Vibram Five Fingers

manwithpans
manwithpans Posts: 41 Member
in Motivation and Support
Does anyone wear these shoes and if so are they comfortable and do they make running in them easier or harder, What about for YOGA

Replies

  • LisaInUP
    LisaInUP Posts: 63 Member
    One of the guys I work with wears them to train and do distance runs. He says they take a bit of getting used to but he LOVES them. I know another lady who wears them casually and likes them but my partner-in-crime tried them and just couldn't get used to them.

    Good luck!
  • jgcurry3
    jgcurry3 Posts: 172 Member
    I love mine for leg days and for running. If you decide to get a pair don't go all out and try running your normal distance in them. Minimalist shoes take some time to get used to. Start small and gradually increase the distance your run in them.
  • manwithpans
    manwithpans Posts: 41 Member
    I was gonna get them for yoga and to wear like you would flip flops or sandals
  • ozzy9750
    ozzy9750 Posts: 2 Member
    Hi,

    I have a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and they are the best thing i have bought. I purchased them while on exercise in Canada July 2012 and use them when I train.

    They feel wierd to start with like getting used to putting them on an walking with them but after time its like a second skin. I recently started running in them and they are brilliant you can definately feel a difference with running on your toes, which helps with knee/shin problems that i have had in the past. I also weight train in them and are absolutly fine and help build better core stability rather than wearing normal trainers.

    I would recommend them to anybody running or weight training i will definately buy anotheer pair when these wear out!

    Hope this helps
  • 58Rock
    58Rock Posts: 176 Member
    I was gonna get them for yoga and to wear like you would flip flops or sandals

    Perfect for these as well. I have had some for years and wear them for yoga, lifting and I also wear them on my off days to help strengthen my feet and ankles. Also do some "short" runs (3-4 miles).
  • glamroxjax
    glamroxjax Posts: 87 Member
    I wear mine for EVERYTHING! I do SealFit and Crossfit, do 5-15k's, and all my outdoor adventure stuff (camping, kayaking) in them. My husband finally convinced me to try them and I am part of the VFF cult. lol They last too, when taken care of. My hubby has the the KSO Treks and after 3.5 years, his split ot the toe and leather seam. I'd say that's a long time for a shoe he wears everyday for leisure, fitness etc. And yes, they do take some getting used to for running, but I did a lot of dance prior to using them so I didn't need to break them in quite as much.
  • Seraphemz
    Seraphemz Posts: 84 Member
    I got a pair of KSO's and I love them.. .even though I get weird looks when i wear them.

    A Tip:
    If it feels weird wearing them barefoot, they have socks for them too. I feel a little better wearing socks with them, also helps in the summer time, since its hot, sweaty, and thats not a good mix for those shoes... they can get a little stinky.
  • upsidedownjelly
    upsidedownjelly Posts: 52
    Vibrams are the only shoes I can run in now. I had Plantar Fasciitis and once I got it under control I found that vibrams are the only running shoes that don't aggravate it. I did a lot of walking in mine before running in them, just to get used to them.

    They are a little weird at first, and each style fits a little different... I can wear the Bikila LS no problems but I put the Komodo Sport LS on and can't stand it. So try a few til you get the right fit.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    SOmetimes when I walk with them my feet hurt. BUt i think that's only after i messed up by doing a walk with my uggs slippers or thong sandals. Total, no no.

    I love them at the gym though. Totally. I feel balanced and strong when I wear them like in complete control of my feet. That sounds weird I know. but that's how I feel when i wear them.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I use them when I can't go completely barefoot.
  • downeyek
    downeyek Posts: 41 Member
    Thanks for starting this thread. I too have been wanting to get some, but I'm nervous b/c they aren't cheap and I'd hate to hate them. Saying that, I'm mostly a bare-footer anyway, I hate socks, and only wear flip-flops and ballet flats. Something about putting a gigantic shoe on to work out in totally feels wrong to me. My concern is that I'm not in the best shape (yet) and I'm worried about running/walking on hard surfaces. Wouldn't that be painful on one's heels/toes?

    If you get them, up-date the thread and let us (me) know what you think!
  • jgcurry3
    jgcurry3 Posts: 172 Member
    Also baby powder will be your best friend when your feet and toes dont want to go where you need them too.
  • Willowana
    Willowana Posts: 493 Member
    Oh....we're talking about shoes. Well, that's not what I had in mind.

    Carry on.
  • LynneseLooksgood
    LynneseLooksgood Posts: 46
    I wear them. They are comfortable for me because I have wide flat feet and prefer to walk barefoot everywhere if I could... lol.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    I know people who love them...but they just look too weird for me. (And I'm a birkie lover...don't mind ugly shoes)
  • elgray26
    elgray26 Posts: 212 Member
    I wear them. I am not sure if it is mental, but before I got them I could not even run a mile. A couple days ago I ran for a whole hour and went 5.5 miles.

    They are very comfortable, that is if you don't mind something being between your toes. For me I don't even feel it after a while.
  • astrylian
    astrylian Posts: 194 Member
    You will have to grow accustomed to running in a different style, because the impact is quite different. My boyfriend loved his, but he also likes to jog in rural areas too, which often have gravel or rougher surfaces. He believes that Vibrams are more suitable for running on pavement and smooth surfaces, as you can feel uncomfortable bumpiness a lot more with them. Running in Vibrams usually beats up his feet, if he tries to run in the more gravely dirt roads/wilderness.
  • jaimrlx
    jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
    Vibrams are the only shoes I can run in now. I had Plantar Fasciitis and once I got it under control I found that vibrams are the only running shoes that don't aggravate it. I did a lot of walking in mine before running in them, just to get used to them.

    They are a little weird at first, and each style fits a little different... I can wear the Bikila LS no problems but I put the Komodo Sport LS on and can't stand it. So try a few til you get the right fit.

    I have very bad PF and was wondering about this. Thanks for the insight. Did it change the way you run? I don't mind the way they look, but I always wondered if losing the protective feel of regular or PF stabilized sneakers would freak me out.

    Off topic, cute dog!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Does anyone wear these shoes and if so are they comfortable and do they make running in them easier or harder, What about for YOGA

    I use them for everything. Fishing, shooting, pub crawling, weight lifting, running, driving, yoga, even ... adult things.

    Comfortable, nice minimal feel, and the classics have great grip. Only problem I have with them is that you do give up some protection. I wouldn't want to drop a plate on them.
  • TwinkieDong
    TwinkieDong Posts: 1,564 Member
    Buy the newbalance minimus still vibram sole but not weird looking. I love them so much I bought two pairs.
  • kaylacollinscna
    kaylacollinscna Posts: 102 Member
    I love my Vibrams! I got mine on Saturday, and on Monday I started wearing them all day. It took me until today to master running in them. They say you should take it slow to adjust in order to prevent injury. Many will probably want to take it slower than I have, lol.
    In the first couple of days I was wearing them with no socks, but when I first tried to run in them my shoes had already been very moist from sweating and the back of my right foot chafed. That issue has been resolved after wearing socks. :)
    Now i'm not looking forward to going to work and wearing my regular shoes. Can't wear them where I work. :(
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Thanks for starting this thread. I too have been wanting to get some, but I'm nervous b/c they aren't cheap and I'd hate to hate them. Saying that, I'm mostly a bare-footer anyway, I hate socks, and only wear flip-flops and ballet flats. Something about putting a gigantic shoe on to work out in totally feels wrong to me. My concern is that I'm not in the best shape (yet) and I'm worried about running/walking on hard surfaces. Wouldn't that be painful on one's heels/toes?

    If you get them, up-date the thread and let us (me) know what you think!

    They aren't painful on heels because one heel strike jogging and you won't do that again.
    You will have to land mid-foot, taking the shock with the muscles, not joints.
    No problem with toes, since those can't exactly be strong enough to push off with anyway.

    I prefer the Merrill Trail and Road Gloves. Same Vibram sole, wide toe box to stretch toes out, 1-2 mm neoprene layer for some protection, and much quicker to put on, and better toe protection when actually on trails.

    You can start right now landing mid-foot, not on the heel. Have to do faster turnover or foot landings, about 90 cycles, or 180 footsteps per minute. So shorter strides since you can't get foot out in front of you.
    Starting now with current shoes will help get calves stronger since they help absorb shock with quads, and get technique down.
    When you switch, not so bad.
  • darylewb
    darylewb Posts: 45
    I would wear mine everywhere if I could. If you decide to run in them, as mentioned above, start out with only a fraction of your normal distance. I didn't. I pulled them out of the box, put them on my feet and ran six miles. My calf muscles were NOT happy.

    After running in them for a few years, I can go any distance in them without no problems. On the other hand if I wear traditional running shoes, my knees and back kill me after a long run.


    They would be great for yoga or any other kind of exercising. Your toes can get a grip on stuff while you wear them.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    I don't like stuff between my toes, so I don't think I would like them. I've also heard that they are bad for your feet.
  • upsidedownjelly
    upsidedownjelly Posts: 52
    Vibrams are the only shoes I can run in now. I had Plantar Fasciitis and once I got it under control I found that vibrams are the only running shoes that don't aggravate it. I did a lot of walking in mine before running in them, just to get used to them.

    They are a little weird at first, and each style fits a little different... I can wear the Bikila LS no problems but I put the Komodo Sport LS on and can't stand it. So try a few til you get the right fit.

    I have very bad PF and was wondering about this. Thanks for the insight. Did it change the way you run? I don't mind the way they look, but I always wondered if losing the protective feel of regular or PF stabilized sneakers would freak me out.

    Off topic, cute dog!

    You do have to run more on the ball of your foot in Vibrams, if you are a big heel striker it kills... I never really focused on how I ran before, so I can't say if my gait changed at all, but I seem to be running properly in them now.

    I feel they help with my PF because they are so minimal. My foot muscles are being stretched in ways that a normal running shoe prohibits.

    I will be honest, I hadn't had a flare up in about a year before I used Vibrams, but every other running shoe I had tried up to that point gave me that achey-oh-crap feeling in my heel. I also had a significant ankle injury that changed my gait a little, and caused shoes that were fine before to kill my feet.

    I also swear by Keens and since I started wearing them, I can work 15 hour days on my feet with no problems whatsoever... No insoles necessary!

    And thank you, my dog appreciates the complement too :)
  • Bardane
    Bardane Posts: 60 Member
    Buy the newbalance minimus still vibram sole but not weird looking. I love them so much I bought two pairs.

    Me too. Hated the 5 fingers, I have very short, slightly arthritic toes - wasn't going to happen :ohwell: The minimus though work well for me. I find them great for weights, kettlebells, and general walking. Saving up for a second pair.
  • Cobnut
    Cobnut Posts: 10
    I love my VFFs! I've had my Spyridons for about 3 months now and I can feel how much stronger my lower legs and feet have got. The only thing with them is that it's very important to start slowly in them, even if you're already fit (or think you are!), as they work muscles that aren't used if wearing ordinary shoes; people get injured trying to do too much too soon. I started by going walking in them over progressively longer distances and over rougher and rougher terrain before even considering running in them. But I still nearly came a cropper when I got a little too keen when starting running and got what I thought was the beginning of a medial shin splint. So I had to rein it in, stop running until I'd built up more strength in my calves. I've been running a bit when out walking and it's OK now, and I'm starting a couch to 5k plan tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get as fit as when I ran 10k races (in normal running shoes) 17 years ago, but this time in my beloved VFFs :happy:

Categories