Barefoot running shoes?

I don't have a pair yet, but was looking at purchasing the Reebok Reelflex shoes. They are a minimalist shoe. Barefoot running takes a long time to get used to, and I have been doing some foot-strengthening exercises to prepare myself. I found that when I run, I do a mid-foot strike and maybe that is why I am having issues with my legs since I am not wearing the correct shoes. I also bought a book called Chi Running to change my form.

I have the Vibram 5-Finger KSO and love them! I just ran a 5k a few weeks ago and felt great. They do take about a month to really get used to, and you need to retrain yourself how to run and walk. Once you do, you're unstoppable!

I did a review of the shoes I have here:

http://zmanfitness.com/vibrams-or-how-i-learned-to-run-naked

http://zmanfitness.com/first-5k-in-the-5-fingers

heard they are difficult to get used to... several ppl i kno are using them but IDK... not sure i even want to... I just got adida climacool and I really love them.. very light...

Ive been reading about barefoot running/chi running and my concern was plantar facitis.... I have this and wear orthotics in some of my shoes.

Hi - I had this problem with my last shoes - I had a pair of New Balances and I had orthotics in them also. After using my Vibrams for the first week, this was no longer an issue! I think it has something to do with how running barefoot style helps your feet to become stronger. I felt muscle soreness at first but the pain just went away...

I wear asics kayanos and the weird thing is that I cant wear my orthotics when i am exersizing.... I wear them in my old asics that i use when im out and about.

think im going to look seriously at barefooting

I'm looking to get a pair of barefoot shoes too and I just looked at ****ssportinggoods.com and they have a few options too.
Do the Vibram users wear socks when running?

HAHAH.. the popular sporting goods store.

I have the hardest time finding shoes! My husband and I both bought some of the barefoot running shoes...I took mine back. I liked them, they were comfortable, and I liked running in them. But they were not very good depending on the terrain. I went out in them for a 8 mile walk, and burned my feet because they didn't give enough protection from the hot road. I also had problems when I would walk off the road, even though I got the all terrain ones, I had to constantly stop to pick goat heads etc out. I live in the more rual part of Arizona, so these kinds of problems would annoy me if I had to deal with them every day. So I just took them back. My husband loves his, but he's only worn them on the local track.

I liked them, but I guess they just didn't work for me because of where I live.

I have the Vibram 5-Finger KSO and love them! I just ran a 5k a few weeks ago and felt great. They do take about a month to really get used to, and you need to retrain yourself how to run and walk. Once you do, you're unstoppable!

I did a review of the shoes I have here:

http://zmanfitness.com/vibrams-or-how-i-learned-to-run-naked

http://zmanfitness.com/first-5k-in-the-5-fingers

Great reviews!

I'm looking to get a pair of barefoot shoes too and I just looked at ****ssportinggoods.com and they have a few options too.
Do the Vibram users wear socks when running?

Hi - yes, they're stocking them at more and more places these days - I bought the Bikila LS's because they are specifically for running (although I do use them for other purposes) and because of the laces. I tried on a pair of regular Bikila's and they were a little tight across the top of my foot. It's good to get fitted for them for this reason and also to make sure your toes fit in well

As for the socks, yes, they're called Injinji's (as someone already mentioned). They're a little pricey for socks though so I just wear mine and put them in the wash every so often...

I can google...but looking for recommendations from everyone here. What is a good resource for plans on transitioning into barefoot / minimalist shoe running? The more I read, the more I plateau at my current running pace, and the more I desire to be an overall stronger runner to help enhance every other part of my health, the more it just makes sense to do this.

Thanks for the advise and help!

the Bikila LS look very cool and I would be interested in trying them, but I have reservations about buying them. I have a tendency to underpronate on my right foot due to ligament and tendon damage from when I boke my leg....... I do sprain my right ankle occasionally, when I do I can't walk properly for a week and I can't run for about 2-3 weeks......
Having said that I would probably wear them for walking and other recreational activities.......

I spoke to a friend of mine who is training to be a podiatrist and he says that they are really good. I have the plantar facistis and will have to build up my wearing time and he warns me I might get a flare up of my condition until I strengthen m feet and legs.

now i have to decide one which ones i want... there are 3 vibrams.... a sprint and a KSO one is like a fuller foot and the other has a strap across it..... there is also one that looks like a proper runner with laces but with the toes....

any thoughts people?? look at ebay!! careful though they are real vibrams

I totally agree with building up in them! I am still not 100% there... I can run in them fine for maybe a mile - mile and a half (I took a break in them for awhile because I was training for a race and was certain I couldn't complete it in them) but then walk for a bit then carry on. Your calves will be sore for sure for awhile but not in a painful way, more in a "I used new muscles" way With regards to the plantar fascitis, I cannot recommend them enough because I have not had one flare up since I got used to them.

I have the Bikila LS's which are specifically running shoes with the laces - again, it's because my feet are quite wide and the normal straps felt too tight. However, I use them for everything, walking, yoga, aerobics classes at the gym, even while doing my grocery shopping! Prepare to get a few stares though

Definitely beware of imitations!!! If you have a look at some reputable sporting stores online, you will be able to still get a good price on them.

Good luck!

I have just got the vibram bikilas. I haven't tried running in them yet, but looking at them, they have no cushioning at all, they are for off road running. If you are running on pavements or roads, you need proper running shoes. I also have some inov8s, which are also considered barefoot shoes, although they look like normal trainers, but have no cushioning, they are also for offroad, but as long as the on road part of your route is no more than a mile or so, they are fine. Barefoot shoes are for trail running, really, they aren't suitable for road or city running.

I have just got the vibram bikilas. I haven't tried running in them yet, but looking at them, they have no cushioning at all, they are for off road running. If you are running on pavements or roads, you need proper running shoes. I also have some inov8s, which are also considered barefoot shoes, although they look like normal trainers, but have no cushioning, they are also for offroad, but as long as the on road part of your route is no more than a mile or so, they are fine. Barefoot shoes are for trail running, really, they aren't suitable for road or city running.

This really isn't true. While I do use mine both for trails & road running, road running in them is rather enjoyable because its flat and easy to avoid rocks. Pavement isn't any softer than bone dry ground. Your feet/legs are made to cushion your stride if done so properly.

I have VFFs and have built myself up to walking and hiking pretty long distances in them over the past two years. During my foray into long distance running a few months ago I wore Nike+ Freeruns and had luck with them as they have a little more support for running primarily hard, paved surfaces.

Keep in mind that some of us may adjust more quickly to minimalist footwear if we've spent a lot of time barefoot outdoors in our life. I grew up hating shoes, and my feet are strong and essentially used to being outside without cover.

Your walk/run gait changes with minimalist footwear, your heels taking less of a hit.

I have VFFs and have built myself up to walking and hiking pretty long distances in them over the past two years. During my foray into long distance running a few months ago I wore Nike+ Freeruns and had luck with them as they have a little more support for running primarily hard, paved surfaces.

Keep in mind that some of us may adjust more quickly to minimalist footwear if we've spent a lot of time barefoot outdoors in our life. I grew up hating shoes, and my feet are strong and essentially used to being outside without cover.

Your walk/run gait changes with minimalist footwear, your heels taking less of a hit.

I also run in my Free Run +2 but a few shops and people have said they are not made for long distance pavement running. Longest I have ran in them is a few miles so I will test them on a 5 miler one day.