Study: Vibrams Carry Bone Injury Risk

[wayno]

http://www.outsideonline.com/news-from- ... njury.html

Over 10 weeks, a group of researchers in Utah monitored 19 runners who transitioned to doing some training in Vibram FiveFingers, along with 17 others who continued to run in traditional shoes. The results: 10 of the Vibram users showed signs of foot-bone injury after the 10 weeks, compared to only one of the 17 conventional-shoe users. - See more at: http://www.outsideonline.com/news-from- ... vZwii.dpuf

[matagi]

You cannot infer that Vibrams carry a bone injury risk on the basis of one study. Nor can one study with such a small sample size make that conclusion. Running in conventional shoes is also associated with bone injury.

All one can infer from the study is that there may be an increased risk of bone injury when making a transition from conventional running footwear to minimalist footwear like the Vibrams.

[Moondog55]

Also did the runners studied run in them properly. that is Indian fashion, toes first or did they still use a heel first action ?
From the little I have read you really must change your running style to suit this type of footwear

[ULWalkingPhil]

The question, these runners wearing the five fingers did they have there feet adapted to barefoot running before the tests where conducted?.
You can not expect people to just adapt so quick, if there feet are used to wearing shoes there whole life. We are designed to walk bare foot not with shoes on. This is a pointless test. There are also other bare foot shoes that are better than the five fingers. the Vibram Fivefingers, which look like bare feet, aren’t necessarily as barefoot as they appear.

The huaraches sandals is what this test should be based on. Not five fingers.

Do your research, read the benefits many are receiving with sandals similar to the Huaraches Sandals. Even athletes, including marathon runners are wearing such sandals. including hikers in the states.

[wayno]

most people are adapted to cushioned supportive shoes that insulate the feet from the stresses and strains experienced going near baefoot.... will take a while to strengthen the feet to function without the default support they receive...

[ULWalkingPhil]

Or if your like me, I am bare foot most of my life. It's rare that I wear shoes. My feet get sore when I wear shoes and feel great bare foot.

Go up town shopping, I usually wear flip flops. I've ordered a pair of the huaraches sandals from the states a few days ago. Should be here by the end of the week. I'm looking forward to them, I've read so many great things about these particular sandals. Very lightweight as well, will make excellent camp shoes, or if the going gets to tough on my feet on long distance hikes with shoes, I can take them off and wear the Sandals. Off track they will not be so good, Will have to stick to shoes on those occasions, as soon I get to camp off with the shoes. So far on all my hikes, I take a pair of $3.00 flip flops, so as soon I get to camp off with the shoes.

[wayno]

its bare philips

[ULWalkingPhil]

Have to tell you about a hiker I know, that's recently joined the local bushwalking club. His hiked his whole life bare foot. He struggles to wear shoes, Since joining the local bushwalking club here, his had to wear shoes on all the outings. Some policy the club's introduced that you must wear fully enclosed shoes on all hikes, including short strolls around town otherwise your not allowed to hike with the club. He struggles and hates wearing the shoes, but put's up with the pain as he enjoys the club and have made great friends.

His about 67 years old and walks the legs of me. Average walking pace 7kph. He walks minimum 15km every day. Also mountain climbs and abseills. I am joining him on a abseil in a couple weeks. His hiked all around Australia, bare foot. I love hiking with him, but *&%$#! I feel *&%$#! by the time I get home. So hard to keep up with.

[wayno]

it's a hard life, my dad was still doing 8k a day on hills at 79, plus working three days a week on his feet

[Strider]

His about 67 years old and walks the legs of me.

Argghh please people learn to spell!

[wayno]

eye left skool two get awae from having two spell

[frenchy_84]

Argghh please people learn to spell!

Really? you want the spelling and grammar police on a forum? we are all f#cked (whoops, spelt it wrong) then
what about correct use of capital letters?

[wayno]

Argghh please people learn to spell!

Really? you want the spelling and grammar police on a forum? we are all f#cked (whoops, spelt it wrong) then
what about correct use of capital letters?

didnt you know thats a barring offense?

[Hallu]

I understand the bushwalking club policy, after all most snake bites occur on the ankles, with people wearing flip flops or sandals. Just wear boots and you reduce your chances of getting bitten by more than half (of course watching where you walk helps too...).

[slparker]

The conclusion tothe study (from the abstract) states:
'Conclusions: Runners interested in transitioning to minimalist running shoes, such as Vibram FiveFingers should transition very slowly and gradually in order to avoid potential stress injury in the foot.'

[GPSGuided]

Sorry to dig up an old thread but found it worth commenting.

People need to understand that bones are not dead. Bones are alive and constantly adjusting and adapting to the environmental stresses it sees. As such, the criteria used in the study being "bone oedema", is but a response to new stresses. Yes, if over done, it could be a precursor to stress fractures or worse. Otherwise, it's just a sign that the bones are adapting, probably hypertrophying to accommodate the new level of stresses its being placed under. It may be a good thing when the transition process is tempered and progressive.

[DannyS]

Or if your like me, I am bare foot most of my life. It's rare that I wear shoes. My feet get sore when I wear shoes and feel great bare foot.

Go up town shopping, I usually wear flip flops. I've ordered a pair of the huaraches sandals from the states a few days ago. Should be here by the end of the week. I'm looking forward to them, I've read so many great things about these particular sandals. Very lightweight as well, will make excellent camp shoes, or if the going gets to tough on my feet on long distance hikes with shoes, I can take them off and wear the Sandals. Off track they will not be so good, Will have to stick to shoes on those occasions, as soon I get to camp off with the shoes. So far on all my hikes, I take a pair of $3.00 flip flops, so as soon I get to camp off with the shoes.

Phil I'm also interested in these sandals, could you please post your some comments once you've had a chance to check them out?

Cheers
Danny

[icefest]

Seeing as this thread has now deviated to minimalistic footwear...
I currently have a pair of teva zilches. They've served me well but are now falling apart.
I'm looking at a new pair and found these: http://exodussandals.com/store anyone tried them?

[GPSGuided]

I currently have a pair of teva zilches. They've served me well but are now falling apart.

How long/far did it last you? With thin rubber, I have always been curious of their durability on rough tracks/paths.

[icefest]

How long/far did it last you? With thin rubber, I have always been curious of their durability on rough tracks/paths.

Mine have lasted 2 years. I use them almost daily over summer. With me it wasn't the rubber sole that wore out, but the cloth covering on the insole. They still work fine and have great grip- it just that they look tatty as hell. They have incredible grip and are great for walking along the water, but if you swim with them you need to make sure that you get the right size. Mine are one size too big and the toe strap tends to come off when you kick while swimming.
The rubber sole feels thicker than it looks in photos, I'd guess about 5mm. But they are very hardwearing.

I will take some photos for you, and can upload them tomorrow.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I own a pair of the Unshoes Pahtemp, there great, I worn them on most of my walks of late. There a bit more heavy duty than most of the lightweight sandals.

I also own two pairs of the Xero shoes and two pairs of the bedrock sandals.

The Bedrock sandals I have not tested thus far, the Xero Shoes I only worn at home thus far. The Unshoes for me are a good shoe replacment.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[GPSGuided]

Thanks icefest. Never been a barefoot person myself but got interested in all of it when my son's X-country coach started to repeatedly talk about low heel and minimalist running styles.

[icefest]

Sorry GPSGuided, I almost forgot :/

Here are the promised pictures of the Teva Zilch sandals after wearing them for a total of about 200 days.
They weigh 419g as the pair when dry.
Images:
http://puu.sh/4oBRp.jpg
http://puu.sh/4oCco.jpg
http://puu.sh/4oCd3.jpg
http://puu.sh/4oCeo.jpg
http://puu.sh/4oCft.jpg
http://puu.sh/4oCgt.jpg

[GPSGuided]

Thanks Icefest! Nice design they are and would appear to be well used. Always good to not have an irregular wear posture, the wear is so even at the heel.

[Avatar]

Getting back on track.
Not surprised at the report. I found I could wear the Vibram Five Fingers for only about an hour around the house. Got uncomfortable and definitely v. little cushioning.
OK (and way superior to thongs) for swimming pool use, public showers, probably bike use and maybe river crossings (although lighter water shoe options are available from Rays OutDoors)
Just get a large size.

[Overlandman]

Watching the news tonight, there was a story on a Melbourne couple who have completed their 366th marathon in as many days, bringing an end to a 15,000-kilometre journey around Australia.

A good effort indeed
I also noted that they were running in Vibram five fingers & was wondering if they ran the whole 15,000 ks in Vibrams

Regards Overlandman

Story from ABC News
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-01/m ... on/5181296

Janette Murray-Wakelin and Alan Murray travelled 44 kilometres down the Yarra Trail today to their home at Warrandyte.
A typical day on the road

Up at 4:00am
10 bananas, a grapefruit, and a date smoothie each for breakfast
8:00am: Make room for another 10 bananas each
9:00am: Large green smoothies to help wash the bananas down
At 30km, stop for a fruit salad
Three oranges each at the 37km mark
Finish marathon around 4:00pm
Vegie juice, avocado and a huge vegetable salad for dinner

The couple, in their 60s, completed the year-long journey on a raw vegan diet.

Mr Murray says the achievement would not have been possible without the help of a team of volunteers.

"They all helped us, they gave up their valuable time to come with us, to drive our vehicles, to be our nannies, push us out the door in the morning and just generally take care of us," he said.

The couple say they hope to motivate people around the world to live healthy lifestyles.

"We know that we have touched thousands of people by what we've done," Ms Murray-Wakelin said.

"And we feel blessed to have been a part of bringing that message forth and that this day is not the end.

"We might have finished the marathons, but this is just the beginning and together we will make a difference."

[Zone-5]

Oh please, the Vibram finger glove shoes in this thread aren't serious hiking footware! They are a gimick, fad, similar to Crocs!




The standard Vibram soles are serious hiking boot treads..

[Strider]

Crocs are amazing! If you don't know this you aren't a serious bushwalker (yes, this is Australia)

[Zone-5]

Maybe it's just me but painful feet in footwear do not form any part of my 'enjoyment' of bush walking. 'Crocs' worn at the beach, in boats and after work at the bar are ok but on the trail with foreign objects like snakes, painful prickles and stones causing blisters and bruises, no way!

If by being a 'serious bushwalker' you mean deliberately exposing myself to a preventable injury by way of divesting my personal safety into what is purely just a stupid 'indie' fashion statement, well then... gladly call me seriously ol' fashioned.

My Vibram bushwalking solution; LOWA Renegade GTX with Vibram Evo outsoles:

[Penguin]

gladly call me seriously old fashioned.

Gottas take the opportunity. "you are seriously old fashioned." If walking long distances in minimum footwear is not old fashioned I am not sure want we did 150 years ago.

As has been said endlessly on this forum it is about what works for you. If you are willing to recondition your feet/legs to a barefoot style of walking then it can be very comfortable and safe for bushwalking. Where this trend goes only time will tell. But like other glib statements let see where we are in a decade, otherwise I am sure that it is not as black and white as you purport.

P