The FFs were originally invented for kayaking, so they say, but now they are very popular with the barefooting crowd who like the physical benefits of barefooting but maybe want the safety of a layer of protection or don't want calouses or dirty feet, etc. Now they are used for everything from surfing, kayaking, and beachcombing to bouldering, hiking, jogging, marathons, and more.
The thing about them is that you have to walk differently in them - that is, how humans are *supposed* to walk. We are built to walk barefoot, not with shoes on, and there is quite a lot of research and many articles that point to this. That said, those of us who grew up in a shoe culture don't have the proper muscular strength in our feet to just instantly be comfortable running around barefoot or in FFs. It takes time to build up the proper foot strength to be able to run for miles in these puppies. I can jog/hike a few miles without causing damage and I have been wearing these at least every other day for two months now. They are NO good on asphalt just like any other shoe, however, maybe because padded shoes were invented BECAUSE of hard subsrates and the damage that walking on them does to our bodies. Kind of ironic, really.
I actually find it easier to run in these than normal shoes and though my feet muscles still get tired, my knees no longer encounter any pain - because I am moving the way humans are built to move - that is, you stay on the balls of your feet and toes, your heels never touching the ground.
If you are at all interested, check out the Vibram FiveFingers website - they have a store locator and you may be able to find a shop near you that carries them so you can at least try them out. At the very least they are great fun for short weekend adventures or walks through the park. They aren't cheap but good shoes never are and I am a believer in getting what you pay for as far as shoes are concerned.
Thanks! I've been playing on the website for a little while. I even measured my foot. :D I'm a 37! Still though, I think a store where I could really try the feel of them would be best for me. If there's not one here then I'll have to try out Dallas when I'm there in July.
Haha! :D
The FFs were originally invented for kayaking, so they say, but now they are very popular with the barefooting crowd who like the physical benefits of barefooting but maybe want the safety of a layer of protection or don't want calouses or dirty feet, etc. Now they are used for everything from surfing, kayaking, and beachcombing to bouldering, hiking, jogging, marathons, and more.
The thing about them is that you have to walk differently in them - that is, how humans are *supposed* to walk. We are built to walk barefoot, not with shoes on, and there is quite a lot of research and many articles that point to this. That said, those of us who grew up in a shoe culture don't have the proper muscular strength in our feet to just instantly be comfortable running around barefoot or in FFs. It takes time to build up the proper foot strength to be able to run for miles in these puppies. I can jog/hike a few miles without causing damage and I have been wearing these at least every other day for two months now. They are NO good on asphalt just like any other shoe, however, maybe because padded shoes were invented BECAUSE of hard subsrates and the damage that walking on them does to our bodies. Kind of ironic, really.
I actually find it easier to run in these than normal shoes and though my feet muscles still get tired, my knees no longer encounter any pain - because I am moving the way humans are built to move - that is, you stay on the balls of your feet and toes, your heels never touching the ground.
Here's a great article about shoes and walking wrong from a non-diehard person at the NY Times:
http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=You+Walk+Wrong&expire=&urlID=27990802&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnymag.com%2Fhealth%2Ffeatures%2F46213%2F&partnerID=73272
And this is a wonderful article about health benefits of barefooting and the sheer joy of it:
http://www.alun.dk/eng/artikler.asp?id=436
If you are at all interested, check out the Vibram FiveFingers website - they have a store locator and you may be able to find a shop near you that carries them so you can at least try them out. At the very least they are great fun for short weekend adventures or walks through the park. They aren't cheap but good shoes never are and I am a believer in getting what you pay for as far as shoes are concerned.
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