Barefoot Running

[Veronica]

You could still go do the swim portion of the training tri. Enjoy the hiking!

Veronica

[NbyNW]

I just got the VFF Performa Janes. I'm thinking to use them just as an indoor shoe, but I'm also going to try them for Pilates. I like to do Pilates barefoot, but some studios require socks, which can slip, so I'm thinking these might also be a good sock substitute.

Question about fit, for those of you who have experience with other models of VFF: how snug should these be? I usually wear a 6~1/2 and I ordered these in 37. I can slip my pinky finger in behind the heel of these when I have them on, but the toes seem about the right length. I don't think I'm flopping around in these, but I'm tempted to go down a size. Any thoughts?

Other than wondering about whether I've selected the right size, I really like these shoes. The material is excellent quality -- soft and pliable -- and well-crafted. I'll write more when I've spent more time in them!

[GLC1968]

NbyNW - I think you might want to go down a size only because those are leather and they'll probably stretch out a bit. Even my sprints have stretched slightly.

Though, too small VFF's would be miserable, so it's really hard to say!

I really want a pair of KSO Trek's to wear hiking. I've decided that I really, really don't like hiking boots!

[jessmarimba]

Hey, KnottedYet?

So would you say it's a posture issue or a structural issue for someone who is knock-kneed and slightly pigeon-toed while running, but still overpronates enough that I keep being assigned stability plus shoes with custom orthotics? I can look in the mirror and see that my ankles collapse inwards while standing still - though my normal stance is feet straight ahead or slightly turned in. One is worse than the other, but I think one leg might be longer b/c my hips are uneven and I have some scoliosis.

I switched to a much lighter shoe,pared down the orthotics, and switched to a mid-foot strike a few months ago, and it eliminated all ITBS issues that crippled me during my last marathon. But I'm thinking of starting with VFFs when I'm allowed to run again since I'll be completely starting over. I'll also be doing crazy amounts of core work to make up for wearing the brace. Do you think I'm asking for trouble?

[KnottedYet]

Jessmarimba, I'd really have to see you to be able to give you a good answer.

My bet is that it's postural; weak or lazy core, especially hip stabilizers and hip external rotators. Kinda sounds like they are just strong enough to get by when standing or walking, but under the greater stability challenge of running they go AWOL. Meanwhile your feet amight trying to compensate by going pigeon-toed, trying to get the ankle where it belongs as you run.

Ask whoever you're working with to help you correct your standing leg posture in front of a mirror. Then practice, practice, practice at home. No impact, and good for you!

[NbyNW]

NbyNW - I think you might want to go down a size only because those are leather and they'll probably stretch out a bit. Even my sprints have stretched slightly.

Though, too small VFF's would be miserable, so it's really hard to say!

I've decided to keep the 37s. Too much trouble to do a return and be home for the delivery (gotta pay the customs agent!) That, and it just may have been a chilly afternoon the first time I tried them on. Maybe next time I'll order two sizes and then sell off the one I don't want to keep. As it is, I don't have a ton of extra material flapping about, so I think these will do.

I've done a little walking around in them -- light housework, etc. As I moved around the fit improved, almost like a second skin but never snug. Today I did a Pilates workout with them. I LOVE how grippy the soles are!

I think I'll really enjoy these as an indoor shoe, something to alternate with the Birkenstocks I usually wear around the house. Gotta be able to walk barefoot before I can run barefoot!

[jessmarimba]

Thanks Knot - can't do any sort of work yet, but it's something to keep in mind. I've always had weak hip flexors so that makes sense. Weak ankles, too, but if the inside of the shoe won't support them maybe they'll strengthen on their own.

I'll just keep walking. At least this brace forces me to have good posture

I'm doing the walking with the VFFs, too, as it makes me pay more attention to my feet. I'm less likely to trip and fall (and hurt myself) wearing them.

[Susan]

I came across this thread last week and read "Born to run" because of it. I always liked being barefoot and was walking barefoot or in Flip Flops all summer since I was a child. Other shoes have always hurt my feet (I hate winter!). I did however never (as a grown-up) try to run barefoot, because I was listening to all those advices about how you need thick cushioned running shoes for overpronation or supination or whatever because otherwise you would hurt knees and ankles and how unreasonable it would be to not use such shoes.

Yesterday it was raining all afternoon and I decided to go for a barefoot walk. Nobody was out there except me and thinking about the book and this thread after some minutes I just had to try to run. I thought I would give it a try for a few steps and just see how it would feel. I was prepared that it would maybe hurt and I wouldn't know the right technique and would have to stop very soon.

I couldn't stop. I'm not a good runner at all, but I ran my whole walking lap thats quite steep in some parts and about 5 miles long. The road was so warm from the hot days last week and so clean because of the rain and the cool water felt so good and it didn't hurt at all. Going uphills wasn't exhausting.

It sounds stupid but it felt so right and was so joyful that I kept telling myself that running for so long isn't recommended at all for the first barefoot-running-experiences but would have been "sad" about having to stop. It actually felt better than walking. Normally I run my lap (a flat 5 k, in shoes) thinking about how long it will take me until it's over because my knees and my toes and my shins start to hurt and I have a hard time hitting 5k. It was so much easier without shoes, which was the last thing that I would have expected.
Yesterday I would have wished that the road would go on and on and on.

I thought I'd have to share - in the end it's your fault that I gave it a try I'm looking forward to my next barefoot-run and will try to stop myself earlier this time.

[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.