Shoes for Plebe Summer and beyond?

Maxwell'16

USNA Appointee 2016
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2012
Messages
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Hello! I received an Appointment to the Naval Academy mid January and have sent my papers in recently. I am very excited to start this journey, but have come across a concern: shoes!

I am a swimmer, and have been for the past ten years. I plan on joining the Drum and Bugle Corps at the Academy. I have been very active in the "marching arts" and music in High School.

Now that the background is out of the way, I must admit, running is not my forte. Swimming has kept me from running more than 2 miles at a time. I have been doing a slight cross fit dryland program for swimming where I wear the Vibram Five-fingers. I am a HUGE fan of minimalist shoes and enjoy Vibrams very much. I believe the form they promote is much more "correct" and I feel very agile in them.

People have told me that the Vibrams will not be acceptable at the Academy during Plebe year. Can anybody confirm this? Are they ever acceptable? Also, if anybody does wear them, how long do they last at the Academy? Is minimalist footwear not suggested (a.k.a. is cushioning a major need)? What do you wear and why?

The following shoes have been recommended, but am having a hard time deciding! Again, I am not a runner, and I do not want an injury during plebe summer.

Nike Free Run
Mizuno Wave Rider
Merrell Barefoot


Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
~Max
 
You can't wear Vibrams over plebe summer. I wore some late spring plebe year and it wasn't an issue and youngster year/beyond you can wear whatever you want. The only consideration you might have is that the majority of where you can run on the yard is paved if you're used to running on trail.

I've heard good things about Nike Frees. I wear the New Balance minimalist shoes (forget what they're called). It's all personal preference and different people like different things. Try some different shoes on and see what feels right.

I plan on joining the Drum and Bugle Corps at the Academy.

Oh no.
 
I recommend going to a sports store and being fitted for your shoes. Some brands fit some people better than other brands and the right size is critical. Then, start running NOW. Seriously.

Break in the shoes and see if they are comfortable. Wear them out running! If you like them, you can get a new pair -- and break them in -- a month or so before Plebe Summer.
 
I've got some Skechers Resistance Runners that have the Shape-up curve. They are very good running shoes, but will they be accepted?
 
I've been wondering this myself for quite sometime.

I understand that the Academy has certain shoes pre-decided that will be the "shoe of the summer" for the plebes.

Is it possible to buy a pair before hand and break them in?

Also are orthotics for high arches allowed in the shoes?
 
Go with any of the Merrell barefoots. Of course, mostly white. Great shoes. The other options I have no experience with, but as long as there is no drop and minimal padding, good to go!

EDIT: And you won't be the only one!
 
Keep in mind that an shoe you will wear during Plebe Summer(and for most of plebe year) must work with the lovely Plebe tube socks that are required :thumb:
 
Merrell Barefoots do not come in a mostly white version... That aren't for women. Does anyone know how they compare to the NB Minimus Trail? I heard those have a bit more padding? One Plebe dragger's company for the C.V.W. had them.
Do the "lovely Plebe tube socks" require much shoe room?
Thanks for the input!
 
Yeah, Merrell has pretty limited colors. Now that I'm looking, even the closest men's shoe is more gray than white. Shucks. Well, a friend of mine wears the Minimus. He likes them. And he's the kind of guy that usually wears his vibrams everywhere.

As far as I'm aware, the socks we'll be getting are average thickness. Not dress sock thin, but not woolly thick.
 
Whatever you get, make sure it is a comfortable running shoe. DS wore his out before Christmas.
 
I did this last weekend after some speed intervals in track today, I cannot be more pleased. For a new pair of shoes, never been broken into, no blisters, no hot-spots, not even squeezing cramps.

Go to a specialty running shoe store. Let them measure your feet and see how you run/walk. Plan to spend anywhere from 70-150 dollars on a pair of good shoes. I spent 126 on a pair of Asics Gel-landreth 7. I have a medium arch and run primarily striking on the ball of my feet near the outer edge with some pronation.

Another tip, the lightest shoe is not always the best even for speed.

Considering the shoe needing to be white, how white is white enough? Would some silver and blue trimmings be ok? Or is this just a general rule to avoid attention?
 
I am not sure of any specialty running shoe stores in my area. Can you list a few?
From what I've heard, color is no matter (but avoid dangerously bold color combos...)
Thanks
 
Plebe summer, we don't have to wear the issued shoes ? I'm confused haha.
 
Plebe summer you're issued running shoes, but can wear ones you bring. The only restrictions are, basically, no Vibrams and nothing too outlandish for color. As long as they're predominantly whitish gray you're good.
 
I am not sure of any specialty running shoe stores in my area. Can you list a few?
From what I've heard, color is no matter (but avoid dangerously bold color combos...)
Thanks
I went to a Fleet Feet Store- Raleigh, NC. They have retail shops all over the country. go to google and type in specialty running shoes stores. You should be able to find one near larger cities.
 
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