Barefoot Shoe Dilemma page

[Boneidle24seven]

I'm looking to buy my first pair of barefoot running shoes and have narrowed it down to the Vivobarefoot Neo Trail and the New Balance Minimus

I would love a pair of VFF's but my wife says she won't leave the house with me whilst wearing them!! So I'm appealing to you good people out there who have owned either of these shoes and would care to share an opinion. I intend to use them for forest trail running and general grok type stuff.

All help greatly appreciated!

[Dr. Bork Bork]

I'm pretty sure Vibram makes a zero drop shoe that is toeless. I can't remember the line name though.

[Littlesigh]

Had not seen the Vivbarefoot shoes, ( but then I am in the US), but they are similar looking to the NB. I have two pair of the NB and love them. Although I don't do trail running cuz I don't run. But they are great for park fun, sprints, tree climbs and such,and I also wear them in the gym. They are light and have great toe room and I like the vibram soles.
Good luck!

[Boneidle24seven]

Thanks Doc, I'll check them out.

Littlesigh, thanks too. I do kind of like the New Balance shoes but was being swayed by the grippy sole on the Vivo's which might work well in English slippy mud !

[ppham27]

I'd say go with the Vivobarefoot shoes. I own a pair of the Dharma (VIVOBAREFOOT | Dharma | Dharma Tumbled Leather Black) for work and once you remove the insole, they have a very similar feel to the Vibrams I use for running and the gym. I had to buy them because I can't stand shoes with any heel drop at all now. Arguably, the shoes you wear for 8 hours/day at work will affect you more than the shoes you wear for 1 hour/day while exercising.

By the way those New Balance shoes have a 4mm heel drop, which while much smaller than most running shoes, it will still affect your gait negatively, and the experience will be quite different from barefoot running. A 0 heel drop is imperative if you want anything close to barefoot running. I have actually tried short run with the Dharma just for kicks, and I find my gait is virtually unchanged from how I run in Vibrams.

[Boneidle24seven]

Thanks ppham27. The Vivo's seem to be winning it for me. Although I have read that New Balance intend to release a new minimus with 0 heel drop for 2012. Not sure I can wait till then!

[benF]

I wear the Merrell barefoot trail glove and they're awesome. They have a vibram sole as well and don't make you look like you have gorilla feet. I also have a pair of the Tough Glove for walking around town in. Merrell Barefoot Running and Casual Shoes - Merrell.com

[Boneidle24seven]

I wear the Merrell barefoot trail glove and they're awesome. They have a vibram sole as well and don't make you look like you have gorilla feet.[/url]

Yeah I have big feet too which is why I'm not really keen on VFF's. I like the look of the trail glove and I've also found a store nearby that stocks them as opposed to ordering online, often problematic with shoes!

Thanks

[Melbouch]

I got my VFFs yesterday luckily I have a boss who goes to the US a lot and doesn't mind getting stuff for me. I've just been out for an hours walk on the beach and I'm embracing the gorilla feet mind you the husbands yet to see them!

[Shijin13]

Yeah I have big feet too which is why I'm not really keen on VFF's. I like the look of the trail glove and I've also found a store nearby that stocks them as opposed to ordering online, often problematic with shoes!

Thanks

I've got several VFFs, 2 pair of Vivo (for work), and a pair of merrell's for the winter... VFFs are my favs... the Vivo's are great for work (when wearing dresses/skirts), and the merrells are good for wet weather (Though they feel more constrictive in the toebox compared to the vivo's)