Whether it's Vibram FiveFingers or VivoBarefoot, running barefoot...with shoes on...never looked so good. The hottest trend in fitness right now is "barefoot" althletic shoes. Running barefoot can range from a shoe that looks more like a glove on your foot than a sneaker to the look of a typical running shoe sans midsole or arch support. It seems that getting back to the way nature intended us to move...means going barefoot without, well, actually going barefoot.
The idea behind what is fueling this trend is that the sportswear industry has come out with so many althletic shoes to accomodate the issues people have from running--from joint pain to muscle pain--without much success (depending upon who you speak to.) If you have ever walked into an Adidas store or Foot Locker, you know exactly what I mean. It is downright confusing with such a huge variety of sneakers to choose from. I recently found myself asking an Adidas sales rep. "Aren't there any shoes that are simply sneakers without all of the bells and whistles? Does anyone make those anymore?" She stared at me blankly. (She obviously was much younger than myself and could not relate to the "old days" when choosing an althetlic shoe didn't require a PhD.)
Barefoot running shoes may still be in the minority, but with some companies putting the research in your hands (or feet?) this may be one trend that seems to last. What do you think? Tweet us @PiercemattiePR.
