Vibram 5-fingers

FaugHorn
FaugHorn Posts: 1,060 Member
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
Anyone use these? Any advice on how to work them into my routine? The guy at the running store said to only do one or two days a week with them on because they use different muscles than running in "normal" shoes. I've always been prone to shin splints and fractures so I'm hoping these help me go for longer distances.

Replies

  • mmannequinn
    mmannequinn Posts: 55 Member
    I've been looking into buying a pair as well. I'm going this weekend to check them out! I'm curious to see what people say!!
  • wbond
    wbond Posts: 363 Member
    I use them...I would suggest slowly add them to your routine...it will take awhile for your feet and legs to get use to it.
  • fitniknik
    fitniknik Posts: 713 Member
    I have a pair! I love them! I could use them all the time now!! Butt...... Dont! Dont! use them for more than 15 minutes or so a couple times a week (2 or 3x's) for probably 2-3 weeks. I over did it, I could hardly walk for 2 weeks! My tendonitis in my left foot flared up soo bad! I worked em in slowly after that cleared up and now I could use them all the time! Good luck!!
  • kwinterscheidt
    kwinterscheidt Posts: 45 Member
    I would get the ones that go over the top of your feet for running. i have the ones that dont and they tend to slip off if im doing anything more than walking. I really like mine alot. i dont think there the best for rocky terrain but they work great for running on treadmill or on a paved path.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    A friend of mine got them and said he started out walking around the house in them every other day for the first week. The second week he walked around the house in them every day. The third week he ran in them one day but only half his normal distance (3 miles instead of 6-8). Now he runs in them every other day.
  • sallen67
    sallen67 Posts: 24 Member
    One of my friends swears by them, I haven't tried them myself.
    a couple things he mentioned were that it hurt like hell to run in them during the beginning, and it can still be uncomfortable, but that is his clue that his form is bad. Once he developed proper running form, the discomfort went away. Now when it hurts, he uses it as feedback and readjusts his form.
  • wildeone4
    wildeone4 Posts: 204 Member
    I LOVE THEM! I have the treksport and love the grip with them! I didn't have issues wearing them right away (I didn't like shoes before as it was, so I think my feet were just use to it), so I climbed a mountain the second day having them! I was find, but my hubby decided to do it with me and he is still having to slowly get use to them! So unless you are a special situation definitely take your time getting use to them! You might want to wear them just going to the store for the first bit until you are use to them.
  • KayronM
    KayronM Posts: 165 Member
    I have a pair of KSO. I use them for my workouts (Insanity, Asylum, P90X etc). Just purchased TrekSport for outdoors (haven't wore it as yet)
  • hairsnob610
    hairsnob610 Posts: 15
    I bought them a month ago and will never wear sneakers again. I have very flat feet, so I don't know if that makes a difference. I am able to run longer without my knee hurting, BUT my knee does hurt on a daily basis more when I'm not working out. That was never really an issue for me... it only hurt as I worked out. I was never told to use them gradually tho so this is good to know.
  • FaugHorn
    FaugHorn Posts: 1,060 Member
    Awesome! My husband got a pair as well. I tend to avoid shoes whenever possible right now but will definitely take my time getting used to them. I'm doing the C25K program so I'm not doing any real long distances right now (only in the first week)
  • RozeGod
    RozeGod Posts: 118
    I have them and LOVE them!! I wore them to Puerto Rico and ran on the beach, swam with them, ran on the road...they are great but do take some time getting used to. A pair will cost about $115.00 but you could probably find them for less online. HAPPY RUNNING!
  • runningneo122
    runningneo122 Posts: 6,962 Member
    I love mine and for the first time ever, I can say I will keep running from now on. I started running to continue losing weight, but I hadn't planned on continuing. Vibram's website has answers on "break in" in the FAQ. I eased into them as suggested on there and have had zero joint pain and none of the previous muscle pain that I got from regular running shoes since. My calves took the longest to adapt to them but it was worth it. I can go farther and faster than I did B4. Resounding endorsement from me.
  • InfamousQ
    InfamousQ Posts: 266 Member
    I have been wearing these for about a year now and I love them. I have ran 10 miles in them on the street with no problems the only time I wear "normal" running shoes is for the military PT test. Outside of that I live in these shoes. I recommend you go to a store and try them on before buying them online.
  • FaugHorn
    FaugHorn Posts: 1,060 Member
    I have been wearing these for about a year now and I love them. I have ran 10 miles in them on the street with no problems the only time I wear "normal" running shoes is for the military PT test. Outside of that I live in these shoes. I recommend you go to a store and try them on before buying them online.

    Tried them on and loved the feel of them, then went online to order them and saved about $20 :) I got the Bikilas and can't wait!
  • runningneo122
    runningneo122 Posts: 6,962 Member
    I have been wearing these for about a year now and I love them. I have ran 10 miles in them on the street with no problems the only time I wear "normal" running shoes is for the military PT test. Outside of that I live in these shoes. I recommend you go to a store and try them on before buying them online.

    Tried them on and loved the feel of them, then went online to order them and saved about $20 :) I got the Bikilas and can't wait!

    Go to amazon and get the Injinji socks. About $8/pr. Well worth it. I always wear them for running, but I did my walking sans socks until the stitching at the right side of my left foot(where you get bunions) rubbed through my skin on a 5 mile walk.
  • cswearingen
    cswearingen Posts: 10 Member
    i LOVE mine. I broke them easy and just ran a quarter marathon in them. I beat my time from 2 years ago by 6 minutes and I had NOT been training at all. I ran on the treadmill in my Brooks running shoes last night, after one mile, my heals, knees and legs were hurting so bad that I had to stop. Ached all night. I will NEVER run in anything but my Vibrams. I also had foot surgery on both feet 6 years ago and my feet always hurt when I run, but not this time!
  • Ayla20103005
    Ayla20103005 Posts: 104 Member
    I love mine too.
    I wore them for a while, yes they took a bit to get used to, then went back to "normal" shoes, no idea why :( then got shin splints, so I am back to my vibrams now, stupid normal shoes.
    Although am doing more weights now, and not as much running, so do wear my old shoes when I don't have to run, but might go back to wearing vibrams full time again.
    Now I am used to them, its not really affecting me switching between the 2.
  • runnergirl629
    runnergirl629 Posts: 9
    I've heard it's pretty easy to get injured, but if you're smart about it they're pretty awesome. This was helpful: http://www.sideofsneakers.com/2011/10/21/vibrams-running/

    I just ordered the Bikilas so my feet will stay warmer in teh winter.
  • runningneo122
    runningneo122 Posts: 6,962 Member
    I just ran my first race ever last Sunday on my B'day at my local marathon. Awesome day!! Bikilas felt great. One woman at one of the water stations looked down as i went past and said, "I don't know how anyone can run in those things." I replied, "I won't run in anything else."
  • flamegirl72
    flamegirl72 Posts: 143 Member
    Bump. I may need this thread down the road when I am looking for these :)
  • scribb
    scribb Posts: 3,659 Member
    I have had mine for over a year and a half now (around 1400 miles and one marathon), and they are still holding up well. Since I have started running in them, my knees and back have felt better, and I have worked many more muscles. They did take some getting use to, so if you change to them scale your running way back until your body gets use to them.
  • ToEKnee213
    ToEKnee213 Posts: 1,031 Member
    I LOVE my five fingers - I wear them to workout anytime. I am going to buy a pair as just a daily shoe as well.

    Mine are obnoxious too - orange & pink :bigsmile:
  • bryonysten
    bryonysten Posts: 44
    They discriminate against people with webbed toes... ;-)

    Would love some too, feedback is amazing, unfortunately see above comment... dammit!
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    My Vibram KSO's are freakin' awesome.

    Light, comfortable, durable and they fit my feet better than any other off the shelf shoes.

    I started out wearing them to the office. (Easy dress code at the office. People were enthralled with them. They call them my gorilla feet.)

    Then I started walking the dogs in them. (I wore them, not the dogs.)

    Finally, I became acclimated enough to them to use them for various other excursions without fear of damaging my feet or legs.

    They're great for walking any where. Don't run on concrete if you can help it. If you haven't already, learn to run and land on the front part of your feet, not the heel.

    Great for trails and grass.

    They are NOT great on wet tile. Even though they have laser cut "grips" they can be very slick on wet tile. I found this out after mopping the kitchen floor in them!
  • BodyRockerVT
    BodyRockerVT Posts: 323 Member
    I have a pair, like the others said you need to work your way up to wearing them for running. Wearing them around the house walking is a good idea to start.

    I like mine okay but the issue I have is that when I run (or walk) on hot pavement the bottoms of my feet get HOT. It isn't my favorite thing ever since my comfort level seems to be controlled by my feet and hands...so if my feet are hot I feel very uncomfortable.
  • laughlovelive17
    laughlovelive17 Posts: 8 Member
    I too love mine! I have the Bakila for running. There is an adjustment period. First your calves may be tight after a run and then you may experience top of the foot pain, but once your body had adjusted, they are great! I love them on trails especially! I feel that I am better able to run on rough terrain without old bulky sneakers on.

    I also have the Ninjini socks. I didn't at first, but there was one spot on my foot that kept rubbing. These socks definetly saved them for me! They are a little expensive, but worth it!
  • whiteeagle12
    whiteeagle12 Posts: 6
    omg i like them i got barefoot almost all time but they are to high for me to get :(
  • renkath
    renkath Posts: 91 Member
    I don't think it helps at all to wear them walking or around the house. When we walk we naturally walk heel to toe. What takes getting used to is avoiding the heels strike while running. Your leg and feet muscles will work more - and differently - than they normally do ONLY when you are running.

    Start with short - very short - runs concentrating on form. If you do alternate, it is important to be conscious of your form, even and maybe especially when, you are wearing traditional trainers. What the research shoes is that runners who swap to the shoes but don't change their running form do get more injuries.

    I love my vibrams - but usually wear Pace Gloves or Soft Star runamocs for outdoor runs now. Same principle, without the gorilla feet look :) There is a pretty good choice of minimalist shoes out there now.
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