I know there are a few people around here that wear these and I would love some feed back.
I understand barefoot running is good for maintaining foot health but my question is what if your feet aren't healthy??
I have very flat feet (fallen arches) and heel spurs. The heel spurs don't give me a lot of problems as long as I keep up with my stretching but I am concerned that the lack of cushion might aggravate them. On the other hand, as I understand it, I will quickly correct my heel strike in the 5 fingers.
FTR, I am still about 40 to 50 pounds over weight but about 70 pounds lighter than the last time I considered the 5 fingers.
All in all, I am wondering if I am making a mistake in purchasing the 5 fingers.
I am not considering the Nike Frees because of the way they fit my feet. My feet are weird because of the fallen arches. The Frees rub in multiple spots! I have tried on the 5 fingers and they fit okay.
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AM, homeschooling mom to Wild & Wacky, see my fitness journey here, my training log here and my everything else blog here.
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If you have flat feet, they may not be for you. Not sure, really, as I don't have the problem. I've most of my life been a barefoot child, so they're simply awsum for me. I do find them ok for running, but I'm not a "runner" so my running is sprints while playing outdoors more than running, but I know people who do without a problem.
I love them, but I do admit that they may not offer enough support for someone who needs support. It's enough for me that they wrap nicely to hold the arch up and whatnot, but that may not be enough for everyone.
I pretty much in the warmer months wear them constantly. My normal sneakers are relegated to winter-wear now. At the moment I'm about 30 pounds over ideal weight, with no issues.
They do allow you to naturally run better than with artificial shoes.
Would I think them a waste? I guess it depends on if you're ok with something you may not use as often as other sneakers, maybe only lifting and going for walks, maybe only for short time periods. *shrug* If you start with them just inside and don't use them outside, their return policy would let you try them for a bit and see if they work for you. So you could try the treadmill at the gym and around the house or whatnot.
I also find them the best thing to wear on the elliptical, for some reason. Usually sneakers are irritating with the elevated heel and whatnot.
The frees rub me funny too, because my feet want to be wider when barefoot than the frees allow.
I've had mine for over a month and absolutely freakin love them. In full disclosure, I'm not much of a runner so I may not be the best to give advise, but I use them on short runs, sprints, and walking. It has helped my form and strengthened my feet and ankles for sure.
I really like lifting in them. That's a huge benefit and it feels great.
My feet tend to be flat, but not to the degree that you describe. Either way, I think you can try them and just break in slowly. Maybe not for full runs, but for other uses like warm ups and lifting. I wear mine when I walk the dog just because my feet fell alive.
oh, and OMG are they awsuym for balance and yoga and whatnot.
Even if I never ran in them ever, I use them enough wearing them daily (in the non-winter) and lifting in them and whatnot to make it totally worth it.
Do you have rigid flat feet, i.e. do you have flat feet even if you don't stand? In that case ask someone more qualified than me.
If you have flat feet but your feet are flexible buying VFFs might actually be a good idea. If your muscles are too weak to support your natural arch training your muscles can help. You could even incorporate some foot gymnastics like trying to grip something with your toes, but don't overdo it.
oh, and OMG are they awsuym for balance and yoga and whatnot.
Even if I never ran in them ever, I use them enough wearing them daily (in the non-winter) and lifting in them and whatnot to make it totally worth it.
oh, and OMG - another Free and Five Fingers fan!
I have 5 pairs of Free 5.0s, 2 pairs of 3.0, and several other extremely low/fast shoes (New Balance 790, Inov8 230s, etc). Love that low to the ground & responsive thing - as long as you strike more midfoot and are not injured.
__________________ "My yoga class had me trembling and sweating and I feel MUCH better." - Fang
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tenacious Training and Tweaking (the A lotta Alitteration thread)
I had some Earth shoes in high school - loved them.
definitely the stylish classic (the only option I'm sure) - I'm surprised at all the styles they have now
Otto gots a pair that look like frees, but better, and they're way wider than the frees.
Although apparently there's a noticeable variance between shoes, cuz he tried on one pair and took another home that didn't fit as well (too big) at the same size. (went back and got the ones he tried)
I recently got a pair of FF sprints and love them. Even more comfortable then Frees for most gym work. The KSOs look pretty cool, but my local store didn't have them in my size.
Anyone try those?
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
Ah, but have you tried Earth Shoes and/or other negative heel shoes? Otto loves his. WAY better than the frees.
I have some Earth sandals, and wear them judiciously as I repair my achilles.
When my achilles are normal, Earth shoes are great for keeping things in alignment. So is yoga.
__________________ "My yoga class had me trembling and sweating and I feel MUCH better." - Fang
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tenacious Training and Tweaking (the A lotta Alitteration thread)
So I've been poking around the Earth shoes website this morning, and while I like the negative heel idea, I have to wonder how rigid the arch support is. If it's as firm as it sounds (almost a fulcrum to force dorsiflexion rather than relying, um, solely on the negative heel), it almost seems counterintuitive; the extra support would continue to promote weaker foot muscles even while improving ankle mobility, plus what happens to flat-footed peeps? Thoughts from users?
__________________ No Magic Pill (the log)
My Movember page (yes, I'm slacking on pictures)
So I've been poking around the Earth shoes website this morning, and while I like the negative heel idea, I have to wonder how rigid the arch support is. If it's as firm as it sounds (almost a fulcrum to force dorsiflexion rather than relying, um, solely on the negative heel), it almost seems counterintuitive; the extra support would continue to promote weaker foot muscles even while improving ankle mobility, plus what happens to flat-footed peeps? Thoughts from users?
They are pretty stiff - like Birkenstocks or even more so.
You want stronger foot muscles, get Frees or Five Fingers.
__________________ "My yoga class had me trembling and sweating and I feel MUCH better." - Fang
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tenacious Training and Tweaking (the A lotta Alitteration thread)
Yeah the ones I have are like frees. Got them at Whole Foods.
The arch support is huge compared to most shoes. Better than the really good running shoes I had with SuperFeet insoles.
It's almost like standing on an old tennis ball.
I'm not sure of the other models... I think they have leather ones, I would imagine those are harder. I got the vegan ones.
Oh and yeah, I like 'em a lot. I can't wear them all the time.. .at least not lately with my back hurting. I've been alternating between those and the Keens I got... those are really good support and effectively flat.
just ordered the vibrams sprint model. really psyched for these. I have very normal biomechanics and normal arches, so I should be fine to run in them. will start very slow and small distances.
to the runners: what is the longest mileage you have ever done in these in one day? did you have any issues?
I just got them and IMMEDIATELY walked to the state park from my house and ran a bit in the trails. I. AM. IN. LOVE!!! as a native florida girl, my feet didn't know what shoes were most of the time as a kid. I felt so happy running in the woods just like then, except with less risk of cutting your feet on beer pop tops!!!
Here's a cool blog report on barefoot/fivefinger running. Click Me.
I'm not a runner, but I've got my Fivefingers in my gym bag and use them for walks, hikes, etc. I view them as medicine to counteract the need to wear dress shoes at work.
Coupla weeks ago I listened to Gray Cook talking about this and cautioning people when they start out barefoot/vibrams they may not be cleared to run, but just walk. If you've worn shoes for years then it may be the case that your body will hurt if you try and run right off the bat.
But he's definitely a fan of flat/shoeless.
Then yesterday the subject came up in a seminar and Lenny Parraccino, who btw is one of the smartest guys I've ever seen - like Bill Hartman smart, cautioned that if you have really flat feet or some other issue it may do some harm. But if you feel fine doing some then by all means that's the way to go.
As all those smart people say, it depends.
I love my five fingers for training.
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Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
Got my pair last week. Already done 3 runs and they feel great. They make me want to ditch the road and head for the hills. Did a rocky trail today and it was awesome. To bad the trail was popular at that time of day.
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“Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, 'Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapeños.'"
A friend of mine who actually runs in hers likes to wear very thin toe socks.... sounds weird to me but for running, it might not be a bad idea, especially with the stinky sweaty aspect.
Injinji has a much thinner model now that might work.... anyone tried these?
__________________ "My yoga class had me trembling and sweating and I feel MUCH better." - Fang
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tenacious Training and Tweaking (the A lotta Alitteration thread)
what, socks?
Otto got the ones they sell on the site (vibram's that is) and loves them. not cheap, but we're gonna need some more… they make for slightly cushier as well as remove some of the seam issues, keep feet warmer, and wick away sweaty.
I've had a pair for about a year. I love 'em. I started running short intervals at the park and started building up distance by running grass and gradually moving to pavement. You have to change the way you run, landing more on the ball of the foot and no heel strike.
I've never been much of a runner (soccer player by nature), but I'll knock out 2 miles now without any pain. I've always suffered from ITB and arch pain. Not anymore. It's made a huge difference in my health. My toes are straight.
I wore them to gym once, but the freak factor was a little too high for me. I'm already doing a bunch of stuff that nobody does (like deadlifting and breaking a sweat) so I stand out enough already.
I wear the socks when it gets cold but I still won't run when is cold and slushy out side. The socks just make them tighter so you may need to consider that.
Vibrams Five Fingers
Linear Mode
