Vibram 5 fingers shoes

Nurses Uniform/Gear

Published

What do you guys think of these? I think they are neat and the concept is great, but even though it says you can wear them hiking, I would worry about needle sticks. But then how protective are any soft sided shoe?

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

These are strange looking fellows, aren't they? I'm not sure I would wish to wear those hiking or elsewhere, but would love to hear from anyone that has!

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I just bought a pair of Vibrams KSO's out of REI and they feel great! If any of you are still interested in this style of shoe, they have several styles to choose from now; hiking, walking, watersports, running, exercise, etc. I just ran my first 3 miles with them on and my feet ached a bit at the ball of my feet but my toes and ankles didn't hurt like they normally do! :yeah:

I am considering the Five Fingers KSO model for work after my feet are trained for barefoot walking. I think the KSO would work great for work and would be protective of spills. Plus you can wash them. I also can say that there are a few running shoe companies that carry a running shoe that is like barefoot that would work for work and not turn heads. Check out the running barefoot site from the Author of the Barefoot running, Michael Sandler RunBare - Home of the Barefoot Running Book, Tour, Clinics, and Talks. I saw him at a lecture and the whole idea is fasinating and so is the book. Also another good book is Born to run.

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Ricecakes...thanks for the link, I had not seen that one! Loved the book Born to Run...I'm planning on running the Leadville 100 in 2012 in my Vibrams.

Obviously this is not a running forum so pardon my tangent.

...but I now wear one pair of Vibrams all the time, I own several pair and they are extremely easy to get used to just by wearing them around the house, driving, etc. You don't HAVE to run in them to use them. Even when you've stubbed your toe and it's swollen and throbbing, wearing the Vibrams feels less painful because it is less restrictive versus standard shoes!

Vibrams has just come out with a new shoe, the Bikila, and was wondering if anyone has worn a pair, they seem to maybe be a bit more protective, has anyone noticed this? I don't know only what I've seen online.

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...also I do hike a lot and have worn my Vibram KSO's every time since February...they grip well on rocks, etc. And people have said you have a whole new level of connection with your environment...it's true! I think my feet are definitely more responsive and stronger since wearing them. I have yet to have an ache due to 'being on my feet' wearing these as I have in shoes. I've worn them up to 12hrs being on my feet and I really didn't realize the time went so quick!

It'd be great to hear from others who might have used these.

I just put in my order for the KSO. I decided to give these a shot since I love being barefoot and who knows, maybe it will solve my knee problem which was the main reason why I stopped running about 3 years ago so now I plan on going back to running with the KSO

Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

I have a pair of the KSO's I love them, I am barefoot most of the time, and wear crocs most of the time. You will get a lot of strange looks with them :) They are definitely not work shoes, for nurses, at least not the current models.

Wearing the KSOs, make you feel like you are barefoot, but give you an ape like rubber pad on your feet, so walking or running outside the soles of your feet are protected, small rocks etc... I also enjoy water sports and I like the traction these shoes have while wet, and the rapid drying time when wet.

I love the science and logic of the benefits of being barefoot and the natural motion of the human body vs the un-natural motion shoes give us in most cases.

I have a good friend who has been running in them and loves them. Many people run marathons in them as well.

Here is a good video on barefoot running and some of the science behind it:

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Read the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It talks about how shoes are hurting people more than helping them, among other topics. Very good read and it talks about the 5finger shoes. Definitely recommend them for exercise, not so much for work.

Specializes in na.

I love my Vibrams! You get use to the stares, usually people are just curious and want to know what they are and where to get them. I usually forget that I have them on after a while. I have always preferred to be barefoot so these shoes are perfect. The running took some time to get use to, but my ankles and knees don't hurt anymore during or after a run. I wish I could wear them at work but like Brian said, it wouldn't work out for nurses. The tops are either thin or not there with other models. Too bad, I think my back and feet wouldn't hurt so much at the end of the day! :)

Specializes in floor to ICU.

I saw a guy with these on but we were on the river toobin' Not sure about working in them tho. lol

I have had a pair of these for a few years, they have all different varieties, I have the sprint model that has the strap across the top of the foot. My only complaint was that I got a size or so too big and they are too pricey to get a new pair.

They will take some time to get used to having pressure on every single toe instead of the few points with a normal shoe.

The plus side is that I do not get blisters with these especially between the foot.

Like someone tried to mention earlier, do not go do a technical hike however, unless you have snake boots, no shoe will protect you from rattlesnakes. I have gone on many 5-7 mile hikes on trails I am familiar with in my five fingers, you do not have any ankle support and lack puncture support.

Wash them with a load of dish towels to keep from getting Grocery Store foot.

Specializes in Family Medicine.

I love my vibrams (so much that I want to kiss each rubber toe)!!!

I have the KSO's and wear them for running and hiking around. I agree with a previous posted that said they aren't as comfortable on hard indoor surfaces. However, maybe if I wore them for a long time on these indoor surfaces I would get used to them and my feet would be super buff? I would love to wear them for nursing! If only they had a white pair for women so I could give this a try. I'm still a student until December, so, maybe by then they will offer some white ones.

I want to get either the KSO Trek's or the Bikila's for my next pair. I think these ones are a little thicker than the normal KSO's and I won't have to get stone bruises (I got one this week).

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