Barefoot Running

[sarahspins]

I am not a runner but I wanted to add my 2¢ in here about the VFF Bikilas.. I finally got a pair, and I originally thought these would be neat due to the extra tread.. and offer a little more protection from the crazy hot pavement we get here in TX, except that they don't even come *close* to fitting me - I can't even get them on my feet I can just barely get my KSO's on (I eventually cut a slit in the top so I could get them on easier - it doesn't seem to effect the performance of those), so I knew to order a size up (my KSO's are a size smaller than my classics) and even with that, there's just no way I can get my feet in these... there's no stretch in the material, and I'm not willing to cut a brand new pair of VFF's for the sake of "maybe" being able to put them on, so I'm sending them back

Very disappointing.. my classics in 39 are on the verge of being too big, so trying a 40 is really out of the question - they'd be much too big and I'm not convinced it would really give any more space in the instep area.

[KnottedYet]

Sarahspins, can you just run or walk barefoot on grass?

After all, that's what "barefoot running" is all about.
I prefer to run on grass and dirt barefoot, and in Chaco Z1 or Z2 sandals on asphalt.

(and I would never consider running in my sandals "barefoot" running. That's shod running.)

VFF just don't fit me, and I tried them a few years ago and do realize there are more models now. But I've run barefoot my whole life and don't really have a desire to wear VFF anyway.

[jessmarimba]

Sarahspins, slightly off-topic, but how did you even get a pair of Bikilas without trying them on? Not being snotty, I just want some and supposedly they aren't available online.

[colby]

Sarahspins, slightly off-topic, but how did you even get a pair of Bikilas without trying them on? Not being snotty, I just want some and supposedly they aren't available online.

I bought mine on zbsports.com back when a big lot of them came in. Kayak shed, zbsports, and city sports are the 3 reliable places I've bought stuff that do carry Vibrams. (REI too but I don't think they have Bikilas)

The way I understand it is that a store can only carry them online if they carry them in a physical storefront too.

[TsPoet]

Sarahspins, slightly off-topic, but how did you even get a pair of Bikilas without trying them on? Not being snotty, I just want some and supposedly they aren't available online.

Got mine from City Sports. They are the hardest to put on of all of the styles that I have (Treks, KSO, Sprints, Bikilas).

[tulip]

I tried on a pair of KSOs while my mother and I were at a local outdoor shop in the NC mountains. She was buying Keens. I decided I'd try the KSOs for kicks. I did not like them at all. I'm sticking with my bare naked feet.

[MrsOski]

Have to add my .02. Have been run/walking in VFF KSOs for about 6 weeks now. I'm up to 3 miles, slow. No knee, shin, ankle, or joint pain of any kind. The only problem I had was hot spots on the balls of my feet and on my big toe. This past weekend, I bought Bikilas and Injinji socks. Problem solved. I never ever thought I would be able to run. Now, it's just a matter of bringing my cardio up. I love love love my fivefingers.

[TsPoet]

Have to add my .02. Have been run/walking in VFF KSOs for about 6 weeks now. I'm up to 3 miles, slow. No knee, shin, ankle, or joint pain of any kind. The only problem I had was hot spots on the balls of my feet and on my big toe. This past weekend, I bought Bikilas and Injinji socks. Problem solved. I never ever thought I would be able to run. Now, it's just a matter of bringing my cardio up. I love love love my fivefingers.

Wow, this post looks like I created a new user name and posted my experience.
+1 on everything you said! That includes the experiences and the distance and speed.
(BTW - I also found that aloe gel right after a run on the balls of the feet and big toes did the trick and hot spots eventually went away).