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I have seen this shoe many times and have been told that they are the best. I have also heard from many people that they do not conform to AR 670-1. I am not sure on the true answer to this. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I personally think they look like crap but don't want the way I feel to push me to telling SM's that they are not allowed to wear them.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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It's actually in DA PAM 670-1, here is what it has to offer, and they are unauthorized
12–6. General guidelines
a. Personnel wear the green micro fleece cap pulled down snugly on the head with the bottom edge covering the
ears, but not covering the eyebrows. The bottom edge (a portion of or all) of the cap may be folded, but not rolled.
b. Commanders may authorize wear of commercial running shoes with calf-length or ankle-length, plain white socks
(no logos). If worn, ankle-length socks must cover the entire ankle bone. Shoes must accommodate all five toes in one
compartment. Those shoes that feature five separate, individual compartments for the toes, detract from a professional
military image and are prohibited for wear with the IPFU or when conducting physical training in a military formation.
12–6. General guidelines
a. Personnel wear the green micro fleece cap pulled down snugly on the head with the bottom edge covering the
ears, but not covering the eyebrows. The bottom edge (a portion of or all) of the cap may be folded, but not rolled.
b. Commanders may authorize wear of commercial running shoes with calf-length or ankle-length, plain white socks
(no logos). If worn, ankle-length socks must cover the entire ankle bone. Shoes must accommodate all five toes in one
compartment. Those shoes that feature five separate, individual compartments for the toes, detract from a professional
military image and are prohibited for wear with the IPFU or when conducting physical training in a military formation.
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SSG Robert Burns
Look at that....Rally Point comes through again. You forget what you learned in PLDC?....check on Rally Point.
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SSG (Join to see)
Along the same lines in regards with the five separate toe configuration, it is authorized to wear a minimalist shoe that conforms with the regulation that states "Shoes must accommodate all five toes in one compartment." DA PAM 670-1 page 33, section 12-6 para b. Minimalist shoes look like a separate five toe shoe, has the same construction as a separate five toe shoe, however it has one compartment.
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For the AF they ARE authorized, but the major manufacture of that style shoes recently lost a lawsuit over claims about the shoes.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/10/_n_5302213.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/10/_n_5302213.html
That Barefoot Running Shoe Company Lied To Us All
If you were one of the 70 million Americans who purchased a pair of those weird-looking "barefoot running" shoes, you may be entitled to some cash. Vibram, the company behind FiveFingers
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
SSgt (Join to see) , those are the exact kind of claims that they got used and lost over.
"Vibram will not make ... any claims that FiveFingers footwear are effective in strengthening muscles or preventing injury unless that representation is true, non-misleading and is supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence,"
"Vibram will not make ... any claims that FiveFingers footwear are effective in strengthening muscles or preventing injury unless that representation is true, non-misleading and is supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence,"
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Suspended Profile
TSgt Joshua Copeland: Quite right. Due to a knee problem I had to change my gait while running, and in an effort to do so bought the Vibram 5-fingers. They worked well for me - even got me through a Tough Mudder - but I much prefer the shoes I have now (Merrell). They're still minimalist, zero-drop soles but are more like traditional shoes and promote the less ground pounding gait I like.
TSgt Joshua Copeland
SMSgt Jeff Samuelson , congrats on the tough mudder! That is no small achievement!
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Maj Matt Hylton
I have a pair of them as well and wear them to group PT since they are authorized in the AF. I didn't buy into the whole "strengthen your muscles" claim, but I did buy into the fact that it forces me to change my gait. I was a bad heel striker when running and it didn't affect me too much when I was younger, but one torn ACL and knee surgery later, it was really reeking havoc on my knee and ankles. If I heel strike while running in the five-fingers, it hurts my heel and forces me to run up on the balls of my feet.
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The toe shoes are unauthorized, but there are many minimalist versions that are acceptable according to the PAM.
Most of the information coming out on these shoes is anecdotal. I know a lot of runners that have seen great success and/or improvements on their run through the use of minimalist shoes. But take some time to talk to the medics in your unit(s) and you will hear a different story coming from inexperienced or poorly trained runners. There is a running style that has to be adopted to use the minimalist shoes effectively.
If a runner can not switch from a heel fall technique, the minimalist shoes will just hurt them, badly. Mid foot strike or ball strike are needed and these can be difficult techniques for poor runners to adopt. Also, when switching techniques you should start with a beginner running program so that you don't revert to an inappropriate running form half way through your run because the new style tires you out quicker.
Most of the information coming out on these shoes is anecdotal. I know a lot of runners that have seen great success and/or improvements on their run through the use of minimalist shoes. But take some time to talk to the medics in your unit(s) and you will hear a different story coming from inexperienced or poorly trained runners. There is a running style that has to be adopted to use the minimalist shoes effectively.
If a runner can not switch from a heel fall technique, the minimalist shoes will just hurt them, badly. Mid foot strike or ball strike are needed and these can be difficult techniques for poor runners to adopt. Also, when switching techniques you should start with a beginner running program so that you don't revert to an inappropriate running form half way through your run because the new style tires you out quicker.
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CW2 Joseph Evans
Cpl Ray Fernandez, Those who already have good running form or are able to adopt it quickly love the minimalist shoes. I think most of it has to do with them being half the weight of normal running shoes. New runners trying to emulate the faster guys tend to forget that the extra weight is padding to prevent injury from bad running form.
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Cpl Ray Fernandez
I use minimalist shoes I run in Nike Free series. I love the sole being flexible enough where I can stretch my toes and the sole responds, yet having enough cushion to run near daily on sidewalks and pavement without pain. You're right Modern padding in shoes just masks the problem and the added weight and padding reinforce bad form because of the added energy it takes to lift the foot and the poor weight distribution of the impact when the foot strikes the ground in the wrong way. As a species we're designed to run long distances. Some of my friends run ultramarathons like the Badwater 135 that prove that yes it is possible for a person to run day and night even in intense heat.
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ALARACT 239/2011: There are a variety of minimalist running shoes available for purchase and wear… only those shoes that accommodate all five toes in one compartment are authorized for wear. Those shoes that feature five separate,
individual compartments for the toes, detract from a professional military image
and are prohibited for wear with the IPFU or when conducting Army physical training
in military formation.
Also see these sources for you and your Soldiers to make informed decisions:
http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/Minimalist-Running-Shoes.aspx
http://soldiersystems.net/2011/07/11/army-says-no-to-five-fingers/
http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/MinimalistRunningShoes.pdf
individual compartments for the toes, detract from a professional military image
and are prohibited for wear with the IPFU or when conducting Army physical training
in military formation.
Also see these sources for you and your Soldiers to make informed decisions:
http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/Minimalist-Running-Shoes.aspx
http://soldiersystems.net/2011/07/11/army-says-no-to-five-fingers/
http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/MinimalistRunningShoes.pdf
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SFC(P) Tobias M. I see you have received the info you asked about concerning authorization...kudos to you, for asking, admitting you had looked but had not found out the answer. Kudos to the RP Scouts out there sneaking and peeking for the answer, as well as the good "ribbing" given by all (Richard Cranium) and recepted by you. Being humble does work!
I just wanted to add that I have been wearing the Vibram 5-finger shoes for over 3 years. I have run several 5K runs in them with no problems. Unless I have to "dress for ocassion", that is all you will find me in when I'm not at work. They are truly most comfortable.
Depending on the who you listen to, you will hear they are good for running in and also, not good. The company recently lost a court battle over some of their claims. I do not do any distance running anymore to make that much difference for me one way or the other. I do have knee issues and if I did more running, it would not be in them...due to the heel strike harder to the ground due to less cushioning in the shoes, I do have post-run stiffness in the knee, but that is not "just because of the shoe", I always have some stiffness, no matter what I do. But for all other outdoor activities and sports, I will wear them. Individual choice and preference ....best solution...check em out!
I just wanted to add that I have been wearing the Vibram 5-finger shoes for over 3 years. I have run several 5K runs in them with no problems. Unless I have to "dress for ocassion", that is all you will find me in when I'm not at work. They are truly most comfortable.
Depending on the who you listen to, you will hear they are good for running in and also, not good. The company recently lost a court battle over some of their claims. I do not do any distance running anymore to make that much difference for me one way or the other. I do have knee issues and if I did more running, it would not be in them...due to the heel strike harder to the ground due to less cushioning in the shoes, I do have post-run stiffness in the knee, but that is not "just because of the shoe", I always have some stiffness, no matter what I do. But for all other outdoor activities and sports, I will wear them. Individual choice and preference ....best solution...check em out!
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Don't believe the hype. All the so called claims of barefoot running haven't stood up to testing, and as such many of the shoe manufactures like vibram and their 5 toe running shoe led to class actions lawsuits which resulted in a lot of purchasers receiving at least part of their money back.
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Unacceptable. Not just because they're hideous, but because how many times have you had your feet stepped on in an inchworm run? Safety first!
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Besides the fact that they are just about FAD and they look like crap. I can't stand people that swear these are the only way. That is fine if they work for you but I am tired of seeing the 300 fat guy in the gym wearing this things doing only God knows what under the guise of some crossfit guy told him while making no gains. You would think after a month you would see an difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwVl46GWfzg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwVl46GWfzg
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CPT (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) There is one guy at the gym i go to. I swear he spends more time talking than lifting. I think he comes to chat. He looks like a washed up hack. I have seen him there every day and he spends about 20 mins of his 2 hours exercising. It kills me.
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1SG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) I see the same here at Ft. Stewart. There is an older group of us who have played and/or play Tournament Racquetball. Being an old(er) competitor I enjoy seeing younger players show up at the court. Being an instructor, I will invite them onto the court to play and help them out. There is this one guy, Not quite the 300 lb-er you described, but one who truly nees the extra time and workout. He will sit outside the court, dressed to play, racquet in hand, but will not get on the court...but sit there until we leave and then hit the court. I've even sat down with him and explained none of us are out to embarrass him, but help him out, give him some pointers, etc. When he said he enjoyed watching, I had to say, "That's not helping you lose your weight or get in better shape and pass that PT test you're constantly struggling with now is it!" Now that I've established contact with him, I don't hesitate to tell him to get his ass up and go do something "since you are in the gym". Finally got him hooked up with one of the PFT's and on a workout regime and he's coming around! I'll get him on the court before it's over!
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SSG (Join to see)
Vybram recently settled in a HUGE lawsuit because of "Deceptive Marketing". Basicly, they had little to no science whatsoever in their claim that their shoes were "better" for you because they were like running barefoot. It is all over the internet.
Now, with that said, I would like to say that if they work for you, great! But they are not for everyone. They are awkward to wear and can, in fact, cause more injury than you would receive in a standard running shoe.
Now, with that said, I would like to say that if they work for you, great! But they are not for everyone. They are awkward to wear and can, in fact, cause more injury than you would receive in a standard running shoe.
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CPT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) i think many thought these were the new way or some sort of revolutionary new shoe. As with many fad out there it is was not. Just don't ask one of those people who have them.
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