Today’s question is about finding minimalist running shoes (some would say “barefoot style”) that are a good fit for wide feet…

I love your views on minimalist running in a realistic manner. Real basic shoes that promote a natural stride on a low budget. I followed your advice on the Saucony bullet and LOVE them except for the fact that they are slightly narrow for my feet. Any suggestions as to another option? I love the feel of that shoe, but it’s squishing my toes. Was hoping you might know of an equivalent that comes in wider sizes.

Thanks in advance,
Wide Willie

Hi Willie,

I know what you mean. Old school track shoes like the Saucony Bullet and Puma H Street aren’t particularly wide. Neither are newer shoes like the Nike Free.

The Feiyue martial arts shoes I have aren’t as narrow, but I think it would be a bit odd to run in them for any significant distance (as in, more than 10 yards.)

I’ve heard New Balance is a good brand for wide feet, but I haven’t tried any of their shoes to see how “minimal” they are, or even if they are wide enough. One of their racing flats is the RC205, which looks pretty nice, but sports a (not so minimal) $90 price tag.

There is a new offering from New Balance slated for March 2011 – the Minimus footwear line. It looks great, but I doubt these shoes will be under $90.

Generally it’s just plain hard to find these kinds of shoes for wide feet. They are all pretty narrow, especially in the toe box.

You might have to try Vibram FiveFingers, Softstar Runamocs, Vivo Barefoot, etc. to find something that allows your toes to move comfortably. None of those options are normal or cheap, unfortunately.

Right now I’m excited for a rumored Spring 2011 shoe launch by Altra. They are coming out with a new line of shoes that look like minimalist track running sneakers, but with a wide toe box. The Altra Instinct sounds like the dream shoe I’ve been waiting for, so I’m hoping for the best!

Does anyone else have any ideas on wider track shoes? Or at least ones that have a wide toe box?

It got to the point where my Saucony Bullets had finally bit the dust. Two pairs demolished in under a year!

I needed some new, lightweight shoes, but I just didn’t know what to buy. I didn’t want any more Saucony Bullets, and I didn’t want to spend $150 on specialty “barefoot style” running shoes that are probably less durable.

What did I do to tide myself over?

Well, I had an extra pair of Zinetic slippers that were still in one piece, but wouldn’t stay on my feet. (They were a little big, so the heels just kept falling down.) So I converted them into usable running shoes!

1. First, I used a paper hole punch to punch two holes in each shoe. One hole on each side of the heel, which ended up being about an inch apart. It doesn’t have to be exact.

You could also use an awl to poke a hole or even use scissors to cut slits in the heel if you wanted. Use whatever tool is closest to you at the time!

2. Then I ran a shoelace through the holes. Technically, I used half a shoe lace per shoe, but you get the idea.

A full shoelace would be too long, so just take a spare shoelace and cut it in half for this project. Note that when I cut the shoe lace in half, I cauterized the cut part with a match, which melted it together to prevent fraying.

3. Then I looped the shoelace around in front of my ankle and simply tied a knot like I’d do with any other shoe.

Cinched lightly, these slippers are good for jogging. For sprinting, I cinch it down tight and the slippers don’t move!

All in all, it took about five minutes to do, and they work like a charm!

Now this has me thinking about going back to wearing Zinetic slippers more often. I might even try to rig up a set using elastic shoe laces (like Yankz or Speed Laces.) That would be really slick.

As athletes, we have to deal with stinky clothes all the time. We’re forced to get pretty good at dealing with it eventually, or else our $200 bib shorts are too nasty to wear after three weeks!

The problem is, we can’t throw our stinky shoes in the washing machine with everything else. And that sucks because our shoes are probably the stinkiest piece of gear we use!

So, here are a few things you can try to keep your sneakers smelling fresh:

1. Foot Spray

The easiest, most conventional way to keep your sneakers smelling fresh is to use some sort of spray. The two main options are Odor Eaters Foot & Sneaker Spray and Dr. Scholl’s Odor Destroyers. Both come in an aerosol can and can be sprayed on feet, socks, or in your shoes.

Spray it on your feet before a run to increase comfort, and spray it in your shoes after a run to prevent them from getting too stinky.

2. Activated Charcoal (or Kitty Litter or Baking Soda)

Activated charcoal has some cool uses. Some people put bags of it in their basement to absorb excess moisture and foul odors, and it’s also used to create scent-proof hunting outfits (used to prevent animals from smelling hunters as they approach.)

Therefore, it makes sense that it could also work to absorb odors from stinky sneakers. What I suggest is getting some activated charcoal (like this), put it in some pantyhose or an old thin sock, and tie off the ends. Then just keep that in your shoes when you’re not wearing them.

(I’d hesitate to use charcoal from your grill, unless you want the black dust coating everything!)

You could also try kitty litter, which is probably cheaper and easier to find.

The other option is baking soda. An open box of baking soda is commonly used to keep your fridge smelling fresh, so why not try it in your shoes? Just sprinkle some baking soda in (or on) your shoes every so often and see if it helps.

At the very least, it’s a good substitute for the specialty products, since you most likely have some at home already.

3. Alternate Shoes Each Day

I picked up this tip from businessmen who wear expensive leather shoes to work each day, but I figure it could apply to running shoes as well.

The idea to is never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. This gives each pair time to dry out between uses, rather than be constantly damp with sweat.

You would have to buy two pairs of sneakers to pull this off, but it’s not a bad idea, since you’ll probably more than double the life of each pair.

*Bonus tip*

4. Get Brand New Shoes

It’s not cheap, but new shoes should smell nice!

Honestly, if your shoes are so stinky right now, it’s unlikely that a little spray or powder will completely change things around. So you might need to start fresh!

Photo credit: poolie

All you runners out there (those of you who do not wear sports bras,) this is for you!

Ever go out on a long run but your nipples get chafed on your shirt?

When I first started distance running, I never even considered nipple chafing. Then my chest starting aching and I realized my shirts and singlets were rubbing my nipples raw!

Luckily I figured this out early, because I’ve seen plenty of marathon runners finishing with blood dripping down the front of their shirt. That can’t be comfortable!

But by using the three tips below, you can save your nipples, and you don’t even need messy lubricants like Vaseline!

1. Tape

My lack of nipple “issues” during my long runs can be attributed to one thing – Transpore medical tape by 3M. This stuff works like magic.

You just apply a small piece of this tape over each nipple before your run. It solves the chafing issue, it doesn’t hurt when removed (unless you put it over chest hair,) and it doesn’t come off unless you want it to (you could leave it on for a week if you wanted.)

Note: Duct tape is not a worthy substitute for Transpore!

You can buy 3M Transpore medical tape online. Click here for a list of stores.

2. Band-aids and wart cushions

Another nifty idea I’ve seen is using Band-aids. One Band-aid over each nipple will protect the nipple from chafing.

Something else that falls into this category are those little wart/corn cushions. They are sticky pads with a little hole in the middle, and they look like they’d go right on your nipple.

Neither of these products will work as well as Transpore tape, but you might already have this stuff in your medicine cabinet, so it will work in a pinch if you don’t have the good tape yet.

3. NipGuards

If you prefer specialty products with cute names, there’s something for you, too! They’re called NipGuards and they are like little cushions that stick over your nipples. They are made specifically for runners.

If for some reason the cheap solutions don’t work for you, you may have to shell out the cash for these – $9 for a 10 pack.

I haven’t used them but it seems they are very well-liked by runners with nipple chafing issues.

You can learn more at NipGuards.com.

Summary: If you experience nipple chafing or irritation while running, get something to put over your nipples, and that should solve the problem.

Not everyone is happy with warm socks. Some people require totally waterproof socks…

I need totally waterproof socks for adventure racing! I’ve read Seal Skinz socks will leak water in the cuff!

Please help,
Wet Willy

Hi Willy,

I’m betting you have read my review of Seal Skinz socks. I think they are awesome for wet, muddy terrain, and ankle-deep water.

If you’re out canoeing and have to wade through knee-deep water, I’m not sure what would be best. I haven’t used the Seal Skinz socks for that purpose, so I can’t say whether or not the cuff would leak.

There are special socks for this purpose though – the Seal Skinz Waterblocker. They have a special cuff at the top that is supposed to be completely waterproof. For $45, I hope it is!

But yes, I have read some reviews (notably the ones at REI.com) that say Seal Skinz socks leak water down the cuff if you wade into knee-deep water. If that’s the case, they wouldn’t fare any better in deep water than the regular Seal Skinz.

Also, if the Seal Skinz waterblock cuff doesn’t keep water out, I’m betting that most other waterproof socks of that length are going to have the same problem.

Since buying hip waders (made for fishing) or a wetsuit (for ocean swims) would be impractical, what I would recommend is sticking with regular wool socks for your adventures. Wool socks stay warm and comfortable when wet, and you wouldn’t have to worry about them filling with water.

One of my personal favorites is the DeFeet Wooleator sock, or for cooler weather, the Woolie Boolie.

(If anyone has more suggestions, please chime in with a comment below.)