Best shoes for walking/ running and best for areobics?

[LifetimeLoser 208]

Thank goodness I may not be the only weirdo around here. I have tried going away from these shoes several times and each time my form goes down the tubes, and I can feel it. When I wear these shoes (or go barefoot) I get instant feedback from my feet if my form isn't perfect. People worry about hurting their feet but if you gradually strengthen the feet going barefoot or minimal you will not hurt your feet but you will save your knees. To me wearing the thick soled shoes is the equivalent of wearing casts on your feet. It just makes them weaker because the muscles and tendons never get utilized.

Ok....off my soap box.

Nope. You are not the only weirdo! *shyly raises hand and looks around* I can't wait until I get my first pair. I've wanted a pair of vibrams for awhile now. After I started reading up on how they affect the foot, I was intrigued. When I find something I like to do...I naturally try to know and get better at every aspect of it. I liken it to your term "natural obsessiveness". I think I may be like that also.

When did you get your first pair? Did you still have a lot of weight to lose? Did your feet shrink? and if they did...was the fit affected much by your shrinking feet?

[nervousnelly 24]

I love my new balance

[Butterthebean 8,146]

......When did you get your first pair? Did you still have a lot of weight to lose? Did your feet shrink? and if they did...was the fit affected much by your shrinking feet?

I think I got my first pair after I lost about 120 lbs. Yes my feet shrunk before that. Well, I honestly don't think they shrunk as much as the extra weight was causing them to splay out further when I stood up. But I can wear 14's now when before I needed 15's (yes, big feet).

From that point on the fit really didn't seem to change much, but as I've gotten more used to wearing them the shape of my feet have definitely changed. My arches are more pronounced now because I have strengthened those muscles and tendons. It was a process to slowly build up that strength and endurance in my feet but now I can wear them all day, every day if I want. Last weekend I did a 6 mile hike, a 6 mile run and a 7 mile hike on 3 consecutive days...all in the same pair with no foot issues. I certainly didn't start out being able to put those kinds of miles on them.

[summerjjjj 24]

I'm not a runner YET, but just invested in my first pair of Brooks (pure connect) and all I could and can say is WOW! They fit my feet perfectly. And my main use is regular gym use incl multiple Zumba classes and such.

[summerjjjj 24]

I'm not a runner YET, but just invested in my first pair of Brooks (pure connect) and all I could and can say is WOW! They fit my feet perfectly. And my main use is regular gym use incl multiple Zumba classes and such.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I'm not a runner YET' date=' but just invested in my first pair of Brooks (pure connect) and all I could and can say is WOW! They fit my feet perfectly. And my main use is regular gym use incl multiple Zumba classes and such.[/quote']

Great! A well fitted shoe is the perfect tool, like our sleeves, to help us accomplish our goals. Good luck at your fitness endeavors.

[summerjjjj 24]

Thanks a lot! @Fiddleman! i just went to the park for my first go at jogging in my adult life. So you'll likely be hearing from me in other groups too!

[erp 2,016]

New Balance are great especially if, like me, you have wide feet.