I can't say those barefoot shoes are any better as I never have and never will wear them (I think they look goofy) but keds are miserable to wear for me. No arch support, no cushion...I like the look of my Chucks (Converse All-Stars high tops) but I have to put in supplementary arch support and cushion just to keep my feet from shooting me in the ass with a gun in protest.

If I were to actually plan on running, I'd go with some custom fitted Asix or New Balance from the Fleet Feet running shoe store. They take care of feet good there.

pretentious, I say.

Harrumph.

but I'm just a huge Mel Brooks fan. Turned my son on to his films over the years, and now he quotes dialog better than I do.

And now at times she'll chime in at the end of a spoken series with "...but NOT the Irish!"

And I go

At least he built the pirate ships and star wars stuff so its not on the floor.

Someone was telling me that shoes with strong supports were bad for your feet, and everyone should wear the barefoot things. I told her that my feet pronated awfully, and I got shin splints if I wore shoes without motion control. Basically, she told me I was a brainwashed automaton who needed to do more research.

I bought a pair a week later at REI's garage sale, because they were practically free. Even walking around the apartment in them hurt. I wore them a few times on walks (I like to think I'm running, but I'm not, mostly). Concrete, dirt, leaves--it didn't matter, they gave me shin splints and a pain in my instep, and after about two weeks my hip started hurting.

So I went back to my Brooks Beasts and all the pains went away.

I suspect there are people who they would work well for. But they aren't for everyone.

If you haven't I would recommend that you do so. You might find out you need professionally fitted orthotics (arch supports). I have excessive bilaterial pronation, and I've been wearing them for 30+ years. They're expensive, but a custom made set will last at least 10 years so you get good value for your money.

Except that I wear shoes out faster than most.

Doctors and me--we have a long history of not being good for each other.

I used to run when I was younger. I had to stop due to pain in my right knee that doctors could not do anything about, one specialist in sports medicine said that an expensive operation, that would not be covered by insurance, MIGHT help.

I switched to bicycle and other stuff.

Nothing wrong with that but I did miss running.

I read that book, bought some Luna Sandals and gave it a try. It would be very difficult to explain how much fun I had running again. I first tried it on a trail around a nearby lake. I saw little kids, 3 and 4 years old running with that abandon kids have and that is how I felt.

That first time I over did it and hurt my ankle. You have to take it slow to readjust your gait and let the muscles adapt.

Letting that heal, taking it slower, Not a problem at all with my knee anymore.

Certainly I can't say this is the answer for everyone, I did not verify all the references given in the book. I can say the story was compelling and it works very well for me and many other people I have met personally.

I also hike a lot but I still use boots for that.

And it is best to run on dirt trails not grass, grass hides things. You're feet toughen up. Of course keep away from 'party areas' or any place you know people toss bottles. Otherwise Yes you'll get a bruise or a scrapes on occasion but these kinds of injuries heal much more effectively and quickly than the to common modern running problems with shins and knees and backs. And very often they are not even enough to keep you from running unlike the modern running injuries.

Just my 2 cents.

except I read about chi running and watched chi running youtubes to get the form down.
The last time I ran was in 1992, 20 years ago. (etched in my memory because it was my discharge date from the army). I have a bunion the size of texas on one foot, my doctor told me I needed surgery on it about 8 years ago but I decided to tough it out without surgery.

I picked it up again this year, using chi running form as best I could and the couch to 5k program, and have been running a half hour solid now 3 times a week. I'm running in nike frees, a model they don't make anymore, but the top is all solid stretchy material, no laces, so no pressure points on the bunion. The bottoms let me feel the ground but protect me from pebbles. I'm running in fields, not on pavement or dirt trails.

I look forward to it, which is crazy.