#Webbed shoes how to#

If you're currently an ultra-marathoner and want to try barefoot shoes, you'll have a hard time holding yourself back. I happened to be getting into running, which worked out nicely because I had to take it slow (I sucked). How you approach barefoot shoes depends on what you're looking to do. You're not just learning, you're also unlearning some ingrained habits. It's going to take a conscious effort on your part, and it can be very difficult.

#Webbed shoes how to#

To a certain degree, you must relearn how to run and walk. Don't expect to toss them and be able to do the same mileage-whether walking or running-in barefoot shoes. You've probably been wearing padded shoes most of your life. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated June 2022: We've added the Xero Aqua Cloud water sandals and updated prices and links throughout. They're as close as you can get to achieving that barefoot sensation without running afoul of “No shirt, no shoes, no service” signs.īe sure to check out our other buying guides, including our Best Running Gear and Best Snow Gear roundups.

In this guide, we've got advice on making the transition from padded shoes to “barefoot shoes” (also known as minimalist or zero-drop shoes), and we've rounded up our favorites. You need to ease into all things barefoot related, and to some degree, you need to relearn how to walk and run. That won't work, and it can lead to injuries. That said, please do not buy a pair of these barely-there shoes and start walking or running the way you always have. Feet were made to stretch, flex, roll, and bend, and letting them do what they evolved to do can reduce impact injuries and provide a host of other benefits. The technology and padding of the modern shoe protect your feet, but protection isn't always what you want. You were born barefoot, and a growing body of evidence suggests you should have stayed that way.