Does anyone here run in toe shoes?

sunshinedazed
sunshinedazed Posts: 61
edited December 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I am learning to love running; I look forward to it, and every day I feel myself getting stronger. I can run for longer, without getting winded, and while I still have quite a long way to go on this journey, I genuinely feel like running is going to become a permanent part of the new, better, me.

That said, I hate shoes. I hate them with a passion. The only times I wear them are at work and when I'm working out, and since I have private access to a treadmill, well, I can't say I haven't kicked off my shoes to run barefooted because it just FEELS BETTER to me. I've always been that person who can walk on hot asphalt or a gravel drive barefoot without really caring.

So! I'm really looking into toe shoes, because I feel like they will be a MUCH better fit for my running style, but I wanted to get opinions from REAL people as opposed to sponsored testimonials before making the investment! Thanks ahead of time :D

Replies

  • wombat94
    wombat94 Posts: 352 Member
    I do. I bouhgt a pair of Vibram FiveFingers back in January to walk on the treadmill with. They felt so good that I decided to finally try running.

    It's now about 16 weeks later and I'm up to running 5-6 miles several times a week in them. My feet, ankles, knees and joints all feel so much better than when I'm wearing regular shoes.

    Definitely give toe shoes a try... My recommendation is to try Virbams... Fila is doing a lot of advertising right now for their Skeletoes, but I've tried them and they are much more stiff and inflexible than the Vibrams... If you really like the barefoot feel, VFF Seeyas are the model I run in and they are some of the most flexible almost not-there things I've tried.

    Ted
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    look into minimalist shoes too.
    I can't recall the brand, but one has a larger toe area to your can "spread out"

    I currently have a pair of brooks with a 8mm drop. I'm easing into the minimalist.
  • shamr0ck
    shamr0ck Posts: 296 Member
    I've been wearing Vibrams for a couple of years. I own 14 pair - i love them. I wear them for everything; gym workouts, running errands, on the treadmill. They are incredible, and you almost forget you have anything on your feet.

    The form for running in them properly is a bit different than running in heavily padded shoes, so you might ease into it.

    Edit to add - i also have a pair of the New Balance minimalist shoes, which uses the vibram base but has a full toe box. They are also very comfortable.
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    I am 100% on the Vibram wagon. I got a pair just for the hell of it from REI's overstock page, and I found that I love them to death and am considering getting a 2nd pair for 'work.' (The ones I bought, well, I'll just say that they're prbly on overstock because of their colors...)

    I have actually STARTED running in them - I never was a runner before - and am looking for excuses to make time to go out in them.

    Incidentally, check out the book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall for an excellent and eye-opening insight into barefoot running vs. modern athletic shoes.

    I wear them all the time now.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    I started running in November in regular running shoes. I've built my mileage on my long run up to 9 miles. I started running in Vibrams this week. I ran three miles on Tuesday and two miles this morning. I went a little bit slower than I do in my regular shoes. My calves are absolutely killing me but other than that I'm liking the feel of them. I'm planning on using my regular shoes for my long runs for now and keep doing my weekday runs in the Vibrams until my calves get used to them.
  • wild_wild_life
    wild_wild_life Posts: 1,334 Member
    I got some Vimbram Bikilas after a lot of reading about and trying on the different models. One of the problems with the Vibrams is they have so many styles that are for different things so it's hard to figure out which one to get. I walk a lot in them but haven't done much running yet. You are supposed to transition slowly and the logistics are sort of a hassle if you have to change shoes partway through your run . . . Other than that, I really like and recommend them.
  • docktorfokse
    docktorfokse Posts: 473 Member
    It's perfectly safe and natural to run barefoot, the only thing is you will need to know for sure that you won't be running anywhere you can either cut your feet or get a fungus. Shoes tend to impede your running form and reshape your feet.
  • wombat94
    wombat94 Posts: 352 Member
    I started running in November in regular running shoes. I've built my mileage on my long run up to 9 miles. I started running in Vibrams this week. I ran three miles on Tuesday and two miles this morning. I went a little bit slower than I do in my regular shoes. My calves are absolutely killing me but other than that I'm liking the feel of them. I'm planning on using my regular shoes for my long runs for now and keep doing my weekday runs in the Vibrams until my calves get used to them.

    Sjohnny,

    Please be careful with the transition to Vibrams. Established runners often overtrain in VFFs whenthey start out nd you can be subject to stress fractures.

    Vibram has recommendations and guidelines for a transition plan on their website. 5 miles in 2 days starting out in VFFs is a LOT. The muscles in your calves eill adapt quickly, but the ligaments, tendons and bones in your feet take longer to adapt and that's where the risk of injury in changing to barefoot shoes is the highest.

    Ted
  • sunshinedazed
    sunshinedazed Posts: 61
    Thanks everyone, for your insights! I really appreciate it. :)
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Thanks, Ted. I knew I was supposed to go easy at first but I thought 3 miles was easy. Maybe I need to look at the stuff again.

    I appreciate it!

    ETA: I just looked at what Vibram recommends and, yeah, I may have been a little ambitious. I may do a separate Vibram run in addition to my regular run for the first few weeks.
  • angieroo2
    angieroo2 Posts: 970 Member
    I'm going to buy myself a pair of Vibrams as a reward for completing C25K.
  • tasmin21
    tasmin21 Posts: 42 Member
    I am totally sold on my Vibrams. I wear the Bikila LS style, and like some of the others said, I never ran before I had these shoes. My knees just wouldn't take a normal running style, but with the barefoot style, it's awesome.

    Definitely do the breaking in period. You'll think it's silly, and slow, but in the end you'll be happier you did it that way.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    I do. I bouhgt a pair of Vibram FiveFingers back in January to walk on the treadmill with. They felt so good that I decided to finally try running.

    It's now about 16 weeks later and I'm up to running 5-6 miles several times a week in them. My feet, ankles, knees and joints all feel so much better than when I'm wearing regular shoes.

    Definitely give toe shoes a try... My recommendation is to try Virbams... Fila is doing a lot of advertising right now for their Skeletoes, but I've tried them and they are much more stiff and inflexible than the Vibrams... If you really like the barefoot feel, VFF Seeyas are the model I run in and they are some of the most flexible almost not-there things I've tried.

    .

    Ted

    I agree!!!

    Vibrams are the only way to go!!

    I have classics, bilikas, and KSO's
  • kdub_nyc
    kdub_nyc Posts: 18 Member
    I thought you meant toe shoes as in ballet shoes that you dance in en pointe! I was so confused by your question.

    That being said, I think the Vibram Five Fingers shoes and the like are totally creepy weird looking, but if they feel good, go for it.
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    I've had my Vibram KSO's for about three months and I absolutely love them. They fit better than any of my regular shoes.

    I wear them to work and most people think they "look really cool" and one person said "Aren't those workout shoes? Why are you wearing them at work."

    I advised them I spend my breaks and lunches walking the property and get plenty of exercise in whenever I can, and besides, they are really comfortable...and, on top of that...umm...aren't those cross-trainers you're wearing?

    <Duh!>
  • katemme
    katemme Posts: 191
    From going to races and stuff, people with the Vibram 5 Fingers are generally douche bags..theres just an overall negative opinion of what I've seen/heard.

    Up to you though.

    I wear minimalist shoes, I have a pair of Merrel Pure Gloves and New Balance Minimus trail shoes. By the end of summer I think I'm going back to Merrell and getting the Dash Gloves.

    I'd just weigh your options, there are lots of good brands of minimalist shoes. Brooks and Newton make good ones as well.

    My boyfriend has the 5 fingers and he has to get the special socks and everything because his shoes were stretching out too much, they aren't as snug as when he got them he says. And if you don't get the socks, you deal with REALLY NASTY stinky shoes. And washing them messes with the shoes.
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    From going to races and stuff, people with the Vibram 5 Fingers are generally douche bags.
    My boyfriend has the 5 fingers...

    Um...

    If I say anything else, I'll just get hammered by the moderators.
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    And if you don't get the socks, you deal with REALLY NASTY stinky shoes. And washing them messes with the shoes.

    This douche bag rinses his KSO's with a hose for a minute or two and they are great. They are made of an anti-bacterial material.
  • katemme
    katemme Posts: 191
    From going to races and stuff, people with the Vibram 5 Fingers are generally douche bags.
    My boyfriend has the 5 fingers...

    Um...

    If I say anything else, I'll just get hammered by the moderators.


    LOL, i hate that he wears them. the hipster inside him tells me 'i got them before everyone started wearing them!'

    he hosed his, i still make him put them outside. they just smell swampier.
  • cyndist
    cyndist Posts: 43
    And if you don't get the socks, you deal with REALLY NASTY stinky shoes. And washing them messes with the shoes.

    This douche bag rinses his KSO's with a hose for a minute or two and they are great. They are made of an anti-bacterial material.


    Hmm, guess I'm a douche too. Thanks, I can live with that! =) This my dear is a blanket statement and I can assure you my son who also wears them is far from being a douche.
    As to the question I love my VFF. I never thought I would be pain free in my hips but I am and love it. Oh and my VFF don't stink.
  • katemme
    katemme Posts: 191
    Congratulations on having good smelling shoes and going out for runs with your son!
  • cyndist
    cyndist Posts: 43
    Congratulations on having good smelling shoes and going out for runs with your son!

    Unfortunately my son is in a different state. Run happy!
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