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Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

crunchgear.com

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Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#41

Post by lux »

I bought a pair of their Flow shoes and they really seem to work well. I'm barefoot as much as possible anyway, and these give me as close to that experience as I can have when I'm out and could be faced with a "no shirt, no shoes, no service" scenario.

Unfortunately, I only bought one pair of the toe socks for use with them and going barefoot in them makes for a sweaty experience. So I ordered another 6 pairs of socks so I could use them all the time, but UPS wants $48 for customs into Canada (but mostly for their brokerage fee) which is ludicrous so I refused the shipment. Now I'm waiting to reorder them but this time using the USPS which seemed to work fine the last time when I ordered the shoes themselves.

Once that's sorted out, I'll be wearing these things until it's just too cold to do so up here!

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#42

Post by lux »

lux wrote: post #41

I bought a pair of their Flow shoes and they really seem to work well. I'm barefoot as much as possible anyway, and these give me as close to that experience as I can have when I'm out and could be faced with a "no shirt, no shoes, no service" scenario. Unfortunately, I only bought one pair of the toe socks for use with them and going barefoot in them makes for a sweaty experience. So I ordered another 6 pairs of soc…

The back-story to me buying these was that I developed really bad shin splints a few years back and had to stop running, tennis, basketball, ultimate, or pretty much anything with an impact on my feet/legs. I was able to keep mountain biking and kickboxing, but I wanted to get into running and couldn't.

Doctors and shoe specialists all told me I needed better support. The supports and insoles only ever made it MUCH MUCH worse. I have one flat foot, so that was the focal point of all their recommendations... But the only thing that seemed to help, which was a fluke discovery and not recommended by any "professional", was being barefoot.

In these shoes, I can run around and play any sport I want with zero problems so far.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#43

Post by SystemOut »

csytan wrote: post #36
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…

I agree that these shoes are fantastic for running. The one thing that annoys me about them though, are the independent toes. Sure, they feel a bit more "free" than normal shoes, but on the other hand, they make the shoe tougher to put on, require expensive toe socks, and make it easier to stub toes.

Not exactly an answer to why but the individual toe pockets can also help you if you have a neuroma since they spread out your toes a bit. I know a few folks with a neuroma that swear by these shoes.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#44

Post by lsc »

sh1mmer wrote: post #10

After I'd seen a bunch of people with these who wholly recommended them I kept meaning to buy some. Last week I did. One thing I think is interesting, is that Vibram seem to be getting a lot of grass-roots evangelism but the company itself has done a terrible job of encouraging that. Someone I know who's had Vibram's for way over least a year (to my knowledge) asked them repeatedly if he could sell them somehow, sinc…

it's hard to encourage your customers to become resellers without looking like some shady herbalife-like MLM scam.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#45

Post by lsc »

sh1mmer wrote: post #10

After I'd seen a bunch of people with these who wholly recommended them I kept meaning to buy some. Last week I did. One thing I think is interesting, is that Vibram seem to be getting a lot of grass-roots evangelism but the company itself has done a terrible job of encouraging that. Someone I know who's had Vibram's for way over least a year (to my knowledge) asked them repeatedly if he could sell them somehow, sinc…

Also, vibram is an established brand; I have horribly flat feet and prefer large and heavy boots with industrial-strength arch supports over running flats, but when I go to buy boots, I look for the yellow vibram logo. I don't think I've bought a pair of boots without vibram soles in the last 10 years. The idea is that they don't need to use shady marketing practices; they have a good reputation and innovative products.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#46

Post by rivo »

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…

People keep asking me about my Vibrams, telling me how cool they look. If "socially accepted" means blending in, then of course, you're right. But I've never had a "what a weirdo" reaction. (I live in Berlin, Germany, and there are far weirder looks here.)

I've had mine for about a year now. I just wear them like that, I don't use them to run. I like them a lot.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#47

Post by Torn »

jplewicke wrote: post #29
oconnor0 wrote: post #22

Has anyone had bad longer term experiences with these or other "barefoot" shoes?

My girlfriend had some significant issues with an attempted transition towards Nike Frees. The higher impact on the foot gave her sesamoiditis and a stress fracture near the big toe. If you have a foot structure that's not the norm, it's worth thinking twice about these. Rotating your shoes is one of the best ways to prevent injuries if you're trying to move towards more lightweight shoes. I try to use a combination…

Yeah, my sprints do smell bad quite fast. The fabric loves absorbing sweat.

I'd recommend hand-cleaning them with washing powder in the sink, and really scrubbing the insides of the soles and fabric around the toes.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#48

Post by kareemm »

asmithmd1 wrote: post #23
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…

Blisters, knee and ankle pain, and now surgery inducing injuries. I think I will stick with my over-padded, waffle sole Nikes I guess I am lucky and never have had running injuries, but why are people giving these things such good reviews?

> why are people giving these things such good reviews?

because they're comfortable! try running barefoot in a grassy field vs. running w/ shoes. no contest which feels better.

with the 5 Fingers you get the same barefoot feeling while running on asphalt, concrete, whatever.

i love my five fingers KSOs!

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#49

Post by wizawuza »

le_dominator wrote: post #20
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?

as catch23 said, one big thing is feeling rocks under your feet. Another thing is that for the first bunch of runs, you will feel pain.. this is mostly because your feet aren't used to working out and they will hate you for it. But it does build of foot strength. And I mean it won't turn a fat person skinny.. and it won't make running the most wonderful thing in the world (unless you already enjoy it), but it will make things better, hence the "not a saviour"

I hear you on the "skymall-ish" comment... but trust me it's definitely not some crap like that, it's solid, and I highly suggest everyone at least try them out.

Re: Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic

#50

Post by oconnor0 »

jplewicke wrote: post #29
oconnor0 wrote: post #22

Has anyone had bad longer term experiences with these or other "barefoot" shoes?

My girlfriend had some significant issues with an attempted transition towards Nike Frees. The higher impact on the foot gave her sesamoiditis and a stress fracture near the big toe. If you have a foot structure that's not the norm, it's worth thinking twice about these. Rotating your shoes is one of the best ways to prevent injuries if you're trying to move towards more lightweight shoes. I try to use a combination…

Did the sesamoiditis & stress fracture heal and does she still wear Frees or did she give up on the transition?

Did you have any problems?

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