Memorable Comments while Barefooting

I get a lot of strange questions/comments and strange looks from people when I'm outside in my VFFs. I thought I'd share a few (and my usual response):

1) Are those things comfortable? (Of course, why would I wear them otherwise?)
2) Does it hurt when you step on rocks? (Not usually, although sharp gravel isn't that much fun)
3) Are those socks or shoes? (Shoes. I wear toe socks inside of them)
4) Why are you wearing those instead of regular shoes? (Regular shoes hurt my feet, legs, and back)
5) Are those good for your feet? (They're awesome for your feet, they're like walking barefoot, the way we were built to walk)
6) Do you run in those? (Of course)
7) I could never wear those because of.... (insert any one of numerous excuses here without being prompted for any explanation) (I generally raise my eyebrows and say nothing to this because I prefer to talk to the open-minded when approached by strangers)
8) What's supporting your arch? (My foot)
9) (While walking at university campus through puddles) OMG! LOOK, someone's footprints are bare!!! (My personal favourite)
10) Where do you buy 'em? (My second favourite :) )

An Awesome Review of VFFs

In case you've ever wanted to read a thorough and enjoyable review of Vibram FiveFingers, go to the following link from Living Barefoot:

Review - Vibram FiveFingers: Classic, Sprint & KSO

Enjoy the read.

The Living Barefoot Forums

I recently discovered an online barefoot community at the Living Barefoot Forums. It was that discovery, in part, which lead to this blog.

I've read amazing stories about favourite barefoot moments, memorable comments while barefooting, and others' general experiences barefooting. There are topics for general discussions, barefoot running, barefoot hiking, foot care, legal issues & myths, and even a contest to win free Vivo Barefoot shoes!

I recommend the site and the forum for long-time barefooters, those just starting out, or those thinking about switching to the barefoot alternative.

VFF KSO - Race Report

Last July (I did mention this blog is catching up from last May), I ran a trail race for the first time ever in VFFs. (It was actually my first season back racing after a 4-year hiatus due to a back injury.) I ran the Sprint distance at the Sundre, Alberta 5 Peaks Trail Running Series.

I remember being incredibly apprehensive about running in the VFFs. Would the trail be too rocky for my pansy feet? Would I have any grip in the mud? Would I have any grip going uphill on slippery terrain? Would my arches start hurting because I haven't strengthened them enough to run this distance on trail?

Turns out that most of my fears did not come to pass as reality. It was a beautiful day for a trail race: perfect temperature, sunshine, and a much drier trail than the year before (even though I didn't race the 5 Peaks before, I have volunteered at their races for 5 years now). The trail was mostly grass for the 6 km race course as it's a popular cross-country ski trail in the winter. There was one big mud puddle near the beginning of the race that I had a little trouble getting through but not too difficult. I just went slow and tried not to fall in the mud (I'm a bit of a klutz). The hills were no problem and my arches didn't have a single twinge in them the whole race.

The things I remember most about wearing the VFFs for that race are the weightlessness of my feet and FEELING the terrain. I find that trail runners feel heavy after a short time, whether it's from lack of leg strength or water/mud weight, I don't know. There was no such heaviness to my feet that day. I also discovered that trail races are much more fun when you can feel the roots, pine needles, leaves, mud, grass, puddles, dirt, and pebbles (although gravel isn't that much fun for me). If you've run barefoot, you know what I mean; if you haven't run barefoot, you probably don't. It is a completely different experience.

I finished the 6 km race with no pain in my feet, legs or back, which was my goal going in. I'm not about the time that it takes to finish a race but more about how I feel while I'm running it. I was proud of myself for attempting the run in my VFFs and happy that I accomplished my goals for the day.

I also finished the race with soaking wet, extremely muddy KSOs. I was relieved when they came out of the washing machine the next day looking brand new again.

My wet and muddy KSOs after the race on the right and another runner in clean, black KSOs on the left (note the muddy legs above the sock line :) )

I also remember that there were two other runners in VFFs after the race, neither had run the race in them as they are both extremely competitive trail runners, but they both chose VFFs as their after-race footwear. I was practically giddy to see other people enjoying VFFs as much as I do.

Review: Vibram FiveFingers KSOs

I'm not a professional writer nor am I a professional photographer. This is my first shoe review. I wanted to share my thoughts on the VFF KSO after a year of owning them.

My first pair of KSOs when I first bought them

My first pair of KSOs are W38 grey/palm upper, grey bottom . When I first put them on, they were tight around my foot and hard to get on. They've stretched/conformed to the size of my foot and are easy to slide on and off. It took some getting used to placing my toes in each of the toe pockets properly but now my toes slide into the right place every time.

I still find the KSOs weightless on my feet and still occasionally forget that they're on my feet (usually until someone mentions them, which still happens almost every day). They are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.

The strap shows almost no wear. There are some bits of material in the Velcro after a year but it still works perfectly with or without toe socks on. There is plenty of room for toe socks in them and they don't affect the fit much other than the strap has to be a little looser than normal.

These particular shoes have been soaked through with mud and yet they will still come perfectly clean in the washing machine. I think they still look new even after a year.

My first pair of KSOs after a year

After wearing them everyday for a week without socks (when they were my only pair of VFFs), they did hold in the smell. I sprayed some Oxy cleaner (has hydrogen peroxide in it) on them, let them sit for half an hour, washed them in the washing machine and found that they didn't smell after that.

When I first bought them I was concerned about how long the sole would last as it is so thin. The only part of the sole that shows wear on my KSOs are on the toes, the ridges have been ground down. There are no bare/ground down areas anywhere else on the shoes that I can tell.

Bottom of original KSOs after a year

Toe bottoms on original KSOs after a year

The KSO is my favourite style of VFFs. I bought a pair of black KSOs to be a little less conspicuous and people seem to comment about them less.

Black KSOs

Between the Classics, Flows, and Surges, I find the KSOs are the most comfortable on my toes and most versatile for moderate weather (Canadian spring, summer, and fall weather that is). My next pair will be the blue/grey upper, camo bottom and I can't wait to get them.

For a more in-depth review of the KSOs, go to:
Keith-In-Training: The Vibram FiveFinger KSO's - Part I
or
RunningSoules: Vibram FiveFinger Review