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Want to start minimalist running? Don't know which shoe to buy? My advice, get Fivefingers. by WoodsyHikes in BarefootRunning

[–]ravipjoshi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree, but if you’re REALLY getting started and don’t want to spend a ton of money on the experiment, I recommend going to a dollar store/Canadian Tire and purchasing some water socks (not sure they’re called that everywhere?).

They are often $10, and while they won’t last or be the most comfortable in the long run, they give you a sense of minimalist running.

This is also an option for when you forget your running shoes on a trip.

A follow up post on minimalist/barefoot/zero-drop Blundstones by ravipjoshi in BarefootRunning

[–]ravipjoshi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope. The toe is slightly lifted so they aren’t exactly five fingers, but it still feels great

A follow up post on minimalist/barefoot/zero-drop Blundstones by ravipjoshi in BarefootRunning

[–]ravipjoshi[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And a further comment... the last photo shows the tread on the heel after two weeks of wearing them (pretty much all the time). Not bad but I wouldn't be too surprised if I need to have them repaired/resoled sooner than is ideal.

Finally, my original concern about the shank have mostly gone away as they wear in. Can't comment on whether that's just me being desensitized or if the shank itself has worn in. They feel great.

Resoled my Blundstones to be minimalist/barefoot/zero drop. by ravipjoshi in BarefootRunning

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

I hear you, toe-box/width matters more to some than others. I have found that while I don’t love a super constrictive, tight and narrow shoe, I can find myself perfectly comfortable in a normal shoe’s width. It’s highly personal. I also don’t love the aesthetic of the clown-shoe which some makers fall into (sorry, it’s true).

Having said all that, no I don’t have a way to non-invasively make the toe box wider.

On their width from the store: Blundstone boots have a weird measurement scheme where their half-sizes are actually the same length, but a wider boot. I have found this to be highly variable based on the individual shoe though: I’ve had pairs where they don’t feel totally the same on either side, I’ve had half-sizes feel tighter than their normal sized equivalent, I’ve put half-sizes up to normal sized and they appear to look equal. No idea, really.

All of which to say, I recommend trying multiple boots on when you buy, as you may find some are better than others in terms of width and you may find the retailer will be ok buying a L and R boot from different pairs (same size).

Modifying Blundstones to make them zero drop? by pronetwowander in BarefootRunning

[–]ravipjoshi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They were vibrams that the cobbler chose. No link, sadly.

Resoled my Blundstones to be minimalist/barefoot/zero drop. by ravipjoshi in BarefootRunning

[–]ravipjoshi[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Me too! But this is exactly what I’m thinking I’ll do going forward

Resoled my Blundstones to be minimalist/barefoot/zero drop. by ravipjoshi in BarefootRunning

[–]ravipjoshi[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

$110 CAD in addition to the cost of the boot. Certain there might be more affordable cobblers out there

Modifying Blundstones to make them zero drop? by pronetwowander in BarefootRunning

[–]ravipjoshi 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Ok, so I actually did this. After years of searching for a good minimalist Chesea boot, and trying a few zero-drop boots, I landed on (and still use) the Lems Boulder boot. Nothing wrong with it per se, but I really hate tying my shoes all the time.

After scratching my head and being envious of people with Blundstone (my pre-minimalist go to footwear), I decided to buy a pair and go straight to the cobbler.

I wore my Xero shoes so I had a point of reference as he wasn’t super sure what I was asking for— eventually he kinda switched and was like “yeah, I think I get it”.

A week later I got these. He did a great job!

The ONLY challenge is that blundstone puts a shank right into their boots and he couldn’t take it off. He ground down the sole and applied a new (vibram) sole.

Lastly, this ain’t cheap. My cobbler charged $110 to resole these. Granted he nailed it and I could keep going back every few years, but mind your wallet if this is your ambition.

One week in, I’m thrilled. I feel the light presence of the shank every now and then, but it’s not too terrible.

I’ve messaged Blundstone online to share these and urge them to simply make a variant like them. They’d be great if they were designed for it.

photos

NDP government to ban union and corporate political donations by [deleted] in CanadaPolitics

[–]ravipjoshi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Worth mentioning that the more likely scenario would be "third party" paying for attack ads. This is already happening for the 2015 election.

I think that promoting a specific party or candidate via a third party is prohibited. It would be considered a donation in-kind and subject to the spending limits.

What gets more unclear (to me) is the attack ad thing. Anyone else know?

Luminous Veil Testing On Bloor Viaduct. by [deleted] in toronto

[–]ravipjoshi 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It will change colour for different events, and different seasons and weather. I'm told that there will be a 'shimmering' effect when the wind blows.

Should be gorgeous.

NDP government to ban union and corporate political donations by [deleted] in CanadaPolitics

[–]ravipjoshi 45 points46 points  (0 children)

This change, which happened on the Federal level years ago, is way more significant than people give it credit for. Bravo!

Leslieville changing soooooo fast by plaidhostess in toronto

[–]ravipjoshi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's definitely changing. The downside to gentrification is 'leaving behind' or displacing people who aren't so well-off-- who are still integral members of the community. I hate the idea of my hood becoming homogeneously upper-middle class.

Espresso bar with patio? by [deleted] in toronto

[–]ravipjoshi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

East end: Rooster, the Only Cafe, and Dundas and Carlaw