Forums >Gears and Wears>XC Flats and Barefoot Running Question
Half Fanatic #846
I wear XC flats for any trail running that I do (and a recent 25K trail race) - you can definitely feel the ground in them compared to normal shoes. IMHO, nothing functions the same as actually being barefoot - minimalist shoes like XC, Vibram FF, even water shoes, etc. provide varying degrees of the barefoot effect, some much better than others such as VFF.
I really can't speak to what's better for you - I had some specific goals when I started. I decided to go barefoot even more because (1) my chronic running injuries went away a few months afterward, (2) it strengthens my feet and legs, and (3) it's very enjoyable. So that's what works for me. I still run in shoes sometimes.
Good luck and check out the Barefoot Runners forum too...
"I don't always roll a joint, but when I do, it's usually my ankle" - unk. "Frankly autocorrect, I'm getting a bit tired of your shirt". I ran half my last race on my left foot!
True XC spikeless flats have very little to them as far as cushioning. I run in the Nike XC Streak and the Saucony Kilkenny and think highly of both. I also run in VFF's.
Not sure what to advise you as each person is different. I don know Eastbay carries the Kilkenny and usually at less than $20. That's a low price to pay to experiment. VFFs will cost you over $60 a pair. If you buy the Kilkenny size up at least one full size as they tend to run small.
Can't speak too much of barefooting as I have only limited experience.
"He conquers who endures" - Persius "Every workout should have a purpose. Every purpose should link back to achieving a training objective." - Spaniel
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Not sure what to advise you as each person is different. I do know Eastbay carries the Kilkenny and usually at less than $20. That's a low price to pay to experiment. VFFs will cost you over $60 a pair. If you buy the Kilkenny size up at least one full size as they tend to run small.
The last couple of recent Eastbay catalogs I've received didn't have flats - just spikes, but they're probably available online. I had to size up 1 size too.
One of the apparent advantages of VFFs is that a couple of people I know of that run high mileage in them have gotten well over 1,000 miles on just one pair.
I do all my running now either barefoot or in more minimalist shoes, so what I look for is little to no cushioning, support, or stability in all my shoes, even for work. This works well for me - YMMV.