Merrell Barefoot Shoes: Beating a Dead Horse

[Kenton Finkbeiner]

Well, I just wanted to encourage everyone about barefoot shoes and initial injuries.

I bought an awesome pair of Merrells last summer and instantly developed:

Plantar fasciitis
Sesimoiditis
Pronaeus brevis tendonitis

...all in the right foot.

I put my old shoes back on for about 2-3 months.

After the pain finally went away I spent about another month not wearing them, and then I thought I'd slip them back on.

After the initial second trial, I felt the tendons start to swell again, but not as bad before...

...then I did the unthinkable. I went on a 20 day vacation to Europe and brought only my barefoot shoes.

Some ache, some pain, but after a week of straight barefoot shoes, the pain is gone.

I'm over all my foot ailments and I don't think I'll ever wear a different shoe for daily work and play.

If you're having the same problem, keep at it... take them off for a few weeks, come back to them... it worked for me. Now I dont need my EXPENSIVE custom built orthodics anymore.

Thanks

Kenton
San Diego

[Chris Girgis]

Curious...when you first started wearing them did you restrict your normal activity, or limit their wear time any or did you just change to new shoes and continue on with a normal routine?

When I started wearing Vibrams & Minimus, I sort of put myself through a break-in period of about 2 weeks where I wore them only for less-active stuff (walking, running errands, no WODs) and for increasing periods of time. Had some calf and arch soreness that went away relatively short order. Once I started working out in them I had slightly less soreness that lasted only for about the first week.

I recommend a break-in period to anyone who inquires about them. I'm of the opinion that if one goes from "conventional" fitness shoes to a minimalist platform without such is likely gonna regret it.