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- Apr 29, 2023
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I know there are many other threads regarding barefoot/minimalist shoes, but I wanted to start this thread to hopefully help someone else. I know many of you also wear barefoot/minimalist shoes, so if you’re willing, please post with your transition into, and experiences with this type of footwear.
I’m not super far into my journey, so I don’t have a ton to post about yet, but maybe it will help someone else who has questions.
I had been a boots guy for several years. I preferred boots over athletic footwear. I didn’t like feeling gravel and stuff under my feet. I wanted a good boot that took all that feeling away. I wanted to be able to kick stuff if needing (trailer jacks, stubborn latches, demo in construction, etc). So I was pretty opposite of the minimalist style. My first pair of western hunting boots were Kenetrek Guide Ultras. If you don’t know, they’re a super stiff leather boot. Also, for the past 2 years or so, I’ve had plantar fasciitis. The Kenetreks were actually pretty comfortable for me, for a while anyway. I heard the Form Friday podcast about barefoot shoes, and read a bit of the Vivo Tracker ESCs on here. It was something I wanted to try out. So in May or June of this year, I ordered a pair of Altra Lone Peaks to experiment with. A lot of people would say that a zero drop, low stack shoe isn’t compatible with plantar fasciitis, that your foot needs the proper “support”. What I found is that the Lone Peaks were probably the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn, and I’ve bought quality shoes for quite awhile now. I pretty much cold turkey jumped into the Altras. I have been building my own house this year, in addition to my work, which is also in the construction repair industry. So I was in them 6 days a week. My house is on the side of a hill, so for the exterior work, I was sidehilling, going up and down the hill, on a ladder, etc. I had some foot muscle pain due to that muscle not being used with other shoe types. However, that went away as I consistently wore the Altras. I know Altras aren’t barefoot, but they are minimalist. I believe they are an excellent shoe to transition with. Only downside is durability isn’t great. This summer, I ordered a pair of true barefoot shoes. I’ve worn them a fair amount, but not near as much as the Altras. However, they are surprisingly comfortable for almost zero cushion, and no foot support. It may seem counterintuitive to some, but as I’ve stayed consistent with the minimalist and barefoot shoes, my plantar fasciitis has been less and less of an issue. It’s going away. When I was hunting in Montana just a few weeks ago, I hunted a day in my Altras. We did 6+ miles of plains and coulees, with a 2+ mile pack out with a 70-ish lb pack on. My feet were tired, but no other issues.
So, I’m extremely happy with what this type of footwear has offered me. Stronger feet/ankles than when wearing boots, and plantar fasciitis that it going away. Also, you have less knee strain than when wearing stiff boots. I’m going to stick with it. It’s helped my feet a lot. I plan to get a pair of the Vivo Tracker ESCs. I no longer need a stiff mountain boot. I did the rest of my Montana hunting in a pair of Danner hiking boots, and they were plenty adequate. I would have done it in Vivos, but I knew my feet weren’t quite ready for that yet. However, I’ll be ready for that by next season. Hopefully this will help answer some questions for others. Thanks for reading!
I’m not super far into my journey, so I don’t have a ton to post about yet, but maybe it will help someone else who has questions.
I had been a boots guy for several years. I preferred boots over athletic footwear. I didn’t like feeling gravel and stuff under my feet. I wanted a good boot that took all that feeling away. I wanted to be able to kick stuff if needing (trailer jacks, stubborn latches, demo in construction, etc). So I was pretty opposite of the minimalist style. My first pair of western hunting boots were Kenetrek Guide Ultras. If you don’t know, they’re a super stiff leather boot. Also, for the past 2 years or so, I’ve had plantar fasciitis. The Kenetreks were actually pretty comfortable for me, for a while anyway. I heard the Form Friday podcast about barefoot shoes, and read a bit of the Vivo Tracker ESCs on here. It was something I wanted to try out. So in May or June of this year, I ordered a pair of Altra Lone Peaks to experiment with. A lot of people would say that a zero drop, low stack shoe isn’t compatible with plantar fasciitis, that your foot needs the proper “support”. What I found is that the Lone Peaks were probably the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn, and I’ve bought quality shoes for quite awhile now. I pretty much cold turkey jumped into the Altras. I have been building my own house this year, in addition to my work, which is also in the construction repair industry. So I was in them 6 days a week. My house is on the side of a hill, so for the exterior work, I was sidehilling, going up and down the hill, on a ladder, etc. I had some foot muscle pain due to that muscle not being used with other shoe types. However, that went away as I consistently wore the Altras. I know Altras aren’t barefoot, but they are minimalist. I believe they are an excellent shoe to transition with. Only downside is durability isn’t great. This summer, I ordered a pair of true barefoot shoes. I’ve worn them a fair amount, but not near as much as the Altras. However, they are surprisingly comfortable for almost zero cushion, and no foot support. It may seem counterintuitive to some, but as I’ve stayed consistent with the minimalist and barefoot shoes, my plantar fasciitis has been less and less of an issue. It’s going away. When I was hunting in Montana just a few weeks ago, I hunted a day in my Altras. We did 6+ miles of plains and coulees, with a 2+ mile pack out with a 70-ish lb pack on. My feet were tired, but no other issues.
So, I’m extremely happy with what this type of footwear has offered me. Stronger feet/ankles than when wearing boots, and plantar fasciitis that it going away. Also, you have less knee strain than when wearing stiff boots. I’m going to stick with it. It’s helped my feet a lot. I plan to get a pair of the Vivo Tracker ESCs. I no longer need a stiff mountain boot. I did the rest of my Montana hunting in a pair of Danner hiking boots, and they were plenty adequate. I would have done it in Vivos, but I knew my feet weren’t quite ready for that yet. However, I’ll be ready for that by next season. Hopefully this will help answer some questions for others. Thanks for reading!
