barefoot boots/shoes

[Man of Tanith]

Before I get reffered to the thread by tawnyhare I've already read it.
I like the idea of the barefoot footwear encouraging a more natural walking gait.
I also think they're a good alternative to moccasins which whilst the comfiest footwear I've tried havent got the longest survival rate when I wear em.
Can folk recommend me a good reasonably priced pair I could get as a tester before i go wholehog and buy some that are incredibly expensive please?
I have quite wide feet which is a mild concern I have as I dont want the fit to be bad.
Usually I wear either british army desert socks or merino wool socks

I don't like the look of the five finger ones. They're odd.
Thanks in advance

Sam

 

[Dreadhead]

soft star shoes? not sure about prices though. I had a pair and loved them until they died. now i wear a pair of viking turnshoes i made myself, and when they wear out i will just make another pair

 

[Man of Tanith]

Got a link hamish?

 

[Dreadhead]

can send you a pdf with different styles PM me your email

 

[Lou]

Yes, soft star shoes are great, if you don't mind looking a little like an elf in them my husband has two pairs and wears them all the time especially to smarter places as they look more dressy if worn with the right clothes. Failing that, as you have to order soft stars from the US ( even though the postage is reliable and very quick), Merrell do a shoe called a trail glove, which looks like a trainer but has a 5mm flat sole and wide toe box. this would be a great pair to give you a taster of barefoot shoes, you can find pairs on eBay that are not so expensive as in the shops. Prob worth getting to a shop to try them on first though, as I think you need to order at least a size up esp. If you are going to wear socks with them.

This is the pair I own and it looks like they are on sale right now, I think they are discontinuing this colour, I am a 41 but take a 42 in this shoe
http://www.merrell.com/UK/en-GB/Pro...Mens/Barefoot-Run-Trail-Glove?recID=115859879

 

[Man of Tanith]

Elf? Elf?
Heck no!
I'm not all willowy and graceful.....
I'm more a hobbit short enjoys meals and has hairy feet......anyways moving on. ....

I will have a nose at merrels thank you for suggestions

 

[Lou]

Hairy feet? Then why are you looking for shoes? Lol

 

[treadlightly]

I have a pair of these soft star shoes but in full grain leather not suede. Not so elf-like.

http://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-shoes/runamoc/original-runamoc-suede-chocolate.html


They are very, very comfortable, lightweight, wide fitting and versatile. Problem is you can only order them from the US so there is import duty and VAT on top of the price.

Bison bushcraft lightweight boots are very good too but pricey. My advice, as a wearer of barefoot style shoes for four years now, is to start with vivo barefoot. They do a wide range and you can get them in the UK, the fit is wide and they are comfortable and pretty well made.

 

[Lou]

Very good advice Treadlightly.

 

[TheNative]

I go barefoot mate, much cheaper give it a try but watch where your walking haha

 

[Man of Tanith]

Thanks everyone.
I was looking at a pair of vivo bare foot off road boots anyone tried a pair?

Native barefoot is fine around house n garden not keen in woods

 

[treadlightly]

Thanks everyone.
I was looking at a pair of vivo bare foot off road boots anyone tried a pair?

Native barefoot is fine around house n garden not keen in woods

Pablo of this parish was wearing some at the Bushcraft Show. I think he has been trialling them.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Oooh cool.
Heard any opinions on them?

 

[treadlightly]

Best speak to pablo but i think i remember him posting here about them, a mixed review iirc.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Nice one ta.
Time t do some digging

 

[treadlightly]

Sam, Pablo posted right at the end of the thread by Tawnyhare..

 

[johnnytheboy]

I fancied trying this barefoot thing at the gym, its meant to improve your balance no end by strengthening all the muscles in your feet!

My Crocs are on their last legs, I fancy a pair of those barefooters to replace them, the thinking mans croc!

 

[Lou]

This is what Pablo said:

Lee Saxby http://trainingclinic.vivobarefoot.co m/lee-saxby/ who is the biomech at Vivo is a regular on our courses. We've been trialling Vivos all over europe and to be honest they are a disappointment in repsect of manufacturing processes. But they have listened to our feedback and a version 2 is coming out. I'll keep this thread updated as and when we have release dates.

Anyone who does';t know about Vivo Off-roads http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/mens/off-road/off-road-hi-mens-2013.htm (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/mens/off-road/off-road-hi-mens-2013.html)l they are incredibly comfortable, completely waterproof and thornproof and encourage the wearer to walk in barefoot style.

Have a look at the video as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MIAdyAtk4M

Cheers for now,

Pablo

 

[Goatboy]

Thought about these? LINK

 

[Buckshot]

Whichever you go for. Make sure you wear them in short bursts until your feet get used to them
All the tendons, muscles and joints need to find new ways of working and stretching. If you start wearing them all day every day you can really muck your feet up and get things like policemans heel which is very painful - SWMBO had it
An hour a day for a few weeks then build up the length of time in them so your feet can adjust
My feet are much wider now than they were in 'normal' shoes - I wear Vivobarefoot Ra shoes at work