Friday 23 March 2012

Run Free, Go Bare Foot

By Joel Colman


There is only one ever way to take up the hobby of running - and that is with the right equipment. Whether your priority is to run long distances or avoid injuries, the best barefoot running shoes are the only things that can take that workload. For a fantastic, never-before running experience, you need to give glove shoes a chance.

Why barefoot? Because medical research has shown that the most efficient and effective way to run is on your bare feet. When you consider the contour of your foot and the positioning of the muscles and pressure points, you realize that the foot is perfectly designed to help you run without sustaining any injuries. Pebbles, stones and other things, however, make it difficult for you to run without shoes.

Medical practitioners, through extensive research, found out that running barefoot was the best and most efficient way to run. However, due to the surface you plan to run on, barefoot running isn't possible. Over time, manufacturers have created shoes that are designed to replicate the shape and contours of the human foot, thereby enabling you to get the barefoot-running experience without actually jeopardizing your health.

This version of the best barefoot running shoes come with soles that are about 2mm for street-running and about 5mm, for cross-country running. Contrary to popular belief, this is the exact amount of thickness you need to ensure that the surface doesn't damage your foot's sole. These soles are rugged enough to handle any sort of punishment and depending on the kind of weather conditions you plan to run in, you can get specific gloves shoes for wet weather, snow or grass, among others.

There are plenty of companies that have gotten into this market and the best barefoot running shoes might cost you anywhere between $120 and $190. Shoes from Vivo are all about running comfort with a thin sole for the ideal feedback. Zemgear are known for their durability and reliability in all weather conditions while Vibram Five Fingers are something special altogether. They are in the shape of the human feet - five toes with the exact contours and lines on their sole as the average human foot.

For people who are looking at running as a profession or even as a leisure activity, ensuring that you are safe and injury-free is important. The upper part of the shoe, above the sole, is designed to enhance ventilation while the sole gives you the control, grip and flexibility that you come to expect from your own two feet. You do, however, need to ensure that you have the right shoes for the right conditions to be completely safe.

Most manufacturers hope that you pick your running shoes based on design, not functionality. That is why they insist on creating gimmicks to sell their shoes, rather than focus on technology that works. By staying clear of the "health hazards," i.e. regular running shoes, and adopting the best barefoot running shoes, i.e. glove shoes, you create a better outlook for your running future.




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