Vibram Five Fingers vs More Traditional Running Shoes

[Emilia]

Which ones do you use? Are you for those Vibram Five Fingers shoes? If yes why? Do you prefer more traditional trainers?

 

My sister's boyfriend uses Vibrams and swears by them, those that like them seem to end up loving them. What do they do for you? Some complain of increased chances of shin splints and say that larger men have trouble using them. Is that correct? The idea of being close to bare feet running is appealing.

 

I'm using traditional trainers at the moment, I run on grass and on the road, have just ordered a new pair of trainers specifically for these types of surfaces. Have you tried Vibrams and only to go back to more traditional type trainers after all?

[Emilia]

Vibram require you to run forefoot-strike, which is much more deliberate and slower. You can't run in the same way with each shoe. Running regularly with Vibrams will create much worse impact on your body.

 

I've trained myself to land on my forefoot rather than to heelstrike (which was my natural style). It has made me a faster runner as I push away with each strike and my movements are more economical, especially at a faster speed (not much vertical movement basically) - though I suppose I don't know how I would run if I had stuck to heelstriking.

 

Have you ever tried different style of running?

[AlexDP]

I've been running for about 8 years, used regular running shoes all of them. I tried those toe things once and hated it.

 

Traditional trainers offer much greater support for heel-strike running, which leads to faster speeds. Also, they need to be replaced every 500-600 miles of running to provide better support. Too many people don't do that and it adds to potential injuries. Vibram require you to run forefoot-strike, which is much more deliberate and slower. You can't run in the same way with each shoe. Running regularly with Vibrams will create much worse impact on your body.

 

Completely the opposite for me. If it wasn't so cold and socially acceptable, I'd always run barefoot. It is much easier on my knees and I do think it's because my feet get the necessary feedback. Also, it is just way more fun.

 

I don't know if it is for everyone, but it is for me.

[Emilia]

For marathon and recreational running, it won't have any speed impact once adjusted to the running style, but for anything that requires speed (I run 800m, 600m, and 400m, so that's where I'm drawing my experience from) the heel-strike will be faster. That's why sprinter shoes are light like Vibrams, but have the support on the heels. Proper running form will add speed regardless

 

I think speed makes a difference for everyone regardless of distance but I'm quite surprised by your experience as ground-time is longer when heelstriking than when you are on forefoot.

 

Each runner is different I guess, I'm not sure I'd call heelstriking 'proper running form' nevertheless.

[Enema]

With barefoot shoes you will not be slower or have more injuries - quite the opposite. There's also far less impact on your joints if you run the way we evolved - ie. barefoot and mid-fore foot strike.

 

There's a lot of proper peer reviewed research out there that shows barefoot is the way to go.

 

I've been running exclusively in various barefoot shoes for about 5 years now. I wasn't a fan of the Vibrams, they didn't feel as comfortable as I wanted and my second toe is bigger than my big toe, so it rubbed.

 

My current favourites are Zemgear 360's. They're amazing and I also use them in the gym for squatting for the same health reasons.

[Emilia]

My current favourites are Zemgear 360's. They're amazing and I also use them in the gym for squatting for the same health reasons.

 

I've seen one or two, very interesting.... Might try it in the spring. I wanted something like that for squatting/deadlifts too.

[Andy_K]

I seem to be prone to lateral compression in the calves, so toe striking is out as it will put even more tension in this area.

 

Accordingly I need running shoes which offer a lot of support, and even then I try to avoid road running and favour high paced shorter runs (<30min) over the longer jogs (1hr+) that I used to be able to do.

[Emilia]

I seem to be prone to lateral compression in the calves, so toe striking is out as it will put even more tension in this area.

 

Accordingly I need running shoes which offer a lot of support, and even then I try to avoid road running and favour high paced shorter runs (<30min) over the longer jogs (1hr+) that I used to be able to do.

 

Thanks for this Andy

 

I see 'support' coming up when I look for running shoes but I assumed that was mainly either for being flat-footed or for extensive pronation

 

Does support mean more padding in your case?

[AlexDP]

Well yeah landing directly on the heel isn't good form. And it really depends how far/how fast you're running for "proper" landing. You really want to land about 50/50 between the center of the foot/arch and the heel for good sprinter form. It's ideally a bit further towards the center by about 50% when doing long distance, and the roll of the stride needs to be more pronounced rather than the impact from sprinting.

 

Then there's the proper stance to take with the arms, neck and head, back, knee lift, how to project forward and not upward in stride, proper kick form, hill running form, turning. All of that comes from proper training. I've been lucky to run in HS and college where I've had coaches teach me this to improve running efficiency and damage reduction. Many people don't know much of this stuff and can do a great deal of damage to themselves. It's worth going to a running trainer, or someone who's had running training to learn these things.

 

A sprinter whose heel touches the ground is not running well and most likely overstriding. Try sprinting barefoot and heel striking. It's too damn painful. It also makes you much slower, because there is much longer ground contact time.

 

100m USAIN BOLT SLOW MOTION ART OF SPRINTING FASTEST MAN - YouTube

 

Not a single of these sprinters heelstrikes. And they're pretty fast.

[Andy_K]

Thanks for this Andy

 

I see 'support' coming up when I look for running shoes but I assumed that was mainly either for being flat-footed or for extensive pronation

 

Does support mean more padding in your case?

 

Essentially, yes. 'Cushioning' might have been a more appropriate word for me to use. I also use gel insoles to enhance the effect further.

[1slobalt12]

I switched from a "normal" running shoe to the Nike Free Run 2's which are more of a minimalist design and i love them. I have noticed less pain in my knees after a long run and they just feel more comfortable overall

[USMCHokie]

My sole reason (pun intended) for never using those things is due to how ridiculous they look. They could make me run 10 times faster and I would never wear them.

 

As I always say, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how good you look playin'.

[Emilia]

As I always say, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how good you look playin'.

 

Wish I could keep to that rule, I get really red in the face during and after rigorous exercise, with a tan I look like I'm about to get a stroke.

 

Switched to UK Gear heavy duty trainers now that I've started running with a weighted pack and taking up trail running too. Kinda the opposite of minimalist shoes. They feel good though. Really sturdy.