Before I get to the Bikila’s specifically, I want to give you a few real world examples of the health benefits of wearing FiveFingers .  The buddy I am running with these days had knee problems when he ran previously.  These problems kept him from running.  Fast forward to today and he is running in a pair of Bikilas without any pain.  Another gentleman that I recommended them to suffered from back pain.  He told me recently that it has been gone since he started wearing the FiveFingers on a daily basis.  My mom bought a pair and they reduced the pain she experienced while healing from a foot injury.   It is pretty amazing to see how letting our feet work the way they were meant to can help out many areas of our bodies.

Ok, on to the FiveFinger Bikila.

In short, they are amazing.  They are the best built FiveFinger model that I have worn.  The outside has fewer seams than the KSO.  The inside is made of a soft sock-like material that is very comfortable.  The opening is wider which allows more ankle mobility.  Wonderful for running or just wearing around.

Here is where the rubber meets the road.  Should you buy them?  That is what you are here for, right?  If you are a runner and don’t own a pair of FiveFingers yet, then absolutely.  Buy the Bikila’s.  You won’t regret it.  If you already own a pair of Vibrams for running (probably the KSO or Sprint) then they aren’t as necessary.  Sure, they are a bit more comfortable than my KSOs but I don’t know if it warranted buying a whole new pair of shoes.  I don’t regret getting mine at all.  It’s a “do I have the money” kind of decision.

All in all, Vibram has made another great pair of minimalist shoes that, while they are made for running, will work great for just about anything.

If you want more information on the Bikila or other Vibram footwear then check out my other posts on the topic or  head on over to BirthdayShoes.com.  Or you can ask a question in the comments section below.

Brian

I bought my FiveFinger KSOs as running shoes so I know they can do that.  I purchased the Treks as more of an everyday shoe and they (and the KSOs) work great for that.  I have read that the KSOs also work great as a water shoe.  Can’t wait to use them in that way.  So what is next?  How about team sports?

I am playing softball in a church league this spring.  In short, the Treks work wonderfully; the KSOs not so much.  I have worn the Treks to several practices and one game.  I have played on grass, dirt, and mud.  No problems.  There was some skepticism as to whether or not I could get enough traction without cleats.  The Treks have enough tread and having my toes to dig in works really well.  I haven’t slipped once in the Treks.

The normal KSOs are another matter.  I wore them at practice one time and was sliding all over the place.  I wouldn’t recommend them for dirt surfaces like a baseball field.

They have, of course, drawn attention.  One guy asked my wife if I had forgotten my cleats.  She told him that, no, I had worn the FiveFingers on purpose.  After my wife explained what they were everybody wanted a look.

So, I can say from experience that FiveFingers can work great for other sports besides running.  They are indeed the everything shoe.  I will keep you updated as the season goes along.  I will also try to get some pictures up soon.

Do you have some sports experience in FiveFingers?  Tell us about it!

Brian

It doesn’t bother me.  Not one bit.  I love wearing these things.  They are the most comfortable feet-adornment I have ever worn.   I wear them to church.  I have worn them to a barn dance.  I will be wearing them to play softball in (I’ll let you know how that goes).  I wear them to work.  I wear them to the gym.  So, pretty much, I wear them anywhere and everywhere.

People who know me or know who I am are much more inclined to come up and ask me about my weird looking shoes.  People’s first response, before I tell them the many reasons I wear them, is usually skepticism and a little shock.  I do get the occasional positive first response but even then some objection comes up.   Here are some of the most common objections I get and then my response.

Objection:  They look weird/They aren’t fashionable

This is probably the most common response.  My wife asked me when I first got them if I was really going to wear them out in public.  The answer was yes. To her credit, she has gotten used to them and is even considering getting a pair for running.

Response: What did people say to the guy who invented the first close-toed shoe?  I will admit that they do look different from other shoes but, in my opinion, that is a good thing.  They are not trying to be shoes.  They are letting my feet be feet.  If fashion and being socially accepted means more to a person than comfort or healthy feet then FiveFingers aren’t for them.  Who am I to tell them their priorities are in the wrong place? (Please read that last statement as a joke.  It really was intended that way.)

Objection: “Doesn’t it feel weird having something between your toes?”

This is another very common one.  And a good question.  If having stuff between your toes bothers you then FiveFingers might not be for you.  The truth is most people have never had stuff in between their toes (aside from sandals) so I would say that this objection comes mainly from a fear of change.  It is something different.

Response: No.  It doesn’t feel weird to me.  To be honest, I didn’t even notice the first time I put them on.  They are the most comfortable shoes I own.  And even if it did bother me I would get used to it to get the benefit from them.

Objection: Some people don’t like feet.  FiveFingers look like feet.

When I wear my FiveFingers people say that it looks like I have gorilla feet.  Or that they can see my toes.  And for some reason this makes them uncomfortable. Again, this seems to come from the fact that we are not used to seeing toes in shoes.  And what people aren’t used to they are not sure about.  Or they are scared of feet.  And that is much stranger to me than these shoes are.

Response: Get over it.  Everyone who wears shoes has feet.  They are attached to you so you might as well get used to them.  Seriously though, why let a social norm keep you from experiencing something great?

As many negative reactions as I get I do get some really good positive reactions to them as well.  Many people get very excited about them as I tell them more about the benefits they provide.  My favorite positive response came from my brother-in-law.  He tried some on at a store and immediately remarked that he felt like he could run 90 miles an hour.  And that he wanted to right then!  He said that his feet just wanted to move.

I couldn’t agree more.  I imagine that if my wife gets some to run in that she won’t want to take them off.  That is usually what I tell people.  Try them before you knock them.  They will win you over.

Brian

When I say hefty I mean it.  The bottom of the Trek is a little thicker than the KSO and has more tread.  The top is made of leather which gives it more durability and makes it waterproof.  It is simply a more heavy duty shoe than the KSO.

Why purchase the Trek, you ask?  I wanted to wear my FiveFingers on a daily basis and I knew one pair probably wouldn’t cover it.  I also didn’t want to wear out the KSOs too quickly between running and everyday use.  The Trek looked like it could stand up to more daily use so it became my choice.  The Trek is quite a bit more expensive than the KSO so the fact that I had some Christmas money went into my decision too.

I am very happy with that decision.  It has been a great shoe to wear to work, at home, and around town, especially during the colder months of the year.  I wear my KSOs as my running shoe and my Treks as my everyday shoe.  The Treks are a little more “dressy” looking so they fit their role well.

When I first put the Treks on I noticed a bit less connection with the ground than the KSOs due to the thicker sole.  This has not been a problem the more I wear them.  The leather feels great and I like the grip of the sole.  Even though the KSOs are my primary running shoe I have tried the Treks in this role and they work great here too.

Since I have been wearing FiveFingers on a daily basis I have become increasingly uncomfortable in normal shoes.  I got a kick out of looking down at my regualr-shoe shod feet one day and thinking they were funny looking.  I am really getting used to the FiveFingers look.  Another thing I have noticed since starting to wear them most of the time and for running is the strength in my lower calf and toes.  I can tell that my balance has improved as a result.

I still get weird looks and questions about them but that is fine with me.  I like giving people the low down on why I wear them.  I tell people that if they enjoy being barefoot then they will enjoy these shoes.  Or if they want a better running stride then these are the way to go. Bottom line, they are healthier and more comfortable than regular shoes.  Why wouldn’t you buy them?  Whatever model you get you will be happy with them.

Brian

Not in this case.  I want to provide you with a few reasons to consider running barefoot or in a pair of FiveFingers.  (These reasons are based on my observations and study and not a scientific study.  Feel free to disagree.)

First and foremost, it is the way we were made.  All the other reasons are possible because of this one.  The foot and leg are an amazing creation.  Would you build a building designed to house eight hundred people and then, when the building opens, tell people that you would only be filling it to half capacity?  Wouldn’t you want to fill it all the way up?  I would.   Your feet were designed to run a certain way.  When we encase them in a shoe we lose much of their intended potential.

Running barefooted uses the arch of the foot and calf muscle the way it was intended: as a shock absorber.  Running in modern running shoes promotes a heel first strike motion.  When your heel strikes the ground first you are bypassing the mechanisms in your foot and leg intended to absorb the shock.  This puts unneeded stress on your knees and other joints.  Running barefoot promotes a front to mid-foot strike which utilizes the arch of the foot and calf as a shock absorber, lessening the stress on the knees.  With less stress on the knees you reduce the risk of injury.

Using your feet and legs the way they were designed to be used will strengthen them and provide a stronger “base” for your body.  You have five toes on each foot.  Can you use them independently?  Probably not.  Try to separate your little toe from the rest of the bunch and you will probably find that it won’t do it.  It hasn’t had to because of the shoes we wear.  Strengthening your toes and the rest of your foot and lower legs will increase your balance and makes you less prone to leg injuries.  It will be much harder to roll your ankle if it is stronger and closer to the ground (running shoes have a raised heel on them).

Your foot is naturally a very flexible part of your body very similar to your hands.  When you put a running shoe on it you are putting a cast on your foot more or less.  When you step on an object in shoes the rigid bottom causes your foot to roll either front to back or side to side to compensate.  A barefoot or a FiveFinger shod foot will cup the object instead, reducing the risk of injury.

Your stride in running is very important.  I spoke earlier about the heel first strike stride caused by running shoes.  When you run this way you point your toe up as your heel comes down which puts your foot in a strained posture as it hits the ground.  It can also cause overstride (taking too long a stride which puts even more strain on the knee).  Running barefoot produces more natural and efficient stride. Your foot points down instead of up as it comes in contact with the ground in a more relaxed postion.  It also creates a shorter stride that puts your center of gravity directly over the impact.

Last, but not least, it feels great.  There is a certain amount of freedom that comes with feeling the terrain under your feet.  This might not be the best reason to run barefooted but it sure does feel good.

Fast forward to today and not much has changed.  I still prefer not having shoes on my feet.  When I am at work they come off.  The first thing to come off when I get home is my shoes.  But, just like when I was a kid, I can’t go barefoot everywhere.  Notice the “No shirt, no shoes, no service” rules.  If any of you are still with me at this point and you are nodding your head in agreement, I have good news for you.  I have found the perfect alternative to traditional shoes if you don’t mind a few weird looks from other people.

Enter Vibram FiveFingers

You might be asking, “Why?  Why would you wear these weird-looking shoes, Brian?”  (I know my wife is asking that question.)  Let me give you a few reasons:

• I like going barefoot.  (Based on the preceding paragraphs I hope that was obvious.)  This is the closest to being barefoot as one can get.  You have the use of all your toes independently of each other and you can still feel the ground beneath your feet.
• Being barefoot is healthy for your feet and legs.  Our feet were created the way they are for a reason.  Have you ever run around barefooted?  Doesn’t it feel grand?  There is a reason for that.  Your feet are one of the most complex bone and muscle structures on your body.  When they are allowed to move and flex the way they were created to it strengthens them and your legs.
• Being barefoot improves balance.  Why do you think gymnasts do their balance beam routines without shoes on?  Your toes are a large part of what keeps you balanced.  When you encase them in a tradition shoe you eliminate a large amount of their balancing power.

All of these are especially true during exercise, which is one of the main reasons I got them.  I bought them as running shoes but I am already using them for so much more.

All of the above I knew before I bought the FiveFingers.  So what do I think of them after I have used them for a bit?  I like them a lot!

The first time I tried to put a pair on I had some trouble.  My toes did not want to separate to go in their individual pockets.  Apparently this happens to everyone because the muscles that work our toes are not developed very well because of the shoes we wear. In a traditional shoe the toes work as a unit, many of them not even being used in your stride.  As you develop the muscles by being barefoot or wearing FiveFingers it is much easier for your toes to work independently of each other.  I am sure that an increase in balance and running power will come from strengthened toes.

The first time I ran in the FiveFingers I immediately noticed a difference in the way my foot hit the ground.  In a normal running shoe the heel strikes first.  This can cause a lot of strain on the joints of the leg. In the FiveFingers I ran more on the ball of my foot.  From what I have read this difference allows the arch of the foot to take a lot of the impact so it doesn’t translate up to your knees and hips which could help prevent injury.

I bought these as primarily running shoes but I have found that they serve many functions.  I have enjoyed wearing them around like normal shoes.  They are very comfortable.  I usually take long trips in sandals so that I can take them off while in the car.  FiveFingers allow me to have the barefoot feeling while not having to worry about taking my shoes on and off.  Very handy.

I haven’t tried them in this way yet but I am sure that they would work great for the lake or other water sports.  They would also be great for hiking and climbing.  I would also like to give them a try during weight lifting.

Oh, and they are machine washable and dry very quickly.

I own the KSO model of the FiveFingers but I am also looking into the Sprints and Treks.

I have only had them a short while but I can tell you that they are great.  They allow me to be essentially barefoot in situations that I normally would not allow it.  Whether it is exercising or going to the store these shoes deliver the comfort and performance that only barefooting can give.

Brian

Here are a couple websites to look at that will give you some more info on these remarkable shoes:

www.vibramfivefingers.com

www.birthdayshoes.com

Update:  I have made my first real run in my FiveFingers.  I ran a little over a mile and I understand why people say that it takes time to break your feet and legs into wearing them.  I found it most comfortable to run on the balls of my feet and by the end of the run they felt hot (friction I am guessing).  Also as predicted I felt the most soreness in the arch of my foot and my lower calf muscle.  It felt very natural to run in these shoes.