Noodley
Guest
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com
Yes, I know. Gloves have fingers, shoes have toes!
I bought these from US of A after reading a few reviews on t’internet. I am a sucker
The fivefingers immediately made an impression, very well made if slightly bizarre looking. And the fabric bit was a lovely dusty blue colour with grey vibram (for that is the name of the sole material).
Having showed them to people at work and my family the universal response was along the lines of "WTF are you thinking about?"
and I was thinking I had made a bit of an error in ordering them - still, the comments regarding their comfort and practical applications were still to be tested.
A couple of nights ago I tried them on for the first time, which involved a bit of toe wrestling trying to get them into the "gloves" bit. However, it was not too difficult once I got the hang of it and the second shoe went on much easier as I had just about mastered the technique. To begin with I pulled the tension straps quite tight, but then realised I did not have to if I was only walking around the house as they fitted really well with no sign of my feared falling off and flapping about. In fact they were extremely comfortable and I kept them on for the rest of the evening. On taking them off I noted a slight mark on the top of my foot but other than that no abbrassions or annoying niggling bits.
Last night I wore them to the gym to see how they would stand up to a spot of cross training and treadmill running. I thought they would draw some attention when I went into the gym, but not even a glance at the man with blue geko feet - result!
I stared with 10 minutes of cross-training to warm up a bit, and I noticed it feels slightly strange being "flat" footed rather then wearing supported running shoes. Not uncomfortable, but strange (strange is a word I expect you will see used quite a bit when referring to fivefingers, either to describe their look or to describe how they feel when first put on). In fact they were very comfortable.
The next "test" was to be the treadmill for 20 minutes although I had a suspicion that they would go flying off my feet a smack the woman on the rowing machine behind me in the face..
Long story cut short...I lasted 6 minutes. I found muscles in my calves I did not know existed. I had read that "barefooted" running really exercised calf muscles but MY GOD! I can maintain 15-16kph for an hour without too much trouble, but 6 minutes! 6 minutes! Did I mention I lasted 6 minutes! Hell, my calves hurt. I also found I was using the pads of my feet in a more natural running motion than with shoes - it was quite sore, but I reckon that will only last a short time til I get used to the change. Today I have really known my calves were exercised, and the feet pads are slightly sore but only very slighty. I shall alternate FiveFingers/Running shoes until I get used to them I think.
Overall I think these are great: Very comfortable (despite reservations regarding sore pads!), secure fitting, and they actually look very good once you get over the strangeness. The experience of the "new" motion when running is enjoyable and much more natural feeling than running shoes. It may take a while for me to develop familiarity with using my calf muscles - but developing calf muscles can only be a good thing for a cyclist.
Yes, I know. Gloves have fingers, shoes have toes!
I bought these from US of A after reading a few reviews on t’internet. I am a sucker
The fivefingers immediately made an impression, very well made if slightly bizarre looking. And the fabric bit was a lovely dusty blue colour with grey vibram (for that is the name of the sole material).
Having showed them to people at work and my family the universal response was along the lines of "WTF are you thinking about?"
and I was thinking I had made a bit of an error in ordering them - still, the comments regarding their comfort and practical applications were still to be tested.A couple of nights ago I tried them on for the first time, which involved a bit of toe wrestling trying to get them into the "gloves" bit. However, it was not too difficult once I got the hang of it and the second shoe went on much easier as I had just about mastered the technique. To begin with I pulled the tension straps quite tight, but then realised I did not have to if I was only walking around the house as they fitted really well with no sign of my feared falling off and flapping about. In fact they were extremely comfortable and I kept them on for the rest of the evening. On taking them off I noted a slight mark on the top of my foot but other than that no abbrassions or annoying niggling bits.
Last night I wore them to the gym to see how they would stand up to a spot of cross training and treadmill running. I thought they would draw some attention when I went into the gym, but not even a glance at the man with blue geko feet - result!
I stared with 10 minutes of cross-training to warm up a bit, and I noticed it feels slightly strange being "flat" footed rather then wearing supported running shoes. Not uncomfortable, but strange (strange is a word I expect you will see used quite a bit when referring to fivefingers, either to describe their look or to describe how they feel when first put on). In fact they were very comfortable.
The next "test" was to be the treadmill for 20 minutes although I had a suspicion that they would go flying off my feet a smack the woman on the rowing machine behind me in the face..
Long story cut short...I lasted 6 minutes. I found muscles in my calves I did not know existed. I had read that "barefooted" running really exercised calf muscles but MY GOD! I can maintain 15-16kph for an hour without too much trouble, but 6 minutes! 6 minutes! Did I mention I lasted 6 minutes! Hell, my calves hurt. I also found I was using the pads of my feet in a more natural running motion than with shoes - it was quite sore, but I reckon that will only last a short time til I get used to the change. Today I have really known my calves were exercised, and the feet pads are slightly sore but only very slighty. I shall alternate FiveFingers/Running shoes until I get used to them I think.
Overall I think these are great: Very comfortable (despite reservations regarding sore pads!), secure fitting, and they actually look very good once you get over the strangeness. The experience of the "new" motion when running is enjoyable and much more natural feeling than running shoes. It may take a while for me to develop familiarity with using my calf muscles - but developing calf muscles can only be a good thing for a cyclist.
