These shoes are awesome. I want.

[Koodauw]

I have been very interested in these as well. Talking to some people they say it takes a while to get used to them. ONe guy told he went from being able to run 15 miles at a time, down to barely being able to make it a mile when he first switched to the Vibram shoes. I would love to get a pair but the dedication to basically start all over again training my feet is a bit scary.

 

[IBradMac]

....

Understood. I wasn't really planning on going out running with them straight away, and despite my flat-footedness I actually have a fair amount of experience wandering around barefoot. I'm literally a walking OSHA violation around the office most days. I probably need to re-strengthen some bits to get back to peak form, but I'm comfortable with the gait in any case.

Please report back how you like them. Like you, I also suffer from flat feet which has led to knee trouble. I would love to have a pair of these for wanderings.

 

[leekohler]

OK- first review using these thing during a workout:

Whoa- I wore these for a few days around the house to get used to them BUT- ease into to these things people. I felt muscles I haven't been aware of since modern dance class in college.

My feet and calves are sore. We as a species do not use our feet much. We bind them up in shoes that don't let us use our toes properly and they're atrophied! I was aware of every step and everything my feet were doing. I actually had to think about how I use my feet. Every step and every exercise I was aware of what they were doing.

Now- none of this is bad by any means. Quite the contrary! The soreness is good soreness. The only downside was having to put regular shoes back on. My feet were instantly angry with me for that. 🙂

Just be careful and go slow. I consider myself to be in excellent condition physically, and these things still made me sore. But these are the sacrifices we make to stay in shape. 😉

I gotta tell you- I love these things. Next test is Sunday at the climbing wall.

 

[mscriv]

Seems kinda weird if you ask me Lee, but what do I know. Obviously, I'm a product of the traditional shoe pushing conventions of my upbringing and culture. It's great they are working out so well for you though. 🙂

 

[leekohler]

Seems kinda weird if you ask me Lee, but what do I know. Obviously, I'm a product of the traditional shoe pushing conventions of my upbringing and culture. It's great they are working out so well for you though. 🙂

Here's the thing- they basically give you the ability to go barefoot without being barefoot. Gripping is so much easier when your toes are free to move like they are supposed to. Can't wait to climb with these things.

 

[Iscariot]

Understood. I wasn't really planning on going out running with them straight away, and despite my flat-footedness I actually have a fair amount of experience wandering around barefoot. I'm literally a walking OSHA violation around the office most days. I probably need to re-strengthen some bits to get back to peak form, but I'm comfortable with the gait in any case.

Vibram 5-Fingers can actually help build up your lateral longitudinal arch, and if you want some exercises to build your arches up more I can help you with that.

 

[leekohler]

Vibram 5-Fingers can actually help build up your lateral longitudinal arch, and if you want some exercises to build your arches up more I can help you with that.

I forgot to mention that. My arches are sore too.

 

[iOrlando]

not getting into the touchy subject of how we protrude our clothing style to the world in order to attract a mate....


i've heard that it is extremely hard to appear attractive, hot, cool, "insert any other corresponding adjective here" to girls because these shoes make you seem unconnected and lost to the real world or said any way "a nerd".

from what i've heard...

 

[leekohler]

not getting into the touchy subject of how we protrude our clothing style to the world in order to attract a mate....


i've heard that it is extremely hard to appear attractive, hot, cool, "insert any other corresponding adjective here" to girls because these shoes make you seem unconnected and lost to the real world or said any way "a nerd".

from what i've heard...

That's not the reason one wears these shoes. If someone is that shallow and afraid of something different, I don't want to date them anyway.

It's active wear, not everyday wear anyway.

 

[Gelfin]

not getting into the touchy subject of how we protrude our clothing style to the world in order to attract a mate....


i've heard that it is extremely hard to appear attractive, hot, cool, "insert any other corresponding adjective here" to girls because these shoes make you seem unconnected and lost to the real world or said any way "a nerd".

from what i've heard...

At risk of stating the obvious, if you care I'd just recommend not wearing them anyplace where that would be a concern. Pretty sure nobody was suggesting them as formalwear. 'Cept maybe Iscariot, but he could pull it off.

 

[quadG5guy]

Where are the pics?? Seeing them in a stock photo on the manufacturers web site is one thing. But seeing them actually installed on your feet in their natural environment is another thing altogether. Lets see them.

 

[Kenzembo1]

Where are the pics?? Seeing them in a stock photo on the manufacturers web site is one thing. But seeing them actually installed on your feet in their natural environment is another thing altogether. Lets see them.

+1. Would like to see a pair in the "wild" before opening my wallet 😀

 

[leekohler]

Where are the pics?? Seeing them in a stock photo on the manufacturers web site is one thing. But seeing them actually installed on your feet in their natural environment is another thing altogether. Lets see them.

Oh! I'll have to do that when I can. I'm at work now. 😉

 

[leekohler]

Here are some pics I found on line that will give you a better idea of how they look on a person.

 

[Shotglass]

They are machine washable. Oh- and use foot powder, or spray. You'll be fine. 😉

Haha thanks for the advice, but I wasn't planning on using them. Actually walking barefoot fits me much better, so odor is a non-issue.

 

[iLina]

hey...those shoes are freaky...cant imagine myself wearing those!

 

[leekohler]

hey...those shoes are freaky...cant imagine myself wearing those!

Don't knock 'em til ya try 'em. 🙂

 

[Gelfin]

I went out during lunch and picked up a pair. I ended up getting the KSO Treks. Not that I think I need something that rugged generally, but it's what they had in my size, and it turns out I got extraordinarily lucky. These are in serious demand here. There was a 3-4 month waiting list for the regular KSOs, and the girl trying on a pair next to me was complaining that every place in the Bay Area was sold out.

 

[leekohler]

I went out during lunch and picked up a pair. I ended up getting the KSO Treks. Not that I think I need something that rugged generally, but it's what they had in my size, and it turns out I got extraordinarily lucky. These are in serious demand here. There was a 3-4 month waiting list for the regular KSOs, and the girl trying on a pair next to me was complaining that every place in the Bay Area was sold out.

I timed my purchase just right too. The woman at the shoe store told me that they sell out almost as fast as they get them. Then they're out for a few weeks.

Let me know how you like the Treks. I decided on the regular KSOs because I'll be using mine mainly indoors.

Don;t know if you talked to Iscariot about these yet, but make sure you ease into these. Don't go on a five mile run your first day. 😉

 

[leekohler]

Wow, after a week I'm really starting to notice a difference. I can actually feel my feet, ankles and calves getting stronger.

Another thing to watch for at first- make sure you get plenty of potassium. I did get cramps in my arches at the gym this morning.

Still no downside to these things except that my feet hate regular shoes now. Gelfin, let me know what you think about yours.

Sunday is climbing day! Can't wait!

 

[charlesbronsen]

A friend of mine last nite was saying how great these are as well and I'm going to need new shoes for the gym by month end. Might just have to jump ship and give em' a go though I haven't seen them in any stores in Toronto

 

[Gelfin]

Wow, after a week I'm really starting to notice a difference. I can actually feel my feet, ankles and calves getting stronger.

Another thing to watch for at first- make sure you get plenty of potassium. I did get cramps in my arches at the gym this morning.

Still no downside to these things except that my feet hate regular shoes now. Gelfin, let me know what you think about yours.

Sunday is climbing day! Can't wait!

I haven't been able to wear them too much, but I did spend the rest of Wednesday wearing them around the office. Minor muscle adjustments around the ball of the foot, but nothing too painful. Didn't go to the gym last night, but I probably will tonight. So far I like. I may eventually get a pair of regular KSOs for the even thinner sole.

 

[iOrlando]

i still think those shows are hideous looking. If i wanted something to wear around the house so my feet dont get dirty..sure..whatever..but I wouldnt get caught wearing those outdoors. Sure some guys like wearing different things to stand out and get that "cool" factor, but those shoes will not give you any "cool" factor.

and i dont believe that those shoes help/aid in running/exercise etc. Charts and graphs do nothing for me.

If olympians and marathron runners start using them, that will give me all the answers to my questions and from what I see, no one uses these competitively.

anyone wear that in Miami beach, you be laughed out of town and I even wear waterproof shoes so that i can walk on the sand and just go straight into the water, and people give me looks with that.

 

[rdowns]

i still think those shows are hideous looking. If i wanted something to wear around the house so my feet dont get dirty..sure..whatever..but I wouldnt get caught wearing those outdoors. Sure some guys like wearing different things to stand out and get that "cool" factor, but those shoes will not give you any "cool" factor.

and i dont believe that those shoes help/aid in running/exercise etc. Charts and graphs do nothing for me.

If olympians and marathron runners start using them, that will give me all the answers to my questions and from what I see, no one uses these competitively.

anyone wear that in Miami beach, you be laughed out of town and I even wear waterproof shoes so that i can walk on the sand and just go straight into the water, and people give me looks with that.

Cool factor? Laughed out of town? People give me looks? Grow up.

 

[Iscariot]

Please report back how you like them. Like you, I also suffer from flat feet which has led to knee trouble. I would love to have a pair of these for wanderings.

I forgot to mention that. My arches are sore too.

Human arches (are supposed to) develop during infancy and early childhood and are a complex tensegrital relationship between the bones, muscles and tendons of the entire lower leg, and the health of your arches not only impacts your feet and knees but your entire pelvic basin as well. A jammed up tarsal-metatarsal joint for example can shut down your entire glute med, which in turn can jam up your entire thoracic cage and lock your diaphragm. It's entirely possible to facilitate positive change in hip and back issues by working with the feet. That said, while there is strong evidence that a. shoes deteriorate arches and b. barefoot (and barefoot technology) can help strengthen them, the human body evolved at a time where life expectancy didn't go much past 40; shoes may stunt arch development but they might also stunt serious arch deterioration.

So, grain of salt and all.

not getting into the touchy subject of how we protrude our clothing style to the world in order to attract a mate....

At risk of stating the obvious, if you care I'd just recommend not wearing them anyplace where that would be a concern. Pretty sure nobody was suggesting them as formalwear.

There are actually shoes that have some level of barefoot technology that look like traditional shoes. Vivo Barefoot shoes for example come in some very traditional designs.

And yeah, I kinda think iOrlando has a valid point. The fact is good foot health is serious enough that one ought to be able to wear the "healthiest" available shoes for nearly every occasion.

'Cept maybe Iscariot, but he could pull it off.

I actually wear red Nike Frees 5.0s, or black Feiyues (shoes worn by Shaolin Monks). I'm really, really hard on my feet and need the extra protection as I work through some phalangeal and sacroiliac issues, but both of these shoes offer far less protection than traditional runners and are serving as a sort of "intermediate level" as I transition towards the Five Fingers.