The field journal
Fit, feel, and function. A considered look at footwear, with attention to the conditions and tradeoffs.
I coach a lot of runners through this switch, and the biggest mistake is treating barefoot shoes like a cosmetic change instead of a training change. If you are comparing Saguaro Shoes and Vivobarefoot, you are probably looking for the same core benefits: a wide toe box, a flat sole, flexible construction, and a […]
Do Barefoot Shoes Hurt? What to Expect in the First Weeks Yes, barefoot shoes can hurt during the first few weeks—but that discomfort tells you something important about your feet. When I switched to barefoot shoes six years ago after an IT band injury destroyed my running season, my calves screamed for the first […]
What “Drop” Actually Means (And Why It Matters) I spent eight months sidelined with IT band syndrome before I finally understood what “heel-to-toe drop” meant. It’s simple: drop is the height difference between your heel and forefoot when you’re standing in a shoe. A 10mm drop means your heel sits 10mm higher than your […]
Minimalist shoes work because they let your feet do what they’re designed to do: move naturally, feel the ground, and build strength through real function. After six years running exclusively in minimal footwear, I’ve seen the science play out in my own stride and in dozens of runners I’ve coached through the transition. The […]
Healthiest Running Shoes: What the Research Actually Says After six years of coaching runners through shoe transitions and dealing with my own IT band disaster, I can tell you this: the “healthiest” running shoe is the one that strengthens your feet while minimizing impact forces—and the research backs this up more than the shoe […]
Vivobarefoot Running Shoes Review: Worth the Price? After six years of barefoot-only running, I can tell you Vivobarefoot shoes are worth the premium price tag for most runners making the transition—but not for everyone. These shoes deliver on the barefoot promise better than most competitors, though you’ll pay 30-50% more for that quality. I […]
Why Barefoot Shoes Are Bad: The Honest Downsides I’ve run barefoot-only for six years, and I’m going to tell you something most barefoot evangelists won’t: barefoot shoes aren’t for everyone, and they come with real downsides that can derail your transition if you’re not prepared. The transition period alone sends most people running back […]
Why Barefoot Shoes Are Better for Your Feet After eight months sidelined with IT band syndrome, I ditched my “supportive” running shoes and switched to barefoot footwear—and I haven’t looked back in six years. Your feet weren’t designed to be cushioned, supported, and immobilized; they evolved to move, flex, and feel the ground beneath […]
Most Durable Barefoot Running Shoes: Tested and Ranked After six years of barefoot-only running and coaching dozens of runners through their transition, I can tell you the most durable barefoot running shoes are the Xero Prio (5,000+ miles confirmed), Merrell Vapor Glove 6 (exceptional outsole), and Vibram V-Run (literally made by the rubber company). […]
I’ve burned through 14 pairs of barefoot shoes in six years, tracking every mile on each one. Most barefoot shoes last between 300-500 miles depending on your gait, the terrain you run on, and the sole material—but I’ve had pairs die at 200 miles and others push past 700. The question isn’t just “how […]