Vibram Fivefingers

Doctor_Socks

Does anybody here have any experience with vibrams fivefingers? I'm thinking of buying a pair of them after recommendations from a friend who has fallin in love with his pair. I'd be using them mainly for long walks, rock climbing and in the gym doing the usual compound lifts (squat, deadlift etc..)

My main reason for them is due to the fact that i've read a lot of research on the area of running in the last few months, and how modern cushioned runners can cause knee and ankle injuries while running due to heel impact.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/produtcs.aspx There's the link if anyone is interested

R P McMurphy

I bought a pair about a year and a half ago, worn once or twice as everyone laughing at them because they do look like gorillas' feet. If you are willing to put up with the slagging then work away. They do look worse in real life then they do in print though

d'Oracle

Doctor_Socks wrote: »

Does anybody here have any experience with vibrams fivefingers? I'm thinking of buying a pair of them after recommendations from a friend who has fallin in love with his pair. I'd be using them mainly for long walks, rock climbing and in the gym doing the usual compound lifts (squat, deadlift etc..)

My main reason for them is due to the fact that i've read a lot of research on the area of running in the last few months, and how modern cushioned runners can cause knee and ankle injuries while running due to heel impact.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/produtcs.aspx There's the link if anyone is interested

I have a pair and I like wearing them a lot.

I have never squatted in them, some people like them for that.
I have deadlifted in them, I prefer socks but if I was lifting with my feet on a smooth surface I would probably use them.

I have run in them but never kept it up cos 1) Ferocious DOMS in the calves.
2) I'm not actually that fond of running.

I would recommend you read some stuff from the other side of the barefoot vs runners arguement first.

They do look odd, but **** other people. Seriously.

flywheel

Doctor_Socks wrote: »

Does anybody here have any experience with vibrams fivefingers? I'm thinking of buying a pair of them after recommendations from a friend who has fallin in love with his pair. I'd be using them mainly for long walks, rock climbing and in the gym doing the usual compound lifts (squat, deadlift etc..)

http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/produtcs.aspx There's the link if anyone is interested

yeah been wearing them about a year now - i've the Bikila - use them in the gym when lifting and using suspension training (TRX) - only comments i've had are people asking how i find them and where i got them

if you doing long sessions you will want to break into them slowly - your foot strike changes (so especially important for long walks or runs - you will need to give yourself time to adapt)

if you are interested check out the Barefoot Running Clinic where you can try out a demo pair, you need to book online (free to book - info and link below). otherwise contact them and they can help you out with suggestion for the version most suited for your needs:

Barefoot Running Clinic 4th July
* Date: 4th July 2011
* Where: Alsaa Dublin Airport www.alsaa.ie
* Time: 7pm
* Format: Introduction to Barefoot Running highlighting the benefits followed by light run on track focusing on form and technique.

http://www.barefoot.ie/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=27&products_id=125

The Davestator

Good footwear but just too silly to be seen in. The sooner the better the marketing geniuses come up with a way of keeping functionality but reducing the crapness of the look. I'll be first in line if that happens

Jarren

The Davestator wrote: »

Good footwear but just too silly to be seen in. The sooner the better the marketing geniuses come up with a way of keeping functionality but reducing the crapness of the look. I'll be first in line if that happens

How about an alternative then?

http://help-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4167/~/what-is-nike-free%3F-learn-about-nike-free-shoes-%26amp%3B-technology.

flywheel

jarecki1976 wrote: »

How about an alternative then?

http://help-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4167/~/what-is-nike-free%3F-learn-about-nike-free-shoes-%26amp%3B-technology.

have nike free's too - but totally different feel to wearing the vibrams (which give way more feedback)

Inspector Coptoor

I have a pair of KSO's.
Find them great for walking, deadlifting and general gym work. dont like squatting in them though, prefer olympic shoes for that.

I think they are worth it, and if a pair of blue camo ones dont tickle your fancy and you wanna keep them low key, just get the black ones

Red Cortina

I've a pair too and love them:)

Wollwead

Liam Henners257 wrote: »

I have a pair of KSO's.
Find them great for walking, deadlifting and general gym work. dont like squatting in them though, prefer olympic shoes for that.

I think they are worth it, and if a pair of blue camo ones dont tickle your fancy and you wanna keep them low key, just get the black ones

Giving serious thought to these badboyz: http://www.barefoot.ie/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=15

Have been thinking about purchasing VFFs for about a year or so now as that's when I first heard about them! I take it the KSOs would be ideal for pretty much a combo of training (squats, deads, sprints, oly lifting, 5k/10k running? They're not really too expensive either when you consider how much you can pay for a specific pair of asics running shoes. I find myself then having to remove said running shoes and go barefoot at the gym when performing the above movements.

paky

i tried these on in a shoeshop and found them very hard to get on. that reason alone is why i wouldnt buy them.
a guy ran passed me one day wearing them and they made an awful clapping sound off the road.
i must say his running posture did look quite different though.
check youtube for guys training in them

Colm_OReilly

I've had vibrams for about 2 years now.

KSOs are great for general use, not a fan for running/workouts

Bikilas feel the most like runners, wasn't originally a fan of them but they grew on me quiet a lot. Can go for long runs in them without much adjustment.

Sprints are my fave for metcons or any lifting. The tightest/most secure fit I find.

Wollwead

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

I've had vibrams for about 2 years now.

KSOs are great for general use, not a fan for running/workouts

Bikilas feel the most like runners, wasn't originally a fan of them but they grew on me quiet a lot. Can go for long runs in them without much adjustment.

Sprints are my fave for metcons or any lifting. The tightest/most secure fit I find.

Colm, it sounds like you have a fair few pairs! Where do you purchase, online?

The reason I ask is because the various stockists i've visited like 53 degrees North don't exactly have an extensive range of options. They usually just have KSOs as they tend to be the most popular. It's proving pretty hard to get the Bikilas or the Komodosports as well.

Inspector Coptoor

I've only had a pair of KSOs.
I find them good in general and even at 105 euro, I have found them to Br good value.

I'd agree with Colm about them when it cones to running.
I wore them on a 5k run a while ago and the doms in my calves were sick - never again!

I'd never deadlift without them now though.

paky

Liam Henners257 wrote: »

I've only had a pair of KSOs.
I find them good in general and even at 105 euro, I have found them to Br good value.

I'd agree with Colm about them when it cones to running.
I wore them on a 5k run a while ago and the doms in my calves were sick - never again!

I'd never deadlift without them now though.

is it not just a matter of building the muscle in your calves? i heard it can take up to 2 weeks of running in doing that

Jarren

Hi Folks

Is there any place in Dublin I could get them from?

Any Info much appreciated

Wollwead

OK folks, just to let any potential buyers know that i've been doing extensive reasearch on the Vibram footwear over the last few days and it would seem that the bikilas aren't the way to go as a LOT of people are reporting major flaws with the souls of the shoe. Apparently quite often the glue loosens it's grip and the souls start to peel away or the little wear and tear holes start to appear in the soul of the shoe. These complaints about this model of Vibrams are incredibly frequent, so I wouldn't advise for anyone to purchase these!

For what I want (sprints/5k running/metcons/lifting heavy sh!t through compound lifts/olympic movements etc) i'm caught between the Komodo Sports or KSOs. From reports the Komodos sound a bit more durable.

Anyway just a heads up on anyone looking at the bikilas, do your research on them.

Wollwead

jarecki1976 wrote: »

Hi Folks

Is there any place in Dublin I could get them from?

Any Info much appreciated

http://www.barefoot.ie/page.asp?id=130#Dublin

Jarren

Wollwead wrote: »

http://www.barefoot.ie/page.asp?id=130#Dublin

Thanks!!!:)

Google is my friend after all

MartMax

Got my KSO and Sprint from barefoot.ie last year. Sprint is my favourite wear especially in the summer, running, walking and training. Easier to put on and tucked in solid. As for the look, most of my girlfriends hate it.

Zamboni

Over-rated.
€80-€120 for super sweaty feet?
No thanks.
Hit the beach or a non glass infested field barefoot instead.

Red Cortina

MartMax wrote: »

Got my KSO and Sprint from barefoot.ie last year. Sprint is my favourite wear especially in the summer, running, walking and training. Easier to put on and tucked in solid. As for the look, most of my girlfriends hate it.

Eh....so how many girlfriends do you actually have???

cmyk

Doctor_Socks wrote: »

Does anybody here have any experience with vibrams fivefingers?

In my experience, they're awkward to put on, look ridiculous and smell after a few uses, but some people seem to love them. I used mine for about 2 months. New Balance minimus is probably the best of them I've tried, better than running shoes for gymwork, there's a definite benefit of the 'barefoot' movement in that sense.

Doctor_Socks wrote: »

My main reason for them is due to the fact that i've read a lot of research on the area of running in the last few months, and how modern cushioned runners can cause knee and ankle injuries while running due to heel impact.

You can correct your stride in other shoes too though. The distances I run are small and few though, if you want some proper feedback from that sense try posting in the athletics/running forum maybe? Or do a search I'm sure its been discussed.

d'Oracle

jarecki1976 wrote: »

Hi Folks

Is there any place in Dublin I could get them from?

Any Info much appreciated

Happy foot co on Liffey street.
Also has an assortment of other minimalist shoes.

flywheel

jarecki1976 wrote: »

Hi Folks

Is there any place in Dublin I could get them from?

Any Info much appreciated

yeah, i ordered mine from Siobhan O'Reilly and have a new pair of the Komodos waiting for me to pick up

086 857 9938
http://paradigmhealth.ie/contact.htm

flywheel

Wollwead wrote: »

Anyway just a heads up on anyone looking at the bikilas, do your research on them.

have a pair of Bikilas for 9 months and they're still working grand. been through the wash a few times too... suppose it depends on how much you wear them but i'd have put them through a fair bit of use and they've held up well, just to drop some specific feedback

flywheel

Zamboni wrote: »

super sweaty feet?

find them much more 'airy' than having my feet encased in socks in a pair of closed trainers... they're also way easier to wash and have lasted longer then my trainers usually do

flywheel

Doctor_Socks wrote: »

Does anybody here have any experience with vibrams fivefingers?

was at the barefoot.ie running clinic (great info and technique tips, i'm now floating in my fivefingers and the calves are happy out!) in ALSAA tonight and they mentioned this book was now available for free in PDF format if you wanted to check it out:

The Barefoot Running Book eBook Giveaway!
http://robillardadventures.com/2011/06/14/the-barefoot-running-book-ebook-giveaway/

Long Time Reader

sorry - for butting in here. but does anyone know where to but size 12 five fingers in dublin or online. there seem to be like gold-dust.....

thx