Vibram Five Fingers

[zerocool1]

i might try using them rather than buying racing flats.

 

[kotss]

Originally posted by: zerocool1
i might try using them rather than buying racing flats.

You can definitely race competitively in them, I have done that. Just beware of using them alot on pavement or concrete. The rubber sole can wear out. You do have to practice running fast them in too. You cannot buy them, slip them on, and start running fast.

 

[CLite]

These look interesting, I'd be scared to use them in the streets of hoboken though. I'm assuming POSE is a fancy acronym for running properly (i.e. front of foot striking, leaning slightly forward, bringing foot forward when it has reached it's maximum force release). You can and should be running like this in sneakers, heal contact is a sign of a lazy runner also reaching forward with the foot does not maximize leg force as your leg's "pulling" force is much less than it's pushing force. These two being typical mistakes of recreational runners.

 

[kotss]

Originally posted by: CLite
These look interesting, I'd be scared to use them in the streets of hoboken though. I'm assuming POSE is a fancy acronym for running properly (i.e. front of foot striking, leaning slightly forward, bringing foot forward when it has reached it's maximum force release). You can and should be running like this in sneakers, heal contact is a sign of a lazy runner also reaching forward with the foot does not maximize leg force as your leg's "pulling" force is much less than it's pushing force. These two being typical mistakes of recreational runners.

Not to mention landing on the heel is also essentially putting on the brakes and causes more stress on the entire shock absorption system of the body. The problem with cushioned shoes is that this shock is felt less by the person but is still transferred to the body. That is why running with upper portion of the foot contacting first is less of a problem in the long run.

 

[CLite]

I agree completely, people don't realize the stress they are putting on their body. Unfortunately even a lot of long distance athletes do not run correctly. My roots being that of a sprinter I grew up with proper running form and apply it to any run distance. In the past I tried talking to some of my XC buddies, but even smart athletes can be stubbornheaded and not want to change.

 

[roguerower]

Important Question:

Got my KSOs today and when I put them on, I noticed that they squished the front of my toes a lot. B/c of this I'm thinking of returning them to Kayakshed for a 42 (got a 40 originally). Is this too large of a size increase? Did anyone else have this problem when trying them on? Would it just be smarter to drive up to the nearest store that stocks them and try them on there and just straight return the ones i have to Kayakshed?

Unfortunately, this is why I don't like buying shoes online. I didn't do it w/ my snowboard boots and I wish I didn't have to do it with these.

Other than that, from what I have found by just wearing them around real quick, they feel great.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: roguerower
Important Question:

Got my KSOs today and when I put them on, I noticed that they squished the front of my toes a lot. B/c of this I'm thinking of returning them to Kayakshed for a 42 (got a 40 originally). Is this too large of a size increase? Did anyone else have this problem when trying them on? Would it just be smarter to drive up to the nearest store that stocks them and try them on there and just straight return the ones i have to Kayakshed?

Unfortunately, this is why I don't like buying shoes online. I didn't do it w/ my snowboard boots and I wish I didn't have to do it with these.

Other than that, from what I have found by just wearing them around real quick, they feel great.

Yea, that's an important point I forgot to mention: I got a totally different size of VFFs than I normally wear for sneakers, so trying them on in store is really worthwhile. One alternative that I haven't tried myself is to figure out your size by measuring the exact length of your foot from heel to longest toe and using a chart on their site to pick the proper size.

 

[roguerower]

I did that but they're still a little too short. I've got wierd feet which is why i'm getting these in the hope that they can do something to fix them

NEW QUESTION:

I had the black KSOs but everyone is out of stock for the size I need. Does anyone have the grey ones and can comment on how they look?

 

[StageLeft]

I got my sprints in the mail yesterday. On closeout at travelcountry.com. Everywhere else wants $80 but they're $50 here. These are everything I had expected. I can run over gravel and whatever else but am very much aware of it. More than that, the heel is perfectly flat compared to the forefoot (ideal) and they are light. They are equivalent, I think, to a VERY calloused foot. Now, granted the feedback is obviously less than pure barefooting, but this is approximating as close as one can get.

Vibram is coming out in september with the "glove", which uses leather instead of rubber. I bet it's even more pure but I bet its durability for running is less.

Mrsskoorb is already making fun of me. Mission accomplished.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I got my sprints in the mail yesterday. On closeout at travelcountry.com. Everywhere else wants $80 but they're $50 here. These are everything I had expected. I can run over gravel and whatever else but am very much aware of it. More than that, the heel is perfectly flat compared to the forefoot (ideal) and they are light. They are equivalent, I think, to a VERY calloused foot. Now, granted the feedback is obviously less than pure barefooting, but this is approximating as close as one can get.

Vibram is coming out in september with the "glove", which uses leather instead of rubber. I bet it's even more pure but I bet its durability for running is less.

Mrsskoorb is already making fun of me. Mission accomplished.

There's a Mrs. Skoorb?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: MrMatt

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I got my sprints in the mail yesterday. On closeout at travelcountry.com. Everywhere else wants $80 but they're $50 here. These are everything I had expected. I can run over gravel and whatever else but am very much aware of it. More than that, the heel is perfectly flat compared to the forefoot (ideal) and they are light. They are equivalent, I think, to a VERY calloused foot. Now, granted the feedback is obviously less than pure barefooting, but this is approximating as close as one can get.

Vibram is coming out in september with the "glove", which uses leather instead of rubber. I bet it's even more pure but I bet its durability for running is less.

Mrsskoorb is already making fun of me. Mission accomplished.

There's a Mrs. Skoorb?

I know, it's hard to believe

 

[MyThirdEye]

bought a pair of KSOs, and love them.

 

[theeedude]

First thing I thought of

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: MrMatt

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I got my sprints in the mail yesterday. On closeout at travelcountry.com. Everywhere else wants $80 but they're $50 here. These are everything I had expected. I can run over gravel and whatever else but am very much aware of it. More than that, the heel is perfectly flat compared to the forefoot (ideal) and they are light. They are equivalent, I think, to a VERY calloused foot. Now, granted the feedback is obviously less than pure barefooting, but this is approximating as close as one can get.

Vibram is coming out in september with the "glove", which uses leather instead of rubber. I bet it's even more pure but I bet its durability for running is less.

Mrsskoorb is already making fun of me. Mission accomplished.

There's a Mrs. Skoorb?

I know, it's hard to believe

I can confirm the existence of said MrsSkoorb.

Skoorb, have you run in the VFFs yet? If they EVER come out with some that are suited to ultra distance running I'd be very interested in trying them out.

 

[saechaka]

Just wanted to follow to let everyone know about about some cheap toe socks for these Vibrams. I was able to find some toe socks that are about ankle high that are like dress socks. It has stripes but most of the sock won't be showing. They were selling for $1.50 at a Japanese store in SeaTac mall called Daiso. These beat paying $14 for the Injinji and they feel great. Here are a link to the socks.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I've been wearing the Sprint model for 5 days. I use them for running in the park and on the treadmill at the gym. The 3rd day I woke up and thought someone had snuck into my room during the night and beat on my calves with a lead pipe. I'm fine now but there is definitely an adjustment period.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
I've been wearing the Sprint model for 5 days. I use them for running in the park and on the treadmill at the gym. The 3rd day I woke up and thought someone had snuck into my room during the night and beat on my calves with a lead pipe. I'm fine now but there is definitely an adjustment period.

Yeah I didn't even run with them for the first few weeks - I just walked.

 

[KingGheedora]

I'm getting a pair of these either today or tomorrow. Do any of you run on pavement in them? Any particular model better for pavement than others?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
I'm getting a pair of these either today or tomorrow. Do any of you run on pavement in them? Any particular model better for pavement than others?

I have run on pavement, but wouldn't particularly advise it. The sole is fairly thin and will wear down relatively quick if you run on surfaces like that all the time. I would advise running on grass, rubber tracks, dirt, etc. If you have to, asphalt is better than concrete. It doesn't hurt if you're running right - it just wears the shoes out quickly.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
I'm getting a pair of these either today or tomorrow. Do any of you run on pavement in them? Any particular model better for pavement than others?

I have run on pavement, but wouldn't particularly advise it. The sole is fairly thin and will wear down relatively quick if you run on surfaces like that all the time. I would advise running on grass, rubber tracks, dirt, etc. If you have to, asphalt is better than concrete. It doesn't hurt if you're running right - it just wears the shoes out quickly.

I've run quite a bit on pavement in these, including plenty of sprinting, and if you have the technique down, your feet will be fine. Obviously, rubber tracks and grass are more comfy, but running on pavement works just fine in these. Personally, I haven't noticed any extra wear & tear from that, but my mileage is usually fairly low in workouts, so I can't be sure.

 

[KingGheedora]

Cool, yeah I was more worried about the durability of the shoe rather than pain from running on concrete.

 

[katank]

While I've only had them for a month or so, I've been doing my running on pavement/asphalt and haven't ran into any problems. Some other folks I know have had them for a year or more and haven't had any problems.

POSE running jives well with Vibrams. If you aren't already doing POSE, I'd recommend looking into that.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: MrMatt

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I got my sprints in the mail yesterday. On closeout at travelcountry.com. Everywhere else wants $80 but they're $50 here. These are everything I had expected. I can run over gravel and whatever else but am very much aware of it. More than that, the heel is perfectly flat compared to the forefoot (ideal) and they are light. They are equivalent, I think, to a VERY calloused foot. Now, granted the feedback is obviously less than pure barefooting, but this is approximating as close as one can get.

Vibram is coming out in september with the "glove", which uses leather instead of rubber. I bet it's even more pure but I bet its durability for running is less.

Mrsskoorb is already making fun of me. Mission accomplished.

There's a Mrs. Skoorb?

I know, it's hard to believe

I can confirm the existence of said MrsSkoorb.

Skoorb, have you run in the VFFs yet? If they EVER come out with some that are suited to ultra distance running I'd be very interested in trying them out.

Yep, it's going well I'm using them for all my runs now. As you probably know there are quite a few ultra runners who are using these The VFF Trek are about $125 but look to be good for trails. Otherwise you can look at the $80-85 KSOs. If you're ever in Fairport, NY there is a dealer here (123 shoes or something) you can find it on the vff website in the list of dealers and their VFF selection is quite good.

 

[MrMatt]

how about for someone who needs arch support in footwear, would these be a good or bad bet? I have high arches in my feet that sag or fall, or something like that, over time.

 

[MrMatt]

just went out and bought a pair of KSO's at City Sports. So far so good. Going to wear them around the house for a while while I do house cleaning.