Thoughts in minimalist footwear while rucking-running, eg Vivobarefoot? I've been rucking in Vivobarefoot Trackers to give a hammertoe room to spread out and heal for a few months now and can attest I'm definitely more 'connected' to the terrain with 50lbs in my ruck carrying a 25lb kettlebell; in addition to asphalt, my daily treks take me on a levy road w/a surface of golf ball-sized rocks and up a hill navigating intermittent lava rocks. Can't say it's 'better' as step wrong and w/that thin sole I FEEL it! I saw your gear article of 'Drop' and yesterday rucked in my Lowas and had zero concern over what I was stepping on - BUT zero connection as well. I was only wearing the Vivos for the broad toe-space BUT this mental exercise makes since to me. (I'm also using them to bowhunt this year - WORLD of difference in the deadfall-strewn forests we have in NorCal.
My position is always "work what works best for you," which requires experimentation. And it sounds like you've found a great path.
I do think most people today will benefit from more support while carrying load. Not all, but most.
I wouldn't advocate using supportive shoes for every task. I do think there are benefits from walking barefoot, but applied to a loaded situation most people will reduce injury risk with more support (which is why the military advocates for supportive shoes).
Hey Robbie! I’m a physical therapist and have taken a lot of courses on the foot and ankle. That feeling of “connection” to the terrain is spot on. Vivo’s and other minimalistic shows allow all the nerves to do the job they were built for. Supportive shoes are sometimes necessary, but they can act like foot coffins for all your muscles and nerves which affects your sensory input up the chain. I’m definitely a proponent of the vivo’s.
So you are carrying an extra 50 pounds and you are obese. Only 65% of the US population is in the group. Outside or inside-- who cares!-- your joints and your out of balance body is screaming NO EXERCISE Please. Listen to your body. Exercise is NOT a weight loss solution and , in fact, can impede losing pounds and inches around your middle. BTW, if your waistline is 35 inches YOU are obese says the WHO.
So, it's the combination of movement and problem solving that makes outdoor exercise better.
If that's the case, does indoor rock climbing as exercise provide similar benefits since it's also problem solving to figure out how to climb the route?
Not sure if you've heard of F3 (connected with GoRuck a bit), but their workouts are free, peer-led, held outside, rain or shine, hot or cold. One of the best things I've done for my health lately. And even thought those workouts in over 100˚ heat (I live in the Phoenix area) suck, I have perceived the benefits of doing the work outside, regardless of the weather. That and rucking have not only helped me physically, but have mentally toughened me up as well. I would highly recommend F3 to any man (or FIA for any women) that want to tap into more outdoor exercise.
I am trails only once it cools down. My favorite ruck is 5K on a craggy jetty in the middle of salt flats. My favorite trail run was last winter on a morning where it was 5 degrees out. My beard froze and I loved every second of it. I’ll do treadmill if there’s no option but I’d much rather be outside.
Semi disagree (but mostly because I have a toddler and often work out while he naps which means I have to be at home). I’d argue my sweltering garage is worse than the beautiful outdoors where I live haha but I guess the point of this is to say to anyone similarly situated that indoor exercise is still better than none. I’ve PR’d all my runs (including a 100k!) due to my treadmill heat training 😂
Outdoor exercise for me since 2020 has meant working out in my garage/alley. (I live in a small Midwestern city.) My garage might as well be a lean-to. Doesn’t do much in terms of mitigating temperatures but keeps the rain mostly off. My rule is to be outside from 10 degrees to 90. I’m not sure if that’s the same as trail work but I suppose not falls under “great.” 😁 Now that I’ve started rucking once a week and trying to go on small runs, I’m hoping that keeps me outdoors even more as the weather gets cooler and ice and snow makes the ground more challenging!
Thoughts in minimalist footwear while rucking-running, eg Vivobarefoot? I've been rucking in Vivobarefoot Trackers to give a hammertoe room to spread out and heal for a few months now and can attest I'm definitely more 'connected' to the terrain with 50lbs in my ruck carrying a 25lb kettlebell; in addition to asphalt, my daily treks take me on a levy road w/a surface of golf ball-sized rocks and up a hill navigating intermittent lava rocks. Can't say it's 'better' as step wrong and w/that thin sole I FEEL it! I saw your gear article of 'Drop' and yesterday rucked in my Lowas and had zero concern over what I was stepping on - BUT zero connection as well. I was only wearing the Vivos for the broad toe-space BUT this mental exercise makes since to me. (I'm also using them to bowhunt this year - WORLD of difference in the deadfall-strewn forests we have in NorCal.
My position is always "work what works best for you," which requires experimentation. And it sounds like you've found a great path.
I do think most people today will benefit from more support while carrying load. Not all, but most.
I wouldn't advocate using supportive shoes for every task. I do think there are benefits from walking barefoot, but applied to a loaded situation most people will reduce injury risk with more support (which is why the military advocates for supportive shoes).
Thanks for the great comment.
Hey Robbie! I’m a physical therapist and have taken a lot of courses on the foot and ankle. That feeling of “connection” to the terrain is spot on. Vivo’s and other minimalistic shows allow all the nerves to do the job they were built for. Supportive shoes are sometimes necessary, but they can act like foot coffins for all your muscles and nerves which affects your sensory input up the chain. I’m definitely a proponent of the vivo’s.
Couldn’t agree more. I’m also just more motivated, engaged, and feel so much better when hiking and/or rucking in the woods compared to a treadmill.
So you are carrying an extra 50 pounds and you are obese. Only 65% of the US population is in the group. Outside or inside-- who cares!-- your joints and your out of balance body is screaming NO EXERCISE Please. Listen to your body. Exercise is NOT a weight loss solution and , in fact, can impede losing pounds and inches around your middle. BTW, if your waistline is 35 inches YOU are obese says the WHO.
So, it's the combination of movement and problem solving that makes outdoor exercise better.
If that's the case, does indoor rock climbing as exercise provide similar benefits since it's also problem solving to figure out how to climb the route?
I prefer being outside, but just wondering.
Not sure if you've heard of F3 (connected with GoRuck a bit), but their workouts are free, peer-led, held outside, rain or shine, hot or cold. One of the best things I've done for my health lately. And even thought those workouts in over 100˚ heat (I live in the Phoenix area) suck, I have perceived the benefits of doing the work outside, regardless of the weather. That and rucking have not only helped me physically, but have mentally toughened me up as well. I would highly recommend F3 to any man (or FIA for any women) that want to tap into more outdoor exercise.
I am trails only once it cools down. My favorite ruck is 5K on a craggy jetty in the middle of salt flats. My favorite trail run was last winter on a morning where it was 5 degrees out. My beard froze and I loved every second of it. I’ll do treadmill if there’s no option but I’d much rather be outside.
Semi disagree (but mostly because I have a toddler and often work out while he naps which means I have to be at home). I’d argue my sweltering garage is worse than the beautiful outdoors where I live haha but I guess the point of this is to say to anyone similarly situated that indoor exercise is still better than none. I’ve PR’d all my runs (including a 100k!) due to my treadmill heat training 😂
Outdoor exercise for me since 2020 has meant working out in my garage/alley. (I live in a small Midwestern city.) My garage might as well be a lean-to. Doesn’t do much in terms of mitigating temperatures but keeps the rain mostly off. My rule is to be outside from 10 degrees to 90. I’m not sure if that’s the same as trail work but I suppose not falls under “great.” 😁 Now that I’ve started rucking once a week and trying to go on small runs, I’m hoping that keeps me outdoors even more as the weather gets cooler and ice and snow makes the ground more challenging!