Are you a minimal or barefoot run commuter?

We’re interested in finding out if any of you have ever run commuted barefoot.  We’re also wondering what impact the minimal shoe craze of the past few years has had on you as a runner.  Help us find out by taking a quick poll and then check out the infographic from Altra Zero Drop Footwear explaining the importance of foot strike and minimal running.

If you have run to work barefoot, send us a message, tell us about it, and we’ll feature you in a future post.

Cheers!

Running-Without-Shoes

Author: Josh

Run commuter for over a decade. Father of three boys. Husband of the world's greatest bicycle advocate. Can be found running everywhere in and around Atlanta, Georgia.

8 thoughts on “Are you a minimal or barefoot run commuter?”

  1. I am a run commuter and love it. Run 9 miles to and from work in Xero Shoes, and about half the time totally barefoot. For me, Xero Shoes are the best option out there. Bio-mechanically identical to being barefoot.
    Check them out at http://xeroshoes.com

  2. Bit late, but I run commute two days a week in minimalist shoes (either Inov8 baregrip for the trail run both ways or Soft Star Runamoc Dash lite for the pavement runs). Best way to get my runs in, frankly.

  3. I run barefoot to work occasionally. Not real often. I do run barefoot during lunch runs and other times. I run in Vibram Bikilas and New Balance Minimus also.

  4. Thanks for a fantastic site, it inspired me to try run commuting! I run barefoot 4km each way to and from work now. I’m a pretty chubby woman in my early 40s, and have been doing this (building up the frequency) for about 18 months. I’ve *always* wanted to be a runner, but shin splints and bunions and unfitness stopped me in the past. Barefoot turned out to be the key for me. I no longer have bunion pain or shin splints. Touch wood, but I haven’t had any joint or muscle injuries so far..

    On Monday mornings I walk in, pushing a pram converted into a cargo carrier (BOB stroller cargo conversion kit) filled with a week’s worth of work clothes, brekkies, towels, etc. I bring it home, full of dirty washing on friday nights, and run unencumbered for the rest of the week. It took me a little while to find my routine, but now I love it.

    I’m a very very slow runner! But gradually improving. Currently the 4km trip takes me 30 mins. I get some concerned looks from passers by, worried that I’ll step on glass. But it hardly ever happens. Occasionally I’ll get splinters, and just once or twice a little bit of glass. But surprisingly, it’s no major drama at all. There’s a tiny bit of tenderness for a day or two, and then the foreign object works it’s way out very quickly, and is all healed up. It’s never been enough to even stop me from running the next day.

    1. Katie, this is great, and you are bad to the bone! If we inspired you, then you have repaid it in interest. Now one of us will need to try the barefoot trek to the office. I have seen some heavier folks leave whippet-thin runners in the weeds when it came to endurance events (I have several times eaten their dust); we all learned long ago that body shapes outside those of typical runners are no indicator of fitness.

      We would like to share your comment as an actual blog post, not only because it showcases a woman run commuter, but because you have the brilliant notion to use a cargo carrier for your goods, AND you shrug off glass splinters in your feet, which is badass. If you would like to share any photographs, please send them along to info@theruncommuter.com. Thanks for reading, and keep

  5. Hi, I have been run commuting for about 4 years, best way to get some activity in every day, used to run 10 k each way but now run about 5 k each way.
    In the last year I have been getting into barefoot. The road is pretty coarse so can only do 1 day then let my feet recover for 2, I have recently purchased a pair of Xero amuri clouds which are ok although the rubber bit that goes between my toes caused a pretty bad blister, so put them away for a couple of weeks.
    Thinking about trying some Luna or Shamma sandals at some stage, but budget doesn’t allow too much experimenting☹️

  6. I run completely barefoot three seasons of the year, and yesterday I started up with commuting. I was going to start two years ago, but broke a big toe while commuting barefoot on my kick scooter. That really hurt, and put me off the idea for a while. My commute is 9 miles round trip, so my goal at the start is to do one way, and then find some other way to get home. I’m motivated to do the commute right now–at the end of September I’m doing a Ragnar Trail relay in Wisconsin (I’ll do that barefoot), and the commute helps me get in the training.

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