Ask Takbo.ph: Running Shoes for Beach Running

Here’s a good question from one of our readers.  She’ll be joining a beach run this summer and is asking what running shoes to wear for the beach.  Or is it better to run barefoot instead?

“It’s my first time to run in the beach.  What do you recommend on my footwear? Barefoot or with rubber shoes?”

First, there is no shoe designed specifically for running on the beach.  Any shoe will do.  But based from my experience, some shoe designs do better on sand than others.  As for running barefoot on the sand, I find it fun and feels like being a child again.  But some beaches are not barefoot-friendly.

Run close to where the water meets the sand

Tips on Beach Running with Shoes

1.  Bring one pair of running shoes dedicated just for beach running.  That shoe would get wet and would have sand thus having extra shoes for other beach activities would save you from cleaning your running shoes all the time.

2.  Choose shoes that are closed or tight on the shoe collar.  This will help prevent the sand from getting inside the shoes.

3.  Wear socks.  The socks will help keep the sand off the skin of you foot.  It prevents rubbing of the skin and sand which lessens the chances of developing blisters.  Thin synthetic socks are preferred since it won’t absorb to much water compared to thick cotton socks.  Wet socks will become heavy and makes running on the beach more difficult.

4.  Choose lighter running shoes.  The heavy running shoes would probably get heavier once it gets wet or when sand settles under the soles.  Thus a lighter running shoes would be an advantage.

5.  Lightweight trail running shoes typically have good traction for irregular terrains like the beach.  The sand doesn’t stick too much on the soles and removes easily during toe off.

Tips for Running Barefoot on the Beach

1.   If you are new to running barefoot, be cautious since running on the sand gets the muscles to stretch longer.  This increases the chances of injuries like plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains or Achilles injuries.

2.  Look out for sharp objects like rocks, shells and other materials.

Run with Shoes or Barefoot?

During my beach runs, I run with running shoes.  In two separate running events, I wore lightweight trail running shoes and in another event, I wore a minimalist shoe.  I was prepared to run barefoot but some parts of the beach have sharp shells thus I decided to be protected and wore my running shoes.

However, there are parts in the route where I would remove my shoes and run barefoot.  This is when the sand is loose and dry.  It’s difficult run in these parts of the beach since your shoe sinks into the sand and will get a lot of sand into the shoe.

A loose and dry sand in Boracay.  Better walk or go barefoot.

You can avoid the loose and dry sand by running closer to where the sand meets the water.  The sand here is packed and flat which is a very ideal running surface.  Just be prepared to get your feet wet.

It really doesn’t matter what shoes you would wear when running on the beach.  Whatever your choice is, I hope you’d enjoy the experience since it doesn’t happen often for many of us who lives in the city.  Enjoy the sand.  Enjoy the run.