Vibram FiveFingers

[nceuphoria]

Just curious if any of the BB'ers that engage in regular running have ever tried these shoes out. I run three times a week and my feet are pretty much screaming at me in profanity to replace my running shoes at this point. I've read some good reviews for these in health magazines, and so I'm here to ask if anyone owns a pair/tried it, and what they think about it.

They look something like this
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_KSO_m.cfm

 

[Doc4]

I really like my pair. Running in them is great, but you have to work up to it as they use more/different muscles and you'll really notice it at first in your calves &c.

 

[wade.bryce.jones]

I have two pairs. one classic and one kso. I run in my kso's. eliminated all lower back pain knee pain and ankle pain.

 

[joebob2586]

I have KSOs and I love them...like stated above you need to work your way into them as they will make your feet a little tender at first however after a week or two they feel great and it gets rid of all my knee pain. I highly reccomend them.

 

[Big Kev]

I work with a lot of people that have them. Never heard any thing bad about them. I broke my leg and am still healing from that but I plan on getting a pair when I will be able to use them.

Like said above, start running slow and short distance in them. Different muscles at work.

 

[joebob2586]

You will also learn very fast not to run on your heels

 

[bradyarz]

i just got mine this past weekend, so i'm still very much getting used to them, but i love them. i can run pain free, which is a novelty.

just for the record, i have the KSOs.

 

[nceuphoria]

It's funny because I had planned on getting the KSO's myself , I see that it's probably one of the more popular models out there.
I'll probably have to go try it out at a store though, I'm a bit worried about buying it online since my feet are narrow and it might not fit correctly.

 

[citizensoldierny]

Just spoke with my brother a few days back and he is actually taking a hiatus from running as he overdid it while wearing five fingers and inflamed some tendons/ligaments that haven't been used in years. Keeping in mind he is a marathoner he might actually climb a clock tower somewher or drive his wife off the deep end.
Personally I'll be sticking with my Asics. Though it would be good times to show up at PT or work in a pair of the KSO's . It would definitely be a memorable occasion

 

[bigred90gt]

I'm not sure I could handle having something between my toes. I've been reading about these for a couple of years, and the idea is intriguing, but like i said, stuff between the toes is a big no no for me, so I dont think I could stand to wear them.

That being said, I have never heard anyone say anything negative about them.

 

[Go West Young Man]

I'm not sure I could handle having something between my toes. I've been reading about these for a couple of years, and the idea is intriguing, but like i said, stuff between the toes is a big no no for me, so I dont think I could stand to wear them.

That being said, I have never heard anyone say anything negative about them.

You forget they're even there after a minute or so, they're really comfortable to run in.

 

[joebob2586]

you really get used to the feeling very fast...the KSOs are popular because they straps allow for the most adjustment and they breathe really well.

 

[elsmooth]

I, too, have been thinking about the VFFs. Where can one find them to try on? Is this a pretty common shoe at standard athletic stores, or specialty only?

 

[Go West Young Man]

REI has them, and select running stores as well. They're not really in general circulation yet, but they are starting to show up in more stores these days.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/productsupport/store_locator.cfm

 

[KarthVader]

I really want to get them. I have a beach within a 1/2 hour drive from me and running on the beach with these sounds awesome. Problem is that my feet seem to be length challenged and I'm not sure if I can get a pair in the men's sizes.

I might have to suck it up and get a pair of the women's vff. In neutral black, of course.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Seriously, how awesome are these?
Euro-only Speed model.

 

[wolffie]

I really want to get them. I have a beach within a 1/2 hour drive from me and running on the beach with these sounds awesome. Problem is that my feet seem to be length challenged and I'm not sure if I can get a pair in the men's sizes.

I might have to suck it up and get a pair of the women's vff. In neutral black, of course.

I've had them for about 8 months. I would be wary of running on the beach. If you get sand in these things it will be like rubbing sandpaper all over your toes. I haven't run on a lot of sand, but I would think that it would get into the KSO's pretty easily.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I've been thinking about getting a pair. A good friend of mine who has some pain in her ankle swears by them.

 

[Blaireau&Lame]

I used my KSO's for about a month after I bought them. After my first run, my Achilles tendons hurt so much that climbing stairs was nearly impossible. After two more weeks, my tendons got used to the workout despite years of being atrophied by normal shoes.

I stopped using my KSO's when I learned about true barefoot running at an REI free class. I did some more research on my own and decided to try it, letting my foot skin determine my run lengths. Now, with my toughened foot skin, I can confidently run on pavement and of course grass (it's a treat for your feet!). Next up are gravel and trails...

 

[Doc4]

I've had them for about 8 months. I would be wary of running on the beach. If you get sand in these things it will be like rubbing sandpaper all over your toes. I haven't run on a lot of sand, but I would think that it would get into the KSO's pretty easily.

Of course, "KSO" stands for "keep stuff out" ...