Comments on: Why I Didn’t Include Vibram Fivefingers in My Updated Minimalist Shoe Guide

By: Gabe

Gabe — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 06:35:39 +0000

This is an older article now, and while I appreciate what you’re saying, I think you are giving them a bad rap. Obviously Vibram can make improvements, and should. But to not reccomend them seems silly; it’s a shoe, just like any other minimalist shoe, and people should try out a variety to see what works, five fingers or otherwise. I’ve been wearing them for years, and any time I go back to a minimalist shoe with a toe box it drives me crazy, it’s way too restrictive and I end up with some kind of foot pain.

But they totally need half sizes, and less models.

Anywhoo

By: bratman

bratman — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:31:50 +0000

In reply to bratman. I just wanna say too, I'm so glad you wrote this article because you totally confirmed my suspicions and now I can get back to running hard again without fear of injuring my foot. Damn, all this time it was the Vibrams.

By: bratman

bratman — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:57:45 +0000

Wow this is exactly what happened to me! I started my first ever runs in plimsolls and it went great for 5 months, until I bought some Vibram Bikila EVOs.

I started running in the Bikilas but also began building miles barefoot. After a month I started to get that tight ache on top of my left foot near 2nd metatarsal. I ignored it and ran on it anyways. I noticed when I ran barefoot it felt relieving compared to VFF.

I took a week off and the pain went away but then came back again two weeks later. I ended up having to take off 7 weeks for my foot to heal. That was no running and it hurt to even walk! I couldn’t even hop on that foot.

I was terrified of re-injuring my foot so I ran strictly barefoot 3 times a week only 1 mile and built up to 3 miles everyday over 2 months, all barefoot.

No pain at all in my left foot until today I decided to throw on my vibrams and now that ache came back after a 3 mile run. I took my vff off and had to sit down wiggling my toes. I walked home wearing the vff and there was pain until I took them off and walked the rest barefoot, instant relief.

I’m done with VFF now.

By: Hannah Paquette

Hannah Paquette — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:57:49 +0000

If anyone who owns VFFs wanted to help me out with a school project and answer these five questions i would really appreciate it

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/59BRVVB

if you don’t have time that’s okay too this entire thread has been really helpful

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 20:37:11 +0000

In reply to Freddie. Thanks for the info!

By: Freddie

Freddie — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 00:24:46 +0000

YYeah I agree with you. It definitely seems to be a toe flexor issue…also seems to be a toe extensor issue as well, not sure about the length of the tow pocket bcs my second toe doesn’t seem to be touching the end. I am in Physical therapy school and I am intrigued by this. Right after I wrote to you two days ago I found something that seems to help. I got a small rubber super bouncy ball and put it under that second toe while standing. It seemed to recreate the exact pain which is definitely a toe flexor issue. It seemed to stretch the flexor pretty good and alleviate the issue for the time being. But as soon as I run again in the VFF it brings the pain back again right about the 3-4 mile mark. Anyways thought this info might help you if you still struggle with the second toe pain.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:42:21 +0000

In reply to Freddie. I pretty much stopped running in VFFs awhile ago, just kept running into the forefoot issue. My guess is a combo of toe flexibility and length.

By: Freddie

Freddie — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 06:45:34 +0000

Hello,
I have been a barefoot/minimalist runner since about 2004. I have run in most VFF models. I had the classic and ran holes in them. Then I had the KSO and ran holes in them. Then I got the KSO treks and still have them and no problems. Then I got the Bikila, and second toe pain on one foot only. I sent them back to Vibram and exchanged them for the KSO and no pain. Then I got the Spyridon because I am doing a lot of trail running these days and now the second toe pain on one foot is back? I don’t understand what the difference is between the models that cause this. That being said minus the second tow pain the Spyridon are by far the best fitting and running model I have had. But I was writing this to see if you had any success finding out why this happens with the second toe pain. I thought maybe it is not long enough on that second toe or something until I saw this article. I would love to hear back from you with some advice or knowledge on this. Thanks

By: Teresa

Teresa — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 05:46:47 +0000

I’ve been going to stores to try on VFFs, and I’ve noticed that for 90% of the models I’ve tried on, the big toe pocket is not long enough and would restrict the movement of my big toe. I wonder if something similar is causing your metatarsal pain?

I’ve noticed that only one model, the See Ya LS, has a noticeably bigger toe pocket (even in the photos on the site, compare the end of the divide from big toe to second, and second to third you can easily see the difference in length). I do like barefoot running though, so I think I will get that model.

By: Nabely Shahab

Nabely Shahab — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

Hmmm... I have just searched around in Melbourne, Australia, and I couldn't find any MInimus Trail or Trail Glove in 2E... Apparently one of the shop assistant mentioned that there is just not enough demand to bring 2E sizes to Australia. Oh well... I guess I might go for the Bikilas while waiting for the minimalist shoes to become more popular here...

Thanks for your deep reviews!

By: Spencer

Spencer — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Interesting article. It seems that there is more person-to-person variation in the toes than any other part of the foot.

I experienced forefoot pain with a pair of VFF, but it subsided when I began landing a little further back within the midfoot region. Still, that doesn't explain how you experienced pain from simply walking.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Jay.

I've run quite a bit in the Bikila, but again it's a snug fit, and sizing may be the issue for me. I have the toe flexion issue to some degree in all of them, but my "too big" KSOs seem best in that regard. I'd love to try a 41.5 and see if that helps!
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