adamsappel
Member
I just received my Bikila LS from travelcountry.com. I went a size bigger so I could wear the Injini socks and have a little more leeway with the weather. I really like them.
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Vibram Five Fingers
- Thread starter Guybrush Threepwood
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dr3upmushroom
Banned
Shoes finally came in today, I just got back from about an hour long trial walk, I love them. I was worried about the size because at REI I was sized for Classics but ordered Komodos (they didn't have any Komodos in at the time to try on). When I first put them on the big toe felt tight, but I did a Google search and the general consensus was that since they aren't custom fitted, more often than not for any given person they're going to be tight or loose in some spot or other, and that after you break them in they'll stretch a bit and be more comfortable.
Walk was awesome, they're so, so comfortable. Walking over rocky trails and tree foots feels particularly awesome. I was kind of nervous about running since I've read that it's good to get a feel for them by just walking for a week or so but after feeling fine after walking for a half hour, I jogged a bit and it felt pretty awesome.
Now I'm debating taking them to the gym tonight, the balls of my feet are pretty sore but I don't really want to go back and forth between these and my Sauconys when I'm trying to get used to barefoot running.
Walk was awesome, they're so, so comfortable. Walking over rocky trails and tree foots feels particularly awesome. I was kind of nervous about running since I've read that it's good to get a feel for them by just walking for a week or so but after feeling fine after walking for a half hour, I jogged a bit and it felt pretty awesome.
Now I'm debating taking them to the gym tonight, the balls of my feet are pretty sore but I don't really want to go back and forth between these and my Sauconys when I'm trying to get used to barefoot running.
LMAO. I like to put shoe goo under the shoe if I'm planning on going to rocky terrains.FooTemps said:Also, here's a pic for anyone who is wondering about going outside with them. I hiked a mountain at the end of the summer in them. All I did was throw them in the wash and they came out looking great.
Glad you like them! For running I'd tend to ditch the traditional shoes entirely but that means starting from the beginning, but if you're lifting weights or something there or really feel the need to run I wouldn't worry too much about using your old shoes for a while, though vibrams would be better for balance once the soreness goes away with gym work.dr3upmushroom said:
Went barefoot a few days ago on asphalt, the gravel really is a bitch when it gets caught in the bottom of your foot. Hopefully it's not long before my feet start toughening up though, going to alternate between barefoot and vibrams.
dr3upmushroom
Banned
I'd also like to "graduate" to going full barefoot at some point. Only thing that sucks is that I do probably more than half my running indoors on my gym's track, but I'll still have the Vibrams for that.Antimatter said:
How do you like the Bikilas, adamsappel? I don't regret going with Komodos at all, I figure the extra padding will help me ease into barefoot running, but I was tempted to go with those since they're supposed to be geared more for running. If you've used other styles of FF before, how do you like the lace system?
lunchtoast
Member
Got these Merrell Trail Glove shoes delivered last Friday. I ordered my usual shoe size and they fit pretty good. Saturday I went out for the day wearing them and they were very comfortable. We also pulled over on the PCH 1 and did a little climbing. I could feel the rocks and everything. Sunday I did a 10 minute warmup run at the gym and the bottom of my calves started to get sore (and still are, I never run for more than 20 minutes though). The quality is good, and they wash easily. The front is wide and I had good toe room. The only problems is that these are more expensive than VFF. They retail for about 110. I looked at other shoes in this area, but these were the most available, and also had my shoe size (14). If you're willing to spend the extra money, and VFF aren't for you, I'd say it's worth it, and I've heard nothing but good things about Merrell.
dr3upmushroom
Banned
Looks like Vibram actually makes the soles of those shoes.
I can totally relate to the calve pain, I've been running in my Five Fingers for the last four days and today's the first day they haven't been sore.
The break-in period was nowhere near what I thought it would be. The day I got them I planned on just walking in them for a week, but I really wanted to try them so I jogged maybe a half mile after walking about a mile. Even that made my calves a bit sore, and when I ran in them longer the second and third days I definitely felt it, but I didn't do anything near the week-long break-in period some people suggest and I feel fine.
The gait was extremely easy to get down, but all of my shoes are worn at the ball of my feet so I guess I already used it to an extent.
I can totally relate to the calve pain, I've been running in my Five Fingers for the last four days and today's the first day they haven't been sore.
The break-in period was nowhere near what I thought it would be. The day I got them I planned on just walking in them for a week, but I really wanted to try them so I jogged maybe a half mile after walking about a mile. Even that made my calves a bit sore, and when I ran in them longer the second and third days I definitely felt it, but I didn't do anything near the week-long break-in period some people suggest and I feel fine.
The gait was extremely easy to get down, but all of my shoes are worn at the ball of my feet so I guess I already used it to an extent.
lunchtoast
Member
Dedalus said:
Here's a flat footed guy talking about his experience with Five Fingers
http://venutip.com/content/flat-footed-runner-tries-vibram-fivefingers
Vibram has been making soles, particularly for outdoor/trail/mountaineering purposes since 1937. Five Fingers are actually a bit of a departure for them, I think, since the entire thing is branded Vibram while their standard modus operandi has been to attach their soles to other company's shoes.dr3upmushroom said:
IIRC the founder of the company invented rubber soles.
Commodore_Perry
Banned
Just got my Five Finger Flows a few days ago. They're a lot harder to get on. They feel like they hug my feet quite a bit tighter too (when I take them off my feet have lines all over like they've been squeezed). To be fair I haven't had them in water yet though and that's what they're made for. I'll be testing them on the river in a couple weeks.
The flows constrict my toes too, have the lines and there's stiffness after a run with them. Nothing wiggling around can't fix but in general I don't like how it feels. I only use them when I know it's going to be cold and getting wet can't be avoided.
Haven't been barefooting much 'cause it's been kinda cold around here but the few times I had the chance it felt like my foot was getting worked harder than with vibrams. The muscles on the bottom of my feet were sore so I suspect that it has to do with the toes being used more for propulsion.
Haven't been barefooting much 'cause it's been kinda cold around here but the few times I had the chance it felt like my foot was getting worked harder than with vibrams. The muscles on the bottom of my feet were sore so I suspect that it has to do with the toes being used more for propulsion.
GillianSeed79
Member
Danielsan said:
I live in a pretty small town and a colleague of mine bought a pair of these. The annoying thing was that nobody really asked him about his shoes, but as soon as he bought them he would start every conversation by saying something like "I know you are going to ask me about my shoes." Sure, people looked him kind of weird,but they never actually asked him outright about them. It was really, really annoying that he would constantly talk about these shoes.
Quote
Member
http://www.newbalance.com/products/MT10/
I personally have the Bikila, but I may not have gotten them if I saw these first.
I personally have the Bikila, but I may not have gotten them if I saw these first.
They would probably have great traction on those. From my experience you only have to worry about wet surfaces that are flat or loose, like mud or wet rock. Models like the bikila or treksport probably do a bit better with these since the rubber pattern on the sole isn't anywhere near as smooth as one like the sprint or kso. The sprint and kso should be fine for what you're doing anyway though.nib95 said:
Yeah it might not feel pleasant going from shoes to these with a high amount of unprotected landings. I can't say I remember ever having felt much pain from a jump from the ground with vibrams though, drop from a height definitely hurts.
Also I don't see the need for ankle support for quick turning, I do sprints with fast directions changes all the time.
Also I don't see the need for ankle support for quick turning, I do sprints with fast directions changes all the time.
Went to a specialty store (Atmosphere) in Toronto to try these but they were sold out. They only carried one model though. If I get a pair, I'm definitely getting one of the runners (Bikila?). I just want to run on the treadmill, nothing too crazy.
Is there any downside to running the normal way instead of landing on the balls of your feet with each step? I play basketball and I *have* to explode off my heel when making any sort of move to the basket. I have minor knee and ankle issues. Just for fun, I've been walking around on the balls of my feet and can feel my calves being put to work, but it looks like I'm pretending to walk around in high heels. I'm 6'4" and attract enough attention as it is.
Is there any downside to running the normal way instead of landing on the balls of your feet with each step? I play basketball and I *have* to explode off my heel when making any sort of move to the basket. I have minor knee and ankle issues. Just for fun, I've been walking around on the balls of my feet and can feel my calves being put to work, but it looks like I'm pretending to walk around in high heels. I'm 6'4" and attract enough attention as it is.
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
Price Dalton
Member
High tops actually increase the incidence of ankle injuries. The less ankle support the better.santouras said:
I played basketball in vibrams, and did quite well and felt secure, but they fell apart on me. Couldn't take the lateral movement.
I just got my third pair of KSOs last week after wearing holes in my first two pairs. I love these shoes.
FWIW, I did not get them because of the $15 premium over the KSO model. I can't believe they are that much better for running.
It get better over time. Each pair I have had seems too snug initially but they stretch out some.
Nekofrog said:
FWIW, I did not get them because of the $15 premium over the KSO model. I can't believe they are that much better for running.
Commodore_Perry said:
It get better over time. Each pair I have had seems too snug initially but they stretch out some.
Don't know if this has been posted but the other day when I was driving I saw a billboard for Fila Toe Shoes...
I didn't even realize Fila was still around.
http://birthdayshoes.com/review-fila-skele-toes-four-toed-shoes
I didn't even realize Fila was still around.
http://birthdayshoes.com/review-fila-skele-toes-four-toed-shoes
Commodore_Perry
Banned
shantyman said:
I already have a pair of KSOs and yes, they stretched out, but the Flows feel like the material is less stretchy. I'm hitting the river for 4 days in about a week so I'll see how they perform then.
iamcenok said:
So, basically these are for the gapers that want the attention from wearing toe shoes and none of the actual fitness support that VFFs give? That's what I read out of the comparison paragraph of that reviewer.
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
dr3upmushroom said:
Shows how good for you running in Vibrams is. I run 10-12 miles in my Nikes really consistently with minimal soreness. When I got VFF Bilias this last summer I did a test run of 2 miles and my calves were more sore than they have ever been. Makes you realize how much of your joints are doing the work your muscles should be in typical running shoes.
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
Alucrid said:
Me too. I used to always get shin splints now its been over a year. Plus are you guys noticing how ripped these things make your legs? I have been doing a intense leg workout twice a week for almost 7 years now and I have never gotten the kind of calf and quad results from that as I have been getting from running in these things.
daycru said:
Lets be clear. They are probably the ugliest foot apparel you could ever wear and I only use them when running. I never wear in a Starbucks or something. That shit is ridiculous.
Price Dalton
Member
santouras said:
Taping lowers ankle/foot position awareness/proprioception. One study used barefoot and untaped athletes as the control group. Taping improved things when athletes wore shoes, but barefoot and untaped gave the best proprioceptive feedback. Of course, the authors assume that athletes have to wear shoes, so their conclusion is that taping can improve resistance against ankle injuries, but if you read between the lines it shows that barefoot is best.
I haven't had any high calf soreness (up by the "ball" of my calf) but my lower calf/achilles muscles still get a bit sore. Pulled my achilles back when I was new to the shoes and moved up from 1 mile to longer distances (pulled it just shy of 2 miles, then pulled the other achilles at just over 2 miles after the first one healed).
That said, I'm going to pick up at least my second pair of FiveFingers soon (KSO, the newish red ones) and possibly my third (white/red Bikilas or black/red Trek Sports). KSOs to replace my old ones for casual stuff (yard work, lake, beach, etc.) and the Trek Sports or Bikilas for running.
This is the reason I'm debating Bikilas v Trek Sports.
I got a pair of those a couple of weeks back and they're AWESOME. Feel more comfortable than the FiveFingers imo, my form feels better; I'm hoping that after running in them for a while my overall form will have improved and the FiveFingers will feel that much better.Quote said:http://www.newbalance.com/products/MT10/
I personally have the Bikila, but I may not have gotten them if I saw these first.
That said, I'm going to pick up at least my second pair of FiveFingers soon (KSO, the newish red ones) and possibly my third (white/red Bikilas or black/red Trek Sports). KSOs to replace my old ones for casual stuff (yard work, lake, beach, etc.) and the Trek Sports or Bikilas for running.
Nekofrog said:
This is the reason I'm debating Bikilas v Trek Sports.
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
Nobody especially cares if my experiences are any indication. The only comment I've ever gotten was from a kid who said, "Nice shoes."daycru said:
Then his little sister got upset and started saying "Shoes? Those aren't shoes. Those are feet!"
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
They're supposed to be snug, and they do expand a bit after you've worn them.Cyan said:
HOLY CRAP WANT! My KSO got destroy during a rocky trail run. Thank goodness they took it back for a exchange.Quote said:http://www.newbalance.com/products/MT10/
I personally have the Bikila, but I may not have gotten them if I saw these first.
I felt the treksport was a bit more comfortable in the achilles area, confinement tends to bother me there.Monroeski said:
@cyan, if your toes are snug consider a larger size, particularly if you're going distance running which would turn tight toes into blister heaven, or failing that there'll be stiffness you wouldn't experience with a more loose fit.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
Is there a reason they don't just keep the internal shape and put rubber over the stupid toes ?
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