VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS

I recently picked  up a pair of Vibram Five Fingers “shoes” for strength training of my feet and lower legs.  They offer 4 different models I chose the KSO . I picked this model due to its mesh uppers and strap arrangement. Running barefoot is well known for its strength and technique training. Your foot strike is totally different when you don’t have a cushy heel to land on. Instead you strike with the front half of your foot, the way the body was designed to.  With more forward foot strike your posture changes as well.  You guessed it, more forward and aggressive.  By not being reliant on a cushy shoe  your muscles and connective tissue are strengthened, which helps to fend off injuries.

What the Five fingers do offer is a tough sticky rubber Vibram sole. The sole though thin does give you some protection from sharp rocks and other objects. At first you feel everything, but as time goes on and your foot strengthens you will feel less poking.  Though people do run roads in the FF’s I tend to look for trails with nice packed dirt and grass to run on. Your mileage is not going to be high in the FF’s . Just a few miles at a time a couple days a week, ex 6-9 miles a week over 2-3 runs. These can either be a run on its own or a cool down after a longer shoed run. I look forward to spending some time in the KSO, one gripe I have is its a B¡†©H to get the things on you feet!