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A mate of mine who used to buy every gimmick/gadget/gismo going turned up at work in a pair, he got laughed out of the place!
However, he stuck with them & swears by 'em (for walking/jogging, but no serious running).
Barefootwise, didn't a certain mr Robert Graham recce most of his route barefoot? (It didn't seem to do Ms. Budd any harm either, plus she nailed Mary Decker, & she was wearing shoes!)
Would certainly save us all a bob-or-two is we didn't have to buy shoes!!!
Shoe size varies a lot I'm afraid. Women's 6.5 or 7 in shoes but 7.5 in trainers. Trust the sizing guide! My uncertainty between the 39 or 40 was because I couldn't read the tape measure clearly when stood up straight.
This is the advantage of a Stanley FatMax tape - nice big numbers. Oh and you can extend it 4metres before it kinks. Quality.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dru
Righty ho! Got them this week and no probs at all with size, fit like a glove. (Thankyou FatMax) although initially found it hard to sort out which toe was where, now can put 'em on pretty quickly.
Tried a run in the five fingers last night, up to top of ragged stone hill in the Malverns (steep and short) back down the other side and round the base of the hill back to car. Altogether about 2 and a half miles. First impressions were that the fit was excellent and I really felt barefooted, the rubber does take away the pain element on rough ground, although you can still feel larger stones roots etc as if barefooted. The sole has it's obvious limits traction wise, which is not a problem on the up but on the down perhaps. I think that if I had the courage to let myself go a bit I would fly but I did hold back.
Got up this morning and had another run around local woods. I ran from home which meant a section of road before woods and hills, and again on the way back. Total of around 6 miles of easy/moderate running. Felt great through woods, good grip on most terrain, didn't even slip on steep dewy grass! Ran back through town and was concious of people staring so opened up and flew back home. Felt really light on the pavement even though I was running fast. Definately forces you to avoid heel striking, and to use you legs more like shock absorbers instead of relying on the cushioning in a shoe.
I did feel that I might have pushed it a bit and went too far today, they do recommend that you take it steady at the start, my calves feel a bit tight, but in a good way, it is very addictive though, I was up at 6 this morning putting them on! Anyway running in shoes tomorrow for a break, then back to the five fingers, or the 'Brams as I like to call them, next week. Bloody good stuff.
Thanks for the report.
I'm not sure that a barefoot feeling is what I want; I find that walking over deep carpet is about my limit without a cushioned sole. Maybe that's a reason for toughening up with the 'brams', but it's a lot to pay to limp around uncomfortably.
Still, glad to hear they're working for you. I'll be interested to know how you get on with them over time.
Twister
Glad to hear you're getting on well with the 5fingers. Would buy a pair tomorrow if they were cheaper!
Richard
Haha...went for my first run in my Vibrams KSO's....bloody fantastic! I couldn't help but enjoy myself! Only went for a quick 2 miles to try them for size and I couldn't believe how much fun I had. Unless you already run on your forefoot, your gait will change automatically! You have no choice but to land there. The strange thing is, I did it naturally without even thinking. With all the years of heal running, I expected to find the change difficult to adjust to but it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, my calves ached, but I'm sure the muscles will adapt with more training. Can't wait to go for by next run, and slowly build the distance up!
I did a 5 mile run in my VFF yesterday so now the small blister on the side of my foot is a large blister and I also have one under a big toe. Minor problems that should fix themselves in time. Ran it all on pavements so soles of feet were feeling a tiny bit sore towards the end but feet and legs are fine today with no soreness, even in the calves.
However, I am not at all convinced that my form is any different in the vff compared to stability trainers + orthotics. My feet seem to be slapping the ground and I *think* I'm still landing heel first.
just got my vibram fivefingers in the post, but i broke my ankle last friday, been told it will be twelve weeks before i can run on it
I'd be intrigued to know about these!
Bad news Fellboy. Hope recovery doesn't drag for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by fellboy
Seriously considering the VFF when I get back into running, hopefully will prevent further knee trouble. Cheers for all the reports.
Got the KSO's in black this week and they are ace! Not done any serious fells in them yet (just Billinge Hill so far) and I can really tell a difference - running seems easier and faster in them, and my drive-off on the ascents has more power.
I don't think they've changed my gait or anything because I'm a toe-striker anyway, so I think it's all down to the flexibility of the sole.
Had the same problem as Twister on the descent with holding myself back but I think that was more because I didn't want to land too hard on stones and twigs (you can feel everything), rather than traction.
Getting them on is a bit of a palaver cos I've got weird toes but it's getting easier.
Reactions from friends and family have so far ranged from hysterical laughter and 'I'm not going out in public with you if you're wearing them', to 'God, I wish I'd thought of them first.'
Interested to hear how people are getting on running in aqua shoes...
I caught a glimpse of someone wearing these after the Marlborough Downs Challenge yesterday. I'm very tempted.
Nick, I think you should get a pair and test them in a few ultras and report back. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
Had a pair of FiveFingers Sprint for a couple of months now. Did a four hour plus hill run in them yesterday. Fantastic.
I've built up my barefoot/fivefingers milage to about 4 miles, 2 times a week with the rest of my sessions in roclite 330. I can get away with simple barefoot over most of my runs but there are a few sections of track which would lacerate my feet if I ran at normal pace so I am pleased with the 'brams for this. There is however no other feeling quite like bollocking down a grassy hill barefoot, it's a real back to nature thing!
The downside now is that I will need to find a good "racer" for when studs are a necessity and this presents a small problem. Usually we train in a heavier shoe and race in a lighter one; so what if I train with no shoe? Do you think you could make a studed fivefinger Mr Vibram? :D
I've just ordered a pair (after reading "Born to Run") and can't wait for them to arrive.
I've just started experimenting with barefoot running and am really loving the feeling. Ran short "hill" reps (road bridges over the railway line in Troon) with my club tonight in my socks and my legs were just flying, despite still feeling a bit wabbit after Goatfell last Saturday.
I'm interested in getting a pair of these. A couple of years ago one of my shoes fell apart just after Laddow Rocks in the Crowden Horseshoe race and I carried on without it. It was fine on the flagstones and felt great running through the peat, but I need a lot more protection to be able to cope with rough stony stuff. I've trained barefoot on my local allweather track but that's about the extend of my non-shoe running.
I had a look online last night with the intention of buying, I'm in need of some retail therapy to cheer me up whilst injured and to give me something to look forward to when I'm fit again. I'd just about come to terms with them being £80 or so, then I realised that was only some of the models and the KSO version comes in at just under £100. That's eyewateringly expensive to a tightwad like me and I baulked, thinking I could get a couple of pairs of Walshes instead for that money.
I think I'll pop in to Naked Ape in Sheffield next time I'm up that way and try a pair out before committing, see what the fit and feel is like.
Been interesting others' experiences with them in this thread.
I managed to get my KSO's for £74 inc postage when they were on offer over the bank holiday weekend. I think if you bide your time they will be on offer again soon. I waited 3 months for a pair of inov-8 roclites to be reduced from £70 to £50 on ebay. Well worth waiting around for.
My KSOs were only £80 from Naked Ape and I think their internet price was even lower.
I did my first off road run in them last weekend and apart from a few ‘ouch’ moments early on they were fine. It was a slightly surreal experience to feel the mud squelching between my toes but strangely pleasant and cooling. The terrain included a small road section then woods with mud tracks and packed crushed stone. Plenty of twigs/tree roots/stones around and I stubbed my toe for the first time which I had been dreading; it wasn’t bad though. I’m only wearing them once a week at the mo as I’m still waiting for the blister to heal. I wore a compeed last week but it didn’t last long. The wood section starts with a steep hill and I flew up it way faster than in trainers.
It may be a complete coincidence (or imagined) but my persistent ankle injury is much less noticeable in the KSO than in trainers………….
They must have gone up recently, £98.99 now on their website, and much the same price elsewhere :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Dru
Are they actually any good
Yes! They are. But try running up a steep muddy bank and you'l be wishing for studs! But boy can you fly in them :)Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboTom
I've found this with a lot of imported goods. I think it's due to the weakness of the pound at the moment. I do a bit of DJ'ing on the side and the price of this kit has gone up on average 25%!Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveS
I'm glad I brought mine at 80 quid now!
I thought they were road shoes. Do they provide any support cos ive got dodgy knees.
No they don't provide support, they are essentially a glove for your feet, basically as close to barefoot running as you can get without being barefoot. The philosophy is that running barefoot teaches you to avoid heel striking, and (hopefully) forces better form; you're aiming to avoid striking the ground with a straight leg (bad for the knee, but the only way to strike if you want to land heel first). You take the shock out of running by forefoot or toe striking underneath your body, slightly bending the leg on impact, this disperses the shock over the whole leg and doesn't magnify impact on any particular point.Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboTom
There are loads of great barefoot sites try www.runningbarefoot.org
or www.barefootted.com
If you want to read more, then I would recommend Born to Run, by Chris Mcdougall, the most inspiring running book written! (IMHO)
Thanks for the advice. Il have to try not hitting the floor so straight and just bend my knee. Are they are viable substitute for our road shoes or track spikes
I would say that they could be a viable alternative to road shoes, although it's actually not too bad at all to run on tarmac barefooted. They do offer protection for stone trails, where barefoot running can be a bit of a challenge, but like everything they have there limitations. I must say this, I've never brought a shoe that I was so excited to try out that I got up at 5.45 in the morning to go out in them!Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboTom
I can't really comment as mine haven't arrived yet but I would just say that it's my impression that you gain a *lot* of leg speed by going shoeless (as I did at my club twice this week). I don't suppose VFF's will dent that speed too much.Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboTom
Tim
They are definitely a bit slippy on wet mut going downhill so probably better for road/track than off-road. I'm just waiting for Boots to open so I can buy some more Compeed before my KSO run today. Plan to do 6 miles or so.
I think Vibram Fivefingers are very expensive.
You can pick them up cheap on ebay if you're patient enough. Usually worn once from someone who had bought the wrong size.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyros76
I think this thread is more about people's experiences of using them, so here goes:
Used them on some longish hill/fell runs and found them fine. They don't grip on very steep wet grass, the same goes for steep mud, but a bit of zig zagging gets you out of these patches, other wise fine.
I'm tempted to start doing more totally barefoot running soon (now that is cheap!) as my feet have toughend up with the FFs.
Don't like running on road, hard pavements though. Maybe some road hill reps would worth trying though.
Got mine yesterday (KSOs). Despite carefully following the instructions and NOT ordering a size smaller as advised in several blogs, mine are too small. :(
I should have gone with my gut feeling that the calculated size was just too small but I think a lot depends on the shape of your foot.
Time to post 'em back I suppose...
I agree the fivefingers are very expensive for what they are. Having said that I have been assured by the company that makes them that the sole is very durable and the shoe as a whole should last a long time.
There is a good review on barefootrunner.com
I have started running off road in aqua shoes. Lidl were selling them recently for £3.99. I have run in aqua shoes before but the ones from Lidl are very breathable. They are not that grippy and I'm not sure how long they will last but unless you are doing steep descents I would say they are worth using.
Richard
To run in Five's requires the ability to run barefoot. Because most of us have had our feet in casts (very supportive shoes) our muscles and ligaments are very weak - including our ankles. My journey to run barefoot, because of constant injury (i'm a big guy who loves to run), has been over three years. When ever I have thought I could push past pain - common runner thing to do, I have injured myself and found myself icing my feet for the next six weeks. Go slow and listen to your body. If it hurts, your technique is wrong. Ease into it. I carried my shoe with me for the first six months. Each time going longer and longer before I put my shoes back on, and then "hey I don't need them." But it has definitely been a journey. Much information can be found at barefootrunner.org, and barefootted.com. I studied much here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dru
One other thing. You do not have to be a purist. Sometimes I think those in the BF community are like those Vegans who used to be Carnivores. The diet works for them, and then the next thing you know it becomes a religion and they freak out. Please don't get me wrong, I am a religious man, but not about running BF, or eating veggies.
One of the best Utramarathoners in the world now trains a few days each week barefoot, but dons the shoes for the rest of his regime.
If you are serious about improving your running, BF can be a great tool. Be wise and prudent, relax and have fun.
Regards,
Michael Carroll
redrocksbluesky.com
Thanks for these wise words Micheal, I definitley agree that you don't have to become a purist. My "journey" has only just begun, I am consious of over doing it so only barefoot or run minimal 2 times a week at the moment and I am trying to build up an increase in milage very gradually. I wouldn't completely disregard shoes - the terrain here in the UK is very wet and muddy throughout most of the year! Our fells are generally steep and grassy so studed shoes like Walshes or Inov-8's are pretty necessary, that said most fell shoes are neutral with only the minimum of cushioning. Barefooting gives me a connection with the environment that affects me spirtually and increases my overall enjoyment of running, I also look at my two sessions a week as strength building and injury prevention for when I'm running in shoes.Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelCarroll
Just had a look at your blog BTW, your running terrain looks absolutely amazing. Also very impressed with the wear of your 'Brams after 400+ miles. Good stuff.
Bought my KSOs over a month ago, still haven't got round to running in them!
I've worn them round the house and seem fine. Because i do triathlon i'm used to walking round outside in barefeet and i'm used to road running in shoes without socks. This should help with not getting blisters in the VFFs.
i'll try and get out there this week sometime; i've got a 4 hour bike session to do on thursday so might manage a 1-2 mile jog round in them afterwards.
It's a shame they don't do a fellrunning version though; fivefingers with walsh studs on would do very nicely!!
Have you got round to running in them yet? how did you get on?Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyA
I'm up to 3 sessions a week now, and I must say putting my inov8's on for a long run this morning was a real drag. My feet felt very heavy, especially my left leg and took ages to warm up. Once I got going though it was fine. I guess this is just the sort of thing to expect when transitioning to minimal running wear. My calves are less and less stiff and I really look forward to a run in my 5's, I love 'em!
For some it might seem a radical option, ie: no cushioning goes against all that we have been told about what we need. What I'm learning through running in the 'brams, is to run with a kind of shock absorbing style; bending at the knees, slightly bending at the hips and trying to keep my foot fall under my hips - I read a great peace of advice on runningbarefoot.org, where ken-bob says; "think of it as a race between your hips and you feet."
My hopes are that taking time to re-learn my style, running lightly and softly will benefit me in the long term. There is certainly a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that runners taking this approach really do avoid injuries, for me after 6 months, I have had no flare up of an ankle injury that sidelined me for 3 months last year.
So far so good!
Nope, not yet! Completely forgot when got back from the bike, and had a stinking cold this week!
My wife's gone and 'bagsied' tomorrow evening, but might get out for half hour when she gets back!
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Richard36
Richard[/QUOTE]
The company that makes them that the sole is very durable and the "shoe as a whole should last a long time". Because they are more often than not left in the cupboard:DQuote:
Originally Posted by AndyA