What is your opinion of Vibram 5-finger shoes?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 27 May 2015 23:56:34 -0400

You've seen them or perhaps you ran with some on. They are Vibram Five Finger shoes. They should call them Five Toes shoes. The Army banned them for PT. What is your opinin of these unique shoes for military PT or otherwise?

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made May 27 at 2015 11:57 PM

CW2 Stephen Pate — Wed, 27 May 2015 23:57:31 -0400

I bought a pair a few years ago...not worth it to me.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 28 at 2015 12:03 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:03:48 -0400

Silly, faddish ... and a flash in the pan... The Army does a lot research on running shoes... to ensure we have least amount of injuries... This is a lot like boots and protective eyewear... what works vs. what is cool. CH (MAJ) William Beaver

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 12:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:13:52 -0400

I wore them for a while and only ran on a treadmill. They force you to change to a more natural stride. My run improved. Was it the shoe? Who knows. They are great to wear in public if for no other reason but to embarrass your kids.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 12:18 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:18:54 -0400

I think they're fine. If a soldier feels more comfortable wearing them then that's his opinion. Just like with the tat policy, we have to change to the way society is growing

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 12:24 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:24:36 -0400

They work great if you use them correctly and ease your way into them. I was running a 11:00 1.5 mile when I started wearing them and they helped my form and I worked my way to running a 08:22 1.5 mile. Sure, some of that was hardwork and perseverance, but I was a heel striker and VFF's got my strike point in a better position to make running more comfortable and enjoyable.

But don't rush into using them! Start slow and working up speed and distance. They're not for everyone out there, but the only people I've seen get injured using them are people who wear them and still heel stomp (I cringe when I see this) or who use them for long distances where a little more cushioning is needed. Use them right and they will reward you.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 28 at 2015 12:29 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:29:53 -0400

I don't thing that make any in wide. I looked a few years ago. I didn't find any.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 12:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:50:02 -0400

I had a pair that I used while doing cross fit/boxing, but ditched them after a while. I needed more stability, so that's when I converted to Brooks. Still lightweight, but offered MUCH more stability.

If you're the type to workout/run in Nike Free shoes, then you'll be fine with Toe Shoes.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 2:03 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 02:03:40 -0400

I run in Merrells. Same sole. If you do it right, they're great. If you do it wrong, you're going to be light duty for a while. The Navy is okay with them, so it's what I do.

Response by SFC Osvaldo Vazquez made May 28 at 2015 3:26 AM

SFC Osvaldo Vazquez — Thu, 28 May 2015 03:26:20 -0400

Not with uniform and not for the inexperienced Bardot runner that can become injury prone due to the lack of support and extreme flexibility. I've seen many "heavy" people wearing them and that's just asking for all kind of injuries from foot to knees to back.

In my opinion non-experienced barefoot runners should steer away from it. I've seen many people go on profile due to "injuries from running" because improper use.

You can't be 200 lbs, have flat feet and run on hard surface when you know you have flat foot and need arch support and cushioning.

I have a pair. Wear them for walking and such but learned my lesson by running on them and sea with fasciitis for months because I thought they looked cool.

Is not the "can you use them", is the "is your body apt for using them?"

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 6:48 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 06:48:12 -0400

I ran in mine a couple times but stopped because wearing my boots all day kind of defeated the purpose of "minimalist". Going back and forth from minimalist footwear to footwear that has a heel never actually let my hamstring/calf muscles lengthen, so I was always sore after running in them.

Now I just wear them out on the boat. Great boat shoes!!!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 28 at 2015 7:44 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 28 May 2015 07:44:57 -0400

I own a pair. They're comfortable, however, they have zero padding and are not easy to size properly. They are essentially just pad protection, not shoes.

I can say this however, I have never seen a "competitive" endurance runner wearing them at any race I've ever attended. I know that's anecdotal, but that includes trail races & road races from 5k to 50k, and I run around 50 a year.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 28 at 2015 7:48 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 28 May 2015 07:48:02 -0400

AF Allows them, but they are overrated and had a huge class action lawsuit over their claims.

http://www.runnersworld.com/minimalist-shoes/more-than-150000-claims-filed-in-vibram-class-action-suit

More Than 150,000 Claims Filed in Vibram Class Action Suit

More than 150,000 claims were received in the class action suit against Vibram USA, and claimants can expect to receive between $8 and $9 per pair of Vibram FiveFingers reportedly purchased, according to court documents reviewed by Runner’s World Newswire.After reviewing 95 percent of the claims submitted in the Bezdek vs. Vibram USA class action lawsuit, Heffler Claims Group, the independent case administrator, has submitted a declaration to...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 7:51 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 07:51:29 -0400

I wish I'd been in the Army at the time so they could have told me no.

They are great for a few things, but do NOT run on hard surfaces with these. You can only get away with it for so long before you inevitably injure yourself. I ran for a year with these, thinking I was pretty cool and getting into the whole minimalist running trend. Then, after a year, all of a sudden I had pain in the left ball of my foot.

Several years later, after almost losing my military career, endless pain and ultimately a surgery, I realize what a bad idea these are. I ended up with a Morton's Neuroma (google it), basically an entrapped nerve due to damage from all the hard foot strikes with these shoes. I will now have to deal with it for the rest of my life, although it is healing slowly.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 7:57 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 07:57:03 -0400

Thos scream "I need attention". There are many minimalist shhoes in the market that dont look that ridiculous.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 8:07 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 08:07:44 -0400

Vibram recently lost a lawsuit because of their claims to improved stability, stamina, and muscle building in small areas of the foot/leg. These claims were proven to be untrue and fictitious although it does give the feel of the "minimalist" running style (e.g. barefoot). I had a pair once upon a time and I regretted it. I run much faster with more stability under my foot.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 8:40 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 08:40:57 -0400

One does not simply wear those on ones hands.

Response by SFC(P) Aaron Fore made May 28 at 2015 9:03 AM

SFC(P) Aaron Fore — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:03:46 -0400

Whether or not these shoes are good or not is highly dependent on each individual just as all footwear is. Most people are heel strikers as they run, some are not, these shoes are better for toe runners. One must consider that all feet are not the same and being that there are 33 joints and 26 bones in each foot there is a lot of moving pieces. The theory behind the minimalist shoes is that they are more natural and will strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the foot and advertised that for thousands of years people ran bare footed. Well, there’s a reason shoes were invented.
Before purchasing a pair of shoes, particularly for sports activities, understand your biomechanics of your ambulation. There are many things to consider such as: are you flat footed, have a high arch, stability issues of hypermobile forefoot or rear foot, history of previous injuries, Diabetes, Arthritis and so forth.
If you purchase these or any other foot wear, you must gradually incorporate them into your activities as not to cause damage to your feet. These shoes are not for everyone and may introduce you to pain in your feet that you are not accustomed to simply by changing the architecture of your foot from what is normal for you. I would advise speaking to a Pedorthist or Podiatrist if you have any concerns. I am a board certified Pedorthist and hope this has been helpful and I am open for questions.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 9:18 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:18:02 -0400

I didn't like running in them. I now use them for water shoes when I'm on a float trip or canoeing.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 9:21 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:21:28 -0400

Never wore them and they look very uncomfortable.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 28 at 2015 9:28 AM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:28:05 -0400

recent reports say they are a sham, I call them hippy dippy baloney

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 10:00 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 10:00:05 -0400

It's part of the Bigfoot Conspiracy

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made May 28 at 2015 11:31 AM

LTC Hillary Luton — Thu, 28 May 2015 11:31:49 -0400

I've worn them for running and for the most part, I like them, because I prefer to run a more natural stride with impact more on the balls of my feet instead of the heels. But the one thing that still drives me crazy is having something in between my toes. I wear minimalist shoes for running, but prefer a shoe that doesn't cut between my toes. I will sill wear them once in awhile.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made May 29 at 2015 6:55 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 29 May 2015 18:55:26 -0400

I know of some Airmen at my last squadron that ran using those. Some of them really liked it and talked good about them but I have always thought they were a little ridiculous for my liking. Maybe I should try them someday if they aren't too expensive.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 4:10 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 04:10:33 -0400

I don't like them for running, but they're great for working out in the yard or at the beach.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Aug 21 at 2016 12:35 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:35:43 -0400

I think they are the gayest things I've ever seen.

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Apr 30 at 2019 9:19 AM

SFC Quinn Chastant — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:19:36 -0400

They take time to adjust to is an understatement. I found them OK for some things but as for day wear they are a kitsch type of product. Probably better suited for use as water shoes at the beack and other activities where you are not prone to breaking into a jog. Stand up paddle boarding comes to mind, even for that cheaper water shoes would still be a better fiscal option. Probably not worth the purchase price in the long run...