Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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http://www.russellminimalistfootwear.com/
http://www.indiegogo.com/the-Primal-Professional-barefoot-dress-shoe

I'm starting to see quite a few paleo/barefoot dress shoes. Although they all seem to be very expensive. Does anybody actually have a pair?

Also is there anything like a mark nason shoe? With a faked heel? That is one of the interesting things about the second link I posted.

edited Feb 4 2012 at 1:49

asked Feb 4 2012 at 1:39

primallykosher
4,360●1●9●23

also interested in some affordable paleo footwear for work – Kyle Feb 4 2012 at 1:57

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haha i went on that link looking for womens shoes - I was thinking how can they make a 4inch heel minimalist?? oops ;) – Thumper Feb 4 2012 at 3:06

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I did the same, Bree! – Stephanie Feb 4 2012 at 3:26

I forgot about women and shoes... – primallykosher Feb 4 2012 at 4:17

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@primallykoserh, What's a Mark Nason shoe? @Bree & @Stephanie, we've worked out mini-holographic projector prototypes that will display an image of whatever shoe you want around your feet. Kidding aside, my girlfriend and I are seriously working on a solution for women! @Eric P. yes, very old industry. We had to make new lasts. I actually didn't find the Munson all that comfortable...although the snug heel was nice, the toebox was still too restrictive at the pinky toes. – MtnEvan Feb 9 2012 at 0:22

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Eric P. · Answer 1 · 2012-02-04 05:32:44Z UTC

I actually have a survey up at http://www.dayshoe.com for when I was considering making a minimalist office shoe, but the realities of the shoemaking industry and importation overwhelmed me (especially when dealing with big and wide sizes), so I put it on hold for now.

Here's a couple of things that I wear to work regularly with fairly minimalist soles:

I have these in brown and black L.B. Evans Finn driving moccasin and I have no problems with forefoot striking, even though the heel seems a little thick.

I also have these Route 66 Nolan slippers in brown and black but they are obviously not as nice, but the sole is very thin and flexible. So far no one has given me hassle about them except one guy who also owned the Route 66 Nolan in brown and said "Why are you wearing slippers?" But this is a business casual environment, I would not wear any of these to an interview.

Today at a resale shop I saw a pair of these Drillmasters Marching Shoes and was surprised at how thin and flexible the soles were. They weren't my size, but I made sure to look them up just in case. They are also all synthetic, which I'm not into.

I have made some of my own shoes just by removing the sole and replacing it with a SoleTech 144 sole using Freesole but my first try just mangled it. :) I hear shoe repair places can do it for around $30.

I even had a guy on eBay make me a pair of jazz dancing shoes with a minimalist sole, but he ended up using a flat plastic sole instead. Thankfully it was cheap. Jazz dancing shoes like these are almost perfect, just get rid of the heel and make the sole more waterproof and you're done. Or just wear them indoors at work.

gismcieri · Answer 2 · 2012-02-04 06:01:35Z UTC

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I love my Merrell Tough Gloves. I have them in black and plan to get a pair in brown in a few months. http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22874M/0/Mens/Barefoot-Life-Tough-Glove?dimensions=0

answered Feb 4 2012 at 6:01

gismcieri
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They need to make them in wide! – Eric P. Feb 4 2012 at 6:15

They do stretch pretty well. They hurt my feet at first but after a week the are so comfortable. – gismcieri Feb 4 2012 at 21:20

You asked for wide? see 7:45 youtube.com/… – MtnEvan Feb 9 2012 at 0:18

jatx www.jasonmoore.me · Answer 3 · 2012-02-09 02:46:16Z UTC

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I wear Vivobarefoot Ra to work and Vibram Five Fingers for fitness. The Ra are expensive and sell out quickly but are excellent for an office environment. They seem to be very quality shoes, I took out the insole so it's just the Vibram sole between my foot and the ground. Nobody noticed them as outside of the ordinary except this guy that thinks he's the fashion guru, and he was like "Wow, are those Italian?!". Sure guy. http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/ra-8.html

If you keep care of them, they seem like they will last years. Also, 0 drop heel to toe. I'll never buy another type of work shoe unless one comes out exactly like it for a lot less :)

answered Feb 9 2012 at 2:46

jatx www.jasonmoore.me
717●1●8

	I might be able to try these at a store. Is there any trick to standing up for long periods of time or walking with barefoot shoes in office environments? Normally I use my vibrams on grass. – primallykosher Feb 16 2012 at 3:59
	Ideally shorten your stride and take more steps to minimize the crashing of your heel into the floor. One way to do it is try walking as quietly as you can. More info on walking: mobilitywod.com/2011/11/… Also when standing try to keep both feet pointing forward, not making an L shape with your feet, try to keep weight evenly balanced between both legs most of the time, but also find any excuse you can to bend your knees and move around. See if you can sneak in full squats here and there. – jatx www.jasonmoore.me Feb 16 2012 at 15:26
	One problem I have is that I reflexively go back to the L position when I walk or the duck walk. I have to actively think each step to get it to go straight. And after awhile the old habit comes back in full force. – primallykosher Feb 18 2012 at 5:34
	I finally gave in bought a pair of Ra shoes. They appear to be the most minimal dress shoe out there right now, and come in three colours. @jatx - How was sizing for you? I read that people typically need to size up with Vivobarefoot shoes. I wear a 41/42 in VFFs, a 9-9.5 in normal shoes, and picked up a 43 in the Ra. I'm hoping I don't need tor eturn them. – WyldKard Feb 24 2012 at 17:17
	@WyldKard - Yeah I love 'em. I wear 8.5-9 and I got the 41. I also am most comfortable in size 41 Komodosport LS Vibrams because my 2nd toe is longer than my first. – jatx www.jasonmoore.me Feb 24 2012 at 21:53

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MtnEvan · Answer 4 · 2012-02-09 00:07:08Z UTC

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Hey folks, IAmA founder of the Primal Professional barefoot dress shoe, Ask Me Anything =) e.g. product inquiries, manufacturing & business development advice, what's it like having an ironic name, etc.

answered Feb 9 2012 at 0:07

MtnEvan
394●1●8

So why do you have an ironic name, are you a hipster? OR related to Cliff? – primallykosher Feb 9 2012 at 0:36

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My father was an immigrant from Taiwan who thought Mountain would be a nice name. It's ironic because mountains are tall and I am not. – MtnEvan Feb 9 2012 at 3:47

How much are they going to cost and when in spring? – primallykosher Feb 16 2012 at 4:00

$300, in line with other high-end dress shoes. We put a lot of care into how our shoes are conceived, designed, and made, and we want them to last you as long as possible. While other companies try to upsell you on these essential items, each pair of the Primal Professional will come standard with: 1) a shoe horn, to help you get in and out of your shoes smoothly without wear & tear, and 2) cedar shoe trees, customized to fit our wide-and-dressy toebox, to absorb moisture, help the shoe retain shape, and keep wrinkles from setting in. No exact date set yet, but late spring. – MtnEvan Feb 17 2012 at 21:02

Any updates MtnEvan? – Caveman formally known as Dan Aug 21 at 13:18

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Caleb the Hobbit · Answer 5 · 2012-02-04 01:41:04Z UTC

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I just wear my Vibram KSO Treks. Buff 'em up a bit and they work just fine. Besides, if anyone is paying that much attention to my feet in a formal setting, I have to wonder.

answered Feb 4 2012 at 1:41

Caleb the Hobbit
4,506●5●24

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I do notice but I'm weird. – primallykosher Feb 4 2012 at 1:49

Happy Now · Answer 6 · 2012-02-09 03:45:38Z UTC

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For the ladies it looks like vivobarefoot has some decent options now, like a boot, and a mary jane.

For something a little more tennis-shoey but not in a tropical fish palate these look promising:

http://www.stemfootwear.com/Survival-Origins-Women_p_37.html

answered Feb 9 2012 at 3:45

Happy Now
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That's what my wife wears to the office (in all black), and she is quite pleased with the comfort. They did however, develop a tear out at the stitching rather quickly. But, the company took care of it by sending her a new pair very quickly. – GK Jan 8 at 14:10

primallykosher · Answer 7 · 2012-02-23 18:35:46Z UTC

http://www.zappos.com/clarks-un-kerrigan-black-leather

I almost got a pair of these, since the heel is quite low and it feels fantastic. I do need a pair of dress shoes by March 10, since I am starting a new job in catering. It needs to be all black, and I'm not sure if the vivo Ra or Merrel Tough Glove are acceptable options yet. I will buy a pair of the primal professionals though, if they are as good as those clarks, at least in construction and overall feel. I need to be able to stand for 6+ hours and walk through grease.

upere · Answer 8 · 2013-01-08 09:52:29Z UTC

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I never wear minimal dress shoes, I like wearing wedge sneakers daily like this http://www.upere.com/upere-wedge-sneakers-suede-black-beige-p-3.html. Paleo club shoe sounds good, you can have a try.

answered Jan 8 at 9:52

upere

That is not a dress shoe. Can't say I like the style either. – primallykosher Jan 8 at 17:55

Do you wear minimal dress shoes? How about a paleo club shoe

8 Answers