Thanks for keeping us up to date on all the news, Knot. It's fascinating.

My massage (not a traditional massage, more of the active release type) and chiro (sports rehab kind of guy) have both been pleased with the progress of my Vibram running. Heel pain is gone. Hips, SI, pelvis, low back, all staying much more stable. Ankles and calves have adapted. Pain in my shins (shin splints, I guess) is far more tolerable than it has been in the past at this volume of running - as in, you can actually touch my shins - and I can massage/stretch it out.

Having been through the adaptation to the minimalist running, though, I don't think it's for everyone. Just like saddles on a bike (and bike fits themselves, for that matter), there's no perfect shoe for everyone. There are definitely foot shapes that the Vibrams wouldn't work very well for (long toes, toes that vary in length from "average toes" too much, very narrow feet might have trouble, not sure about the flat-footed either). Not to mention, concrete... ouch. I am not sure I will be able to run the Seattle Marathon in them, it's so much concrete. On the other hand, I can't imagine running without them anymore.

I got a pair of Bikilas in the mail this week - had to get womens sized ones, they don't make them in mens under a 40 (I need a 39 ). They seem narrower in the forefoot and the heel, but not too narrow. The sole is stiffer than the KSOs and the inside is much softer. The toes have reflective material on them. I haven't ran in them yet, I'm traveling and didn't bring them with me, sticking with what I know for now. I don't know if I have the time to break them in over the next 3 weeks to run a marathon in them, but we'll see. I really hope I can run in them barefoot without getting the painful marks on my arches. They are also white, which should be better in the sun.