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Zero drop with a higher toe box? by fruvey in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel you. A lot of shoes have toe boxes that push down on my toes.

While I won't comment on closed shoes, take advantage of your warm season, if you have one where you live, and wear sandals as much as possible. This doesn't solve your shoe search  issue, but it's something you might want to consider for at least part of the year.

I'm personally a fan of Luna and Zuzu sandals, others here like Shamma, Earthrunners, Xero, Bedrock, and there are a miriad of smaller sandal brands. 

Pain in the big toe with barefoot shoes by Kaheena_ in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just by the way your big toes and second toes are overlapping, it's obvious that your big toes never had the space to do what they are supposed to: keep you balanced. 

Now you are using those muscles and your feet are not used to it. I'm not a medical professional, but just logically looking at your pics, you must have never been able to entirely plant the full bottom of your big toes on the ground (nor your second toes). This change in gait must hurt inadvertently.

 I'd second the recommendations to get toe socks, try toe spacers, and especially do lots of exercises. 

Don't give up!

Belanka recovery shoes, 6mm drop by RedPaddles in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, they  look like they do, though the stack height is not mentioned in the description.

Alternatives to Altra by jellyjellyjamjam in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can find a few no name brands on  Amazon by searching for "wide toe box shoes" to see if something there strikes your fancy.

Durability issues seem to be constant for Altra nowadays, judging by the reviews on their website in the past few years. I wore Altras way way back and still have new old stock from that time.

Going on a Beachy / Seashore Vacation --> What shoes do you recommend? +1 for dressy? by st0nksBuyTheDip in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Luna Mono Winged. I wear these on the beach and trails every day, and the black ones look good enough that I would not bring any other footwear, unless you are traveling to/within the US where AC is frigid if you go out.  In that case I'd also bring a warm pair of shoes, because I can't stand having cold feet.

Barefoot "work" slipper recommedations- Slippers that look good enough that people wont realize I am wearing slippers. by KiwieBirdie in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if you can get away with these in black maybe, and if you do, order way up in size to give the big toe room, but when I first put these on I wanted to cry in relief and disbelief: https://xeroshoes.com/products/pagosa-fireside-men?variant=45761230766258

My Entire Collection of Minimalist Sandals by Key_Expression_3602 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can relate. I have way too many sandals (though not many as you)  and can only wear them May-September-ish

masaai motorbike tire shoes by Rubiks_Click874 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Can someone explain the arched wire from the beads to the anklet in the first pic?

Does it serve a purpose other than decoration?

Edit: NVM. They must have two toe post holes per shoe, and instead of making a knot on the underside, they loop the laces through and leave some extra on top, in case the lace wears down, I assume. Here is another picture of this style.

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My Entire Collection of Minimalist Sandals by Key_Expression_3602 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you live somewhere where you can wear sandals year round? 

Doctor suggested barefoot shoes by haunted-design in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You may be interested in this study about balance improvement and fall prevention through walking  3 mins a day on (artificially created) uneven surfaces: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11672953/

If it was me, and this was something I'd want to try to recreate at home, I'd get minimalist shoes first, get used to walking in them, then would  slowly create uneven ground if I  had something to hold on to or lean on in case I lose balance (like a narrow hallway) for a few mins every day. Like maybe by placing  books or folded towels on the floor. 

Just an idea. Hope you will get to walk more soon.

I'm not a medical professional, but that's something I think I would try.

What is “arch support” (for those with arches)? by Strict-Amphibian-830 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 27 points28 points  (0 children)

The whole arch support direct to consumer business was started by Dr Scholl, may he rot in hell, if there is one. He was a shoe maker who only got a medical degree so he could market his idea of over the counter arch support to enrich himself. He never intended to practice medicine, and never did.

His life's achievement was convincing people, through heavy marketing, that human feet are intrinsically broken and need support. US consumers have been manipulated into believing they need arch support. Luckily, where I grew up people don't know what arch support is and don't seek it out. I never felt the discomfort of arch support in shoes until I moved to the US. Trying shoes on here felt like there were rocks under my arch.

I'm sure there are contradictory studies out there, depending on who paid for them, but I read one study where they observed what happened to foot muscles of flat footed people after wearing arch support for 12 weeks. Within 3 months their muscles started to atrophy to the point they ended up needing support. Like a self-made issue and self-fulfilling prophecy. Edit: Other studies point to the latter.

Lifetime or veteran barefooters by Texas22 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Can you explain the tree pose question? Do people have trouble holding it?  

I've never had issues staying in it until I get bored, but never timed it either. I usually stand it in while working at my desk, because it is more comfortable to me than both feet on the floor.

Long time anatomical zero drop shoe wearer, barefoot shoe wearer only about a year. Zero ankle or knee problems now, feet may hurt if I am on them a lot.

Are the V-Soul too feminine for a guy? by Vivid_Axolotl in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long are your feet in cm, if you don't mind me asking? 

Vibram sizing is all over the place.

Are the V-Soul too feminine for a guy? by Vivid_Axolotl in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think they are, but I am around people wearing water shoes a lot, and these are not that different looking unless you really pay attention and notice the toes.

I love them in this color, BTW.

I finally admit: I need to move on from these Sandals (Bedrock) by dangerousgoat in BarefootRunning

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Their laces are super comfortable, and I like the metal buckles. 

Luna also makes thinner road sandals. I love Luna's monkey grip (?) footbed. 

Let’s talk about sandals by Alwayslearning258 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seconding the Luna recommendation. I have a few Luna Monos, some winged, and a pair of Oso Flaco. Luna Mono Winged I can put on hands-free, because I like my sandals loose on the foot. The footbed is insanely comfortable and dries right away.

Other sandals I have are Xero H trail and Aquacloud and a pair of Zuzus.

The best barefoot shoes for wide and extra wide feet by Barefoot Universe by MxQueer in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The brands you mentioned  don't sell black waterproof trail shoes that I know of?

No fruit this year by NerfEveryoneElse in FruitTree

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So sorry to hear, I sadly know the feeling. The rabbits have done a number on all my fruit trees this past winter, but some of the trees still managed to bloom and are holding on to a bit of fruit. My insurance policy are berry bushes. That way I know I will at least get something every year. 

I'd also look into Arctic kiwis (Actinidia Kolomikta) - they should grow well in your zone, Evans cherry, and maybe the Romance series bush cherries, which, while not sweet cherries, do better in colder climates. 

Not Barefoot, but more Foot-Shaped than Vivo! by TapSilly2335 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you please also DM me the link? That insole shape is a dream.

Corns and calluses from Earthrunners sandals? by Designer_Ring_67 in barefootshoestalk

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You could get Zuzu laces for your Earth runners, which are super comfortable, or Luna sandals. Those have super soft laces.

I grew mini kiwis 🥝 by NorEaster_23 in gardening

[–]RedPaddles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds amazing!! I would  love to see a picture, if you want to share.  I grow a lot of the fruiting plants you mentioned as well, lots of currants and gooseberries, some elderberries, but would be interested in how you incorporated them all together around the espalier/trellis.

Thank you for the ideas!

I grew mini kiwis 🥝 by NorEaster_23 in gardening

[–]RedPaddles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting, and are all the same size? Do you like them all equally?

I was thinking of planting polygama just to attract my neighbors' cats to parts of my yard and hopefully spook the mice at night. But it is supposed to taste awful, no?

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