Vibrams Sued

Last month Vibrams was sued over its Five Finger Toe Shoes. The basic complaint is that Vibrams has been making false claims about the benefits of running in their minimalist shoes.

I have obtained a copy of the official complaint.

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Another Historical Barefoot Runner — Marcus Clarke

Yesterday I introduced you to a barefoot runner of the 1960s, Bruce Tulloh. While researching that, I happened upon another one, from the 1970s.

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Colorful Characters — Bruce Tulloh

Most barefooters are aware of Abebe Bikila, who won the 1960 Olympic marathon running barefoot. The shoe sponsor had run out of shoes that fit, so Abebe ran barefoot, the way he had trained.

But there was another barefoot runner at the time.

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Adidas Sued Over Their Toe-Shoes

Last Friday Adidas was sued over their adiPURE Trainers, which are toe-shoes (I refuse to call them “barefoot” running shoes). Unlike the suit that Vibram’s filed against Fila for patent infringement, this lawsuit against Adidas is for injuries the Plaintiff received wearing the shoes.

I think those of us in the barefooting community are all pretty much aware that suddenly switching to toe-shoes carries the risk of stress fractures.

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Followup to Barefoot Running Efficiency Study

I got asked a number of questions about my previous look at the Running Shod More Efficient study, so I thought I’d answer them here.

I also took another look at the study itself, and managed to ask myself a question that I sure couldn’t answer.

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Running Shod More Efficient

There’s been quite a bit of talk lately about a new study that came out early in the month, Metabolic Cost of Running Barefoot versus Shod: Is Lighter Better?, by Jason R. Franz, Corbyn M. Wierzbinski, and Rodger Kram. You can see one of the stories at Barefoot Running Less Efficient.

I’ve taken a bit of a look at the study.

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Ken Bob Video

If you haven’t seen it yet, Ken Bob Saxton, of Barefoot Running, Step by Step has a new video out.

It’s called “Introduction to Barefoot Running 001: Moving Forward”.

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Barefoot Runners Society Update

A quick entry: the Barefoot Runners Society just updated their server. As part of the migration, they had to use a new URL. So, if you are having trouble reconnecting, here’s the new URL!

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Graphic Comparison

The Discovery Channel has a really cool infographic on their web site, entitled Why Running Shoes Do More Harm than Good.

Here’s some of what it covers:

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Well, Well, Wellington

In Wellington, New Zealand, Primary Sport Wellington is “the organisation responsible for overseeing sport for its 64 member primary schools within Wellington City.” Their Interzone Athletics is held every year, and they just had one a few days ago.

The interesting thing is that they don’t have any sort of artificial footwear rules, so the kids run in what they want to. And for many of them, that means bare feet.

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The Ballad of the Barefoot Runner

Just a little Sunday morning amusement, featuring Ken Bob Saxton:

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Strike One

There are three interesting entries over at Runblogger. The first one, Foot Strike Photos from the NYC Barefoot Run, shows, well, foot strike photos from the NYC Barefoot Run. In particular, what it shows is a particularly strong heel strike:

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Running with Frodo

Last weekend was the 2nd Annual New York Barefoot Run. Sadly, there doesn’t seem to have been much (if any) mainstream media coverage of it.

And it seems that Frodo Baggins showed up to race.

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Greedy Podiatrists?

Over at MyFiveFingers.com, Brian Patterson recently asked Is Podiatry a Problem? His question was prompted by a new study, Effect of a five-toed minimal protection shoe on static and dynamic ankle position sense that concluded that those who run barefoot (and, incidentally, those wearing minimal shoes) get a better estimation of the slope they are running on than shoes wearing padded running shoes.

The Barefoot Professor, Dr. Daniel Howell, responded with

I don’t think it’s an issue of greed, but worldview. You?

Here’s where I weigh in.

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Winning a Marathon “Barefoot” vs. Winning a Marathon Barefoot

There are two marathon wins in the news right now. The first is by Dr. Mark Cucuzzella in the Air Force Marathon near Dayton, OH, who, though often touted as a barefoot runner, wore minimalist shoes. The other win was in the Fox Valley Marathon (just west of Chicago), which was one by Tim Cunningham from Charlottesville, VA. Tim really did run the whole race barefoot.

I don’t get it.

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