What are the long term advantages and disadvantages with running with the following?

Question

1 bare foot vs
2 cheap shoes vs
3 shoes fit from feet experts

Answer 1

Running barefoot is quite healthy but it's very important to get used to it gradually, because you place your foot a bit differently from in shoes and also you have to build up your callouses so you don't get blisters and/or injuries from rocks or glass. I started going barefoot from one day to the next but I wasn't a long-distance runner or hiker, that was only for getting around. If you run any distance at all, build up to it slowly.

Wearing running shoes for support can be deceptive, some research even shows shock absorbing running shoes may cause *more* injuries -see the first article in the source!

Also I've seen research done on the guys who pulled the rikshaws, running barefoot all day on paved and unpaved streets, and they had far less foot problems than Westerners with all their fancy footwear.

Answer 2

When it comes to running barefoot, while it sounds just incredible, there does seem to be some merit to it. For example, in the 1960 Rome Olympics, Abibe Bikila from Ethiopia won the marathon running on his bare feet, while running twenty miles over the cobblestones of Rome, mind you. I'm not recommending that you go out and try running on your bare feet, but I'm telling you that there are lots of athletes who believe that there is something to this. It is painful, and it requires that you pop huge blisters at the end of a run, but many runners swear by it. But the jury is still out on the advantages of running barefoot, and numerous studies are being performed right now.

As for shoes, there are so many factors involved in running that as long as you have decent shoes that fit you well, you will not run into any major problems. And contrary to what many shoe companies will have you believe, no single pair of shoes gives you a huge advantage in your running, even if it is fitted by a "feet expert". They only help you narrow down which shoes will probably fit you well. Proper stretching, cross training, running without any major jumps in your intensity, having good nutrition, keeping well hydrated, and other factors are far more important.

Also, the price is not always a good indicator of quality. Some shoes have more cushioning than smaller framed people need, but they are higher priced because they cost more to make.

Answer 3

bare feet are the best,although it does take time to condition your feet to surfaces if they are usually shod.But if you go barefooted during everyday life,you will develop soles on your feet that can handle anything shoe soles could handle.