Barefoot Running

[berkeley]

There are some big differences between the VFF Bikila and other running shoes... having worn them now in rotation with my Brooks adrenaline (which are support/control sneakers), I can say that they are significantly lighter, have way more flexibility and there is no difference between the heel-toe drop which makes it a very different foot strike for me.

The Brooks Adrenaline sole is pretty significant, too and the VFFs are way thinner.

In the end, I don't really care what anyone calls VFFs, barefoot running, minimalist running, whatever...I wear them because they're comfortable.

[Grog]

I was in a 10K road race yesterday and I saw a man who did the race barefoot. Not with 5-fingers or Nike Free. Barefoot.

[Trek420]

We saw a guy doing our half-marathon barefoot. He was in the butt-end of the pack, way back with the slow folks like us. He had a t-shirt on advertising a barefoot running site.

[colby]

I saw a dude at the half marathon I did over Memorial Day weekend running barefoot, too. He was toward the middle to the back of the pack. He looked happy, though.

I definitely know several folks have ran the Seattle Marathon barefoot, as at least one or two have passed me every year over the last few years. Brave, considering it's mostly concrete. I will have to decide whether I stick with it this year in ye olde Fivers, the concrete was bad enough with full shoes on.

Have not wore my Bikilas for a run, I decided I was too afraid to introduce something new before Ironman. So, it'll be the KSOs.

[Jones]

Yesterday, I ran the "World Famous Mud Run" and saw 3 people running in VFF's and one lady running barefoot. I briefly spoke to each of them and they loved thier VFF's and the lady running barefoot said it was her second Mud Run barefoot and loves it. I wish I could of weighed my shoes when I took them off because they were so caked with mud, filled with sand and soaking wet that I am sure they weighed several pounds each and I wished I was barefoot.

[katluvr]

They finally arrived. I am sitting here in my new VFFs, the sprint. I got the smallest pair they have and they do fit my tiny feet. I must admit it feels weird to have all my toes surrounded. Actully my toes feel "trapped" (Mind you I prefer flip flops) And I cannot imagine running in these (yet), since they are very thin on bottom. So does anyone run on pavement in sprints? are the KSO's any thicker on bottom? I know I should start on soft surfaces and I will.
Anyway I now have VFFs and we shall see how it goes!
(The smallest size comes in that pinkish/lavender, oh well!)

K

[colby]

They finally arrived. I am sitting here in my new VFFs, the sprint. I got the smallest pair they have and they do fit my tiny feet. I must admit it feels weird to have all my toes surrounded. Actully my toes feel "trapped" (Mind you I prefer flip flops) And I cannot imagine running in these (yet), since they are very thin on bottom. So does anyone run on pavement in sprints? are the KSO's any thicker on bottom? I know I should start on soft surfaces and I will.
Anyway I now have VFFs and we shall see how it goes!
(The smallest size comes in that pinkish/lavender, oh well!)

K

I have ran briefly in my sprints, and will ironically be using them for sprint triathlons this summer. I don't know that the KSOs are that much thicker, maybe by 1mm? They don't feel a whole lot different to me. I run mostly asphalt, some concrete, and then trails at a distant third. Give yourself time to get used to it. I still find it weirder to walk in them than to run.

Some people are definitely weirded out between the toes. Maybe on the days you aren't wearing the five fingers you should try toe socks to adjust to the feeling.