Have anyone tried Barefoot Shoes?

I currently have a pair of Vibram Five Finger Treks and absolutely love them! I will warn you though, you said you are training for a 5K. Make sure you have at least a few weeks before your event to get used to them. This is a whole new style of running, and you need to go through a learning curve. I wouldn't suggest running more than 10 minutes or 1 mile for the first week in them or else you could over train the different muscles you will be using. Then slowly work up your distance and time and you will be back up to where you started!

I agree with the other poster to not jump right into Vibram shoes. I tried them and I personally don't like them at all. But I have heard from other runners that once you go to five fingers, it is harder to adjust back to a regular running shoe because your running strike changes. Try going to a specialty running store. They will be able to give you good feedback on them.

You could start with something in between. Nike Free, Saucony Kinvara, New Balance Minimus. All fine minimalist shoes.

Vibram Five Fingers are amazing! I just purchased some a few weeks ago, and running in them has done wonders for my body. My knees no longer hurt when I run, and my gait has improved. I would suggest the Bikilas, because they are designed specifically for running. Like many have said before, you must ease into running in them to avoid any stress fractures or injuries.

Happy running! :happy:

These are my 'barefoot' running shoes. Dunlop Volleys. Same design since the 1970s.
Will probably graduate to Vibrams eventually, but these are a much cheaper alternative at only $35 a pop.
Not sure if you can get them outside Australia though.

I have Fila Skeletoes, and LOVE them. The first time I wore them, it rubbed a blister on my instep (weird place, right?), but since then I've used Vaseline on my feet first and they're great. After training in them for 2 wks, I wore them at my first 5k and they were awesome. Plus, I was the only one there with "barefoot" shoes and got a lot of attention for them!

So, I recently got a pair of Vibram''s Five Fingers. I love them - they are so comfortable!

But - I am now sitting in the recliner with my leg wrapped since I pulled my calf muscle today while running. It's my own fault - inexperience and impatience are a bad mix. I tried to go too far too soon.

I'll still use them for kettlebell workouts - they are fantastic for that; but I'll go much much slower with running in them.

Vibram Five Fingers are amazing! I just purchased some a few weeks ago, and running in them has done wonders for my body. My knees no longer hurt when I run, and my gait has improved. I would suggest the Bikilas, because they are designed specifically for running. Like many have said before, you must ease into running in them to avoid any stress fractures or injuries.

Happy running! :happy:

This!! I have several pair of Vibrams..... I wear my KSO's for casual wear, Komodosport LS (The crossfit crowd wears these) I wear when I weight train and my Bikilas LS are designed for runners and/or joggers I would recommend them for your 5k but you need time to ease into them. You will be working muscles in your feet that you didn't even know you had... lol Best of Luck....

I am currently waiting on my first pair of vibrams to come in the mail. I got the komodosports cause they fit the best and personally didn't like the way the bikilas fit my foot. I'll keep you posted when I get them

I started off running about 2.5 years ago and bought myself Nike Lunarglide (prior to knowing anything about Vibram). I ran in those for about 3 months and dealt with hip pain and shin splints. During that time, I found out about Vibrams through my trainer and bought a pair of Bikilas for cross training/weight lifting. I decided to start running in them as well. You do have to ramp up your mileage slowly to build up muscles that you might not have used regularly before. I ran my first half marathon in them about 4 months later and my first full marathon another 12 months after that. Those have since worn out and I've replaced them with Komodosports, but to be honest, prefer the Bikilas for road running. I will be switching up to a dedicated pair of shoes for the gym and a new pair of Bikilas for strictly running. I do know some people experience hot spots (ie. rubbing) w/ various shoes. I get more rubbing w/ the Komodos than I did with the Bikilas (but only at longer distances and if it's particularly warm). Good luck with whatever you decide...and keep in mind, it may take some trial & error until you find THE right shoe for your feet.

i run in minimal shoues because they give me feedback. i know the instant my form gets sloppy and i start heel striking so i can correct it before i knacker my knee again / get shin splints!
this is what works for me
but...

i would say the shoes are irrelevant it's more about how you run.
are you injury prone - yes? then consider changing you running style ( and new shoes might be part of this)
no? if it aint broke don't fix it and go with your running style

I am currently waiting on my first pair of vibrams to come in the mail. I got the komodosports cause they fit the best and personally didn't like the way the bikilas fit my foot. I'll keep you posted when I get them

I tried on some vibrams but just didn't feel right to me (possibly due to having long toes) so I went with NB Minimus Zero Road shoes. Love love love LOVE them! (did I mention that I love them?) Practically no break-in time either.

Since I've never really been a heel striker I haven't had too many issues adjusting to their use, although it is a tad odd feeling the road - and everything on it.

I've been doing strength training at the gym as well, which is the other big reason I wanted a nice pair of zero-rise shoes. Yay for shoes that can multi-task!