The Bare{foot} Essentials
August 8th, 2010
Howdy folks! I’m back in little old Pittsburgh after an exhausting 14 hours in the car yesterday…and I wasn’t even driving! Dave and I are WIPED out today. This morning, before church he rode his bike and I ran. Both the ride and the run sucked. I’ll tell you what, after a week of running the flat beaches of Myrtle Beach, running a mere 3 miles in the West Hills of Pittsburgh is like suicide. I don’t recommend it. I should have stayed in South Carolina. However, the 58 degree running weather this morning was a beautiful thing.
Anyhow, I’m hear to talk about barefoot running, aren’t I?
Barefoot Bit: The Runs
This past week I didn’t follow my training plan at all. In fact, I kind of forget what week I am supposed to be on. Despite that, I ran only twice in my FiveFingers while at the beach. I was hoping for a lot more runs in them, but disaster struck:
BLISTER!
That would have been from the sand…which the Sprints are unable to keep out. Thus why Vibram invented the aptly named KSO (Keep Stuff Out), but obviously I don’t have a pair.
{ I have hairy toes. I like to think I’m part hobbit.}
Despite the blister the size of my head, I still got a good work out for my calves. Running on the beach works your calves. Running “barefoot” really works your calves. Running barefoot on the beach is like taking a chisel to your calves and sculpting them like a rock sculpture—without anesthesia.
The pain will certainly pay off.
Barefoot Bit: Barefeet!
While at the beach I noticed a recurring theme: Barefoot!
But not simply barefoot, but the implication that bare feet = happy feet!
Before I would have thought that the happiness associated with bare feet is simply a sign of freedom, relaxation and vacation.
I think most people think that. But since I started delving into barefoot/minimalistic running, I’m learning that bare feet truly are happier than shod feet. My feet have stretched and grown and I have become more in tune with my body and the ground that I’m walking on.
However, this presents a problem: It is not always appropriate (or legal) to wonder around barefoot or in Vibram FiveFingers…especially at work.
Heels are out of the question. They hurt all of my joints. I only wear them to meetings when I know I’m going to be sitting, and there’s always a pair of flats in my purse if I have to walk anywhere. I dug out a pair of ballet flats that I have had since college that have absolutely no support and a very thin sole. They look horrible, but they are the next best thing to being barefoot. When I come home and slip out of shoes and walk barefoot or put on my FiveFingers, I hear angels singing the “Hallelujah Chorus”.
In light of this dilemma, I have been on a hunt for shoes that let my feet behave the way feet are meant to behave.
While at the beach, I discovered some! When I slipped my feet into a pair, I heard that Chorus, albeit slightly quieter, singing in my ear.
Check out the tags on their shoes:
This is a shoe company that I can get behind!! I am so happy to have discovered them, but I still haven’t bought a pair because I’m searching for a good model that can be work appropriate. In addition to their wonderful disclaimer, their smiley-logo is more confirmation to me that the more natural your footwear, the better!
Sanuk, I promise I’ll be getting myself a pair of your shoes (even if they aren’t for work!!). And readers, I promise to share with you what pair I get!
Runners, do you have trouble finding a work shoe that is good for your running lifestyle?
Does anyone have any experience with Sanuk or suggestion for a shoe to buy?
Anyone out there suggest that I just start going barefoot everywhere? 
Don’t forget you can submit a question about Barefoot or Minimalistic Running here.
Past Bare{foot} Essentials Posts:
The Bare{foot} Essentials I
The Bare{foot} Essentials II
The Bare{foot} Essentials III
The Bare{foot} Essentials IV
The Bare{foot} Essentials V
The Bare{foot} Essentials VI
Categories: Uncategorized
I LOVE SANUK’S!! Seriously, I have 3 pairs and they are THE most comfortable flip flops. I adore them.
I just bought a pair, and I whole-heartedly agree. It’s like my entire commute is now covered by a yoga mat. =)
After only a week, I am completely in love with my VFF’s and can’t see ever wearing “normal” shoes regularly again… I’ve had the same thought as you though about the workplace. I’m a teacher, and all of the questions I would get from students is not worth the comfort, and besides they aren’t very professional looking. I love the look of the Sanuk brand and might look into those… I’m super curious to hear what others have to say about shoe possibilities, my footsies definitely don’t want to go back into regular shoes!
Hey Abby, I saw a man hiking in vibrams this weekend! He actually had socks on with them and his must have been the keep stuff out because they covered his whole foot and didn’t have the strap like yours. I was pretty excited and pointed them out to John
Well my job requires me in shoes all day but I have a bunch clients nd trainer who just wear their vibrams. I’m so impressed. And I am so glad you made that 14 hour trip back safe and sound. Phew!
So….austin??? Wanna come down for a fall race? hehe.
I love my sanuk flip flops! I have the yoga mat ones and I wore them my entire vacation where we walked all over Boston and never once did my feet hurt. I also really like Dansko shoes, but that is a different type of shoe since they are very supportive.
As a waitresss, I’m on my feet ALL. DAY. And definitely struggle for finding good shoes for work. Although I really shouldn’t complain, because I have a job where I *can* where my Asics (and Nike Pro shorts… !!) Let me know what you go on – I could use an upgrade.
I need to look into those shoes. Good work shoes have been tough since I got into running, I used to have no problem wearing heels to work, but my feet are just too tired for them lately.
Why not look at the Terra Plana barefoot range. I run in the Evos (not tried vffs yet – but apparently they are very similar in minimal shoe terms).
I am (obviously) not very familiar with the ladies range but there are shoes in the mens range that i want for work (i occasionally wear my Evos – but only on shifts i know my boss wont be in as i have thhe yellow ones which are a touch loud! :0).
I actually got my second pair of Sanuk sandals yesterday! But I bought the flip flop style, so I don’t think you can wear those to work. The first pair I got, the Boardwalk Surfers, however, you might be able to wear those to work. I really like them and they are super comfortable!
I wear VFF’s to run most of the time – on grass, trails or beach. Love them! I wear Nike Free when I run on roads. Recently I got a pair of TOMS Shoes and love them. They are a minimalist shoe and would work for some professional settings, but probably not all. They are very comfortable.
Haven’t heard of Sanuk shoes before, but will check them out.
I have these: http://www.sanuk.com/donna
My husband got them for me for my birthday and I love them. I’m wearing them right now actually. They do feel like flip-flops (minimalistic) but you don’t have to worry about your toes gripping to hold on to them.
My feet do sweat in them but (so far) they don’t smell.
I’d recommend them
I’ve never tried VFFs so I’m a sneaks girl. However I love reading your posts about Barefoot running! I have found over time that I don’t like heels as much as I used to. GASP. I’m a slave to heels and have always been a “suffer for fashion” girl. It’s been changing though and I’ll wear flip flops & flats to work as much as possible. If I do wear heels, I kick them off as soon as I sit down. I also have slippers under my desk.
I have the KSOs and I still got sand in my VFFs at the beach, but I suppose I would’ve taken in a lot more sand if I had the sprints or classics. I’ve had my VFFs for about 5 weeks now and I’m still enjoying them. I’m thinking about getting the KSO Treks in the near future. I wonder if I can get away with wearing them at work. Right now I wear ecco casual/dress shoes to work–I’m a teacher so I’m on my feet all day but the thought of wearing VFFs is tempting.
Hi Abby! I have a pair of Sanuk’s Sidewalk Surfers (like Samantha’s, but in white) and they are GREAT! My feet are very happy