Tuesday
Mar182008
Weird "barefoot" shoes from Vibram
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 1:15AM 
They claim a wide range of health benefits:
- By stimulating the muscles of your lower legs and feet, you add strength, improve balance, and increase agility.
- A lower heel position leads to stronger legs and feet, straightens your spine, improves posture, and reduces back pain.
- Individual toe compartments gently spread your toes to strengthen foot muscles, increase range of motion and improve foot health.
The concept is kinda intriguing.
Do you buy these claims?
Has anybody used them?
Link
Reader Comments (6)
It makes sense, but I don't like things between my toes!
Despite what I said, I do like the LOOK of these shoes. The toes are really cute. And they are red!
I have em and LOVE EM
but, as my nickname is RUNS IF CHASED, they are mainly for yoga or hanging out.
that said, I have a few friends who do use them for running and really really like them (Im doing a magazine piece on barefoot running so Im a vastwasteland of more than you wanna know right now ;))
M.
Hi M,
If you'd like to talk to someone from Vibram re. barefoot running or almost barefoot running for your article let me know. Also I've got plenty of names of barefoot runners if you need anymore.
Best,
A
I'd like to try running in them. I currently run in a http://www.mizunousa.com/equipment.nsf/allproduct/73dd02f2d925844e852573ca005e375a?opendocument&div=running&cat=mensfootwear" rel="nofollow">Mizuno Wave Alchemy, a http://www.mizunousa.com/equipment.nsf/productrun?openform&div=running&cat=mensfootwear" rel="nofollow">moderate control shoe, as I over-pronate fairly badly esp. my left foot which has a very low but not entirely flat arch.
I guess they're a lot like Birkenstock's in terms of time to get used to them... you're sorta training your foot instead of breaking in the shoe.
anne,
if you swing back email me at MizFit08@yahoo.com!
or come by my site and leave a comment (subliminal message: Id love more shoes. Id love more shoes :))
THANKS!