If you spend any amount of time running outdoors or at the gym, you’ve probably noticed people around you wearing shoes that look like feet. If you have, you may have also been puzzled as to exactly what the shoes are (a friend of mine swore that they were slippers for wearing around the pool) and why the person was wearing them.
The fact is, minimalist running shoes (a genre that includes those odd-looking shoes with fingers) represent one of the biggest revolutions in running in decades. The idea that the body is designed to run barefoot, and that doing so lowers the risk of injury while also improving performance, has inspired a whole generation of runners to start running in footwear that faithfully mimics barefoot running.
Why Shoes That Look Like Feet?
The design of shoes that look like feet is intended to allow the foot and toes to bend and expand in as natural of a motion as possible. Shoes like the Vibram FiveFingers and Skele-toes achieve this by perfectly conforming to every contour of your foot, and fitting around your toes like a glove. In this design, the shoe is there solely to protect your feet from the elements and environment – not to affect or alter the biomechanics of your foot’s movement in any way.
The end result of running in barefoot shoes (as minimalist footwear is also called) is that the wearer enjoys the benefits of natural running without exposing his or her feet to the risk of injury from stones, glass and other debris often found on roads and trails. Common running-related injuries (e.g. shin splints) also tend to disappear as the minimalist runner is free to develop a natural stride that encourages landing on the mid-foot or forefoot instead of the heel.
Transitioning To Minimalist Footwear
If you are interested in transitioning from traditional running shoes to minimalist footwear, it is recommended that you start slowly. Because your body has to first unlearn years of bad habits caused by wearing shoes with heels and lots of cushioning, simply jumping right into minimalist running can sometimes lead to injury.
Instead, it is best to start off by wearing a style of minimalist running shoe designed to help new minimalist runners acclimate to the barefoot running form. Shoes like the New Balance Minimus are specifically designed to help your feet and legs gradually adjust to the minimalist running by offering flatter, thinner soles and less cushioning than a standard shoe, but not so much as to cause your body to go into shock after your first run. Full minimalist shoes can eventually be worn once you are able to run normal distances in your transitional shoes without any unusual discomfort.
Where To Find Shoes That Look Like Feet
There is no shortage of sites on the internet offering minimalist running shoes reviews which is great news for shoppers who prefer to buy running shoes online. With many sites offering great discounts on a wide variety of different types of shoes, you can find whatever it is you’re looking for (even those shoes that look like feet) without having to visit an athletic shoe store.