i read a book recently that outlined a lot of aspects of barefooting and went into why some people have flat feet. i thought it was interesting the example they used.

one of the most supportive structures on earth is the arch (i.e. the coliseum, weather carved stone bridges). the arch of our feet has over 100 moving parts including tendons, muscles, ligaments and bones. given this information it is also beneficial to know the easiest way to weaken or destroy an arch structure is at the center, from the bottom up. for years shoe companies have been telling people that their arches need this support when in reality it is probably the strongest part of your foot. as your arches (or lack thereof) get stronger they will naturally form a better shape to support your weight. this can also result in a smaller shoe size.

I can confirm this.  I had fairly flat feet before I started barefooting.  I had to wear stability shoes and often had

illio-tibial band issues, yada, yada. 

After about 3 years of Bare Footin' it up, my foot is much less flat.  Actually my arches look pretty normal now. 

I have done wet tests before and after and it has shown that my arch as indeed become more, uh, "archy". 

(dont know why i got an ich to make a print of my feet before i knew about barefoot running- but I am glad I did and now I have it to compare!)

Maybe one day I will scan my wet tests to a digital format and post em up.  I used watercolors for the wet test so it would be permanent.

Hello, 43 years old and been back running since 2004. Did my first run in VFF on 12/29/10 and my last run in shoes on 3/18/10.  I'm in the New York Marathon this year and I'm slowly building up my miles.

Everything has gone good so far. Calfs are slowly getting used to this and I walk in my VFF every chance I get. Biggest problem is the bottom of my feet get a little sore towards the end of a run. Pace is slow right know but will improve.

Thats about it.

Hey,  I'm 43, I've been running off/on for years.  Have had some pretty bad back and neck problems with herniated disks in both.  I keep trying to run, so this is this years attempt at it.  I figured going barefoot would change my form up and maybe have me lighter on my feet and hopefully not bother my back or neck.  We will see....  What running I've done so far this year (not logged up to now) has been barefoot.  Run/walk on treadmill.  Started going outside run/walk couple of weeks ago.  It is so cool to be barefoot and after getting back, put on shoes and feel how heavy they seem.  Got something embedded in my foot the other day, so I broke down and got a pair of VFFs.  Some of my running has been at night, so I figured it is only a matter of time before I slice a foot open.  I've only been on the VFFs twice, but I have noticed that my "run" portions are longer than barefoot.  On the downside, I don't feel as nimble and lightfooted.  So we will see how this year goes...Starting from scratch hopefully will allow my body to progress with my feet naturally.

After years of suffering from Plantar Fasciitis (PF) for nearly 3 years, I've decided to try running barefoot and in VFF's.  I bought a pair of 5fingers and pick them up tomorrow from City Sports.  Today I ran barefoot on my treadmill for the first time.  Only a mile and only a 10:30 pace, but it was comfortable and I felt I could have gone faster & longer.   But from what I've read...baby steps.