Barefoot walking is almost harder than running

theredheadsaid

theredheadsaid

Barefooters
Apr 14, 2011
3
0
1
#1
I got my RunAmoc shoes yesterday and have been wearing them non-stop ever since! i for sure have to be aware of heel-strike issues. But here's the weird thing: I have been more able to do the right foot landing RUNNING than I have been able to walking. I almost have to pick up my feet while walking to avoid the heel strike issue.

Do any of you have suggestions on how to "fix" my walking?

p.s. i LOVE these shoes!
 
#2
In my experience, walking is

In my experience, walking is a very different motion than running. Even barefoot, heel striking seems totally natural and comfortable during casual walking. Of course tip-toeing up to someone to tickle them is another story. ;)
 
#3
I think a certain amount of

I think a certain amount of heel-toe action in walking is normal. At least for me, it is.

I do often think about walking with a midfoot landing, but have to make a concerted effort to do so. Walking with a gentle heel strike for me feels normal.
 
#4
Use the heels unless you are

Use the heels unless you are gravel. Then use your swears.
 
#5
Landing on the heel first is

Landing on the heel first is normal for humans when walking, so unless you are having pain from doing so, there's nothing wrong.

Welcome!
 
#6
Do you all really heel strike

Do you all really heel strike when walking barefoot, regardless of surface? For me, walking barefoot is similar to running barefoot -- forefoot landing. When walking barefoot, with an initial forefoot landing, when my heel lowers to touch the ground and finds a sharp rock, it hurts if I don't react quickly. I can't imagine what it would feel like if I landed initially on my heel in that situation -- even if walking slowly. Barefoot Ken Bob's site is still down for maintenance, but I think he describes/prescribes the walking motion similar to the running motion (although I could be wrong). I find that the forefoot landing, for both walking and running, is almost like "sending out feelers" or an early warning system for the rest of the foot. It gives a chance to adjust the rest of the landing. With a rearfoot landing, it seems to me, you're committed to following through regardless of what's there. I'm not sure I could go back to heel striking now, even if I tried -- it's second nature to land on the forefoot.
 
#7
In walking, as with running,

In walking, as with running, do what feels natural and good to you, and just observe it. If soemthing doesn't feel right, change it.
 
#8
I think walking with a locked

I think walking with a locked knee and a bent knee is more important than whether or not we are heel striking. In fact, Ken Bob told me that a midfoot or forefoot landing is not the most important part of a healthy running form. It's the bent knee that is the most important part, since with a bent knee, you will automatically land on the midfoot.

With me, when walking, I start at the heel and roll over to the ball of my foot then lift off. (I would probably roll to the toes and lift off, but I have Morton's Neuroma, so I naturally shy away from doing so.) I do NOT strike the ground with my heel when I walk. I simple roll over my heel to my forefoot, since my knees are not locked.

I would like to see some videos of you guys walking. Don't ask for mine; I don't do video.
 
#9
I used to walk heel-toe...as

I used to walk heel-toe...as that's they way we often study movement in taiji...but when I realized that we are also looking for a long stride there, and the purpose is to get the foot out and set BEFORE putting any weight on it....I started studying my own walking motions and experiemented with what felt natural.....and it is the knee that determines foot landing for me...bent knee, staying under my center of gravity, I "land" mid or fore foot, or flat foot....straighter leg, I tend to reach my foot out and place my heel first...the more I looked, the better it felt to keep the knees bent, lead from my navel, keep my feet under me and land flat or fore foot. but it wasn't uncomfortable to walk heel-toe.
 
#10
It sounds like there just

It sounds like there just might be more variation in how people walk barefoot than there is when we run barefoot. I suspect surfaces and footwear (no matter how minimal) probably also affect what we do.

I agree, TJ, videos are what's needed, because we might be using terms differently or not fully aware of exactly what our feet and legs are doing (myself included). Maybe at the IBRD events, volunteers could film others both running and walking (naturally, just in the course of normal activity at the events), and we'd get a large sample with which to see what's going on. Since I started running barefoot, I haven't run with or even seen another barefooter in action (in person).
 
#11
I think that's a wonderful

I think that's a wonderful idea. I know Jamie is urging everyone to take lots of pictures on IBRD, but some video would be cool too!
 
#12
when I can walk agian, I'll

when I can walk agian, I'll take some videos over different terrain.
 
#13
I hate walking, so slow.

I hate walking, so slow.
 
#14
How fast do you run, Spooner?

How fast do you run, Spooner?
 
#15
i walk toe-heel. it doesn't

i walk toe-heel. it doesn't feel right when i heel strike which i know i do when i'm at work. (damn shoes) heel striking inflames my pf. it took a lot of concentration, time, and practice to change my gait. i drop my hips a little and keep my knees bent. ya, others can walk faster than you but you can break into a run easier.



Mike
 
#16
Interesting topic. I stopped

Interesting topic. I stopped wearing shoes at work now wear socks. When I walk I am aware of any pounding and adjust my gait to smooth things out. This usually means focusing on placing more pressure on the mid foot.

Running is easier, it just seems more efficient, more bounce.
 
#17
I find that if I'm barefoot I

I find that if I'm barefoot I tend to walk toe-heel regardless of surface. However, if I have ANYTHING on my feet, be it Vibrams/huaraches/whatever, I tend to contact heel first. Running is obviously a forefoot/midfoot landing. I'm just glad I gave up the foot coffins.
 
#18
I've always found that

I've always found that walking barefoot on the sidewalk or road, I just fall into a midfoot strike and it's comfortable. Any kind of shoe and I have to force it, and it feels quite un-natural to midfoot strike. No matter how minimal the shoe.



Marc
 
#19
Went for a barefoot walk on

Went for a barefoot walk on chipseal tonight. Very little heel striking. Try it, gravel, chip seal and see how much pounding you can take.


Red maybe find a hard smooth surface and try walking.
 
#20
The rougher the surface, chip

The rougher the surface, chip and seal, gravel, we end up walking more gently, therefore we bend our knees more, therefore we walk with a midfoot plant.
 
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