The Xero Blog

I've posted a few times about running barefoot in the cold (or in Xero Shoes)... check out this link, for example. But, inspired by a video I just received from Andreas Cederström in Sweden, I thought you would enjoy this: (Pardon the lag between video and audio... weird Google Hangout effect) You can find Andreas' video on the Xero Shoes Facebook Page So, yes, you can handle the cold if you: Warm up indoors first Adjust your running pattern -- rather than a 5 mile run, do some 1/2 mile loops (getting warm inside between each 1/2 mile and, as you get more acclimated, make slightly bigger loops) Be smart! There are no bonus points for running barefoot on the snow to the point of getting frostbite. Add some toe socks or thick wool socks and a layer of protection, like Xero Shoes. BE REALLY SMART! If you get too cold. STOP! Give yourself time to acclimate -- you'll definitely get better and better at handling the cold over time. SERIOUSLY, BE SMART!!!! (get the hint?) 32-degrees (Fahrenheit) is rarely a problem for me... but ZERO... that's a whole other story. "Dry" powdery snow is way easier to tolerate than wet snow. In other words, adjust to reality ;-) The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, Winter is upon us. And people email me every day asking what to do if they want to be barefoot or minimalist in the cold weather. While I've written about running barefoot in the cold before, this is a whole new thing ;-)First let me say: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. In other words, don't go out and try to imitate me.I've been barefoot running for over 2 and a half years, and haven't worn a pair of real shoes for more than a total of 3 days in that time.Last winter, I thought, "I'll keep my barefoot shoes on until it seems too cold." And the next thing I knew, it was Spring!So, clearly I've acclimated. And that's not too surprising. Humans (and our hominid cousins) lived in cold climates without shoes for a LOOOONG time. So, we're kinda wired for it, if we give ourselves time to adapt.Here's the video I just shot, after we got 18"+ of snow in Boulder. It's about 15 degrees out.What I did is this: Outside for about 10 minutes Inside to dry off my feet and warm them for 5 Outside for another 10 Inside to dry and warm for about 3 Outside for 30+ minutes... by this time my body temp had gone way up. I was sweating quite a bit. And my feet felt totally warm. Not numb. Warm. When I got inside after finishing the shoveling, they didn't have to thaw or warm up or anything. Lena wants me point out that you should check the Wiki about frostbite so you don't do something stupid and get hurt ;-)The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.