Before I ask my question, if this in the wrong section please move it. Thank you.

I was just watching a MovNat video on YouTube and seeing Erwan Le Corre do all those things. But what stood out to me is the barefoot runnning. I'm curious as to how barefoot running doesn't hurt or if it does and he bares through the pain.

So, does anyone know if barefoot running hurts? I'm curious because I'd like to try it.

Thanks again.


Edit by Andy: Clarified topic in title and moved to Fitness.

Thank you.

It hurts if your feet are soft.  Grass is the best to run on and rocks are pure evil.  Many times you simply have to push through the pain to get better or to cross a gravel path.

My current record is two miles on asphalt in like 14 minutes barefoot

Indeed. Your feet will callus just like your hands. Just run around on sidewalks for a few weeks.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you've been wearing tennis shoes and the like your entire life, the muscles in your foot (Used for stabilization and the like) are probably atrophied. Your feet will probably be sore after your first few runs, before these muscles re-strengthen. Combined with the toughening of the skin on your feet, running barefoot will probably hurt for the first 2-3 weeks, but after that (Say, if you're sprinting HIIT barefoot) it should feel alright, provided you dont step on needles.


I also highly reccommend training barefoot occasionally, especially for beginners. Training barefoot will really drive in the importance of proper landings, as well as encourage the proper technique (Landing wrong barefoot hurts like a mother#@!#$).

Sure, but VFFs are expensive. I'd recommend getting yourself a pair or two of Feiyues. 15 bucks a pair, I loved mine, cant really go wrong. Train in those for a while, your muscles will start to develop. After a few weeks of that, go barefoot. Or just go barefoot in doses now.

Amazon is your best bet. I've never seen them in stores

Remember to TAKE IT SLOW when you start out with barefoot/or very low padding shoes/VFF/feiyues/etc.

Your body is not used to running with very little padding as stated about so you need to go slow because you can injure yourself ifyou do too much too fast. You wouldn't do 1000 kongs your first training sessions so why would you do 1000 repetitions running?

for reference 1000 strides jogging is probably about 1/2 -3/4 of a mile which is waaaaaaay too much when starting. Start with <400m and build up SLOWLY.

I highly suggest you do some barefoot training. I'm just getting into it now and it's awesome. I'm used to training in Feiyues so the impacts don't bother me (and if you're used to impacts in thick cushioning, be prepared for some shock; there is a big difference between heavily padded shoes and barefoot), but I never realized just how much your toes actually contribute when you do athletic things barefoot. It is unbelievable just how much regular shoes atrophy your feet. Switching to Feiyues from Asics started to show me that, and barefoot training left me with no doubt. If I could, I don't think I would ever wear shoes again, but for now, my Feiyues will have to suffice. I don't know how anyone has ever denied that shoes are bad for your feet.

Start to train barefoot by walking barefoot. Softer surfaces like sand and grass are most forgiving. If your feet feel happy, try jogging. If it doesn't feel good, slow down. Asphalt and concrete are pretty easy. They're smooth. If they're clean and cool, walking on them shouldn't be a problem. Jogging on them - if you're landing ball of foot first, there's MUCH less shock than if you land heel first. Try to run as soft and quiet as you can.

Heel to toe = not natural.

Take what society has taught you about shoes and throw it out the window.  We're not born with 'em and we don't need 'em.