Vibram FiveFingers
If you are a regular reader of Mark’s Daily Apple you are probably well aware of those funny looking Vibram FiveFingers by now. They’ve been mentioned in our barefoot running post, featured in a Top 10 Ultimate Fitness Gadgets post and showcased in Mark’s sprinting video. What can we say? We’re huge fans! The only thing FiveFingers hasn’t got is its own post. It is high time this performance footwear we love oh so much got the attention it well deserves, so here goes nothing.
How can these foot protecting oddities be described? I suppose if Toe Socks met Combat Boots, fell in love and had a shoe baby you would have Vibram FiveFingers.
Or maybe if Bunny Slippers wooed Climbing Shoes with her undying charm, and also somehow managed to birth unconventional hybrid foot-protection offspring you would end up with Vibram FiveFingers.
Flip flops and waters sock?
Ballet slippers and cross trainers?
You get the picture. They are the best of both worlds. They provide the physiological benefits of going barefoot with the advantage of having some level of armor against the elements. You don’t have to worry about stubbing your toe, or cutting your feet on glass or other sharp objects you are bound to come across in your travels. And you also don’t have to fret over the damage years of sneaker wearing would invariably do to your feet.
They take some getting use to, and Vibram warns you as much. Most people’s feet have been wrapped in leather, supported by padding, constrained by laces, and pampered since the day they were born. Since when was the double-stitched, steel-toed, double-buckled, laser, orthotic boot a prerequisite to human locomotion? (I just threw in the laser for fun. Though, if you know of a shoe with lasers please comment below. I am very interested.) Not long it turns out. Our feet developed without all this stuff, and they are better off without all this stuff save for minimal and basic defense.
You are bound to get some looks and see some heads turn if you walk around town in these. This probably isn’t of much interest to all of our trend-setting and trailblazing Mark’s Daily Apple readers. Besides, I am sure they are looks of envy rather than utter confusion or concern anyway.
Seriously, though. FiveFingers are light and malleable, yet durable. It’s as if Dr. Scholl went crazy and let his foot gels creep up around the heel and toes like a mutant foot-protecting demon. That’s it. FiveFingers are like a mutant demon that protects your feet. Yet also like your grandma, soft and protective.
Sorry. Back to serious. It should be clear at this point that Vibram FiveFingers are multifaceted, and a perfect gadget to help live the Primal lifestyle. If there is any criticism I can offer it is that they are a bit difficult to get the right size via post. They are adjustable and Vibram does offer pretty detailed guidelines on picking the right size, but best case scenario would entail you trying them on in-shop before purchasing. Also, if you have webbed feet these aren’t for you.
Do you have FiveFingers? How do you like ‘em? Hit us up with a comment!
Subscribe to Mark’s Daily Apple feeds
Posted By: Aaron
(
They look great! How much are they?
$70
I just bought my boss a pair.
He walks the beach a lot and is on his boat on weekends. He loves them. Although you should have seen the look on his face when he opened his birthday present.
I really like the descriptions of the shoes. Really funny!
Alas, if you don’t have webbed feet but do have a longer second toe than big toe, they’re not going to work.
I have the long second toe and they work perfectly fine.
Terra Plana makes a similar product that is more of a conventional shoe, but only has a 3mm thick rubber sole – so they act as the Five Fingers do. So all is certainly not lost.
I have a pair, love them to death although it seems my left little toe doesn’t appreciate them. I walked 6 miles in them round town and now I have a black toenail!
I think it was catching on the top bit of the shoe inner.
I’m hoping I might be able to wear them again sometime soon. Plus it’s getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere and I don’t fancy freezing my toes off.
Didn’t find any problems with sore muscles in my feet/legs since I spend an awful lot of time training barefoot in martial arts.
There is a new style called the flow that is specifically for cold weather and water
Karen:
I wondered about the longer second to but according to the Vibram webite there is a little “wiggle room: (pun intended):
Standing with your heels against a flat wall
Slide ruler under each foot and measure the longest toe
Take the longer of the two measurements
If your foot length varies by more than .4cm, it will be difficult to get a precise fit for both feet.
If your second toe is more than .4cm longer than your big toe, it will be difficult to get a precise fit.
The website directions are pretty good for fitting VFF’s. I also did some research online on any other tips when it comes to sizing these great shoes and came across this article which is worth checking out:
Finding the right size vibram fivefingers shoes
have a par – Classcs -and love em – should have got the sprnt ones cos gong fast n the classcs s not easy. F you want to sprnt get sprnts. Szng -go to the snuggest sze you can manage eg my shoes are usually Euro 43 but my choce was a 42 and they are perfect. PS am worng on a eyboard that has 2 eys broen the letter after h and the ltter after j – am not a moron or dyslexc
My wife and I each got a pair each this summer and love them. They have been super for trail running and it is such a different feeling running in them as opposed to my Nike Free’s. The calves get an incredible work out when I run in the fivefingers. My wife feels it more in her adductors. Amazing how our individual structures call on different demands than from others.
If you can get to a place where they have them in stock, i’d recommend you try them on for size and walk around in them to get a feel. We drove 90 minutes to the nearest dealer but it was well worth it.
Got mine about 2 months ago after reading the original post here. After doing more research, I went with the Five Fingers Sprint. Such a good choice. Had to order them from the US because they still aren’t carried in Canada (MEC in Vancouver is supposed to carry them eventually), but it was definitely worth the extra money for shipping.
I’ve been trail running in them and they are incredible. I felt the extra strain in my calves at first, but it wasn’t bad stress… just the feeling of muscles that weren’t used to being called on. My little toes definitely required some coaxing to appreciate them, but my feet are used to them now. I definitely get some strange looks wearing them as well.
I’d highly recommend the Injinji socks with them. I found the top of the Vibrams would chafe and the Injinjis stopped that right away.
My ONLY complaint was that the only colour they had available in my size was red on black. Otherwise, one of the best fitness purchases I have made.
Oh, and my second toe is slightly longer than my big toe and they fit fine. I guess it depends on how much longer it might be…
@Dave C and Derek B,
Toe two is .8cm longer than toe one, and toe three is .6cm longer than toe one. I guess I’ll have to wait until they start making them for monkeys.
Wearing the Vibram shoes makes me feel like a kid again.
I haven’t used them for running, but love them for most of my exercises, plus great for hiking on the trails.
I am curious to try them but I’m a little apprehensive because I’ve had some serious problems in the past with plantar faciitis, and I’ve relied on orthotics since ‘91. Also, back in my days of running 50-60 miles a week, I was definitely a heel striker. Landing on the balls of my feet might be one trick this old dog would have trouble learning. But I would like to see what they are like for just taking a walk (I do my interval workouts on a bike).
These actually caused my recent bout of plantar fasciitis. I had no running injuries EVER. I was running although the time and starting to bike all the time as well (5 days a week). I’ve been doing this much physical activity for many years.
They I saw these VFF and bought a pair of sprints. I absolutely loved them. Perfect biking shoe. Did only small amounts of running in them. Used them mostly for walking and lounging. I thought they were a bit nerdy but I received a dozen comments in the 2 week period I wore them, and they were all POSITIVE!!
HOWEVER, and it’s a big however… after 2 weeks I one day felt a slight slight tightness in my achilles tendon. Did not even notice it until the next day around 2 pm… I stould up and it felt like my left foot was broken. I hobbled around in sooo much pain for a couple days before I self diagnosed myself with plantar faciitis. It came on so suddenly, from repetitive use and had every single symptom of P.F.. I had to stop wearing the VFF and taped my ankle for a few days, then I bought heel inserts for my shoes…and 10-14 days later my feet are feeling perfectly fine again.
Although I loved those shoes, I am scared to start wearing them again. Nothing feels more debilitating than having plantar fasciitis.
The PF might have been from biking in incorrect shoes. The stress that your foot gets from having just the ball of it on your pedals is tremendous. That’s why stiff biking shoes are best (with or without arch support). VFFs are good for running, biking, working out… NOT for cycling.
PF NEVER comes and goes THAT fast. NEVER. You do not have PF. It’s something that comes on over time, many have it for months or years.
I actually second that entire story – from the two weeks of loving them to the plantar fasciitis development. I’m going to work on changing my strike a little more, but if this horrible feeling keeps up, it’s back to asics.
Coop,
That “feeling like a kid again” certainly describes the overall sensation we’ve felt with the FiveFingsers. A renewed playfullness if you will.
Dave C.
Check out the web page from their site.http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/technology/faqs_mechanics.cfm This may be able to answer some of your questions. If you’ve had problems in the past with plantar fasciitis then i believe they would recommend you slowly work your way into to wearing them. Do you have high arches, or flat feet? Both can result with variations of plantar fasciitis. If you still have questions, give them a call and speak to someone one on one.
I’m also a fan – I use them instead of flip-flops in my backpack (I’ve been travelling almost non-stop for 20 months now) and wouldn’t go back to flip-flops.
Mine have walked the streets of Venice, trails of Slovakia and even most of the West highland way in Scotland.
My personal review is here and there’s also a flickr group for them: http://flickr.com/groups/fivefingers
Craig
Paul: Thanks for the link. Looks like I have a couple of things going for me. I have high arches, and I have a neutral gait so I haven’t had to use “motion control” shoes. Mark sent me an email about these in my Apple infancy that I thought I had saved but can’t find. I *think* he said something to the effect that using them could be beneficial in the long run with my PF problem. My main concern is the transition from a 55 year old heel striker to a more flat footed approach. I guess I’ll head to the beach and try it barefoot in little doses and see how I adapt.
Thanks again!
Dave: Easing into it sounds like the best approach. Additionally find a reputable PT or Massage therapist who can work with you on specific ways of opening up the lower legs and the bottom of the feet. With high arches, there are usually ways to speed up the process of creating more ease in your step.
Got ‘em! Love ‘em! Especially like the looks I get when I wear ‘em. I call ‘em my “MonkeyFeets!”
I did notice that my FiveFingers aggravated my ingrown toenails on my big toes at first – and still after prolonged sessions they still do. But mostly this was solved by splurging on a quality pedicure.
I own the Kayakshed and http://www.kayakshed.com we’ve been selling them for a couple years now (I think we were one of Vibrams first stores) Since then, I’ve purchased both the five fingers classic as well as the sprints for myself. I can’t tell you how much I love ‘em! They were not what I expected. I thought I would only use them for water applications (Kayaking obviously). Turns out I use them more for all sorts of things including yard work. They are tough to fit. We have a sizing chart on our site that works well. However if you’re in between 2 sizes. Buy both sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit. They are tricky to fit and they do get easier to put on after you have put them on 2 or 3 times. Good luck and enjoy! http://www.kayakshed.com/vibramfivefingers.cfm
I’ve been running in mine for about a month, and found them to be a great training tool. I spent years trying to visualize a softer footstrike, quicker foot turnover, avoiding heel strikes, etc. to no avail (I’m just a slow learner I guess!) After the first week in the Vibrams, all of these form faults improved automatically… I’m proud to say that I no longer look like a combination of Pipi Longstocking and a sack of potatoes falling down a staircase when I run down hills.
Also, no more ITB pain.
I had no problems with sizing following the website guidelines, but perhaps that is because I wear them with the Injini socks.
You like the looks of those things??? They are ugly as sin.
Just got a pair after watching the beach sprint video and receiving my copy of Primal Blueprint. Already wore them around some this evening and I am loving them!
Mark,
Hey man I am so about to get a pair of these, go with the Sprints ya reckon or the Vivo ones?
I ran sprints on a rubberized track (and some on grass) on Sunday and my calves are killing me, whew am i sore! But i have not run like that barefoot in awhile, used to all the time when i lived on the beaches of Australia, and try to as much as possible here in houston, but nevertheless think I over did it a bit!
I guess best is to alternate running barefoot and with Vibrams to strengthen feet, bones, ligaments, etc and for protection on some surfaces aye!?
Why do u wear em on the beach sand? I love to feel the sand and water on my feet!
Best
Jared
I wear them at the beach to protect from glass, bee stings and jellyfish stingers.
Great dog in heaven, I love my FiveFingers. I’m so pleased to see you picked these up, Mark. It will do them a great deal to have them touted by someone promoting an anti-fad lifestyle, less someone mistake my FiveFingers for Crocs (RAT B**TARDS!)
It’s only a damn shame that I’m not sure if I can legally wear them to work (Even though I’ve got the KSOs). I’m not entirely certain now Starbucks or the Indiana Department of Health feels about mesh tops.
I wonder if anyone has tried using Injinji toe socks with Vibram FiveFingers. I love my FF shoes, but there’s a seam that catches the tips of my big toes and rubs them excessively. I’ve considered trying to find a very thin toe sock to ease some of the rubbing, but as form-fitting as the FiveFingers are, I dunno how well that’d work…
http://www.runcolo.com/Product-Reviews/Vibram-Five-Fingers.html
Funny post, I have the Classics, love them!
Love my Five Fingers!!! I got a pair of classics in April and have worn them ever since. Now my Plantar Facitis is pretty much gone! I no longer have foot pain. I am not a runner but just wear them as my everyday shoes. I get questions almost everyday about them and I can’t say enough good stuff. If you don’t have them – buy a pair!
Well, I gotta say that based on my experience this afternoon these shoes are deeply dubious.
Inspired by what I read here I set out in Seattle to the headquarters of REI to try on a pair and see for myself.
The department had them and the salesman got a couple of pair in different sizes.
First of all, they are extremely EXTREMELY difficult to put on. Even after reading the instructions on the box and with the aid of the REI salesman (whom I assume is trained in such things) it was impossible to get them on.
Second to that, while trying to put one pair on the pair — new and just out of the box — split between the mesh and body of the shoe.
Not an advertisement for the construction of the shoe in the first place.
All in all, a wasted ten mile round trip for a substandard bit of footwear.
I’ll take recommendations like this a bit more carefully in the future.
Vanderleun, getting the shoes on is definitely an acquired skill that takes several wears to master. Sometimes I still find it rather tricky to get my uncooperative littlest toe into place.
I hafta assume that the construction issues you reported are a fairly isolated example since this is the first I’ve heard of that sort of thing on the FiveFingers.
By the way, I succumbed to the temptation and bought a pair of Injinji toe socks to wear with my FiveFingers.
They’re great socks, but the added bulk – even though they are fairly thin – makes my FiveFingers uncomfortably snug on each of my toes. They’re fine with normal shoes tho.
But as always, your mileage may vary…
My boyfriend just bought them after reading Born to Run and loves them! His runs are a bit slower as he gets used to it but he feels himself working muscles he never has before. He does get strange looks from people, but he doesn’t mind. (It would probably bother me)
He does have to use BandAid Blister Blocks and Dr Scholls Moleskin with them though. They cause blisters, but I think he needs to let them heal and the skin will toughen up and then he should be fine in just the shoes.
I just got a pair of the sprints and after walking around campus with them all day the tip of my big toe on both feet is killing me! I tried on both size 39 and 40 and both were a little snug at the store in the big toe area, but since the 40s had so much extra room everywhere else I went with the 39’s, but am now worried that they might be too small. Do these normally fit really tight at first? I’ve heard they stretch out, but how much?
Danika,
This may sound like a funny question, and maybe it is, but how long are your tonails? Do they extend past the end of your big toes? This may cause a jamming of the nail back into the toe.
I’m going to buy a pair for every day walking, gym training, and sprinting. I’m not sure whether I should get the Sprint or KSO variety. Can anyone please advise?
I’ve had the FLOW model for about 10 months now. For those having trouble, you really just need time to get used to them. It’s a big change for your feet. At first my toes hurt, everything was sore. Now they are so comfortable and natural I can do anything in them. I wear them with and without the Injinji socks depending on temperature.
For men, don’t be afraid to try the women’s models if you are having difficulty getting the right size. They have some in-between lengths that may fit better.
Paul,
nope, not that long. I did a little trimming to them once I got the vibrams, but I can only go so far, you know, haha. They are getting a little better so far. I think it just takes some stretching out and being active in them. The more I run in them, the easier they become to wear.
Hi guys,
Does any one know a website that delivers Five Fingers to New Zealand?
Cheers.
Try http://www.fivefingers.co.nz
Just got a pair of FLOWS. Awesome. Only niggle to date is joint pain in my little toe as it gets used to be straightened out rather than wedged in & twisted. I think the FLOWS are probably best suited to the NZ climate if you want a year round VFF without owning multiple pairs.
Awesome! Finally coming to NZ!!!
I’ve got webbed feet and i was so desperate for a pair of FiveFingers but obviously i couldn’t wear them
I then went on a mission to find something the webbed toes could fit into but still give me the same benefits of going barefoot. I found Feelmax! And have never looked back! I’d deffo recommend anyone to try these out as an alternative to FiveFingers!
I purchased my Vibram KSO’s just a few weeks ago. The first time I ran in them I really felt it in the calves but the following time my calves did not hurt near as much and I pushed it on my time as well. I look forward to wearing them more and running further distances. For around the house and working out, they are great as well.
Very interested in these “shoes” and plan to get a pair this week. Still debating between flows and kso’s. Then I saw the picture of the high tops at the top of the article. What model are those!?! Those really look awesome for eatly season kayaking as well as all-around winter-wear. It looks like those would be much better suited to winter runs in several inches of snow. Are those available anywhere?
I’ve been wearing my KSOs since late summer but in all honesty, it’s just gotten too damn cold here in New England! Does anyone have any experience with the KSO Treks? Are they even available yet? With or without Injinjis? Snow?
Happy primal new year!
I have had a pair of the classics since last summer. Mostly wore them for water sports activities, but recently planned to start wearing them at the gym for cardio (treadmill and elliptical) sessions over the winter. The first time I wore them at the gym (national chain), one of the staff came over and said they were not allowed – something to do with a safety issue, if weights or were dropped on your foot or something. As if a normal running shoe would protect your feet from a dumbbell impact…
I own the sprints and the flows – and REALLY wish they made the kso treks for women!
I’ve worn the sprints around NYC and for crossfit – BIG fan! I’ve gotten them wet several times.
I’ve worn the flows around in cold weather (though 20F with severe windchill is not recommended – I’ve done it, and my ankles were cold!), and I used them for the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge.. I had to go up a size for these, and even so, it’s harder to get my feet in and feel comfortable.
I did try on both the classic and KSO, and found my high arches to be a problem… with the classic, my arches were above the top of the shoe, and with the KSO, it was really hard to get the shoe on without my calf cramping up.
My friend has the treks and loves them – she (large feet = mens size) wears them everywhere in NYC during winter, but has yet to get them wet.
I totally didn’t ease into them like the manufacturer suggests (I spend a lot of time barefoot – dancing, around the home, etc., walked on gravel and rough pavement barefoot as a kid – even walked around the Stanford campus barefoot for a day as a teenager), but I had no problems other than feeling the muscles work after a LOOONG (longer than intended) day in them.
Absolutely love my Vibram Sprint. I wear a 43 and after a week of wearing them, it felt like a second skin.
Never had a better shoe for trail running and climbing. Make sure to keep your toenails short to prevent soreness. I would highly recommend them.
Just got a pair of these funny shoes… im not sure if they fit right. How tight are they supposed to be? I wore the shoe thingys around the house for about 3hrs and when i took them off i had the markings of the elastic on the tops of my feet. Is that too tight??
Thanks
Howdy! I’ve got a pair of the sprints and have been wearing them on and off, building up to trail running. They’re pretty comfortable, but walking around town I’ve noticed that on my left foot, the joint of the middle toe that attaches to the ball of my foot is getting quite sore. Not sure what to do about this. My left foot is also a tad bigger than my right, and all of the toes on my left foot feel just a smidge cramped in vibrams, but don’t appear to be forced into a non-natural position.
Has anybody else experienced that same type of pain in the ball of their foot/metatarsal joint?
Hi,
I just bought a pair of sprints, and I have the same soreness on my right foot, at the metatarsal/2nd toe joint. Has yours improved at all?
I’ve had a pair of Classics for about a month and love mine. I workout in them, wear them around the house, and even out and about. If I need to wear “shoes” I put on my Chucks. But that usually only happens about once a month.
I’d like to get a few more pairs. I want to try the KSOs or sprints I think.
How often do you all wash yours? Mine get kind of smelly after about 2 or 3 days.
I have a pair of KSOs. Love them. Will probably get a pair of flows for colder weather though.
And I always wear mine with toe socks, so much less smelliness.
I have a pair of Kso’s I’ve had them for about 3 months now. I run about 3 -4 times a week in them took me a while to get up to 4+ miles without my calves wanting to die. You can wear them if you have a morton’s toe (your second toe is longer than your big toe) they do stretch a bit in the toes.
My friend has a webbed toe and he owns a par, he just cut out part of the toe and restitched them. I thought they looked hideous before but with his webbed toe he just looks hysterical.
I love getting close to nature, but not too close. Toe shoes are great, but Gistwear has one with a zipper; keeps the dirt of my feet. All the benefits without the drawbacks! It’s not Fivefingers though but I love my Gists.
Great minds must think alike.
I started using Vibrams a few months before I even knew about MDA or the Primal Blueprint.
I wear them everywhere, and, yes, people look at you.
But they also ask you about them.
Actually, I have a 2-3 syndactyly (second toe webbed to the third). Any relief?
OK, will check out FeelMax.
My Favorite Five-Fingers moment to date:
Walking into a local coffee shop in my Five-Fingers as a mother and her son (about 4 yrs old) were walking out. The boy notices my shoes and says quite loudly: “Mom, that lady has FUNNY shoes!” The poor mother (who had not seen my shoes) was obviously MORTIFIED and hustled her child off before I could laugh and clarify – it’s ok, they are funny shoes!
Needless to say, I wear my five-fingers all over the place and love them.
My second and third toes are webbed on both feet. I got a pair of Fivefinger Sprints, and I just took a scissor to the cloth in between the corresponding “toes” on the shoes. It worked great and I wear them now everyday. This is especially fortunate, as I live in China and, while Fivefingers are available here, Feelmaxs seem not to be.
I’ve had the KSOs for about 2, maybe 3 months now. I’m having trouble getting my form down.
I’ve had a problem with blisters on my big toes and on the balls of my big toes. I got iniji socks which helped a bit, and after consciously experimenting with different running forms, I can run 7 miles without blisters. But afterward, they still feel more tender than I’d like as I want to match the mileage I get in normal running shoes.
I’ve also noticed pain in my left little toe, like maybe I’m impacting too hard on it.
Lastly, and this may be what contributes to blistering, but I have a VERY hard time running downhill. In normal shoes downhill is liberating, easy. While high-impact, I can ride my momentum. In Vibrams I feel like I’m constantly breaking. I have to run slower because I can’t absorb the impact, and my toes start rubbing much more.
Any advice? I’ve looked online for proper forefoot form, but I really need details. Should my feet be pointed out? straight? In? Should I be leaning forward like I’ve heard? Do I land on the balls of my outer toes and sort of roll in? Can too severe of a roll be the cause of my problems?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Jeff
Jeff,
Maybe you need to slow down your progression with VFFs. First, it sounds like you’re not so confident about your ability to control your run downhill. Why are you breaking?
How about gently running down a soft, grassy downhill, incrementally increasing the distance as well as the grade?
There is a gentleman in the UK who runs pilatesrunning.org that has instructional videos on how to run better barefoot and in VFF. I cannot find the link to his videos done with a journalist … maybe you’ll have more luck in your Google search.
I use the KSO’s and they are friggin’ awesome. I train MMA and the calf workout I get just from running during the first few weeks was more intense than even doing calf raises and lunges.
Definitely a worthwhile investment.
I just got some KSO’s. I ordered them directly online from Vibram’s web site. I’m not really sure if they are too tight or not yet, I think they’ll be okay. I don’t like how short the strap is though, it isn’t long enough and leaves a lot of exposed scratchy velcro. I think I should have gotten the basic ones, but I was worried about running. Vibram’s site sucks for contacting them, as they have a 160 character limit on messages!
On another note… Running seems intuitive. However, how do you train your body how to WALK in them? I feel SO weird just trying to walk, that I almost want to just run everywhere instead.
Wish I Were Riding,
It does feel strange trying to walk in them at first. If you are accustomed to the heal strike then this will make for an uncomfortable jarring pattern. Try shortening your stride and allowing the foot to gently land more all at once.
Focus on relaxing the foot and not pulling the toes up so hard before planting the foot.
Walking barefoot or in fivefingers also lets one quickly discern whether or not one has adequate movement in the pelvis/hips/back.
Explore slight movement of the pelvis side to side. This takes much of the impact out of the spine. If this is difficult, you may want to look at ways of opening up your abductors.
Next explore a gentle rocking front to back movement of the pelvis. As a leg swings forward a balanced pelvis will exhibit a gentle lengthening down the lumbars, then as the leg goes back, an arching of the lumbars occurs.
Finally play with counter rotations of legs and arms. If all of this is a little challenging to comprehend, you may want to contact a local Rolfer or Structural Integrator. They can help you with this.
The Vibram size measurer indicated I needed a size 39. When that size became available, I tried it on but both little toes felt very scrunched. I purchased a size 40 Classic but now when I walk on forest trails up and down hills, my left little toe hurts horribly. I am so disappointed because I have so many foot problems and really wanted these to work.
Both REIs in my area are chronically out of these (they claim they sell out in 1 hour when they get a shipment), so I stood on their officially Vibram Fivefinger foot-shaped size-measurer and it told me I was a 42/43. I went ahead and order the 43 and when it arrived several weeks later it was comically small. I could barely get it on, and when I did, my feet were bunched and my toes were curled up. It was like trying on a little kid’s shoe for laughs. So I sent them back and ordered 45s. I just got these and I’m worried that they’re too small too. They seem just about long enough, but they are VERY snug in the toes. I wore them around the house for about 15 minutes and then took them off and my toes were beet red.
I’m afraid if I go up another size they’ll be took loose in the heel. How much will the toes stretch out?
I would absolutely go for a bigger size if they are hurting your toes. I had the same problem when I got mine and just thought they needed to stretch out a bit, which they did, but never quite enough. I eventually ended up having to stop wearing them because they were giving me pretty bad blisters after about 3 miles when I ran because of being too tight. I plan on getting a new, bigger pair at the end of the summer though
I’m pretty sure Nike makes these “natural” fitting shoes now.. I forget what they’re called tho. My buddy bought a pair though and he said he loved them.
I just got my fivefingers in the mail (of course our REIs didn’t have them in stock) and was able to run 3 miles with some speed work, no problem. I was already landing on my midfoot — the Vibram shoes forced me to shorten and increase my strides per minute. The Nike Free might also be OK, but I tried the Terra Plana shoes when I was in London and it was extremely difficult to find the right size and they were very expensive. I would stick with the fivefingers.
i ordered a pair of the sprint’s, and can’t seem to get them on! my toes seems to be too stubby and curved under. any suggestions?
susan
Susan,
I had difficulties at first too. You may want to try this approach:
Start with getting the toes in first.Don’t pull the heel on until all the toes are in each pocket. I start with the big toe getting it in line, and only partially inserted, then the next, all the way down to the pinky toe. Once all toes are lined up, I spread the toes and pull the the mesh (just above the toes) back towards the heel. Then I grasp the bottom of the toes and pull gently back. Finally I put the heel on. The better one is at spreading their toes, the easier this becomes.Good luck!
thanks paul, i will try your suggestions. my left foot seems to be easier than the right for some reason!
Are these shoes good for high arches? because I am a cross country runner in high school so if someone could answer my question through my email I would appreciate it.
a7twin@yahoo.com
a7twin,
Going to the official website may get you more information about appropriate wear for runners with high arches. One of the chief concerns for high arches is that there may be a shortness and rigidity to the feet (plantar fascia) that does not allow for a natural springiness in the feet/arches. If this is the case, it may create certain challenges. You will want to look into making sure the feet and calves (the calves create much of the integrity of the feet) become more supple and very gradually work your way into wearing five fingers. I have a fairly neutral gait with medium supple arches and after my first run in 5 fingers (only 15 minutes long at a moderate pace) my calves were sore for two days.
I am very interested in trying some fivefingers but am not sure if they will work for me. 8 yrs ago I tore my plantar fascia due to repetitive stress from soccer mostly. It took over a year to heal (lots of casts but no surgery) and my feet have been coddled with orthotics since then. My PF finally seemed completely gone until last year when I was teaching on a hard tile floor. My foot pain recurred and one ortho doc said that the fat pad on my heel has become too thin and I must wear even more cushioning. Now, when I teach, I actually wear these cumbersome anit-fatigue mat strap-on shoes on the bottom of my boots. So, can anyone advise this gal with a supposedly thin fat pad if 5fingers would be a good idea?
Thanks!
I just picked up a pair of the classics and the trek sports.
Broke my ankle (trimalleolar fracture) May 2nd, and have been wanting to get the ole’ calf muscles back. The classics wear a bit tighter than the kso treks do, and I’m not certain I’ve got the right size, as my big toes come all the way up to the end of the toe bed. I figure I’ll see if they stretch a bit before I take them back though.
Hi Mark, Thanks so much for your comments and all the comments after. I have been wearing orthotics now for the past 4 years and recently got a pair of the Vibram Sprints. In the last 4 years with the orthotics, that supposedly are correcting my foot biomechanics I ended up with plantar fasciitis in my right for about a year and then eventually a stress fracture in the left for all the compensation with the first injury. In the year I had the P.F. I did everything they told me to do- no running, jumping, exercises on the toes, wear supportive shoes with orthotics all the time, etc. Needless to say it took forever to heal and now I am starting to feel that foot begin to ache again. So I taking a different approach this time. I have not work the FF’s too much since I got them, but now I am wearing them as much as I can and my feet can handle. My foot feels better in them then shoes with the orthotics. Ceasing the running for now, but still throwing in some plyometrics with my interval training and continuing with spin a couple of days of week. I agree that my feet are now as strong as they should be as they are always being supported by shoes/orthotics. For years I never wore orthotics and was just as active with no injury. Hope this new approach works!