Vibram Five Fingers: Funky shoes!

[itself]

Anyone wearing these? The gals who have reviewed them on REI swear by them, and even say they are strengthening their calves and gluts!

Lisa

[nscrbug]

There are several threads started about them and barefoot running, under the Running/Walking section. I tried a pair of women's Sprints on, but they were too small (they were the largest size). But I may try the women's Bikila (sizing is supposed to be a bit more generous...like the KSO's) when it eventually becomes more widely available.

[Tri Girl]

LOVE mine!! But... I just had to send them back to be repaired. The seam came apart on the big toe. They are less than 3 months old. I hope I get them back soon- my other shoes are all *killing* my feet.

[colby]

LOVE mine!! But... I just had to send them back to be repaired. The seam came apart on the big toe. They are less than 3 months old. I hope I get them back soon- my other shoes are all *killing* my feet.

My husband is having the same problem on his Treks - how was their service?

[colby]

I run in mine exclusively now, have for a couple of months, up to 18 miles at once and about 30-40 total miles a week. I have KSOs. I can't run in them barefoot (ironically) and have to wear socks because the seams in the shoes rub on my (admittedly wide) feet in my arch. I'm really keen to try the Bikila - one review I saw said they really fixed the interior of the shoe to more like a soft lining with no seams.

I have another pair of Sprints that I wear for general use, and will probably use for short triathlons (easier to put on). I kind of wish I'd have got the classics, I think they'd be easier in general and not rub the top of my foot barefoot. Oh well, live and learn. Somehow I have a feeling I'll end up with a collection to rival my Keens.

If you consider them, to make the transition easy, you should strengthen your calves and ankles first. The first few times you use them for any length of time (other than "sitting around in them because I feel like I'm cheating and really have bare feet") the backs of your calves will hurt. There have been a couple of articles that recommend standing on one foot for 30 seconds, make sure your big toe and mid-foot don't leave the ground, and then with your eyes closed for 30 seconds. If you can't do that on each foot, build up to it, then several times a day.

I definitely felt a difference in my glutes, the inside of my thighs, and my calves (among other things). Now for me it's no more shin splints, no more hip pain, and a happier body in general.

[Selkie]

I was a skeptic but after trying them, I love them. Haven't had bunion pain since I started wearing them, which was a surprise. I just wish I could wear them to work!

By the way, I washed my blue ones and they are like new.

[Bike Chick]

I'm thinking of trying a pair but was unsure of which ones to get. They are a little pricey and don't want to make a mistake. Which ones would you ladies recommend someone should start out with? Do they run true to size?

I will check out the other threads as well.

[Serendipity]

Have a pair of the KSOs and love them!
I'm still building up time with them - I run in them about hafl the distance & then switch to my regular running shoes. Also wear them when I am just working outside in the yard.
The KSOs can be a bit of a challenge to put on. Don't know if the Sprints or Classics are easier. Have been looking at the Performa - I love the look but the price, not so much!!
Something else I found interesting. Over the winter & spring I have been wearing Saucony Razor shoes for running. They had become my new favourity shoes. A few months back I realized that they have a Vibram outsole! Hmmm - could that be why they feel so comfortable?

[colby]

I'm thinking of trying a pair but was unsure of which ones to get. They are a little pricey and don't want to make a mistake. Which ones would you ladies recommend someone should start out with? Do they run true to size?

I will check out the other threads as well.

The sizing is based on the length of your foot (based on the length from heel to longest toe). If you are between sizes, generally size up. There's some good advice on Birthday Shoes: http://birthdayshoes.com/resources/ (check out the beginner's guide). The size chart on the KSOs is different than the other styles, I think. There are some styles of toes/feet that don't fit into them very well - very long second toe, very long toes in general, etc.

The Classics and Sprints are easier to get on than the ones with anything covering the top of your foot (like the KSOs). The sprints are kind of like a ballet slipper mary jane type thing (strap across the top), and the classics are just a ballet slipper (well, with rubber bottoms and toes ). A lot of runners prefer the KSOs because, true to their name, they keep stuff out better than the classic/sprints. The performa is basically an indoor-only shoe (you could probably wear it outside, but not for any serious activity).

For everyday wear and general walking, the classics/sprints aren't a bad choice (and are the cheaper option). I really like the KSO Treks, which are suede, but they don't come in smaller or womens sizes. They are more "shoe-y" and people don't really notice your toes.

For running, the KSOs seem to be the standard, or the new Bikila which just came out and is extremely hard to find still.

[Tri Girl]

My husband is having the same problem on his Treks - how was their service?

I don't know yet. I brought them back to my retailer where I bought them and they are sending them back for me. They said it would probably be a couple months at least since demand is so much higher than supply.
The store said they might fix them, but will most likely send me a voucher for a new pair.
I'm disappointed that they didn't last very long without falling apart, but I do love them so I'll buy more.

[Bike Chick]

Thanks, Colby. I remember Oak having issues with them because of her long second toe. I may have the same problem but I would still like to give them a try.

[colby]

Thanks, Colby. I remember Oak having issues with them because of her long second toe. I may have the same problem but I would still like to give them a try.

My second toe is longer than the first, but not by much at all compared to what I've seen. There's also a "mod" on birthday shoes to extend the length of the second toe, but of course then you void your warranty.

If you have the opportunity to try them on in a store, that'd be your first best bet. Vibram has a list of places that sell them - but for those of us not blessed to live in/near a big city, they are hard to find, especially in varying styles and sizes. When I saw the display at City Sports on Boylston in Boston my jaw dropped (every model, every color, almost every size depending on color), but the REI in Seattle has only a couple of them, and nobody anywhere near here has them in-store.

If not, something like REI's ship-to-store allows you to ship them to an REI store for free, then try them on and decide in-store, with the option to return them or exchange them when you pick them up.

Last but not least, you can find deals on them occasionally online, and since they are in such high demand I think you'd have no problem returning them. I bought one pair at Kayak Shed, another at zbsports.com. They were the only places that had my size - and zbsports was a sale of something like $10 off.

I'd love to try the Bikilas on in person to compare the 2 sizes that I'm wearing (I have a 38 in the Sprints but a 39 in the KSOs), but I don't think it'll happen. I'll probably take a risk if they come in stock before Ironman and try them in the larger size. I just read another review that said they can still rub in the arch, so they might not be the savior I'd hoped for. My feet just felt so free and temperature moderated without socks on (maybe the fact my KSOs are black doesn't help my feet feel hot).

[twin]

I really like mine I have the Classic and KSO. I really have had some issues with the classics where blisters are concerned but I may not have given myself time to get used to them before I took a 6 mile walk in them. I really think my KSO's are a better fit for me because I have very narrow feet. As time goes on I will be doing different things with them. I am taking them to WY. and plan to use them in the streams and hope to fish in them if they are not to slippery.

[indigoiis]

I have the classics. I ran in them all winter. (with wool sucks which I had cut the toe section off of to fit toes into the toes of the vffs)

I sprained my ankle on valentine's day and had a painful long run the next day, then didn't run for weeks. When the sprain healed, I went back into my Brooks to train for a half that I did in the first week of May.

I miss running in the VFFs, but am a little spooked by the sprain - going to start back in them slowly.

[Flybye]

I just picked up some KSO's Saturday and had the opportunity to walk 3 miles last night.

I FREAKING LOVVVEEEEE THEM!!!!!!!!!!

I ran a little - possibly 3 minutes if you add all of the short tries together. I heard "start slow" and so that is what the long walk and short runs were. My feet are fine today - must have done it right. I did a dirt/pebble trail and loved the way that I could feel the dips in the earth under my feet - I am in LOVE!!!

PS - I was between sizes and went smaller and have no regrets. The clerk didn't know if I should go larger or smaller (newbie) and so I just went with what felt right.