A Few Words Of Advice
The Vibram 5 fingers make you look like a knucklehead.
I have seen more and more of these at local races and people have widely varied opinions, although I suspect the majority of the positive responses are due to the “look at me I am cool and I spent $80 on these things” attitude. Now I have read that some people love them some hate them blah blah blah. But really folks, do you remember parachute pants,
Mullets (the hair-do, not the fish), etc… sure at the time it seemed cool, kinda but not really. Well trust me these shoes are going to be in the same category in a few years. Save yourself the embarrassment and let the novelty wear off.
Now I realize I may eat my words, but for now I will stick by my assessment. Oh and I guess I should clarify, using the shoes as they are intended is slightly more acceptable than making them your everyday shoe. The reason for this rant is because I saw a rather large man in jeans and button up shirt wearing a pair in the grocer the other day. When I am not running I do not wear my running shorts, when I am not climbing I do not wear my climbing shoes or harness.
Get with the program.
That is all.
Oh and Mic asked about people with Morton’s toe and if the shoes can be custom made, if anyone knows let me know!
18 comments
Ha ha! You know… I’ve seen them around and thought the intended use was interesting, but always figured they’d end up being like the old Nike Aqua Socks, or whatever they were called. I remember people wearing those things everywhere… and I remember thinking they were all a bunch of D-bags. Your story above, about seeing the large man in jeans wearing these, confirms that they’ve become the same trendy garbage. Maybe they have some merit when used as intened… but God, they’re dorky looking.
-Romadant
Where do you get them for $80?? I paid $90 for mine! After years of having shoes support and weaken my feet I am wearing them for everyday use to strengthen my feet because I can’t really run in them yet. Walking on lumpy surfaces is almost as good as running in the sand.
I just checked around online and saw them for $80. I don’t own any. And like I said, the main reason for the rant was due to the obese dude in jeans wearing them in the grocer.
And a Time article http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1955580,00.html.
I like them, but my feet aren’t strong enough or recovered from the surgery enough to race in them. Nicki Rosa has raced in them and really likes them. Minimal support probably isn’t a good idea for obese dudes in jeans
5 hours ago ยท
yeah I see the value in it but I also see that our feet have evolved since we started wearing shoes…look at how the pinky toe is starting to curl and become less useful. I wonder how much time it would take to devolve back to the way the Tarahumara are
Running shoes with extra cushioning and support are very recent. For a good discussion, see http://neuroanthropology.net/2009/07/26/lose-your-shoes-is-barefoot-better/
Maybe I’ll try to score a pair for review and get the real deal on them.
They’re a fad. People train incorrectly, then get injured, then want to blame something else for their weakness - so why not blame the shoes!
Those are for racing? They look kinda comfy… but what if you have weird toes, I knew a girl that had the longest 2nd toe of all time, like a thumb! Are these shoes custom made?
Brownie although most of what you say is utter nonsense I have to give credence to your comments…especially given the distances you’ve run.
Wait a minute I remember asking you how to train for long distances and your response was, “run long distances and drink cheap beer”
So how do YOU train?
Oh, and if anyone reads this and wants to send me a pair to review also…
…nevermind.
-Romadant
I just hope I see you in a pair of these someday. Not that I don’t have enough stuff to make fun of you for already, but I can always use more ammo.
Everything has it use in it’s own time. We always ran barefoot at track practice 2-3 times a week to keep the foot strong/injury free. I so wish we had something to wear back then for our athletes so they would not get hurt from something in the grass. These are perfect for that.
I’m all for the return to simple running shoe design in which the shoe is essentially used for protection rather than support, but these are over the top funky. They look like a melted women’s slipper. If you really want the freedom of running barefoot but are worried about the pain in doing so, drink a few brews and run barefoot.
i saw those on the incline a few times and the lesser the shoe i can wear the better but 80 bux n trendy on top of that um i dont know might have to pass.
I have the five fingers kso (keep stuff out) & love them! They work great for pretty much anything outdoors camp shoes, light hike, river, lake, theme park (wore them all day at 6 flags with my kids).
It is a little weird getting used to them at first, even if you’re used to going barefoot.
A guy was wearing these on our group run last night and yes, they look a little goofy. But he said he’s been enjoying them. They force you to run differently… heel-striking will be punished, so you run on your forefoot, which is more efficient. I’d like to at least give ‘em a try so I can judge fairly.
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