Yes, I Just Ran In Invisible Shoes Haurache Sandals
By · CommentsAfter running a marathon, one can act in two different ways. One can either keep running as if nothing happened, or one can get into a rut and stop running. After the various marathons that I have run, I have experienced personally both reactions. After my last marathon in January, I fell into a rut. I could not get myself out to run. I found every excuse in the book why I was not able to go out for a run. A month went by, literally, with me running only once. And despite telling myself regularly that I have to get out for a run, that I feel I need it, that i am gaining weight, that I am turning to jelly, etc. I still could not get myself out. The bad weather did not help, but that was really just an excuse. there is no shortage of excuses when one is looking for them.
Finally today I got out with a friend for a 10km run. It was greatly needed and felt great. However, not only was this, hopefully, a break from my sluggish routine, but it was also my first opportunity to try running in my Invisible Shoes instead of in my Vibrams FiveFingers.
I am not yet going to compare the running between Invisible Shoes and Vibram FiveFingers, though my initial reaction is that they are very similar.
yes, I ran in these Invisible Shoes haurache sandals
I bought my Invisible Shoes haurache sandals a little while back, before my marathon in January, but decided not to start running with them at that point. After all, one does not change his running shoes so close to the marathon after training with one model. So, they have been sitting on my shelf pestering me to wear them. Finally I did today.
I must say there were four things I was unsure about, even skeptical perhaps:
- the knot underneath the sole. I was pretty sure that would bother me.
- the toe floss - thinking it would irritate my toes
- that my toes would run over the edge of the sole and get all scraped up
- that the lace would be uncomfortable in general
Invisible Shoes haurache sandals
Sh*t Barefoot Runners Say
By · CommentsI recently ran another barefoot marathon, barefoot in Vibram Bikila LS. The marathon was great, but that is not the point of this post. All I want to do right now is point out this funny video following the recent trend “Sh*t Barefoot Runners Say”:
Invisible Shoes Anniversary Gives You Huge Discount
By · CommentsI just ordered my first pair of Invisible Shoes, the haurache style sandals. You can be sure that as soon as I get them I will go for a run in them and post here my thoughts on the experience. I am always looking for ways to improve my running experience. Being that I personally have found the barefoot experience to work for me providing a much better running experience, that means I look for ways to go more barefoot and continue improving my running. I have decided the time has come to try the haurache sandals and see if that further advances my improved running.
More Barefoot With Invisible Shoes
I decided to finally make the jump and try it because Invisible Shoes, makers of a haurache style sandal. The prices of Invisible Shoes running sandals are really cheap enough on a regular day, but for some reason I have not pushed myself to order them. My pair of Vibram FiveFinger Bikilas has been great, and I have not really felt the need to replace it with something new, even though I had already decided my next pair would be the Invisible Shoes sandal. I knew that, but figured when my Vibrams wears out then I will buy the sandal.
However, Invisible Shoes is celebrating it’s 2 year anniversary and have come up with a great promotion in honor of it. They are offering, beyond the already low prices, an additional 25% discount off anything on their website. Maybe you want to buy sandals, maybe the Do-It-Yourself kit, maybe new laces or something else – whatever you buy is discounted 25%.
Invisible Shoes 25% Discount
The 25% discount anniversary promotion is running through November 28, 2011, so take advantage. The sandals are so cheap anyway, it is worth trying, and now they are even cheaper! When you buy from Invisible Shoes, during checkout use the Invisible Shoes coupon code “ANNIVERSARY”.
5000 Mile Warranty
Another thing is a brand new 5000 mile warranty they just added to their Feel True soles. As a way of showing that they stand behind their product, they are giving a 5000 mile warranty on the sandals with Feel True outsoles. That is amazing. What running shoe lasts for 5000 miles? Most recommend switching to a new pair of 300 or 400 or so miles. 5000??!!! That is unheard of!
What Is The Invisible Shoe?
If you are not sure what the Invisible Shoe is, how it works, what the benefits are, check out the Invisible Shoe website. they have many videos explaining the shoes, the running, how they make them, the differences between types, etc.
The Material Of My Vibram FiveFingers Tore
By · CommentsEven Vibrams Are Not Perfect
I have a problem with my Vibram Bikila barefoot running shoes. I am near the end of my second pair of Bikilas already and have had the same problem with both pairs, to date. This problem was not the cause of my replacing the first pair, as that pair of Bikilas actually had developed holes in the soles that caused my skin to get pinched on the asphalt and bleed during runs. It is, however, the problem with my second pair of Bikilas, and this is the only problem with them.
I have been running in this pair of Bikilas for 10 months now. A while back the material on the left shoe on both the big toe and the index toe began tearing. Initially it was not a problem, as the tears were small and did not bother me in any way. Over time the tears grew and now it is so big it no longer contains my toe, specifically the big toe. Rather, the toe sticks out through the hole and sometimes gets hurt on the pavement.
Here are some pictures of my left Bikila shoe, so you can see what I am talking about.
It is a shame to have to replace the shoes just because of this tear. The soles are still in great condition, and no other problems have developed at this point. Buying a new pair will cost about $100.
When you think about it, it is not such a big deal because standard running shoes need to be replaced every 500-600 km (and some even say 400km), so I have already gotten much more use, and my money’s worth, of these than I would have gotten out of standard running shoes.
However, at the end of the day, the shoes are still good and that little tear is making me spend about $100.
Can Vibrams Be Repaired?
What are the possible solutions?
- I could send the shoes back to Vibram for repair. They are not under warranty, as that is only covered for 90 days, but I think I could send them to be mended for pay.
- There are rumors that the stuff like shoe goo is known to work for mending such tears (when the material rips away from the sole edge).
- Throw them out and buy new ones.
- Buy something like the Invisible Shoe or other similar haurache sandals that have no such material and supposedly last longer. Also, Invisible Shoes are much cheaper, so even if something does happen to them the financial damage is far less.
Why Does Vibram Toe Tear?
- Perhaps the two toes are rubbing together and the friction is causing it to tear over time. This is possible
- I have noticed that my big toe does not sit straight inside the FF toe but presses against the side material. It is possible that over time that causes it to tear. I do make sure to have the nail on that toe cut down regularly to make sure it would not cause any tear, but it could still be from the pressure of the toe pressing outward like that.
- I have heard that when you take off the Vibrams, if you pull them forward from the toes it can cause stretching and ripping. i generally take them off by pulling off the heel and then pushing ti forward, but it is possible that sometimes I might pull forward from the toes after removing the heel. I know I will be careful in the future to be more gentle when removing the Vibrams.
Vibram FiveFingers vs Invisible Shoe Haurache Sandal
By · CommentsI love my Vibram FiveFinger barefoot running shoes. I personally run in, and love, the Vibram FiveFinger Bikila. I am actually about to start wearing my third pair of Bikila shoes, as my second is just about at the end of it’s life.
I don’t believe there is a determined limit to when “it is time” to get a new pair of Vibrams. There is a “rule” with standard running shoes to replace them every 500-600km or so. That rule is worth paying attention to because the shoes have soles and padding that wear down over time. If all that protective material wears down, it puts the runner at risk of injury or even just not being able to run comfortably. With Vibrams, there is no real padding, cushioning or anything beyond the very thin protective sole. As long as they are wearable, and as long as nothing is hurting the runner’s foot because of wear of the shoe, there is no reason to replace them. Wear them until they wear out completely.
Vibram vs Haurache Sandal
That being said, I am about to switch to my third pair of Bikilas (this would be Bikila LS this time). My current pair is near the end of its life. The material is seriously torn in a couple places and parts of my toes are sticking out. That alone does not bother me. The problem is when it starts to hurt, and it is starting to hurt.
Anybody running barefoot or minimalist must be aware of the haurache sandals. If you read Chris McDougal’s book “Born To Run“, the book that introduced many people, myself included, to the idea of barefoot running, you have to be aware of the haurache sandals.
I have been intrigued by the idea of running even more barefoot than Vibrams. I tried running short distances, a few times, really barefoot – with nothing on my feet at all, but the street surface really hurt my feet. I could give it a chance and get used to it over time, but I am not prepared to do that at this point. The haurache sandals are more barefoot than the Vibrams are, and I have been considering making the next pair I would buy be a pair of haurache sandals.
Invisible Shoe Haurache Sandal
There is a company called Invisible Shoe that makes a type of haurache sandal that is cheaper than the Luna version. I have heard good things about it, and I am debating between continuing with the Vibram and between getting the Invisible Shoe haurache sandal..
If anybody has already tried out the Invisible Shoe and let me know how they compare to Vibrams, I would appreciate if you would leave a comment.
How Long Until You Must Replace Your Vibram FiveFinger?
One of the more popular questions that I get asked is when to replace the Vibram FiveFinger shoes? How do you know when it is worn down and needs to be replaced? Is there a rule as to after how many miles of running to replace the shoes?
The Short Answer And The Long Answer
There is the short version of the answer to this, and there is the long version.
The short answer is really simple. There is no rule. When they are worn down, you will know it.
The long answer is also really simple. The Vibram FiveFinger barefoot shoes do not provide you with anything more than basic protection – from the heat of the ground, from rocks, from glass in the road, and other things that might cause pain if you stepped on them. The Vibram FiveFinger barefoot shoes are not padded, they do not have cushioning, they are not lined with gels and air pockets or whatever other technology is being used in running shoes today. The Vibram FiveFinger barefoot shoes have a thin sole to provide basic protection, and that is it.
Regular running shoes have thick soles, often shaped to force a certain style of running (like “motion control”, “stability”, etc.), they might have air pockets, gel pockets, types of liners for comfort and to deal with air flow and sweat, and they have a lot of padding. Rules have been more or less generated with running shoes because at a certain point even if the shoe still looks ok, the padding is worn down, the gel pockets and/or air pockets are flattened, the sole is no longer providing the type of protection it is supposed to or maybe it is not forcing the gait it was mean to effect, the material might no longer allow the air flow the way it was mean to, etc.
So they came up with a “rule” that says that after running 500-700 kilometers in a pair of running shoes you have to replace them. They might look ok, a bit worn perhaps but more or less ok, but internally they are not providing the support they are meant to be providing.
With Vibram FiveFingers that is not the case. As long as you can run in them, they are fine. They are not adding anything, they are simply providing basic protection form the elements. There is nothing, besides for the sole itself, to wear out. And when the sole wears out you will know it. As a matter of fact, I would add that the less sole the better – as the sole wears down, your foot is closer to the ground. That’s just a barefoot runners joke, and not meant seriously. But really, as long as the shoes are wearable and providing the minimal protection they are meant to provide they should be fine.
The last time I replaced my Vibram FiveFinger Bikila shoes was about 9 months ago, and I expect my current pair to be good for probably another two months or so. I replaced my last pair when they developed a couple of holes in a certain spot that caused me pain. The hole would “catch” the skin of my toe and pinch it in. That was fine, but then I would scrape off all the skin while running with my toe skin sticking out the bottom of the sole! After a couple f runs where my toe bled a decent amount, i decided it was time to replace them.
How Long Can I Expect My Vibrams To Last?
Part B of the question is how long should one expect to wear Vibram FiveFinger shoes before expecting to have to replace them?
The answer to this question is more difficult. The answer is, it depends. There are too many factors that are involved to be able to say how much time you can expect to be using them.
Some of the things it depends on are:
- how often you wear them
- how often you run
- how far you run
- what kind of surface you run on
- your weight
- your speed
- if you use them for other activities
- your gait
- which model of the Vibram shoe you are using
Suffering Stress Fractures From Running Barefoot
By · CommentsI have been doing a lot of reading recently on injuries from barefoot running.
I will start off by saying, once again, I am not a doctor and I am not a scientist. I was intrigued by the theory of barefoot running and after some research decided to try it out. For me it has been great, but I am not a “barefoot runner evangelist”. I am not trying to convert everyone into barefoot running. All I am doing with this website is trying to provide information, assistance and tips to people who want to make the switch to barefoot running or have decided to give it a try.
Running Injuries
It should be noted right away that just because someone decides to run barefoot, or with minimalist shoes, does not mean he will not suffer injuries. A certain percentage of runners suffer injuries, and that happens no matter how they run, no matter what surface they run on and no matter what type of shoes they wear.
Running barefoot has been found to be better to avoid certain types of injuries, such as certain strains on the knee, and that is because running barefoot relieves pressure from certain parts of the body while increasing the pressure on other parts of the body. That does not mean you will not hurt your knee because you switched to running barefoot, but it might lessen the chances a bit while at the same time increasing chances of a muscle pull in the calf or stressing the ankle or certain bones in the foot and lower leg. Basically by switching to running barefoot you have switched from exposure to this set of injuries and exposed yourself to a different set of injuries, with some overlap.
I repeat – running barefoot does not mean you will not get injured while running.
Barefoot Runner’s Stress Fracture
There is a suspicion that barefoot running might increase a runner’s chance of getting a stress fracture. There are no real studies that I could find. Most of the “evidence”, presented by both sides of the argument, is anecdotal at best, and conducted by informal surveys of people already having suffered from these injuries.
I don’t know if running barefoot increases your chances of suffering a stress fracture or not. What are your thoughts on this issue?
I do know, that if you make the switch properly, if you run without taking on too much, too soon, you will minimize your chances of suffering any running injury. Then again, that rule also applies to shod running.
Too Much Too Soon
The most important aspect of switching to barefoot running is not to take on too much too soon, also known as TMTS.
Too Fast, Too Far
Don’t run too fast, as your muscles and bones are not yet ready for it. Build up the speed over a number of runs. Do not run too far, your muscles are not yet ready for it. Build up the distance over a number of runs. Even if you ran in shoes distances of 10 or 20 miles, you cannot go out for a 7 mile run when you first start barefoot running. You must start with short distances and build up your abilities. If you were running in shoes at speeds of 3.5 minutes per kilometer, don’t start off running that fast when you switch to barefoot running. Start slower and build it up. Let the muscles adjust.
I have been running barefoot (minimalist might be a more appropriate word), with the Vibram FiveFinger Bikila, for 18 months, and I have not suffered an injury. When I began barefoot running, I took it very slowly and built up my abilities form scratch, even though I was already a long distance runner. I started with short runs at an easy pace. Little by little I increased both my speed and my distance.
Will running barefoot give you a stress fracture or some other injury? It is possible. Just like it is possible that it might happen while running with regular running shoes. You will minimize your risk, you will minimize your chances of injury, if you make the switch properly and start off slowly.
