Say hello......
I'm a new comer to barefoot style but have been running for about 30 years or so. I've done quite a lot of fell running over the years and it was probably running in Walsh PBs on "A/Long" fell races that started me questioning the need for controlling and cushioning high tech' shoes.
I haven't gone as far as "Full Monty" running yet but do most of my runs in Vibram FFs.
I live in Somerset and run in my local (and lovely) Mendip Hills.
Any other UK members of the BRS out there yet?
Ciao,
Steve
Ciao dodgy, good to know I'm not alone 
At least in Southport you're a lot nearer REAL hills than I am. We'll be going up to the Lakes in October so I'll give you a wave as we drive past 
Good stuff.
I was in Ambleside t'other day & noticed one of the shops was selling VFFs...not seen anyone wearing any yet tho'.
I was only there for a couple of hours so couldn't get out onto the fells, but squeezed a quick circular road run in from Clappersgate down to Elterwater. Actually had people slowing their cars to peer out the windows to stare at my nekkid feet! They're far too reserved in Southport to do that...
We're back up there for a week in September, so I'll test out the barefoot-friendliness of some fells for ya. Any suggestions? I thought Loughrigg may be a good easy intro to BF fellrunning...
Don't give up the good fight, Dodgy. Just because they're not used to seeing people without shoes on doesn't mean you can't make them get used to it.
Running Nike Free 0.0
I think that Loughrigg would be good. Park in the carpark opposite Rydal Hall and then take the track along Rydal Water and up onto Loughrigg Terrace above Grasmere and then upto the trig point. You can drop off to the south and pick up the path to Fox Ghyll and back to the CP.
From the pub in Elterwater head SW across the bridge and pick up a green road on the right leading to Dale End and then take a path on the right up onto Lingmoor Fell. Stay on top of the ridge until you get to Side Pike, drop down left to pick up the road and then turn right on the road for a few hundred yards until you get to the cattle grid. Go over the stile on the right and drop down to the ODG campsite. Don't go through the wood to the campsite but turn right at the top of the copse, travers along the north side of Side Pike to pick up the track that runs along side Great Langdale Beck and follow that back to Elterwater. I've only ever done this run in fell shoes but think that the paths would be ok for barefoot.
I know that I shouldn't say this on a BRS forum but.......barefoot on the high fells? Make sure that you have put some coins in the Ambleside MRT box and look forward to your flight in a big yellow Sea King 
Cheers for that. I wasn't thinking of Scafell just yet! More along the lines of Latrigg, High Rigg, maybe some of the fells around the back o Skiddaw - nice round grassy dudes. Think the aqua shoes may well be in the bum bag too as a back up!
Hmm you've got me thinking now...imagine the Westmoreland Gazette headlines if I was a barefoot mountain rescue casualty....
Hi, I've just joined the BRS after a few months of minimal / barefoot running, and about 5 years running total. I've tried barefoot and still want to continue building up miles in bare feet, but most of my runs are in naughty Chinese fake Vibrams. I have 4 pairs, run mostly in the Bikila version although I find them too painful for stony footpaths. I live in Newport, South Wales so there is plenty of opportunity for varied running, from nearly flat canal- and river-side running, to fell-like conditions and everything in between.
I've found that the Vibrams, in my experience, allow you to build up speed and distance "too early" in the transition, and so I'm mindful to control the miles I do. I got over some mild ITBS, and now have a slight tendonitis on my left inner ankle, but i mostly manage to run through such minor setbacks.
Hello Everyone.
It's a long story... so I'll cut it short. Shod runner, got up to runs of about 12 miles over the South Downs with a view to doing the Beachy Head marathon: injury - 18 months with plantar fasciitis, recovered, about 2 months later tried to learn POSE & probably got it wrong "toe planting" using racing flats: 2 years with plantar fasciitis in the other foot, just getting over it now having missed out on so much running!
This has given me plenty of time to read about stuff like barefoot and the whole idea makes sense to me.
Lesson learnt now I hope. I am planning to go barefoot as much of the time as practical. I'm going to try & follow the 8 stage plan and although I think I could start at stage 2 I really see no point in gambling again so I'm about 1 week into stage 1 (just walking about barefoot).
I do have a pair of Evo II shoes (that look fab) for more social occasions (like when my wife would not be impressed if I went barefoot!) or for if I need to bail out of a run but have already found they chaif my heel tendon (achilles) & currently need a plaster to prevent them getting too sore - not sure if that's just because they're new. Hmmm. I have emailed the makers - but I can't return them as I have worn them. I have mentioned this & asked them if there's anything I can adjust/modify sensibly & await their email.
I live in Brighton (so dead handy for the South Downs National Park for hills/trails, parks or the long flat concrete sea front).
Oh, and it's my Birthday today 
Happy Birthday to you! 
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Piggy! Happy Birthday to you!
See I don't get this part. Companies won't refund our money because we've worn their shoes, but how are we supposed to find out if their shoes damage us until we wear them?
Welcome, Piggy!
Running Nike Free 0.0
Thanks for the 
B'TJ
I hope Terra Plana will at least respond to me asking if there's a way for me to mod' the shoe my self. I did clamp a pair of mole grips on the heel tab of one shoe for a day but I don't think that's helped. I have since heard another person say they got over the heel rubbing after a while. I've not given up on them yet but yes, how are we meant to make the "right" purchasing decision when we can't send them back after getting it wrong?
I have piles of "wrong decision" old shoes; fell running, trainers, racing flats etc. This leads to another ethical question, should I bin them so no one else has to endure such things or should I recycle them possibly leading some poor (in several senses of the word) person suffer them with false expectations (when they probably don't realise that they're better off without shoes).... perhaps I've answered my own question 
Ahh, I guess that's something for another thread
Ciao! UK member #2 here![Smile]( "Smile — <img src=")
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Started running on & off a couple of years ago & always enjoyed it, but could never manage more than 2 or 3 miles without getting knee pain.
Then last Jan/Feb I seemed to remember hearing something about running on the forefoot being more gentle on the knees, so looked into it & found Barefoot Ken Bob's site & never looked back!
I live in very unhilly Southport & long to run in the hills!