Minimalist Zero Rise (Barefoot) Shoes

[gmc72]

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That is my experience so far for sure using these Xero Prio's... The toe box is very generous and my toes can splay out and move freely just like I was barefoot, and I generally have a bit wider forefoot. The sole of the shoe has zero lift from back to front and are very thin to simulate walking barefoot. You can get some brands that actually have toes rather than a shoe box but I could not bring myself to going that far looks wise. Even with these you can kind of tell they are shaped a bit odder than most are used to but really it is minor to my eye.

You definitely feel the ground underneath you and you do not have cushioning which sounded counter intuitive to me, and in the beginning you will feel strain until the muscles develop back into your feet from years off wearing normal shoes. They say most people must progressively wear them in smaller increments getting longer and longer. I personally only took about a weeks to get to being comfortable wearing them as an all day shoe but I imagine it will be different for many people.

I will be the first to say it may not be the right shoe for everyone, but so far I am happy I went this route. I think you should give them a go with your eyes wide open on what to expect and if you do give them a fair effort and not just a one and done because it was a bit tougher at first. If it works for you like I am finding them, it is worth it.

Edit - On the website you can follow some links to read a bit... Ignore the propaganda crap that is inevitable with selling your brand, but you can glean some good info on minimalist shoes like these for sure.

https://xeroshoes.com/#

Is there any kind of arch support in these?

[SJW]

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The Vivi's are the OG's, but they're now pretty pricey.
The Xero's seem like a good alternative

My feet are worth it. Can I get these in town?

[brucebanner]

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Is there any kind of arch support in these?

Zero. I don't have flat arches and they don't bother my foot from lack of support.

[ExtraSlow]

The lack of support is kind of the point. Forces your foot to work harder and get stronger.

I need these too. My feet have been getting weaker over the last few years.

[tirebob]

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Is there any kind of arch support in these?

That's the whole point... They are flat so your feet work as they are supposed to so the muscles develop again actually helping your arches come back to natural form. Arch support can be no different than a limb/joint brace. Sure it is a band-aid splint like solution to stabilize the spot, but it doesn't fix the damage and in fact can make the situation worse long term.

Again, maybe they won't work for everyones needs, but so far the benefits for me have been good!

[tirebob]

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My feet are worth it. Can I get these in town?

I found a place in town but apparently you have to book an appointment to try them on etc (they are a massage therapy place) and it didn't work for my timing so I just bucked up and ordered right from Xero in Denver. Thankfully the sizing was bang on my normal, and if you read the descriptions there are a couple models they say fit a bit small and to upsize half possibly.

That is the Calgary place.

https://www.maternitymassage.org/xero-shoes

[ExtraSlow]

Does it feel weird to swap from these back to other more supportive types?

[tirebob]

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Does it feel weird to swap from these back to other more supportive types?

I tried for an experiment to my shoes with enhanced arch support and I felt less stable for sure. Not sure if that was because of the arch support of the foot angle but my instinct say foot angle. Having the raised heel and thicker soles I felt tippy compared to being flat on the ground feeling everything. It was very weird and it has only been a short period of time I have been wearing the barefoots.

Again, I have balance issues to begin with though so my experiences that way may not be the norm.

[brucebanner]

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Does it feel weird to swap from these back to other more supportive types?

I don't find it weird swapping back and forth. Granted, I only wear mine for the gym.

[rage2]

Yeezy pods. $20 usd experiment. Surprisingly comfortable and feels like walking bare feet.

[tirebob]

Are those fully soled or is it a heel sole and a front foot pad sole separate?

[bjstare]

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Yeezy pods. $20 usd experiment. Surprisingly comfortable and feels like walking bare feet.

Ok now show us the full view from the knee down

[SJW]

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Yeezy pods. $20 usd experiment. Surprisingly comfortable and feels like walking bare feet.

Hardest part of wearing these is having to tell your wife that you’re gay.

[davidI]

Barefoot shoes are great.

On the recommendation of a Beyonder I ordered some of these last time I was back in Canada for use at the gym: https://bearfoot.store/

They look a bit like slippers but for the gym it's no big deal. I actually prefer barefoot shoes more because I have wide feet and a high instep so I never find normal shoes that fit well.

I'm actually hoping to try making some lasts and then leather barefoot shoes for myself but that's a big project still a ways down my list.

I used to sprain my ankle all of the time. The thing that really fixed it was running on rough rocky desert where my foot was constantly landing at strange angles. Perhaps walking along river gravel would help?

[bjstare]

You guys are paying a lot of money for Toms.

[tirebob]

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You guys are paying a lot of money for Toms.

Shush your whore mouth... Those are slippers for dippers!

[rage2]

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Hardest part of wearing these is having to tell your wife that you’re gay.

Good thing I was just posting on behalf of my brother.

[tirebob]

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Good thing I was just posting on behalf of my brother.

SJW is your brother??

[SJW]

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SJW is your brother??

I'm gay? Fuck.

[tirebob]

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I'm gay? Fuck.

It's okay... They say everyone is gay.