Monday, June 7, 2010

Vibram Five Fingers: Initial Product Review

Remember how pumped I was when I scored my pair of Vibram Fivefingers? Well I’ve been roaming around with these crazy little kicks on my feet and I am ready to give my initial product review. Initial because these Five Fingers are really multi-sport footwear. So a hiking and roaming around town review just doesn’t give them the justice they deserve.

Vibram Five Fingers

Fivefingers: The Fit

Online there are dozens of articles discussing the fit of the Five fingers. I really found them to not be difficult to figure out the size or find- but others have, so proceed with caution. The one difficulty I’ve had (which I mentioned in this post), is that it can be hard to force your toes into the little pockets.

Apparently our toes move as one unit, not individually. Or at least my toes do.

Fivefingers: On the Trail

I’ve been sporting the fivefingers on all of my easy day hikes, dog walks, and romps around town. Overall, I think they’re really fun and actually have nice traction on the bottom. Would I wear them on a more serious hike? Umm…still not sold yet.

Why? Mainly because when I am out hiking with the fivefingers sharp rocks and sticks really do hurt. Your foot is protected with the fivefingers, but you’re not immune to jagged objects.

Fivefingers: Other Observations
  • A few other observations about fivefingers. You’ll have an instant topic of conversation wearing these multi-activity shoes around town. People are intrigued.
  • I still get unimaginable toes and foot cramps when I wear them for more than three hours. Am I building my toe strength?
  • I recently developed a patch of poison ivy between my toes and as such have had to put my fivefingers aside. For obvious reasons.
Upcoming Posts

I plan to post about wearing the fivefingers for water sports soon. Just as soon as this here poison ivy clears up.

Past Posts

Bare Foot Running

7 comments:

Sarah M said...

good review. I have a friend who is a marathon runner and he said he wouldn't wear them, although he's tried them on, for running. Something about pavement and shins. :)
I would definitely be weary if I got poison ivy between my toes too, yikes!
Sarah M

JacQ said...

Thanks for sharing Betty!

I have went on hikes with my VFF Classic that are longer than 2 miles... not recommended. It felt awesome climbing up hills and over rocks, but coming back down is really painful, by the time I was done with a 6-mile hike, I was walking like a dead woman~ Every step was hair raising painful step...

You can see some of the photos of the hike here. You will see the blisters I got at the end of the hike...

I will never go on long hikes with them again, but walking around town and short 2-mile hikes are awesome.

Betty Mountain Girl said...

Thanks so much to you both for reading and commenting :)

JacQ- Love your pics and your site! What a fabulous life & adventure you are on :)

I think my thoughts are about the same on the fivefinger- great for scrambling and such, but not for anything significant mileage-wise.

Anonymous said...

vibram fivefingers are one of

the product that are good and leave no room for argument in my life. Vibram

fivefingers not only dependent on its looks but on its performance. vibram fivefingers will be a

good taste on the feet , so it might be a good idea to test them on your feet.

Jodi Renshaw said...

Wow --- those are awesome looking! I dont hike and I want a pair.

zbsports said...

No doubt vibram five finger shoes is comfortable and flexible on foot. I tested it many times and I was amazed to its performance. This is a great running shoes.

Kate said...

I just found your blog and already love it!!

I've had my vibrams for just about two years now and the foot cramps do go away!

I've also done some longer hikes with them, and haven't had a problem. Some of this, however, may be do to the fact I go barefoot way to often and naturally walk pretty lightly so I'm not bothered too much by the terrain.