[oh8eleven]

when my runners train barefoot they run faster and suffer fewer injuries
I've been a runner for almost 28 years (including three marathons) and that's been a known fact for a very long time. The problem is you have to run on "soft" surfaces like grass or synthetic track material which 99% of runners can't do on a regular basis.
Running shoes may have been "hyped" by marketing over the years, but they really are a necessity.

[fr_freak]

Running shoes may have been "hyped" by marketing over the years, but they really are a necessity.

What about thin-soled vs. thick-soled shoes? Have you experimented with that? If so, what is your opinion on that?

[Nuhna di Abuv]

Maybe so, but there’s no difference between the original Nikes and the Walmart knockoffs.

[ErnBatavia]

I'm guessing you were at MCRD about the same time I was (July of '66)...remember our first issued footwear was high topped sneakers, and for whatever reason the DI's would have us lace only every third loop.

We didn't get to put our boots on for probably two weeks.

I shoulda asked one of 'em for the reasoning behind this after we graduated...

[latina4dubya]

Running shoes may have been "hyped" by marketing over the years, but they really are a necessity.

yet, they weren't a necessity before the 1970's... what has changed?