Has anyone run with the Vibram Fivefingers?

[Gelfin]

My issues with them are beginning to resolve themselves peacefully. I wore them out for a while yesterday and got some real walking in, and what I seemed to notice when I was walking in them correctly is that my lower back and core muscles were aligned and engaged in a way that just felt right.

That could be placebo, naturally, but I definitely like it.

 

[leekohler]

My issues with them are beginning to resolve themselves peacefully. I wore them out for a while yesterday and got some real walking in, and what I seemed to notice when I was walking in them correctly is that my lower back and core muscles were aligned and engaged in a way that just felt right.

That could be placebo, naturally, but I definitely like it.

Nope- that's not a placebo effect. That happened to me as well. You may also get some soreness in your back for a bit, but it will go away. It's just everything realigning and adjusting.

 

[Gelfin]

Nope- that's not a placebo effect. That happened to me as well. You may also get some soreness in your back for a bit, but it will go away. It's just everything realigning and adjusting.

Yeah, I definitely noticed that soreness thing a bit once I dragged my butt out of bed and started moving around. I always take that as a good thing.

 

[Iscariot]

My issues with them are beginning to resolve themselves peacefully. I wore them out for a while yesterday and got some real walking in, and what I seemed to notice when I was walking in them correctly is that my lower back and core muscles were aligned and engaged in a way that just felt right.

I see this a lot; there are 33 joints in the foot, and if even one of them is jammed or restricted the arthrokinetic reflex can inhibit muscles in the hip and core. Glute med(s) will shut down almost completely, destabilizing the hips, which affects everything below the ribs. This is a huge problem in runners.

Free those joints, the hip complex fires right up.

 

[leekohler]

Yeah, I definitely noticed that soreness thing a bit once I dragged my butt out of bed and started moving around. I always take that as a good thing.

I see this a lot; there are 33 joints in the foot, and if even one of them is jammed or restricted the arthrokinetic reflex can inhibit muscles in the hip and core. Glute med(s) will shut down almost completely, destabilizing the hips, which affects everything below the ribs. This is a huge problem in runners.

Free those joints, the hip complex fires right up.

The difference is incredible. The first day I worked out in them, I felt off-balance and funky in general. Now- I'm feeling stronger than ever.

Any active person/serious athlete needs to own a pair of these.

 

[Abstract]

Vibram Five-Fingers Causes Metatarsal Stress Fractures?

A thread from Podiatry Arena. I have read the entire thread, along with the threads they provided links to. This forum is populated by people who are actually qualified in fields such as podiatry, sports podiatry, and biomechanics (and perhaps foot fetishers?), and they have serious discussions about all sorts of topics related to podiatry. This thread just happens to discuss Vibram FiveFingers, but I don't believe the members have any incentive or motive to push one product on you over another, nor do they have any obvious ulterior motives.

This is VERY different from threads such as MR, where a bunch of people get together on an Apple discussion board and give some anecdotal evidence on a very different topic based on a sample size of 1. To top it off, add a dash of people who throw around technical jargon they learned on Wikipedia in order to sound convincing.



Over the past week, I was seriously considering buying a pair of FiveFingers based on some reading I did on threads at MR and elsewhere, but when a bunch of podiatry and biomechanics nerds cut up the barefoot "fad" with no incentive to do so, it makes me second guess everything else I heard from less qualified sources.

 

[iJon]

Vibram Five-Fingers Causes Metatarsal Stress Fractures?

A thread from Podiatry Arena. I have read the entire thread, along with the threads they provided links to. This forum is populated by people who are actually qualified in fields such as podiatry, sports podiatry, and biomechanics (and perhaps foot fetishers?), and they have serious discussions about all sorts of topics related to podiatry. This thread just happens to discuss Vibram FiveFingers, but I don't believe the members have any incentive or motive to push one product on you over another, nor do they have any obvious ulterior motives.

This is VERY different from threads such as this one, where a bunch of people get together and give some anecdotal evidence based on a sample of 1, along with a sprinkling of people who throw around technical jargon they learned on Wikipedia in order to sound convincing.

Over the past week, I was seriously considering buying a pair of FiveFingers based on some reading I did on threads at MR and elsewhere, but when a bunch of podiatry and biomechanics nerds cut up the barefoot "fad" with no incentive to do so, it makes me second guess everything else I heard from less qualified sources.

Very interesting...

Let me ask though, is your primary purpose for getting these shoes running? If it is then I can see why this article would persuade you not too. As for me, although I have ran in FiveFingers I don't do it often because I hate running as an exercise. I wear my Five Fingers as my normal shoes around town, outdoor activities and when I travel overseas. Over the past 4 years I have felt my feet and calves gain muscle and strength. These shoes reach much further in uses other than running.

As for the long term effects of running with FiveFingers, who knows. It wouldn't surprise me though since I have quite a few friends who have other weaknesses in their bodies from running all their life even without the FiveFingers.

 

[Gelfin]

Wow, dude, was all that snark really needed?

Frankly, that page sounded just as anecdotal, but as you've brought it up, I find I would not run on pavement in them myself. Saying barefoot is natural must be qualified by noting that pavement is not. Neither, in all probability, is running fifty miles a week or 26 at a stretch.

It is also possible that people who grow up without shoes, like the famous barefoot African marathon runners, suffer these fractures in less severe form while they are still young and lighter in weight, and that the bones are sturdier as a result of those minor stress fractures healing. That is just speculation, of course.

As with all things, "use some common sense" applies, and I won't give up my fivefingers just because some other people manage not to do that.

 

[Abstract]

@Gelfin: I'm snarky because I just spent a large number of hours reading posts from people who claimed their posture was better and their backs and necks didn't hurt anymore thanks to their VFFs. Did I mention that I almost pulled the trigger on this ~$190 US purchase (in Australia)? Then again, people have drank "magnetized water" and claimed it was better.

And the thread seems anecdotal at first, but as you continue on, read some of the articles they link to, or read the other threads mentioned in that thread.

It sounds to me like barefoot running and walking is absolutely OK, as long as you're not using them primarily for distance running. I may buy a pair to use at the gym or something. However, should I wear them to jog? No chance. I agree that barefoot walking or running is natural, but humans were never designed for the rigours of running on asphalt roads and concrete sidewalks. They may (or may not) help strengthen your feet, and may (or may not) help your running form, but there's no strong evidence that clearly indicates that running barefoot prevents injuries better than a good pair of running shoes.


@iJon: Don't tell me you read all that and the links in 9 minutes.

Yes, my plan was to buy a pair of Vibram FiveFingers for running. I live in Australia, and they're very hard to find here, so I gave up on the idea. However, I found them in a shop in Sydney, and I finally had a chance to try them on. They were extremely comfy in the shop!! This renewed my interest, and I did a LOT of reading.

I read a number of articles on the benefits of running barefoot. All of it sounded good, but I wanted to know if running barefoot was better if you run mostly on concrete? After all, the forces are completely different than they would be if you were always running on grass and dirt/earth. Running barefoot on concrete didn't sound any more natural to me than running in proper shoes in a grassy park.

 

[iJon]

@iJon: Don't tell me you read all that and the links in 9 minutes.

Yes, my plan was to buy a pair of Vibram FiveFingers for running. I live in Australia, and they're very hard to find here, so I gave up on the idea. However, I found them in a shop in Sydney, and I finally had a chance to try them on. This renewed my interest, and I did a LOT of reading.

I read a number of articles on the benefits of running barefoot. All of it sounded good, but I had a couple of questions I wanted answers to. The question I had that's most relevant to the thread I linked to was:

While running barefoot is, obviously, a very natural thing to do, is this also true when you run mostly on concrete? After all, the forces are completely different than they would be if you were always running on grass and dirt/earth.​

Well, it turns out that the answer my question was, "Absolutely not." I asked myself that question because running barefoot on concrete didn't sound any more natural to me than running in proper shoes in a grassy park.


Anyway, I just thought I'd share.


It sounds to me like barefoot running and walking is absolutely OK, as long as you're not using them primarily for distance running. I agree that barefoot walking or running is natural, but humans were never designed for the rigours of running on asphalt roads and concrete sidewalks. They may (or may not) help strengthen your feet, and may (or may not) help your running form, but there's no strong evidence that clearly indicates that running barefoot prevents injuries better than a good pair of running shoes.

I skimmed through and read the highlights. Since I don't run I didn't feel the need to read the whole article cause nothing could sway me from wearing my Five Fingers.

As for the shoes, don't know what to tell you. It's just a shoe, you either like them or your don't. You're just gonna have to bite the bullet and either buy them or not.

It wouldn't surprise me that out of all the people in the world who've bought Five Fingers that some of them would have problems with their feet. They are strange shoes and aren't meant for everyone. I'd be willing to bet there are far more satisfied customers then unsatisfied.

 

[Gelfin]

@Gelfin: I'm snarky because I just spent a large number of hours reading posts from people who claimed their posture was better and their backs and necks didn't hurt anymore thanks to their VFFs. Then again, people have drank "magnetized water" and claimed it was better, so who knows.

Still, no reason not to just talk about it. I don't think you're dealing with any religious-like conviction here. I will stand by my observation that a proper barefoot gait (walking, I should qualify) engages muscles differently all the way up into my lower torso. I even myself offered the concession that might be placebo effect, but it is strong and persistent if so.

 

[Gelfin]

As a separate issue, I have noticed one problem with FiveFingers: in a limited sampling, they seem to attract creepy women. And not pleasantly, interestingly creepy women, but more like women who obsess over Twilight well into their mid forties. Scary, scary women.

 

[Abstract]

I'm not trying to say that VFFs are useless. I could see myself buying a pair for activities such as going to the gym, indoor rock-climbing, etc. You're not going to hurt yourself if you're just going out for walks. However, just be aware that people who buy VFFs and think that landing on their forefoot has no negative consequences when running on concrete and asphalt should stop reading websites that exist to promote barefoot running.

It's just as bad when people come to MR and ask us if they should buy a Dell. I try to answer honestly, because sometimes they'd be better off. However, I don't see why people expect a non-biased answer from us. Look at the name of this website. Look at the URL!

 

[Gelfin]

Note: I tried them for bouldering. Only once, and I hated them for that purpose. Maybe it is possible to get used to them, but I'll stick with my Scarpas.

 

[Iscariot]

Vibram Five-Fingers Causes Metatarsal Stress Fractures?

A thread from Podiatry Arena. I have read the entire thread, along with the threads they provided links to. This forum is populated by people who are actually qualified in fields such as podiatry, sports podiatry, and biomechanics (and perhaps foot fetishers?), and they have serious discussions about all sorts of topics related to podiatry. This thread just happens to discuss Vibram FiveFingers, but I don't believe the members have any incentive or motive to push one product on you over another, nor do they have any obvious ulterior motives.

This is VERY different from threads such as MR, where a bunch of people get together on an Apple discussion board and give some anecdotal evidence on a very different topic based on a sample size of 1. To top it off, add a dash of people who throw around technical jargon they learned on Wikipedia in order to sound convincing.



Over the past week, I was seriously considering buying a pair of FiveFingers based on some reading I did on threads at MR and elsewhere, but when a bunch of podiatry and biomechanics nerds cut up the barefoot "fad" with no incentive to do so, it makes me second guess everything else I heard from less qualified sources.

Seriously? You're surprised that running for long distances on concrete can be injurious no matter the footwear? And you're calling out one Internet message board with another?

Dude, the injury rate for running in a given year is reported as high as 65%. If you run that much or are that concerned with injuries, don't consult the info-tubes, go see a podiatrist, sports MD or athletic therapist.

Caveat emptor.

 

[Disc Golfer]

A hundred and ninety bucks wow! I got mine for under a hundred after tax. They're great for being out on the water.. my feet don't fit in my smaller boats with shoes on so it's the fivefingers or nothing, and nothing is a lot more uncomfortable on rocky barnacley beaches. And I'm usually out by myself where I get to avoid attracting the aforementioned scary women. I don't run or hike in them usually though.

 

[Abstract]

Seriously? You're surprised that running for long distances on concrete can be injurious no matter the footwear?

No I'm not surprised, nor do I run very far distances anymore.

However, I'm surprised to read so many forusm where members all talk about ground strike, forces, and also poo-poo all over "conventional" running shoes for forcing us to run unnaturally and such, when in fact, the shoes are preventing injury if anything. Read many forums out there, and you'd be lead to believe the opposite.

Right now, it seems that all this hype over VFFs is just that --- hype. Conventional running shoes are somehow causing injury, or preventing us from running naturally like VFFs can? Apparently, podiatrists are the only ones who don't think so. Perhaps everyone who says otherwise are only running on grass? I really don't know.

And it's not like I hand-picked an anti-barefoot running forum. It's just a podiatry forum full of random podiatrists who, presumably, don't share any association with one another.

And you're calling out one Internet message board with another?

Am I using a forum filled with podiatrists and people who understand biomechanics to call out all the barefoot running websites, blogs, and forums that are filled with people who don't? Yes I am.

 

[Leareth]

I have been wearing VFF's for 3 years now (well this is the third summer )

I wear them for everyday things and light trail running/hiking

one thing i did notice after about 2 months is that my ankles have definitely gotten stronger and hurt a lot less, i have had multiple fractures and sprains in both ankles over the years so I am acutely aware of how unstable they are.

My orthopedic surgeon even commented that my ankles have gotten more stable.

Another thing I noticed is that my posture DID improve.
I feel more balanced and am taller.
my lower back stopped hurting so much.

I would not use them to run on concrete but then running on concrete with ANY shoes is a bad idea.

I am getting one of the (black) leather models and more toe socks so I can wear them year round , even to work. they really do feel that much better.

 

[leekohler]

I'm not trying to say that VFFs are useless. I could see myself buying a pair for activities such as going to the gym, indoor rock-climbing, etc. You're not going to hurt yourself if you're just going out for walks. However, just be aware that people who buy VFFs and think that landing on their forefoot has no negative consequences when running on concrete and asphalt should stop reading websites that exist to promote barefoot running.

It's just as bad when people come to MR and ask us if they should buy a Dell. I try to answer honestly, because sometimes they'd be better off. However, I don't see why people expect a non-biased answer from us. Look at the name of this website. Look at the URL!

First rule of running- don't run on concrete and asphalt. It's extremely bad for you. I've got arthritis in both knees to prove it and can't run anymore. This seems like it should be a no-brainer.

 

[Iscariot]

.

 

[JoeG4]

So do you wear five finger socks with your five finger shoes?

My shoes bug me, but I don't wear shoes or socks at home so whatever. lol. Funny you guys bring this up, when I'm not in my shoes I walk differently.

 

[jonfordaz]

Concrete, Barefoot, VFFs

There are plenty of reasons for Podiatrists to be against minimalist/barefoot running. For one, they'll sell way less orthotics. And eventually, they'll be treating less injuries.

Folks, there are plenty of examples and experiences to follow if you are truly curious. It's about form first, and not about surface or footwear. I've been running barefoot or in VFFs since December. Yes, I run on Concrete all the time. It's actually considered by many to be the BEST surface as it is smooth and provides more form feedback, as opposed to trails (which require more protection and therefore less feedback) or grass (which is too soft to provide good form feedback).

If you guys really want to learn about barefoot and minimalist running, and hear it not from a focus group of one but from a core group of hundreds of people who do this from around the world, then join the Google group "Minimalist Runner - Barefoot, Huaraches, Five Fingers..."

Want to read a great story and learn? Read Christopher McDougall's Born to Run
Alternatively, read Jason Robillard's compact guide to barefooting or Michael Sandler's comprehensive manual.

Barefooting/Minimalist Running has been a fantastic and fascinating adventure for me in just the last six months. I went from tolerating running to loving it. I haven't worn running shoes since last October, and have completed seven half marathons in VFFs since. And if it were up to me I'd chuck the work shoes too. But it ain't.

One last resource with free and sage advice is here at the Runner's World website.

 

[leekohler]

There are plenty of reasons for Podiatrists to be against minimalist/barefoot running. For one, they'll sell way less orthotics. And eventually, they'll be treating less injuries.

Folks, there are plenty of examples and experiences to follow if you are truly curious. It's about form first, and not about surface or footwear. I've been running barefoot or in VFFs since December. Yes, I run on Concrete all the time. It's actually considered by many to be the BEST surface as it is smooth and provides more form feedback, as opposed to trails (which require more protection and therefore less feedback) or grass (which is too soft to provide good form feedback).

If you guys really want to learn about barefoot and minimalist running, and hear it not from a focus group of one but from a core group of hundreds of people who do this from around the world, then join the Google group "Minimalist Runner - Barefoot, Huaraches, Five Fingers..."

Want to read a great story and learn? Read Christopher McDougall's Born to Run
Alternatively, read Jason Robillard's compact guide to barefooting or Michael Sandler's comprehensive manual.

Barefooting/Minimalist Running has been a fantastic and fascinating adventure for me in just the last six months. I went from tolerating running to loving it. I haven't worn running shoes since last October, and have completed seven half marathons in VFFs since. And if it were up to me I'd chuck the work shoes too. But it ain't.

One last resource with free and sage advice is here at the Runner's World website.

Let us know how that progresses. I'm also suspicious of podiatrists' opinions on these. I've been using them for workouts since January, and have seen only benefits- and good benefits too. If I could, I'd wear them to work as well.

BTW- I still would not recommend running on concrete, but that's me.

 

[pachyderm]

my nephew just bought a pair and brought them to the beach.. "5 finger vibram death punch" he called them lol liked them so far but he doesn't run. he does do other stuff outdoors hough....

 

[leekohler]

my nephew just bought a pair and brought them to the beach.. "5 finger vibram death punch" he called them lol liked them so far but he doesn't run. he does do other stuff outdoors hough....

They're good stuff.