All the hate for minimal shoes

I have never seen an elite runner make fun of someone running in flats. Vubrams on the other hand...

Oh, so that's why the elites don't wear Vibrams.

I've never hated anyone for wearing flats. I've hated people for wearing Vibrams though. Yes.. HATE.

I don't recall anyone making fun of someone for wearing flats.

Elites have pretty much always worn racing flat or "performance" type shoes, at least for speed work if not all their runs.

The "hate" is for Vibrams 5 Finger wearers. Fact: Vibrams came out in 2006 as a "water shoe". Fact: Born to Run came out 3 years LATER in 2009. The original Vibrams were NOT designed for running (too much neoprene, too stretchy). I noticed the newer Vibrams have laces and less neoprene now. It wouldn't surprise me if they came out with a model with a thicker insole for more cushioning and firm heel counter.

Also fact: you can't do high volume sprint/speed work (ie: 20x200 in sub 30 sec) with "barefoot" technique since "natural running" (shorter stride, gentler foot strike, lower knee lift, etc) does not equal sprinting/mid distance running. Some guy using "natural running" is definitely not going to run faster for a distance of one mile or less compared to using "classic" mid distance form.

I'll admit "natural running" is safer, but so is "wogging," so is plain walking compared to "quality" running.

Finally the Vibrams are waaay overpriced now. For half the price you can get a brand name "spikeless" spike/cross country flat which is actually designed for running.

BTW I actually own a pair Vibrams Five Fingers so I'm not just talking out of my @$$. I can shuffle along for miles if I use the "natural running" technique. But if I'm doing a high volume of short intervals (on a hard track) with proper sprint form, I'm asking for a metatarsal stress fracture.

Well, I think there's more than just hate for Vibrams... there seems to be hate for "minimal" in general. Face it though, flats are about as minimal as they get. Are people just opposed to Vibrams and the associated "minimal" term?

I use flats for all my runs, heck I even run in cheap sneakers on some runs..but I can't stand these obsessive "Born-to-Run"-freaks that thinks that barefoot-running and FF will make them miraculosy faster and more healthy. Just relax will you, please?

The "hate" is that with every new fad, there's a pack of jackasses prophesying about how wonderful it is, and telling everyone else they need to do it. It's not minimalism's fault, it's humanity's fault.

Raptured wrote:

Well, I think there's more than just hate for Vibrams... there seems to be hate for "minimal" in general. Face it though, flats are about as minimal as they get. Are people just opposed to Vibrams and the associated "minimal" term?

No. You are mistaken. People only dislike FF. Flats are ok. I don't know what you've been reading/hearing.

I saw a guy biking in five finger shoes, it was very funny.

classof89 wrote:

Also fact: you can't do high volume sprint/speed work (ie: 20x200 in sub 30 sec) with "barefoot" technique since "natural running" (shorter stride, gentler foot strike, lower knee lift, etc) does not equal sprinting/mid distance running.

Probably this. For a week I considered buying Vibrams. The big issue was trying to find the right time to use them. On recovery days I wanted to get the mileage in using my typical form and not fussing with 9 minute paced runs to get used to running in a barefoot style.

I know I'm getting off topic here, but if you are concerned about form, find a coach to help you correct your issues. You don't need shoes to fix your form and make you a more efficient runner.