Looking for advice on going to barefoot style shoes

[Schmo]

Hey guys,
Hoping to get some input from those that have transitioned to barefoot style shoes. I’ve had plantar fasciitis for over 2 years, so I have to contend with that. Primarily I would be looking at Vivo or Jim Green. I understand JG are more boot like, and heavier. They are cheaper, and last longer. Vivo is supposed to be more comfortable, and more of a true barefoot style. Their 100 day trial is a big plus for me with having the plantar fasciitis, giving me plenty of time to test.

Have some of you that have transitioned to barefoot style shoes dealt with plantar fasciitis? If so, have barefoot shoes been comfortable after a transition period? I know that Hey Dudes may not be exactly a barefoot shoe, but they do seem to work pretty well for my feet (I don’t typically wear them working because I like a little more support when standing on a ladder and such).

For work, I’m in construction, but not the type that’s super hard on shoes. I do home repair, maintenance, improvements, and light remodeling.

Just want input from experienced users as to what you feel may be best to try first.

 

[shagles]

I'm at the point now where all I wear is barefoot shoes unless I'm running or hiking, and I'm on the search for a good barefoot hiker.

I would recommend starting with a medium stack height/cushion, zero drop shoe first. Having worn conventional shoes for the majority/all of your life, you will probably "smash" your foot into the ground harder than you realize. Having some cushion to start with will help keep your feet from getting as sore and beat up. The Jim Green boots might have some cushion to them, I can't really tell. Another couple options for that would be the Xero shoes xcursion fusion boots (next on my list to try), or the Lems Boulder Boots.

Basically ease into it, or your feet are going to hurt and you'll want to quit. That's how I approached it several years ago and my feet and knees have been a lot better ever since. Now if I DONT wear barefoot shoes my feet and knees hurt. Even crocs bother me now. For reference I wear either Xero Prio's, Bedrock sandals, or Lems Boulder Boots all day every day.

 

[htlt_surfboards]

I don't have any experience with either of the boots that you asked about but have been wearing barefoot shoes and boots for many years and also have contended with plantar fasciitis before. The thing that has/does help me the most for the plantar is rolling a golf ball under my foot on it when I am at my computer.

I also wear Lems boots like the poster above mentioned. I have both the boulder boot and the boulder summit. I actually do similar work as you and the boulder summit is what I wear to work. They wouldn't be my choice for hunting boot but are great for everyday wear.

 

[Schmo]

How are Lem’s on durability?

 

[Seeknelk]

How are Lem’s on durability?

The Boulder boots don't hold up very well. I used a pair up in mostly residential plumbing. The moc toe stiching falling apart etc. They were ok and always comfy overall. Traction sucks for any mountain stuff, even trails.
I have the VEVO forest and one of the knit ones maybe the trail FG? I really like the forest for everyday AND the hiking, hunting etc. The knit one is just too thin on bottom. My feet get gravel sore but I do use them for training in general. Both r holding up very well. I did put seamgrip on the rand of the forest and it's worth it .

 

[Speaks]

I love my vivos but it takes some time to adapt. A pair of innov8s is a good in between spot. Very little drop, some cushion, relatively flexible.

 

[RojoGrande]

Agree with the prior posters on getting a little taller stack for your first barefoot boot. I will third the Lem's boulder boot. There's also the boulder grip or summit that have a grippier sole. Xero shoes have the ridgeway boot that also has a higher stack. I have used the xero excursion fusion for many years now. These have a thinner sole. They are more flexible and have a lot of ground feel. I've used both the Lem's boulder boot and Xero ridgeway. They both hold up pretty well to daily wear with the exception of the waterproofing.

 

[Seeknelk]

I just also want to caution against going all barefoot style , all the time right away. Ease into it. Sometimes, even after years of minimal type footwear , after a long day or two hunting, the very back , bottom of my heals , can start to hurt. Then I'll go back to a conventional boot for a day or two, etc. That's often after a long ,fast hike down hard trails after a long day of going up, that I feel that. Or long gated roads...

 

[shagles]

I'd agree with the guys above on the boulder boot durability. I don't put mine through hard use at all so they still look pretty good, but every examples I've seen of someone hiking in them or using them in a trade job, they need replaced in about 9 months.
Another option for a transition shoe if you wanted something more similar to traditional tennis/running/trail shoes is altra. The Lone Peak and Lone Peak Hiker are probably your best bet for durability, but they won't hold up like a traditional hiking boot. Most barefoot shoes are this way on durability though since they're pretty much all made to be lightweight with more ground feel, so the expectation is that you're more conscious of where you put your foot, leading to less shoe wear. Or at least that's the feeling I get from them.

 

[HighUintas]

@Schmo I'd caution against starting the conversion until your plantar fascitis is taken care of and resolved. If it is chronic, it can develop into other more permanent issues like heel/bone spurs.

I've dealt with it a lot over the years and currently am dealing with it with a PT, despite having worn barefoot shoes for years. It's so aggravated that I'm only able to run a couple days a week and do most cardio in a bike and stair master.

I've noticed that a lot of extra sleep and anti-inflammatory foods help alleviate it

 

[Schmo]

@HighUintas,
I understand what you say. Fortunately, most of my foot pain is first thing in the morning, or if I stand after sitting awhile, unless I’m wearing bad shoes, then they can hurt all day.

I ordered a pair of Altra Lone Peak today. Gonna try those as the first step in transitioning towards barefoot shoes. We’ll see how it goes. Thanks all for your input.

 

[HighUintas]

@HighUintas,
I understand what you say. Fortunately, most of my foot pain is first thing in the morning, or if I stand after sitting awhile, unless I’m wearing bad shoes, then they can hurt all day.

I ordered a pair of Altra Lone Peak today. Gonna try those as the first step in transitioning towards barefoot shoes. We’ll see how it goes. Thanks all for your input.

Yeah, That's mostly my problem too unless I make it really mad, which is what I did. Just the pain and tenderness when first getting up in the morning and when standing after sitting for while is what lets me know. Something's not right. My goal is to completely eliminate that as well, but if you can do what you do without getting any worse, then there's nothing to worry about. I guess. Guess. I have those lone peak shoes that I run in, and they're pretty comfy. I like them a lot.

 

[Crews]

Another option most people don’t consider is a pair of heavy leather soled moccasins. A good pair is expensive and hard to find, but they last forever and can be re-soled many times.

This is how I moved into barefoot style footwear. I don’t know how scientific it is, but I feel like they are a lot more forgiving than the Vivo shoes I currently wear.