Running Shoe v. Vibram FiveFingers

[ydrjtt]

Barefoot walking and running tones your feet. Its all natural...so its good for you...

[edpantous]

My calfs are getting what they deserve. MUAHAHAHA

[cooldonk]

Air Max :D

[cheekieweekie]

I love my 5 fingers, but its too cold to wear them in the winter.

[andwerver]

@cheekieweekie man up pussy

[OsubloweO]

i blinked and missed it! damn it

[brad10474]

@OsubloweO There is something, and its called: Replaying. Sorry had to say that haha

[FlipSnipeZ]

@OsubloweO hahahahahaha!!

[gravew0lf]

bare foot is alot better for running.. most marathon runners wearing shoes can only go upwards of 50 miles .... there are people that run bare foot in south america that run upwards of 200 miles.

[defchewbacca]

too bad its not continuous and in slow motion

[douglasalred]

The person in this video ends up flatfooted when in the weight-bearing phase of the gait cycle, which leads to too much impact. Five Finger shoes, which were made as a boating shoe or for rock climbing have zero cushion and no heel lift. Runners who can not stay off their heel should stay away from these shoes and certainly stay off the pavement. Lots of stress-factures (impact related injuries) have been reported wearing these shoes.

[Jallenbah]

@douglasalred He does compress too far onto his heels in this video, but if you run correctly the heel will touch the ground but with very little force, ending up with less impact force than a heel strike in a padded shoe.

They are designed for boating, but they are basically like just having a protective layer on the bottom of your foot. Therefore it's safe to assume that if correct, natural running style is used, you will be running the same as if you were barefoot, which of course is fine.

[ldreiiyeiistk]

Shoes are the shackles of our society.

[theMrdjmartin]

@webbmonk no it's not staged well even if it is i can attest to the fact that with my running shoes i automatically heel strike with my barefoot i go front of my foot first. im not a die hard barefooter as of now ive only done it one time but the science and benefits are undeniable

[mar504]

@theMrdjmartin So stop? Your shoe is not forcing you to heel strike, your form is. Your feet should be landing directly below you, which makes it impossible to heel strike, it sounds like you aren't doing that, so your problem is your form, not your shoes. Running barefoot helps people correct some of these form issues because it HURTS immediately if you don't, there is absolutely no science that says barefoot running is better, you can run the same way with shoes on as you can with them off.

[Jouwl]

@mar504

Depends completely on how the shoe is made. Most shoes have thicker soles at the heel, so wearing those really screws things up regardless of if you know how to run with decent form.

[irishfitzy13]

@mar504

Actually there is a ton of science that proves barefoot is better mechanically for you. Sorry, not trying to start anything here, just stating facts.

[mar504]

@irishfitzy13 Ok, where is it? Don't tell me there is a ton of science, show me, I'd like to see it. I'm struggling to see how it's possible for it to be better for everyone when everyones body and running style is different.

[ldreiiyeiistk]

@mar504 Do the research yourself, and stop being so hostile on the Internet. I hate to be the one to break this to you, but anyone who can run well runs with the same technique.

[mar504]

@ldreiiyeiistk I'm not being hostile, I just find everyone on the internet with "facts" can never back them up. If you have them, share them, if you don't, then stop fabricating information that will only confuse others. As for your breaking news, I've got news for you, you're wrong. Go watch Haille Gebrselassie run before you post any more "facts", nobody has identical technique, they have what works for them.

[ldreiiyeiistk]

@mar504 Running on the balls of your feet is the only way to run efficiently, safely and with great haste. Think of jumping onto a rail or going up stairs: all done by landing on the balls of your feet. Landing on your heels is bad as the force is absorbed by the bones and joints. It damages your ankles, shins, knees, hips, back and even neck. Landing on the balls of your feet allows the calf to absorb the shock. That's why Achilles tendons are so strong. Gebrselassie runs that way too.

[ldreiiyeiistk]

@ldreiiyeiistk In fact, most people's Achilles tendons AREN'T strong because they wear shoes and can't exercise their legs properly. Why do you think knees cause so many people so much trouble? Because they've been wearing shoes. What kind of species would develop bio-mechanics to hurt yourself? None. Using technology that wasn't experimented with at the time is silly. I run barefoot downtown, and when I step on glass, I man up, pull it out, run home, disinfect and bandage. Society is dirty. :(

[discoverandbeyond]

@ldreiiyeiistk lol! It would really be great if people didn't get used to wearing shoes. Walking barefoot in streets without all the garbage, dirt, chewing gums and what not. To treat everything more nicely. To think what we do..

[mar504]

@ldreiiyeiistk I agree, mid and fore foot running will do tremendous amounts to prevent injury. The difference is I don't agree that shoes force you to heel strike. That's like saying a seatbelt forces you to be a bad driver because it changes how cautious you are on the road. The problem isn't the shoes, it peoples running form, I went from being a heel striker to a mid foot striker... if the shoes were forcing me to do this then I shouldn't be able to change, but I did.

[ldreiiyeiistk]

@mar504 You're comparing apples to oranges. Shoes can't protect you when they are the cause to so much more problems than barefoot.... Anyway, It's clearly not all shoes. FiveFingers are shoes.... My Asics are just impossible to run in. I have some kind of subconscious thought that my heels are protected since they are so thick and padded. Also, because they're thick they're more likely to heel strike, and since you can't move your foot as well, the foot tends to point upwards--heel striking!

[mar504]

@ldreiiyeiistk Bummer about your Asics, I guess it just goes to show there are a lot of variables to consider and everyone will have a different experience. Personally it's not a problem for me and I wouldn't dare run barefoot or in VFFs on the trails I like to do, typically pretty rocky, a friend of mine has already broken several toes in his VFFs on the trails out here.

[ldreiiyeiistk]

@mar504 Very strange. I run barefoot on rocky trails all the time. Yeah, I get cuts but less as the skin is strengthening. Never broken bones. Only with my "top of the line" Asics I got a broken middle-toe. Not to mention the bunions that are slowly fixing themselves now that they aren't incased in prisons, and no more blisters either. I can agree that everyone has their own story, but I find it hard to believe that after hearing the pros and cons you still run with shoes.

Best with running!

[mar504]

@ldreiiyeiistk *shrug* What cons? If my regular shoes work great and I'm injury free why would I change? I don't see anything to gain

[ldreiiyeiistk]

@mar504 Shoe use makes feet weaker. Whether it be the skin, muscles, tendons, etc. Tactile sensation is increased so any pain is amplified, higher chance to get blisters, bunions will develop, weaker ankles from padding, especially the Achilles tendon. Calves are weaker and leg joins, ligaments and tendons are weaker. That's all I can think of off the bat... The real problem is that at a later date you may have injury. This doesn't happen in one day.... How long have you been running for?

[mar504]

I've been running for 17 years. Minimalist running is a tool, it hurts to run with bad form so people land on their forefoot to avoid that pain, just like a pull bouy teaches you correct body position when swimming. Maybe you can't help but heelstrike in shoes, but I can, so why do you insist on putting everyone in that box? Not all of us are doomed to injury by wearing shoes, the shoes allow bad habits to form which is the true culprit, not the shoes themselves in most cases.

[ldreiiyeiistk]

@mar504 I care about everyone, their feet included. It's not just running that harms your feet, wearing shoes all the time will harm them. All shoes do the previously mentioned horrible effects. I feel as thought I'm allowed to ask people to go barefoot, but I still respect the fact that they won't. I just say my side of the story--for their sake--and let them decide--just like you are doing. Maybe if you know the pros and cons of shoes you will stop or start.

Your feet, your life, your choice.

[Jallenbah]

@mar504 Although this is true, the design of the shoes is still faulty. Things like ankle support, arch support and cushioning are ridiculous. The aim of a sports shoe should be to protect the bottom of the foot from damage while retaining sensitivity, flexibility, and comfort. Support and cushioning are unnecessary unless you are weak or heavy.

[irishfitzy13]

@mar504

There's a reason why VFF's are the #1 selling running shoe right now. In fact, I had to go to 4 different stores in D.C. just to find one that had my correct size. 2 stores were completely sold out. Who knows, maybe you work for one of the bigger shoe companies (they have everything to lose and nothing to gain). Either way you should try the "less is more" concept and see if it helps.

[irishfitzy13]

@mar504

2008 Study by Dr. Craig Richards (British Journal of Sports Medicine). He challenged every shoe manufacturer to claim their shoes will decrease injuries. Not a single company took him up on his offer.

Study by Bernard Marti, M.D. - Top-of-the-line running shoes are 123% MORE likely to get injured than runners with cheap shoes, or no shoes at all. 1991 report in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise confirmed this study.

I could go on and on citing examples that clearly show this.

[irishfitzy13]

@mar504

There is more than enough evidence out there right now that clearly indicates running barefoot is better for us. I speak from experience (played soccer my whole life), had a ton of ailments from spraining ankles, torn ligaments, and wicked shin splints.

I started using Nike Free's, and now VFF's and barefoot...the difference is amazing. Haven't had shin splints in 5 years, my ankles no longer give me problems, and I run longer and faster than I ever have.

[mar504]

@irishfitzy13 The study you posted states the effects of PECH shoes "remain unknown" due the the lack of evidence, so no it's still not clear. I have the same experience, I was always injury prone. I was pretty much taught to be a heel striker (running coach trained me to over stride), but I've made a conscious effort in recent years to have a fast cadence and land with my feet under me and have been injury free. VFF's are a tool to change your form, that does't mean you need them.

[skyfire1129]

Look how much the ankle on the left shakes after the strike of the heel.

[Gynecologist]

I don't get it, looks like it's comparing a heelstriker vs a forefooter. But what do the shoes have to do with it?

[ukguy]

@Gynecologist traditional running shoes have fat padded heels which change the posture of the foot, running barefoot which is natural how we were intended to be you probably wouldnt run heel down first, you would run flat or slightly foreward weighted, vibram 5fingers are supposed to imitate being barefoot but with a little protection on the soles, probably good for concrete etc.

[diornotwar123]

these seem interesting, but i'm kind of scared to try them...

[weakcore]

Erm, C for effort, but this video shows ONLY the foot strike, which is only a small part of the gait. It would be nice if they actually showed an entire running gait ...

[tothefnmax]

go watch the video called "evolution of running" it tells you everything about it. .

[webbmonk]

unfortunately this appears to be staged.

[markoftheking777]

@webbmonk you're right, I believe the "shoed" foot is a black person's foot painted white.........YOU RACIST MOTHER FUCKER!!!! Just kidding, bored on the internet at 1:30 a.m. What do you expect? Oh, and what the hell are you talking about?

[ReliefbyRachel]

This would be great in slow motion

[philloso]

the runner with shoes hits the ground heal first and kind off rolls his foot on the ground where the foot with the Vibram fives on hits almost toe first!!! that makes me think it would act as a shock and cut down on feet pain caused from wear spots in running shoes. I going to go try some on!

[cmanleyspy]

this told me nothing

[Duskmelt]

Notice how the leg of the runner with the shoe gets jarred by the impact- the runner has no feedback from the ground so he pounds it. On the right side, the runner can get a feeling for the ground and so runs more efficiently. Better :] ?

[cmanleyspy]

lol for sake of your comment..we'll say yes haha

[azaezel77]

All I want to know is... how did we run BEFORE running shoes? How did we hunt? How did we play sports? The native indians of Mexico had a sport that was a combination of Basketball, and Soccer... they played it barefoot. American indians ran long distances barefoot. All indian tribes, cavemen, etc, hunted barefoot, or close to it. It's about time that people started realizing that maybe the human body really was 'Made for this..."

[davecyco]

You got one thing right: The human body was MADE.

You got one thing wrong: Cavemen. LOL

[azaezel77]

Not quite sure I follow, but OK... unless you're attempting to start a religious debate, in which case... this particular vid wouldn't exactly be the forum for it...

[FenderB3nder35]

agreed,

[Seyahhsod]

This was long before chemicals in wood and super hot asphalts too and of course we did not have glass and hypodermic needles in the running space either.

[azaezel77]

Which is exactly what these are for... and also, where the heck are you running that there are hypodermics on the ground?! :-D

[wwwdavidweisdotcom]

Running with shoes that have cushion doesn't mean you have to run with horrible heel strike form. Running shoe EVA serves well as secondary cushioning after a proper mid-foot first stride, however, if you don't know how to run properly these non EVA shoes would force the point.

[grendel19320]

If you rapidly click play/pause you can effectively get slow-mo. You'll see the heel-strike/forefoot slap with the shoe and the much softer impact with the vff

[arnobernaert]

Left picture is a completely different foot movement than the right picture. You can't compare these 2 shots.

[Magusjanus]

The reason it's a different foot movement is because you are naturally inclined to run like the picture on the right while barefoot. Try it, it happens without even thinking about it. Attempting to run like that in shoes with an angled slope caused by your sole, and the fact that your foot is basically locked into a certain shape until your own weight flexes the sole on the ground, it's basically impossible or highly impractical to replicate for most runners in most shoes.

[SomeGuy0000]

cmon now who "runs" like that with a shoe

[RunUntilYouDrop]

watch any joggers in a park most of them heel strike.

[phoenix6624]

I've just had to watch this about 4 times just to see what the point is. Hello, when you want people to focus on 2 moving objects at once you need to show the scene at LEAST twice.

[webdesignproject]

what is the difference?

[Destructerator]

yeah a slow motion video would be nice

[XxsLaW]

fuck

[shadyonice]

that's a high tech Ninja sandals

[kaioshinex2]

I don't know why, but I'm very MAD after watching this video.

Makes me want to shake around all violently, ya know?

[shdeff]

lol I feel the same

[esabrieva]

explain pls

[blue2kid3]

you run on your heel in shoes when your ment to run on your toes

[Melacon]

Original article is at: dubu dubu dubu do.t wired do.t com/wiredscience/2009/07/baref­oot

[Melacon]

hmm cant post a link

[juanito2789]

wtf ???????????? this is gay

[lewghost]

wtf?

[chickensandbeandip]

People naturally land on the balls of their feet when they run and slowly drop their heels to the ground, reducing impact. With runners you land heel first which sends impact up through your legs.

[yangzone]

Vibrams,,,, yes... and run on grass, beach or other natural surface... not concrete!

[egoscueg]

I've logged close to 150 miles in my five fingers on concrete.  no problems and you shouldn't if your body is working properly (and I'm not talking about running a certain way either)

[MASEOLIO]

.....

[starstar001]

eh?

what just happened?

[PacManJulie]

what a really bad video .. too short AND too fast. Without any explanation. Geddoudahere you bum.

[kukelz]

or..you could just not run at all.

problem solved.

[InfindecimalSlice]

Including some explanation of the merits of heel first vs frontal foot first would improve this video a lot.

[AppleNick]

wat

[funkytaco]

wah?

[fishy7fishy]

what?

[HabZbaH]

What!?! Just happened, i clicked play, a flash, then its done!?!?

[Zoiros85]

Not all videos on youtube is ment for the youtube watchers. This video is obviosly a part of som other context, like an article on the wired site.

[quietthomas]

Looks like it would last a full week before getting a hole. Is it just me or is Wired just a shopping network for "smart" people?

[pinstripesandpedals]

I have a pair that are in their second year of almost daily wear on top of a couple of short (1-5km) runs a week.

[imnickim]

how can somebody find this even remotely interesting?

[bestSVMS]

maybe he purposly changed that

but what difference would that make

[Rikotistic]

For short-distance speed, I'd think the Vibram shoe would be perfect. For daily running...exercise routines--all the stuff that requires joint impact, a tradional running shoe will give a runner more years of running.

[resen420]

what is the point of this video PLZ SOMEONE?

[jihadjared]

God you people are stupid. The video is demonstrating a product which allows enhancement of going bear-foot.

On a shoe, people are inclined to walk/run on their heels because of the lessened use of the calf muscles and less exertion on your heel and knee joints.

This 5 finger shoe enables a more comfortable bear-foot experience in exercise. You are still forced to run on your foot tips. But you have added comfort to the front. less friction and so on. More of a workout though

With

[redeyesthe20th]

shoe: landing on heel.

foot: landing on "ball" of foot.

"foot" if less harmful to the knee and hip.

[arellia]

They look scary. o.o;

[BinkieMcFartnuggets]

That was the strangest "human foot" I've ever seen.

[redrebel69]

what a waste of +3 secs

[asdfgoogle]

lmao...

[slashfinder225]

wow that was fuckn pointless...there realy wasnt a diffence other than diffrent shoes!!!!

!!!!!FUCKN STUPID SHIT!!!!!

[retrogamer500]

slashfinder, you either are blind or didn't watch the video. The fancy shoe on the right hits the ground with the upper foot first, the sneaker hits the ground with the heel first.

[nokineeded]

heel-toe -> toe-foot?

[thoughtwaretv]

If you're interested, you can buy those shoes on Amazon. Just search for vibram shoes. I can't wait to try them.

[ZeldaMaster408]

too short

[TheVerySpecialThommy]

enjoy your work off knee and joints

[Elephantintheroom01]

I saw one recently in an adventure magazine, it cost £90 which is less that normal shoes. My only concern is that they don't have any shock absorption.

I call them ninja shoes because they are similar.

[froman46992]

i wanna know where you buy one

[SlauterHouZe101]

interesting

[at0mac]

Ehm, I don't get it...

[Yo0Yo0Man]

WTF 0_o

[SuperSZ]

you should have put it even more slowly, I had to watch it like 3 times to see the difference

[Zoiros85]

Good point. :)

[zakkmiester]

Zakk want the five five finger shoe.

[TheVerySpecialThommy]

zakk is a stupid person

[zakkmiester]

well, it LOOKS cool...