My life with five fingers
Quick bio: I'm completely flat footed, have had ankle pain for years, 2 knee surgeries on my right knee, this year my left knee probably has a meniscus tear but it doesn't affect me yet, and I'm only 35.
Last summer I vacationed in Key West with my wife and happened to walk into a shoe store on Duval St. and saw them. I read about them a few years ago and was interested then but never pursued it. Anyway, I pulled the trigger to my wife rolling her eyes, and thought I made a huge mistake for about a week or so. My feet hurt, my legs were tired, etc... I wore them for the rest of the summer and no problems but I didn't love them.
This summer I wore them religiously. They are most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. Nothing hurts anymore. I've gone from asics, to Newtons, to now Nike Free for my running and everything still feels fine. I had my A and only race on Sunday, and my muscles were sore, but no joint problems and thanks to EN plans and some help from basically no shoe "strength", I PR'd. The only problem I find now is that I cannot wear "normal" shoes without discomfort after a few hours! If they made them for snow, mud, and formal occasions, I'd never buy another pair of "normal" shoes again.
I don't run them though... I don't believe we were meant to run on pavement and concrete so I do still use running shoes, albeit, minimalist ones. Why not trails? Well, it still hurts when you step on a stone, and there isn't much grassland around to get a good long run in! Anyway, I love them, my friends and students make fun of me all the time, but they are envious! Just wanted to share this with you because my legs have been turning into glass lately and I have found a way to make them stronger without any hocus pocus of supplements and not depending on ibuprofen.
So, if you ever wondered, they would be a wise purchase to really happy feet!!!
Dan
Comments
Very interesting. Thanks for that report.
May I ask, do you have bunions with your flat feet?
No, just blisters all the time if I change footwear, or even with old footwear. My arches are pretty much leather along with my pinky toes for some reason!