Anyone ever use vibramfivefingers

[Two Tents]

I saw these shoes called vibramfivefingers and wondered if anyone had any and how they liked then. Fit? Traction? Comfort?

[Two Tents]

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_footwear.cfm

[WetBottom]

I've seen that website before and I think they look really fun, but I'd like to hear from someone who tried them to see how they really are. They may just be a great way to get super sore feet, especially where it's rocky.

[warraghiyagey]

:mad: this is not what i thought was this thread was going to be about ;)

[jrnj5k]

I have two pairs. They have 0 padding and 0 support the only thing they do is protect you from sharp stuff and give you great grip. You could use them for anything you want but its going to take a while for you to get your feet used to them.. Since you have spent the last 52 yrs of your life in shoes your feet are not used to being barefoot. the acclimation process can be unpleasant. I love them however for walking around and for some short runs on flat terrain.

[Two Tents]

I don't Know I've done some crazy barefoot stuff and after you get conditioned its not bad. Point being maybe this is the ticket right off the start. Super protection. Besides its supposed to be good for you too.

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

I saw a reveiw from another hiker on Hiking forums, and if I remember right he had 2 different pair that he had more nice things to say than bad things. I do remember that the one complaint he mentioned more than once was really sweaty feet. I will find the link and post it

[Two Tents]

I have two pairs. They have 0 padding and 0 support the only thing they do is protect you from sharp stuff and give you great grip. You could use them for anything you want but its going to take a while for you to get your feet used to them.. Since you have spent the last 52 yrs of your life in shoes your feet are not used to being barefoot. the acclimation process can be unpleasant. I love them however for walking around and for some short runs on flat terrain. Did the method they say for measuring give you a good fit? I hate returning stuff.

[JJJ]

jrnjk5 is right.

I bought a pair about a year ago for running but never took the time to adapt or strengthen my feet.
But having suffered from plantar faciaitus for a couple of years I just recently bucked up to make the switch in hope of strengthening my feet.
I walked and worked outside in them for about a week then started running very short mileage on dirt last week.
On Saturday I biked up to Damascus, walked up past the Cuckoos on the AT, then ran back down.
It was almost more than I bargained for in places but overall a great feeling.
If you make the switch just take it easy. You'll be using new muscles, so a few hours at a time -build gradually.
Don't start with a pack on your back. :)
Some people have naturally good, strong feet, many of us don't.
Good Luck,
jjj

[take-a-knee]

jrnjk5 is right.

I bought a pair about a year ago for running but never took the time to adapt or strengthen my feet.
But having suffered from plantar faciaitus for a couple of years I just recently bucked up to make the switch in hope of strengthening my feet.
I walked and worked outside in them for about a week then started running very short mileage on dirt last week.
On Saturday I biked up to Damascus, walked up past the Cuckoos on the AT, then ran back down.
It was almost more than I bargained for in places but overall a great feeling.
If you make the switch just take it easy. You'll be using new muscles, so a few hours at a time -build gradually.
Don't start with a pack on your back. :)
Some people have naturally good, strong feet, many of us don't.
Good Luck,
jjj

If you run in those things with a conventional "heel strike", you'll cripple yourself. You have to land midfoot, with your torso vertically over your landing foot, as opposed to out in front of your body. This is called POSE running. Crossfit advoctates this running style, as it supposedly reduces injuries. Many crossfitters wear these 5-fingers for their workouts, which typically include a lot of short, hard runs of 400m and 800m plus no-rest barbell workouts.

[Gaiter]

so if you go bare-footed often does it take as long to get used to them??
and reading the size guide it says if your second toe is more than 1/6" longer than your big toe that it may be hard to find a precise fit... anyone had these w/ a really long second toe?
I've been debating for a while about getting a pair...

[JJJ]

If you run in those things with a conventional "heel strike", you'll cripple yourself. You have to land midfoot, with your torso vertically over your landing foot, as opposed to out in front of your body. This is called POSE running. Crossfit advoctates this running style, as it supposedly reduces injuries. Many crossfitters wear these 5-fingers for their workouts, which typically include a lot of short, hard runs of 400m and 800m plus no-rest barbell workouts.

I wouldn't doubt the "heel strike" issue, but I've heard and noticed in myself that you tend to automatically adjust to midfoot strike.

[jrnj5k]

my second toe is longer than my first by quite a bit and the normal fit chart worked fine for me.

As far as running style is concerned you will instantly start running properly because heel striking is simply not an option as it hurts to much. This will reduce impact on ankles, knees and hips but your calves, hamstrings, and soles of your feet will get sore.

If you walk barefoot often it wont hurt.....

[humunuku]

I got a pair recently. I like them a lot, not sure if I'd use them for backpacking though.

Sizing: I actually had to go up a size from what they suggested by measuring...my toes just didn't fit right in the "suggested" size. Also be aware that the KSO and Sprint very in size (e.g. a size 42 KSO = size 43 sprint)

[Gaiter]

tried them today.... my toes are a little wacky.... just didn't ever fit right, and i don't want to spend 5 min. every morning fighting to get my toes in the holes

[A New Convert]

You don't spend that long after you get used to them. You learn how to put you feet in them in such a way that you toes splay out and slide in. Only toe I ever have to work with is the little guy at the end, but he naturally currles under :).

I really like my fivefingers but they did take some getting used to. If you go barefoot a lot they aren't bad at all

BC

[World-Wide]

:mad: this is not what i thought was this thread was going to be about ;)

I understand warraghiyagey! When I saw "Vibramfivefingers" my mind broke it down this way: Vibram= Vibrator, Five= Group and Fingers= Good if applied right! :D Not good to read between the lines! Sorry if offended! :(

[World-Wide]

I understand warraghiyagey! When I saw "Vibramfivefingers" my mind broke it down this way: Vibram= Vibrator, Five= Group and Fingers= Good if applied right! :D Not good to read between the lines! Sorry if offended! :(

Smart comments aside, haven't seen to many positive pro-mo's! :(

[Wise Old Owl]

I have seen a few women using them in the Hiking Clubs - Honestly - best for the beach.

I even saw a young girl in what appeared to be a neopreen sandal cut from a single piece-very UL.

[Karrmer]

I think they are amazing.

Most research will agree that you will have far less injuries if you go this style, but you will probably have a good deal more foot soreness until your feet adjust.

[humunuku]

I wore mine for the first time a few weeks ago on a 9 mile rainy day hike in the smokies (I did not ease into them like they suggest). The are great for creek crossings, rooty/rocky trails - your feet comform to the trail and you feel really stable walking. thought they were great, considering it was the first time i used them. The last 1.5 mile of the hike were on a hard packed gravel road (as hard as asphalt)...I didn't think they were great here...just imagine walking 2 mile in bare feet on a hard road, it gets kinda old.

So to sum up - they're great on the trail, not great on places where cars drive.

[2rjs]

I wore mine for the first time a few weeks ago on a 9 mile rainy day hike in the smokies (I did not ease into them like they suggest). The are great for creek crossings, rooty/rocky trails - your feet comform to the trail and you feel really stable walking. thought they were great, considering it was the first time i used them. The last 1.5 mile of the hike were on a hard packed gravel road (as hard as asphalt)...I didn't think they were great here...just imagine walking 2 mile in bare feet on a hard road, it gets kinda old.

So to sum up - they're great on the trail, not great on places where cars drive.

Good review! I've been debating getting these myself for a while. I think I may give them a try.

[gcobb1990]

Great for perfecting your running form if that's what you plan on using them for. It'll help make you more efficient because you won't heel strike which kills your momentum. But watch out using them for hiking because the natural walking stride will land you on your heel and give you a bruised feeling.

I live in the city so I have to be extra careful when running barefoot so these are a great safe alternative. Make sure not to strain your Achilles tendon in them- a likely injury if you are not careful. The lowering of the heel will stretch your Achilles more than normal shoes do which can be agonizing and can become a recurring injury unless you slowly adjust to those shoes.

[Bad Co]

I purchased a pair after the bottom of both feet blistered
They were all I could wear till my feet healed
very ugly but very comfortable
Great grass cutting shoes
Wore them on a day hike up to Blood Mt this week

[Wise Old Owl]

I am on the fence - me thinkus a waste of time if applied to the AT

[4Whatitis]

I have had mine for about 6 months (KSOs) and used them under lots of conditions. Running on hot "pebble rich" asphalt, in deep puddles, on tread mills and hiking in the snow. Climbing 7 story grated fire fighter training towers is something I did often under wet and dry conditions with out incident. I have used them over rocky ground and best of all walking the dogs. I like them but would not back pack in TX with them because of thorns. Now that I live in Washington state it is looking up. I have used them as lite weight camp shoe with good results. Cons include thorns poking through bottom, ants biting through the top fabric and I have reservations around sharp rocks.
The brake period is hard on the calves because of the angel change of the heal being lowered. I think having your feet right on the ground increases your safety because you feel the terrain and instinctively react accordingly. The chance of twisting an ankle in my mind is reduced. When I feel what is going on under my feet It makes for a richer experience. Although worn mostly without socks, for military PT I wear required white socks and for my time out in snow and cold weather it is wool. Injinji makes adult toe socks that work and fit well as this allows shoes to be used under a virity of conditions. They are cool and attract lots of attention.I will post again after I hike with a pack next fall.

Hope this helps

[JoshStover]

I bought a pair to wear in my kayak about 6 months ago and I LOVE them! I have ran in them, done a little bit of hiking, wear em around town, etc.. I do go barefoot ALOT so they never really bothered my feet but I have a few friends that have them and it took them a while to get used to them when on rocky surfaces. If you do get a pair of them be prepared for ALOT of people to stop you and ask you all about your shoes....