re called within and just always curious about before I spend the money on them. See what they’re like even though they’re really cheap.
I have not personally trialled those but will look into it for sure
I use minimalist footwear for walking / running sometimes for short distances, but am finding for longer hikes etc I need a bit more cushion. The real issue isn't the footwear themselves, it's that I'm still building up foot strength, using muscles that have been covered up for a lifetime by typical western shoes. One day I may be totally minimalist but until then I'm going to alternate.
I use Luna sandals which are based off Tarahumara huaraches, also the Vibram five fingers. Absolutely love both of these and the amazing zero drop, ground feel you get but you do get tired and sore feet if you're not used to them. After watching many reviews I'm pretty sure I'll get the Altra Lone Peaks for an all round everyday use and running shoe. Thanks for the video...
Great response and I share your thoughts on this. I spent a good portion of my life cross country ski racing. Tucked into tight racing boots on unstable surface - snow! I cannot be in minimalist shoes for extended periods as I don’t have the strength and conditioning like yourself. I alternate and slowly am building up. My patients generally fit into this category too. Which is why I always promote a case by case approach . Thanks for your feedback and comments. It really helps others to share your lived experience here
So I‘m a bit conflicted by Postural Restoration Institute, they have a list of what they claim to best the absolute best shoes for different types of arches, also they are promoting arch support to enhance proprioception.
Have you seen it and what do you think about it?
I have not seen them or heard of them but will absolutely go and check it out. There is good evidence that stimulation of the plantar aspect of the foot improves foot function, balance and in turn potentially posture. In the clinic we often use an orthotic that simply contact the arch- for higher arched feet. Purely to give proprioceptive feedback. This works really well without trying to control the foot or block movement . A high arch insert into a zero drop shoe is a great combination and one I use all the time for certain foot types
OK, so I took a look at the institute's free resources. It looks interesting for sure, and similar to some of the other training and mentors I have had, such as Diane and LJ Lee for example - the whole body works together, there is no doubt in my mind. Accessing and facilitating change for better function can be achieved through a variety of techniques and mechanisms - they are all valid. Wherever possible, I try and avoid external arch supports - in many cases this is not possible - so I certainly prescribe inserts for certain cases, but rarely as my first suggestion and rarely as a long term solution.
Hello, great video, thank you!
I have been running 3x 11 km per week with Altra Escalante for over 10 years.
Recently I've been interested in barefoot shoes for running, but I'm afraid my feet will hurt in these because there's virtually no cushioning. What do you think please? I usually run on tarmac, concrete...
Hey there no problems- I tend to agree with you, without any cushioning in them barefoot shoes are troublesome for many of our patients , the Altra are a great in between. That being said a great way of building up slowly is to do some runs barefoot 1km only at a local grass oval if possible. Slowly build up
@@freestylefeet2063
Good comparison! I got the Altras at your recommendation some months back to wear with my Flamingo Feet Feet at home. Question - what do you wear as office or dress shoes?
Good to hear- I personally wear a variety of shoes . I have some Rockport wide forefoot boots as one of my favourites and wide fitting RM Williams too for dress shoes- the rest of the time zero drop shoes or bare feet around the house
Thanks for sharing! I’ll take note. It’s so hard to go back to conventional shoes (or any shoes actually) after enjoying the feeling of toes that spread. Recently I did get the Birkenstock Bend shoes that are wide sneakers. Not wide enough for Flamingo Feet or a true spread, but they look (casual) office worthy at least!
Oh thanks for sharing- I love my Birkenstock sandals so will take a look at the Bend option. !
Vivobarefoot do casual shoes. I'm going for their geo court model
How do I use my toe spacers in the shoe?
With toe socks, normal socks, or just barefoot?
Great question, either of those options is fine -typically I put under normal socks, but toe socks is yet another level that is helpful
@@freestylefeet2063Awesome, thank you!😃
I live in Perth and I have been so frustrated by the lack of Barefoot style… wide toe box shoes in Australia. There are so many of these styles available in Europe but it’s too risky to buy online!!!
I have tried to advocate a wider toe box to brands here so it’s so encouraging to hear you recommending them and as a physio you are in a stronger position than myself to do this!
Being a woman also it is just SO HARD to find stylish shoes that have a wider toe box. It’s not just all about trainers.
I have Vivobarefoot but these are a little thin on the sole.
Please continue to spread the word Andrew about the need for a wider toe box…. especially to the shoe companies.
Many thanks
No problems, yes will absolutely do so
You can buy in decathlon finger socks
Please look at the Lems. They are the shoes that work best for me. However they are not perfect for me. I have a very wide foot with a high, or thick, arch. I have to take the insole out of my Lems for them to work for me. They are also making them a bit more narrow and pointy than the original Lems were.
It is so frustrating for me that I can’t find a shoe that fits properly. I have shopped from Canada, to USA, to Melbourne, to London a still can’t find the perfect shoe. I love a wide box toe with zero drop.
Also do you have any suggestions on a good foot therapist in western Canada? I live in Dawson City, Yukon Canada
Cheers!
I hear your frustration here, I will do a shoe review on LEMS for you in the near future. They are a great option I agree. Have you tried Vivo Barefoot options? Try that Altra Escalante, as they are quite wide, yet have good depth that might suit? As for suggestions - sorry I don't, I lived in Ottawa for 3 years but I don't have many connections in the Yukon unfortunately..... I will let you know, perhaps someone in this community knows of a good suggestion?
How to correct Duck legs
This is a tricky thing - if you mean feet turned out - that requires an exploration at the hips as to why this is happening. You will need an expert Physiotherapist or similar to properly assess the hip range of motion, strength and function