Minimalist/Barefoot Running?

Now I want those too...After growing up in sunny south Africa where everbody walked barefoot all the time,( in elementary school, with uniforms and all, wearing shoes in summer was a choice!) and did PE barefoot, it should not be too hard!

I have always had "weak" ankles... I run in the minimus NBs and another very lightweight, almost minumus NB pair - I find it's strengthened my ankles significantly - not turning them all the time just walking like I used to. It's much more comfortable for me the less shoe I have. My feet are almost flat and I very slightly overpronate so I always thought more cushion and support was what I needed but for me the opposite is true. Next I'll try the 5 fingers...

Love my VFF Komodo's. I've only run on the treadmill with them, as it's been cold and wet here since I've gotten them in December, but I love everything about them....

I have Brooks minimalist running shoes and I love them. I have tried on the Vibrams but have a hard time with the toes so I decided against them at least for now. I used to run 5k races and I had a really hard time with traditional running shoes. I have flat feet and they kept trying to get me into shoes with tons of extra support. They were so bulky and uncomfortable I started avoiding my runs. My feet and ankles are in so much better shape than they were because I have really worked to strengthen them. I agree to start out slowly and to find a shoe store that will fit you to them and let you try on a bunch of different brands. Where I go if I don't like them for any reason within 30 days I can return them and try something else.

One thing I'd like to mention about Brooks. I use to work at a shoe store and sold hundreds and hundreds of different types of sneakers in including different types of Brooks. I'd say 90% of the things people returned that I sold to them were Brooks. Staff use to try and convince customers not to buy brooks but many people still bought them and the rest of the staff had the same problem with returns. It was a running joke and people would laugh at you over the head set as soon as you were brought over to the brooks wall. If you want something for short term, then great. Dad loves brooks and wears them until there's holes in them everywhere because they're usually cheaper and he doesn't generally walk anywhere.

They maybe cheaper but they hold up well for me. I'm not really hard on my shoes and in the winter I tend to run on the treadmill so that might help them last too. For me if they wear out faster it is okay as long as I'm comfortable and wearing them. The pair I had before them had me giving up running. I think it is all up to the user. Wear what works for you. I have almost a reverse arch so I have a really hard time finding something that works for me. These were perfect - for me.

The vibrams remind me of gorilla feet when viewed from the bottom.

Bump

They maybe cheaper but they hold up well for me. I'm not really hard on my shoes and in the winter I tend to run on the treadmill so that might help them last too. For me if they wear out faster it is okay as long as I'm comfortable and wearing them. The pair I had before them had me giving up running. I think it is all up to the user. Wear what works for you. I have almost a reverse arch so I have a really hard time finding something that works for me. These were perfect - for me.

Absolutely, they were perfect for my dad too. One thing to note if you have problem feet a lot of people will recmomend acics. I didn't realize what the big deal was at first until I bought a pair. If you have wide, narrow, flat, high, whatever kind of feed a lot of different kinds of people have told me they swear by them. Staff and customers. I started out trying to pull 20 hour shifts standing in nikes and adidas and it just didn't cut it. These are amazing little things. The only person who I've ever heard complain about them is me. 'Cause they're ugly :P (yet I love my hobbit shoes lol)

My local running store put me in a pair of Newton mid-strikes and I LOVE them. They force you to land more flat footed instead of on the heel. I understand they also work as a transition from a structured shoe to a really minimalist one.

I bought my Vibrams last August and LOVE them! My feet roll in and I've worn arch supports since I was a kid. I really got into running a year ago but was constantly getting hurt - back, calves, feet. It got to the point where I'd finish my run and not be able to move for the next 30 minutes. It was either give up running completely or give the Vibrams a try. I was nervous because I've had a 2 yr fight with plantar fasciitis in the past & the podiatrist had told me to never walk around w/ barefeet or without supportive shoes so I didn't think they would really work for my feet.

I went to EMS and had them fit me and help me select the right pair for my activities. Please do some research about transitioning to them before your first run. I was told to run for 5 minutes, or 1/10th of my normal run, max. And, they suggested running on a soccer field or other soft surface in the beginning. So, the first day I only ran 0.25 mile on a field and stopped - which was very hard to do because it felt great! I took a day off and then repeated. The third day out I moved up to 0.5 miles. It took over 3 months for me to get back up to the 3 miles that I was doing over the summer. You'll work out muscles that haven't been used since you were a kid so you really want to take it slow.

Since moving to the Vibrams, I have not had ANY injuries! My feet & legs feel wonderful! I'm enjoying running so much more now. I'm doing over 4 miles now and I'm running in 30 degree weather! I NEVER would have imagined that I'd ever enjoy running this much! If you haven't already done so, read Born to Run. That book helped me understand the benefits of minimalist shoes for running and also helped me to find the joy in running.

Good Luck!