My Vibram five fingers are like being barefoot and wearing toe spacers at the same time as well as having protective calluses on the soles of my feet. They keep my big toe more where it should be and allow me to use my feet as they are meant to be. It's a struggle to get them on, but once they are on, it's completely worth it. I'm 76 and just don't care that others aren't used to how they look. They make feet feet feel like dancing.
I transitioned too fast into barefoot shoes. While they helped me resolve foot weakness and plantar fasciitis issues, they also seemed to trigger a painful episode of sesamoiditis. The ticker midsole of the Birks and Altras that didn't work for you, actually ended up allowing me to heal the sesamoiditis without surgery. The first two shoes I moved into after the orthopedic boot (prescribed for the fracture), were a Finn Comfort Stretchy shoe with a cork footbed and a tick midsoled Altra Paradigm. Finn/Birk Sandals worked well too, Chacos were close but had too much toe spring and heel lift. Slowly, I transitioned from the Altra Paradigm to the Torin, and also to Finn Comfort Vassa. Camper Peu Sneakers were also useful, they allow you to play with different footbeds. Removing the footbed temporarily to strengthen, then replacing cushioned and supportive inserts for long hours standing (museums, subways). It's a journey, you have to try what method works for you. For me, concrete floors, city sidewalks and parks with completely minimalistic shoes were a no-no. A footbed with a few milimiters of latex or cork usually prevented a flare up. Trails, rocks, grass, sand, gravel...I can walk all day with nothing but a thin rubber out sole. YMMV.
I feel for you with the sesamoid pain! Several years ago I had strange pain in my foot only for the sports medicine doctor to tell me, after x-rays, that I managed to break a sesamoid bone. I had never heard of them before that!
I transitioned too fast too and have problem now with quad tendonitis other results articular cartilage changes, thickened lateral colateral knee ligament. My feet are stronger but as a hypermobile will probably never be strong enough to go barefoot again. I added now arch support. When people have bunions they should think about arch support as it might mean they don't have arches strong enough and this could be the cause of bunion in the first place. Never mind it is difficult for me now to get out of the injuries I got from barefoot shoes!
I recently bought Altra Torins for aerobics. I have been doing these classes for a while in New Balance shoes but started getting MTP joint pain behind my big toe. My dr thought it was gout, but nothing showed up on the xray, or bloodwork. Now I’m wondering if it was from the shoes, exercise, bunions, or a flare up of sesmoiditis I had years ago! How did you like the Torins? I’m looking for a better aerobics shoe, either zero or minimal drop, but flexible toe box so I can wear them for heel raises.
The original Torins had a good concept but many flaws. I had to modify them a bit. However, they have kept improving them; by the version that had the plush (2-3 years ago), they were close to perfect for my feet and intended use (hike, mild run, walks). I bought a couple of the same model.@@sharonmitchel1377
As a vibram rep, wear them for a few hours and rotate with other shoes and build a comfortability with them. I have been wearing 5 fingers since I was 13... after a few weeks and you get comfortable with spreading your toes you can get right into them. Just when you get close to the toes (putting them on) inch worm your (wiggling) toes as you slide in. The kso are a great weight training shoe, and my favorite is the v-trail 2.0. I've been back packing in vibrams for a while time, I have back packed 36 (out of 46) Adirondacks peaks in vibrams. You get tons of grip and being able to grip your toes helps!
As a frequent vibram wearer, can you pass on a request for a wide layout model? I tend to wear through the seam between the big toe and the second toe on my right foot, and the layout of the toes has them too close to each other for my fat toes. I'd love to wear my vibrams for longer, but this issue has plagued my experience for every pair I've owned.
Vibram 5 Fingers- YES! Plantar fasciitis sufferer for years, they really helped along with the bunion from boots. Also had a plantar flexed first ray - all solved from 5 fingers.
Plantar flexed first ray isn’t going to be corrected with shoes. It’s a structural issue from either TMT hypermobility, inflammatory arthritis which weakens the tendons/muscles or more importantly you have a pes cavus foot type which was inherited from your parents.
@@jimjamthebananaman1 I also wear toe spreaders in the evening, it’s a lot less than it was. Stronger feet also meant able to walk more, lose weight and all the compounding problems from that.
As an avid Vibram 5 finger shoe wearer, now almost 5 years, I feel you downplayed these shoes. Yes, I had dorsal bunions for over 30 years, yes, I had periods of plantar faciitis, yes, I had repeated between the toes fungal infections, yes, I develop periods of tendonitis, muscle cramps, and yes, grew once again my muscles to spread my toes, yes, I experience shin muscle pain early in the day, yes, I can walk again 10 miles/day, yes, I can stand for hours on concrete with NO pain. Ok, the shoes look funny, but I think I will live now well over 100 years. I am 73. Forget all the other shoes. Tough it out, I DID!
Thank you for sharing this. It would be great if you had it in a youtube channel. These Vibram shoes are hard to come by. I have one foot a half-size bigger than the other and since a kid, my parents bought me shoes that only fitted the smaller of the two feet....and I continued doing that into my adulthood....hence my bunion on my left foot developed.
@@abi2270 shoes don’t cause bunions: it’s a structural issue that was inherited. Usually hypermobility of the TMT joint, sesamoid bone instability, pes planus or arthritis of the MTP joint cause bunions.
@@jimjamthebananaman1 As a person with joint hypermobility and a wearer of Vibram FiveFingers for a decade, I would totally disagree with you. My feet have strengthened such that they're no longer flat and I now have a neutral running gait. My toes have straightened a lot too. I can no longer wear "normal" shoes as they're far too cramped and any heel raise feels very unnatural.
I have bunions and NEED ARCH SUPPORT. I also need my heel to be higher than my toes to be comfortable. The type of Crocs you showed wreak havoc with my Morton’s Neuroma because they have no structure. I literally just threw away a pair and can now walk again in Danskos, Ariat, and other well-made shoes. That said: Croc makes some extraordinarily comfortable sandals which I wear all summer and even use for easy hikes when it is too hot for hiking boots.
Millions of humans have been in the process of evolution over millions of years and SUDDENLY people “NEED” arch support, ankle support, cushioning & elevated heels. Looks like you won the timing lottery to be born in time where people felt the need to have such requirements. What would you have done if you were born a mere blip too early in the scale of things where arch support & heels never existed yet???
Wow this is another amazing video! I’m so grateful I found you. I’m a dog walker and in the recent months have developed pain and bunion. I just can’t give up walking which is my livelihood. Having worn bad shoes for so long as I’m cheap, I’m now looking for shoes that accommodate my bunion pain. The first video I saw of yours yesterday led me to this one and they’re like godsend. I’m now pondering to purchase one. Thank you so much! I’ll continue to follow you… I love how your baby stretches her toes!
Very surprised Merrell zero drop trail runners were not mentioned, even though they have been modifying their model to add more midsole😕. Should have mentioned Merrells instead of New Balance. On a positive note, I am glad this video introduced me to more brands of minimal shoes.
I have merrell vapor glove 3 and keep buying when see them.I always walked hugely not a runner and barefoot at home,so no problems with barefoot all just relief. Better than the $3 white Chinese flat plimsolls which outraged women around me who said they would ruin my feet, no, a relief and my feet are flexible well shaped and strong. Very hard to find excellent leather shoes with appropriate shape, even many sandals pull on big toe.
I work in the food service industry and found crocs years ago and have worn them nearly every day for the past 11 years. I have had to glue the bottoms back together a few times, but I am on my feet usually on concrete floors for hours everyday. I have to wear something that is slip resistant and protect my feet . They are not pretty, but I wouldn't trade them! I have been doing the bunion exercises you suggested. My problem is trying to find a pair of dress shoes that don't hurt and that I can afford!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO 💕💕💕💕 I’m working on being a restaurant consultant after 8 years in the industry. And my main goal is to amplify Restaurant peeps. I believe my bunions also showed up during my time in the industry. Please rest your feet 🥺 and I hope you were able to get the money to find better shoes. I started to buy my shoes a half size up and it’s helps a bit. I also wear a silicone toe separator now.
Great video... I just found your channel while search of shoe ideas that'll help my left side bunion problem... I cancelled surgery today for a bunionectomy, so I thought I'd better find proper shoes now that I've decided to live with the bunion.
Very interesting for me having suffered from bunions for 50+ years. I wish you had reviewed Arcopedico brand soft shoes which give me support and bunion relief. I wore out a pair or two then got my first Birkenstocks which are letting my toes spread. I now wear both brands alternating from one to the other. Whether it was the double arch support of the Arcopedicos or the toe spread of the Birkenstocks, I now can walk barefoot nearly painlessly which I could not do for many years. Thanks!
After years of wearing high heals, I had to stop after bunions started popping out. I've had great success with Alegria Shoes, specifically those with rocker bottoms due to a fallen metatarsal and high arches (flat shoes cause pain). I add Solemate™MicroLifts in both shoes. Can walk miles with this combination. 27,000 steps in Europe one day and no issues!
This is the best review I have found and discovered Splays. I love em! I have HUGE bunions and there is plenty of room in the toe box. I read that the bunion may be irritated by the seam and I found thats not the case with me. The bunion does touch the seam but doesn't irritate it but again thats just me. They do stretch out after a short time. Also, my foot has actually splayed out more just after wearing these a few times and when wearing toe socks it allows your toes more freedom. Thank you for sharing the reviews!
As an Osteopath I’m always telling patients about how hard shoes don’t help support the arch, they hinder the bones, muscles, fascia, etc….and turns off the neural feedback to your feet over time, but it’s hard to convince them Birkenstocks don’t help long term for foot mobility.
One thing to add. It's very important to have the feet breath often, especially the toes/toenails, as bacteria and fungus thrive in the underside of the nail cuticle in dark and damp conditions (closed toe-box compounded by dirty sweaty socks). Let those toes breath. Stretch em out. After a swim, bath or shower... dry those feet/toes real good.
Just a heads-up to someone who has battled bunions from pre-teen years: It is very difficult to put on Five fingers when you have large bunions. I wore silicon toe separators for a decade and they are not the solution; they push all of the other toes towards the outside of the foot and cause bunionettes.
Apparently there are toe separators that spread all of the toes instead of just the first toe like he shows in vid. I’ve never used but I’m definitely curious about them
Wow I thought I was the only person getting bunions when they were just a kid. I started getting bunions at the age of 12 no one else in my family has bunions and I was always barefoot unless I was at at school or Church. I always wonder where the heck they came from 🤣
These shoes seem all to be for good weather, walking on dry surfaces. However, my winter is cold and wet early on, progressing to bitterly cold (-15F/-26C, so ice, not wet) and snowy. Frostbite is a concern. The summers can also be very muddy. None of these shoes seem to be very good for those more extreme environments.
I watched one of your other videos (on fixing bunions) a few hours ago and am happy to report that I ordered a pair of Whiten barefoot shoes and a silicone toe separator. Can't wait til they arrive. I'm also doing my toe exercises. Thank you for all of this!
I just received my Whiten shoes and love them..I also use “Correct Toes” toe spreaders and love them, I wear them pretty much all day long in the house but take them off to sleep, I use a single toe spreader if I go out when using my regular shoes..( but now will wear the CT’s in my Whitens ) I took a before picture before starting the CT’s and will take another pic in about 6 months, and then again in 1 year….from what I’m reading and watching, it will take that long or longer to correct foot alignment, so fingers crossed.. bottom line is my hip and leg pain is gone and I do feel more stable on my feet!
@@karenbennett9464 I love my Whiten shoes too. My toe separators arrive on Wednesday. I plan to take pics of feet too. Hoping to get rid of my bunions. but if it doesn't happen, I'll settle for having comfortable shoes at last.
I enjoyed this video even though I do not have bunions. I was just told by a podiatrist that bursitis in my forefoot is what she suspects. I had been to 3 podiatrists 15 years ago and j learned to wear the shoes that made my feet the most comfortable...Anyway, the current podiatrist suggested Birkenstocks will become my best friend while working on the inflammation in my forefoot area. Within 4-5 days of wearing Birkenstocks my feet do not have any pain, except when I walk around without them...then they start to get agitated again. And bonus, since wearing the Birkenstocks my lower back has become pain free since feeling agitated as well the past 5 years. I am currently waiting for the Altra Paradigm to be delivered to me. The other shoe she recommend. I am hoping this is THE shoe I can wear so I can get out and walk for exercise again!
My bunions were mainly the result of having flat feet. Because I have a poor arch and so my feet roll in, is having an arch support not what I need. I understand why the presenter keeps saying that having thin soles allows the feet to move naturally, but with flat feet, that natural movement is not great as it my foot naturally want to roll inwards. I cant see my arch strength improving by having no support. Any thoughts?
I can’t believe this video came up! I’m so excited to look at the channel!!!! I’ve suffered severely from my feet, my entire life! I hope I can find answers here!
I have a family bunion. Women in my paternal family begin forming a bunion, usually on the left foot at about age 19. Sure enough, mine began after I turned 19 (64 years ago). Up until about age 23 I modeled, especially shoes. I can attest to the fact women"s shoes deform our feet. I now wear Crocks (or Comfy) most of the time because of the pains that begin in my feet & go all the way up my legs & back. My podiatrist suggested Crocs over 10 years ago. I wish I could afford Chicos but they are beyond my Social Security income. The toe bed is the best guideline in my opinion, for healthy shoes & therefore the feet .
I love my altra lone peaks but will watch this again to see what else I can try although I don’t have bunions…I just like wide toe box shoes. Also, I started developing Taylor’s bunions (pinky toe side) from wearing Birkenstocks. I was so bummed to give those up😢 Thanks for this video and great information!
I used to love Altra Lone Peak until they redesigned them, and now they are more stiff and tighter. I tried a new pair this year and had to send them right back. Instant nerve pain in the ball of my foot. I was so bummed! Also, the laces were extremely short to where I could barely tie them. Now I have to find something different, so I'm glad I saw this video!
I’m having a terrible time with bunions and yes any type of raised heel is too painful.. Birkenstock sandal is very good. Winter here in Scotland and wearing flat trainers. Any thick wedge open sandal was wearable at a wedding this year. Soulful has a large thick sole This video is very useful. Thank you
my problem is that i am over 65 and have hallux rigidus in one foot. Podiatrists have been minimally helpful...all i have received is advice to wear really stiff, inflexible shoes and they made an insert for my shoes that was very expensive. i cannot go barefoot at all because i have pain after i do. i feel like bunions are not quite the same as the problem i have but maybe i am wrong. Being unable to bend your toe at all causes so many more problems...foot, ankle, knee and hip at times are affected because of mimimal mobility. i mostly wear altras, sometimes hokia, but i need casual sandals for sandy conditions, etc. do i have to wear tennis shoes all the time??? i use trigger balls and foot stretches to help with pain...but i am still confused about shoes even after this excellent advice.
That is horrible to hear about your pain. I am 41y.o but I had my bunions from when I was a kid. I only look for comfortable shoes. For booties I like my City Streets. I wear them whole fall and spring and even winter dependable on weather. I also love City Streets flats. That brand was sold in Target, unfortunately it got discontinued alltogether. For sandals I recently found very comfortable, although little grandma looking, I think it is called Air Pilot, but I am not 100% sure. For flip flops Everlasts are great. They are sold in Sears.
Speaking as an orthotist, you need rocker soles to compensate for the rigidity in the toe joint. You can ask your local orthotic service to convert your sandals or other shoes to rocker soles. If you are in the UK, it is free to do on the NHS (need a referral from your GP to orthotics) or go to a private orthotic clinic.
I`m older than you. I had my bunions from 55 y.o. Но в отличии от большинства тех, кто тут комментирует, я думаю не только об удобной обуви. Главное - спортивные упражнения, работа над своим телом. Особенно надо развивать мышцы и суставы ног (не только стоп), спины. С годами мышцы стягиваются, теряют эластичность, суставы стираются и "усыхают". Надо обратиться к честному реабилитологу, который даст вам первоначальные упражнения. Потом найдёте с помощью youtube еще каких-нибудь 150 других упражнений. Делайте их в разное время. Хотя бы 5 дней в неделю. Очень многое можно исправить или вообще избавиться от болей с помощью такой активной правильной реабилитации. У вас получится. Не стоит покупаться на рекламу, не лелейте себя иллюзией, что только обувь спасет.
I've tried a few different brands now, my favourites are the Vibram finger shoes. They mimic barefoot more than anything I have tried. The V runs are the best shoes I've ever run in, period. Would love to see more Vibram content
Vibram has a new line called Furoshiki and I highly recommend them! They are quite literally the best thing I’ve ever worn and that includes all of the five fingers I have. Same price point, same quality build, extremely comfortable, and it’s got a toe box instead of the individual toe homes so they are a bit more discreet as minimalistic shoes. I love my five fingers it’s just a hard style to pull off for everyday wear
@@scarlettj0125 Hi Julie, The Furoshikis are beautiful, but are they too beautiful for my crippled feet? The toe box before you wrap them looks pretty narrow, or is that fabric extremely stretchy, as I have a bunion on both big toes; and the second toe, next to each bunion is a hammer toe. Weren't those "pretty" shoes of my yesteryear, just lovely?..sarc.
@@l8dyl1berty the toe box is super flexible and stretchy. My feet aren’t super wide but more wide than not and I have plenty of wiggle room and play. I have been hiking in them as well as regular wear and they’re my absolute favorite. The more I wear them the more I love them!
Valuable education on feet and shoes for bunions. The truth is that people should wear that sort of shoe to prevent foot damage. I personally feel shoes should come with a safe time frame chart and health chart rating. That way the consumer becomes more aware of foot health.
I mean charts like that would be superb. Even better if Chris created a chart like this for everyone, based on their feet issues, shoe features and, how long they should be worn. This video was helpful but I am visual so seeing a chart with all the info would be extremely helpful.
The best thing to do is to see a Podiatrist to get advice on what's best for your feet. I got bunion removal surgeries over 16 years and it's best thing I did for my feet, I wish I would've done it sooner. I had one foot fixed and the other one 8 months later. I hated my bunions, one foot was pretty painful. My mom waited too long to get her surgeries, she was in her 60s and was in so much pain no matter what shoes she wore. Her surgeries were more complicated and recovery time was longer than mine. I used to salsa & latin ballroom dancing a lot and really liked wearing those pretty high heel latin ballroom dance shoes but the bunions really put a damper on my dancing, on the way my feet felt and looked. It took several months to fully heal from surgery but it was worth it. Afterwards I could dance in my ballroom dance shoes for hours no problem. BTW all my dance shoes are no higher than about 2 1/2 inches. I always buy well fitted quality shoes and try never to stand or walk too long in heels over 1 1/2 inches. FYI, podiatrists say bunions causes are mostly genetic but wearing poor fitting shoes can make them worse.
Shoes cause these issues most of the time, and when it comes down to it, the pediatrist is going to prescribe you with shoes. So the entire proposed fix they give you is literally just adding to the cause. The best thing you can do is honestly research, most people are pretty much screwed because they don't know that putting on shoes is actually detrimental to their health.
Would you mind sharing how long was your recovery and how long did it take before you could spend the entire day on your feet? Wedding videographer here...
@@BambiBooS222 i have more mobility than i started. both feet yikes! Unfortunately tho - it hurts when I walk and I can't run without pain...and I'm 9 months out from surgery. Maybe it went wrong but lowkey regretting it. BIGGEST ADVICE: Do your physical therapy every single day & start going to PT 3x a week ASAP
I am just wondering, I understand the benefits of a soft sole while walking on the earth, but aren't the roads we are walking on extremely hard and rigid? Doesn't a soft sole accomodates a shock through the spine while planting the foot on the footpaths?
I’m glad that you called out New Balance’s false advertising…I do wish that there would’ve been a brand/model for the office work shoe (non business casual). THANKS for posting though for this was very informative.
Please do make the how to video, i had watched the vans one and I've been wearing nothing else. I can't afford to ship barefoot shoes to my country bcs the import duties essentially double their price so your how to video was really helpful and my feet are getting its arch back slowly
What an excellent topic! I had completely forget my two bunions this summer, thanks to my Birkenstock and FlipFlop... But since few weeks fall weather made me change my shoe habits and the pain is back. I have decided it was enough and this guide will help me to make my choice more wisely. Just a question, you don't talk about socks, are we supposed to wear some in barefoot shoes? Many thanks from France!
From my experience it's normally expected to wear socks with your barefoot shoes. Just make sure your socks don't fit too tight. If you can't spread your toes easily in your socks, they're too tight. Sometimes you can get away with not pulling them on all the way so that they're looser on the end around your toes. Toe socks are also a popular option for minimalist shoe wearers.
The seaming and flat toebox on most Vivos are HELL on bunions and hammer toes. They're one of the few barefoot shoemakers that make a leather dress boot for women for winter, however. So I paid the $$$ and then stretched them over several weeks with a shoe stretcher with bunion attachments on it.
The problem with the Birkenstock, even remodelled to remove the cork, is that flip flop style sandals require the wearer to squeeze the toes to hold the sandal, which over time will result in hammer toes if worn consistently.
Awesome content! Worth looking at the ALTRA Lone Peak 6 and Topo Athletic series for a wide toe box running shoe. Probably the best in the market right now, as far as reviews go
I'm 73 and the bunion on my left foot is making it extremely difficult--nearly impossible--to buy shoes that fit. I'm not keen on getting foot surgery so your video is very welcome. I do have 1 question: how do the materials//technical fabrics these shoes are made of hold up in the rain? Are they waterproof?
I wear Altra Rivera 2 running shoes as a regular shoe because it helped my very painful foot get walking again - they're mesh but I proofed them before wearing with Nikwax fabric proofing & wore them all winter. Obviously mesh can't be 100% waterproof but I rarely had wet feet apart from stepping in puddles that went over the top of them.
That was so interesting. I've been wearing Altras for work since 2020. I find the extra stack helps for standing and walking on concrete but the newer versions are less comfortable until i wear in the sole. But I cannot wear standard shoes after fracturing my ankle and getting plantar fasciitis in the other foot. The heel stack and pointed toe and arch support kills me until I can't walk. I think theyre a good start then try another barefoot brand.
Great show. I liked the Vivo and the Skinners best. The Vivo for their organic cotton, suedes and leathers, plus the style to wear for work and the skinners because they are like barefoot but with protection.
If your shoes don’t fit or are too tight. Buy shoe stretchers and keep your shoes on there for a as long as possible. It will help. Some shoes I feel might feel good and come in 2 x wide are mens Saucony Phantom and Mens on Cloud.
Like your videos. At 74, just noticed how my toes are all pushed outward. Bunions just started to show and am concerned, Mother and brother have severe bunions. Have spent the money on wide shoes but always had to buy them a size larger. Just bought a leather sneaker from Ortho Feet 11-1/2 4E. Advertised wide toe box. Still bought a half size larger and has excellent arch support. Just ordered a sneaker Size 11 6E width made from fabric. Still have to work on getting my toes straight, so I appreciate your videos. Am going to try the toe spreaders. Don't know how you can change 60 years of wearing a shoe to narrow for your toes. You have provided encouragement. Very active, 5,000 to 11,000 steps a day. Will probably give up my golf shoes unless they are cut open. Thank you again.
I have bunions but also have excruciating pain from plantar fasciitis. The advice for PF is to have arch support and thick soles, are barefoot shoes something that someone with pf should transition to? or should we stick with shoes like crocs?
I had a pair of those vibrams. They did take a little getting used to and I found them. Amazingly comfortable and quite nice except for two problems, both of them fit related: not enough vertical height for my big toes at the tip, resulting in the end of the toe pressing down on my toenail while I moved; and not enough length to the little toe next to the big toe, basically, as I walked, my toe kept stubbing against the end of the shoe's toe. I haven't tried any other pairs of toed shoes because these were quite costly and I couldn't afford to keep buying different brands of shoes. But because these are more like foot gloves, it really becomes necessary to find that individualized fit.
So, the question for me is… does doing the exercises, toe senators and shoes ACTUALLY reverse and return the great toe to its normal/original position and reduce the protrusion?
I have been advised definitely not to go for surgery . There is no guarantee the bunions will not come back and also you could be spending up to a year before you recover. The best thing is to wear wide shoes.
I own a pair of Altras and the sole is way thinner, they are almost barefoot standard. It came with an optional sole insert for running on gravel. I love them, they’re comfortable and I get compliments from people. I had to go a whole size up from my normal size but they don’t look oversized.
Vibrams Five fingers are the best, only issue with them is that they stink horribly after you use them for a while. There are more options in summer like Luna sandals or Bedrocks. Also the VFF model you got is not my favourite, KSO Evo I think are more comfortable, classic KSOs seems to be too tight and sole is not as nice
Thanks for the reviews! I have Splay Freestyle, the laced on version, and the stitching, first eyelet and stiffness of the canvas really rub against my moderate sized bunion. :(
Have you seen any good barefoot dress shoes? I've been wearing Xeros since August of 2020 and am a huge fan. I'll wear them for almost every occasion. The exception is when I'm attending a wedding or funeral. In this case, I'll wear my regular dress shoes, which I really don't like. The padding feels pretty good, but my feet feel progressively worse the longer I wear them. A good barefoot dress should would be awesome.
I have been wearing Altra Lone Peaks for almost 2 years now. they are the first shoe I have worn in my 72 years that actually fit and feel good. I have stopped wearing my orthotic in soles as well.
Altra Solstice has a thin sole. I love Earthrunners. I also have a pair of Topo Athletics. Lems makes a great shoe. I don’t have bunions. I spent most of my life barefoot and I’m a yoga teacher so I always look for shoes that allow my feet to move naturally.
Brands like FiveFingers, Merrel, Luna Sandals, Zero Shoes, etc., should have been mentioned in this excellent video. FiveFingers may be the best because they are the most natural but they need some time to adapt. The only bad thing is that it can be a bit embarrassing that your feet look like those of a gorilla. But is the most closest thing to walking barefoot. And the minimalist sandals too and they are very fresh and confortable for the summer. I have had plantar fasciitis, pain in my knees, I have had very weak ankles because I have had several sprains. I have worn for too long elegant and classic shoes that narrowed my foot and that did not let the tight toes breathe. Since I've been using Fivefingers, minimalist sandals (DIY huaraches) and shoes with drop 0 or very close to it with a little cushioned sole, all those problems are over. The transition to the barefoot style must be done slowly, it has to be done that way to avoid injuries or pain in the gastrocnemius and soleus and starting by wearing that type of shoe at home and then with shopping trips or things like that, later taking long walks and finally starting to run little by little and supporting first with the metatarsals of the foot and not with the heel. It is also advisable to exercise and strengthen from the beginning the soles of the feet and the fingers with stretches and specific exercises that are actually natural movements that we did when we were children. And first of all, if you have bunions, a podiatrist should check the severity of the injury. It is a fantastic feeling to remember the forgotten proprioception of your feet. It is very worthwhile to walk and run in the most similar way to what we have done since we were Homo Erecuts and stood on our feet two million years ago. Evolution has made us like this and I don't think it was wrong and that this mistake were repaired by Nike and Adidas 50 years ago with the cushioning of their soles and heels. This cushioning is necessary in podiatric treatments and for older people with serious spinal or displacement problems or obbesity but not for the rest.
Odd. I developed pain behind my toes on the bottoms of my feet while wearing minimalist shoes. I finally went to see a podiatrist who told me to stop wearing this type of shoe. I also started wearing inserts in my shoes. My pain is totally gone (and has been gone for a few years now). It makes me wonder why there is such a push for minimalist shoes. I can understand pushing for shoes to have more toe room, but I'm starting to question the minimalist footwear hype big time at this point.
I think shoes are a personal thing and perhaps the minimalist shoes were too thin for you. I'm finding that all women's shoes have heels, arch support and a curved up toe, every shoe in Melbourne Australia is like this, even "flats". I can't believe it. So my feet are suffering in any shoe except my two Altra Escalated and a pair of thongs. Altra shoes are meant to be transition shoes.
Sounds like fat pad atrophy. Modern shoes deform our feet leaving us with weakened muscles and thinned protective tissues (the aforementioned fat pads). These kind of things can strength/heal over time given proper stimulation, but transitioning too fast can leave you with pain like you described.
you do realise that shoes started to be worn consistently only in the last couple of centuries? From the point of view of biomechanics, your feet do not need shoes, as they've been shaped into perfection by evolution. The less you feel the shoe, the better it is for the strengthening of your foot. The video makes that point visually.
Hi Chris, very informative video on RUclips about shoes for bunions on the side of the foot. I am 49 years old male and have been an athlete / in sports all my life. I started golf 2 years ago and got a standard outdoorsy shoe from adidas (was walking 7/8 kms a day). I don’t know when it started but I have noticed that the big toes for both feet have ‘gone in’ by just a couple of cms for now, nothing too dramatic and there is no pain. But there definitely is a redness and swelling and definitely a bunion is forming. I can attach pictures if you would like me to. I don’t want to stop playing golf so am going to buy some toe box shoes for sure but I noticed you say that wearing silicon toe separators work. Can you please get back to me or point me in the right direction please? Much regards Umer
Well done for the direction of the information you are going. What you say here is 100% true. People have devolved in movement and this is the consequence. Currently only KAMIKATA prevents the further process and is the only one that enables a conscious approach to solving that problem. Thank you for spreading the right information. Soon it will this kind of information is the basis for conscious evolution. I put the bones back in place with various movements and thereby additionally strengthened the cushions on the foot. Conscious balance is the only way to consciously approach movements.
Thank you for this video. My poor sweet husband has a horrible bunion, and I have been trying to learn all the exercises, etc., to make his foot normal. The crazy part is, that his other foot is beginning to go the way of the first. SO...I will definitely get him some spacers, AND better shoes, plus exercises to stretch those toes. Then soak them in warm a water, to relax them. Ahhhh...I feel better already!
Silicone toe spacers are expensive. An inexpensive substitute is to use toe spacers meant for pedicures. Wear when not walking much: watching TV, reading, sleeping
I am looking forward to the day someone comes up with toe separating sandals. I have a severe bunion on my left foot & very mild on right and like the vibram type shoes, but in the summer while working outside in the garden and yard prefer the cooling of the sandal. I tried one that was for the big toe only, but the strap for the toe is short and that big toe is so strong it pushes through the strap. I rigged a pair of cheap sandals with homemade separators, and if there were a such a sandal on the market, I would be all over it. Oh- and I tried those sandals made for painting toenails at the nail salon, but those separators are again too short.
This was a great video.Thank you for making it.I have just started wearing zero drop shoes.The only brand I have really been aware of,and have tried is Xero shoes.I would be interested in your opinion of them.They seem good to me,but I am a novice at this.They are expensive too,depending on which style one chooses.Anyway,I have a lot of foot problems,and this segment was well done. Sincerely, Lisa Collins
Hi Lisa. Thank you for your feedback. Really glad you enjoyed the video. We have done a review on Xero Shoes a few months ago. I’ll link to it 👇 We are also currently making a mega barefoot shoe review which will include models from 13 brands. Stay tuned for that one 😉 Xero shoes review: ruclips.net/video/4jy46o_zZqE/видео.html All the best, Chris
My first experience with zero drop was with Xeros too. I first tried the Prio and then the Hana after they wore out. When I got the Hana I felt like they were noticeably wider than the Prio, and over time my foot splay improved and filled them in quite a bit. In hindsight it makes me believe that the Prios are on the narrower side and I wouldn't be able to comfortably fit in them again. I've since picked up a pair of shoes from Feelgrounds and have been wearing them since October. I'll mention here too that Xeros are actually one of the CHEAPER brands of minimalist shoes. It's just that pretty much all minimalist shoes are more expensive than traditional shoes.
@@barefootstrength Thank you very much for the link to your review of Xero Shoes.It was an excellent review,and it gave me a lot of good information.I will also watch your coming- review of the different, minimal-footwear Companies. Sincerely, Lisa Collins
@@jacobtraeger9751how can a minimal shoe be more expensive? I'm afraid to buy barefoot shoes because they're expensive and for the time you use them they don't last ... I've nikes with almost 10 years and still using them. The last pair was like 60 bucks and is made for wide feet but they are higher in the heel. Still trying to understand how can a 200 gram shoe cost more than 100 bucks for a year of using it...
I had your channel recommended to me in my feed, and I have to say, I'm glad it was suggested! I just started watching tonight, but will be catching up on your newest ones later on. I have bunions, loved to be barefoot most of the day but had an unfortunate accident with a broken glass bottle when I was in my teens so haven't wanted to be barefoot since. I have been to the podiatrist and they gave me the most awful hard inflexible plastic insoles, they actually made my feet hurt worse! I went back to wearing slippers pretty much, but now that I know about barefoot shoes, I will be hopefully trying a pair in the future once all the snow melts! *Side question: which barefoot shoes are the most latex free being I'm allergic to latex?*
Interesting! ...But I thought flip flops were bad for feet since there's minimal support with them? Also, what makes shoes with no arch support better? My podiatrist claims having flat feet is bad because it exerts more pressure on feet and can lead into issues over time.
If you don't train your feet, yes. Flat feet exert more pressure and can usually lead to knocked knees, ankle disalignment, etc. I have flat feet, and training my arches really helped relieve the pressure. Sadly, I don't feel that it's reversible (for me) because it's gentic.
3 Steps to fix your feet: 1 - Wear barefoot shoes 2 - Practice maximum plantarflexion (japanese seiza pose) 3 - Practice maximum dorsiflexion (resting squat) If you want to make it even better, sit on the floor like I do and reduce furniture support for your body.
I run distance on bad roads and lumpy trails - unfortunately, if I didn't have a solid shoe like New Balance or Brooks trail shoes, my feet would be macerated (I've tried) with delicate 'barefoot' shoes. I also have high arches. I'm trying to compensate by remaining barefoot indoors and doing foot exercises. Also, my New Balance wide sizes are wider and more comfortable than the regular width - I'm not sure why your example was not, but I've gone exclusively to the wider toe box - that really, really helps. I have a bunion on only one foot.
@@Bikesssss lol you don’t get arches from any kind of strength training. Flat feet is a bone structural problem that can only be corrected with surgery e.g. TMT joint fusion, calcaneal osteotomy etc
On most fivefingers the material between toes are very thin, so as in my case if the second toe is leaning against the first toe, they don’t really do a great job of separating them. So if you have that condition you need toe spreaders or as I did glue a pad between the fivefinger toes. So it is a shame you choose not to cut them open. Another thing that also does not get mentioned is that you need good posture to walk in barefoot shoes, if your posture is bad you will land on your heel and not the forefoot.
I will never go back after trying decent Sketchers, Its like walking on clouds and zero bunion irritation. Can wear them at work, out, gym and not look like Im just walking about in socks
I tried expensive knit fabric top shoes bc of bunions but my feet always shove forward in them. Very uncomfortable. Will consider some of these others. Thanks for the list!
Our updated list of the best shoes for bunions: bfs.fit/shoes-for-bunions
My Vibram five fingers are like being barefoot and wearing toe spacers at the same time as well as having protective calluses on the soles of my feet. They keep my big toe more where it should be and allow me to use my feet as they are meant to be. It's a struggle to get them on, but once they are on, it's completely worth it. I'm 76 and just don't care that others aren't used to how they look. They make feet feet feel like dancing.
Another great shoe for bunions are Lems, based out of Boulder, Colorado. Their extra wide toe boxes accommodate the silicon toe spacers too.
Lem's are my FAVORITE
based out of boulder
Made in Boulder or China? What does "based" out of Boulder have to do with anythin???
I also used Lem's with toe spacers and they were great. I washed/dried them and unfortunately they didn't survive the machines.
I transitioned too fast into barefoot shoes. While they helped me resolve foot weakness and plantar fasciitis issues, they also seemed to trigger a painful episode of sesamoiditis. The ticker midsole of the Birks and Altras that didn't work for you, actually ended up allowing me to heal the sesamoiditis without surgery. The first two shoes I moved into after the orthopedic boot (prescribed for the fracture), were a Finn Comfort Stretchy shoe with a cork footbed and a tick midsoled Altra Paradigm. Finn/Birk Sandals worked well too, Chacos were close but had too much toe spring and heel lift. Slowly, I transitioned from the Altra Paradigm to the Torin, and also to Finn Comfort Vassa. Camper Peu Sneakers were also useful, they allow you to play with different footbeds. Removing the footbed temporarily to strengthen, then replacing cushioned and supportive inserts for long hours standing (museums, subways). It's a journey, you have to try what method works for you. For me, concrete floors, city sidewalks and parks with completely minimalistic shoes were a no-no. A footbed with a few milimiters of latex or cork usually prevented a flare up. Trails, rocks, grass, sand, gravel...I can walk all day with nothing but a thin rubber out sole. YMMV.
I feel for you with the sesamoid pain! Several years ago I had strange pain in my foot only for the sports medicine doctor to tell me, after x-rays, that I managed to break a sesamoid bone. I had never heard of them before that!
I transitioned too fast too and have problem now with quad tendonitis other results articular cartilage changes, thickened lateral colateral knee ligament. My feet are stronger but as a hypermobile will probably never be strong enough to go barefoot again. I added now arch support. When people have bunions they should think about arch support as it might mean they don't have arches strong enough and this could be the cause of bunion in the first place.
Never mind it is difficult for me now to get out of the injuries I got from barefoot shoes!
I recently bought Altra Torins for aerobics. I have been doing these classes for a while in New Balance shoes but started getting MTP joint pain behind my big toe. My dr thought it was gout, but nothing showed up on the xray, or bloodwork. Now I’m wondering if it was from the shoes, exercise, bunions, or a flare up of sesmoiditis I had years ago!
How did you like the Torins? I’m looking for a better aerobics shoe, either zero or minimal drop, but flexible toe box so I can wear them for heel raises.
The original Torins had a good concept but many flaws. I had to modify them a bit. However, they have kept improving them; by the version that had the plush (2-3 years ago), they were close to perfect for my feet and intended use (hike, mild run, walks). I bought a couple of the same model.@@sharonmitchel1377
As a vibram rep, wear them for a few hours and rotate with other shoes and build a comfortability with them. I have been wearing 5 fingers since I was 13... after a few weeks and you get comfortable with spreading your toes you can get right into them. Just when you get close to the toes (putting them on) inch worm your (wiggling) toes as you slide in. The kso are a great weight training shoe, and my favorite is the v-trail 2.0. I've been back packing in vibrams for a while time, I have back packed 36 (out of 46) Adirondacks peaks in vibrams. You get tons of grip and being able to grip your toes helps!
As a frequent vibram wearer, can you pass on a request for a wide layout model? I tend to wear through the seam between the big toe and the second toe on my right foot, and the layout of the toes has them too close to each other for my fat toes. I'd love to wear my vibrams for longer, but this issue has plagued my experience for every pair I've owned.
It took me a month of continuous using the toe shoes before fully adapted to them. Been wearing them for a decade now.
@@GreasyFox I got about six months of near continuous use out of my last pair before breakthrough.
Vibram 5 Fingers- YES! Plantar fasciitis sufferer for years, they really helped along with the bunion from boots. Also had a plantar flexed first ray - all solved from 5 fingers.
Plantar flexed first ray isn’t going to be corrected with shoes. It’s a structural issue from either TMT hypermobility, inflammatory arthritis which weakens the tendons/muscles or more importantly you have a pes cavus foot type which was inherited from your parents.
@@jimjamthebananaman1 I also wear toe spreaders in the evening, it’s a lot less than it was.
Stronger feet also meant able to walk more, lose weight and all the compounding problems from that.
As an avid Vibram 5 finger shoe wearer, now almost 5 years, I feel you downplayed these shoes. Yes, I had dorsal bunions for over 30 years, yes, I had periods of plantar faciitis, yes, I had repeated between the toes fungal infections, yes, I develop periods of tendonitis, muscle cramps, and yes, grew once again my muscles to spread my toes, yes, I experience shin muscle pain early in the day, yes, I can walk again 10 miles/day, yes, I can stand for hours on concrete with NO pain. Ok, the shoes look funny, but I think I will live now well over 100 years. I am 73. Forget all the other shoes. Tough it out, I DID!
Thank you for sharing this. It would be great if you had it in a youtube channel. These Vibram shoes are hard to come by. I have one foot a half-size bigger than the other and since a kid, my parents bought me shoes that only fitted the smaller of the two feet....and I continued doing that into my adulthood....hence my bunion on my left foot developed.
@@abi2270 shoes don’t cause bunions: it’s a structural issue that was inherited. Usually hypermobility of the TMT joint, sesamoid bone instability, pes planus or arthritis of the MTP joint cause bunions.
@@jimjamthebananaman1 As a person with joint hypermobility and a wearer of Vibram FiveFingers for a decade, I would totally disagree with you. My feet have strengthened such that they're no longer flat and I now have a neutral running gait. My toes have straightened a lot too. I can no longer wear "normal" shoes as they're far too cramped and any heel raise feels very unnatural.
Not much of endorsement.
Does anyone know some good wide boots?
I have bunions and NEED ARCH SUPPORT. I also need my heel to be higher than my toes to be comfortable. The type of Crocs you showed wreak havoc with my Morton’s Neuroma because they have no structure. I literally just threw away a pair and can now walk again in Danskos, Ariat, and other well-made shoes. That said: Croc makes some extraordinarily comfortable sandals which I wear all summer and even use for easy hikes when it is too hot for hiking boots.
Millions of humans have been in the process of evolution over millions of years and SUDDENLY people “NEED” arch support, ankle support, cushioning & elevated heels.
Looks like you won the timing lottery to be born in time where people felt the need to have such requirements. What would you have done if you were born a mere blip too early in the scale of things where arch support & heels never existed yet???
Wow this is another amazing video! I’m so grateful I found you. I’m a dog walker and in the recent months have developed pain and bunion. I just can’t give up walking which is my livelihood. Having worn bad shoes for so long as I’m cheap, I’m now looking for shoes that accommodate my bunion pain. The first video I saw of yours yesterday led me to this one and they’re like godsend. I’m now pondering to purchase one. Thank you so much! I’ll continue to follow you… I love how your baby stretches her toes!
Go buy some proper shoes with pronation correction! My Brooks, New Balance x2 etc are brilliant!
Very surprised Merrell zero drop trail runners were not mentioned, even though they have been modifying their model to add more midsole😕. Should have mentioned Merrells instead of New Balance. On a positive note, I am glad this video introduced me to more brands of minimal shoes.
I have merrell vapor glove 3 and keep buying when see them.I always walked hugely not a runner and barefoot at home,so no problems with barefoot all just relief. Better than the $3 white Chinese flat plimsolls which outraged women around me who said they would ruin my feet, no, a relief and my feet are flexible well shaped and strong. Very hard to find excellent leather shoes with appropriate shape, even many sandals pull on big toe.
I work in the food service industry and found crocs years ago and have worn them nearly every day for the past 11 years. I have had to glue the bottoms back together a few times, but I am on my feet usually on concrete floors for hours everyday. I have to wear something that is slip resistant and protect my feet . They are not pretty, but I wouldn't trade them! I have been doing the bunion exercises you suggested. My problem is trying to find a pair of dress shoes that don't hurt and that I can afford!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO 💕💕💕💕 I’m working on being a restaurant consultant after 8 years in the industry. And my main goal is to amplify Restaurant peeps. I believe my bunions also showed up during my time in the industry. Please rest your feet 🥺 and I hope you were able to get the money to find better shoes. I started to buy my shoes a half size up and it’s helps a bit. I also wear a silicone toe separator now.
Lem's has nice shoes that are more dress up
Where.can we buy those.shoes for bunion safeguard I always cover that ugly party with Band Aid plaster.before.i put on my shoes. Pls help me...
Just browse Birkenstock shoes or just asume quality over fashion.
Great video... I just found your channel while search of shoe ideas that'll help my left side bunion problem... I cancelled surgery today for a bunionectomy, so I thought I'd better find proper shoes now that I've decided to live with the bunion.
Very interesting for me having suffered from bunions for 50+ years. I wish you had reviewed Arcopedico brand soft shoes which give me support and bunion relief. I wore out a pair or two then got my first Birkenstocks which are letting my toes spread. I now wear both brands alternating from one to the other. Whether it was the double arch support of the Arcopedicos or the toe spread of the Birkenstocks, I now can walk barefoot nearly painlessly which I could not do for many years. Thanks!
After years of wearing high heals, I had to stop after bunions started popping out. I've had great success with Alegria Shoes, specifically those with rocker bottoms due to a fallen metatarsal and high arches (flat shoes cause pain). I add Solemate™MicroLifts in both shoes. Can walk miles with this combination. 27,000 steps in Europe one day and no issues!
This is the best review I have found and discovered Splays. I love em! I have HUGE bunions and there is plenty of room in the toe box. I read that the bunion may be irritated by the seam and I found thats not the case with me. The bunion does touch the seam but doesn't irritate it but again thats just me. They do stretch out after a short time. Also, my foot has actually splayed out more just after wearing these a few times and when wearing toe socks it allows your toes more freedom. Thank you for sharing the reviews!
Bro they look like 30year old virgin shoes
I also love Splay shoes. I have big bunions and they do not bother me at all.
@@JoeZUGOOLA So the health of your feet is less important to you than the look of the shoe. You must be young, with healthy feet.
As an Osteopath I’m always telling patients about how hard shoes don’t help support the arch, they hinder the bones, muscles, fascia, etc….and turns off the neural feedback to your feet over time, but it’s hard to convince them Birkenstocks don’t help long term for foot mobility.
great, but to wear barefoot shoes your feet need to be ready. People with flat feet can damaged a lot wearing barefoot shoes!
One thing to add. It's very important to have the feet breath often, especially the toes/toenails, as bacteria and fungus thrive in the underside of the nail cuticle in dark and damp conditions (closed toe-box compounded by dirty sweaty socks). Let those toes breath. Stretch em out. After a swim, bath or shower... dry those feet/toes real good.
Just a heads-up to someone who has battled bunions from pre-teen years: It is very difficult to put on Five fingers when you have large bunions. I wore silicon toe separators for a decade and they are not the solution; they push all of the other toes towards the outside of the foot and cause bunionettes.
huh? That doesn't make sense.
It makes sense when you’ve tried the silicone separators.
What helps your bunions? My mom’s bunions are very bad and she is too old to consider surgery.
Apparently there are toe separators that spread all of the toes instead of just the first toe like he shows in vid. I’ve never used but I’m definitely curious about them
Wow I thought I was the only person getting bunions when they were just a kid. I started getting bunions at the age of 12 no one else in my family has bunions and I was always barefoot unless I was at at school or Church. I always wonder where the heck they came from 🤣
These shoes seem all to be for good weather, walking on dry surfaces. However, my winter is cold and wet early on, progressing to bitterly cold (-15F/-26C, so ice, not wet) and snowy. Frostbite is a concern. The summers can also be very muddy. None of these shoes seem to be very good for those more extreme environments.
Jim Green Barefoot ranger is a boot with a wide toebox that is very hardy
I live in the Pacific Northwest. I wear Crocs with wool socks in the winter, but boots for working.
My sister in law was wearing crocs, when she slipped on a smooth wet surface, only to fall and break a hip. This convinced me to steer clear.
They definitely aren’t skip resistant! I hate seeing restaurants employees wear them. They’re so dangerous 😩
I slipped in Crocs in a wet locker room floor. Luckily I didn't fall. But they were worn out on the bottom so maybe if they are replaced regularly...
I watched one of your other videos (on fixing bunions) a few hours ago and am happy to report that I ordered a pair of Whiten barefoot shoes and a silicone toe separator. Can't wait til they arrive. I'm also doing my toe exercises. Thank you for all of this!
I just received my Whiten shoes and love them..I also use “Correct Toes” toe spreaders and love them, I wear them pretty much all day long in the house but take them off to sleep, I use a single toe spreader if I go out when using my regular shoes..( but now will wear the CT’s in my Whitens ) I took a before picture before starting the CT’s and will take another pic in about 6 months, and then again in 1 year….from what I’m reading and watching, it will take that long or longer to correct foot alignment, so fingers crossed.. bottom line is my hip and leg pain is gone and I do feel more stable on my feet!
@@karenbennett9464 I love my Whiten shoes too. My toe separators arrive on Wednesday. I plan to take pics of feet too. Hoping to get rid of my bunions. but if it doesn't happen, I'll settle for having comfortable shoes at last.
@@karenbennett9464 How are you getting on with this after 6 months?
how is it going ?@@karenbennett9464
I enjoyed this video even though I do not have bunions. I was just told by a podiatrist that bursitis in my forefoot is what she suspects. I had been to 3 podiatrists 15 years ago and j learned to wear the shoes that made my feet the most comfortable...Anyway, the current podiatrist suggested Birkenstocks will become my best friend while working on the inflammation in my forefoot area. Within 4-5 days of wearing Birkenstocks my feet do not have any pain, except when I walk around without them...then they start to get agitated again. And bonus, since wearing the Birkenstocks my lower back has become pain free since feeling agitated as well the past 5 years. I am currently waiting for the Altra Paradigm to be delivered to me. The other shoe she recommend. I am hoping this is THE shoe I can wear so I can get out and walk for exercise again!
My bunions were mainly the result of having flat feet. Because I have a poor arch and so my feet roll in, is having an arch support not what I need.
I understand why the presenter keeps saying that having thin soles allows the feet to move naturally, but with flat feet, that natural movement is not great as it my foot naturally want to roll inwards.
I cant see my arch strength improving by having no support.
Any thoughts?
I can’t believe this video came up! I’m so excited to look at the channel!!!! I’ve suffered severely from my feet, my entire life! I hope I can find answers here!
Vibram 5 fingers are by far top 2 , for toe separation and they also sell full cover non toe flat shoes also.
Waiting for the days we can find these experts shoes on every corner store.... 😍
Please make a video about how to convert Birkenstocks into barefoot shoes.
Yes Please!!
Yes yes PLEASE
PLEASE Do! I love the durability of the materials but it's extremely uncomfortable to break into that hard cork
Here you go :)
ruclips.net/video/Y1YBJ36jsmY/видео.html
Exercising Health YOU SIR ARE AWESOME 👏
I have a family bunion. Women in my paternal family begin forming a bunion, usually on the left foot at about age 19. Sure enough, mine began after I turned 19 (64 years ago). Up until about age 23 I modeled, especially shoes. I can attest to the fact women"s shoes deform our feet. I now wear Crocks (or Comfy) most of the time because of the pains that begin in my feet & go all the way up my legs & back. My podiatrist suggested Crocs over 10 years ago. I wish I could afford Chicos but they are beyond my Social Security income. The toe bed is the best guideline in my opinion, for healthy shoes & therefore the feet .
Interesting to note some DNA health tests now show whether you have a genetic disposition for bunions.
high heels destroyd the feet of my wife. Unfortunately I met her too late...
I wore Crocs for a year and developed plantar fasciitis. It went away when I stopped wearing the Crocs and I haven't had it since.
You're 84 you still alive?
Birkenstocks hurt my bunions. Crocks help much better with comfort for all day standing, but are slippery. Like your video
I love my altra lone peaks but will watch this again to see what else I can try although I don’t have bunions…I just like wide toe box shoes. Also, I started developing Taylor’s bunions (pinky toe side) from wearing Birkenstocks. I was so bummed to give those up😢 Thanks for this video and great information!
I used to love Altra Lone Peak until they redesigned them, and now they are more stiff and tighter. I tried a new pair this year and had to send them right back. Instant nerve pain in the ball of my foot. I was so bummed! Also, the laces were extremely short to where I could barely tie them. Now I have to find something different, so I'm glad I saw this video!
I’m having a terrible time with bunions and yes any type of raised heel is too painful.. Birkenstock sandal is very good. Winter here in Scotland and wearing flat trainers. Any thick wedge open sandal was wearable at a wedding this year. Soulful has a large thick sole This video is very useful. Thank you
my problem is that i am over 65 and have hallux rigidus in one foot. Podiatrists have been minimally helpful...all i have received is advice to wear really stiff, inflexible shoes and they made an insert for my shoes that was very expensive. i cannot go barefoot at all because i have pain after i do. i feel like bunions are not quite the same as the problem i have but maybe i am wrong. Being unable to bend your toe at all causes so many more problems...foot, ankle, knee and hip at times are affected because of mimimal mobility. i mostly wear altras, sometimes hokia, but i need casual sandals for sandy conditions, etc. do i have to wear tennis shoes all the time??? i use trigger balls and foot stretches to help with pain...but i am still confused about shoes even after this excellent advice.
That is horrible to hear about your pain. I am 41y.o but I had my bunions from when I was a kid. I only look for comfortable shoes. For booties I like my City Streets. I wear them whole fall and spring and even winter dependable on weather. I also love City Streets flats. That brand was sold in Target, unfortunately it got discontinued alltogether. For sandals I recently found very comfortable, although little grandma looking, I think it is called Air Pilot, but I am not 100% sure. For flip flops Everlasts are great. They are sold in Sears.
Speaking as an orthotist, you need rocker soles to compensate for the rigidity in the toe joint. You can ask your local orthotic service to convert your sandals or other shoes to rocker soles. If you are in the UK, it is free to do on the NHS (need a referral from your GP to orthotics) or go to a private orthotic clinic.
I`m older than you. I had my bunions from 55 y.o.
Но в отличии от большинства тех, кто тут комментирует, я думаю не только об удобной обуви. Главное - спортивные упражнения, работа над своим телом. Особенно надо развивать мышцы и суставы ног (не только стоп), спины. С годами мышцы стягиваются, теряют эластичность, суставы стираются и "усыхают". Надо обратиться к честному реабилитологу, который даст вам первоначальные упражнения. Потом найдёте с помощью youtube еще каких-нибудь 150 других упражнений. Делайте их в разное время. Хотя бы 5 дней в неделю. Очень многое можно исправить или вообще избавиться от болей с помощью такой активной правильной реабилитации. У вас получится. Не стоит покупаться на рекламу, не лелейте себя иллюзией, что только обувь спасет.
I've tried a few different brands now, my favourites are the Vibram finger shoes. They mimic barefoot more than anything I have tried. The V runs are the best shoes I've ever run in, period. Would love to see more Vibram content
Vibram has a new line called Furoshiki and I highly recommend them! They are quite literally the best thing I’ve ever worn and that includes all of the five fingers I have. Same price point, same quality build, extremely comfortable, and it’s got a toe box instead of the individual toe homes so they are a bit more discreet as minimalistic shoes. I love my five fingers it’s just a hard style to pull off for everyday wear
@@scarlettj0125 Hi Julie, The Furoshikis are beautiful, but are they too beautiful for my crippled feet? The toe box before you wrap them looks pretty narrow, or is that fabric extremely stretchy, as I have a bunion on both big toes; and the second toe, next to each bunion is a hammer toe. Weren't those "pretty" shoes of my yesteryear, just lovely?..sarc.
@@l8dyl1berty the toe box is super flexible and stretchy. My feet aren’t super wide but more wide than not and I have plenty of wiggle room and play. I have been hiking in them as well as regular wear and they’re my absolute favorite. The more I wear them the more I love them!
@@scarlettj0125 Do they accept returns, if the shoe isn't wide enough?
@@l8dyl1berty yes! I think it’s like a 60-90 return policy.
Valuable education on feet and shoes for bunions. The truth is that people should wear that sort of shoe to prevent foot damage. I personally feel shoes should come with a safe time frame chart and health chart rating. That way the consumer becomes more aware of foot health.
I mean charts like that would be superb. Even better if Chris created a chart like this for everyone, based on their feet issues, shoe features and, how long they should be worn. This video was helpful but I am visual so seeing a chart with all the info would be extremely helpful.
The best thing to do is to see a Podiatrist to get advice on what's best for your feet. I got bunion removal surgeries over 16 years and it's best thing I did for my feet, I wish I would've done it sooner. I had one foot fixed and the other one 8 months later. I hated my bunions, one foot was pretty painful. My mom waited too long to get her surgeries, she was in her 60s and was in so much pain no matter what shoes she wore. Her surgeries were more complicated and recovery time was longer than mine. I used to salsa & latin ballroom dancing a lot and really liked wearing those pretty high heel latin ballroom dance shoes but the bunions really put a damper on my dancing, on the way my feet felt and looked. It took several months to fully heal from surgery but it was worth it. Afterwards I could dance in my ballroom dance shoes for hours no problem. BTW all my dance shoes are no higher than about 2 1/2 inches. I always buy well fitted quality shoes and try never to stand or walk too long in heels over 1 1/2 inches. FYI, podiatrists say bunions causes are mostly genetic but wearing poor fitting shoes can make them worse.
Shoes cause these issues most of the time, and when it comes down to it, the pediatrist is going to prescribe you with shoes. So the entire proposed fix they give you is literally just adding to the cause. The best thing you can do is honestly research, most people are pretty much screwed because they don't know that putting on shoes is actually detrimental to their health.
Would you mind sharing how long was your recovery and how long did it take before you could spend the entire day on your feet? Wedding videographer here...
May I ask what type of Bunionectomy you got?
I recently had surgery and have had a very poor recovery from lapidus
Hey@@austinjoseph2881 ... How are you healing now, is recovery any better ? I hope so. I am 5 weeks post op, surgery on both feet 🤭
@@BambiBooS222 i have more mobility than i started. both feet yikes! Unfortunately tho - it hurts when I walk and I can't run without pain...and I'm 9 months out from surgery.
Maybe it went wrong but lowkey regretting it. BIGGEST ADVICE: Do your physical therapy every single day & start going to PT 3x a week ASAP
The best shoes for bunions are Mephisto, which make literally the most comfortable shoes in the world for problems like bunions, gait pronation etc.
I am just wondering, I understand the benefits of a soft sole while walking on the earth, but aren't the roads we are walking on extremely hard and rigid? Doesn't a soft sole accomodates a shock through the spine while planting the foot on the footpaths?
I’m glad that you called out New Balance’s false advertising…I do wish that there would’ve been a brand/model for the office work shoe (non business casual).
THANKS for posting though for this was very informative.
Are you buying shoes without trying it first?
Please do make the how to video, i had watched the vans one and I've been wearing nothing else. I can't afford to ship barefoot shoes to my country bcs the import duties essentially double their price so your how to video was really helpful and my feet are getting its arch back slowly
Im so glad to hear that you found the Vans video so helpful. Here is our DIY barefoot Birkenstocks version: ruclips.net/video/Y1YBJ36jsmY/видео.html
What an excellent topic! I had completely forget my two bunions this summer, thanks to my Birkenstock and FlipFlop... But since few weeks fall weather made me change my shoe habits and the pain is back.
I have decided it was enough and this guide will help me to make my choice more wisely.
Just a question, you don't talk about socks, are we supposed to wear some in barefoot shoes?
Many thanks from France!
From my experience it's normally expected to wear socks with your barefoot shoes. Just make sure your socks don't fit too tight. If you can't spread your toes easily in your socks, they're too tight. Sometimes you can get away with not pulling them on all the way so that they're looser on the end around your toes. Toe socks are also a popular option for minimalist shoe wearers.
You could also try toe socks, that way your toes can spread inside the shoe.
Essayes les Vibram Fivefingers, 😉
Je porte les chaussures Caroline Macaron on ne pe 16:35 16:35 ut pas être toujours en baskets.
The seaming and flat toebox on most Vivos are HELL on bunions and hammer toes. They're one of the few barefoot shoemakers that make a leather dress boot for women for winter, however. So I paid the $$$ and then stretched them over several weeks with a shoe stretcher with bunion attachments on it.
The problem with the Birkenstock, even remodelled to remove the cork, is that flip flop style sandals require the wearer to squeeze the toes to hold the sandal, which over time will result in hammer toes if worn consistently.
I didn't know that flip flops could cause hammer toes!
Awesome content! Worth looking at the ALTRA Lone Peak 6 and Topo Athletic series for a wide toe box running shoe. Probably the best in the market right now, as far as reviews go
I'm 73 and the bunion on my left foot is making it extremely difficult--nearly impossible--to buy shoes that fit. I'm not keen on getting foot surgery so your video is very welcome. I do have 1 question: how do the materials//technical fabrics these shoes are made of hold up in the rain? Are they waterproof?
I wear Altra Rivera 2 running shoes as a regular shoe because it helped my very painful foot get walking again - they're mesh but I proofed them before wearing with Nikwax fabric proofing & wore them all winter. Obviously mesh can't be 100% waterproof but I rarely had wet feet apart from stepping in puddles that went over the top of them.
That was so interesting. I've been wearing Altras for work since 2020. I find the extra stack helps for standing and walking on concrete but the newer versions are less comfortable until i wear in the sole. But I cannot wear standard shoes after fracturing my ankle and getting plantar fasciitis in the other foot. The heel stack and pointed toe and arch support kills me until I can't walk. I think theyre a good start then try another barefoot brand.
Great show. I liked the Vivo and the Skinners best. The Vivo for their organic cotton, suedes and leathers, plus the style to wear for work and the skinners because they are like barefoot but with protection.
If your shoes don’t fit or are too tight. Buy shoe stretchers and keep your shoes on there for a as long as possible. It will help.
Some shoes I feel might feel good and come in 2 x wide are mens Saucony Phantom and Mens on Cloud.
I got bunions and wearing Hey Dude slip ons shoes has been great for me!
I got my dad Altra lone peak 5s. He has bunions but he’s older and likes the cushion. I think it’s a good transition for someone approaching 70.
i hiked the vermont long trail in these twice... amazing shoe!
Like your videos. At 74, just noticed how my toes are all pushed outward. Bunions just started to show and am concerned, Mother and brother have severe bunions. Have spent the money on wide shoes but always had to buy them a size larger. Just bought a leather sneaker
from Ortho Feet 11-1/2 4E. Advertised wide toe box. Still bought a half size larger and has excellent arch support. Just ordered a sneaker
Size 11 6E width made from fabric. Still have to work on getting my toes straight, so I appreciate your videos. Am going to try the toe spreaders. Don't know how you can change 60 years of wearing a shoe to narrow for your toes. You have provided encouragement. Very active, 5,000 to 11,000 steps a day. Will probably give up my golf shoes unless they are cut open.
Thank you again.
I have bunions but also have excruciating pain from plantar fasciitis. The advice for PF is to have arch support and thick soles, are barefoot shoes something that someone with pf should transition to? or should we stick with shoes like crocs?
This introduced me to new barefoot brands I wasn't aware of. Thanks.
Yes to the Birkenstock modification tutorial. Thank you!
I had a pair of those vibrams. They did take a little getting used to and I found them. Amazingly comfortable and quite nice except for two problems, both of them fit related: not enough vertical height for my big toes at the tip, resulting in the end of the toe pressing down on my toenail while I moved; and not enough length to the little toe next to the big toe, basically, as I walked, my toe kept stubbing against the end of the shoe's toe. I haven't tried any other pairs of toed shoes because these were quite costly and I couldn't afford to keep buying different brands of shoes. But because these are more like foot gloves, it really becomes necessary to find that individualized fit.
Obviously the size was too small.
What shoe would you recommend for cold rainy weather?
Hi, Could you recommend some best formal shoes for women with wide toe box? most women formal shoes have narrow toe box. Thanks a lot
So, the question for me is… does doing the exercises, toe senators and shoes ACTUALLY reverse and return the great toe to its normal/original position and reduce the protrusion?
I have been advised definitely not to go for surgery . There is no guarantee the bunions will not come back and also you could be spending up to a year before you recover.
The best thing is to wear wide shoes.
I own a pair of Altras and the sole is way thinner, they are almost barefoot standard. It came with an optional sole insert for running on gravel. I love them, they’re comfortable and I get compliments from people. I had to go a whole size up from my normal size but they don’t look oversized.
Sad, you missed Lems. Particularly the primal model. A great beginner/ transitional shoe.
They will feature in our upcoming mega barefoot shoe review 😉
I like the Saguaros for hiking because they're so cheap you can buy two pairs and rotate them out during running season.
Vibrams Five fingers are the best, only issue with them is that they stink horribly after you use them for a while. There are more options in summer like Luna sandals or Bedrocks. Also the VFF model you got is not my favourite, KSO Evo I think are more comfortable, classic KSOs seems to be too tight and sole is not as nice
Thanks for the reviews! I have Splay Freestyle, the laced on version, and the stitching, first eyelet and stiffness of the canvas really rub against my moderate sized bunion. :(
What are the toe spacers you used in this video? Im looking for cheapish ones that I can wear with shoes all day for my bunions
Have you seen any good barefoot dress shoes? I've been wearing Xeros since August of 2020 and am a huge fan. I'll wear them for almost every occasion. The exception is when I'm attending a wedding or funeral. In this case, I'll wear my regular dress shoes, which I really don't like. The padding feels pretty good, but my feet feel progressively worse the longer I wear them. A good barefoot dress should would be awesome.
A shoe brand that has been very helpful for me with my bunions, are Skechers. Very light, flexible & comfortable
I have been wearing Altra Lone Peaks for almost 2 years now. they are the first shoe I have worn in my 72 years that actually fit and feel good. I have stopped wearing my orthotic in soles as well.
Altra Solstice has a thin sole. I love Earthrunners. I also have a pair of Topo Athletics. Lems makes a great shoe. I don’t have bunions. I spent most of my life barefoot and I’m a yoga teacher so I always look for shoes that allow my feet to move naturally.
Brands like FiveFingers, Merrel, Luna Sandals, Zero Shoes, etc., should have been mentioned in this excellent video. FiveFingers may be the best because they are the most natural but they need some time to adapt. The only bad thing is that it can be a bit embarrassing that your feet look like those of a gorilla. But is the most closest thing to walking barefoot. And the minimalist sandals too and they are very fresh and confortable for the summer.
I have had plantar fasciitis, pain in my knees, I have had very weak ankles because I have had several sprains. I have worn for too long elegant and classic shoes that narrowed my foot and that did not let the tight toes breathe. Since I've been using Fivefingers, minimalist sandals (DIY huaraches) and shoes with drop 0 or very close to it with a little cushioned sole, all those problems are over. The transition to the barefoot style must be done slowly, it has to be done that way to avoid injuries or pain in the gastrocnemius and soleus and starting by wearing that type of shoe at home and then with shopping trips or things like that, later taking long walks and finally starting to run little by little and supporting first with the metatarsals of the foot and not with the heel. It is also advisable to exercise and strengthen from the beginning the soles of the feet and the fingers with stretches and specific exercises that are actually natural movements that we did when we were children. And first of all, if you have bunions, a podiatrist should check the severity of the injury.
It is a fantastic feeling to remember the forgotten proprioception of your feet. It is very worthwhile to walk and run in the most similar way to what we have done since we were Homo Erecuts and stood on our feet two million years ago. Evolution has made us like this and I don't think it was wrong and that this mistake were repaired by Nike and Adidas 50 years ago with the cushioning of their soles and heels. This cushioning is necessary in podiatric treatments and for older people with serious spinal or displacement problems or obbesity but not for the rest.
Odd. I developed pain behind my toes on the bottoms of my feet while wearing minimalist shoes. I finally went to see a podiatrist who told me to stop wearing this type of shoe. I also started wearing inserts in my shoes. My pain is totally gone (and has been gone for a few years now). It makes me wonder why there is such a push for minimalist shoes. I can understand pushing for shoes to have more toe room, but I'm starting to question the minimalist footwear hype big time at this point.
I think shoes are a personal thing and perhaps the minimalist shoes were too thin for you. I'm finding that all women's shoes have heels, arch support and a curved up toe, every shoe in Melbourne Australia is like this, even "flats". I can't believe it. So my feet are suffering in any shoe except my two Altra Escalated and a pair of thongs. Altra shoes are meant to be transition shoes.
Sounds like fat pad atrophy. Modern shoes deform our feet leaving us with weakened muscles and thinned protective tissues (the aforementioned fat pads). These kind of things can strength/heal over time given proper stimulation, but transitioning too fast can leave you with pain like you described.
you do realise that shoes started to be worn consistently only in the last couple of centuries? From the point of view of biomechanics, your feet do not need shoes, as they've been shaped into perfection by evolution. The less you feel the shoe, the better it is for the strengthening of your foot. The video makes that point visually.
Should I ask about Louboutin So Kate?!
I also noticed that no matter how much space, but there is a habit to step in certain way.
Could you please recommend some safety toe cap shoe's for people with bunions.
Hi Chris,
very informative video on RUclips about shoes for bunions on the side of the foot.
I am 49 years old male and have been an athlete / in sports all my life.
I started golf 2 years ago and got a standard outdoorsy shoe from adidas (was walking 7/8 kms a day).
I don’t know when it started but I have noticed that the big toes for both feet have ‘gone in’ by just a couple of cms for now, nothing too dramatic and there is no pain. But there definitely is a redness and swelling and definitely a bunion is forming. I can attach pictures if you would like me to.
I don’t want to stop playing golf so am going to buy some toe box shoes for sure but I noticed you say that wearing silicon toe separators work.
Can you please get back to me or point me in the right direction please?
Much regards
Umer
For the altra brand you should of used the escalate 2.5 perfect knit upper , wide toe box and lower stack height super comfortable shoe !
Altra have loads of great shoes that make the ones in this vid look like old people shoes
Well done for the direction of the information you are going. What you say here is 100% true. People have devolved in movement and this is the consequence. Currently only KAMIKATA prevents the further process and is the only one that enables a conscious approach to solving that problem. Thank you for spreading the right information. Soon it will this kind of information is the basis for conscious evolution. I put the bones back in place with various movements and thereby additionally strengthened the cushions on the foot. Conscious balance is the only way to consciously approach movements.
Thank you for this video. My poor sweet husband has a horrible bunion, and I have been trying to learn all the exercises, etc., to make his foot normal. The crazy part is, that his other foot is beginning to go the way of the first. SO...I will definitely get him some spacers, AND better shoes, plus exercises to stretch those toes. Then soak them in warm a water, to relax them. Ahhhh...I feel better already!
Silicone toe spacers are expensive. An inexpensive substitute is to use toe spacers meant for pedicures. Wear when not walking much: watching TV, reading, sleeping
Please do a video for the best barefoot winter boots!
Yes, please! Those of us who live in cold climates need boots!
Hi, I love the content of your channel. Could you create a video for dress shoes with wide toe box?
Are there any out there? That aren’t really ugly?
Wonderful video! Thank you. I have a very painful bunion.
I am looking forward to the day someone comes up with toe separating sandals. I have a severe bunion on my left foot & very mild on right and like the vibram type shoes, but in the summer while working outside in the garden and yard prefer the cooling of the sandal. I tried one that was for the big toe only, but the strap for the toe is short and that big toe is so strong it pushes through the strap. I rigged a pair of cheap sandals with homemade separators, and if there were a such a sandal on the market, I would be all over it. Oh- and I tried those sandals made for painting toenails at the nail salon, but those separators are again too short.
This was a great video.Thank you for making it.I have just started wearing zero drop shoes.The only brand I have really been aware of,and have tried is Xero shoes.I would be interested in your opinion of them.They seem good to me,but I am a novice at this.They are expensive too,depending on which style one chooses.Anyway,I have a lot of foot problems,and this segment was well done.
Sincerely,
Lisa Collins
Hi Lisa. Thank you for your feedback. Really glad you enjoyed the video. We have done a review on Xero Shoes a few months ago. I’ll link to it 👇
We are also currently making a mega barefoot shoe review which will include models from 13 brands. Stay tuned for that one 😉
Xero shoes review: ruclips.net/video/4jy46o_zZqE/видео.html
All the best,
Chris
My first experience with zero drop was with Xeros too. I first tried the Prio and then the Hana after they wore out. When I got the Hana I felt like they were noticeably wider than the Prio, and over time my foot splay improved and filled them in quite a bit. In hindsight it makes me believe that the Prios are on the narrower side and I wouldn't be able to comfortably fit in them again. I've since picked up a pair of shoes from Feelgrounds and have been wearing them since October.
I'll mention here too that Xeros are actually one of the CHEAPER brands of minimalist shoes. It's just that pretty much all minimalist shoes are more expensive than traditional shoes.
@@jacobtraeger9751
Thank you for taking the time to give me your input.It is really appreciated,and it was helpful,too.
Sincerely,
Lisa Collins
@@barefootstrength
Thank you very much for the link to your review of
Xero Shoes.It was an excellent review,and it gave me a lot of good information.I will also watch your coming- review of the different, minimal-footwear Companies.
Sincerely,
Lisa Collins
@@jacobtraeger9751how can a minimal shoe be more expensive? I'm afraid to buy barefoot shoes because they're expensive and for the time you use them they don't last ... I've nikes with almost 10 years and still using them. The last pair was like 60 bucks and is made for wide feet but they are higher in the heel. Still trying to understand how can a 200 gram shoe cost more than 100 bucks for a year of using it...
I had your channel recommended to me in my feed, and I have to say, I'm glad it was suggested! I just started watching tonight, but will be catching up on your newest ones later on. I have bunions, loved to be barefoot most of the day but had an unfortunate accident with a broken glass bottle when I was in my teens so haven't wanted to be barefoot since. I have been to the podiatrist and they gave me the most awful hard inflexible plastic insoles, they actually made my feet hurt worse! I went back to wearing slippers pretty much, but now that I know about barefoot shoes, I will be hopefully trying a pair in the future once all the snow melts!
*Side question: which barefoot shoes are the most latex free being I'm allergic to latex?*
Interesting! ...But I thought flip flops were bad for feet since there's minimal support with them? Also, what makes shoes with no arch support better? My podiatrist claims having flat feet is bad because it exerts more pressure on feet and can lead into issues over time.
If you don't train your feet, yes. Flat feet exert more pressure and can usually lead to knocked knees, ankle disalignment, etc. I have flat feet, and training my arches really helped relieve the pressure. Sadly, I don't feel that it's reversible (for me) because it's gentic.
It came exactly wen I needed, thank you!
3 Steps to fix your feet:
1 - Wear barefoot shoes
2 - Practice maximum plantarflexion (japanese seiza pose)
3 - Practice maximum dorsiflexion (resting squat)
If you want to make it even better, sit on the floor like I do and reduce furniture support for your body.
Yes, please make A DIY video on how to remove the cork from the Birkenstock.
Thank you
Yes please make a video on how to convert Birkenstocks to barefoot!!!
Just posted it :)
ruclips.net/video/Y1YBJ36jsmY/видео.html
I have very wide/bunionettes? New Balance ex.wide ,r wonderful & prescribed orthotics. Comfort !!🦶💃& No plantar fasciitis!🧓🙂❣️
I run distance on bad roads and lumpy trails - unfortunately, if I didn't have a solid shoe like New Balance or Brooks trail shoes, my feet would be macerated (I've tried) with delicate 'barefoot' shoes. I also have high arches. I'm trying to compensate by remaining barefoot indoors and doing foot exercises. Also, my New Balance wide sizes are wider and more comfortable than the regular width - I'm not sure why your example was not, but I've gone exclusively to the wider toe box - that really, really helps. I have a bunion on only one foot.
Should add “Lems” brand shoe. Zero drop with wide toe box. This is all I wear now. I have wide feet and foot bunions and these make a big difference.
lol. Saguaro is our famous cactus down here in Arizona. Sah - wah-row , not “sa gway row”. Interesting video
But, I was told, that I can't wear flat shoes because my foot is flat, and I also feel more pain in flat shoes.
Starting barefoot shoes and foot exercises actually gave me arches in like 2-3 months
@@Bikesssss lol you don’t get arches from any kind of strength training. Flat feet is a bone structural problem that can only be corrected with surgery e.g. TMT joint fusion, calcaneal osteotomy etc
On most fivefingers the material between toes are very thin, so as in my case if the second toe is leaning against the first toe, they don’t really do a great job of separating them. So if you have that condition you need toe spreaders or as I did glue a pad between the fivefinger toes. So it is a shame you choose not to cut them open.
Another thing that also does not get mentioned is that you need good posture to walk in barefoot shoes, if your posture is bad you will land on your heel and not the forefoot.
I already have Plantar Fasciitis so what shoe would you recommend starting with?
Would be nice if they made barefoot shoes with a thick bottom for short people that want height and high tops for ankle support.
Thank you for this. Please make one to transform Birkenstock.
Please do the Birkenstock tutorial
I will never go back after trying decent Sketchers, Its like walking on clouds and zero bunion irritation. Can wear them at work, out, gym and not look like Im just walking about in socks
I tried expensive knit fabric top shoes bc of bunions but my feet always shove forward in them. Very uncomfortable. Will consider some of these others. Thanks for the list!