Anyone tried Vibram Fivefingers ?

[Virgo]

Not sure about the rest, but on first look, definitely not enough support for the heels and ankles. I'd rather stick to my good old Asics.

 

[giantcanopy]

Not sure about the rest, but on first look, definitely not enough support for the heels and ankles. I'd rather stick to my good old Asics.

It is minimal running shoes that is a next best attempt to resemble natural barefoot running. Concept is to dissuade heel strike that transmits more stress to the ankle in long term ( You cannot do the traditional Heel strike-toe lift with vibrams or barefoot running unless you want to deliberately deal alot of pain to the heel )

Here is the Havard lab doing some kinda research on running that attempts to explain in a way. But not strongly encouraging one over the other at the moment. http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/4BiomechanicsofFootStrike.html

I must agree that i am half sold on the funky concept. I probably will not see too much goodness until much later time though. I am not openly taking sides either. I still do running with my Asics interchangeably.

I just finished the book - Born To Run, by Christopher McDougall. Alot of sensationalisation, but there is probably some truth in the Tarahumara's way of barefoot running

 

[Madmax]

Do you run marathons? If yes, are you planning to run in it?

 

[giantcanopy]

Do you run marathons? If yes, are you planning to run in it?

My 2011 new yr resolution is to keep fit n do my first Marathon this yr.

Yes, why not

Ryan

 

[NedKelly]

I got my pair too. US$45 +$10 shipping on ebay

good to wear. Very good to use at beach area.

Note: these vibram five fingers are not meant to replace normal running shoes right away.
if you are a strong marathon runner maybe.
If you are a novice runner make sure you try it on for short durations and move up.
If you look on youtube, the style of running only changes to natural bare foot running after a year of practice.
In fact a better advice is probably to start running and keep in mind to NOT land with heels in normal shoes for a duration until your feet and calfs are strong enough before going into running with the vibrams.



Me too got blisters at the ankles after wearing it for the first time without socks.

 

[Madmax]

My 2011 new yr resolution is to keep fit n do my first Marathon this yr.

Yes, why not

Ryan

Good for you. I did my 1st marathon last Dec. Do take care when training in it. I don't use VFF but I have seen people wearing it for full marathons. On the other hand, my friend gave it up because he finds it too painful to run in it.

 

[giantcanopy]

@ NedKelly : I wonder if ur pair is original :devil: . there are lots of china made ones proclaiming to be original on ebay. no way telling unless u r a regular user. but i guess if we are talking about minimal running, a thin sole shoe should do. ( look at the running DIY Huaraches for instance )

@ Madmax : thx for ur encouragement!

I tried barefoot running one fine afternoon in a stadium. Joints can take it, great experience, but the skin on the soles of my foot was scorching tender! Not too prepared to take it on the pavements

Recently got a copy of Run for Your Life by Ben Tan, an easy read with lots of tips and sports science.

Slimmed almost 6kg since 1st Jan 2011 ( WITH proper diet ), no more blisters with my KSO
( I hope to get back my 68kg frame from my 2010 86kg :faint: )

Ryan

 

[NedKelly]

@ NedKelly : I wonder if ur pair is original :devil: . there are lots of china made ones proclaiming to be original on ebay. no way telling unless u r a regular user. but i guess if we are talking about minimal running, a thin sole shoe should do. ( look at the running DIY Huaraches for instance )

Ryan

Sad to say I am a victim.... haiiizzzz didnt do enough research. My leg has gotten used to the shoes a bit now.. plus I got the injinji socks so much better.

so now I am going to try importing from the states.
KSO is selling for US$89 Shipping will probably be US$30

KSO is being sold for AUD$170 a pair. So I will still save heaps.

and I should have imported the bloody socks too.
Injinji sells for US$12 in stores there.
They sell for AUD$30

 

[giantcanopy]

Sad to say I am a victim.... haiiizzzz didnt do enough research. My leg has gotten used to the shoes a bit now.. plus I got the injinji socks so much better.

so now I am going to try importing from the states.
KSO is selling for US$89 Shipping will probably be US$30

KSO is being sold for AUD$170 a pair. So I will still save heaps.

and I should have imported the bloody socks too.
Injinji sells for US$12 in stores there.
They sell for AUD$30

And I thought the local stores were trying to do a ripoff on customers for the Injinji.
They cost slightly more than 23 bucks per pair of socks locally. . I got 3 pairs and i can feel the heartache. But they are pretty comfortable. And they are ultra thin enough to give a snug fit with my feet and the shoes.

I am still dreaming of the Bikila. I will need a second pair of VFF when i am washing my KSO right? :lovegrin:

Ryan

 

[ManWearPants]

The vibram seems like a good solution for someone with flat foot and needing broader shoe front. I wouldn't wear it for running though as there are occasions when you dig the ground with your toe. Imagine the big toe getting all the impact on its own.

 

[n e o]

Just my 2 cents,

VFF is part of a trend towards more minimalist and less agressively cushioned footwear, based on the idea that you want to walk or run closer to what nature intended.

My friend has a pair and for what it's worth at this late point in the post:

1) The VFF was initially tight, especially with socks, and caused blisters
2) If you have the patience, the VFF becomes quite comfortable when seasoned and worn without socks
3) Grip is not really good so be careful over urban surfaces
4) Running is more pleasant in them

My own attempt at barefoot footwear was Dopie slippers (got online from Australia) and in my case, based on his experience, I got a 45 when my shoes size is 44 to get a more comfortable fit.

In my experience (being flat footed, big sized and an overpronator):

Walking is more tiring in them, you don't feel it until you go to sleep then you K.O. once you close your eyes.

Surprisingly your feet don't hurt more and after a while knee pain goes away though this might be just particular to me.

Looking at the wear on my Dopies, the wear is centred on the ball of the foot and not at the edge of the heel, something I only noticed yesterday with some surprise.
I assume this means I overpronate less.

Take it easy and give it a try.
If it does not work for you just go back to regular shoes or try mid-way shoes from New Balance and Merrell.

 

[giantcanopy]

1) The VFF was initially tight, especially with socks, and caused blisters
2) If you have the patience, the VFF becomes quite comfortable when seasoned and worn without socks
3) Grip is not really good so be careful over urban surfaces
4) Running is more pleasant in them

Good point

It is probably better to wear the toe socks u intend to run with to size the shoe.

I got it the other way round, fitted a 42 with a little slack n realised I cannot use my conventional toe socks cause not only it does not fit the overall, the toes became "too fat" in the end had to use the thinner toe socks retrospect it might have been a 43 or 44.

But ultrathin socks n a proper fitting vibrant feels like fitting another layer of lightweight skin around like a glove to finger.

Totalled more than 150 km in my KSO so far, today's run finally felt very comfortable, I think the shoes are finally stretched at the spots they should be hehe.

Lost 6 kg so far.
Lets stay inspired for healthy living

Ryan

 

[Zichar]

6kg sounds fantastic methinks, from 1 Jan and over CNY period! lol
If I may ask: what's the wear and tear like? Any discernible seams coming apart, etc?

 

[giantcanopy]

6kg sounds fantastic methinks, from 1 Jan and over CNY period! lol
If I may ask: what's the wear and tear like? Any discernible seams coming apart, etc?

Thx bro. I did not over-eat except for reunion dinner at two familes..(ate because need to give face at both ends!) Everything still in one piece. They told me the top will wear faster than the heels but fingers crossed still looks the same.

There is abit more wear in the front half of the sole. Heel looks mint!

 

[n e o]

Good point

Lost 6 kg so far.
Lets stay inspired for healthy living

Ryan

:thumbsup:

 

[nerdie]

Thx bro. I did not over-eat except for reunion dinner at two familes..(ate because need to give face at both ends!) Everything still in one piece. They told me the top will wear faster than the heels but fingers crossed still looks the same.

There is abit more wear in the front half of the sole. Heel looks mint!

Hahaha! I was reseaching on KSO/Bikila's then i saw your post! Congrats on your weight loss bro!

 

[giantcanopy]

Hahaha! I was reseaching on KSO/Bikila's then i saw your post! Congrats on your weight loss bro!

Ahhh. Got ur fb message. We got a running specialist looking at vff

Thx Bro! I need to get rid another 12kg ...

Ryan

 

[nerdie]

Ahhh. Got ur fb message. We got a running specialist looking at vff

Thx Bro! I need to get rid another 12kg ...

Ryan

LOL no la...
Was curious about the VFF, then was reading about it all day
Looking to get the Bikila, but it really is cumbersome to order it online!

 

[giantcanopy]

Ran to Macritchie to try the trails with the KSO today. Very very painful. Aborted

I doubt the Bikila will fair any significantly different..

 

[Zichar]

Painful, how so? As in the rougher terrain really cuts into your sole?
What surfaces have you been running on anyway? The track and pavement?