Vibram Five Fingers 'Barefoot Shoes'

[Dave]

Meh. I've got the sprints, and they're okay, but the ankle tightening leaves something to be desired. Trade ya?

 

[moonyham]

I would love to own a pair of these. Unfortunately, my feet have long toes(like, not freakish, but longer than 'normal') and one of my toes(on each foot) is longer than what most people would consider a normal ratio of length compared to the other toes.

So, these would not work for me. Ohwell, its cool nevertheless.

 

[Dave]

I have nearly freakishly long toes (my index toe is about as long as my pinkie finger), and I love my five fingers. It's not ideal, sure, but they're still pretty cool. Try on a pair and you'll see.

 

[moonyham]

I have nearly freakishly long toes (my index toe is about as long as my pinkie finger), and I love my five fingers. It's not ideal, sure, but they're still pretty cool. Try on a pair and you'll see.

Oh, thanks for that post. Yeah im in same exact situation. Ill see if theres any stores in my country that stock them.

Edit: Wootage, there is! Im gonna go try em on sometime this week!

 

[lleno]

Got some long toes here too, but I think they would work, maybe not perfect, but good enough... As soon as I saw this thread, I thought the shoes are one of the coolest "things"[consumer goods]I've seen in a while, Especially the range of styles and uses. I def would like a pair, I used to do some serious barefooting[a few weeks at a time, I was cruising Ca. in the 80's%)%) ]but nevwer wenoughto toughenyour feet, that would take years I would think......-

 

[Ernestrome]

Love my KSO's. Run, play squash and badminton in them. My gym wouldn't let me go barefoot.

Took a while for my calves to build up to running in them, over did it the first time out and was in severe muscle pain for a week. Fine now.

 

[TakeItAll]

I got super enthused about the whole barefoot running phenomenon and started out by buying some Nike Free shoes since they were a heck of a lot easier to find. I had no trouble transitioning into the Nikes even though they are supposed to be a halfway point between a full support shoe and being barefoot.
Then months later with great excitement I finally found a local shoe store with Vibram Five Fingers. (I live at the ass end of the world)
So to ease into things I do my first running session in them on grass. I'm a bit hazy on the details but it was something along the lines of 6 fast runs of 400m taking a break in between to do some squats and other stuff before doing a couple of slower 800m runs. So all up maybe 4000m/4km and the next day I had a definate ache spread all through my the bottom half of my lower leg.

Has anyone else had troubles like this? Currently I'm just doing my kettlebell training in them which they are great for. But I'd like to live my original dream of running in them.

 

[moonyham]

^Your bodies muscles, designed to have developed in a certain way naturally, through barefoot, has been denied this right to develop for your whole life. You cannot expect that these underused, underdeveloped muscles will take the beating of 4km of running in just 1 day.

Also, the way you run is VERY important when going barefoot. You cannot go heel-toe, like you can with shoes, you must run toe-heel - this is how humans naturally run, its more efficient, and it causes less injury, strain, and damage to your whole body.

This should be of help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE

 

[SpecialK_]

^The vibrams offer protection for if you want the experience of barefooted-ness while on more rugged terrain. Plus, unfortunately, going completely barefoot in public places is rarely considered acceptable. I don't see the problem, but others do. Been kicked out of many-a-store for not having shoes on. Vibrams = Solved.

They are used to provide some form of protection to your foot while allowing you to walk/run/move virtually barefoot.
I remember when I used to do freerunning these were quite popular among the dedicated crowd as they aided you in landing and proper technique, as if you landed too high and didn't attempt to absorb the shock you would really feel it, as well as learning how to get over objects without grip so when you did have grip it worked much better.

 

[double ewe]

So all up maybe 4000m/4km and the next day I had a definate ache spread all through my the bottom half of my lower leg.

Has anyone else had troubles like this?

it takes your muscles a while to adjust to the lack of heel support. i get the same thing every year after my first race in track spikes.

as long as it's just soreness it's nothing to worry about. just use your five fingers sparingly while you're adjusting.

 

[sdripper]

Whats up Five Fingers owners!!

I am finally able to buy me some Sprints, but EVERYWHEREis sold out.

I finally found a website that has the Castle rock grey Mens Sprint size 42, and they are even on sale!!

My question is, how can I find out if this site is real?? I think it is a scam, can anyone help me out? It's called shoesaleon.com.

Thanks!!

P.S. If anyone knows of a place to order the Men's Sprint I would very much appreciate if you can let me know!!

 

[moonyham]

Whats up Five Fingers owners!!

I am finally able to buy me some Sprints, but EVERYWHEREis sold out.

I finally found a website that has the Castle rock grey Mens Sprint size 42, and they are even on sale!!

My question is, how can I find out if this site is real?? I think it is a scam, can anyone help me out? It's called shoesaleon.com.

Thanks!!

P.S. If anyone knows of a place to order the Men's Sprint I would very much appreciate if you can let me know!!

The best way(which has always worked for me) is to google the website with 'scam' or 'ripped off' or 'fraud' along with the search. Like 'shoesaleon.com scam'. If theres no results or people complaining etc, 99% change its a legit website.

Do you mean 'shoesalon' or 'shoesaleon', because if its the latter, its probably a scam.

 

[sdripper]

The best way(which has always worked for me) is to google the website with 'scam' or 'ripped off' or 'fraud' along with the search. Like 'shoesaleon.com scam'. If theres no results or people complaining etc, 99% change its a legit website.

Do you mean 'shoesalon' or 'shoesaleon', because if its the latter, its probably a scam.

Yes it is the latter, shoesaleon.com

Yup that is what first got my attention, the name sounds wrong, it should be shoesalon i'd think

So it seems it is a China based website another BLer informed me, and he said to be wary, but it might just be a long time shipping it to me.

BUT..it seems there are a lot of FAKE Vibram shoes going around??

Has anyone bought or heard of someone buying knock-off Vibrams??

If there ever was a place that would sell knock-off Vibrams, a China based website seems like it fits perfectly ( no offense to anyone Chinese or living there)

grrrr

I think maybe I will wait until other sites get them in stock...but JEEZ!!! The entire interwebz is sold out!?!?

 

[Mehm]

Sweet. I saw a guy wearing these the other day and have been patiently awaiting my next paycheck ever since. Can't wait till saturday :D

 

[Pander Bear]

Yes it is the latter, shoesaleon.com

Yup that is what first got my attention, the name sounds wrong, it should be shoesalon i'd think

So it seems it is a China based website another BLer informed me, and he said to be wary, but it might just be a long time shipping it to me.

BUT..it seems there are a lot of FAKE Vibram shoes going around??

Has anyone bought or heard of someone buying knock-off Vibrams??

If there ever was a place that would sell knock-off Vibrams, a China based website seems like it fits perfectly ( no offense to anyone Chinese or living there)

grrrr

I think maybe I will wait until other sites get them in stock...but JEEZ!!! The entire interwebz is sold out!?!?

I saw that and thought "fuck that I'm ordering them from vibram". Turned out fine. I got a giant pair of all black KSOs. I love them for work, and for going out walking old rail lines.

 

[SirTophamHat]

I was able to score a pair of treks today for 100 bucks since my local outdoor store was having a sale. Kangaroo leather is so cash. I used to do all of my running in flats, and these are just the next logical step. Hiking and trail running are going to be as good as they can get IMO!

 

[Mehm]

I've been wearing the sprints around for about a week and yes, they kick ass. People ask me about them everywhere I go....which is an odd experience.

 

[Jamshyd]

or is it just another middle class version of gypsy living?

LOL! :D

OP: Interesting. My feet look inconspicuous until I go shoe shopping. Then, the cinderella syndrome flares up and nothing ever quite fits. I'd definitely be up to trying them if I get the chance to try out a large selection of sizes first.

Btw, I find it silly that many people here experienced negative reactions by others for wearing this.

 

[SirTophamHat]

The VFFs are rarely gonna fit anyone perfectly, I think. My third and fourth toes on each foot are too short for the "fingers" provided, while all the others fit quite well. This isn't noticeable while walking or jogging in them however, and I don't suspect that it will pose a problem. Even if you have a little wiggle room in the front the rest of the shoe is just so snug that they wind up feeling like really protective socks (as they should).

They do look funny but it's a matter of function over form. Contemporary feetswear is 98% bullshit anyway.

 

[addictivepersona]

Bumpity bump bump!

Probably going to get a pair of these this weekend--Unsure which exactly as of yet, which is why it's only a "probably," and not a "definitely."