I do get a lot of questions on the things. For the last couple of days, I've been stopped and asked several questions regarding them while waiting for the elevator to my apt.
I do get a lot of questions on the things. For the last couple of days, I've been stopped and asked several questions regarding them while waiting for the elevator to my apt.
You guys all know that fingers are them wiggly things on the ends of your hands that you're always smashing or cutting, right?
They call foot-fingers "toes" nowadays.
In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:
In addition to "Born to Run"- there are a few articles on Runners World, as well as forums on thier website for minimalist running.
For the impact, the studies I've read, and tried to find (as I was nervous about trying them)- all point to the high impact when you land on you heels. Running barefoot will stop you from doing that very quickly.
Really- since you aready run that far- just run around the block without shoes, and see what it's like. When I tried- I liked it, and my feet were ok with it.
The only thing that you have to really pay attention to is stepping on stuff- like that little nub that took me out of this fall's running- but my foot was pretty sore to start with.
I started running just last year, and before getting to far into it, I adjusted my running from a heel strike to a mid to fore-foot strike- which REALLY helped me a ton. These shoes help me maintain the proper posture for that kind of running, I think.
Here's a website that has some interesting reading- http://www.invisibleshoe.com/
The problem is that it's still quite controversial- a lot of both sides are going to seem like snake oil.
But- one can't really argue one simple fact- up until the late '60s, all running was with very minimalist shoes- it was the early 70's when massive cushining started. And for the mileniuim humans have been walking and running, shoes have only been a "thing" for a few hundred years. It was more a basic sole that didn't provide any support.
The big thing about "Born to Run" is it's theory that humans developed our shapes to run long distances- basically to run down our prey over a prolonged chase. Match that with no shoes, well- you get the picture.
Eric
I saw the picture by the OP and assumed that it was a joke. This product actually exists?
Remarkable!
Not that there's anything wrong with that....
In reply to alfadriver:
I am a barefoot in the summer when I have a reasonable expectation that I won't find nails or blacktop so hot that it causes burns so the soles are pretty tough already.
How long did it take you to build up distance - I've never run in anything short of Saucony Grids (lots of padding) and they need to be replaced so now is a good time for experiment... but I am training for the Steamtown Marathon so I kinda don't want to be crippled for a couple weeks.
I'd be all over a set, but I choke on the cost. $100 is still a lot of money for me to drop on a set of limited-use shoes. What's the profit margin on those?
Tom Heath wrote: I'd be all over a set, but I choke on the cost. $100 is still a lot of money for me to drop on a set of limited-use shoes. What's the profit margin on those?
But they're not selling a pair of toe socks with a molded rubber bottom that costs $1.97 to produce.
They're selling "INNOVATION*!"
And it's a cool idea, but I agree they seem pricey.
IT's gotta be a E36 M3load, there's like, 3mm of whatever proprietary rubber Vibram uses, and some basic neoprene up top (at least in the KSO's I've got) so there isn't a lot there. Maybe yellow thread costs extra.
Normally, I'd balk at the idea of something this minimal costing this much, but even in three days of use, I've noticed a lot less overall pain (I'm like a broken 60 year old. 30 years of refusing to go to the doctor when I blow a joint apart is catching up to me) and I've actually been very happy with them. And anything that lessens daily aches and pains is worth it to me, regardless of the cost. I have shoes that cost double what these did, and they don't compare.
They'll go well with Spandex bike shorts. 
In reply to slantvaliant:
Five fingers are good, but I prefer wearing my Pilotis when I shop at Hot Topic. 
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I am reaching a point where I am having to consider biking, swimming, etc because I am destroying the hardware but I do really love to run.
Bike > Foot for just this reason - I am not thin in my normal weight from a BMI perspective - and my biometrics leave me more prone to being a door stop than a runner, still I tried track and CC in highschool (of which I really wasnt that bad when neither speed NOR distance were a factor...high jump and long jump basicaly). then I found cycling and the choirs of angels opened and I found my calling. My knees are already shot from BMX, so running is basically not in the cards at all anymore.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: In reply to alfadriver: I am a barefoot in the summer when I have a reasonable expectation that I won't find nails or blacktop so hot that it causes burns so the soles are pretty tough already. How long did it take you to build up distance - I've never run in anything short of Saucony Grids (lots of padding) and they need to be replaced so now is a good time for experiment... but I am training for the Steamtown Marathon so I kinda don't want to be crippled for a couple weeks.
Long enough that you should wait until you are done with the marathon. I think it was the 4th week of 4 miles where the blisters were pretty minimilzed- but that is running mostly on concrete sidewalks.
Since you already run barefoot, YMMV, but I'd still wait until the marathon is done.
(My main running shoe is a Nike Vromero Zoom- just enough but not too much padding under the ball)
I'm still planning on using them, even with the stress fracture risk...
Eric
ps- as for the cost- I found mine for $80, which is $30-40 cheaper than running shoes, and they should last longer, since the padding isn't going to wear out....
4cylndrfury wrote:Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I am reaching a point where I am having to consider biking, swimming, etc because I am destroying the hardware but I do really love to run.Bike > Foot for just this reason - I am not thin in my normal weight from a BMI perspective - and my biometrics leave me more prone to being a door stop than a runner, still I tried track and CC in highschool (of which I really wasnt that bad when neither speed NOR distance were a factor...high jump and long jump basicaly). then I found cycling and the choirs of angels opened and I found my calling. My knees are already shot from BMX, so running is basically not in the cards at all anymore.
+1
I quit running around the time I turned 22. Too much pain. Ran track and CC in high school. My right knee was shot. I've been biking regularly since with no issues and it's been nearly 30 years.
I must be the oddball here. I run most days and only bike about once a week because biking causes me knee pain and running does not.
Otto_Maddox wrote: I must be the oddball here. I run most days and only bike about once a week because biking causes me knee pain and running does not.
It could be that your bike/fit are not correct. If you aren't extending your legs fully or your applying pressure when they are bent past 45 degrees... etc... Biking usually causes me bruising of the ass and sore muscles but never joint pain (unless we count broken wrists from landing wrong... but those days are past me now ;) )
I've been trying to jog some more these days... finally able to get over 2 miles again.
I usually run in Puma Speedcats... same as what I autoX in.
Along with the different foot strike when you're running, you should also be taking shorter, faster steps to reduce the impact through your legs. It WILL seem like you are running slower and looking like a fool, but that first race you run will tell the story that you are indeed running faster that way. I'm on my third pair of these in the past 4 years, and will buy another when these wear out. My last pair didn't even wear through the sole but had a smell that just would not be vanquished!
Aside from "runners knees" that pop every time I stand up, I never have any pain other than sore muscles from an intense workout.
In reply to scardeal:
Those sound really fast.
Otto_Maddox wrote: In reply to scardeal: Those sound really fast.
Having pumas chase me really keeps my intensity up when I'm running.
Otto_Maddox wrote: I must be the oddball here. I run most days and only bike about once a week because biking causes me knee pain and running does not.
Doesn't sound too odd to me. The movements are different with different stress points in and around the knee. Depending on your particular issue you can have pain for one but not the other.
Wouldn't they be just as barefoot-effective without the retarded toes?
In reply to Lesley:
That is what I think. Having my toes tightly hugged seems like an antithesis to being barefoot.
They don't feel like the toe socks do. You can't really even tell that there is material between your toes
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:Otto_Maddox wrote: I must be the oddball here. I run most days and only bike about once a week because biking causes me knee pain and running does not.It could be that your bike/fit are not correct. If you aren't extending your legs fully or your applying pressure when they are bent past 45 degrees... etc... Biking usually causes me bruising of the ass and sore muscles but never joint pain (unless we count broken wrists from landing wrong... but those days are past me now ;) )
Bike & pedal fit definately should be checked. Don't just put up with it, take your bike down to the local bike shop and have them check out your fit. My shop does this for free.
A friend bought a pair and is trying to get back into running using them. I personally think it's a fad in the running world. Similar to that whole fix gear explosion that happened to cycling. (I wish I sold mine earlier .) If someone wants to seriously train and stick to a program then I think using the five fingers on short, form specific training days would be the best application. You should be trying to strike mid sole regardless if you have cushion or not. I paced a guy during the Western States 100 mile running race and after just 25 miles I was more than happy to have cushion. I couldn't imagine doing 75 more. But why wouldn't someone want the extra security of having cushion? After two and a half hours I'm tired, I make mistakes, kick stuff, form falls apart, I would rather avoid anymore pain than necessary. I only run 35 miles a week and I definitely prefer comfort in my shoes.
You'll need to log in to post.
