Topic: Intersting Article on Shoes

[Jason Todrick]

to be honest... not really.

some look promising, but for the most part taking a running shoe and slapping some "climbing rubber" on it does not a Parkour shoe make.

as for suggestions, i think my answer is obvious... completely biased? maybe, but obvious none the less

[ComebackKid]

hate to say this but.

i happen to be new to the forums

care to share the obvious of your biased choice? =P

or can anyone enlighten me by any chance?

[Zeus]

Lol his answer is biased cause he works for the climbing shoe company 5.10

dont worry jason is cool 

[ComebackKid]

oh so he's just trying to get my money in his wallet? =P

[Muse_of_Fire]

Hmmm... you know when I went to get running shoes to start my parkour training, I went to this store that is very precise about fitting shoes. They are passionate about running there, and they really know their stuff. Being totally clueless about running, and a parkour newbie, I figured that would be the best place to get my shoes. They analyzed my gait and took six different measurements of each foot, and asked a lot of questions about what kind of running I planned to do, my experience level, etc; before they even brought the first pair of shoes out for me to try on. I told them it was for parkour as well as running and they had never heard of it so I had to explain it to them. They were very interested but weren't sure what kinds of shoes to have me try for that.

I tried on several pairs that felt really good, but to me they felt really weird: I couldn't feel the floor. In ballet we wear soft shoes; even pointe shoes are very thin, little to no padding, because the idea is you want something soft and flat so you can properly articulate your foot and work the foot against the floor. I assumed that this would be desirable for parkour too because of all the different types of terrain and the necessity for foot articulation. But the guy told me that for running, because of my gait and my beginner level in running, I should have these big padded shoes. I compromised and got the least "padded" ones that he suggested. They feel really good to run in and I'm starting to get used to not feeling the ground as sensitively as I'm used to in ballet.

I haven't tried doing any parkour in them yet, so I can't report on that. However today I was looking through a catalogue for some new ballet shoes and it occurred to me: why not do parkour in dance sneakers? Lots of them have big padded heel cushions, but not all; some are quite flat. All, however, have very flexible soles for maximum foot articulation, and are treaded. I'm considering picking up a pair of these for parkour training.

Thoughts?

(Edited for broken link)

[ComebackKid]

What about the split sole?

wouldn't that change the movement on railings etc?

I was thinking this over and i couldn't really decide whether that be a negative or positive characteristic.

[Simba]

Well, having the split sole shouldn't change railing movement.  You should be on only the balls of your feet as much as possible, including precision jumps on rails.  Also, having a more flexible will give you more control on vertical movement .  The shoes I use are Land's End Sea-to Shore shoes.  They have great grip (though not climbing rubber), look nice, have good breathing, are flexible and have little cushioning, are easy to tie, and are nice and cheep. 

[Kurokaze]

Well, i was just thinking, and it seems as though this is an obvious fact when studying biomechanics.

So they say lots of cushion is bad, but i mean, there are TONS of different materials that companies use for cushioning, and some do use more than others.

I personally run cross country in a pair of New Balance 872's, which a bit towards their high end models (cost about $89.99), and they have been feeling great, no other shoe has ever come close. They're tight and light, and feel like and extension of my foot.

So i was wondering, maybe some comapnies do get it right with a good balance of good material and amount of that material, so i don't think that its fitting that everyone simply jumps on the band wagon of "OMFG SHOES ARE BAD FOR YOU, CUSHIONZ ARE FOR LOOZORZ".

Also, the fact is that there are few places that can be ran barefoot in. Even in our "natural" parks you run the risk of stepping on something hazardous. And things like flats and Vibrams most likely will not give adiquate protection against them.

[ComebackKid]

I wonder the same thing Kurokaze, I'd actually really like to contact the author of the article and ask him a few questions, see if he knows anything in regards of maybe some shoe companies used cusioning and materials properly. If I happen to find the time and he responds I'll be sure to post.

[Muse_of_Fire]

I think a lot of it depends on what a runner's needs are. For some with a heavy stride, shock absorption would be more critical in a shoe than other features. For me personally, I value foot articulation and connection with the ground over other things, so for me I would want a lighter, more flexible shoe.

[Jason Todrick]

oh so he's just trying to get my money in his wallet? =P

not so much...

I'm a Traceur first, five ten employee second.

As a note, I am also not in sales, so my opinions while skewed by the fact that i have used five ten climbing shoes exclusively for over 13 years, are my honest opinions, those that know me can attest to the fact that I'm not going to lie and say i love something that I don't. I have only worked for Five Ten for short time, before this i ran a successful Web Design company and left that to come here full time because I am a huge fan of the products and the company.

[ComebackKid]

Hahah, I'm aware, you seem like a good guy five.ten. Was just being sarcastic