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Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: shonole on March 14, 2012, 11:11:19 PM

Title: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: shonole on March 14, 2012, 11:11:19 PM
Anyone have them?  I'm interested in getting a pair for the summer.  I'm about to get back into my exercise routine, and with my surgically repaired knee I need to keep my movements as natural as possible.  I've read tons of reviews, and people tend to rave about them.  Just curious if anyone here wears them. 

Thanks!  :thumb:

Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: Flux Maven on March 15, 2012, 07:21:30 AM
I'm sure they are comfortable but I just can't get over how stupid they look.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: Bullfrog on March 15, 2012, 07:28:15 AM
I costantly keep an eye on them, too.  :embarassed:
Only thing to stop me from buying them is, that I'd have to change my running style from heel-based to a more toe-based one. Not sure if that's as easy as I think it is.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: Dresnewtoy on March 15, 2012, 02:49:17 PM
Bought a pair of Vibram Bikilas a little while ago but didn't like them. I didn't like the way it makes my toes all splayed out (very unnatural and uncomfortable) so i returned them and went back to regular running shoes.

I'm looking into trying the New Balance Minimus. They have the same zero heel to toe drop as the Vibram but it has the regular shoe design so your toes are free.

http://www.newbalance.com/nb-minimus/
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: zute72 on March 15, 2012, 03:13:15 PM
I hear they are awesome and I just haven't got a pair yet, but you can't beat Vibram  O0  for shock resistance, they're awesome  :thumb:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: tialloydragon on March 15, 2012, 08:07:16 PM
I have a pair of KSO's and I like them.  I don't wear them all the time, but I do wear them to the gym and out in the community at times.  They take some getting used to, though.  You have to learn how to walk all over again because they provide no support or absorb any shock (you pay much closer attention to which part of your foot is hitting the ground first; a lot more ball of your foot versus heel.)  Basically you are walking barefoot without the risk of cutting or scraping the bottom of your feet.  They make you use muscles in your arches that aren't used wearing regular shoes.

If you aren't self-conscious about people asking you about your footwear, then I would get a pair and give them a try. 

I think the patents/copyrights/whatever expired, so there are a bunch of name-brand copies of them now.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: kbankovi on March 16, 2012, 10:36:07 AM
I bought the NB Minimus about a year ago with a gift card to regain muscle after my knee surgery.  I too was looking at the five finger shoes but I couldn't get over that feeling between my toes.  My brother has them, likes them and says you get used to them.  If I wear the minimus all day on a camping trip or just around the yard I definitly notice soreness in my calfs and hammy's the next day.  If I was to pay full price I think I would still buy them too.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: Dresnewtoy on March 16, 2012, 12:35:20 PM
Hey Kbankovi. How many miles have you gotten out of them so far (if you run in them)? I'm concerned about how long they will last. I usually get around 500 miles out of my running shoes before i replace them.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on March 16, 2012, 11:03:37 PM
ill be blunt when i read the title i was thinking S&m lol. but realising this is NOT the case, are these shoes comfy? and supportive? ( not looking at commercial reviews. btu owners reviews. )
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: kbankovi on March 17, 2012, 05:40:40 PM
Not too many "running" miles. I would say they are durable, jut stinky from wearing them barefoot.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: knowles on March 18, 2012, 12:30:24 AM
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on March 16, 2012, 11:03:37 PM
ill be blunt when i read the title i was thinking S&m lol. but realising this is NOT the case, are these shoes comfy? and supportive? ( not looking at commercial reviews. btu owners reviews. )

you thinking of the sabian?
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on March 18, 2012, 01:29:49 AM
Quote from: knowles on March 18, 2012, 12:30:24 AM
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on March 16, 2012, 11:03:37 PM
ill be blunt when i read the title i was thinking S&m lol. but realising this is NOT the case, are these shoes comfy? and supportive? ( not looking at commercial reviews. btu owners reviews. )
Quoteyou thinking of the sabian?
not of any specific product. just the name and model or is it maker and model. guess i have a timeshare condo in the gutter sometimes  :technical:
FYI as i recall it is known as a sybian . yes ive watched a few educationa videos in times past
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: knowles on March 18, 2012, 02:03:32 AM
Thats what i thought when i first saw it too.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: Juan1 on March 19, 2012, 12:02:18 PM
I've been running with these for about 3 months.  These are my notes:

-Don't assume that buying these shoes will make you a toe or midfoot runner.  They are a tool that gives you lots of sensory feedback, allowing you to transition to toe/midfoot running.  One expert in a NYT piece mentioned that many runners who use Vibrams still heel-strike.
-Take a class on barefoot running, or have a running form expert help you with it.
-Your calves will be insanely sore for a while.  Insanely sore. 
-Drop your mileage.  Seriously.  My runs went from 4 miles/day to .5 miles, and calf pain was omnipresent at first.
-Don't run in the dark on uneven surfaces in these minimally protective shoes.  If my recently bloodied and stubbed left big toe could talk, it would explain why.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: knowles on March 19, 2012, 11:27:28 PM
Quote from: Juan1 on March 19, 2012, 12:02:18 PM
I've been running with these for about 3 months.  These are my notes:


-Don't run in the dark on uneven surfaces in these minimally protective shoes.  If my recently bloodied and stubbed left big toe could talk, it would explain why.

LOL
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on March 20, 2012, 02:10:32 AM
hell i can no longer run anyways, but i wonder these be good for the goped. ( prolly yes until i fell off. so maybe not Eh?
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: pelon on March 21, 2012, 02:40:48 AM
Man they are Awsome!!!!!!! I love them. I have been wearing them for almost 4 years now. However take it from someone thats been there, when you get them dont try to wear them for 6 or 8 hours right out of the gate. It takes time for your feet to get used to not having support. And if your thinking of running in them Start running in the grass and slowly work your milage up on the road.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on March 21, 2012, 03:57:00 AM
Quote from: pelon on March 21, 2012, 02:40:48 AM
Man they are Awsome!!!!!!! I love them. I have been wearing them for almost 4 years now. However take it from someone thats been there, when you get them dont try to wear them for 6 or 8 hours right out of the gate. It takes time for your feet to get used to not having support. And if your thinking of running in them Start running in the grass and slowly work your milage up on the road.
any ideas on cost? i know they make socks that would fit inside these
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on March 21, 2012, 04:00:37 AM
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=vibram+5+fingers&_sacat=See-All-Categories heh i wish. a tad too pricy atm tho
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: pelon on March 22, 2012, 03:29:06 AM
Price is (as always) based on witch modle you want. They start around $89 and go up from there. But worth the cost. I have had mine for better than 4 years.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Fingers
Post by: shonole on April 19, 2012, 11:26:19 PM
Well, I pulled the trigger and bought some KSOs last week.  And I have to tell you, I LOVE THEM.  Seriously, I don't think I can go back to wearing tennis shoes.  They are 1000x better.  Good thing the only other shoes I typically wear are Chucks.  In fact, I loathed having to put on my riding boots today.