How to Make Cool Weather Minimalist Running Shoes

Trogield

Editor

posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Minimalist running is the idea that human feet are very well adapted to supporting weight and running. Studies show that runners use 4% less energy when they run barefoot.[1]
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Research source

International athletes (like Zola Budd-Pieterse from South Africa and the late Abebe Bikila from Ethiopia) have successfully competed barefoot. Some studies even suggest that running barefoot might also result in fewer injuries![2]
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Research source

If you are interested in starting out in barefoot running and want transition footwear, or if you're already minimalist running or looking to extending your outdoor running season, then these might be the shoes for you.

Steps

Gather the materials listed below.

Cut the leather down the middle so that you have one rectangle for one foot and one for the other.

Put on your socks if you don't have them on already.

Apply Shoe Goo as evenly as possible to the rough side of one of the leather rectangles. Put newspapers down first to protect the surface beneath.

Quickly stand on the rectangle squarely with one foot.

Using your hands, press and hold the leather sole onto the contours of your foot. You may alternatively stand on a pillow covered in paper, a bag of beans, foam, or anything else you can think of to form the sole to your foot.

Repeat the process for the other foot.

Wait until the glue sets, usually about 24 hours.

Trim the edges of the leather to round it into more of a sole shape.

With your foot in your new shoe/sock, glue down any little flaps and edges. To prevent pleating, you can cut small triangles out to fit the sole up the heel and around the toes.