Vibram Five Fingers (VFF)

[arbugman]

I ordered these from REI and they should arrive tomorrow.



I'm wondering if anyone has used them while wearing packs in the neighborhood of 40-50 pounds. Since they are supposed to force a toe/ball first motion instead of heel first motion, I wonder what that does fatigue wise.

[Kabong30]

I saw a dude wearing these one time. They're really weird.

[aa1pr]

I see no protection or support in them but best of luck and interested in what your testing proves...

[Dubbya]

I saw a dude wearing these one time. They're really weird.

+1 I saw someone just the other day in the grocery store. IDK if I could deal with the material being in between my toes.

[Reddington]

I can see wearing those while kayaking/canoeing, etc where you will get wet, but not while carrying a pack. I think you really do need the ankle support of a boot.

[olbaid_dratsab]

I have a pair. Yes they are fucking awesome for water stuff. They arn't too too bad for running. I wouldn't want to run on a road with them though. In grass they are really nice. On trailes or off road they are kind of cool, but you will feel everyrock and sometimes it hurts.

Most importantly they seem to get chicks' attention. I hope they don't go mainstream.

[crypto]

They're already going mainstream. There's a few studies that show running barefoot has ergonomic benefits (read: you run faster) once you learn to run on the balls of your feet rather than coming down on the heel. It's all about energy return from the arch of the foot, apparently.

Since most people cant run barefoot on streets due to glass/debris, having a Virbram outsole is a pretty decent substitute for being barefoot.

I bet next summer they're fairly commonplace among runners, then will be truly mainstream some time after that.

[Ufdyixcaff]

I prefer going barefoot whenever possible, but like the VFFs quite a bit. Closest thing to being barefoot without having to BE barefoot. Lots of long distance hikers and runners like them... If it fits your feet, rock on.

[Reddington]

I want a pair now. They would probably make good camp shoes for once you set up camp.

[Brendan Sullivan]

They sort of... look ridiculous. And I have misshapen toes that I can't imagine fitting into the toe area without being sideways or something. I do heartily like the idea of minimalistic footwear -- are there any out there that would work for running in an urban environment where glass, nails, and debris would be more common? Are there any that are shaped more like tabi or shoes? Am I just thinking of moccasins?

Oh, and I can just imagine myself running in these and stepping in dog poo. You get the full experience of having it squish between the toes.

[Hoppy]

looks so ridiculous i want a pair!

[arbugman]

I got them today and went on a run. They were great! I'm really glad I got them. I'll give an update in a few weeks.

[Black Mantis]

OK, this has really been bothering me. FIVE FINGERS?!

[Hoppy]

OK, this has really been bothering me. FIVE FINGERS?!

its a product name, its not likely to be dictionary perfect as vibram Five toe (VFT) isnt as neat as Five Finger

[NapTime]

Enunciation is key when discussing this product. I've had a couple people think I was bringing up "vibrating five fingers" and gotten the looks you'd expect.

On topic, I like the idea of them a lot, but from what I hear, you need to work your way into them slowly. This gives the muscles in your feet and calves that are supported by insoles or underutilized in the heel-toe stride the time they need to develop. IE: I wouldn't try them with a 40-50 lb pack until you know you can walk that far in them comfortably, or maybe even walk that far in them comfortably with an intermediary weight. When you have no arch support from shoes, you need to use the muscles in your arches, and I hear those take time to beef up. YMMV.

[guy1138]

I fully believe in the ball strike foot-fall running & walking method. However, I strongly suggest you work up to it if you're an avid runner or hiker. I started by conciously changing my gait in regular shoes, then moved up to Nike Free running shoes... I am currently running the 5.0 and working up to the 3.0.

My wife wears the vibrams for some lifting & crossfit work outs, I usually just go in my socks or bare feet.

[Hanuman110]

I tried on a pair last summer but they didn't fit my feet right because my 2nd toe is longer than my big toe. The aren't made for monkey toe'd people apparently. Otherwise I'd have a pair in a heartbeat.

[LowKey]

Looking at them I think they'd be fine if you're unencumbered by a pack and can watch where you're placing your feet. With a pack I think not so much unless you have a lot of time (measured in years) using these on a day to day basis.
I also think you're looking at a higher likelihood of breaking a toe on rough ground, especially with a pack.

I think it's kind of like a kilt-
Looks different, feels more comfortable/free, but doesn't provide the protection most of us are used to.

[congochris]

I tried on a pair last summer but they didn't fit my feet right because my 2nd toe is longer than my big toe. The aren't made for monkey toe'd people apparently. Otherwise I'd have a pair in a heartbeat.

That's my problem as well. Freakish pre-hensile toes are apparently "abnormal" according to vibram.

[arbugman]

These are supposed to be good for that second toe bigger than the big toe thing. http://www.invisibleshoe.com/how-to-make-huaraches/

[Hoppy]

These are supposed to be good for that second toe bigger than the big toe thing. http://www.invisibleshoe.com/how-to-make-huaraches/

when your second toe is bigger than your big toe is called "Mortons Toe" or "Greek Foot" found that out the other day

[rynosurf]

They look similar to summer booties for surfing but cost a lot more.
http://www.k5.com/getproduct.asp?p=18482&s=862&b=90
http://www.hotlineonline.com/products/b ... boot.shtml

[therianthrope]

I tried on a pair last summer but they didn't fit my feet right because my 2nd toe is longer than my big toe. The aren't made for monkey toe'd people apparently. Otherwise I'd have a pair in a heartbeat.

That's my problem as well. Freakish pre-hensile toes are apparently "abnormal" according to vibram.

Dang, I woulda loved a pair of these for bow/spear fishing, I wonder if they plan on ever accommodating us toe-piano players.

I'm wondering if anyone has used them while wearing packs in the neighborhood of 40-50 pounds. Since they are supposed to force a toe/ball first motion instead of heel first motion, I wonder what that does fatigue wise.

Definitely wouldn't recommend them for hiking unless it's all pretty even trail I suppose. But really if you're worried about support, you could probably just use some athletic tape, wrap your ankles and still wear these. As for fatigue, once you get your calves in shape, staying on the ball of your feet is a more efficient way to jog/run, i.e. you will be able to run farther, faster, using less energy. Anyone who was ever a sprinter probably already jogs/runs this way.

[andygates]

I love mine. Building up my rehab running at the moment (it's a real calf-killer when you start). I still get a big stupid grin when I start running. Looking at those surf booties, I'll bet they're fine for mooching around but once you run, they'll slide around and give you blisters and turmoil. Nobody runs in surf booties; plenty of people run in VFFs.

I've done nice long day hikes in the mountains in 'em -- not comfy on big sharp clinker paths; lovely on dirt, gravel, grass, rock and whatever else. I just took a light daypack's worth of kit, so it was easy, approachy stuff. Feet were fine, no more or less tired than with boots.

They're a fun workout shoe too. Obviously they're a super-low stable platform for weights, and the Crossfit guys love them for the ability to do that and running in the same shoe -- rather than squooshy sneakers for lifting or chucks for running, say. When the WOD says "power cleans, then run 400m, repeat" - this is perfect for that.

I'm thinking about using 'em in at least one triathlon come summer.

I like the kilt analogy. But my VFF's are red and my kilt is green and I'd clash, dahing!