Barefoot Running or Minimalist Running?

Running is changing, and I am glad about that! Today, you regularly see people "trying" minimalist shoes like those toe shoes known to runners as Vibram FiveFingers. Many who are getting into these shoes are calling their new modified running style "barefoot running". Is this a misnomer? Let us discuss.

Minimalist running or barefoot running, you have to learn a new kind of running stride. (It is actually as old as our ancient ancestors, but new to modern folks.) You have to learn to run with feet striking in line with your upper body, and mid-foot first. For decades, heel-strike running in padded shoes was the thing. No more!

Now, we strike with the ball of our foot and bring the remainder of the sole to the ground milliseconds later. As a result, I personally experience far less pain from running, no shin splints, and I have never turned an ankle in minimalist shoes. You can bet people who run barefoot rarely turn their ankles, too!

Similar to my experience, many minimalist and barefoot runners also report less stress on their bodies due to running.

Much like how copy machines have been called "Xerox" machines for a long time no matter the brand, minimalist running is being called barefoot running by many. Perhaps, it just simplifies things, or perhaps, it is indicative of where runners are trying to go with their running. I personally want to be a barefoot runner -- at least, part-time. I do feel it will take time to get there. (Some experts advocate starting barefoot to get the stride right, and then moving to a minimalist shoe. This tac seemed too risky to me.)

Shoe companies are adding to the murkiness, too. Obviously, they cannot sell shoes if runners go barefoot, so some high-end athletic shoe companies are involved in this market sector and using "barefoot" in their product names. I am thinking specifically of VivoBarefoot running shoes, and Merrell's Barefoot Glove line.