Vibram Five Fingers

[Silverback]

I was trying to highlight one important fact that is often overlooked. If it isn't broke don't fix it.

[Flesh Thorn]

I was trying to highlight one important fact that is often overlooked. If it isn't broke don't fix it.

Most would agree that allowing freedom of movement and articulation is good for our bodies when we train, so why is binding our feet shoes and boots so that our feet do not function and articulate as nature intended correct ? Considering all of the foot, leg, knee, and hip problems we have I am not convinced that things are not broken as far as shoes go.

The photos in this article demonstrate the difference in our stride with shoes v. barefoot. Article.

[BigboyBob]

Hmm...I started quite the discussion


Unfortunately, I'm now more indecisive in regards to buying them or not! :?

Thanks Rangers for y'alls advice, it is your's that I value the most in regards to matters like these. I definitely enjoyed the humor in the thread.


I think the only thing unanimously agreed upon is how ridiculous they look!

[Flesh Thorn]

Hmm...I started quite the discussion

Shut the fuck up! If we were all in agreement then that wouldn't be any fun. :D

[Silverback]

Do you have any knee or hip pain today? Did you suffer from shin splints? Perhaps wearing these type of shoes might have solved those problems for you.

You are assuming I had/have problems? I have no knee problems, hip problems or anything else. I have back issues but that is because I fractured my back on my seventh jump...other than that...nothing.

[shootingman99]

Rangers and others,

I think you would enjoy the book "Born to Run." It's all about why barefoot running is so much better for you, and a very entertaining read. Vibrams are basically barefoot running with slight protection. I ran with my regular running shoes but modified my foot stride to land on the balls of my feet instead of heels....it felt strange but no more shin splints literally instantly when I had terrible ones before.

Shootingman99

[Silverback]

Rangers and others,

I think you would enjoy the book "Born to Run." It's all about why barefoot running is so much better for you, and a very entertaining read. Vibrams are basically barefoot running with slight protection. I ran with my regular running shoes but modified my foot stride to land on the balls of my feet instead of heels....it felt strange but no more shin splints literally instantly when I had terrible ones before.

Shootingman99

I think you would enjoy reading the Ranger hanbook and until you have lived the creed nobody is too concerned about your opinion.

[Baseplate]

Rangers and others,

I think you would enjoy the book "Born to Run." It's all about why barefoot running is so much better for you, and a very entertaining read. Vibrams are basically barefoot running with slight protection. I ran with my regular running shoes but modified my foot stride to land on the balls of my feet instead of heels....it felt strange but no more shin splints literally instantly when I had terrible ones before.

Shootingman99

I think you would enjoy reading the Ranger hanbook and until you have lived the creed nobody is too concerned about your opinion.

HA Burn

[MattPJA]

I have a pair of Vibrams that I use about 1/3rd of the time compared to my running shoes.

Most barefoot running hippies will say that the point of running barefoot is to teach you how to run and use the nerves in the feet and build up calluses and such, so wearing so much as socks or even Vibrams defeats the point in their eyes.

I'm not a hippie, and I don't feel like getting a bunch of rocks jammed inbetween my toes and getting blistered ripped up feet when I go for a run.

I personally like them to a degree because they help strengthen your legs in certain areas that shoes simply don't.

The only thing I'd like to point out, is that running shoes have only been around for about 40 years I think, before that everybody wore Chuck Taylors, and before Chuck Taylors, sandals?

[Silverback]

The only thing I'd like to point out, is that running shoes have only been around for about 40 years I think, before that everybody wore Chuck Taylors, and before Chuck Taylors, sandals?

Vibram Five fingers - $80.00 range
Teva Sandals - $40.00 range
Chuck Taylors - $20.00 range


So here's is my overarching point, why not buy the less expensive alternatives? unless you are a slave to fashion...

[MattPJA]

@Silverback
I was aiming at the validity of the training itself, considering that running shoes are a "new" convention.

I'd tend to agree with you about the prices, but the feel of Chuck Taylors isn't really the same as a Vibram.
I'm not saying that Vibrams aren't overpriced either, you pretty much pay $80 for an over-engineered pair of neoprene dipped toesocks.

Toesocks= $12
Neoprene dip=$10

Total= $22
So, $58 dollar premium?