Vibram FiveFingers

[jediobiwan]

So, according to search at least, no one has brought up Vibram FiveFingers on this board.

They are unique shoes that do away with extra cushioning and arch support and return your foot to a protected yet almost barefoot position. While research on the subject is still young, it is believed that using your feet as evolution intended reduces injuries, specifically in runners. They are also marketed towards people that climb and hike, although people in all walks of life (haa haa, pun not intended) have started to enjoy them.

I just got mine a few weeks ago but love wearing them every day. Lots of people can't see past their "ugliness" but to me I think they look no worse than flip-flops and they are a lot more fun to walk around in.

If you have any questions about them or are interested in transitioning, feel free to ask. Do any of you wear them? I can guarantee some of you will see me wearing them on Podcast Cruise 2.0!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Finally! Something uglier than Crocs! Maybe people will stop making fun of me now!

No cushioning or arch support? Definitely not for me.

 

[jediobiwan]

Finally! Something uglier than Crocs! Maybe people will stop making fun of me now!

No cushioning or arch support? Definitely not for me.

I still make fun of Crocs. As for most shoes compared to FiveFingers, mine look like feet. Everyone else's looks like you have one massive big toe with an overgrown nail

As for the cushioning, it does take some getting used to but it definitely helps build muscles. And arch support was only invented in the 70s.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I saw a girl wearing these at the mall last week! They made me curious, but I didn't get a chance to ask her.

I have custom made boots with Vibram soles and love them! I have hiked, ran (yes, I used to be able to run ), and done a ton of walking in them and swear by Vibram's name for quality.

How long did it take you to get used to the "separated individual toes" feeling? Was it kind of creepy, yet satisfying? That would be my only hesitation.

 

[jediobiwan]

The separated toe thing really didn't bother me. I had been wanting to buy some for the past year and a half since the first time I saw someone in them. It takes a bit getting used to putting them on and training your toes on where to go but otherwise it is pretty cool. If you look on the website I linked to up top you can find a reseller to go try some on. I ended up getting both of mine online however as the only place that sells them around here had Sprints and classics, both of which have no top of foot covering, which I didn't like.

 

[CraftyOtt]

Funny you should bring these up.....my son just asked for these. He's a barefoot kind of guy and a friend of his has these for trail hiking and ultimate frisbee. My son plays ultimate frisbee barefoot on a field that frequently has sand spurs -- so he needs something like this. I have tried running barefoot on my treadmill, but haven't gotten up the nerve to take up barefoot running on a regular basis. I think our local stores only sell one or two models of this "shoe" also. I'll need to at least get him sized for it (he wears a 13 shoe) so I can order the right style online.

 

[CraftyOtt]

I forgot to ask....what style do you have and why did you choose it? My son is leaning towards the Treksport or the KSO.

 

[FireDancer]

There have been threads on the community board and WISH board in the past. I know a lot of runners who love these for after races but make sure to try them on before ordering online. If you are like me and have weirdly spaced toes they just hurt.

 

[dmwang9]

I got a pair of Classics about 9 months ago and love them! I started by wearing them at school (I teach high school) and quickly got used to them. The vast majority of my school is carpeted, so that helped with the transition as well. I started wearing them outside this past summer, though here in San Francisco, that doesn't necessarily translate to "warm". I'm looking at a pair of KSO's, which have a slightly thicker sole and also provide covering for the entire top of the foot.

 

[cyberbox2]

I have been a runner for the last 10 years, during the Richmond, Va Suntrust marathon last November I saw someone wearing these and thought "he's crazy" then I saw them again at the gym in May and I really took an interest in them.

I'm on the edge of buying a pair at my local REI store. I love being barefoot and hope this will enable me to get close to that sensation with minimal interference, especially running longer distances on the beach.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I love Crocs. I think they are ugly, but in a cute way.

With that being said, I could never wear these.

 

[DisneyKevin]

training your toes on where to go

I think my toes are too dumb to be trained.

 

[jediobiwan]

Funny you should bring these up.....my son just asked for these. He's a barefoot kind of guy and a friend of his has these for trail hiking and ultimate frisbee. My son plays ultimate frisbee barefoot on a field that frequently has sand spurs -- so he needs something like this. I have tried running barefoot on my treadmill, but haven't gotten up the nerve to take up barefoot running on a regular basis. I think our local stores only sell one or two models of this "shoe" also. I'll need to at least get him sized for it (he wears a 13 shoe) so I can order the right style online.

If you go to this page there are links to a size conversion chart and a sizing video that will help. One of the pieces of advice I followed was to order two sizes and send the wrong one back. This page has a list of online stores that you can find them at and you often have to look around to find the model you want and the right size. Beware of places that don't sell them for the MSRP and beware of sites that are not listed on that page as there are a lot of knockoffs that come in correct boxes and have the return address of Vibram.

As for what kind, I have both KSOs and Trek Sports. I like my TrekSports for walking around campus on concrete every day but my KSOs if I want to feel the ground. I can walk in KSOs all day and they are still cool but they aren't quite as comfortable.

 

[jediobiwan]

I have been a runner for the last 10 years, during the Richmond, Va Suntrust marathon last November I saw someone wearing these and thought "he's crazy" then I saw them again at the gym in May and I really took an interest in them.

I'm on the edge of buying a pair at my local REI store. I love being barefoot and hope this will enable me to get close to that sensation with minimal interference, especially running longer distances on the beach.

You really should try them! If you can find the right size/model at your local store you can make sure on how they feel before you buy them

 

[princessbride6205]

I tried a pair on because I really like the idea of them. I would go around barefoot all the time if I could! But my little pinky toe is too short to fit in the space - only the very tip of it gets into the right spot, so it just rubs funny. I may try them on again or try to find a different style, but I may be out of luck with my weird toe.

 

[jediobiwan]

I think my toes are too dumb to be trained.

Mine must be smarter than yours because they all went straight home this morning when I put them on

 

[jediobiwan]

I tried a pair on because I really like the idea of them. I would go around barefoot all the time if I could! But my little pinky toe is too short to fit in the space - only the very tip of it gets into the right spot, so it just rubs funny. I may try them on again or try to find a different style, but I may be out of luck with my weird toe.

Vibram will tell you they aren't for everyone unfortunately. Are you sure it was the right size?

 

[mytripsandraces]

The evolution argument doesn't hold with me, because our ancestors weren't running on concrete and asphalt. If I were a serious trail runner, I would consider them (if I could get past the separated toes issue), but since most of my races are done on asphalt and some concrete, I want as much cushioning as I can get for my poor joints.

 

[CastawayJP]

This is too funny! The same guy that originally showed me HydroFlask told me I should try these out! If only I could get him hooked on Disney!

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

Aaaaahhhhh! My husband wears these crazy shoes!!

He is a running nut - did an ultra-marathon last month!

He loves the five-fingers. Here is a review that he wrote about them if anyone is interested:http://www.the-fitness-motivator.com/vibram-five-fingers.html

He even has socks with five toes to wear with the shoes! I told him he looks like a teeny bopper girl - if only the toes were striped and multicolored!!

Ha ha!