Aug 122009
Ever since I started really training for the half-marathon that Keith and I ran in the spring, I’ve been dealing with on-again, off-again foot pain. I’ve been reading about how you can build foot strength and flexibility by running barefoot, and in my limited tests, I can see how it would really help.
But I’m not about to go running through glass and gravel to eliminate foot pain, right? So I’ve been thinking about buying a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. They’re like a cross between sandals, socks and gloves.
A review in the Guardian is ambivalent, but some people really like them:
I’d be curious if anyone out there has personal experience. Are they worth it?
Grant Hamilton
7 Responses to “Is running barefoot the solution?”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
I remember listening to an account on cbc from a guy who was an avid runner taking them out. His overall thought was “meh” and said he’d prefer running with shoes. I guess it’s all preference, though.
I noticed a guy at Brandon Folk Fest wearing a pair — he seemed to like them, but he took them off when it was time go ‘really’ go barefoot.
At the time, I didn’t really pay much attention — I thought they were more like water shoes than something you could use to run or hike in.
That was also before I found out you can’t buy them at retail in Canada yet — except *maybe* at the Mountain Equipment Co-op in Vancouver. You can order them online, though.
I’m a skeptic – if these shoes mimic the experience of barefootedness, why not just do things barefoot?
My brother has a pair of these, and I was impressed at the combination of lightness and support —-> http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/gr/nikefreerun.htm.
I think the idea is to have it biomechanically the same as running barefoot, but with a thick sole that protects your foot from glass and gravel, etc.
I’ve heard about the Nike Frees before — I’m curious about them, but they still look like they have too much (in my opinion) cushioning on the heel for real barefoot-style running
Also, I can’t believe no one’s commented on the video yet! If this keeps up, I might just post it by itself
The video is hilarious!
[...] wrote about Vibram Five Fingers earlier this month, but now I see that the New York Times has joined the chorus: Proponents of this approach contend [...]