Vibram 5 fingers

why · Aug 6, 2009

Originally Posted by Tck13

That reminds me, I thought that there were shoes that were made for runners for only one race and VERY thin?

Similar to the 5 fingers but without the separated toes.

Yeah, marathon runners use them.

Originally Posted by unjung

Those of you suggesting they have a thicker sole or a single toe compartment clearly don't understand the ******* point. They are intended to give barefooters a level of protection from glass and other sharp objects they might encounter. That's all.

I think people running barefoot don't understand the ******* point of running barefoot. It's a modality, not a religion. Separated toes just seems completely pointless outside of marketing them as 'Five Fingers'.

MonkeyFresh · Aug 6, 2009

Have you tried on a pair and ran in them Why?
imo it makes a big difference being able to fan your toes out and strike with the balls of youtfeet, but before I tried them out on a run I had no clue as to whether or not the seperated toes really did help
I also agree about it being a marketing ply but it is quite functional at the same time
lastly, i agree about the barefoot comment, personally I'm not ready to try and go raw against the ground so i figure these are the next best thing

adversity04 · Aug 6, 2009

Originally Posted by greg_atlanta

I saw a guy at the gym wearing the low cut classic version of these and was a bit shocked, having never seen them before. He was evidently the uppity/yuppity type, so I decided those shoes were the ultimate statement of oneupmanship to which white people are prone ("I'm so cool I can wear ballet slippers to the gym"). Can't wait for http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/ to get in on this.

Racism is awesome.

Originally Posted by unjung

Those of you suggesting they have a thicker sole or a single toe compartment clearly don't understand the ******* point. They are intended to give barefooters a level of protection from glass and other sharp objects they might encounter. That's all.

+1

Originally Posted by why

I think people running barefoot don't understand the ******* point of running barefoot. It's a modality, not a religion. Separated toes just seems completely pointless outside of marketing them as 'Five Fingers'.

Yeah, it's gimmicky, but also something that has to be experienced to comprehend.

why · Aug 6, 2009

Originally Posted by MonkeyFresh

Have you tried on a pair and ran in them Why?
imo it makes a big difference being able to fan your toes out and strike with the balls of youtfeet, but before I tried them out on a run I had no clue as to whether or not the seperated toes really did help
I also agree about it being a marketing ply but it is quite functional at the same time
lastly, i agree about the barefoot comment, personally I'm not ready to try and go raw against the ground so i figure these are the next best thing

I run barefoot on the field before every track workout and have done so before VFFs existed. I run barefoot on the sidewalks from time to time but I need to manage my shin splints.

I don't fan my toes when I run. I don't see why it makes sense to -- the toes all largely work in unison except for the largest toe which contributes to the final push and is controlled more independently.

I find it especially odd to have toe separations considering most of the mainstream popularization of barefoot running was done by people using sandals.

MonkeyFresh · Aug 6, 2009

Originally Posted by adversity04

Yeah, it's gimmicky, but also something that has to be experienced to comprehend.
+1
That's what i was trying to say haha good job

^
to each his own i guess, It was something I did naturally when i first ran with them, it helps me get a better feel for the ground and lessens the impact when i run over rocks and anything else on the ground

adversity04 · Aug 6, 2009

Originally Posted by why

I run barefoot on the field before every track workout and have done so before VFFs existed. I run barefoot on the sidewalks from time to time but I need to manage my shin splints.

I don't fan my toes when I run. I don't see why it makes sense to -- the toes all largely work in unison except for the largest toe which contributes to the final push and is controlled more independently.

I find it especially odd to have toe separations considering most of the mainstream popularization of barefoot running was done by people using sandals.

They can be used for more than just running. Separating the toes helps with balance.

stylo 9000 · Aug 6, 2009

Originally Posted by Tck13

That reminds me, I thought that there were shoes that were made for runners for only one race and VERY thin?

Similar to the 5 fingers but without the separated toes.

They're called racing flats, and yes they wear out easily.

Originally Posted by why

I think people running barefoot don't understand the ******* point of running barefoot. It's a modality, not a religion. Separated toes just seems completely pointless outside of marketing them as 'Five Fingers'.

Separated toes make all the difference IMO between wearing shoes and walking around barefoot. If you ever have a swollen foot for any reason (I have 5 sprained ankles between running shoes, basketball shoes and casual shoes) watch as you place it on the ground. You will have a bulbous foot, but upon contact with the ground the weight of the body fans the toes. It's not a conscious thing.

Epaulet · Aug 12, 2009

I've been in Panama for the past week and have worn these almost every single day. If you're planning a trip to Central America in August - or any other place that mixes insane sunshine with furious rain storms, then these are the perfect shoes. I wore them walking, boating, fishing, etc. They actually make fantastic boat shoes and really grip the deck well. And one quick wash in the machine took all the stank out. Very convenient.

And luckily, most people in the countryside are wearing hideous imitation crocs. So wearing a techno foot-glove like the Five Fingers doesn't attract any undue attention. Muy bueno.

upnorth · Aug 13, 2009

^ Yup, those vibrams are excellent for travelling. I wore them in NZ alot.

hard_times · Aug 13, 2009

Anyone with bunions ever try these out? Do they help?

js4design · Aug 23, 2009

http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/p...c-and-performa a couple new models are coming out apparently. thought you guys might be interested.

Rookje · Aug 24, 2009

I was gonna look into these until I roomed with a friend who had them, and he took them off and... well, the smell was unbelievable. Not sure how you deal with that?

MonkeyFresh · Aug 24, 2009

Originally Posted by Rookje

I was gonna look into these until I roomed with a friend who had them, and he took them off and... well, the smell was unbelievable. Not sure how you deal with that?

I just wash them every week, or if they get really bad but thats usually only if i leave them in my gym bag by accident

Epaulet · Aug 24, 2009

Originally Posted by Rookje

I was gonna look into these until I roomed with a friend who had them, and he took them off and... well, the smell was unbelievable. Not sure how you deal with that?

You can wash them. I've worn mine on small boats quite a few time, and as bad as foot sweat smells, nothing is worse than seawater and mud after a few hot days. A machine wash takes almost all of the stank out.

mtechnic · Aug 25, 2009

Good article on getting away from the heal strike method of running.

Vibram 5 fingers

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