Barefoot & Minimalist Footwear Thread

maddogs

maddogs

Ultralighter
Nigelp said:
Ok. I’m ‘toe sock’ curious! Pro, cons, brands worth a punt, or just a load of b&£££ks !
Click to expand...
I tried a pair of Injinis. They were fine but I didn't find any benefit over normal socks.
The thickness of the material forces a small amout of toe spread. I found this neither beneficial nor detrimental. I guess if you get blisters between toes this may help.
The only drawback for me is that they take longer to get on and off than normal socks. If I'm having a 10 min break and taking my shoes and socks off to air my feet I can't be doing with the faff of sorting the toes out.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
maddogs said:
I tried a pair of Injinis. They were fine but I didn't find any benefit over normal socks.
The thickness of the material forces a small amout of toe spread. I found this neither beneficial nor detrimental. I guess if you get blisters between toes this may help.
The only drawback for me is that they take longer to get on and off than normal socks. If I'm having a 10 min break and taking my shoes and socks off to air my feet I can't be doing with the faff of sorting the toes out.
Click to expand...
I’ve found a running shop that has Ron Hill toe socks so I’ll take a look.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
Ta everyone. I’m going to try some toe socks if they fit ok. Ron Hills are only about £15 and I can look at them in a running shop when I’m on the Island. I’m not getting blisters but my feet feel like they swimming about in my socks and I’m not used to have the room in my toes for that to happen.

Also ordered some Freet Impala in a 9 and 9.5. I’ve only just started my barefoot journey (so to speak) and today found my conventional boots quite stiff - will try and move away from those slowly and transition using the Freete. So far no foot issues but I’m also trying to be careful I don’t go too fast a knacker my feet up.
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
Nigelp said:
Ta everyone. I’m going to try some toe socks if they fit ok. Ron Hills are only about £15 and I can look at them in a running shop when I’m on the Island. I’m not getting blisters but my feet feel like they swimming about in my socks and I’m not used to have the room in my toes for that to happen.

Also ordered some Freet Impala in a 9 and 9.5. I’ve only just started my barefoot journey (so to speak) and today found my conventional boots quite stiff - will try and move away from those slowly and transition using the Freete. So far no foot issues but I’m also trying to be careful I don’t go too fast a knacker my feet up.
Click to expand...

Take you time transitioning. Use the natural shoes every day in everyday use to build up the strength, then do shorter hikes on them gradually building up the distance before going on a multi-nighter.
 
D

Dickybeau

Ultralighter
Nigelp said:
Ok. I’m ‘toe sock’ curious! Pro, cons, brands worth a punt, or just a load of b&£££ks !
Click to expand...
I’ve been using toe socks for some time now. i started a couple of years ago when I did a LDWA 50 mile walk. I used VibraM 5 toe (or is it finge?) socks. These are quite thin with a higher wool content but quite short. I had no blisters at the end of my walk which was a near miracle. This was despite getting sand in my shoes walking along a 6 mile beach. I’ve tried Creepers (not very good and constantly shedding wool) and Injinji (a bit thicker and tricky to size correctly for my feet). For multi day hikes like the TGO Challenge, I find the Vibram socks suit me best. They’re durable, dry quickly and last well without shedding strands of sock all over the floor. For winter, I use thick injinji in a boot. It’s tricky to get a sock that fits small toes well. The Vibram are better than most. The Vibram don’t take up much space it add weight so I can wear a pair and carry 3 more. No use for keeping my feet warm in bed though.
 
maddogs

maddogs

Ultralighter
Nigelp said:
Ta everyone. I’m going to try some toe socks if they fit ok. Ron Hills are only about £15 and I can look at them in a running shop when I’m on the Island. I’m not getting blisters but my feet feel like they swimming about in my socks and I’m not used to have the room in my toes for that to happen.

Also ordered some Freet Impala in a 9 and 9.5. I’ve only just started my barefoot journey (so to speak) and today found my conventional boots quite stiff - will try and move away from those slowly and transition using the Freete. So far no foot issues but I’m also trying to be careful I don’t go too fast a knacker my feet up.
Click to expand...
You may find your toes naturally spread out with more use of the wider toebox shoes, irrespective of socks. But for £15 the Ronnies sound worth a punt!
Not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, but in addition to the phased transition affecting feet, pay attention to everything else because your posture is altered with the lower heel position, e.g. calves/hamstrings in particular may feel over-stretched to start with. Shorter stride lenght was key for me. Some Freet shoes I think may have some cushoning (my old Connect 3s certainly do) and this is different to something like the Vibram 5 fingers or Vivobarefoot. For me, cushoning encourages, or perhaps permits, a harder heel strike which in turn allows a longer stride....all sort of intertwined with the barefoot thing. Other folk here seem much more knowledgable about the details but I guess there's a spectrum of wide toe box/zero drop/cushioning level which combine to affect how we walk.
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
maddogs said:
You may find your toes naturally spread out with more use of the wider toebox shoes, irrespective of socks. But for £15 the Ronnies sound worth a punt!
Not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, but in addition to the phased transition affecting feet, pay attention to everything else because your posture is altered with the lower heel position, e.g. calves/hamstrings in particular may feel over-stretched to start with. Shorter stride lenght was key for me. Some Freet shoes I think may have some cushoning (my old Connect 3s certainly do) and this is different to something like the Vibram 5 fingers or Vivobarefoot. For me, cushoning encourages, or perhaps permits, a harder heel strike which in turn allows a longer stride....all sort of intertwined with the barefoot thing. Other folk here seem much more knowledgable about the details but I guess there's a spectrum of wide toe box/zero drop/cushioning level which combine to affect how we walk.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. Overstriding leads to painful encounters with roots & stones. I walk pretty short steps when hiking on uneven ground so that if I step on something gnarly, it'll be on my midfoot, not on the heel (lego effect).
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
maddogs said:
You may find your toes naturally spread out with more use of the wider toebox shoes, irrespective of socks. But for £15 the Ronnies sound worth a punt!
Not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, but in addition to the phased transition affecting feet, pay attention to everything else because your posture is altered with the lower heel position, e.g. calves/hamstrings in particular may feel over-stretched to start with. Shorter stride lenght was key for me. Some Freet shoes I think may have some cushoning (my old Connect 3s certainly do) and this is different to something like the Vibram 5 fingers or Vivobarefoot. For me, cushoning encourages, or perhaps permits, a harder heel strike which in turn allows a longer stride....all sort of intertwined with the barefoot thing. Other folk here seem much more knowledgable about the details but I guess there's a spectrum of wide toe box/zero drop/cushioning level which combine to affect how we walk.
Click to expand...
No. All good advice.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
Odd Man said:
Agree 100%. Overstriding leads to painful encounters with roots & stones. I walk pretty short steps when hiking on uneven ground so that if I step on something gnarly, it'll be on my midfoot, not on the heel (lego effect).
Click to expand...
That’s what I’m finding. I’m slower by 2/3 mins per KM at the moment.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
Freet Impala arrived in two sizes. Currently trying on at home. The 9 feels ok except when I really bend the foot and I can feel the heel. Now on 9.5 and they feel better and at full ‘shortened’ crunch feel better and just a bit more toe room. If I force my foot forwards they don’t touch end. The leather feels stiff and will stretch a bit so hopefully not too sloppy on foot when that happens.

Edit - Also in 9.5 the bend is nicely forward of the bottom of the laces. Some heel lift but hopefully I can tighten or adjust that when they soften.
 
The Clueless Backpacker

The Clueless Backpacker

F.K.A old-skool-lite
This lacing technique can help secure both feet, especially the smaller if at least 2 pairs of hooks on the boits. Would have to forego using tongue loop though.

Heel lock boot lacing

Highly recommend this technique. Makes a big difference. The surgeons knot used can be replaced with a simple 3 twists of the lace - just as effective. Any other methods to share?
www.trek-lite.com
 
Bmblbzzz

Bmblbzzz

Thru Hiker
Toe socks: I'm not entirely convinced, for my feet, which obviously are not your feet. I got a pair of Injinji a couple of years ago to try. Used them mainly running and still sometimes do. Then got some civvy toe socks (from Muji) which are well made but I find them fiddly. The spacing doesn't quite match my toes and neither do the lengths (my second toes are longer than my big toes; this is supposedly a trait inherited from the Neanderthals, and I'm sure none of you are going to comment on that, are you?).

But what I do like is tabi socks. These have a separate big toe and the other four together, like mittens for the feet or a Japanese version of the Saxon socks posted a page back by echo. I haven't used them for hiking yet, will have to check out something suitable for that, but love them for running and just general daily wear.
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
Bmblbzzz said:
Toe socks: I'm not entirely convinced, for my feet, which obviously are not your feet. I got a pair of Injinji a couple of years ago to try. Used them mainly running and still sometimes do. Then got some civvy toe socks (from Muji) which are well made but I find them fiddly. The spacing doesn't quite match my toes and neither do the lengths (my second toes are longer than my big toes; this is supposedly a trait inherited from the Neanderthals, and I'm sure none of you are going to comment on that, are you?).

But what I do like is tabi socks. These have a separate big toe and the other four together, like mittens for the feet or a Japanese version of the Saxon socks posted a page back by echo. I haven't used them for hiking yet, will have to check out something suitable for that, but love them for running and just general daily wear.
Click to expand...
Bedrock sandals makes such socks for hiking.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
The Clueless Backpacker said:
This lacing technique can help secure both feet, especially the smaller if at least 2 pairs of hooks on the boits. Would have to forego using tongue loop though.

Heel lock boot lacing

Highly recommend this technique. Makes a big difference. The surgeons knot used can be replaced with a simple 3 twists of the lace - just as effective. Any other methods to share?
www.trek-lite.com
Click to expand...
I did think about missing that out.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
Odd Man said:
Take you time transitioning. Use the natural shoes every day in everyday use to build up the strength, then do shorter hikes on them gradually building up the distance before going on a multi-nighter.
Click to expand...
Yes. I have some work this weekend and I think I’ll wear my normal boots and possibly take the trail shoes and give them a go for the last hour or so.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
Bmblbzzz said:
Toe socks: I'm not entirely convinced, for my feet, which obviously are not your feet. I got a pair of Injinji a couple of years ago to try. Used them mainly running and still sometimes do. Then got some civvy toe socks (from Muji) which are well made but I find them fiddly. The spacing doesn't quite match my toes and neither do the lengths (my second toes are longer than my big toes; this is supposedly a trait inherited from the Neanderthals, and I'm sure none of you are going to comment on that, are you?).

But what I do like is tabi socks. These have a separate big toe and the other four together, like mittens for the feet or a Japanese version of the Saxon socks posted a page back by echo. I haven't used them for hiking yet, will have to check out something suitable for that, but love them for running and just general daily wear.
Click to expand...
I got the Ron hills. They are a medium and go up to 8.5 size but chap in running shop said they should fit better. They do with toe lengths being spot on. Just experimenting with things and at £13.50 worth a punt.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
I’m still trying the Freet at home. Back onto the 9 because the leather is soft and the 9.5 feel baggy. I think the 9’s are keepers.
 
J

Jamess

Thru Hiker
Four years into using barefoot shoes, regularly running in v-runs, and using xeros for the last couple of years, I'm finding that I really miss the ground feeling when using anything else.

Lone peaks feel like walking on jelly these days, but the downside is I'm limited to a max of 15 miles a day Vs over 20 in more cushioned shoes.

Ascents are more difficult on my calfs too but now in my sixties I don't think my Achilles are going to stretch much more.

On the positive side, my ankles and knees are much stronger.

Perhaps the moral of the story is make the transition younger.
 
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