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/pro...s_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]

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]

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! 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! 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.