Are anyone else's VFFs too... page

[Cave Woman]

Are anyone else's VFFs too narrow?

I have really wide, short feet. Think Fred Flintstone and Donald Duck. I never could get girlie shoes even if I was inclined to. I developed neuromas between my middle toes as a result of wearing shoes that felt wide enough (very hard to find) but were really not and compressed my toes a tiny bit. The pain is like a knife in the ball of my foot.

So it was out with the old shoes. I got new Birkies, VFFs, and Speedo swim shoes (cute and very stretchy). I love my VFFs, but after about 3 miles I get a bit of an irritation in the ball of my foot. It just occurred to me that they are too narrow! Just a bit, but I need to stretch them.

Crazy, huh?

Now to figure out how to stretch them. They're the ones with the kangaroo leather tops. Any ideas?

[Dr. Bork Bork]

I also have wide, flat duck feet. I always opt for the men's VFFs. They tend to be wider. I take a 40 komodo sport. I never understood the obsession with shoe shopping until I tried a pair on. Now I own 2 komodos, some bormios, and trek sports.

the only way to stretch leather, I believe, is constant wear.

[PrimalMama]

I've had wide feet my whole life... probably because I ran around barefoot EVERYwhere as a kid.

I've found the VFFs a little narrow/confining, but not to the point where I feel the need to attempt to stretch them.
If your feet are big enough to get the mens sizes, Dr. Bork Bork's suggestion is a good one (unfortunately, my feet are waaaaay too small for that option *pout*)

What I used to do with "regular" shoes (most notably adidas sambas and converse all stars) was to pile on really thick socks, multiple layers of socks, or similar - and wear the shoes with the extra padding for a day.... it's sufficient to stretch them just a teensy bit. I also had a friend with bigger feet that volunteered to stretch my shoes once... it worked pretty well.

oh, and fwiw, for "girly" shoes, I've found several pairs over the years with open toes and adjustable straps that seem to work... and a few "wide" closed-toe versions as well. For better or worse, sometimes it's necessary for me to wear normal "lady" shoes for work (not as necessary as when I was a hostess and was practically required to wear fashionable super-high heels).

[Cave Woman]

Thanks, Dr Bork Bork! No 37s in mens

It would be too painful to stretch them with my feet! I think I'll get them wet and put something big in them. The question is WHAT? Regular shoe stretchers are the wrong shape. I guess I'll look around my house ans garage until I find something. I'll let you know how it works.

I actually found wide girlie shoes in Mexico, where they use wider lasts to make the shoes. The first place I ever found pretty soes that fit! Now Payless has some cute wides.

[Uncephalized]

I would try putting them on and standing in a tub of water for a couple of minutes, with a thick pair of injinji socks on. Then wear them around the house for a couple of hours to let them dry out. That should break them right in and shape them to your feet. The kangaroo leather is fine to get wet, it won't hurt it.

[cori93437]

I'm a woman and I have VERY wide feet... like EE wide.

In any ofthe styles that cover the tops of the feet I buy the mens styles, one size smaller than what I wear in womens typically depending on the specific VFF.
They fit fine.
The mens VFFs are made wider.

I wear the womens styles that are low cut and leave my arches completely exposed.
I have no problems with any tightness on my feet in these.

Yes.... with the leather, wet and wear until dry.
Walk around some... sit some... walk some.
They will be YOUR shoes then. Sort of custom formed.

[Cave Woman]

I'll try that, Unceph! Thanks!

[sbhikes]

I thought VFFs didn't even have mens and women's sizes. Just men's and women's colors. Anyway, I think they loosen up after a while.

I only wear VFFs in my exercise class but for actual outdoor exercise, I prefer to wear sandals. There's always enough room in my sandals.

[cori93437]

I thought VFFs didn't even have mens and women's sizes. Just men's and women's colors. Anyway, I think they loosen up after a while.

I only wear VFFs in my exercise class but for actual outdoor exercise, I prefer to wear sandals. There's always enough room in my sandals.

Nope... the mens sizing is different than the womens, and they are made on a wider base.
For instance a size 40 in a mens classic is 10", size 40 in a women's classic is 9 5/8" and built on a narrower base.
(There is a page at the Vibram website that says the womens and mens base is a different width and suggests that women with very wide feet try mens sizes.)
Here is a complete size chart.
Vibram FiveFingers Sizing Chart
Also, as you can see from the chart... some models sizing varies as compared to other models.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Yeah, dude and chic vibrams are totally different. The sizes even vary vastly between each style. I can take a 40 in one and a 36 in another. My bormios are 42's, komodos are 40s, and I think my treks are 39s or 41s, I forget.

I ran around barefoot with a herd of horses as a kid and have never really liked wearing shoes. At home I'm barefoot. Vibrams only go on if I'm going out past my road.