Shoe Doctor

Shoe Doctor

 

Using minimal shoes is not without its hazards. When running without socks or very thin socks you suddenly become painfully aware of what is on the inside of the shoe. Many shoes have ridges formed by stitching lines which spoils the shoe comfort. Why not wear thicker socks? I hear you say, well then it doesn’t feel as good, and the shoes are too tight in places or they pull on your toenails with the stitching, just like the seams in the shoes! Of course, you don’t find these things out until you have done some longish runs in them. As my transition to ever more minimal shoes progresses I have been running for longer and further in my Salohs. I never felt a thing while running but when I stopped I noticed an abrasion on my toe – not a blister, it was skin that had been completely worn off by the seam on the inner of the shoe. These shoes feel great to wear are by far the most comfortable I have ever worn and fit perfectly. I have got the fit so it is very roomy on the toe box and snug around the rest of the foot where I want it. Of course now, the upper of the shoe being so pliable, it is wobbling about up front over my toes and the seam was catching. In the image above see the unmodified Salohs on the left (insole non-standard due to dog chewing incident! Notice how the modified shoes spread more and thus are more foot-shaped than the ones on the left!

 

This Seams to Work!

What did I do about it? Some months ago I saw someone on Posetech had modified their shoes for ultimate comfort and I investigated what could be done with my Salohs through experimentation. I have two pairs so if I wrecked one pair that wasn’t going to be a catastrophe. I took a craft knife to the fake leather bits on the shoes and removed them carefully easing out the stitching and trying my best not to slice through the shoe upper. I’m getting closer to huaraches by the day! I have considered removing the bit of upper covering the toes which would necessitate wearing them with no socks of course! As you can see in the photo the fake leatherette material created a stiff ridge made worse by the stitches. With this removed the feet are free to spread as they need to and there is only soft cloth like material on them thus no chafing!

What Are They Like to Run in?

No more chafing at all, anywhere, very comfortable and you can hardly feel them on your feet. Of course, the description is how they feel for me to wear! I’ve run a fair distance in them and probably will run a marathon in them at some point. That doesn’t mean to say they will suit everyone. Salohs are increasingly difficult to get hold of but why not try customizing your pair if you have them? You could of course investigate customixing some shoes you already have, send me yours and I’ll post them on here!

 

 

Let’s Get Minimal

 

I’ve used that heading before, I’m sure. Ah well, here is another link pointed out to me by a keen runner and coach. I think it’s really good that the minimal shoe thinking is going more and more mainstream and it looks like the big players in the industry are starting to take note at long last!

 

An excerpt from the link..

“The entry of the bigger brands into the barefoot/natural running category is a sign that it’s not just a flash-in-the-pan trend.

“I think the best thing about it is that, because some of the bigger brands like Saucony and New Balance have shoes in this segment, shops understand it now. The same ones that two years ago were saying we were crazy are now accepting us,” says Ecco’s David Halter. “This is not a fad; it’s here to stay.””

The minimal shoe movement does seem to be becoming more mainstream and the large companies look poised to make even more money out of the minimal shoe proponents! Just think, it must be a Godsend to the shoes companies – people want much less shoe and are willing to pay the earth for it! Let’s show them by voting with our wallets. Go for the ones that are very reasonably priced and the market will respond!

 

I am getting increasingly interested in minimal shoes! Do send in your experiences and customisations!