Not food related, but what are your thoughts on Vibrams??
ShannonKirton
Posts: 304 Member
So when I first started the gym, a few guys had on these SERIOUSLY ugly shoes. I've come to learn (a while ago) that they are Vibram FiveFingers these guys were wearing and I've heard Mark Sisson talk about the benefits of the shoes etc. I've also visited the website and looked at the products, but has anyone here actually used them?
I'm just not sure I can justify the price for the "benefits". Thoughts and experiences?
I'm just not sure I can justify the price for the "benefits". Thoughts and experiences?
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I have a pair that I bought after getting all excited reading Born to Run but I can't say that I think they are really worth the money. You can probably get a very similar effect just by wearing a pair of converse or another athletic shoe with a thin sole.0
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I was sold on the benefits of them so I went to my local running shoe store to get fitted and try them on. They really are hideous. I was willing to overlook how hideous they are, but they are also very hard to get on and off, especially with my petite little toes. It took me like 5 minutes to squeeze each toe in and then I just couldn't get over how ugly they were.
I went with the next best thing - New Balance has a minimalist shoe with a Vibram bottom yet they are not toe shoes. The sole of the shoe is actually the exact same bottom as Vibram Five Fingers, even has a little Vibram logo on it. I loved these shoes and wore them daily for a while.
Within a few months of wearing them daily, I developed a joint/arthritic pain where my big toe meets the rest of my foot. I am not sure what to blame, but I stopped wearing my NB minimal shoes and went back to my good ol' Nikes and my pretty new Reeboks for when I'm not working out (I was about to say dressed up, but I don't do that, I just wear nicer fitness clothes lol). The pain has gone away.
So I'm not sure if I would recommend the shoe that I went with as an alternative, since I developed a pain while wearing them. Who knows though, that pain could be unrelated to the shoe.0 -
I totally "get" the idea and concept - but just am too worried about how stupid I would look in public. So.. I do try to be barefoot as much as possible around the house and during the summer. Plus when I workout I use New Balance Minimus Zeros - which have the sole made by (or licensed from) vibram. They don't have individual toe pockets - but are a very minimalist sole. I run in the them, lift in them, crossfit and kickbox in them. Take a little getting used to because of the lack of "protection" and "support" but I really have grown to like them.0
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I've never used the Vibrams. I have two different sets of Merrells ("True Gloves" and "Tough Gloves"), though, and I would recommend them. I'm probably going to buy a pair of their "Trail Gloves" at some point. A note about the True Gloves: They dug the hell out of my heels when I first got them. They're fine now that they are broken in, but if you get a pair, be prepared for it.0
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I totally "get" the idea and concept - but just am too worried about how stupid I would look in public. So.. I do try to be barefoot as much as possible around the house and during the summer. Plus when I workout I use New Balance Minimus Zeros - which have the sole made by (or licensed from) vibram. They don't have individual toe pockets - but are a very minimalist sole. I run in the them, lift in them, crossfit and kickbox in them. Take a little getting used to because of the lack of "protection" and "support" but I really have grown to like them.
Thats the one I was talking about!
No foot pain for you after wearing them often?0 -
Personally, I think they are amazing. I've had two foot surgeries and after my second I could not find shoes that would not hurt. I did some research and found the vibrams. (Several years ago) they are great. I run in them, play softball, kayak, work out. They are so dynamic. I do have running shoes for distance as you really have to work up to distance in these shoes. They allow you to use so many tiny muscles and ligaments that are otherwise restricted in regular footwear. If you go for walk the first day for a mile, your calves may be screaming at you the next two days. I recommend.
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I've been considering some minimalist shoes for my leg days (squats). I think my running shoes are robbing my lifts.
I have wide feet. Are they cut more like Nike's or New Balance shoes? Do they come in wider cuts?0 -
I love just being barefoot. I would probably love vibrams as long as they didn't irritate my toes. However, I have determined that they are probably pretty useless here in the Arctic so I haven't invested in a pair yet. I do wear minimalistic type footwear though. For instance, rubber boots, shoes with barely any sole and I wear Inuit type footwear which have animal skin soles-they are the best.0
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Have them, love them. Won't wear anything else unless I'm getting dressed up. Even my dog's vet and their staff wear them. I even wear them to work every day.
It does take some practice to get them on easily, but after a while, you can start doing it even without hands.
As for how they look, whether they're "hideous" or not depends on what you're considering "hideous" about them. If it's the color, then there are a bunch of models that are black on black or similar not-neon combinations. New Balance has some pretty hideous shoes that are the same shade of blue and orange as a highlighter, too, if you ask me. If it's because of the toes...well...that's about like walking into Victoria Secret and not liking that they sell lingerie. That said, I'd again recommend checking out the low-contrast colored ones (such as the black-on-black), which make the toe boxes less noticeable.
The last pair I had were black-on-black colored. I got a few comments, when people actually had time to really look at them and see that they had toes. However, when I got my new pair, which are green on grey and show the toes a lot more, I got a lot more comments and questions about them (most people are curious about them, though it's fun to hear the reactions from my son's classmates who are all around 3 years old).
And with price, well, I'm not sure what the people who are saying they're expensive are buying otherwise, because it wasn't unheard of for my parents to shell out $100 for a good pair of basketball shoes each year for me in middle/high school, and Vibrams run about the same, overall. Some models are as low as $60. I got my current pair last November as a Black Friday sale item, for $40.0 -
I love just being barefoot. I would probably love vibrams as long as they didn't irritate my toes. However, I have determined that they are probably pretty useless here in the Arctic so I haven't invested in a pair yet. I do wear minimalistic type footwear though. For instance, rubber boots, shoes with barely any sole and I wear Inuit type footwear which have animal skin soles-they are the best.
They have a winter model now, call the Lontra. Might be worth looking into. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/Five-Fingers-Lontra-Mens.htm (they have in women's too, I'm just too lazy to track down the link).0 -
I've been considering some minimalist shoes for my leg days (squats). I think my running shoes are robbing my lifts.
I have wide feet. Are they cut more like Nike's or New Balance shoes? Do they come in wider cuts?
They generally have enough give in them to handle wider feet, and they're not really sized the same way as regular shoes, anyway (they're made and sized to be snug and form-fitting). They also have laced ones now that provide more fine tuned adjustments for people with taller or wider feet.
I wear size 11 wide in women's and I can easily find Vibrams.
I recommend finding a place that stocks a variety of their models and try a few on to see which ones work best for you.0 -
I totally "get" the idea and concept - but just am too worried about how stupid I would look in public. So.. I do try to be barefoot as much as possible around the house and during the summer. Plus when I workout I use New Balance Minimus Zeros - which have the sole made by (or licensed from) vibram. They don't have individual toe pockets - but are a very minimalist sole. I run in the them, lift in them, crossfit and kickbox in them. Take a little getting used to because of the lack of "protection" and "support" but I really have grown to like them.
Thats the one I was talking about!
No foot pain for you after wearing them often?
Not in the Vibrams for me. I wear them all day, every day (yes, I even wear them to work). If you're used to big, clunky, or heeled shoes, then you'll need to work up to wearing them all day, though, as you're not used to using all of the muscles in your foot. You'll get "pain" more in the DOMS and fatigue sense.
If you're getting other pain, odds are your stride is wrong. You pretty much have to walk correctly in these (soft stride when walking, mid-foot strike when running, never hyper-extend your stride, etc) or you'll injure yourself.0 -
I really like mine. I go barefoot as much as possible. I've worn them to work on casual days - but can't most of the time. I have noticed that they have really helped my toes straighten out. My toes always kinda looked curled up until I started wearing them. After the first wear - I saw a huge difference in flattening out my toes.
I use them all the time for yoga.0 -
I love, love, love mine! I have indoor VFFs (for lifting) and outdoor VFFs (for running). For "regular-looking" casual sneaks I wear Merrell Vapor Gloves--they have the same sole and are incredibly light. But yea, I won't run or lift in anything else!0
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I totally "get" the idea and concept - but just am too worried about how stupid I would look in public. So.. I do try to be barefoot as much as possible around the house and during the summer. Plus when I workout I use New Balance Minimus Zeros - which have the sole made by (or licensed from) vibram. They don't have individual toe pockets - but are a very minimalist sole. I run in the them, lift in them, crossfit and kickbox in them. Take a little getting used to because of the lack of "protection" and "support" but I really have grown to like them.
I totally get the concept too. Not that worried about how people will look at me, but I'm just not 100% sure that they will benefit me that greatly. Living in Barbados, I spent my entire childhood and most of my time now (when I'm not out or at work obviously) barefoot and running around, so I'm pretty sure that my feet are pretty well exercised, but maybe I'm fooling myself. Who knows. If I can find some on sale, or maybe a different brand for less I'll certainly consider it. $100 US is $200 Barbados so you might be able to guess at my hesitation. I will admit that I'm quite curious, but I'm not a fan of the fad (of anything) so not sure what to do.
But I will check out the other brands and suggestions and see what I come up with.0 -
Shannon, the main benefit of them is that they don't offer unnatural cushioning that is detrimental to both lifting and running form. Being barefoot so often, you'd probably enjoy the lack of structure these shoes would provide (or wouldn't provide LOL)0
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Shannon, the main benefit of them is that they don't offer unnatural cushioning that is detrimental to both lifting and running form. Being barefoot so often, you'd probably enjoy the lack of structure these shoes would provide (or wouldn't provide LOL)
Good point Primal. I have made a note to visit a store that carries them and see if I can try on a pair. I know you don't wear socks with them so I'm not sure about store policy and customers trying on the shoes. I would know immediately if I am sold on them or not. The funniest part is, I was recently looking at getting a new pair of Aisics sneakers and those would run me anywhere from $120 - $160 USD, so maybe $100 or $110 US isn't as bad as I thought! lol!0 -
I actually do wear socks with my running ones (injinji brand) but not with my lifting ones. Helps with the stink :laugh:0
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I actually do wear socks with my running ones (injinji brand) but not with my lifting ones. Helps with the stink :laugh:
I was wondering about that! I know they sell toe socks, but I was wondering if you could find ankle toe socks! lol Guess if I decide to go through with it I will get me some toe socks. I've never like the feeling of wearing sneakers without socks.0 -
I love just being barefoot. I would probably love vibrams as long as they didn't irritate my toes. However, I have determined that they are probably pretty useless here in the Arctic so I haven't invested in a pair yet. I do wear minimalistic type footwear though. For instance, rubber boots, shoes with barely any sole and I wear Inuit type footwear which have animal skin soles-they are the best.
They have a winter model now, call the Lontra. Might be worth looking into. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/Five-Fingers-Lontra-Mens.htm (they have in women's too, I'm just too lazy to track down the link).
Separating toes in the winter is a good way to lose your toes. Also, it's the terrain too. From talking to other people, all the gravel and rocks here would destroy them pretty fast... even if my feet could get tough enough to stand all the rocks.
No would not even come close to being any good here, not even for spring or fall. LOL I'm laughing really hard looking at them and imagining wearing them to work, wading through snow drifts with temps of -40 C, windchills -60 C. :laugh:0 -
I actually do wear socks with my running ones (injinji brand) but not with my lifting ones. Helps with the stink :laugh:
I was wondering about that! I know they sell toe socks, but I was wondering if you could find ankle toe socks! lol Guess if I decide to go through with it I will get me some toe socks. I've never like the feeling of wearing sneakers without socks.
Check out Injinji. They've got a few different varieties.0 -
I love just being barefoot. I would probably love vibrams as long as they didn't irritate my toes. However, I have determined that they are probably pretty useless here in the Arctic so I haven't invested in a pair yet. I do wear minimalistic type footwear though. For instance, rubber boots, shoes with barely any sole and I wear Inuit type footwear which have animal skin soles-they are the best.
They have a winter model now, call the Lontra. Might be worth looking into. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/Five-Fingers-Lontra-Mens.htm (they have in women's too, I'm just too lazy to track down the link).
Separating toes in the winter is a good way to lose your toes. Also, it's the terrain too. From talking to other people, all the gravel and rocks here would destroy them pretty fast... even if my feet could get tough enough to stand all the rocks.
No would not even come close to being any good here, not even for spring or fall. LOL I'm laughing really hard looking at them and imagining wearing them to work, wading through snow drifts with temps of -40 C, windchills -60 C. :laugh:
Fair enough. I found a couple conflicting reviews. One saying they worked well in -30C weather during an Iditarod, the other saying they didn't do so well on a mountain climb in -5C ice and snow. /shrug
Might still work in the summer, depending on where, exactly, you're at. And might be worth keeping an eye on. The Lontra is their first cold weather shoe, I've little doubt they'll improve on it from the feedback and have new models coming out that might eventually work for you.0 -
I totally "get" the idea and concept - but just am too worried about how stupid I would look in public. So.. I do try to be barefoot as much as possible around the house and during the summer. Plus when I workout I use New Balance Minimus Zeros - which have the sole made by (or licensed from) vibram. They don't have individual toe pockets - but are a very minimalist sole. I run in the them, lift in them, crossfit and kickbox in them. Take a little getting used to because of the lack of "protection" and "support" but I really have grown to like them.
Thats the one I was talking about!
No foot pain for you after wearing them often?
Nope. I occasionally get some arch twinges - from the lack of support and probably constant pounding I do during box jumps - but find that if I stretch out more before and after I am good. I "believe" it has actually made my foot and ankle connective tissues stronger and more responsible for their own well being - but don't have any metric to prove that.0 -
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my VFF's sooo much! I live in a warm climate and vastly prefer being barefoot. They were an easy transition for me. I'm still barefoot at home all the time, but I wear my VFF's whenever I have to go anywhere else (work, shopping, etc.). I used to CrossFit in them most of the time, but don't love them for jumping rope, and my doctor was pretty insistent that I wear "real" shoes to run in due to an inflamed meniscus. I have a pair of NB Minimus that I've been wearing lately and I like them ok.
FYI, I have quite a wide foot and was worried initially about the fit, but I've had zero issues with the 2 pair I've owned. They do have a different method for sizing than we're used to in the US, but if you measure your foot accurately and use their charts you shouldn't have any issues.0 -
OP: I had a pair of VFFs, and while I liked them, I too find it annoying to try to fit all my toes in all the holes. Plus, my feet were almost always wet when it rained (and therefore cold), and after wearing them once or twice they'd stink and I'd already need to wash them!
My solution? I instead got minimalist shoes with a thin sole that is flexible, and has no or very little heel lift. So I still get most of the same benefits, aside from the ability to articulate each toe individually. I can still at least spread my toes out, too, as they're not crammed in some small toe box. I got plain, all black Merrells (they too have the Vibram brand sole) and got away with them at work (business casual) since they're fairly neutral.
Now when I try to wear traditional running/athletic shoes, I get cramps in my feet and plantar fasciitis comes back. So I wear minimalist shoes all the time. I also invested in a pair of Vivobarefoot brand trail running shoes - they have treads on the bottom for trail running, which puts me higher off the ground than the Merrells so I don't have wet feet as often when it rains. But still a more neutral heel-toe lift than traditional shoes.I've been considering some minimalist shoes for my leg days (squats). I think my running shoes are robbing my lifts.
I have wide feet. Are they cut more like Nike's or New Balance shoes? Do they come in wider cuts?
I'd say try it, at least! I challenged my gf to wear her Merrell minimalist shoes to squat, instead of her super-cushioned (read: thick heeled shoes with lots of heel lift) running shoes as she was having knee pain squatting. Not only is her knee pain gone, she added 20lb to the bar since it wasn't painful anymore. She didn't believe her shoes could make that much of a difference. I say, what harm in trying it?
Try some different brands of shoes, if you can't find one that works at first. I tried the New Balance (don't remember style/model, as it was nearly a year ago) and they were WAY too narrow in the forefoot for me (ironic, since minimalist/barefoot shoes are supposed to be looser and allow more room in the toe box!). I sent them back, and went with Vivobarefoot instead. Shame, as I really wanted the NB's since they were leather!
Foot pain - after getting used to them, I'm fine. But don't wear them all the time to begin with - get used to them gradually over weeks by increasing the amount of time you spend wearing them (or distance/time running in them). The best analogy I ever read (don't remember source) is that it's like going from wearing a cast (which basically is what a traditional shoe is) to taking it off - you need to give your muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments all time to get used to being used again and strengthen them, as you're not used to using them after so long.
Looks like it was Mark Sisson that made that particular reference:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-prepare-for-barefooting/#axzz2f4BEVSmj0 -
OP: I had a pair of VFFs, and while I liked them, I too find it annoying to try to fit all my toes in all the holes. Plus, my feet were almost always wet when it rained (and therefore cold), and after wearing them once or twice they'd stink and I'd already need to wash them!
That depends entirely on the model you get, as well as the feel you're going for. There are a number of models that are designed for use in water (and while they won't keep your feet dry, they will keep them warmer). They also have models that are designed for cold/wet weather (namely, the Lontra).
As for stinky shoes, toe socks can help with that, or just toss them in the washer with the rest of your laundry. If they're really bad, just soak them in Oxy Clean and warm water for a few hours before tossing them in the washer.0 -
Here's another question for those who currently have Vibrams:
Was it "love at first fit" or did you buy them because they were "supposed to be good for you"? I'm not into the fad purchasing thing, but it seems like those who have genuinely enjoy the feeling and the wear of their shoes.
I have owned many a pair of shoes but there are very few that I have had which, when I tried them on I knew immediately that they would be amazingly comfy and perfect for me. Were your Vibrams like this for you, or did they take a lot of getting used to?0 -
I loved them immediately. Then again, I was a barefoot girl already, and wore shoes as rarely as possible, so I didn't have a big adjustment period at all. Like, I put them on and wore them for full workdays immediately.0
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I loved them immediately. Then again, I was a barefoot girl already, and wore shoes as rarely as possible, so I didn't have a big adjustment period at all. Like, I put them on and wore them for full workdays immediately.
^
By the time I got a pair, I had already been revolting against the whole "wear shoes all the time" thing. Working at home helped, too.
YMMV, though, especially if you wear a lot of typical women's shoes, with narrow toe boxes. My husband loved them from the start, too, but still had to adjust, because his feet were used to shoes with slightly-too-narrow toe boxes. VFFs will basically (gently) force your toes to spread a little until they naturally aren't scrunched anymore.0 -
Well naturally I also go barefoot most of the time too, and enjoy every moment. I try my hardest to avoid shoes with narrow toe boxes as my feet are naturally wide and I was also cursed with my grandmother's bunions. *joy*
I also do not wear heels at work and have converted to flat shoes. My mother in law was trying to tell me the other day that flat shoes are bad for your feet and I should be wearing a small heel for support. I was trying to get her to understand that we were not born with raised heels and how could something like that be better for our feet that just walking around naturally. She really had no answer and kept dodging around the point, but I think she knew I was right in the end.
Her outlook on it was that people who wear flats all days always complain for their feet hurting them etc. She might be right, but if you interview these ladies you would find that 99.9% of them wear heels everywhere else they go, and wear flats only to do their waitressing job etc. Hence the stretch in their hamstrings and other muscles would cause pain. Men wear relatively flat shoes all day, every day and their feet are just fine!
ANYHOW, I am convinced that at least I will try them on. I know for sure that when I try them on I will know right away whether or not they will be for me. If not, well....I tried. If they are, awesome!!0
