Vibram FiveFinger

[Dan B]

I have seen folks running in them for several years. There was even a guy running Pikes Peak in em this year. I gotta admit I even ordered a pair yesterday just to see what it's all about :-)
I like the idea that they make you run with a more natural gate/stride lord knows the way I run just can't be the way nature intended! :-)
I'll let ya know if they work out for at least wearing around the house or something if not short runs!!

[colonel]

Good luck with those. And be careful not to stub your toe when running at KM.

[DobeRunr]

I have a pair, I really like them. I've only run on roads so far.
BTW if you haven't already heard about it, I highly recommend the book "Born to Run--
A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen", it's a really great read about ultrarunning, ultrarunners (Jurek, Ann Trason, Tarahumara Indians all appear), and running in general. And a great story too! Sorry I missed McDougall's run!

[Dan B]

Just got that Book. Hard to put down!!!
Sorry I missed the book signing.....
5 fingers have not arrived yet but I'll try reading the book while I wear em then try runnin' in them!!

[Lance]

I run in them almost exclusively. They have a newer version called the Trek which is a little more sturdy and better suited for trail running. I also wear Feelmax Pankas www.feelmax.com from time to time.

[Dan B]

How did you start out running"shoeless"? Short runs once a week? Or did you just go all out? What got you into running this way?

[odog]

I love my FF's. I have had them about 1.5 years now. I usually do one or two runs per week in them - both road and trail. I have found I do best by using them on either recovery (slow and relatively short days) or sometimes doing speed work (I don't did it often)

I have found that gravel roads are really about the only surface that I really can't run on comfortably. Acorns on pavement being the one recent addition.

I started much the same as the above maybe got a little over exuberant and had some very tight calves. This was also simultaneous to going to more minimal shoes.

I also wear the VFF out and about often which also seems to help with strengthening/stretching the achilles/calf muscles.

FWIW, I have found that I can no longer really tolerate any sort of built up heel. Even my Inova-8 295's are starting to feel a little too bulky and most would consider it a minimalist shoe.

Josh

[Lance]

Well I grew up running barefoot on the beach, and playing soccer in flats, so there really wasn't much of a transition for me. However if you are thinking about making the switch I definitely recommend easing into it. You will be sore in places you didn't know existed when you were running in shoes. Just think if you had your leg in a cast for a couples of months and how badly your leg would atrophy. Now think about how long your feet have been wrapped up and protected from everything. You think they are atrophied a little? haha. I wouldn't recommend doing any more than a 1/2 mile initially. Maybe at the end of your normal runs.

The benefit of wearing VFF is that you get at least some minimal protection from rocks, acorns, etc., and since I normally run in the morning darkness they come in handy. If it is light out and I can see where I am stepping then I will usually run barefoot, especially if I am just going on a short 3-4 mile run. It is amazing what you can avoid just by watching where you step. ;-)

I would definitely recommend doing some research online and reading up on other people's experienced before you do anything. Most of the people who hurt themselves seem to do so because they do too much too soon.