Is Running Barefoot Bad For You?

I’ve often wondered whether running barefoot is bad for you.  I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a pair of Vibram 5-Fingers and giving the barefoot running thing a shot, but something has always held me back. It seems I keep coming back to this question.

Is Running Barefoot Bad For You

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve toyed with this idea before.   Three years ago, I went halfway, and bought a pair of running sandals, after reading an article about a tribe of runners –  peoples that run all their lives, wearing nothing but homemade sandals.  (The story sounds kind of sad when I tell it that way.)

I wore them for a while, but eventually the novelty wore off.   Then I picked up an injury, so they were retired to the back of my closet.

Was it the sandals that caused the injury?   I don’t know, but after switching back to my trusty Asics GT-2100′s, the problem went away.

A recent publication got me started thinking about this subject again.   A study on treadmill runners suggests that although running shoes may reduce the force of impact on the foot, they also transfer more torque to the knee and hip than running barefoot.  Researchers found the dining shoes exerted more pressure on hips and knees than walking in high heels.

Now, naysayers would suggest that point out that treadmill running is MUCH different than pavement.   And they’re right.   The fact is that I usually avoid running on a treadmill, as I believe something about the mechanics is more likely to induce an injury in me.

Having said all that, the question of running surface must also be taken into consideration.  Most estimates put concrete to be the ‘hardest’ surface for runners, followed closely by asphalt.  My experience says that’s true.  Most of my running takes place over my lunch break, and location dictates I run along the side of the road.  So, end up spending most of my run time on asphalt, with some grass mixed in as well.

I don’t know if its psychological, but I always “feel” as if I’ve taken a harder pounding after running on concrete sidewalks.  That’s another surface I try to avoid when possible.  So, I can’t help but wonder how the effect of pavement might figure into the the effect of running barefoot.  Sadly, I don’t know any runners in the area that make use of the Vibram Five Fingers, (or an equivalent).

I’d love to hear the experience of other runners on this subject.  What’s the opinion?  Thumbs up or thumbs down for running barefoot?

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Running Study