Vibrams vs. Racing Flat

[996GT2]

When I ran track back in high school, I used to train in shoes similar to this:

http://www.asicsamerica.com/product...ORY_ID=250001546&PARENT_CATEGORY_ID=250001538

The current "minimalist" shoe fad (Vibrams, etc) has me wondering...what's the difference between Vibrams and a racing flat? They're both lightweight and minimally cushioned. With all the reports of people fracturing their metatarsals in Vibrams, it seems like racing flats may be a safer idea?

 

[kamper]

I have wondered this myself. With all the demand for new minimalist shoe designs, why aren't people just switching to the flats that already exist?

While I haven't run in flats, there are a couple things that I'm assuming are different:

• Durability. I'm often told that flats don't last that long, while vibrams will often go to around the 1000-mile mark. Of course not all minimalist shoes can do this and I'm sure there are some durable flats.
• Fit. Minimalist shoes tend to have wide forefeet, while, as I understand it, flats tend to be narrow.

If you're worried about injuries due to a lack of padding in vibrams, then maybe a flat is more like a transition shoe? Not that there's necessarily any need to continue the transition to more minimalism if you're happy with flats.

 

[spamsk8r]

I would stick with flats for sprinting. Vibrams tend to have some pressure hot-spots in the ball of the foot that makes them not too comfortable, and they also slide around a bit on the foot (at least mine do) which makes me wary. I don't really think they have any benefits over racing flats for sprinting. For other activities like walking, jogging, kayaking, hiking, etc. they're great, though.

 

[Capt Caveman]

IMHO, flats serve the same function. However, as already mentioned, they won't have the same durability as VFFs.

 

[silverpig]

They don't really have the same feel I don't think. I haven't owned a pair of racing flats, but I have tried them on and they do feel quite different.

 

[kalrith]

I think the following review of the Nike Zoom Waffle racing flats is a good one: http://birthdayshoes.com/nike-zoom-waffle-racer-vi-review. The conclusion is as follows:

Having said all that, I will say there is definitely a great deal of value in the Waffles as a transitional shoe. I mean, despite the rough beginnings, the shoe is still without any support to speak of, and the heel drop, while noticeable, is still relatively low when compared to typical “trainers.” If you’re looking to step down slowly and safely from marshmallow foam shoes, I’d say get a pair of these and wear them down to nothing. Beat them down until you love them, and then beat them down some more until there is simply nothing left to wear. Once you’ve done that, you’ve slowly adjusted yourself down to roughly a neutral heel, and you should be ready for a VFF or a New Balance Minimus.

That's exactly what I'm planning to do. I'm going to buy racing flats, wear them until they're completely worn out, and then hopefully I'll be able to more safely transition into something like VFFs or Merrell Trail Gloves.

 

[calvinbiss]

I recently picked up some VFF for use at the lake and for both weight lifting and running. They are awesome for the lake and I can't believe how much they improve the feeling of weight lifting.

I recently started running in them. Started off with like a quarter mile on on the treadmill and worked up slowly. Last night I ran two miles on the pavement with them.

With a slow transition like that, I have had no problems and now I love they way it feels to run. When I used to run in shoes, my back would get tight and my joints would ache; I got none of that now.

Just my $0.02.

 

[vi edit]

Flats aren't meant to be a daily trainer. They are a weekend race shoe. They serve two purposes IMHO...

1) They are considerably lighter than your daily trainers so they "feel" faster due to the reduced weight.

2) There's a mental effect of slapping on your "fast" shoes that just makes you more prepared to race.

Or so that's my humble opinion of wearing flats during my competitive running days.

 

[ElFenix]

i run in puma k street ii (link). good stuff. little narrow. i had to cut part of the wrap-around sole off the side of the shoe.

those new balance look like they may have less heel to toe drop than the pumas. the old puma h street weighed in at 5.5 oz. the k street ii can't be much different. current version is called h street plus.

 

[Kaido]

http://verydemotivational.files.wor...tional-posters-they-all-said-he-was-crazy.jpg

:awe:

 

[kalrith]

Instead of creating a new thread, I'll post this here. Is there any difference between spike and spikeless track shoes? I've read that the spiked shoes come without the spikes installed, so if I don't install them, would there be a difference between that and spikeless track shoes.

I'm asking, because I've found better deals on spiked track shoes than spikeless track shoes, such as: http://www.eastbay.com/product/model:106835/sku:33200473/saucony-grid-kilkenny-xc3-spike-mens/

 

[Capt Caveman]

Instead of creating a new thread, I'll post this here. Is there any difference between spike and spikeless track shoes? I've read that the spiked shoes come without the spikes installed, so if I don't install them, would there be a difference between that and spikeless track shoes.

I'm asking, because I've found better deals on spiked track shoes than spikeless track shoes, such as: http://www.eastbay.com/product/model:106835/sku:33200473/saucony-grid-kilkenny-xc3-spike-mens/

They come with a wrench that allows you to remove the spikes. There's a review on roadrunner sports on them and that guy using them for training himself to run on his forefoot - http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/product-detail/read-review.jsp?&id=SCN894

 

[kalrith]

Just to post an update, I went with the Saucony Kilkenny XC3 w/ spikes for $33 shipped. They shipped with the spikes not attached, so I didn't have to mess with removing them. I went for a quick run, and they feel really good (especially compared to my normal marshmallow shoes).

The only problem I foresee is if the soles wear down to the spike receptacles, and then I should be able to just remove them with a drill or dremel. Hopefully my plans of wearing these shoes out and then transitioning to a more minimalist shoe work out.