The introduction of the barefoot-style running shoe was something eagerly awaited by runners, triathletes and duathletes around the world. In the past, most athletes wanted a light-weight racing shoe to compete in but, if truth be told, a large percentage of them were looking at this for all the wrong reasons. Either the running shoe could simply not handle their body weight or their running style just did not suit the minimalist nature of the shoe, or sometimes both. What this inevitably lead to were injuries in untold proportions (and certain people rubbing their hands in glee with $ signs in their eyes.)

Word soon got out and so athletes started to return to conventional running shoes. That was until the introduction of a report in 2009 by Dr Craig Richards from the University of Newcastle in Australia. His report concluded that shoes with elevated heel pads and elaborate anti-pronation systems can’t prevent injuries in runners. This was backed up in an excerpt from Born to Run, a book by journalist Christopher McDougall. The story referenced Dr Daniel Lieberman, professor of biological anthropology at Harvard University, who offered the conclusion that “a lot of foot and knee injuries currently plaguing us are caused by people running with shoes that actually make our feet weak, cause us to overpronate (ankle rotation) and give us knee problems.” Continue reading →