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Trailgloves? Is there an American word which desribes both shoes and gloves... But cheers for that, isn't language great 🙂
And more usefully maybe, I find barefoot shoes - I've used Fivefingers/toes and the Merrell ones - fine on even surfaces, but problematic running off-road on rocky stuff, particularly descending, due to the lack of any impact protection plate. As a result I've considered switching to these - the anti-barefoot, sort of...
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See: [url= http://www.hokaoneone.com/en/catalog.html ]http://www.hokaoneone.com/en/catalog.html[/url]
Te he, I recognise the wear in those 195s Ian. I really hope Inov bring out a wide X-Talon. That would be Blummin Brilliant.
Yup, that would be great!
They're bringing out trailrocs midsummer which are meant to be wider, but don't look like they'll be quite as gripper as talons though.
In the meanwhile I might have to get the duct tape out 🙂
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1. destoying the natural fat in forfoot, and heel, that works as cushioning.
2. no support whatsoever, if you pronate.
3. high risk of getting a achilles heel.
I don't "get" any of these problems. The fat in your feet was designed to cushion your movements, why would it be damaged by using it for the task it was designed for?
As for risks of injury etc, only if you launch into their use as you would normally with your super-cushioning, super supportive trainers as these no longer give you that helping hand. However I suspect at the end of it you're less likely to hurt yourself as you'll have built muscles and structures more capable of stabilising your feet/legs.
I get paid to run. Barefoot-chi-Pose has been a revelation over the last two years. At 38 I'm finally injury free and running faster than ever. I seriously regret not taking it up decades ago.
The key technique is to take shorter, but quicker strides - 180/min is good. This way your calves are able to work more efficiently and hurt less.
I use Innov8 Baregrip 200 shoes for fell running and XC, Newtons on the road, VVF lace-ups for interval and treadmill stuff. However, most minimalist footwear is still too narrow for a perfect fit.
Inov8 X-talons are the best off road running shoes ever, closely followed by NB 110's (£35) and Baregrips.
I'd advise an intermediate shoe first- there's loads out there. Kinvara's (4mm drop) are supposed to be awsone and can be had cheap (let down by longitivity), Nike Free 3.0's will give you about 500miles in my experience so worth the £70 (I'm on my third pair).
You don't need to spend a fortune (or look like an ape) to give it a whirl. Most people would have spent more on a sh@ pair of tyres.
Will qualify my 'cheap' pair. There are loads of cheaper fakes available and you have to be careful about where you buy vibrams from, so many fakes and some really good copies available. I bought from a known retailer so I knew I was getting the real deal, I suggest anyone else does the same.
If I was buying more pairs I'd probably go for some cheaper barefoot style ones, but I do love the cushyness around my toes!
I've a pair of vibrams, they're rubbish for cycling.
Kev