So I read Born to Run a few months ago and enjoyed it a lot and have been looking at getting some Vibram Fivefingers. I've seen some shoes on their official site for $85 and I've seen other sites that claim to sell them for as low $45. Then I've read that these could possibly be counterfeits and I'm hung up on where to buy them now. Anyone ever tried them? All reviews I've read have said great things about them. If you have a pair, where did you get them and what for what price? I've been running around in a pair of beat up Converse lately over my thicker cushioned running shoes and my feet feel so much better. My dog has chewed through them enough though to where they're almost unwearable and need some new running shoes.
i have a pair of KSO's...... i bought them on their website, paid whatvr retail is, i think 90 bucks or so.....I've had them for about a year and really only used them indoors to weight train and run n the treadmill... Pros - the grip on these is EXCELLENT -definitely made a difference, your feet feel more and it does improve gait - very flexible -fit is good if you follow their sizing, havent had any issue with it being too tight or too loose, fits nicely like a glove Cons - Can't wear socks unless you buy their special ones...this makes it very easy to stink them up, so you have to wash often or deal with the stink. the downside to this is potentially messing them up in the washer. Ive washed them several times and never had a real problem, for some reason one wash caused the sole to unglue some at the edges, not sure why, maybe i used a different detergent? The sole still stayed on well though. -may look funny to people and you'll get looks, may be a bad or good thing depending ont he person -price...isnt too bad if you're buying one pair to own for 2 yrs +, but i'd like to buy more than one type and possibly in a different color, so it's be nice for them to be around the 40-50 dollar mark -This mode is mesh up top, so it can tear easier than rubber, but i've never had a big problem with this, probably because i'm not that rough with them. I had a small one inch tear months ago, but sewed it up and has held up fine since. as for the ones you found for 50 bucks, more than likely are fakes...i've never found any that cheap and i looked within the last month. You should be able to get some at a discounted price from a trusted ebay seller, but i decided not to do that myself because i didnt want to get the wrong size. Try checking out sun and ski sports, i believe they're one of their retailers, but usually have very limited models and sizes (another reason why i had to order online)
Ya I figured the discounted prices were too good to be true. I don't really care about looks I'll get and its good to know they're good for weight training. There's a few stores that sell these in Austin so I'll check them out later.
I've never heard of vibratin fivefingers but rosy palm and palmela handerson have done wonders for me.
I've got some Brooks Glycerins, but that's because I'm a huge Bush fan. JK. I do like these shoes, they were a little expensive, but they work really well for me.
I know a couple of guys that have them and say they are super comfortable when working out. I saw some at Sun and Ski on 1960. They had them marked down to like 50 or 60 bucks...you might check them out first.
I purchased a pair of KSO's from Sun and Ski on 1960 about a month ago and I love them. I use them for running and weight training and they are ultra comfortable for both. There is a curve involved in learning to run in them as your gait changes (ball vs heel) and involves the use of a few different muscles than you are used to. Start slow and work up.
I know a number of people who have tried them and liked them. The general consensus is to start gradually. vibramfivefingers.com has a store locator. REI, Sun and Ski (both in Houston and Austin) and Luke's Locker in Houston all seem to carry them. I would be interested in your experience so report back.
Brooks, ftw. Although, it all depends on your stride/gate. If you go to a high quality running store, you should let the professional there select the shoes for you.
these things are so awesome. I've been doing pretty much all of my workouts in VFF Bikilas. Except for when I bruised my heel running in them the first month (my foot strike has gradually corrected since then), I have had no aches, pains, or symptoms of nagging injuries. I am arch-pain free for the first time since junior high. Farewell, plantar fasciitis. I think it's about time to wash 'em though.
Yeah they can get pretty stinky...one thing i've heard about and tried is using denture tablets, soak them in that and then rinse, hang to dry. Worked just ok for me, but i think I waited too long to wash them.
The new Merrell Trail Gloves are pretty nice. I'm venturing into the barefoot fad myself. http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22875M/0/Mens/Barefoot-Trail-Glove?dimensions=0
I have a pair, and they are awesome especially for weight lifting and generally walking. I find that if I'm going to go for a hardcore run, I'll usually go back to using something with more support though.
I've been wearing the KSO's since January. It took about 6 weeks for them to start stinking, but being able to throw them in the washer is pretty awesome. I don't run in mine, I mainly use them in the gym for crossfit. I do like to go walk in the park or fields from time to time, because everything feels so interesting when you walk on it with these shoes.
