Well not sure you can even call them shoes....but has anyone used these Vibram Five Finger style of footwear? It's basically using your barefeet for activity just with a rubber protective coating. Suppose to be better for running from what I hear but wanted to see if anyone has any personal experience with it?
Vibram Five Finger shoes...
- Thread starter ChazUTX
- Start date
I looked at the Vibrams earlier this year after reading Chris McDougall's book Born to Run (terrific story). I wanted to try (nearly)-barefoot running and see if some knee pain would go away after I ditched my running shoes. I didn't get the Vibram's but instead bought some cheaper Nike Aqua Socks and have been very happy with the results.
I'd be interested to know if the Vibrams have a tendency to rub since each toe is isolated into its own little sleeve - seems like rubbing would definitely happen there, but maybe not.
By the way, Chris McDougall wrote that the running shoes we are all familiar with are actually the cause of many injuries because they promote an unnatural running style: striking at the heel and rolling to the toe. When I ditched my Asics and got the Aqua Socks, my running form went to a more natural stride where the ball of the foot strikes first, with very little weight ever hitting the heel. I have had zero knee pain since then.
Didn't mean to digress, Chaz ... your thread got me to thinking about why people are looking at the Vibram models and moving away from traditional running shoes. I'm interested in hearing about the Vibram experience as well.
Vibram Five Fingers
I'd be interested to know if the Vibrams have a tendency to rub since each toe is isolated into its own little sleeve - seems like rubbing would definitely happen there, but maybe not.
By the way, Chris McDougall wrote that the running shoes we are all familiar with are actually the cause of many injuries because they promote an unnatural running style: striking at the heel and rolling to the toe. When I ditched my Asics and got the Aqua Socks, my running form went to a more natural stride where the ball of the foot strikes first, with very little weight ever hitting the heel. I have had zero knee pain since then.
Didn't mean to digress, Chaz ... your thread got me to thinking about why people are looking at the Vibram models and moving away from traditional running shoes. I'm interested in hearing about the Vibram experience as well.
Vibram Five Fingers
NickDanger
2,500+ Posts
I wear mine all the time. I love them. I don't run. I just kick around in them. No rubbing issues for me.
There is a guy on campus that runs barefoot. Turns out he got lots of injuries from shoes and the impact. He now runs up to or more than 10 miles a day. He runs at a slower pace and is very deliberate when doing so but his injuries are a thing of the past. I am sure that shoes like this would minimize or eliminate injuries. It makes sense.
I know a few people who have a pair and wear them for driving on road trips, around the house, exercise or even at work in their office if not in a meeting. They say their feet are not as tired, get stronger and generally feel better.
I like that they seem to be easily washed and dried naturally to keep fungus and smell at bay. I too would like more info from people here that have them. How durable are they? How long have you had your pair and how often do you wear them?
I know a few people who have a pair and wear them for driving on road trips, around the house, exercise or even at work in their office if not in a meeting. They say their feet are not as tired, get stronger and generally feel better.
I like that they seem to be easily washed and dried naturally to keep fungus and smell at bay. I too would like more info from people here that have them. How durable are they? How long have you had your pair and how often do you wear them?
This is from their "store locator" on their website as to where to get them. I asked for within 200 miles to include the village you reside in just in case there is a spot there.
Hope it helps. I would call the location just in case. The Vibram people may assume that a store with their products will automatically carry this and may not.
Toes
Hope it helps. I would call the location just in case. The Vibram people may assume that a store with their products will automatically carry this and may not.
Toes
NickDanger
2,500+ Posts
Whole Earth Carries them as does a flyfishing shop in Gruene. The Vibrams locator is not helpful and not remotely accurate.
I DID read some complaints that they don't defunkify very well. Mine are fine. I got mine more for their water feature and I got the model that is most water extreme. My cousin is a doc in Austin (played tennis for the Horns) and she got them because of back and hip problems. She can't play tennis anymore, but she hikes all over the place in them. She was wearing some when we went out to dinner about a year or so ago and that's what made me interested. I was suffering from a raging case of restless leg syndrome and neuropathy in my feet. They didn't help with that at all. Have to take drugs for that or hold a bar of soap between your legs when sleeping (wtf?). Mine was an extreme case.
That is all I can think of that might be helpful from my experience.
Plus, they freak out the stuffed shirts in my neighborhood and I get the shits and giggles over that.
I DID read some complaints that they don't defunkify very well. Mine are fine. I got mine more for their water feature and I got the model that is most water extreme. My cousin is a doc in Austin (played tennis for the Horns) and she got them because of back and hip problems. She can't play tennis anymore, but she hikes all over the place in them. She was wearing some when we went out to dinner about a year or so ago and that's what made me interested. I was suffering from a raging case of restless leg syndrome and neuropathy in my feet. They didn't help with that at all. Have to take drugs for that or hold a bar of soap between your legs when sleeping (wtf?). Mine was an extreme case.
That is all I can think of that might be helpful from my experience.
Plus, they freak out the stuffed shirts in my neighborhood and I get the shits and giggles over that.
NickDanger
2,500+ Posts
loop,
You have it backwards. It is UNDERinclusive. They had a separate Five Fingers locator and ('m guessing that they used to be a lot more rare than they are and it just became too much of a pain to keep the locator updated as people added their products. E.G., Whole Earth is not on the list and neither is the shop in Gruene.
They have sizes in metric and it's really quite important to try them on and get the exact size before you then order them for a lot cheaper online. In other words, don't think just because you know you wear a 9.5 US, you will be able to accurately order them online. These things are very size sensitive.
Oh, and cut your nails or you will never get them on right.
You know, the Austin Angler (if it still exists) probably carries them or knows who in town Does carry them.
You have it backwards. It is UNDERinclusive. They had a separate Five Fingers locator and ('m guessing that they used to be a lot more rare than they are and it just became too much of a pain to keep the locator updated as people added their products. E.G., Whole Earth is not on the list and neither is the shop in Gruene.
They have sizes in metric and it's really quite important to try them on and get the exact size before you then order them for a lot cheaper online. In other words, don't think just because you know you wear a 9.5 US, you will be able to accurately order them online. These things are very size sensitive.
Oh, and cut your nails or you will never get them on right.
You know, the Austin Angler (if it still exists) probably carries them or knows who in town Does carry them.
My reasoning would be more for switching my running form to just use the ball of your foot and help eliminate injuries. I suffer from a bad case of plantar fasciitis and I was hoping it would help with that. I've had a few runners tell me it should....but you have to gradually change your method of running to this over time...definitely not in a few weeks or months really.
I have not bought them, yet, but have done a lot of reading on them. Eventually I will get some Vibrams but hesitated when I joined a basketball team (these aren't exactly made for bball!)
Anyways- one beef I have with them- they're ugly and it seems like you can only wear at the lake or if you're out running. I'd love for them to replace my usual summer nike sandals I wear on hot days- but can't see myself walking around in a mall with the wife and kids getting odd looks about my orange or blue Vibrams.
Anyways- I digress- but I think they're awesome, hope this small company succeeds and am giggling at the big shoe companies for being 'exposed' a little for misleading us earlier about their running shoes.
Anyways- one beef I have with them- they're ugly and it seems like you can only wear at the lake or if you're out running. I'd love for them to replace my usual summer nike sandals I wear on hot days- but can't see myself walking around in a mall with the wife and kids getting odd looks about my orange or blue Vibrams.
Anyways- I digress- but I think they're awesome, hope this small company succeeds and am giggling at the big shoe companies for being 'exposed' a little for misleading us earlier about their running shoes.
LAktownhorn
250+ Posts
i got them and i've wore them twice. both times they gave me insane blisters. i got sized at rei and i was hoping i was good to go, but after about a mile i had to turn around and walk back home.
i tried band aids the second time but they rubbed off and then skin came with it.
i tried band aids the second time but they rubbed off and then skin came with it.
I have three pair. I've had the KSOs for almost two years, Bilkilas for 6 months. I'd wear them all the time if I could. Take it slow though -- you'll use muscles in your feet and legs you didn't know you have. Great for strengthening feet and improving balance. I've never had blistering or rubbing.
Be prepared to take a fair amount of abuse with people freaked out by them. I get stopped at least 1-3 times when I'm out in public with them. The Bikilas that are mainly white with red toes get the least amount of comments, because they look somewhat like a regular tennis shoe. The black with shorts stick out like a sore thumb -- look like monkey feet.
GotoThe Link for a ton of info on them.
Be prepared to take a fair amount of abuse with people freaked out by them. I get stopped at least 1-3 times when I'm out in public with them. The Bikilas that are mainly white with red toes get the least amount of comments, because they look somewhat like a regular tennis shoe. The black with shorts stick out like a sore thumb -- look like monkey feet.
GotoThe Link for a ton of info on them.
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