Excellent article :)

You Walk Wrong - NY Mag Health Section

Without a doubt, one of the best articles I've read on shoes. Caution, it's a bit long, but very well written.

Any questions about it, and I'll happily answer.

Thanks for the link.

Sorry, but I have been reading stuff like this since the original "earth shoes" were invented back in the 1960s. This article is unusual in that it actually includes some research instead of granola rambling, but it is still a set of arbitrary "standards"as to what constitutes "healthy".

Original Post by azdak:

Sorry, but I have been reading stuff like this since the original "earth shoes" were invented back in the 1960s. This article is unusual in that it actually includes some research instead of granola rambling, but it is still a set of arbitrary "standards"as to what constitutes "healthy".

True, there is also a ton of BS out there about earlier man and his abilities or health compared to modern day. Listening to some anthropologists you would start to think that every 5-foot ancient Greek was outrunning Usaine Bolt and stronger than today's heavy weight Olympic lifters.

Original Post by dabrock:

Original Post by azdak:

Sorry, but I have been reading stuff like this since the original "earth shoes" were invented back in the 1960s. This article is unusual in that it actually includes some research instead of granola rambling, but it is still a set of arbitrary "standards"as to what constitutes "healthy".

True, there is also a ton of BS out there about earlier man and his abilities or health compared to modern day. Listening to some anthropologists you would start to think that every 5-foot ancient Greek was outrunning Usaine Bolt and stronger than today's heavy weight Olympic lifters.

I agree with both of you. Some research seems kind of 'iffy'. It disappoints there isn't much empirical research for barefoot and good form helping reduce injuries. Then again, there isn't any for shoes either.

I personally thought the article was very interesting and thought-provoking.    Thank you for sharing.