(Almost) Barefoot running shoes - anyone tried them?
Fri, 29/01/2010 - 13:19
Hi all,
I saw a story in the Boston Globe earlier this week about barefoot running. These shoes from Vibram are supposed to be the closest thing to running barefoot, but while wearing some kind of foot gear.
I'm tempted to try them, but I wanted to see if anyone here has tried them out? Thoughts, comments, pros, cons.
Thanks!
http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/default.aspx
http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/01/oliver_ames_cro.html?p1=W...
Sat, 30/01/2010 - 22:17
#2
Thanks for the links and advice, Brian! I read on some other fora and articles that they are not necessarily suitable for people with very flat or very high arches (I have very flat ones). Have you had any experience with this issue?
Thanks again for your help!
Sun, 31/01/2010 - 22:23
#3
What about trying Newtons? I know some fellow runners that were always struggling with an injury of some sort and, since switching to Newtons, they are delighted with the change. http://www.newtonrunning.co.uk/newton-products/the-shoes/mens-shoes/men-...
HelenD
Up and Runners
Tue, 02/02/2010 - 12:45
#4
Hi QueensGael,
Part of the idea of barefoot running is to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot, and to help rebuild the arches that have fallen. I haven't had any experience with flat-footed or high-arched patients trying them yet, but from what I've read anyone can run in them. The biggest problem seems to come from people making the transition too quickly - doing too much too soon with the Vibrams. Breaking them in gradually seems to alleviate any of the problems people are having.
I just posted a more thorough account of my first month in Vibrams here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=64275501#post64275501
If you have any other questions about the shoes, I'd be happy to answer them.
Regards,
Brian
Dr. Brian Johnson, BSc, DC
www.knocknacarramedicalcentre.ie
www.citychiropractic.ie
Tue, 05/04/2011 - 20:41
#5
I have a pair of vff bikilas. had no problem running on trails. but when i hit the road i ran only 4 k and could really feel the strain on calfs. couldnt walk for 2 days. i over did it, i now can run 5k no prob and building up for achill half. i love them and really feel connected to the terrain when running in them. cant recommend them enough. i got them in www.fitfeet.ie
im also looking at getting a pair of merrell barefoot gloves as u can wear these every day and not risk getting beat up as with the vibrams. great reviews on these too.
Wed, 06/04/2011 - 14:55
#6
I got a pair of VFFs about a month ago and I love them. I'm taking it very easy and just doing 2k or so 2-3 times a week apart from the rest of my running. Once the Connemara full is over I'll get back to them.
Sat, 30/04/2011 - 20:52
#7
Just curious, has anyone heard of any professional athlete using Vibram Five Fingers?
Sat, 30/04/2011 - 21:23
#8
Not that I know. But I do know that the vast majority of athletes are not happy running in the
Shoes that there sponsors Make them wear. Vibram are a long way off competing with the
Big players of running. Nike, assics, rbk and addidas. Read born to run by Christopher mcdoughall. Super read and very
Motivational.
Fri, 12/08/2011 - 13:27
#9
Have had Vibrams now for six months. Have gone thru the hard adjustment from trainers to zero.
I have done a few long runs of 10k plus and find the calf's ache like mad. I know the educated are going to state my style is wrong! This could be the case.
I am training for a half iron man and feel this distance could give me a strain? The running is on the tarmac which does not help.
Any suggestions, maybe a shoe with a touch more support for distances of 13.5 miles
Cheers Guys
RAW
Fri, 12/08/2011 - 13:33
#10
Have had Vibrams now for six months. Have gone thru the hard adjustment from trainers to zero.
I have done a few long runs of 10k plus and find the calf's ache like mad. I know the educated are going to state my style is wrong! This could be the case.
I am training for a half iron man and feel this distance could give me a strain? The running is on the tarmac which does not help.
Any suggestions, maybe a shoe with a touch more support for distances of 13.5 miles
Cheers Guys
RAW
Mon, 15/08/2011 - 11:12
#11
If you are doing over 10k now, it shouldn't take too long to work up to 21k for the HIM. A buddy of mine recently paced a marathon in Sydney totally barefoot on tarmac/concrete so it's do-able.
Try some extra stretching of the calves and the arches of the foot, which is where it gets tight for me.
Mon, 15/08/2011 - 12:48
#12
Thanks EoinOB for your comment.................good advice.
Wed, 17/08/2011 - 21:28
#13
I have heard very mixed reviews about these products.Most plodders are wearing them(they buy into these products)
I don't know any descent club runner that wears them....
sore calfs/achilles can develop.
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I have a pair of Vibram Fivefinger KSO's and can't say enough good things about them. I picked up a pair while home for the holidays in Canada, and have run in them almost full-time since then. I've shown them to quite a few patients that run, and in the last 4 weeks, I think 4 or 5 have ordered a pair online. When you look at the biomechanics and reasoning behind it, it makes sense.
I'm training for the Connemara full and only had one problem so far - a small blister formed on a toe at the end of the first week and made it too sore to run in them for a couple of days. Once that dried up, I was back in them and haven't looked back. I read a lot of reviews before purchasing them, and every one that I could find was very positive.
They're tough to find at the moment, but I know one person that sells them in Galway. You can PM me if you're interested in getting in contact with her. I'd recommend trying on a pair to make sure they fit properly - it's supposed to fit snugly, like a glove, not with an extra space at the end of the toe box, as with a regular shoe.
If you want to read a research article about running barefoot, this one came out less than a month ago:
Running Shoes May Cause Damage to Knees, Hips and Ankles
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/authored_newsitem.cws_home/companynews05_01399
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Brian
Dr. Brian Johnson, BSc, DC
www.knocknacarramedicalcentre.ie
www.citychiropractic.ie