I’ve been running in my new Vibram FiveFingers running shoes lately. They’re funky looking, aren’t they? My son calls them “feet shoes!” Love that!
Surprisingly, they’re easier to get on my feet than I thought they’d be. Just wiggle my toes for a second and they’re on.
Running with Vibram FiveFingers
From FiveFingers: “No footwear comes closer to recreating this natural sensation [of barefoot running] than Vibram FiveFingers®. It allows you to land on your forefoot, directly below your center of gravity, resulting in optimum balance, increased stability, less impact and greater propulsion. Running inFiveFingers delivers sensory feedback that improves agility and equilibrium and allows immediate form correction. In addition it stimulates and strengthens muscles in the feet and lower legs.”
Now… in a previous life, I wore trail running shoes to run on any surface (try not to cringe, fellow seasoned runners – I LIKED IT!). I liked the stiffness at the time. I even ran the half marathon in those!
Then I branched out into lighter-weight, flexible running shoes, and wow, found out what I’d been missing. The FiveFingers Bikila EVO is the ultimate in minimalist footwear. I love the feeling of near weightlessness in my feet as I run!
There’s only the briefest bit of cushion in these shoes, so I like them for track or treadmill the best, and road surface as well, as long as it’s clear of debris (living in Connecticut, we have a lot of sand/rocks left from winter!). I found on a harder surface like cement sidewalks (which isn’t advisable anyway, but when I ran inside a gated community I kind of had to stay on the sidewalk or violate some rule!!), I personally wanted a bit more cushioning.
I could definitely feel the stimulation in my calf muscles wearing these shoes – and I usually feel nothing in my calves after running (I don’t get shin splints at all!). Being able to feel the ground so sensitively while running was a new and refreshing experience – that kind of sensation made me acutely aware of my stride and footfall and helped me concentrate on my overall form.
If you’re looking to go the barefoot runner route, this would be a great transitional running shoe. FiveFingers offers many different styles for various surfaces and activities from travel to trekking to running to water sports.
Vibram FiveFingers Kids’ Styles
Look! They even make kids’ styles! Our son’s always asking when he can wear his “feet shoes!” They’re a little big on him yet, but cute, right?
Kids’ feet take years to develop – even well into their teens and twenties! As their cartilage changes into fully formed bone, you don’t want them to be squished into shoes that are rigid and ill-fitting. That’s why we rarely put shoes on our kids until they were walking, because going barefoot is recommended for foot development. So after they need shoes, FiveFingers gives that “almost barefoot” experience!
The Kids’ Boys’ Speed pair we were sent has traditional laces that can accommodate a range of food widths and heights. I think though, because my son is so young, I’d love to see this in the toggle strap style closure for kids who can’t tie shoes yet! Still, a great shoe and fun for kids to wear. Plus you can machine wash! Very important with children!
What do you think of FiveFinger shoes? Have you tried them? Would you?
WIN IT: Vibram FiveFingers wants to give away a pair of shoes – it could be you! Enter in the form below!
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This is a sponsored post with Vibram FiveFingers and I received items at no charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.
These would be perfect to wear to our local amusement park. Thank you
These would be perfect to wear to our local amusement park. Thank you
I’ve never tried this kind of shoe before, but I have friends that swear by them.
I’ve never tried this kind of shoe before, but I have friends that swear by them.
I have never tried these but they intrigue me. I will start jogging again right after baby is born in November 🙂
I have never tried these but they intrigue me. I will start jogging again right after baby is born in November 🙂
I like these shoes. I run everyday but most of my shoes are great for running but not much else. I especially like how I could use them for the treadmill and love how they can be machine washed. Such a big bonus!
I like these shoes. I run everyday but most of my shoes are great for running but not much else. I especially like how I could use them for the treadmill and love how they can be machine washed. Such a big bonus!
I have not tried this type of shoe but I have been very curious. They are a little expensive for me to buy and then find out I don’t like them so I am really hoping to win!
I have not tried this type of shoe but I have been very curious. They are a little expensive for me to buy and then find out I don’t like them so I am really hoping to win!
I have always wanted to try shoes such as these for running.
To me they look as if they would be so light weight and so much more comfortable than your typical running shoes.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I have always wanted to try shoes such as these for running.
To me they look as if they would be so light weight and so much more comfortable than your typical running shoes.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I have not tried this type of shoe before but I love going barefoot and these are pretty close to no shoes.
Thanks for the contest.
I have not tried this type of shoe before but I love going barefoot and these are pretty close to no shoes.
Thanks for the contest.
I’m a runner and have always been intrigued by the minimalist push but haven’t made the jump. I would love to give them a try. Probably wouldn’t use them exclusively especially when running longer distances but see the benefit of strengthening different muscles while training on shorter days.
I’m a runner and have always been intrigued by the minimalist push but haven’t made the jump. I would love to give them a try. Probably wouldn’t use them exclusively especially when running longer distances but see the benefit of strengthening different muscles while training on shorter days.
I think these look like they are great quality and super comfortable, perfect for running! I love that they are machine washable.
I think these look like they are great quality and super comfortable, perfect for running! I love that they are machine washable.
I’ve seen a few people wearing these while I was backpacking (said they were able to feel the ground better). I’d like to try myself.
I’ve seen a few people wearing these while I was backpacking (said they were able to feel the ground better). I’d like to try myself.
I don’t know that I could wear them, but my husband has been wanting a pair. He has been reading all of the reviews about them.
I don’t know that I could wear them, but my husband has been wanting a pair. He has been reading all of the reviews about them.
i never tried this shoe, but it looks comfy!
i never tried this shoe, but it looks comfy!
I read the book born to run and ever since than I have been fascinated with running with bare feet or minimal shoes, great book.
I read the book born to run and ever since than I have been fascinated with running with bare feet or minimal shoes, great book.
i use to wear toe socks and find them uncomfortable so i figured these would be the same but my in-laws have them and said i should give em a try.
i use to wear toe socks and find them uncomfortable so i figured these would be the same but my in-laws have them and said i should give em a try.
I’ve never used they type of shoes before. My cousin uses them all the time for cross country running and really likes them. If I could I would be barefoot everywhere but you have to wear shoes. So having “the next best thing to barefoot” would be super awesome!
I’ve never used they type of shoes before. My cousin uses them all the time for cross country running and really likes them. If I could I would be barefoot everywhere but you have to wear shoes. So having “the next best thing to barefoot” would be super awesome!
I have not seen these before but would like to try them. They are “funky looking”. I think my daughter would like them too as she enjoys running and the feeling of running barefoot sounds comfy. They also look cute & comfy for her 2 daughters (my active granddaughters).
I have not seen these before but would like to try them. They are “funky looking”. I think my daughter would like them too as she enjoys running and the feeling of running barefoot sounds comfy. They also look cute & comfy for her 2 daughters (my active granddaughters).
I actually have a pair already. I’ve been using them for a few years now, and they are beat to hell. I love them! I use them for weight lifting. They give me better balance when I’m using heavy weights, and they’re super comfy.
I actually have a pair already. I’ve been using them for a few years now, and they are beat to hell. I love them! I use them for weight lifting. They give me better balance when I’m using heavy weights, and they’re super comfy.
Oh yes, I’d love to try them. I’m not a runner at all but would love them for everyday use.
Oh yes, I’d love to try them. I’m not a runner at all but would love them for everyday use.
I already own a pair just like these, but by a different brand and they’re super comfortable! I’d love to add another pair to my collection!
blackasphodel(at)yahoo(dot)com
I already own a pair just like these, but by a different brand and they’re super comfortable! I’d love to add another pair to my collection!
blackasphodel(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Julie. You might want to add this giveaway to your sidebar. =) Have a great Father’s Day weekend.
Hi Julie. You might want to add this giveaway to your sidebar. =) Have a great Father’s Day weekend.
My husband and I have each worn-out a pair of Five Fingers from loving them so much. I really loved mine while pregnant because I noticed a distinct improvement in my posture and, therefore, decreased back pain. New pairs are definitely on the list for each of us and for our little girl when she is a bit older.
My husband and I have each worn-out a pair of Five Fingers from loving them so much. I really loved mine while pregnant because I noticed a distinct improvement in my posture and, therefore, decreased back pain. New pairs are definitely on the list for each of us and for our little girl when she is a bit older.
I have not tried these shoes before but have been interested in doing so. I would like to know how they feel when you are walking or running on pavement. Also, as silly as this may sound, I would also like to know how they feel–snug, tight, easy to get on and off, etc…
I have not tried these shoes before but have been interested in doing so. I would like to know how they feel when you are walking or running on pavement. Also, as silly as this may sound, I would also like to know how they feel–snug, tight, easy to get on and off, etc…
I’ve been wanting to try these and am planning to get back to running soon.
I’ve been wanting to try these and am planning to get back to running soon.
they make me giggle when I look at them…:)
they make me giggle when I look at them…:)
I am very interested in trying these shoes! I have seen several people recently wearing them!!
I am very interested in trying these shoes! I have seen several people recently wearing them!!
I haven’t tried these but I would like to – my sister has some Vibram FiveFingers and she loves them!
I haven’t tried these but I would like to – my sister has some Vibram FiveFingers and she loves them!
I haven’t tried them but my brother swears by them! In fact he just got a new pair (different brand though) today! I have skinny feet so I’m wondering how the toes would fit….would they spread out my toes since they look kinda wide at the toes?! LOL Yeah the things I think of!
I haven’t tried them but my brother swears by them! In fact he just got a new pair (different brand though) today! I have skinny feet so I’m wondering how the toes would fit….would they spread out my toes since they look kinda wide at the toes?! LOL Yeah the things I think of!
I would really love to get my grandson a pair of these shoes. He loves to go barefoot and he is always hurting his feet in some way or another. Maybe he would actually wear these since it is almost like being barefoot and they look cool.
I would really love to get my grandson a pair of these shoes. He loves to go barefoot and he is always hurting his feet in some way or another. Maybe he would actually wear these since it is almost like being barefoot and they look cool.
I love going barefoot and have a pair of minimalist running shoes. These would be even better. I’m a little concerned about how these would fit my feet since my toes are slightly angled, but I’d love to try them out.
I love going barefoot and have a pair of minimalist running shoes. These would be even better. I’m a little concerned about how these would fit my feet since my toes are slightly angled, but I’d love to try them out.
Interesting! I have loved been barefoot since I could walk! I would love to try out these to see how my feet would endure!
Interesting! I have loved been barefoot since I could walk! I would love to try out these to see how my feet would endure!
I have never had shoes like these but always found them intriguing! They look like they’d take some getting used to, but still be comfy. Like toe socks. 🙂
I have never had shoes like these but always found them intriguing! They look like they’d take some getting used to, but still be comfy. Like toe socks. 🙂
My chiropractor wears these all the time and highly recommends them! He wears them not only for walking, hiking, and other types of workouts, but also for working every day at his office (where he is on his feet all day). I would love to give these a try!
My chiropractor wears these all the time and highly recommends them! He wears them not only for walking, hiking, and other types of workouts, but also for working every day at his office (where he is on his feet all day). I would love to give these a try!
I have heard that people feel connected to the earth or more grounded while wearing these.
I have heard that people feel connected to the earth or more grounded while wearing these.
I have a pair, and LOVE them!! Would LOVE to win a pair to try a different style, and being preggo, they are the ONLY comfy shoes!! Thanks for the opportunity!!
I have a pair, and LOVE them!! Would LOVE to win a pair to try a different style, and being preggo, they are the ONLY comfy shoes!! Thanks for the opportunity!!
I absolutely love the idea of these shoes! Not only are they fun looking but my nephew had a pair and he loved them! I definitely wnat some for myself and both my boys!
I absolutely love the idea of these shoes! Not only are they fun looking but my nephew had a pair and he loved them! I definitely wnat some for myself and both my boys!
I haven never tried these, but I do love to go barefoot and they look the same.
I haven never tried these, but I do love to go barefoot and they look the same.
I have never seen a shoe like this before, I certainly think they are worth a try. I’m all for trying new things and if they’re comfortable then they are absolutely for me.
I have never seen a shoe like this before, I certainly think they are worth a try. I’m all for trying new things and if they’re comfortable then they are absolutely for me.
I haven’t tried these, but they look like a very interesting idea. I would love to see how they work.
I haven’t tried these, but they look like a very interesting idea. I would love to see how they work.
My daughter has a pair of shoes like these, but not this brand. She says they are soooo comfortable.
My daughter has a pair of shoes like these, but not this brand. She says they are soooo comfortable.
I have not tried these yet, but I do find them interesting and unique. I would love to give them a try!!
I have not tried these yet, but I do find them interesting and unique. I would love to give them a try!!
I’m not much of a runner but have heard great things about this type of shoe. If I won I’d probably give these to my husband.
I’m not much of a runner but have heard great things about this type of shoe. If I won I’d probably give these to my husband.