Originally Posted by
Dirtbagfitness
So it's all about technique? So if a beginner learns proper barefoot form then they should be fine, right? And you should start a minimal/barefoot journey with low mileage and build up, but a beginner runner would be doing that anyway. As for them being a scam, how often is it suggested that you replace your Nikes? Six months of regular running, something like that? Two pairs of $90 shoes a year? Who's getting scammed?
If you're a Kenyan or Tarahumara who has spent most of your life barefoot then going barefoot is fine. If you're like most Americans and have weak feet and are not used to running, you should gradually taper down into minimalist shoes or VFFs. Ding otherwise is a sure fire way to get overuse injuries. If you don't heel strike, you don't have to replace your shoes every 3-400miles, since you're not relying on padding to cushion your landing. Also, if you jump from normal shoes with alot of heel lift to neutral heel shoes of VFF, you can really mess up your achellies tendon, since it most likely has been shortened from years of wearing normal shoes.
Originally Posted by
unoudid
I've been running in some Saucony KinvarasThey are a nice zero heel drop minimal running shoe.
Kinvaras don't have neutral heels. They are a good transition shoe though, if you don't mind that they wear out very fast. I think more of my friends run in them than any other shoes.