Xero Shoes Barefoot Sandal Reviews

Trust me, we know … been working on it non-stop since 7.5 million people found out about us last night.

What you can do instead is simple: tap your foot (side or toes) on the ground every now and then. As a guy who started teaching electronics and electromagnetic physics when I was 14 (I was a ham radio operator and got pretty well versed in electrical technology), I can tell you that’ll do the trick.

Or you could put a rivet or grommet in our shoe if you like.

Get the ones for feet “Up to 9.5 inches” — our size E.

You may want to trim them a tiny bit when you get them… or not. Wait and see.

Hi Joe,

People don’t “say” they’re for long distance running. They RUN long distances without a problem.

Our customer service manager, Bill, for example, runs 90-120 miles/week without a hitch.

You shouldn’t feel the knot, since it’s in between your toes, flattens out, and is covered in rubber.

In fact, some people who are new to barefoot running get a pain on the ball of their foot (from a form problem) and *think* it’s the knot, even though the knot doesn’t touch that part of their foot.

If you tie the knot in a way that’s too big, that could be noticeable, but not problematic.

OR, if you overstride (you land with your foot in front of your knee), it’s *possible* that your sliding on the sole and landing on the knot… if that’s the case, there’s a “fix” and a “solution.”

The “fix” is to either make a smaller knot or use a tying style that doesn’t have a knot — see http://www.xeroshoes.com/tying about those (the smaller knot idea is on any of the pages showing a tying style WITH a knot).

The “solution” is to use the feedback you’re getting to adjust your form and learn to not overstride (assuming this is what’s going on… hard to tell from a 4-sentence email).

Experiment slowly with short distances.

There’s no reason why you can’t have the same experience as our thousands of distance runner customers who don’t notice the knot at all.

Finally, if you want to discuss this, give us a call… that’s why we’re here — 303.447.3100.

FWIW, many doctors recommend going barefoot (or in something like Xero Shoes) as a TREATMENT to eliminate plantar fasciitis (see http://sock-doc.com/2011/03/205/ for example).

Why the difference between their recommendations and your experience?

Basically, form.

If, when you walk, you land with your foot “under” your body — which will be a midfoot or flat-footed landing, or lightly roll over the heel — you actually engage the PF in a strong position. This is especially true if, as you land in that way, you’re big toe is pulled up toward your knee (not forcing it, just lifting it). And this is usually a natural movement if you’re barefoot or in Xero Shoes.

When you engage the PF in this way, it often eliminates the pain, and gives time for any actual damage to the tissue to heal while you’re strengthening the PF, adjusting to moving in a better way, and walking.

OH, one other thing: SOMETIMES, PF symptoms come from having tight calves. And some people, when they switch to something minimalist, over-use their calves at first.

The solution? Two: First massage and stretch your calves. Second, as you walk/run, wonder, “How can I use LESS effort when I do this?” and see what you discover.

The essence of what you’ll do differently is: You won’t push off with your toes (which uses your calves) but, instead, LIFT your foot off the ground (which uses your hip more actively). Second, if you’re running and using a forefoot landing, you won’t try to stay on your toes… or you may try a more midfoot or flat-footed landing.

I hope that helps both you, Froghair, and anyone else.