Vibram Fivefingers Anyone???

[Eric Cantona]

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!!!

[Dru]

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.

[Twister]

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.

[Twister]

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.

[Tussockface]

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.

[Richard36]

Twister

Glad to hear you're getting on well with the 5fingers. Would buy a pair tomorrow if they were cheaper!

Richard

[Terry the Tortoise]

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!

[Dru]

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.

[fellboy]

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

[dominion]

I'd be intrigued to know about these!