Vibram Five Fingers (VFF)

[Civilian Scout]

Only things I can think of they might be useful for are:

1) Indoor workouts in places where you can't actually go barefoot (like a gym) or wouldn't want to for hygiene reasons (like a gym.)

2) I'm sure they're great for a wide range of watersports, as mentioned in that review.

3) Maybe as that last final step before going to truly barefoot running.

I don't think they're intended to compete directly with VFFs, as the Filas clearly are. Just another option in a burgeoning market.

[Werespaz]

What I want now is a barefoot casual/dress shoe. Something that I can wear to work that doesn't look like I'm trying to be as barefoot as I can be.

[Civilian Scout]

What I want now is a barefoot casual/dress shoe. Something that I can wear to work that doesn't look like I'm trying to be as barefoot as I can be.

VIVO Dharma?

http://minimalistrunningshoes.org/reviews/vivobarefoot-dharma

[Werespaz]

What I want now is a barefoot casual/dress shoe. Something that I can wear to work that doesn't look like I'm trying to be as barefoot as I can be.

VIVO Dharma?

http://minimalistrunningshoes.org/reviews/vivobarefoot-dharma

Hmm, those are close, but the vivobarefoot site has a lot of neat options. It just seems weird to me that shoes with less material cost more.

[Civilian Scout]

What I want now is a barefoot casual/dress shoe. Something that I can wear to work that doesn't look like I'm trying to be as barefoot as I can be.

VIVO Dharma?

http://minimalistrunningshoes.org/reviews/vivobarefoot-dharma

Hmm, those are close, but the vivobarefoot site has a lot of neat options. It just seems weird to me that shoes with less material cost more.

I think it's not just the amount of material to be considered, but the quality of the materials and the quality of construction. Never worn them personally but have heard nothing but great stuff about the Vivo Barefoot line. Could be a legitimate reason that less costs more.

[praharin]

I WILL NOT recommend Terra Plana (Vivo Barefoot) to anyone. I bought a pair of their shoes about 9 months ago, and the stitching started coming out about 4 months ago. I have e mailed them about it, repeatedly, and have not gotten any response at all. Maybe I got a bad pair, but they are not handling it well, in my opinion.

According to everything I have read, TP is supposed to have a 1 year warranty. So far, they have not returned any e mails I have sent in regard to this issue. I just sent e mail No. 4 in the midst of writing this response.

We'll see...

[Civilian Scout]

Sorry to hear that, man. Shitty (or worse, non-existent) customer service is just inexcusable. Good luck and keep us posted.

[keeper]

I just wore the RunAmocs through a five night camping trip, doing some jogging and light hiking as well as wearing them around the camp. I've also been wearing them around through my normal routine.

They actually performed quite well. They seem to have better grip than the Five Fingers and are more comfortable to wear on gravel. Combined with wool socks, they're warm enough for most situations. The exceptions are when I'm standing (not moving) on pavement. I suspect that this is a consequence of the cold surface and the thin sole of the shoe.

They're not waterproof and will soak through eventually, but they are more water resistant than you might expect. If I wanted them to be completely all-weather, I'd probably try a pair made from the Ramblers' material rather than the suede that is the normal material for the RunAmocs.

[praharin]

If you take a close look at your RunaMocs, you will notice that you can never make them fully waterproof, because they are made of two separate pieces of leather attached to the sole. These two pieces are not connected. They do a decent job keeping moisture out, but will take on water rapidly if it's a puddle of any depth deeper than the sole (3-5mm, depending).

[hatchtrikk]

I WILL NOT recommend Terra Plana (Vivo Barefoot) to anyone. I bought a pair of their shoes about 9 months ago, and the stitching started coming out about 4 months ago. I have e mailed them about it, repeatedly, and have not gotten any response at all. Maybe I got a bad pair, but they are not handling it well, in my opinion.

According to everything I have read, TP is supposed to have a 1 year warranty. So far, they have not returned any e mails I have sent in regard to this issue. I just sent e mail No. 4 in the midst of writing this response.

We'll see...

I have ordered from them on 3 separate occasions. All 3 times, I ordered the wrong size. Once for me, once for my brother and once for my wife.

All we did was send them directly back to them with the included return sheet. Maybe that's all you need to do as well?

Sorry the aren't responding/handling this well. I hope you get this resolved.

[nakiel]

Full size pict.

The Injinji socks are great with the 'fingers; no blisters what so ever!

[gravediggerfour]

Full size pict.

The Injinji socks are great with the 'fingers; no blisters what so ever!

What in the name of who ever you pray to is that!!!?!?!??!?!?

[nakiel]

What in the name of who ever you pray to is that!!!?!?!??!?!?

I do not pray; I find it rather submissive...

That is a Skike

from May to November, I run 30 miles a day on my K2 Moto 90 inline skates - (if the road is dry).
-These; I use on dirt roads and down mountainsides! Or strap to my backpack when roller-trekking...

this is the GoogleMap-route of my next long trek (solo - two nights in tent - 136 miles - no supporting car or depots).

[the_alias]

What in the name of who ever you pray to is that!!!?!?!??!?!?

I do not pray; I find it rather submissive...

That is a Skike

from May to November, I run 30 miles a day on my K2 Moto 90 inline skates - (if the road is dry).
-These; I use on dirt roads and down mountainsides! Or strap to my backpack when roller-trekking...

this is the GoogleMap-route of my next long trek (solo - two nights in tent - 136 miles - no supporting car or depots).

Wow those are amazing, never seen anything quite like them.
FYI we don't do religion on this board and such comments as yours might be taken as being insulting.

I got myself a pair of these:

Enjoying them so far - got them for town and work. Less attention attracting than vibrams. Nice so far super light HOWEVER man in shop did say on Asphalt they can last as little as 9 months...we shall see. I also want some Luna sandals for summer

[keeper]

Yep, I noticed that the RunAmocs are made with a slot in the sides. My usage pattern doesn't really make it a problem (so far, at least). What I have noticed is that the uppers will eventually soak through. I'm guessing that the Ramblers' material would be less likely to do this.

[Smü]

I just saw a guy sporting the vibram in leather. Looks damn sneaky and seems to be quite comfrotable.

[MikeCharlieUniform]

I just tried out the Fila Sketetoes today. Much stiffer sole than the Vibrams; less ground feel. Also, with standard US sizing, I was unable to find a size that fit as well as my KSOs. They go on easy, with the smallest two toes sharing a pocket, but I didn't like them as much as the Five Fingers. I think I'll be waiting and getting a pair of Flows for next winter (the KSOs are too permeable by cold and wet to serve as everyday shoes for a large chunk of the year in Ohio).

[AeroNautiCal]

When I first saw these on the Alpacka Raft forum, I made this...

[madwolf]

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.

Damn, I have monkey toes too. No vibrams for me

[Mr. Bob]

You could buy a size larger (the difference is not as big as US sizes) and stuff your big toe.
All the one's I've had seemed just a bit short in the toe cutout though I've read that is a design thing.

[Werespaz]

Also be sure to try different designs. Some of them are much more forgiving about size than others. It's worth a right?

[Manliest]

A heatgun or strong blowdryer and some creativity will custom fit your VFF toes. I've done it to a pair of Treksports and a pair of KSOs. I just wish I could get rid of the hard ridge of the Treksport sole that runs right under the ball of my foot.

[Lord-Reaper]

I own several pairs of Vibrams and use them for almost everything. I hike in them, shoot in them, raft in them, fight in them, work in them, work out in them. Literally, everything. That being said, I have been doing barefoot training for years, running and lifting without shoes long before Vibrams came out. I believe that the human foot was made to be shoeless and it builds a stronger muscular and bone structure to go natural. Keep in mind though, cement is not natural and it can damage the foot to run without support on concrete if your not used to it. If I can find some of my articles from work (I'm a personal trainer) about barefooting I will post them here.

[zombiezed]

Do they rub your toes funny? I checked into these for a size 14 at a store and they said they didn't make them in my size. Plus I tried socks like this and that inbetween the toe fit was annoying.