I've recently started running again (I've been on and off for a few years, mostly off) and have gotten more life structure than I've had during previous periods of running. Because of this, I'm more likely to continue running through the winter. I live in Sweden where it can get pretty cold during the winter and many of the footpaths are salted to reduce slippery ice.

I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this. Should I bite the bullet and wear minimalist footwear during "salty season"?

One option would be to find a trail to run on instead, but ice buildup could be a big problem. It's my understanding that starting a run with some light footwear and taking them off when the feet are warmed up and limber could make it possible to run at least shorter distances barefoot.

How do you deal with this issue?

I just got the V-Trail 2.0, but after trying them on indoors, I experienced that they were not that flexible compared to my Xero HFS. Will my VFFs break in or are they not worth it?

Im looking for a new running shoe and I am choosing between a few different models, but first my preferences:

1. As much barefoot feel as possible

2. Can negate sharp rocks

3. Water resistaint

That said. I can take it, if the sharpest of rocks give me discomfort rather than pain.

I can sacrifice a bit of water resistance if it dries fast and does not smell awful when gotten wet.

Contenders:

Vibram:

• V-Trek
• V-Trail 2.0

Xero:

• Mesa Trail 2
• Mesa Trail WP
• Scrambler low

Has anyone seen an indoor barefoot shoe that resembles classic Birkenstocks?

Thought I'd say hello. I come here from reddit, which, one way or another, seems to be circling the drain - though the barefooter community there is still among the best, and I'll probably won't just yet nuke my account there, even though that option is very much on the table.

While I joined reddit and r/barefoot only about three years ago, I've been a barefooter for close to twenty years. Most of the time nowadays, I basically live almost (see next paragraph) my whole life on bare soles and there's hardly a place or ground where I wouldn't at least try to go unshod. About the only thing I still have respect for is coarse train track gravel. That stuff is evil. ^^'

I wear something on my feet for an average of less than six hours per week, and I do still own a few pairs of shoes, which I regard as protective gear to be used if and when appropiate (= very sparsely 😁)

I am from Germany, which I've learned is among the more barefooter-friendly nations on this gravity well. Denials of entry and this whole "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service" thing that both seem so prevalent in many other nations are largely unheard of here. In my twenty years, I count three DOEs, of which only one was barely sensible.

The overwhelmingly vast rest of the time, nobody gives a flying eff about what people do or don't wear on their pedes. I've been barefoot in cities and in the wilderness, in buses and trains, at the doctor's, in supermarkets and malls, in the cinema, and who knows where else, alone and with my friends (who also are very accepting).

I hope I fit in here. If there are questions, shoot - while this isn't an AMA, I'll answer questions I deem sensible and on-topic.

All y'all, have fun and fair ways!

Like supermarkets or libraries? I've run barefoot, but would feel weird walking around barefoot inside around the shoed.