Ryan and I both run marathons in the Vibram toe shoes. In fact, we have our next one coming up in three weeks, and I’ll be wearing my V-Run Retros and Ryan will be in his Spyridon EVOs.

I love my V-Run Retros more every time I wear them. They are my favorite shoe right now, although I am eager to try the Spyridons. Haha, I know what you mean. Nike super shoes that you have to replace every 500 miles. No thanks. Sometimes the only way to get those people to believe is to show them! Reply In an unbelievably true story, Chris tags along in an epic 50-mile ultramarathon race deep in Mexico’s Copper Canyon in 2006. So, why not run barefoot as humans have done for millennia and stop wrapping them up in cushion-like a cast? That includes the folks with flat feet.Every study I read drew drastic conclusions — for and against — with very few research participants. In one, only eight participants. In another, with nineteen participants. As a swimmer, we were always running around barefoot. Gym class was the only time I really used shoes for athletics.

Question: I see your recommendations above. Thank you! yet did not see a mention of the Spyridon EVOs Sorry for the long dissertation about my use of the shoes. But I feel their use has really changed my life for the better. At least I can play a complete round of golf without pain adding to my frustration. Reply

For years, we worked out barefoot. But once we started lifting weights and incorporating resistance bands, we needed shoes to protect our feet. However, not every sneaker is a smart choice.

Remember, just because you buy minimalist sneakers, it doesn’t mean you need to run only with them. We’ve read studies showing that many people found their sweet spot in performance and personal best times by training in barefoot shoes 35% of the time. Ryan trained for his first marathon in a pair of V-Trek Vibram FiveFingers. While training in mountainous Medellín, Colombia, he needed more rubber to cushion his heels. By the end of training, the soles were good but he was patching holes in the toes with duct tape. Thank you very much for reading all of that and considering it! And thank you again for your very helpful article and answers to the comments. Yes I called you two kids. Only because at 67 I may be old enough to be your grandpa. Really liked your review. It’s filled with good info on the use of these shoes.Work out in your FiveFingers for 10% of your overall routine every other day. If you normally run 5 miles, do 1/2 mile in your toe shoes. Weeks 5-12 The Vibram FiveFingers V-Run is the absolutely lightest shoe in our lineup, but its status as a barefoot shoe makes it barely fair to compare to the other shoes. Needless to say, the V-Run earned a top score here at 9.9 ounces for a pair of men's size 11. The next nearest competitors in weight were the Saucony Kinvara 8 at 16.9 ounces a pair and the Nike Flex Fury 2 at 17.2 ounces a pair, followed by the Hoka Clifton. It doesn't get much lighter than the V-Run without going full nude. Durability Based on our combined 20 years of experience wearing at least a dozen pairs of FiveFinger shoes, they last longer than the typical shoe. They last between one and five years depending on use.

Everyone loves to chat about them and there are few things I wear that makes me as many friends. I guess you could call me a weirdo convert, but I prefer to be known as an enlightened adventurer and runner. In our opinion, minimalist shoes help with awareness because bad running form can’t be hidden in barefoot shoes. Why? Because there is no padding. There are a lot of shoes that we don’t highly recommend, either for performance, fit, or durability reasons. Additionally, the shoes that we do highly recommend, are not ideal for certain activities. And guess what’s on their feet? Not much: thin sandals made from old tire rubber and leather string. Unfortunately, we can’t shop for FiveFingers in retail stores. What’s also challenging, is that Vibram offers several models for a specific activity such as hiking, training, or running. For many, this can lead to decision fatigue.

Value

It would be helpful if you just copy and pasted your below questions into the comments section of our Vibram Review Then I’ll post my response there too so other readers can benefit. I would appreciate it! Like so many, Ryan and I were first introduced to minimalist running by reading the wildly popular 2009 best-selling book, Born to Run by Chris McDougall. My first recommendation is the basic KSO shoe. It is their best-selling model (and has been forever), and in our experience, it’s the most durable and comfortable. Make sure it’s the KSO, not the KSO EVO. The most recent KSO EVO model didn’t hold up as well for us. If you haven’t run in the KSO shoes before, they do have a thinner sole and more barefoot feel. I love this, but only for road running as a piece of gravel can be pretty painful. Hey Rich, this is loaded with great questions. As you saw, I already replied to your second comment about the 42s versus the 43s. After reading this comment, that recommendation holds.