If the Shoe Fits... Don't Wear It

I’ve recently been spending more time learning about the complexities of the foot and trying to figure out how to train in a way that allows it to function how it was designed to function. Little thought is put into how our feet are working, which is unfortunate considering how important they are for our health. Feet are our connection to the ground. They allow us to stand upright. They can absorb and redistribute force back into the ground, allowing us to walk, land, run, jump and cut. A foot injury can lead to many different problems up the kinetic chain in the legs and even back.

All this research into the foot has made me reconsider the importance and purpose of shoes. It would seem to reason that shoes are incredibly important in protecting our feet from rough terrain, but looking at the design of most shoes, they may be more of a hindrance than a helpful tool. I bring all of this up because I recently listened to a Freakonomics podcast episode about shoes in which they talk extensively about possible harmful effects of wearing the wrong types of shoes or wearing shoes too often. Its definitely worth a listen so go check it out here.

And in the meantime, try going barefoot a little more often, your feet and body will thank you later.