Vibram five fingers

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razorsdescent

Joined
Jan 16, 2005
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Is anyone else here fan of these? I just got a pair of the sprints and im learning to really like them. I Cant wait to do some trail running in these. But they seem ideal for any outdoors activity espeacially things like kayaking and lighter trail hiking.

So what about it am i the only one?
 
Hey razordescent,

I have been looking at these things for a year now, and I am on the fence about them. I like the idea, and I think that they would be ideal for some of my favourite Bruce Trail hikes. But the lack of ankle support is a bit of an issue. Also, the ones I checked out at MEC looked like they were a bit on the rough side, from a fit and finish perspective. How are yours? I would love to read a detailed review from a fellow W&SSer.

Which model do you have? How is the seam, and how tough do the soles seem?

As I said, I'm on the fence, and wouldn't mind having a reason to tip over!

All the best,

- Mike
 
Well Im right now on leave from afghanistan, They have become really popular among the more fitness minded members of the armed forces, so consquently there are alot of guys wearing them in afghanistan in all types of places (aka wherever they can get away with wearing them) So ive seen people wearing them doing everything from lifting in the gym to running up and down mountains, they certainly step on anything you'd step on with a combat boot for the most part. Your going to feel the rocks underfoot but its not necessarily uncomfortable, Alot of guys experience muscle spasms at first because they make you walk differently than normal i havent experienced it but i havent really ran more than 1/4 mile at a little over a light jog which actually gave me a blister in a place ive never had a blister before (ive had alot of blisters) so im certainly moving a new way despite my lack of muscle aches.

Im wearing the sprints currently. I wanted a pair of KSO's because as the name implies they keep stuff out. But because of their extreme popularity they didn't have any in my size so i ended up with a pair of sprints in womens size which is apparently the same cut as mens but smaller. In retrospect im probably better of with the sprints as my feet are prone to athletes foot and any breathability is good. Im probably going to end up with the kso trek model as well as the sprints, and maybe the flows for winter time.

As for the lack of ankle support i dont find it a big deal if your not carrying very heavy weights up a mountain and your half way competent youll be fine, I carried a fully loaded eberlestock pack today weighing about 80 pounds and didnt break my ankles went about a mile or two total with it.

I havent gotten to be out in the woods proper with them but im out of the army in 7 months and when i ets im going to go down the colorado river with my father and do some hiking in washington state with one of my friends and i think five fingers will be my footwear of choice for both ventures unless im packing a really heavy pack.

All in all i really do reccomend them, i cant comment on the durability, but 80 bucks is relativley cheap for a pair of high quality footwear. Id suggest that you go to a B&M that sells them and actually get fitted for them, i was lucky enough to be fitted by a guy who owns a few pairs and uses them for trail running so he knew what right should look like. But anyways try walking around and see how you feel, i immediatley wanted to jump around when i put on the pair that i purchased they are rediculously light.


If you have any specific questions feel free to ask i hope this helps.
 
razorsdescent said:
Is anyone else here fan of these? I just got a pair of the sprints and im learning to really like them. I Cant wait to do some trail running in these. But they seem ideal for any outdoors activity espeacially things like kayaking and lighter trail hiking.

So what about it am i the only one?
Click to expand...

I've had the Bikila model for a couple weeks now and am enjoying them so far. :thumbup: I wear them casually and like the weightlessness plus the full range of motion of my foot when I walk. As recommended, I eased into wearing them so my body could adjust.

I'm interested in the KSO trek model too. I prefer the models with deeper tread.

They are definite conversation pieces.
 
I posted here about them previously http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=730361&page=2&highlight=vibram, my experience has been very good.

I'll also add that since I started running in Nike Frees last year and Vibram Five Fingers this year the chronic ankle problems (sprained my right ankle 3-4 times) and shin pain that prevented me from running regularly went away. I'm definitely a convert to "barefooting" as much as possible. Instead of wearing heavy supportive boots when I go hiking, now I wear sneakers or Five Fingers and I don't roll my ankle any more. It's amazing.
 
I've had a pair of KSOs for about a year and do some of my running in them. I've come to really like the more natural feeling of VFF or even running barefoot. I also plan to use them as a lightweight second pair of shoes when backpacking, mostly for stream/river crossing. I think they'll be ideal for that, and they'll preserve my boots/shoes from getting soaked.
 
i have a pair and like them.

they will

- potentially improve your stride for more efficency
-strengthen foot muscles
-help rehab ankles

they wont

-protect you from sharp stuff
-make you faster (the efficiency stride has made me slower)
-be comfortable running on the road

before serious use

- wear them walking for a week or two
-alternating with normal shoes made soreness easier to deal with

*they also may not be adequate for people who under or severly over pronate
 
wyattT said:
i have a pair and like them.

they will

- potentially improve your stride for more efficency
-strengthen foot muscles
-help rehab ankles
Click to expand...

I agree.

they wont

-protect you from sharp stuff
-make you faster (the efficiency stride has made me slower)
-be comfortable running on the road
Click to expand...

I disagree about sharp stuff - might be possible to step on a broken bottle that is able to gash through them but they handle sharp rocks, bottle caps, etc, just fine.

I also disagree about the road-running comfort. I find them just fine.

Speed-wise, I think it's a wash for me. I'm no faster wearing them but no slower either.

before serious use

- wear them walking for a week or two
-alternating with normal shoes made soreness easier to deal with

*they also may not be adequate for people who under or severly over pronate
Click to expand...

FWIW, I actually find them more comfortable for running than walking, and I had minimal break-in time (a couple ~1 mile jogs) before I was running 5Ks.
 
I really wanted to like my Five Fingers. However, I eventually came to the conclusion that the absence of shock absorption on downhills, and the lack of correction for my pronation, was causing me a lot of knee pain.

Oh well.
 
Looooovvvvvveeee them!!! I wear them anywhere. Ever since I have been wearing them I have had near no knee pain. It takes getting used to walking them and your feet definetly need to get used to them. But I really enjoy hiking in them.
 
I've had them for 2-3 years (I have 2 pairs of KSOs). I really like them, though I've been using sandals with less support lately. I still use them for hiking. It takes a bit to get used to them on rocks but I always feel better after hiking with them.

The only issue for hiking is that I immediately get my feet wet, which is cold initially. I later get used to the cold and it's ok. But it's still an issue.
 
stieg said:
I've had them for 2-3 years (I have 2 pairs of KSOs). I really like them, though I've been using sandals with less support lately. I still use them for hiking. It takes a bit to get used to them on rocks but I always feel better after hiking with them.

The only issue for hiking is that I immediately get my feet wet, which is cold initially. I later get used to the cold and it's ok. But it's still an issue.
Click to expand...

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_Flow_m.cfm

Have you looked into the flows series of five fingers that might be the solution to your cold feet problem.
 
Love mine. Started with KSO Trek model. You can't tell it by looking at it now, but when I was born I had a clubbed foot. Whenever I'd run or work out, it would ache a little and fall asleep with running/athletic shoes. My other leg would start doing the same because I was favoring the other. It was a vicious circle and I just lived with it. I found if I ran barefoot, I didn't have the problem, but it was hard to find a place to run that was clean without rocks, glass, etc. About the only time I could do that was on a treadmill, which I hate. The FiveFingers have been a Godsend and I've not had the problem since wearing them.

I've since bought a pair of the regular KSO's for working out because the Trek tread was too grabby for some of the jump training, etc. in the P90x training I've been doing. I feel as though they are strengthening my ankles and the muscles in my feet and calves.

The Trek's have since become my everyday shoe. I just can't describe how good they feel. They are great for light hiking, shopping, whatever. They are FANTASTIC for travel. They do look goofy (my kids call them my Gorilla shoes), and you get some stares, and some bolder people will ask questions or simply point and laugh. I have the last laugh though.:thumbup:

Another benefit is that they are light for travel and packing (heck you can put them in your back pocket like a pair of gloves if needed), plus you can just through them in the washer if they get really dirty.

There were some comments in this thread too: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=730361
 
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I have a pair of KSOs and love them, they are perhaps my favorite footwear. The only time I regretted having them was when I took my pups to the dog park and was running around with them and happened to step in a pile of dog poop that some careless owner decided to leave there...

I was not happy.
 
Love Um! I do rehab and fitness training for a living. The only advice I would give is to transition into them slowly. Many people develop Plantar fasciitis if they use them too often, too quickly. I have been using mine for about 9 months and really like them for strengthening the muscles in the arch as well as the ankle. Be careful about running in them too far too quickly. If your foot has had a supportive shoe on it for 25 years, it's not wise to ditch them in a month. You won't adapt that quickly, and will get an overuse injury. Midfoot running stresses the achiles tendon and calf muscles far more than heel toe. They need to adapt to the new stress. When properly conditioned they handle the stress better than the knee does, but take it slow. :thumbup:
 
I agree with most everything here. I love my KSO models, and they have made me run much better, though after taking it slow for a break-in period. I'm not worried about anything going through the soles. For wilderness use, I think the ability to move your ankle and conform to the terrain would actually be a huge benefit.
 
What about low arches or other foot problems wont this make it worse? I understand that feet use to be heather when "man" did not wear shoes where is where I get this idea from. But after many years of "evolution" many people have low arches/flat feet. Wouldnt no arch support make this problem worse?
 
I love mine - makes me feel like a barefoot kid again. My toes are emancipated!
 
Burke said:
I disagree about sharp stuff - might be possible to step on a broken bottle that is able to gash through them but they handle sharp rocks, bottle caps, etc, just fine.
Click to expand...

cholla? i've had that stuff go into the soles of Nike ACG shoes before. i'm thinking that Vibram five fingers might not be the best thing for the desert.
 
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