[Closed] Anyone used Vibram Fivefingers?

He must spend so much time thinking about his feet that he forgets to look in the mirror, hence the Emily Bishop hairstyle.

I wouldn't trust him to open a bag of crisps for me, nevermind recommend some amazingly expensive next big thing shoe produced by a shoe manufacturer who produce lots of other shoes that don't conform to the ethos of 'natural' footwear.

...just another way to sell things to people who have too much money and too little sense.

if you already do a lot of running and just want to mix it up, buy a pair, theyre great fun (ive got the KSOs). if theyre going to be your only running shoe i wouldnt be so sure.

Plus I reckon they're best suited to lighter builds if you want to use them for running - which I do

id say the reverse, 'normal' running would put more strain through your knees than barefoot running would. so the advantages might be even more for heavy guys.

I could be talking out my ass though, im just saying what comes to mind.

I'm heavy and thin running shoes don't cause me any problems.

If you're Interested in the minimal shoe aspect rather than the 'toed' aspect then there are loads of cheaper alternatives on a sliding scale of sole padding from 5mm New Balance or Merrill trail glove types through to Vivos and the 2mm Zemgear sock designs or similar. I think Innov8 (sp?) do a toed silicon material shoe also

I run in NB minimus MT10's - my Aunt can pick them up for about £30 a pair in the US...

If you want minimum, just buy some plimsolls

saw a very heavy guy on treadmill in greenflash and a knee brace at gym the other day - i'll be checking on that there youtube to see if he is heading up some sort of revolution that i ought to join in

I just got some merrill trail gloves. I love them already, I get anti if I have to put any other shoes on.

+1 crikey

as one who works as an foottherapist, insoles, problems with nails etc, i only see trouble...

1. destoying the natural fat in forfoot, and heel, that works as cushioning.
2. no support whatsoever, if you pronate.
3. high risk of getting a achilles heel.

But they are splendid for eating chips on the couch, going to the beach, if you hate stepping on seashells, not slipping when you get home drunk 😆

There's something about the argument that because our bodies are the product of millions of years of evolution then bits of it can't be improved upon or need any help that I find quite annoying. Our hairless bodies are the result of millions of years of evolution but I bet the guy in the video* wears clothes when it's cold out. Or uses binoculars when he needs to see further than his eyes will let him.

Not to say it's wrong when it comes to running shoes, just saying.

*Disclaimer: I haven't watched the video, of course.

Not many fads annoy me but this does. I actually run forefoot, but to do it in these on the road would be insane. People make the argument that stoneage man ran barefoot. Yeah, but not on concrete he didn't. Get yourself something with a bit of cusioning on the front unless all your running is on the beach or in loamy soil.

I,ve been trying some Merrell trail gloves over the last few weeks. They make you very aware of how your foot strikes the floor. You've got to strike with the forefoot obviously so it's incredibly hard work for your lower calves at first. I do like them but I won't be running in them all the time, but it has made me think about getting shoes with less cushioning and less drop.

They are probably not for anyone who needs support though as Jeb says.

The 5 fingers look a bit weird though but i've seen them in real life.

Jeb, can you explain further your comment about natural fat and achilles heel?(Not the chips on the couch thing. I know all about that.)

Err. Run in them if you like them, don't if you don't.

All I can say is that I do. Have run marathons on tarmac in them and thirty miles in the forest in them.

Funny how they bring out the hate...

Run in what works for you same as you should ride what suits you, not what someone else thinks is best.

I don't hate them, but I do see straight through the marketing nonsense.

If you want to run in a natural way, don't do it with two layers of nylon fabric between each toe, and with a layer of rubber under your feet as well, and pay £60, £70, £80 for the privelege.

Use a sandal, use a plimsoll....

i've got a pair of New Balance minimus, i like 'em.

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Use a sandal, use a plimsoll....

very true, i sometimes do run in plimsolly type things, but i've found that my minimus are a bit grippier, hold my feet a bit better, fit my feet a bit better, and have a bit more 'penetration' protection.

stop s****ing, i mean to say that they're a bit better at taking the pain out of pointy stones.

and it's true, i'm running faster, with fewer injuries than i ever managed in 'proper' running shoes.

I've got some Innov8 F195 they're OK, but still after 5 months they make my achilles ache, and I'm a light runner and I naturally run on my toes. I'm probably going back to regular shoes when they wear out

These were designed for sailing boats weren't they?*

*Just read born to run, and that's what they said.

Yeah, sandals are good. But for chasing deer down their trails* I love the security of my TrekSports.

*like I am ever fast enough to keep up with them :-p but they do cut a good trail...

I've logged about 600 miles in my VFF treks and absolutely love them. I've got about a fair variety of other shoes that I use regularly too, but these are the ones I get the most pleasurable from running in.

Emsz, I also really like the flite-195s and xtlon 190s, but they're not quite wide enough for me 😀
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and i'm not sure i like the word 'strike' - it's too violent a word to describe the way my feet make contact with the ground.

in shoes like mine you quickly learn to 'gently place' - and it feels really nice.

There have been plenty of threads on here for barefoot running. I love it, I have merrell trail gloves for the summer and vivo barefoot trail (I think) for when it gets sloppy.
It's not for everyone, I came back to running after a long time on my back, literally, and went straight into the merrells. I can appreciate the transition between what we class as traditional running shoes and barefoot as being a time consuming thing but I'd never go back now.
For what it's worth I'm seventeen stone and have less pain in my legs running in the shoes mentioned than when using cushioned trainers. I appreciate there's a world of people saying one thing and backing cushioning etc and then there's others saying barefoot is the way forward. I can see the barefoot argument as way back when we chased animals to kill em and eat em Nike et al hadn't dreamed up the first sweatshop yet. Sorry training shoe. Our bodies are incredible things that are not used how they were designed to be.
If you get chance try some, or just find a nice grassy field and run truly barefoot round it, see how it feels. It'll be similar.

Yup mince is probably more accurate word than strike for me 😀

http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/04/06/more-on-the-vibram-5-fingers-lawsuit/

podiatry forums that I'm on seem to think they have led to an increase of metatarsal fractures, but as said above its horses for courses..if they suit fine if not then don't run in them..

podiatry forums that I'm on seem to think they have led to an increase of metatarsal fractures

I think that's quite possibly true. I did mine, and I think someone else on this forum did too.
I think though a fair few people see that statement and assume it means that they cause metatarsal fractures, which is a somewhat more contentious assertion.

The salient paragraph in flashy's link:

[i]There’s a lesson in there for all of us. Exericse fanatics are easy marks when it comes to promises of improved performance and reduced risk of injury. Whether it be compression clothing, minimilist footwear, vibrating platforms or washboard-abs-in-30 days workout videos, do your homework before jumping on the latest fitness bandwagon.[/i]

I don't quote that with any kind of faux superiority because let's face it, we've all (or plenty of us at least) been there.

Darcy +Many.

Well extracted. 😉

Darcy +Many.

Well extracted. 😉

Yeah, but I'll only give up my beetroot juice when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

Beetroot juice? That's so last week Ian. 🙂

There's some intresting articles on the subject over at [url= http://www.sportsscientists.com/search?q=barefoot ]Science of Sport[/url].

They show quite conclusively that there is no evidence to show barefoot is universally beneficial (best for everyone). But it does show if you run barefoot without the correct gait i.e. heel striking, then it's significantly worse than heel striking in normal shoes.

I picked up a pair cheap, as a treat to myself, as they were still far more than I'd normally spend on a pair of shoes. I loved the look of them, and found they've modified my running style, although I don't know if for the better or not. Certainly feel lighter on my feet, but this is subjective. I will say though, mine are the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned, and I'd live in them permanently if I could.

Cheap pair = fake

are these expensive shoes better in practice than using plimsoles?

i'd like to give this a go but the £75+ price tag is too much

edit: should have searched first
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running#Plimsolls
http://wildfitnessblog.com/barefoot-shoes-the-options/

I've had a couple of pairs, picked them up in the states for $90 rather than £90. I prefer them in the summer to flip flops as they offer more protection and better for your feet I suspect.

I personally wouldn't run in them though, they have no padding at all and only act as a barrier against small stones etc. I understand that's the point of them as they are to aid barefoot running, so it depends on whether you would consider barefoot running as sensible first and foremost?

A lot of people do comment on them though, (not always good!)

I've got some NB Minimus too - thin, no padding and I'm 85kg. Takes a few runs to get used to them, not just in the foot but also the hip flexors for some reason - but now they are fine. I don't run in anything else.

I have a natural 'barefoot' style of running, use vivo neo on the trails and asics japanesse low style runners for distance work on the road. Couldn't tell you that it's made me faster or stronger than someone who runs in "modern" trainers (like my SO), but it suits my feet for now.

like all exercise "listen to your body" you'll soon know if you can run barefoot style or not.
FWIW there are some good warm ups and balance and strengthening exercises on the vivobarefoot website.

also worth bearing in mind: I was talking to a shoe selling in a running specialist shop the other day & they have been told that they will not sell barefoot style shoes to people who 'don't know what they are doing' because of the risk of injury & litigation!

you'll soon know if you can run barefoot style or not.

in my humble opinion, it needs a little commitment.

it's a skill, it takes time to learn. it's been 2 years since i threw my squidgy shoes in the bin, and i can still get it wrong - and finish a run with burning calves that ache for days.

(my technique falls apart if i try and run faster than 4ish mins/k, and i just start running on my toes)

retro83 - Member

are these expensive shoes better in practice than using plimsoles?

depends, if you can find a pair plimsoles that fit nicely, don't move around on your feet too much, and have enough grip (if you want to run offroad) then i'd say 'not really'.

don't listen to me, i'm an idiot.

Te he, I recognise the wear in those 195s Ian. I really hope Inov bring out a wide X-Talon. That would be Blummin Brilliant.

A fair spectrum of opinions there guys. Don't think I'll be rushing in just yet - even though the positives are sound as are many reviews on the likes of Wiggle

As much as I like "barefooting" it, I don't see myself getting on with that technique on the trails - especially if the padding and support isn't there.

Will pop into a couple of running shops I know and see what have to add.

I guess it depends on whether you are a relative short distance runner (like me) or a longer distance runner who is converting to barefoot. I suspect the latter is tougher as the feet have a lot of catching up to do on the legs.

Why are they called FiveFingers and not FiveToes? I would never trust anyone who can't tell the difference between fingers and toes. Call me fussy etc.

I agree with all those who have said the transition can take time. I do 2/3 of my runs barefoot and the others in standard VFF. I would do them all barefoot but the paths I run on are rough and spiky and the time off helps recovery.

The VFF are superb for me, you have to adjust your style obviously but i have found it lessens impacts. You can feel the ground beneath your foot but barely more than in a pair of spongies. The separate toes is to encourage the foot to spread and distribute your weight more evenly.

I am not a lightweight either, 108Kg, so they should be fine for everyone. If you get excessive calf pain it could be that you are too far up on your toes, I have tried to land on my forefoot marginally before allowing the rest of the mid-foot and heel to touchdown. I know when I'm knackered and losing form as I will occasionally clunk my heels.

Matt

BadlyWiredDog - apparently there is an Italian word that describes both toes and fingers, hence the VFF and not VFToes.

Trailgloves? Is there an American word which desribes both shoes and gloves... But cheers for that, isn't language great 🙂

And more usefully maybe, I find barefoot shoes - I've used Fivefingers/toes and the Merrell ones - fine on even surfaces, but problematic running off-road on rocky stuff, particularly descending, due to the lack of any impact protection plate. As a result I've considered switching to these - the anti-barefoot, sort of...

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See: [url= http://www.hokaoneone.com/en/catalog.html ]http://www.hokaoneone.com/en/catalog.html[/url]

Te he, I recognise the wear in those 195s Ian. I really hope Inov bring out a wide X-Talon. That would be Blummin Brilliant.

Yup, that would be great!
They're bringing out trailrocs midsummer which are meant to be wider, but don't look like they'll be quite as gripper as talons though.
In the meanwhile I might have to get the duct tape out 🙂
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1. destoying the natural fat in forfoot, and heel, that works as cushioning.
2. no support whatsoever, if you pronate.
3. high risk of getting a achilles heel.

I don't "get" any of these problems. The fat in your feet was designed to cushion your movements, why would it be damaged by using it for the task it was designed for?
As for risks of injury etc, only if you launch into their use as you would normally with your super-cushioning, super supportive trainers as these no longer give you that helping hand. However I suspect at the end of it you're less likely to hurt yourself as you'll have built muscles and structures more capable of stabilising your feet/legs.

I get paid to run. Barefoot-chi-Pose has been a revelation over the last two years. At 38 I'm finally injury free and running faster than ever. I seriously regret not taking it up decades ago.

The key technique is to take shorter, but quicker strides - 180/min is good. This way your calves are able to work more efficiently and hurt less.

I use Innov8 Baregrip 200 shoes for fell running and XC, Newtons on the road, VVF lace-ups for interval and treadmill stuff. However, most minimalist footwear is still too narrow for a perfect fit.

Inov8 X-talons are the best off road running shoes ever, closely followed by NB 110's (£35) and Baregrips.

I'd advise an intermediate shoe first- there's loads out there. Kinvara's (4mm drop) are supposed to be awsone and can be had cheap (let down by longitivity), Nike Free 3.0's will give you about 500miles in my experience so worth the £70 (I'm on my third pair).

You don't need to spend a fortune (or look like an ape) to give it a whirl. Most people would have spent more on a sh@ pair of tyres.

Will qualify my 'cheap' pair. There are loads of cheaper fakes available and you have to be careful about where you buy vibrams from, so many fakes and some really good copies available. I bought from a known retailer so I knew I was getting the real deal, I suggest anyone else does the same.

If I was buying more pairs I'd probably go for some cheaper barefoot style ones, but I do love the cushyness around my toes!

I've a pair of vibrams, they're rubbish for cycling.

Kev