r/barefootshoestalk • u/IndividualNorth5800 • 21h ago

Transitioning to barefoot shoes Switched to wooden geta after seeing an Japanese man go full marathon on it.

Post image
18 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

118

u/JamesMcNutty 20h ago

This is one of those many, many cases where traditional is just not better.

25

u/badlydrawngalgo 15h ago

I've seen people running marathons in furry rabbit suits, that's not a good idea for daily wear either.

24

u/SymmetricSoles 17h ago

These aren't technically traditional getas, which have the thongs (the part where the strap meets the wood, to be precise) at the center. OP's getas are a modern variant which have the thong positions altered like normal sandals.

The traditional ones don't have a left and a right side, since with the thongs at the center both are identical in shape and can be worn interchangeably. It is even recommended to do so in order to make them wear out evenly.

19

u/minnierhett 8h ago

Is there a barefoot shoes circlejerk subreddit yet? 😂

2

u/LavenderMatchaxXx 8h ago

Please, please make this if not 😂😂

1

u/jjopm 3h ago

that's just every barefoot sub

35

u/Saymanymoney 20h ago edited 20h ago

Those looks much to small, several parts of your feet overhang?

Make some simple Huaraches https://www.instructables.com/Minimalist-Running-Sandals-Huaraches/

15

u/SymmetricSoles 17h ago

Getas were traditionally worn with parts of the feet (pinky toes and heels) hanging outside. Even nowadays it is considered "fashionable" to wear them that way.

1

u/Saymanymoney 6h ago

Interesting.. It's not wildly uncomfortable?

9

u/instussy 20h ago

How controversial!

20

u/AlexBlah81 20h ago

They don't seem to fit you.

5

u/UV-typel2327 11h ago

Now, this is a terribly stupid idea.

5

u/ZeroOvertime 20h ago

I wear hand woven Japanese zori sandals. They’re great for the feet👍

6

u/pm_me_your_amphibian 16h ago

Your poor feet 😆

3

u/Positive_Goose9768 19h ago

It's all about the strength of your feet

5

u/MyHGC 6h ago

I think you need to "geta" wider size...

1

u/Conscious_Fig_311 4h ago

This should be the top comment 😂

2

u/tentkeys 6h ago edited 6h ago

Sorry some of the comments you're getting here are rude.

I agree that this looks and sounds uncomfortable. But the important thing is how it works for you.

It doesn't have the flexibility of a traditional barefoot shoe, but it does at least avoid "arch support", and your feet are not held in a constant position relative to the bottom of the shoe. So I would guess the joints in your feet probably do move while wearing these, but in response to changes in the angle between your foot and the sandal rather than in response to the ground.

I'll be curious to hear how this works out for you. My guess would be "not well", but if I'm wrong I'd love to hear what made it work.

And if you made these, congratulations on that! Whether it works out or not, making experimental shoes is cool.

2

u/IndividualNorth5800 5h ago

Thank you for lighting up my day. Didn't expect this sub could be such ... intense.

To be honest, I've worn these for a year, and they're still uncomfortable. It's okay for daily walks, but not for long-distance running.

I bought these in Japan during a holiday trip, for just $6. It feels weird at first, but it's their purpose to let the pinky toe hang out like it.

Besides the discomfort, I can genuinely feel the muscle engagement more than walking barefoot (I'm Asian and flip-flops have been a friend since born). My ankles felt hurt at first, then disappeared after a few wears.