Anyone tried hiking barefoot or minimalist like invisible shoes etc? I have been reading about many having a positive experience with this and less issues with their feet, shins, etc. Just want to hear your experience with this. The good, bad, the ugly. Thank you for your time
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Barefoot or minimalist hiking?
- Thread starter nikosia7
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I pretty much wear nothing but Vibram fivefingers in the warmer months. they are awesome to wear when out in the woods! you feel more in-tuned with the earth. the only things you need to watch out for are puddles and kicked up branches. I would definitely be careful if you travel off the beaten path. If you are looking for some more rugged barefoot shoes you could check out some of the Keene or Merrels.
Bigfattyt
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I spent the better part of a summer with no shoes one year. Running around on trails and pine needles. Oiled gravel roads. Riding my bike with "bear trap" metal pedals. My feet got very tough, and very very dirty!
I quit when I got a thorn in my foot. I did not notice it at the time, only when it got infected, and the next time I had to stuff my feet into shoes (Church), I had have it cut open to drain, and get the little thorn point out.
I wear my Keens a lot (the old Zeraport models they don't really make any more. They make a new version with drains on the sole).
For hiking though, I prefer a nice leather boot.
I quit when I got a thorn in my foot. I did not notice it at the time, only when it got infected, and the next time I had to stuff my feet into shoes (Church), I had have it cut open to drain, and get the little thorn point out.
I wear my Keens a lot (the old Zeraport models they don't really make any more. They make a new version with drains on the sole).
For hiking though, I prefer a nice leather boot.
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- Jun 29, 1999
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- 9,730
For serious hiking, you need footwear that will protect your feet. A twisted ankle or even a stubbed toe can ruin your hike. I prefer well broken-in leather boots, well waxed, with a good toe protection.
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- Oct 26, 2000
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- 6,104
I have lots of foot issues to begin with, and hiking is usually crippling to me without proper support from custom orthotics(and sometimes is, anyway), but if that weren't the case, I'd like to try those minimalist shoes. I actually love hiking in sandals, but a certain discontinued Ecco Performance model is the only one I've found that I can do any distance in. The newer model I replaced them with doesn't hold my feet in place if they get wet, even if I wear socks with them, so they get used for casual wear
I've got a pair of vivobarefoot shoes from the UK. Puncture resistant soles, and an insole that you can leave in for a little more padding, or remove for a little more room in the shoe. I liked the fit better than the Merrell glove line, and the NB Minimus. Havent had a chance to do any real hiking in them yet, but in using them for walking my dog down the trail I like them. They do make you feel 'closer' to the environment, sorta like a modern moccasin.
I love barefoot walks in the woods, but I've never done one too hardcore or challenging. A lot of times I'll have a pair of sandals (or even crocs LOL) strapped to my EDC bag in case it's too rough. I'm trying to build up my feet.
That said, I do need a new pair of boots.....
That said, I do need a new pair of boots.....
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- Jan 18, 2003
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- 3,734
I'll preface this by saying that as a nurse that only works 13 twelves a month, I hike about four days a week.
I haven't tried going completely barefoot other than around my property. I do have Merrell Barefoots that I use on about 25% of my hikes. I must say that it is a completely different experience. Sharp stones do hurt and you do have to mind where you place each step to the point that you take in less of the visuals, but you feel more agile once you find your groove. I kind of enter a zone where I'll see a deer trail in front of me and I'll map out every step at once and just fly; up rocks, over and under logs, etc. It is a rush. I try to go as light as possible when using them and stay on the less used backwoods trails (as opposed to the overused ones that have eroded down to just a bunch of fist sized rocks strewn down a long gully). My feet have gotten stronger though. The one drawback to the Merrells is that the rubber is on the hard side for protection but not very good grip.
That said, you do feel a whole different set of muscles that get sore the next day. That's when I'll break out my standby's which currently are Keen Pyrenees. IMO a terrific shoe that gives great protection and support but still gives you flexibility and control. The key I believe is not to have too much shoe between your heel and the ground. Some hikers make you a good 2" taller. I feel no hotspots from day one and it has a very laterally generous toebox that prevents toejam on descents. This is the shoe that I'll use with a heavier pack when I know I have to descend steep trails.
The shoe that I find would be an ideal intro into minimalist hiking, is a perfect balance (and my favorite woods shoe) between my hikers and the Merrell Barefoots is the 5 Ten Guide Tennie. What an awesome shoe. It is a low top shoe but laces from just behind the toes to the top which gives a very custmizable fit. The sole is slightly thicker than the Barefoots, about half inch at the heel with a slight taper toward the front. The magic lies in the soft durometer of the sole. Even though the tread doesn't look aggressive, just a pattern of 1/3" discs about 2mm tall but with these on, I can climb anything. These shoes give you a great trail feel and make you use your foot muscles but give great protection.
I haven't tried going completely barefoot other than around my property. I do have Merrell Barefoots that I use on about 25% of my hikes. I must say that it is a completely different experience. Sharp stones do hurt and you do have to mind where you place each step to the point that you take in less of the visuals, but you feel more agile once you find your groove. I kind of enter a zone where I'll see a deer trail in front of me and I'll map out every step at once and just fly; up rocks, over and under logs, etc. It is a rush. I try to go as light as possible when using them and stay on the less used backwoods trails (as opposed to the overused ones that have eroded down to just a bunch of fist sized rocks strewn down a long gully). My feet have gotten stronger though. The one drawback to the Merrells is that the rubber is on the hard side for protection but not very good grip.
That said, you do feel a whole different set of muscles that get sore the next day. That's when I'll break out my standby's which currently are Keen Pyrenees. IMO a terrific shoe that gives great protection and support but still gives you flexibility and control. The key I believe is not to have too much shoe between your heel and the ground. Some hikers make you a good 2" taller. I feel no hotspots from day one and it has a very laterally generous toebox that prevents toejam on descents. This is the shoe that I'll use with a heavier pack when I know I have to descend steep trails.
The shoe that I find would be an ideal intro into minimalist hiking, is a perfect balance (and my favorite woods shoe) between my hikers and the Merrell Barefoots is the 5 Ten Guide Tennie. What an awesome shoe. It is a low top shoe but laces from just behind the toes to the top which gives a very custmizable fit. The sole is slightly thicker than the Barefoots, about half inch at the heel with a slight taper toward the front. The magic lies in the soft durometer of the sole. Even though the tread doesn't look aggressive, just a pattern of 1/3" discs about 2mm tall but with these on, I can climb anything. These shoes give you a great trail feel and make you use your foot muscles but give great protection.
I do all my hiking, crossfit, and running in Merrel Barefoot Trail Gloves, I also climbed Kilimanjaro this year in New Balance Minimus, they were great and for summit night I cut open a $20 pair of down booties and duct taped them to the outside of the shoe. Pretty redneck but it kept my feet from freezing on the summit.
Several decades of going mostly barefoot has given me bone spurs on my heals that any fighting cock would be jealous of. They cause me a fair amount of pain and there's nothing to do about it.
Take real good care of your feet. Injuries and abuses that don't bother you much at the time have a way of popping back up later on, and feet are one of the hardest things to medically repair.
If I knew twenty years ago what I know now I would have worn a bit more shoe a bit more often.
Take real good care of your feet. Injuries and abuses that don't bother you much at the time have a way of popping back up later on, and feet are one of the hardest things to medically repair.
If I knew twenty years ago what I know now I would have worn a bit more shoe a bit more often.
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- May 11, 2005
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Oddly enough, I'm wearing a pair of NB Minimus shoes right now. I also have a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves that I wear almost every day and a pair of Vibram Fivefingers i wear hiking. If you're willing to spend a little more mental effort watching where and how you place your feet, I would say that barefoot shoes are worth trying. I really enjoy the light weight, the amazing grip I get when climbing over things, and the feeling of the ground. Take it slow when/if you first start wearing them. It's easy to hurt your feet if you're not careful.
And for the love of whatever you hold dear, do NOT try hiking in climbing shoes. I can barely walk around in the stupid things and I can only imagine the discomfort of hiking. They're magic when you're climbing, but even the most comfortable pair I ever tried on was worse than a 99 cent pair of flippy floppies from the drug store.
And for the love of whatever you hold dear, do NOT try hiking in climbing shoes. I can barely walk around in the stupid things and I can only imagine the discomfort of hiking. They're magic when you're climbing, but even the most comfortable pair I ever tried on was worse than a 99 cent pair of flippy floppies from the drug store.
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- Feb 8, 2004
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My wife and I have been transitioning to barefoot runner over the past few months; I’m sold. I can’t really recommend them wholesale as everybody has unique feet, previous injuries, etc.
What I can say for me is that my ankles have strengthened, my calves and quads are stronger and I find myself walking and hiking on the balls of my feet and paying more attention to wear I walk and looking out further to where I’m headed.
I really don’t recommend hiking barefoot without really understanding the risks and slowly easing into it. Our feet in general are prone to injury and a mechanical injury or serious laceration to your feet can immobilize you quickly. I personally wouldn’t go barefoot, but I have and enjoy using minimalist shoes. Of course, I would only use barefoot shoes for lighter hikes; once my pack weight impacts my center of gravity and balance; I move towards shoes/boots with more support…that’s just me.
I’ve had ankle issues in the past, but running with the barefoot runners (I’m using Merrell’s) has really improved my ankle strength and my knees and shins no longer feel pain. A good friend of mine has been wearing the same shoes at work and says the same thing about strengthening ankles, calves and quads.
ROCK6
What I can say for me is that my ankles have strengthened, my calves and quads are stronger and I find myself walking and hiking on the balls of my feet and paying more attention to wear I walk and looking out further to where I’m headed.
I really don’t recommend hiking barefoot without really understanding the risks and slowly easing into it. Our feet in general are prone to injury and a mechanical injury or serious laceration to your feet can immobilize you quickly. I personally wouldn’t go barefoot, but I have and enjoy using minimalist shoes. Of course, I would only use barefoot shoes for lighter hikes; once my pack weight impacts my center of gravity and balance; I move towards shoes/boots with more support…that’s just me.
I’ve had ankle issues in the past, but running with the barefoot runners (I’m using Merrell’s) has really improved my ankle strength and my knees and shins no longer feel pain. A good friend of mine has been wearing the same shoes at work and says the same thing about strengthening ankles, calves and quads.
ROCK6
At the best of times I dislike wearing any kind of footware not even socks. I walk barefoot around the house and on the trails and places that I know are safe for barefoot travel. Having done so for most of my life my feet are like leather. I cut firewood running chainsaws and splitting axes while barefoot too as the foot acts like radiators carrying away excess body heat. Other than a few scrapes and the odd logg scraping my shin, I havn't had a serious injury.
Pay attention when walking especially in unfamiliar areas and its fine to walk barefoot, even in snow for short periods. When in doubt like when the ATV is stuck in the muck then I put on my swamp slippers- which are only sandals. Good enough and better than sweaty fungus generating boots. Before retirement I had to wear work boots all day and it was hot working in the steam plant, sometimes I would pull off my boots prior to the drive home, and what a relief it was for my feet to be freed from the confines of the lousy steamy work boots.
Pay attention when walking especially in unfamiliar areas and its fine to walk barefoot, even in snow for short periods. When in doubt like when the ATV is stuck in the muck then I put on my swamp slippers- which are only sandals. Good enough and better than sweaty fungus generating boots. Before retirement I had to wear work boots all day and it was hot working in the steam plant, sometimes I would pull off my boots prior to the drive home, and what a relief it was for my feet to be freed from the confines of the lousy steamy work boots.
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- Feb 23, 2010
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- 1,497
For a very long time I was a fan of boots for hiking, then I moved away from them and have been using light weight trail running shoes, now coming into winter time and wanting to make a push for more minimalist footwear I ordered a nice pair of mukluks that should be warm yet flat.
The more I learn about footwear and the human foot the more I wonder if we really need all the foot protection and support which often sold to us via places like REI and the internet.
The more I learn about footwear and the human foot the more I wonder if we really need all the foot protection and support which often sold to us via places like REI and the internet.
