Vibram 5 fingers

[eerie_reverie]

Any of y'all wear them?

 

I need new shoes and am considering getting a pair.

[johan]

No, don't!! They look ridiculous. And I don't think they are safe. There is nothing to them.

 

There are other, new types of minimalist running shoe out there. I recommend those. They are starting to make shoes that reverse all the over-engineering that Nike started, which made sense at the time, but has proven to be counter productive.

 

If you get those Vibrams, I think they are probably best for just wearing around the house.

[eerie_reverie]

No, don't!! They look ridiculous. And I don't think they are safe. There is nothing to them.

 

There are other, new types of minimalist running shoe out there. I recommend those. They are starting to make shoes that reverse all the over-engineering that Nike started, which made sense at the time, but has proven to be counter productive.

 

If you get those Vibrams, I think they are probably best for just wearing around the house.

 

I'll research the other minimalist shoes, but I am wondering, is your opinion based on personal experience, or just the fact that they look ridiculous?

[johan]

I'll research the other minimalist shoes, but I am wondering, is your opinion based on personal experience, or just the fact that they look ridiculous?

 

Mostly just the fact that when I see someone at the gym wearing them, I think they look ridiculous. And I've never seen anyone wear them twice. They seem like a sort of fad to me. And I've talked to serious runners who scoff at them. One did anyway.

[eerie_reverie]

Mostly just the fact that when I see someone at the gym wearing them, I think they look ridiculous. And I've never seen anyone wear them twice. They seem like a sort of fad to me. And I've talked to serious runners who scoff at them. One did anyway.

 

 

They seem like a fad to me too, but they get excellent reviews.

 

I don't have any serious issues with my Nike's - I've never sustained an nor do I have any pain from all the running I do - but my toenails are constnatly bleeding, and my feet start to blister after a couple of miles. My shoes were professionally fitted and I wear good running socks, so I don't think it's an issue of fit.

 

I think it's my stride - I land on my forefoot, jamming my toes into the socks - which apparently is similar to how one runs barefoot, which I LOVE to do. That's why I think I might be a good candidate for the Vibrams. Presumably they'd be better suited to my stride.

[Citizen Erased]

They're the Crocs of athletic footwear.

 

But, they're not that expensive. I'd say bleeding toes are a good reason to test them out for yourself.

[LurkerXX]

Our whole family are toe walkers;seems a strange thing to notice, but people have commented on it well before the fad footwear. I am sure you would check it out, since I am a non-runner and could be suggesting something dangerous. I guess this falls into more the over-engineered rather than minimalist, but I have found those butt toner shoes very easy on me. I have not had trouble in them on stairs or mild to moderate hiking trails though I switch to hikers when on very rocky trails. I have the same toe jamming issues as you. I also have found them easy on my ankles, which are very small.

[tman666]

I'm not sure about them being "dangerous", but they look like they'd stink something fierce after a month of running in them...

[LurkerXX]

Trust me-after months being in the field-large ziploc bags and silica gel are useful for more than treating damp electronics. They are great at odor absorbtion when soap and water is not feasable.

[eerie_reverie]

I got a pair. I've run about 10 miles in them and I love them so far! No blisters whatsoever, no toenail issues. I've been washing them after each use to ensure they don't start to smell.

 

I dunno if this is a positive or a negative but my calves are killing me.

[AH1990]

I love them!! I've had mine for about 4 months now. I'll admit the first few hours of wearing them are tough to get used to. But after that, they are pretty awesome. Main thing that sold me on them was the fact that you don't have to wear socks and you can throw them in the washing machine.

 

First day wearing them at the gym:

 

• Far more power on the dead lift and squats
  
• Less strain on my feet
  
• More comfortable
  

I get a lot more power to my legs and can feel them working. As for the fact that some people say that if you drop a weight you would bust your toes up, well that's true with almost any shoe. A $150 pair of Nike's isn't going to stop a 100lb dumbbell any better than vibrams. If you wanna bitch about the possibility of the weight dropping, well, wear steel toe boots to the gym.

[Star Gazer]

I dunno if this is a positive or a negative but my calves are killing me.

 

Not surprising. VFFs cause you to use more of your forefoot/toes, which causes more use of your calves. Try focusing landing on your midfoot a little more.

 

I'm inching towards 30 miles a week now, but I'm pretty sure I'll never use those things.

[AH1990]

I thought they were a name of a super dildo or something.

 

 

Your actually not the first person to think that. I've had numerous guys ask me about them, and when I say the name of them, they think exactly that!

 

I've had girls ask about them before. They think that they are pretty whacky looking. They even helped me get a number before from a girl .

 

As a side note, the gym isn't a place to be fashionable. Its the gym!

[Ross MwcFan]

Whenever I saw this topic title I always assumed it was a sex toy (since it totally sounds like one).

 

Only now did I notice that the topic is actually in the physical fitness forum and not the sex forum, so that's what prompted me to take a look.

[Jono85]

can't offer any insight on the vibrams, but just thought i'd share that i use the reebok realflex shoes, and i'm really happy with them. lightest running shoes i've ever owned, and they were engineered to give the feel of barefoot running but with a little cushioning. they do have a bit of a thicker heal than i would probably like, but it hasn't been an issue running or anything. just uncessesary for a forefoot striker.

 

switching from heel-striking to forefoot-striking was the best thing i ever did. no more shin splints or stress fractures!

[the wizard]

They seem like a fad to me too, but they get excellent reviews.

 

I don't have any serious issues with my Nike's - I've never sustained an nor do I have any pain from all the running I do - but my toenails are constnatly bleeding, and my feet start to blister after a couple of miles. My shoes were professionally fitted and I wear good running socks, so I don't think it's an issue of fit.

 

I think it's my stride - I land on my forefoot, jamming my toes into the socks - which apparently is similar to how one runs barefoot, which I LOVE to do. That's why I think I might be a good candidate for the Vibrams. Presumably they'd be better suited to my stride.

 

ugh dude .

[whichwayisup]

Any of y'all wear them?

 

I need new shoes and am considering getting a pair.

 

I had to read this thread, I kept seeing Vibram 5 fingers and kept thinking it a sexual thing. Ha, it's shoes!

[Just Don't Know]

The name of this footwear has inspired me to handcraft a sex toy.

[Star Gazer]

I don't have any serious issues with my Nike's - I've never sustained an nor do I have any pain from all the running I do - but my toenails are constnatly bleeding, and my feet start to blister after a couple of miles. My shoes were professionally fitted and I wear good running socks, so I don't think it's an issue of fit.

 

If you're blistering and having black/bloody/falling-off toenails, it's most definitely your shoes, not your stride. I suspect your shoe fitter basically didn't know WTF they were doing.