Five Finger Shoes

shamr0ck · January 2012

I've been wearing Vibrams since August 2010. I own 15 pairs, and love them! My feet and joints hurt if i wear other shoes for a prolonged amount of time, because i have become so accustomed to having my feet in a natural position in the fivefingers.

Can't recommend them enough.

sylvuz323 · January 2012

I bought the Fila Skeletoes and made the mistake of wearing them my first time on a 5K Mud Run. That was not the smartest thing to do as it is recommended to ease into them. I wore them in Oct and haven't tried them again. I'll try them out when I exercise at home, that's probably a good place to start.

melisssaarielle · January 2012

i love mine.

as far as how they will work with you, it depends. Treadmill running isnt the best for any kind of pain, soft surfaces (grass, etc) are best. Secondly, what is your back pain from? Thirdly, the five finger shoes demand that you run on the balls of your feet rather than your heals as with traditional shoes...it takes some adjustment but has worked very favorably for me. I had chronic joint pain in my left knee and since switching shoes, it has completely gone away!

I have lower back pain. I do have a bigger chest so I am sure that has a lot to do with it. I have also had a doctor tell me that I have Lordosis (where your spine curves in more than it should) I never took what he said too seriosuly and never looked into it much but maybe I should.

Either way, I find it hard to stand for long periods of time and running can be very painful. I have been trying to do more strength training but I find I have been getting better results on the treadmill.

I want to be able to increase the time I can run without being in mass amount of pain afterwards.

I also want something I can wear around the house. I recently moved and the majority of my house is ceramic tile. I find it very hard on my back.

brandyk77 · January 2012

if you have issues barefoot with pain, vibrams won't help. They are mimicking barefoot running. vibrams = no support

I don't use them basically because I can't even stand toe socks but I do run barefoot sometimes for strengthening reasons (short distances on turf).

rybo · January 2012

You are gonna get mixed reviews.

Personally I love mine. I think they are a great tool for teaching your body to run with a proper stride that will be less prone to injury. I also think it is nice to build up the small muscles/tendons & everything that doesn't get much use because of suportive shoes.

You really should take things slow and approach on the conservative side. Too much too soon in those is a recipe for disaster.

Also in regards to walking vs running in them, I actually find it much easier to run in them than walk. I run with a good forefoot/midfoot landing, but drag my heels when i walk.

Many people have said running barefoot or in VFF type shoes have helped eliminate pain, whether it was back, knee or PF issues. I didn't have any pain/issues so I can't comment on personal experience there.

paisley2288 · January 2012

Those shoes are so creepy looking lol but I would like to know if they work! My ex roommate had some and he wore his all the time.

AggieCass09 · January 2012

i love mine.

as far as how they will work with you, it depends. Treadmill running isnt the best for any kind of pain, soft surfaces (grass, etc) are best. Secondly, what is your back pain from? Thirdly, the five finger shoes demand that you run on the balls of your feet rather than your heals as with traditional shoes...it takes some adjustment but has worked very favorably for me. I had chronic joint pain in my left knee and since switching shoes, it has completely gone away!

I have lower back pain. I do have a bigger chest so I am sure that has a lot to do with it. I have also had a doctor tell me that I have Lordosis (where your spine curves in more than it should) I never took what he said too seriosuly and never looked into it much but maybe I should.

Either way, I find it hard to stand for long periods of time and running can be very painful. I have been trying to do more strength training but I find I have been getting better results on the treadmill.

I want to be able to increase the time I can run without being in mass amount of pain afterwards.

I also want something I can wear around the house. I recently moved and the majority of my house is ceramic tile. I find it very hard on my back.

i have a large chest too and scoliosis (curved spine in the lower region)....so we are pretty damn similar! Losing my first 20 lbs helped a lot with back pain at the cost of shrinking girls (E --> D *sad face*) If you take it slow I anticipate the vibrams will be okay with you. Yoga has also helped with my back pain and increasing body strength. I wear my vibrams everywhere and feel it helps me with balance too!

ismatts · January 2012

My kids are embarrassed when I wear them in public. I wind up explaining what they are to people when I am at the gym with them. I hurt the muscle under my calf running with them on a treadmill. Make sure you follow the break in period so your legs can get used to it!!!!

But I do love them for grass running and bumming around.

midwifekelley2350 · January 2012

i just got a pair of new balance minimus...minimalist shoes with vibram soles that give the same change in gait with running (i.e. like running barefoot) and i love them. my kids have the 5-fingers and love them but i couldn't get past the "ugly" and i think these are cuter (i know that sounds really shallow

)

brandyk77 · January 2012

I know someone who owns a running store:

Local Pro baseball player came in last year and wanted to try a pair on

He told him to come back AFTER the season because most people do not build up as they should and quite a good percentage end up injured (he said that about 50% of the people at his store come back in complaining of issues).

YassSpartan · January 2012

I got my Vibram Five Fingers shoes probably a year a go or so. My experience with them are the best so far. I do gotta say, the first week and maybe second (depending on how much you wear them) you will experience soreness and plantar pain. Basically your feet are getting used to them, using muscles you've never used before, getting stronger in all sense. Today, I don't feel comfortable using any regular shoes to workout or run, I feel like I'm wearing boxes instead of shoes when I workout with anything other than with my Vibrams. I'm even planning on getting another pair just to go hiking since the sole is a little bit thicker.

I've read reviews about the Fila imitation of the five fingers and so far most are far from being good.

scott091501 · January 2012

Go to a running specialty store. They should do a "fitting". Basically a brief interview of why you're looking for new shoes, the intended purpose, etc. They'll then look at your running gait and suggest several options. Ask them. That said all minimalist shoes will require mid to forefoot striking or you will get knee and back pain. They also use muscles in your feet and calves that you've never used before due to the stability aspects built in to a traditional recreational running shoe. Most people take a while to transition. Starting with walking in the Vibrams to short runs to becoming their primary shoe. Just be aware that they are not for everyone.

Melisa25 · January 2012

LOVE MINE...I've had them for almost two years. Do yourself a favor (your body will thank you!) and start SLOWLY. You need to strengthen tendons, muscles and ligaments in your foot that are weakened from lack of use. They are great!

I also love mine. But you have to break them in slow. One hour max per day until your use to them. I use them in the gym.

brityn · June 2012

If you can sacrifice your normal distance and spend 6-8 weeks building up the miles, then i'd highly recommend the vibrams. I purchased a pair a few years back and had no patience with building miles in them. I wanted to go out and run a 10k the first day and that wasn't going to happen. So, they stayed in the closet while I pounded the pavement in my Addidas. Well, this january we got a new 3 month old great dane. We also have a 18 month old great dane who would run with me everytime I went out. Once the puppy got all her shots I knew I had to start her out slow on the trail (2 miles or so) so I dusted off the vibrams and started building with my pup. I'll never go back! I've always had knee and hip aches after anything over 4 miles. Not debilitating, but definintely uncomfortable and "ice" worthy. My stride and foot strike has completely changed. My hips have gotten stronger and, obviously, my feet, ankles and calves have been strengthened. As a dedicated strength trainer and runner, why would I leave the one thing that carries me all day out of the equation? Your feet are the base of your fitness. You're only as strong as they are.

Five Finger Shoes

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