I took these babies to the school and the reaction was
"WHAT ARE YOU WEARING!!!"
"You look like big foot"
"They are hideous"
.JPG)
...and then out to coffee and the reaction was
"Why are you wearing THEM"
"They look really silly"
"You look ridiculous"
.JPG)
...which was followed by a run along the waterfront
where no-one commented or judged them
These shoes are meant to give you a bare foot feeling and they do. My problem is that I don't like to be bare foot. Not even in the house. They are very light weight and surprising comfortable. They didn't feel all bunchy (yes, that is a word) between the toes. The sole is thin, so you can feel surfaces through them. They would be very comfortable to potter around the house or walk to the shops.
Running, I found this to be harder work and running is already hard work. You seem to use muscles in your feet that you don't normally use. During the run I could feel straining in my arch and through my toes. I had to adjust my running to give a gentler landing (sort of rolling my feet and up on the toes more). I can see this would force you to better your running technique. Afterwards, I could feel that my calves had worked harder too.
At the end of my run I couldn't wait to get them off, I was starting to feel claustrophobic.
Were they better than traditional shoes for running? Not for me. Would I want them? Yes, but I wouldn't wear them often. Just for shorter runs to try to improve my technique.
The running tracks I picked for my run today:
Whistle - Flo Rida (a great warm up song)
Firework - Katy Perry (really perky and positive)
So What! - P!nk (just because I feel like a rockstar)
Jungle Drum - Emiliana Torrini
B***h - Meredith Brooks (because I am all those things)
Wake Up Call - Maroon 5
369 (feat B.o.B.) Step Up 2
Milkshake - Kelis
Hips Don't Lie - Shakira (it's true hips don't lie and mine are telling me I ate a cupcake yesterday)
Secret - Seal (a nice cool down track)
After a run I usually have a slow walk for a few minutes and then a drink of water and a banana. I know many people prefer a sports drink but I find these are too sugary.
On Tuesdays I link up with Diary of a SAHM
That's interesting they can correct your technique. Still don't want to go near them though, those photos are creeping me out. Individual toe compartments aren't natural.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, they creep me out too. Rx
DeleteThey do look rather odd but I have also heard they are great for technique. I'm not sure I'd go with them. I think I'd feel quite deflated after having people tell me all day that I look ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteLucky I was only wearing them to see reactions, else I would have taken it personally. People do seem to have a strong reaction to them. Have a great day. Rachel x
Deletei thnk I'm with you - running is already hard enough work! thanks for your review though - i had been wondering about them... and i love that you have included your playlist!
ReplyDeleteWhy would we want to make it even harder? My calves are aching today. Silly barefoot running. :) Rachel x
DeleteI love your play list! I don't know how some people can run in silence. If I run in silence, my body's excuses are really loud. Music makes them quiet :o)
ReplyDeleteHaha, so true. I need every distraction I can find. Music, conversation. If I am on the treadmill, you can throw in TV and my iPad too. :) Rachel
DeleteOh I would love to try those!!
ReplyDeleteI have an obsession with toe socks.. when visiting japan about 6 years ago I found toe socks to be all the rage there...
now I have them in different colours, styles and I LOVE THEM
so I think I would love these!!
#teamIBOT was here to say hello!
Yvette, these must have been designed with you in mind. You would love them. You can even buy thin toe socks to wear with them. A match made in heaven. Rachel x
DeleteI'm not surprised at the reaction - they do look a little odd. Does it take long to squeeze each toe into its correct compartment? I fear my smallest and second smallest toes would not enjoy being separated like that... they always seem to be right next to each other.
ReplyDeleteI expected it to be difficult to get my wonky toes in, but they all slip in easily. My little toes like to stay together too. Rxx
DeleteI don't love the look of them, but I prefers to run barefoot, so would probably like them in that respect.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I can get over the look tough; they are very odd.
They are very odd, but if you like being barefoot then you really should try them. Rxx
DeleteSome people have their smaller toes longer than their big toe.. how would that work? lol it's my random thought
ReplyDeletehahah, that made me giggle. I think you would have to fold them in half and stuff them in. :)
DeleteThey do look funny but also think they would make great at home shoes. For when you want to hang the washing or go tot he letter box or just cleaning around the house. I somtimes do those things bare feet. I'm guessing they would be stretchy for the different feet size.
ReplyDeleteI think they would be a little stretchy too. They would be good for those things. Rachel x
DeleteDon't mean to be gross, but I wonder if they'd be better or worse for athlete's foot?
ReplyDeleteMy "running" (read: fast walking on a treadmill with a couple of 1 minute lumbering jogs interspersed) playlist would be three songs.
Not gross, I thought of that too but you can actually buy special little toe socks too. If I was going to wear them again I would order some. Normal sock would just not work at all.
DeleteWhat would those 3 songs be? Rxx
My running coach said that you should really feel it in your calves. Because it means your running with correct form.
ReplyDeleteIt also means that your calves take some of the shock, pressure, and weight away from your joints and feet.
So that must be good.
Your running coach would know more than me but I agree.My body is rebelling against correct form. :)
DeleteI would be really scared of injuries?? I love my orthotics and plan to stick with a tried and tested formula. They do look kinda weird!x
ReplyDeleteI do love my runners and they do look CRAZY! Thanks for commenting. Rachelx
DeleteI had a personal trainer who wore them. She swore by them but she did say that you had to build up strength to run in them.
ReplyDeleteLove your running tracks...heaps of attitude ! ;)
Hi Grace, My calves are still in pain and I am used to running. Not fun. Some people wear them to the gym too, not much protection if you drop a weight on your foot. Do you have any favourite tracks? Rx
DeleteI like the idea that they correct technique, as I have none at all! However, I have a foot fear and these are just too much like... feet!
ReplyDeleteHaha, waaayyy too much like feet, they are a little creepy. Rachel x
DeleteThose shoes are not at all my cup of tea - good on you for trying them out in a variety of environments!
ReplyDeleteAfter my experiment, I would definitely stick to the running tracks with them. Too many strange looks :) Rx
DeleteMeh not a fan..too different
ReplyDeleteDid you know you can get sugar free sports drink? Great too for diabetics who need to rehydrate and not add sugar
Sugar free drinks are a great idea. I still love my water though but sometimes you do need an extra boost. Thanks for commenting. Rx
DeleteOooh I want to try these bcos I have ppo rrunning technique, and similar to the Newton running range of barefoot shoes, these correct your technique to the way the human body was originally designed to run.... sorry a bit excited :)
ReplyDeleteThese would be perfect for you then. I would love to know what you think of them if you try them out. Rachel x
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