What Barefoot Running Actually Does to Your Feet
Most barefoot-running advice is about form and shoes. The one change researchers can actually measure is in your foot muscles, and the numbers are bigger than most people expect.
Category Technique & Health
Form, the transition, injury prevention and foot strength, grounded in what the research and practitioners actually say.
What the Research Really Says About Minimalist Running Shoes
A toe-shoe company paid $3.75 million to settle claims it couldn't prove. Here's what the studies on minimalist running shoes actually show, and where the marketing got ahead of the science.
Common Barefoot Running Injuries and How to Avoid Them
Barefoot running does not have to hurt you. Most barefoot-running injuries are transition injuries: the result of doing too much, too soon, or carrying bad habits over from cushioned shoes. Know the common ones and you can usually steer around…
How Long Does It Take to Transition to Barefoot Running?
How long does it take to switch to barefoot running? There is no single number, and anyone who gives you one is guessing. A realistic range is several weeks to many months, depending on where you start, how often you…
Is There One Perfect Way to Run?
Barefoot and minimalist running get a lot of attention, and with it a tempting promise: ditch your shoes, fix your running. Is it really that simple? The short answer is no. Taking off your shoes does not fix your form.…
Getting Your Body Ready to Run Barefoot
Barefoot running asks more of your feet and lower legs than running in cushioned shoes. If you are starting from the couch, the smart move is to build a base of general activity first, then ease into barefoot work. You…