Vibram Five Fingers (or similar)
Discussion
Does anyone have any experience of these gorilla-feet trainers? Specifically for cross-country type running...
... or any of the range? Or, indeed, of any competing products? Early reviews indicated they were the best thing since sliced bread, more recent reviews are generally more negative. Would be nice to hear from someone with direct experience.
Ta!
... or any of the range? Or, indeed, of any competing products? Early reviews indicated they were the best thing since sliced bread, more recent reviews are generally more negative. Would be nice to hear from someone with direct experience.
Ta!
People that have them tend to go to bed with them and kiss them sweetly good night, from my expperience anyway. The idea behind them is good but if you don't have great mechanics in your legs (hips, knees ankles) you may find they give you problems due to lack of support and cushioning. For example if you over-pronate these would be a bad buy, and you'd be much better off getting a decent pair of supportive running shoes.
My opinion is they're a bit of a fad, they look different so people think they're cool.
I haven't owned a pair myself, just my 2p from doing a dissertation on foot mechanics a few years ago
My opinion is they're a bit of a fad, they look different so people think they're cool.
I haven't owned a pair myself, just my 2p from doing a dissertation on foot mechanics a few years ago
I have two pairs, I use them pretty much solely for squats and deads now.
When I first got them I wore them a lot, including on hols on the beach. I found that I got quite badly blistered and sore feet if walking any kind of distance on tarmac/concrete surfaces. No issues on sand or grass.
When I first got them I wore them a lot, including on hols on the beach. I found that I got quite badly blistered and sore feet if walking any kind of distance on tarmac/concrete surfaces. No issues on sand or grass.
My training partner who is a high level 400m runner bought some to try and solve some of his chronic achilles problems. He uses them to warm up in and for gym sessions. He also does tempo type sessions in nike free's and is having good results in terms of his achilles.
I m starting to move away from a lot of peoples views on automatically going to orthotics or insoles for over pronation issues. In my experience they only shift the problem elsewhere and allow people to continue to run or walk with poor mechanics.
I m starting to move away from a lot of peoples views on automatically going to orthotics or insoles for over pronation issues. In my experience they only shift the problem elsewhere and allow people to continue to run or walk with poor mechanics.
bales said:
I m starting to move away from a lot of peoples views on automatically going to orthotics or insoles for over pronation issues. In my experience they only shift the problem elsewhere and allow people to continue to run or walk with poor mechanics.
You're right, of course. It doesn't fix the problem having support, it just masks it. However, 99% of amatuer runners will not have time/money/patience or even access to good coaching that will improve the problems they have to improve mechanical running technique. So if I pair of shoes reduces the risk of injury I would say it is the best option for a lot of people.They're superb but you need to research how to start running with them. First run keep to below a mile. Even if you run marathons. A mate does 3h20 marathons and couldn't walk for a week after running 4 miles in his. You then build up from there. It really is a different style of running.
The science behind them seems to make a lot of sense. Lots of 'proof' of injury prevention too. This book is the barefoot / forefoot runner's bible - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Born-Run-Hidden-Ultra-Runn...
I know it's from the Daily Mail... but this was interesting and it's an extract from Born To Run. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-11...
I definitely feel better running in them. They just involve different muscles to supported running in trainers (I over-pronate too) so takes some time to build up at first.
The science behind them seems to make a lot of sense. Lots of 'proof' of injury prevention too. This book is the barefoot / forefoot runner's bible - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Born-Run-Hidden-Ultra-Runn...
I know it's from the Daily Mail... but this was interesting and it's an extract from Born To Run. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-11...
I definitely feel better running in them. They just involve different muscles to supported running in trainers (I over-pronate too) so takes some time to build up at first.
Edited by Rico on Thursday 4th August 21:11
Edited by Rico on Thursday 4th August 21:12
I went from normal runners to Inov8s a few years ago and the difference was like night and day - much more supple, agile and 'fleet of foot', I think some of them are even lighter than the vibrams.
I'd recommend them for a more conventional lightweight x-country shoe.
The Vibrams look interesting though, especially for plutering about, or even just for embarrassing the kids! I'll have to give them a look.
I'd recommend them for a more conventional lightweight x-country shoe.
The Vibrams look interesting though, especially for plutering about, or even just for embarrassing the kids! I'll have to give them a look.
I have a couple of pairs I just use as normal shoes, they are quite interesting but I can see they are the sort of thing you would either love or hate.
The sizing is quite critical though, so either buy them in a shop or if buying online make sure you can swap them to find the right size. I bought mine in an REI shop in the US where they are *vastly* cheaper.
The sizing is quite critical though, so either buy them in a shop or if buying online make sure you can swap them to find the right size. I bought mine in an REI shop in the US where they are *vastly* cheaper.
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