Vibram Five Finger shoes?

jiigglybutt

Anybody have a pair of these? How are they compared to other running shoes? I'd love to get some. They look so interesting :glasses:

rbbrrmqn

bump

caroline_g

I've not ever seen them let alone worn them but I don't like the look or idea of them at all! I've had socks like that before (bits for each toe) and it just feels weird and uncomfortable. I would think it wouldn't be as good support either? Could be wrong though!

misskerouac

I want them too! Of the people that I know that have them, they like them, but you have to ease in to them, they really do a number on your calves if you aren't careful

bailamulata

I have some that are very similar.. they are called Skele-toes and it has 4 toes only... so your little toe goes together with the second to last one... the ones I'm wearing have great arch support... but one thing I will tell you is that it's hard to find good socks for them... you only have 2 options.. the ballerina peds which end up giving you a tourniquet on your toes and it chokes them to death after a while of jogging or sprinting with them.. and the other socks with the open slits for all your toes also feel kind of uncomfortable... so you are left with no socks and when you are running...well I jog only... haven't been able to get up to running yet... well when jogging you know how your feet perspire if you are not wearing good cotton socks... well that is the problem... I went sock-less and developed a painful blister... you should go try them on and weigh your options... because when working out the last thing you need is any type of injury even as mild as a blister... good luck hon'

LesliePierceRN

i have a pair and i love them. I got them because I'd read that they strengthen the muscles/tendons/ligaments in the foot because the foot runs more naturally and can't rely on padding or shape to hold it during the run like it does in many cushioned specialty running shoes. But, a caution, begin slowly! I wore mine for about a mile and was nearly hobbled the next day because my calves weren't used to the different foot mechanics. it took a few weeks of gradually upping my mileage to get used to them. I love them, I wear them for speed runs and bootcamp classes.

samand25

I have some vivobarefoot ( similar concept) they are for barefoot running, therefore NO SUPPORT. You have to change the way you run in these or they hurt like hell!

Mine were not cheap, so research before you buy! I however do recommend.

Zbigniew1

I love mine. You can feel everything when running, asphalt, grass, the holes between the tiles, etc. I just did 17km (11miles) in them yesterday,

You will need to realise that you will be starting completely over with your running, since you will be using completely different muscles and tendons than when you ran before. I will recommend not more than 200 meters the first couple of times running in them, then if you fell fine the next day, up it to 500m, then slowly double it.

And no, there is no support, but it's not needed. Current running shoes (Nike Air Super++ and what not) have only been around for some 100 years and were introduced to the market because bicycle tire manufacturers wanted to expand to another market. The 2,000,000 years before that, no one was heel-striking, but everyone basically ran like small children do today before we "teach them how to run properly". If you have one around, ask him/her to run, and notice that he/she lands on her forefoot. Also this is what professional runners basically also do, both marathoners and sprinters, even if running in conventional shoes. Check out some Youtube videos and it becomes very apparent.

Sure, if you heel-strke, you will need the cushion, but humans were never intended to land on their heels which is a skeletal bon. The shock when landing goes right through the heel to your knees. When landing on your forefoot and balls of your foot, the calves are naturally absorbing the shock.

But yeah, it's a "new" thing and most likely there will be some long distance running "haters" replying to this thread, as well as the usual "don't do it, you will destroy your feet!!!!111" by people who have no idea what they are talking about, but still have a very strong opinion about them :-)

Tempe729

I have 2 pairs actually! One for indoors and one for outdoors.. I love them and they're much more comfortable running in then tennis-shoes (indoors or out). They're expensive but well worth it!

jaded_rose

I own two pairs and love them both. One pair I have is for running outside (Treksport) and one for inside workouts (Kso). My outside pair have a thicker sole and I don't want to crack them by doing yoga and that inside so I got the second pair which are for yoga. I can actually feel different muscle in my legs when I run in them compared to normal running shoes. With my inside pair my feet don't slip as much as normal shoes when I'm moving but I still now where I'm placing my feet.

But they don't have as much cushioning as normal shoes and you may have a problem if you have a high arch. I love them but I've known people and heard people don't like them so I'd try on a pair before you buy them before you buy some.

sullymanjohn

I have vibrams. I love them.

mamakira

My husband has a pir of those and loves them. Just make sure they really fit!

fudie

i love my five fingers!!!! i wore them around work and walking little by little to get my feet use to them because they are a bit different at first but after your use to them it really is like you dont have anything on your feet. they are very light and i love running in them.

mbk830

Personally, they scare me. However, one of my good friends has a pair and absolutely loves them.

Sabine_Stroehm

I have the brooks minimalist running shoes. I wear them for walking mostly. I walk 2.5 miles each way to work. I love them. I liked the idea of the vibrams but hate things between my toes.

Serenity64

I love my five fingers! As people said, if you are used to standard running shoes, you will need to change your running style and ease into it. I came from running/walking barefoot, so these are nice because they add a bit of protection on really rough surfaces without feeling like my foot is immobilized. I still walk barefoot most of the time unless it's freezing outside or I'm doing a race on unknown surfaces.

Tim249

I finished C25K a few weeks ago in traditional running shoes and am now starting to transition into VFFs (the KSO model, which were on sale at REI). Taking it very slow, as others have advised. I have a long history of shin splits and ankle pain when running. So far, no problems in my VFFs.

For lots of info about these and similar "minimalist" shoes check out www.birthdayshoes.com

MariaChele85

I've had my vibrams for about 2 weeks now. Im slowly transitioning into them.Its recommended to start slowly. I have been walking in mine for about an hr aday. I will slowly start jogging in them. Love them so far. Yesterday I did Body Pump class in them at the gym, and I felt great. My balance and stability was even better than when I wear my regular shoes.

Kell_Smurthwaite

Eeek! I can't even wear the socks that have individual toes in them - it feels horrid! Bit then, I'm funny about toes and feet anyway, so that probably doesn't help - LOL!

jiigglybutt

thanks everyone for the input! I'm really considering trying them out! :bigsmile:

emczech5

I don't do a lot of running, but I tried out Zumba the other day and my regular shoes hurt my feet so bad I had to take my shoes of and go bare foot. It felt so much better barefoot that I decided to seriously look into investing into a pair of these, since they are supposed to be more like going barefoot. I found some Vibram Sprints for a super great deal online last week and decided to order a pair. They came in the mail today! Unfortunately I had read the size chart wrong and ordered the wrong size. I didn't think it would be to big of a deal, but when I tried them on the were a little to snug in a couple of places so they cut into the area between a couple of toes and my Achilles. I sent them back to exchange for the next size up, the correct size. I figured I'd end up liking them better if they fit properly and more comfortably. I guess I'll have to wait a few more days to see how they work out. I'll let you know how it goes.

microMXL

I have the fila skele-toes and love them, have used for running and beachbody: insanity

bugsymalone521

I have two pairs of them and absolutely love them! I have a pair of KSOs that have virtually nothing on the bottom and a pair of Trek Sports that have some tread on them for Mud Runs, etc.

I have bad ankles and have to wear an ankle brace when running/exercising in conventional running shoes. Not in my vibrams! I will also say, my legs have never been stronger in my life. I recently ran a 10-mile race in them and could have easily did a half marathon. I have plans for a full marathon next year.

The worst part of the shoes is the way the look. They honestly look horrible (they always strike up a conversation lol) but they function fantastic for me. Keep in mind I like this minimalist approach and they are not for everyone.

The shoes encourage you to run on the balls of your feet rather than heel strike. It's a more natural movement and as others have mentioned your body will need to adjust to them.

bciochetti

I like using mine for dodgeball and volleyball, but I do find they get really stinky really fast.

emczech5

I just got mine a couple days ago. I wore them around town yesterday. Haven't done anything really athletic yet but so far I like them.

Sabine_Stroehm

I have two pairs of them and absolutely love them! I have a pair of KSOs that have virtually nothing on the bottom and a pair of Trek Sports that have some tread on them for Mud Runs, etc.

I have bad ankles and have to wear an ankle brace when running/exercising in conventional running shoes. Not in my vibrams! I will also say, my legs have never been stronger in my life. I recently ran a 10-mile race in them and could have easily did a half marathon. I have plans for a full marathon next year.

The worst part of the shoes is the way the look. They honestly look horrible (they always strike up a conversation lol) but they function fantastic for me. Keep in mind I like this minimalist approach and they are not for everyone.

The shoes encourage you to run on the balls of your feet rather than heel strike. It's a more natural movement and as others have mentioned your body will need to adjust to them.

Interesting that you say this. I ran a bit in my 20s (I'm 47). I did about 2 years of 5Ks, 10Ks etc. maybe 50miles a week. My knees couldn't take it. Doc said stop running etc. Fast forward 20 years. I have been in pretty good shape all these years, just not running. In Feb, I decided to try running "a bit" at the gym, on the treadmill. It went fine...I took it very slow. then I got the Brooks minimalist shoes. and WOW. Knees feel fabulous, walking or running. Inside OR outside!!!!
I'm running so differently. My hips aren't popping. My knees aren't popping. Or aching at night. It's quite a change.
I'm taking it super slow (literally and literally).
Outside, I'm only running (slowly) about 30 minutes, then just walking another 30-45. But BOY did I miss it. I don't see any 10Ks in my knees' futures. But I'd like to be able to do a slow 5K a few times a week. And I truly see that happening with the new shoe set up. No pain. At all.