Barefoot Running

[KnottedYet]

What sorts of injuries are you seeing? I'm fascinated by these shoes, in a "OMG-why-would-someone-buy-those?" sort of way...

Ankle sprains, ankle strains, broken ankles, ankle tendonopathies, and.... a broken arm.

Yes! A broken arm! Z-coil heel caught on an object and patient fell.

Z-coil and MBT are very unstable shoes, among other shortcomings (don't get me started) so they can absolutely freak out the lower leg. What drives me nuts are the little old ladies on limited income who got sucked in by unscrupulous salesmen and blew $200-$300 on shoes that they end up hating and which hurt them. I've had more than one tell me the shoes are a disaster but they continue to wear them because they cost so much. They want to get their money's worth. Breaks my heart.

[Serendipity]

Well, I'm officially a convert to barefoot running.

Okay, not exactly barefoot, but close enough. I had ordered the VFF KSO's - when they came in, they were a perfect fit! Just about gave up trying to get them on the first time, but then I read the instructions and figured out how to put them on properly.

I've been gradually building up time & distance - my calves sure can feel the difference. Could hardly move the day afer the first couple of times out and that was after only 10 minutes or so of running in them. Please tell that will ease up as my muscles adapt......???

Rather intriguing how natural it feels to land on the ball of my foot. In fact, it doesn't really feel as if my heel touches the ground. Even find that I am landing more on the ball when wearing my running shoes. Not sure if I will ever get to true barefoot running; seems to be too many sharp rocks and broken glass where I run. But, we'll see.

Got quite a chuckle when I looked back at my footprints the last couple of runs. It was a bit mucky in the area even though it was barely above freezing. But there they were, clear barefoot prints!!!! Can only imagine what someone seeing those footprints thought.

[tulip]

So if someone were to want to start running, and someone had some very old (and worn down) running shoes in need of replacement, would it be advisable for that someone to start of from scratch barefoot, or try VFF, or get some new regular running shoes?

I would like to do some running--not marathons, but 5ks and perhaps a 10k now and then. 3 times a week, nothing too ambitious. I can run in the grass at several nearby parks. All this talk of being barefoot sounds kindof fun and the right thing to do. I only worry about stepping in yuck.

I don't have any issues with my feet or knees. I do have a history of SI issues but that's been under control for a while now with Pilates and yoga. I no longer do chiro ($$$) but I really don't feel I need it now.

Thoughts from the experts and the experienced?

[KnottedYet]

I'd get a $15 pair of aquasox at Target, and give minimal footwear a try.

If you decide it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, you can go spend the $95 on VFF, or Newtons, or Asics Tigers. If you decide you'd like to segue into actual barefoot running, voila, you have emergency shoes for yucky situations. If you hate it and decide your particular body mechanics work best with running shoes, well you've only wasted $15 (and they are still fine for the beach).

[tulip]

What a great idea! Thanks so much, Knott. That's just what I will do.

[Jolt]

I've been gradually building up time & distance - my calves sure can feel the difference. Could hardly move the day afer the first couple of times out and that was after only 10 minutes or so of running in them. Please tell that will ease up as my muscles adapt......???

Totally normal! I can remember my calves being very sore for about the first week. Your muscles are working differently than they are used to.

[colby]

Well, I'm officially a convert to barefoot running.

Okay, not exactly barefoot, but close enough. I had ordered the VFF KSO's - when they came in, they were a perfect fit! Just about gave up trying to get them on the first time, but then I read the instructions and figured out how to put them on properly.

I've been gradually building up time & distance - my calves sure can feel the difference. Could hardly move the day afer the first couple of times out and that was after only 10 minutes or so of running in them. Please tell that will ease up as my muscles adapt......???

Rather intriguing how natural it feels to land on the ball of my foot. In fact, it doesn't really feel as if my heel touches the ground. Even find that I am landing more on the ball when wearing my running shoes. Not sure if I will ever get to true barefoot running; seems to be too many sharp rocks and broken glass where I run. But, we'll see.

Got quite a chuckle when I looked back at my footprints the last couple of runs. It was a bit mucky in the area even though it was barely above freezing. But there they were, clear barefoot prints!!!! Can only imagine what someone seeing those footprints thought.

Yes, your muscles will adapt. Don't add time/distance too quickly, though. Listen to those muscles. After the calves for me came the glutes and adductors (not nearly as sad as the calves). Not bad muscles to be working on.

And, your footprints never get old. My husband bought a pair of the leather KSO Treks when we were in Boston and he could try them on, now he is amused by his AND my footprints.

[Serendipity]

Yes, your muscles will adapt. Don't add time/distance too quickly, though. Listen to those muscles. After the calves for me came the glutes and adductors (not nearly as sad as the calves). Not bad muscles to be working on.

And, your footprints never get old. My husband bought a pair of the leather KSO Treks when we were in Boston and he could try them on, now he is amused by his AND my footprints.

That would be funny to see two sets of footprints...

I also find that I am noticing other runners' footprints as well. For example, on a run a couple of days ago, there were a set of prints with a very obvious heel imprint - my first thought, a 'heel striker' - bet they don't know about VFFs! Beware the convert!

Thanks, for the reminder about adding time/distance. I've been careful so far and do find that my calves aren't screaming as loudly!

Looking for some ideas from everyone about transitioning and training for a half-marathon at the end of September. I would normally build up mileage over the summer to prepare for that event but not sure how to combine that with transitioning to longer distances with the VFFs. Trying also to figure out if I should train with the idea of running the half in the VFFs or in the Sauconys that I usually wear. Don't want to end up not being able to run the distance in either..

[nscrbug]

I ordered a pair of VFF's from REI a few weeks ago, and they finally arrived at my local store. I went to pick them up over the weekend, but I'm so bummed because I had to immediately return them. I ordered the women's Sprint model, in a size 42...which is the largest size they come in, for women. I tried them on right in the store, and sadly my big toe felt like it was "curling upwards"...I'm guessing this means they were too small. The guys working the shoe department there, weren't much help...they seemed pretty clueless. They felt okay everywhere else, except for that big toe. So I went right to the return desk to get my refund.

According to the VFF sizing chart, the women's KSO model seems to be a tad bit more generous in sizing, so I will try those next. If those don't fit, I guess my only option would be to go into a men's size. Do any ladies here wear a men's VFF? Does the fit differ much from the women's version?

Linda

[OakLeaf]

I agree that the KSOs I tried on were bigger than the Sprints in the same size. Not sure specifically about the big toe, though, and can't help you with the men's.

[katluvr]

So I am bummed! I have a very small foot--size 4 in womens, where size 6 - 6.5 in running shoes. So VFF's appear to come in a size small enough to work (maybe)...BUT no one carries the smallest size.

Guess I'll have to look into other options!

[Blueberry]

So I am bummed! I have a very small foot--size 4 in womens, where size 6 - 6.5 in running shoes. So VFF's appear to come in a size small enough to work (maybe)...BUT no one carries the smallest size.

Guess I'll have to look into other options!

Try KayakShed.com - looks like they carry down to a 34 in some styles (but are currently out of stock). I've never ordered from them, but have heard good things about them.

[TsPoet]

According to the VFF sizing chart, the women's KSO model seems to be a tad bit more generous in sizing, so I will try those next. If those don't fit, I guess my only option would be to go into a men's size. Do any ladies here wear a men's VFF? Does the fit differ much from the women's version?

Linda

My size 40 mens Treks fit me much much better than my size 42 women's KSO. The KSO feel wider (that's right, wider) in the toe box area, and my pinky toe falls out while my big toe is jammed in. The men's treks, on the other hand, the toes fit better and the pinky toe doesn't fall out.
Lots of men wear women's KSOs - they are thought of as being 1/2 size off from each other, so many men that are between sizes just go over to women's.
Try a 41 Trek.
And/or wait a few weeks/months - women's Treks are coming out at the end of this month. A coconut cloth trek is expected the end of the summer. And men/women's running specific version is coming out in a few weeks, too.

[colby]

Try KayakShed.com - looks like they carry down to a 34 in some styles (but are currently out of stock). I've never ordered from them, but have heard good things about them.

Ordered my sprints from KayakShed - no problems - they were the only place that had ANYTHING in my size.

Really looking forward to the expanded sizes on the Treks!

[Selkie]

I admit that I initially was a skeptic about VFFs, but I went ahead and got a pair. Both of my feet are "pre-bunion," unfortunately. Also, my baby toes face out more than up.

Since I've been wearing my VFFs, I've had absolutely no pain in my right bunion area (ball of foot), which is something I experienced when wearing sneakers. In addition, the corn on my right foot is going away. Who knew? No issues with the baby toes, either.

I have a heavy tread and have been a heel striker, so I've had to adjust. Not a big deal and probably a positive for my foot health. I'm a convert and have to admit that I now own more than one pair of VFFs!!! They are comfortable. I just wish I could wear them to work...