VFF's for running vs. normal running shoes

[HayleyMarie]

Originally Posted by Babyblue5290

I have a pair of Nike running shoes and a pair of VFF's and I do have to say I run better in my VFF's. I don't heal strike as much or have to worry about my form or how I'm running nearly as much as regular running shoes. They seem to keep me on the ball of my foot instead of on my heel which is great for me.

I do wear my Regular Nike's every once in a while, mostly when it is super wet and cold out. The VFF's don't stop the mud or wet from coming in so they can chill my feet to omuch sometimes. When it's dry and cold I don't have a problem once I start running, it's only when it's really chilly and really wet (like huge puddles everywhere type wet, not just water on the ground).



I wear mine when I go hiking, or trail running. There are a lot of boulders/rocks, but I don't have any problems. Honestly, I feel like I've got better grip with my VFF's than with my Nike's. But I've also got VFF's with a thicker sole made for all terrain running.

Thanks I will have to look more into it. Alot of the hiking there is alot of shail. I know when I wore a pair of running shoe nike's they got totally ruined. I might just have to buy a pair a sweet hiking boots for that terrain.

[stardogs]

I definitely second the working up to full activity when trying VFFs for *any* activity, not just running! They will work muscles you didn't know you had initially.

I <3 my VFFs for running and hiking both. Running I'm not uber serious (just doing some C25K stuff here and there), but for once my shins and achilles tendons don't hurt after a run and that used to be a constant problem in regular running shoes.

Do keep in mind that you'll need to change your running style to strike on the fore or mid foot vs. heel striking or you can seriously hurt yourself since VFFs have no cushioning to speak of and feet are designed to absorb impacts in the fore or midfoot running style, not heelstriking. Of course that's kind of the point of VFFs - they are designed to teach/allow you to run more naturally!

I prefer my VFF KomodoSports to any of my other VFFs for running.

Video comparing my running in regular running shoes, VFFs, and barefoot:
http://youtu.be/P4hkNdDs_3o

For hiking, I swear I feel more balanced in VFFs than hiking boots and I know for sure that I am more surefooted on very uneven or wet surfaces. I find myself slipping a lot less! I wear my VFF TrekSports for hiking because they have a thicker sole - helpful on rocky surfaces as it smooths out all but the roughest points. I've hiked up to 8 miles at a time in the TrekSports without issue and my feet were much happier at the end than in boots.

[Saeleofu]

I personally will never run in Anything else

Same here. And nothing other than KSOs or those with a similar sole. I wore a pair of bikilas for a while and it was AWFUL. KSOs, sprints, classics and flows all have the same type of sole, I believe.

[AllieMackie]

You Can Wear VFFs For Anything.



Running definitely has to be built up slowly. I just started interval running with them once a week (using runners otherwise) and built it up as I felt comfortable. Now I run in them exclusively. It's very important to make sure you're striking with the ball of your foot - it's the core of barefoot running and how all runners -should- naturally run (heels strikes cause knee and shin issues, including shin splints).

Sael, I love my Bikilas for running, more than my KSOs. My KSOs are my everyday VFF and my Bikilas are my running pair. Personal preference.

[LauraLeigh]

Is it sad I did not even know what you all were talking about !?

I had never heard of VFF's after watching the video, there's NO way I think I could wear those!!!! I can't even stand a sandal that has a toe strap! Socks with toes drive me crazy...

I can see on the video the point of them... But.....

[stardogs]

There are also minimalist shoes that don't have separated toes! I've heard fab things about the glove line by Merrill: http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Prod...e?dimensions=0

[LauraLeigh]

Originally Posted by stardogs

There are also minimalist shoes that don't have separated toes! I've heard fab things about the glove line by Merrill: http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Prod...e?dimensions=0

Now that I could consider.... :-)

[MandyPug]

Originally Posted by stardogs

There are also minimalist shoes that don't have separated toes! I've heard fab things about the glove line by Merrill: http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Prod...e?dimensions=0

Maybe a pair like those would solve my shin issues at school... Hmm.

[Dekka]

For those who have come from running in running shoes.. did you have a gait analysis done? or did you just go with shoes that were a brand you liked/looked good/ or seemed comfy?

I have some asics that are really good for my feet (so far have yet to meet a Nike shoe that would work...) but would like to try VFFs. I go barefoot all the time, out around the farm etc. But when people say they are better, are they better than an appropriate running shoe for your gait, foot strike and foot conformation?

[AllieMackie]

Originally Posted by Dekka

For those who have come from running in running shoes.. did you have a gait analysis done? or did you just go with shoes that were a brand you liked/looked good/ or seemed comfy?

I have some asics that are really good for my feet (so far have yet to meet a Nike shoe that would work...) but would like to try VFFs. I go barefoot all the time, out around the farm etc. But when people say they are better, are they better than an appropriate running shoe for your gait, foot strike and foot conformation?

Personally I find it more difficult in my fancy pronation Asics to ball-strike correctly than in my VFFs. I still do it because my foot is now trained to, but it feels awkward. I think it's just because I'm used to the VFFs - most runners learn to strike correctly with the ball of their foot with runners, so I know it's not impossible or particularly difficult... I think that )IMO) it's easier in VFFs because they simulate being barefoot.

I had a gait analysis done for my Asics.