Barefoot Shoes

GlitterGoldJem

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/womens_footwear.htm

Has anyone tried "Barefoot" shoes? I absolutely hate sneakers ... I mean I obviously wear them when I go for a walk or run but they are just so bulky feeling. (mostly due to the fact that I'm a flat or flip flop girl) I was thinking about getting these for my days on the treadmill. Any reviews? Good/bad ...

BrianSharpe

I haven't tried the vibrams myself but the whole idea behind the barefoot / minimalist shoes is to get people to run using a midfoot strike rather than heel striking (which is what most traditional running shoes do).

I know runners who use them and love them. Would I buy them.....not sure yet (running in winter conditions helped me shorten my stride which results in a midfoot strike without spending the extra $$ and getting used to a different shoe)

xjackie83

I have Merrells with the vibram "technology" in them. They are kind of like a mary jane style shoe. I really like them. I have super bad feet and can't wear a lot of shoes due to a stress fracture in my one foot and the tendency for my ankle to roll on my other foot. With that said, it's a really unique fit. They have a super high built in arch, but it works for my foot.

With that said, it seems when it comes to vibram people either really love or really hate them.

GlitterGoldJem

The Shoe Dept. had FILA brand "barefoot" shoes but not in my size. I keep debating about ordering them ... all I can do is try them out!

Thanks for the replies

JustJennie1

I have them and I absolutely LOVE them. I've always been a toe/mid-foot striker and find these to be great for the way I run.If you're a heel striker I would not recommend them.

If you do get them you might want to buy the socks to go with them. I didn't and the first time I ran in them I got blisters on my big toes which wasn't a big deal just annoying. I wear the socks with the shoes whenever I run in them. Also you'll need to break them in slowly, like ten minute stints of running in them just to get used to them because it is a completely different feeling when your foot strikes in the 5-finger shoes vs. a regular running shoe because there is significantly less padding. I have not ran outside in them yet but from what I have heard you will feel every pebble, stick, crack etc in them because of the lack of padding. Now I'm not sure how they're going to effect my feet/legs in the long run but right now I'm enjoying running in them and as silly as it may sound I feel like I can run faster in them as well.

Would I recommend them to you? Absolutely but only because I love them. Also a friend of mine who's a huge fitness guy (does tri-athelons, an iron man, marathons etc) did not have anything bad to say about them when I asked his opinion on them.

sanura

thanks for the link! I've seen other people wearing these and didn't know where to get them. I used your link and found a store in my city! yay!!

gdunn55

I have Vibram Five Fingers and New Balance Minimus shoes. They're both good, but you have to ease your way into them. I don't see me running more than a 5k in my Five Fingers at the moment.