:D Barefoot Running

[Terry the Tortoise]

I find it quite refreshing that a representative from a shoe manufacturer is prepared to get involved in discussions and be so helpful. Yes, I know it's marketing, but it's also good customer service.
The fact that the company is British and seems to be going out on a limb to embrace topical and (as viewed by many) controversial ideas is a bonus.

I couldn't agree more. The more a company communitcates with the customer, the better the service or product provided will be.

[Terry the Tortoise]

Interesting website of a man running through America barefoot:

RunTellmanRun

[Clash City Rocker]

Have a listen to this before you head out the door foot naked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gh5j8oUoyE

[sjedwardz]

I couldn't agree more. The more a company communitcates with the customer, the better the service or product provided will be.

I agree. I like the fact that II posts one here and he is pretty much inpartial, its not like we don't know who is and he's trying some kind of stealth marketing.

It's actually made me go back to Inov8 and give them a 2nd go after some bad experiences. I now have some F-lites and am thinking of getting some 285's. He also send me a VERY nice freebie so I'm not going to knock him!

Shame some of the other manufacturers are not present on this or any other board, but I don't think they share the same level of focus as the smaller brands.

[Twister]

Agreed.
It may be a bit techy, but the whole idea with running minimalist is to get as close to bare feet as possible and still be able to run in terrain that would be inaccessible unshod, ie rough rocky paths and fell.

To be able to achieve this could be done in a low tech manner, by simply wrapping animal skin around the foot as our ancestors may have done. Or by buying a product such as VFF, which to be fair aren't the greatest things in the wet, but have probably gone through loads of R&D nonetheless.

I think it's great that inov 8 have got a presence on here and there is no reason why Walsh or anyone else could not come on here to advise us of their products

[nikalas]

Hear, hear! Good work to Insider and I'd love for reps of some of the other larger brands to get on on here and put their balls on the block.

I love the techy stuff but whenever stuff seems to be simple it often gets the most complicated.... have you ever seen a fixed gear thread on a cycling forum

Trying to give a natural feel/response but still afford protection and grip is a big ask but I think Inov-8 are heading in the right direction.

[Hanneke]

I find it quite refreshing that a representative from a shoe manufacturer is prepared to get involved in discussions and be so helpful. Yes, I know it's marketing, but it's also good customer service.
The fact that the company is British and seems to be going out on a limb to embrace topical and (as viewed by many) controversial ideas is a bonus.

I agree, and he is hardly hiding who employs him, is he?

Over on an other running website I used to frequent I was once known as 'Miss Inov8 2008'... and I don't even work for Inov8! It is just that the shoes really suit me and the running I do

[sbrt]

Cunning plan eh!

Inov8 secretly embed an employee (called Inov8 insider) in a fell running forum.
Wow thats sneeky, had me fooled

[Derby Tup]

My new 285s arrived yesterday. Much snugger fit than 305/315. I was sceptical re sticky rubber but a 20min walk in them was interesting Rand is relatively soft and I suspect is more to protect shoe from wear and tear than runners' toes

First run in my 285s today and really like them. Much 'racier' feel than 315 and very comfy Don't know if I'd want to run 4hours in them but great for an hour 'blast'

[sbrt]

Had another go at barefooting. This time the grass was dry and my feet didnt get too cold, unlike last time(imagine ice creame headache in your feet calves).
It felt good only ran a couple of hundred metres but will be doing it again