Vibrams...

[JEFF_H]

What's 'running' 

[Scooter Montgomery]

It's that thing after  and just before heart attack.

[desmopr]

I saw a guy this week riding a motorcycle in the highway with those shoes.  Yes, no joke...

[danaid]

  Reviving this thread!


I have discovered these vibram five finger shoes and  now they are the only shoes I wear except when I'm at work!

I work out in a pair of Komodosports, which are a newer fitness/ multisport type, and also run in them.

After not being able to not get rid of a mild but bothersome case of plantar fascitis, and not being able to run, I decided to start giving my lower legs some extra attention at the gym. Starting with being barefoot more, lots of calf work, stretching, and of course five finger shoes, my plantar fascitis is finally but beginning to heal after no improvement for 3 years!  

I have bought a second pair that are a casual sneaker style, that I wear every day.

After reading some negative or curious posts from these older threads, I wonder if anyone else has switched to these shoes. They are becoming more and more common even in my conservative area of California.

Dan

[somegirl]

I have switched to Soft Star Shoes (with vibram soles) for most things including work.  Between those and Smartwool socks my feet have been very happy.

[RAT900]

anyone remember Kalso Earth Shoes?

[Ddan]

anyone remember Kalso Earth Shoes?

Oh yeah.  Had to have 'em   

[kopfjäger]

anyone remember Kalso Earth Shoes?

Went to the store in Georgetown and bought some for my girlfriend. Haven't seen either in years.  

[Ddan]

They are still out there.

http://www.earthbrands.com/kalsoearthshoe

[RAT900]

They are still out there.

http://www.earthbrands.com/kalsoearthshoe

I still (love) wear Clarks Desert Boots   

[zooom]

I have seen at my running store on the fun runs, some of the "barefoot" runners who prefer to run in these ultra minimalist shoes migrating back to real minimalist shoes...like the Vivobarefoot shoes or some of the various track and field kind of shoes that weigh practically nothing and have practically no support whatsoever...

[Slide Panda]

After not being able to not get rid of a mild but bothersome case of plantar fascitis, and not being able to run, I decided to start giving my lower legs some extra attention at the gym. Starting with being barefoot more, lots of calf work, stretching, and of course five finger shoes, my plantar fascitis is finally but beginning to heal after no improvement for 3 years!  

After reading some negative or curious posts from these older threads, I wonder if anyone else has switched to these shoes. They are becoming more and more common even in my conservative area of California.

Nope... Though I've never had troubles like that. I'm one for those fortunate mutants that gets farm boy strong legs with minimal effort.

Though I've got to wonder how much the stretch and strength rehab work is improving things vs the use of the 5 fingers. Just academic curiosity though  - can dispute with what works for your body.

I have switched to Soft Star Shoes (with vibram soles) for most things including work.  Between those and Smartwool socks my feet have been very happy.

Guess the title is a little misleading as Vibram does make soles for a lot of different folks, not just the 5 finger shoes. And it's the 5 finger shoes that got me started

[Le Pirate]

I have seen at my running store on the fun runs, some of the "barefoot" runners who prefer to run in these ultra minimalist shoes migrating back to real minimalist shoes...like the Vivobarefoot shoes or some of the various track and field kind of shoes that weigh practically nothing and have practically no support whatsoever...

my wife picked up some of the 5 fingers (or as I call them, frog feet) a year or so ago. She swore up and down how great they were and tried to convince me. I couldn't handle it though...I tried them on and got toe claustrophobia 

anyways, I stayed with normal running shoes, but a couple months ago I picked up these New Balance Minimus zero shoes. I love them. Regular "style" shoe, but super light weight and no drop. They also have the vibram sole. Not sure what that means, but apparently they make good soles? 

http://www.newbalance.com/nb-minimus/

[NAKID]

Buddy of mine has the minimus and loves them. With my whole knee issue post wreck, I feel I need a little more cushion than those or the "toe shoes" as I like to call them. I found a great compromise in the Sketchers GoRun. Ultralight 7oz, engineered to encourage a midfoot strike, and lots of "feel". Look them up. I like them, been running in them for a couple weeks now. Reasonably priced too...

[pitbull]

the barefoot (or almost barefoot) vs. solid running shoe debate can get pretty heated. I have a link somewhere to an excellent round table discussion from some of the best researchers and biomechanical people in the field.

Basically what it comes down to is that some people do very well running barefoot with a forefoot strike and experience less knee strain and related problems.

For others, barefoot running is a complete disaster and will result in serious injury. Typically this seems to be the case for flat footed folks and they do better with a tradition heel strike in a more stable shoe.