Fivefinger Vibram shoes

I wear mine for lifting. I wasn't successful running in them.

I use a different brand of the bare foot running shoes for all my lifting. Will never go back to the traditional "gym" shoe. My only problem with the 5fingers are, well, the 5 fingers. don't like anyting in between my toes. personal preferance only.

I do alot of different sports in FF and wear them in summer instead of normal shoes...

I have the model Speed (with laces) for the gym. Use them on the tread mill, arc trainer, strength machines, dumbbells, stretching etc.

In summer I ride my bike with them.

I have a model Sprint for water sports.

I ran in the Speeds outside on mostly unpaved paths. Then I switched to KC Speeds (water proof, more tread) because of the weather. I started running in May and directly in FFs. I can run an hour and more without any problems with my feet. The only time I had problems....the one time I wore running shoes ;-) So I quickly put my FFs back on.

They may not be for everyone, but I LOVE them.

As far as running / walking goes - It is important, that you don't use a heel to toe gait. You need to land on your middle foot / ball and roll to your toes. Your heel will sink down a bit after landing, but will never hit the ground forcefully. Running this way will work as a shock absorber for the rest of your body (back, knees, etc.). Also you need to start slow. We are not used to totally flat shoes, so our calf muscles have shortened. In general, I feel more comfortable in my FFs with thin toe socks. My sister doesn't need them. I probably sweat more from my feet.

If you go Skeletoes, then up to Vibrams you'll never go back. IE: I have been wearing Vibrams 24/7 for over 3 years now - own 8 pairs. Bought 1 pair of Skeletoes and after trying to wear them on & off for a month, gave them away. Yuck...

I my Vibrams but I have Morton's in both feet and these are the only shoes I can wear without causing horrible pain in both feet (wore a pair of slippers for Halloween, was limping by the end of the day - as soon as I took them off, pain STOPPED! Argh!) I run, LIFT, walk, do yard work, treadmill/elliptical and have fallen asleep in them before.

And I tried to run in "running shoes" Alchemy 10's - bloody 120$ for them and after the pain set in on the 2nd run and I tripped (flying off the back of the treadmill) they live in my trunk.

I have Classics (4 pairs - 1 finally toward end of life), Bikilas LS (3 pairs) and a KMD Sport LS (1 pair). Classics are no longer made, but they are more of a slipper type (quick on/off). I can't wear them to the gym unless only lifting - they come off. The Bikilas & KMD's fit higher on the foot w/ laces and thicker insoles.

Worse part I have is I have WIDE feet and have to wear MEN's.... and even then only the LS styles (and not even all of them will work either).

Word of warning - pay attention to the break-in instructions. You can hurt yourself if you don't re-adjust to walking "barefoot".

I lift and run in my Vibrams. I think they are great. Depending on some of the exercises and type of shoe they could slip off. My trainer won't wear a certain kind when she is pushing because they slip off. Mine have never and I squat, jump rope, bench, box, etc in them. I am still building up to longer runs.

Well, there you go. Thanks to everyone's input, I am a proud owner of the FiveFingers Bikila LS - in Black and Grey. $50.00 plus 9.95 s&h. Thanks again!

I hope you tried some on before you ordered to make sure you got the right size.

Also, you can find them cheaper at 6pm.