Vibram Five Fingers Barefoot Running Shoes are Awesome
Kick Your Shoes Off and Feel Good
For the past 40 or so years shoe manufacturers have been putting an increasing amount of “technology” and “innovation” into shoes. Shoes that promise to make you play basketball like Michael Jordan or shoes that cushion your foot on a pocket of air as you run. All great stuff, right? Here’s the thing that I didn’t know until recently… for all the technological improvements that have gone into modern day shoes there’s little evidence that these shoes do anything to decrease the number of foot related injuries.
“People have been running barefoot for millions of years and it has only been since 1972 that people have been wearing shoes with thick, synthetic heels,” — Daniel Lieberman, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University.
When you look at it from an evolutionary standpoint (that is if you agree with evoloution) it kind of makes sense why we get hurt while wearing our fancy Nike Super Duper Force XL 2000’s. We just weren’t built to walk and run in shoes the way they currently are designed. Personally I’ve sprained my ankle numerous times, had my fair of shin splints, and in general have had lots of aches in pains in my lower joints. I’ve tried new shoes, orthotics, tai-chi, you name it…and still eventually have some kind of problems. The only culprit (besides blaming my poor running form) I can point to is my damn shoes. My alternative is to throw away my shoes and go barefoot, which surprisingly as I learned makes sense.
3 Reasons Why Barefoot Running Makes Sense
1) Barefoot feels good. How often after a long day of hiking or some other activity where you wear shoes do you come and can’t wait to keep your shoes on? Never, right? The first thing you want to do is take your shoes off and chuck them as far as way as possible because being barefoot relieves pressure and just feels better.
2) Strengthen muscles. There are over a 100 muscles and tendons in the foot. Each of those muscles and tendons contributes to your overall balance and body awareness. However, when you wear a shoe you prevent those muscles from developing which makes you more at risk for injury (which is why I’ve probably sprained my ankle numerous times). Take the shoes off and now you can start pumping up those feet.
3) We were born barefoot. Modern humans have been around for over 150,000 years. Nikes have been around for 30 years. Do you need Nike’s to become a world class athlete? No, Ethiopian Abebe Bikila ran the 26 mile marathon in the 1960 Rome Olympics in 2:15:17 winning the gold and setting a world record…all while barefoot.
Meet the Vibram FiveFingers Barefoot Running Shoes Family…
Vibram FiveFingers is perfect for people who want the benefits of barefoot walking or running without the consequences of going barefoot in modern urban society. There are 4 different product lines that Vibram offer which accommodate a variety of activities and users.
FiveFingers Classic – no frills simple version of the FiveFingers design. Dries quickly and perfect for Running, Fitness Training, Martial Arts, Yoga, Pilates, Travel.
FiveFingers Sprint – extra loop and hook enclosures add additional fit and snugness making it great for a variety of activities like Light Trekking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Running, Fitness Training, Martial Arts, Yoga, Pilates, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Flats Fishing, Travel.
FiveFingers FLOW – extra covering on top of shoe provides additional insulation for cold weather envrionments which makes it great for Cold Weather Running, Light Trekking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Flats Fishing.
FiveFingers KSO – the KSO stands for “keep stuff out” and that’s what it was intended to do. The extra mesh on the top of the shoe keep out dirt, gravel, and other nasties and make it good for Light Trekking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Running, Fitness Training, Martial Arts, Yoga, Pilates, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Flats Fishing, Travel.
FuncFash-ness: 7/10
- Functional: 4.5/5 (prevents used heroin syringes from impaling your foot, but more importantly prevents foot injuries)
- Fashionable: 2.5/5 (you definitely will get stares from wearing it, but probably not the kinds you would like, but hey no more foot pain!)
Loading ...Learn More:
- Barefoot Running Shoes: Site with reviews, information, and pictures of Vibram FiveFingers
Where to Buy:
- Vibram FiveFingers: Classic $75, Sprint $80, KSO $85, and FLOW $90 (price updated 7-22-09)
- RockCreek.com: Men’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, KSO $84.95, and FLOW $89.95; Women’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, and KSO $84.95 (price updated 7-22-09)
- REI: Men’s– Classic $75, Sprint $80, and KSO $85; Women’s– Classic $70, Sprint $80, and KSO $85 (price updated 7-22-09)
Features:
- Thin flexible sole and individual toe pockets help strengthen feet and improve balance and agility
- Razor-siped soles increase flexibility and slip resistance
- At the rear is a pull-tab that helps you position your foot to get the best fit
- All are machine washable (and recommended as you don’t wear socks with these shoes)
- Antimicrobial microfiber footbed (prevents germs from chilling in your shoes)
- Various upper materials that mostly comprise of neoprene (different models have slightly different materials)
- Weight varies from 4.25 oz – 6.6 oz per shoe (depending on size and whether male/female)
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