Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic • Hacker News Board

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#11

Post by dallasrpi » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 8:30 PM UTC

anulman wrote: post #4

I own a pair of these, and I can attest to what the author wrote: when you run in Vibrams (I own the KSOs), you can run faster and longer than in anything else. He doesn't mention, though, that your muscles will (initially) hate you for it the day after a run. I'm in my early 20s, and for the couple of days following my first "long" run in my Vibrams, I was walking like I was in my late 60s or 70s. That said, the pai…

Quick Review: The shoes hurt on pavement to start but after logging 25 miles total or so it didn't really bother me anymore. They are great for running in grass and other uneven terrain where you might lose your balance with regular shoes.

I find they hurt when running on gravel(nickel sized rocks hurt!) more than anything so I try to avoid that but it might be something your feet adjust to with more mileage. I started at 2 miles and have worked my way up to 8 at a time. When switching back to the KSO's after doing a run in regular shoes the day before you feel very light on your feet because they weigh so little. The most pain for me is that im getting blisters in a couple of places I havent before but I expect that to not be a problem once my feet adjust accordingly. Also make sure you get socks if you are going to do running..you dont need them for regular use but you will want them for long distance running.

EDIT: The KSO's are probably the shoes you want to get if you want to do longer distance running vs the classic (Based on numerous other reviews I read when trying choosing a model).

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#12

Post by Radix » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 8:39 PM UTC

icey wrote: post #2

Proponents of these shoes love to make the argument that we were made to run without shoes... but they never seem to mention that we weren't made to run on asphalt and pavement either.

They implicitely acknowledge that by buying thin +$50 foot coverings.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#13

Post by gregwebs » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 8:44 PM UTC

icey wrote: post #2

Proponents of these shoes love to make the argument that we were made to run without shoes... but they never seem to mention that we weren't made to run on asphalt and pavement either.

The same logic (shoes don't cushion you, they weaken you) that applies to other surfaces applies to pavement. If you accept that there is no shoe that will make your running healthier on grass, then there is no shoe that will do it for pavement. The only argument would be that we should not run at all on pavement.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#14

Post by wehriam » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 8:48 PM UTC

Performance aside, you'll feel some interesting sensations while wearing them. Surfaces that you cannot walk over barefoot - for example loose gravel - are remarkable experiences.

(I've had a pair of classics for a few weeks now. I like to run in them. Sadly, the appearance is somewhere between gorilla feet and ballet slippers.)

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#15

Post by commiebob » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 9:00 PM UTC

Amazing shoes, however I would recommend buying either the sprint or the KSO if you will be doing any running in them, the addition of a strap across the top of your foot helps a lot with keeping them on well when running.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#16

Post by perdurabo » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 9:06 PM UTC

bretthoerner wrote: post #6

icey wrote: post #2

Proponents of these shoes love to make the argument that we were made to run without shoes... but they never seem to mention that we weren't made to run on asphalt and pavement either.

The Tarahumara tribe runs on rocky terrain, not cushy grass. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-...

They also tie pieces of tire treading to their feet when they run.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#17

Post by silencio » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 9:20 PM UTC

wehriam wrote: post #14

Performance aside, you'll feel some interesting sensations while wearing them. Surfaces that you cannot walk over barefoot - for example loose gravel - are remarkable experiences. (I've had a pair of classics for a few weeks now. I like to run in them. Sadly, the appearance is somewhere between gorilla feet and ballet slippers.)

Agree wholeheartedly - I went jogging up in the santa monica mountains in brentwood (near la) yesterday morning with my fivefingers (sprint), on a trail with lots of loose stones and gravel. The feeling of walking on gravel and stones was incredible, as long as I didn't step on anything sharp directly (but that'd be enough for it to hurt in any shoe). I liked it even more because it's something I enjoy doing barefoot but usually don't because it's harsh on my feet :)

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#18

Post by gcheong » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 9:26 PM UTC

crass wrote: post #7

I completely adore these shoes, which allowed me to take my barefoot running off of the rubber track and onto any surface I desired. Fantastic sensitivity, forced my running technique into shape, and they disturbed anyone who saw them. Unfortunately, they also provide little to no toe protection, so when I smacked my 2nd toe against a wooden ridge, the nifty independent-toe design happily allowed that one toe to hype…

Not sure this would have helped in your case, but it looks like they are coming out with a model more suited for trail running called the KSO Trek: http://barefootted.com/labels/fivefingers.html

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#19

Post by le_dominator » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 10:06 PM UTC

silencio wrote: post #17

wehriam wrote: post #14

Performance aside, you'll feel some interesting sensations while wearing them. Surfaces that you cannot walk over barefoot - for example loose gravel - are remarkable experiences. (I've had a pair of classics for a few weeks now. I like to run in them. Sadly, the appearance is somewhere between gorilla feet and ballet slippers.)

Agree wholeheartedly - I went jogging up in the santa monica mountains in brentwood (near la) yesterday morning with my fivefingers (sprint), on a trail with lots of loose stones and gravel. The feeling of walking on gravel and stones was incredible, as long as I didn't step on anything sharp directly (but that'd be enough for it to hurt in any shoe). I liked it even more because it's something I enjoy doing barefoot…

What's up fellow Angelino! I've been thinking about these things for surfing since there are so many damn rocks everywhere. I don't recall a time whenever I've gone into the ankle snapping, toe jamming continental shelf and felt anything incredible about it (other than on the pain scale) :D, so the more I read, the more interesting these look. How do they hold up against sweat / moisture?

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#20

Post by le_dominator » Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 10:10 PM UTC

wizawuza wrote: post #5

as a 27-year old with incredibly flat & wide feet, relatively good shape (170 lbs at 5'10" and pretty strong), I always had some flab cause I couldn't really run due to my bad knees/feet/ankles. While these shoes aren't saviours, they are easily worth it IMO. First couple of weeks made my ankles and calves hate me, but afterwards I've always felt great.

When you say they aren't saviours, what are the drawbacks you experience? I'm curious to try them since I'm pretty athletic but they seem kind of Skymall-ish, you know? :D I have yet to meet anyone who's actually worn them and had informed criticism. Do you use them all the time now or just here and there?