FiveFingers Sprint - Men's Taupe/Putty/Clay 47 by Vibram USA

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Price: $50.00   

Product Feature

• Vibram
• Khaki/Putty/Clay
• 47

Product Description

219896TCY__47 Features: Release your feet from the constriction of shoes and stimulate your feet muscles and joints Kangaroo skin uppers hug your soles and deflect trail debris Vibram TC-1 performance rubber improves grip and shock absorption without hindering feel Anti-microbial microfiber insert reduces biotic growth and keeps your feet dry When you get these, go easy! You've been wearing shoes for a LONG time and your feet and calves aren't used to working this hard Stick with it, bro! You'll be surprised! Specifications: Weight per pair: 112 oz Upper: kangaroo leather Outsole: Vibram TC-1 performance rubber Outsole: Vibram rubber

FiveFingers Sprint - Men's Taupe/Putty/Clay 47 by Vibram USA Review

I've been running regularly for about 20 years and came across the Vibrams in early 2008. Initially, I was a bit skeptical. But last summer we visited Boston and I brought along my running shoes thinking that they would serve me well for walking around the city. Unfortunately, my back was killing me the entire trip and I figured it was time to give the Vibrams a try.

So for the past ten months, I've been using my Vibrams regularly for both runs and workouts at the gym. For gym workouts, they are excellent -- light and comfortable with excellent footing. And b/c they're so compact, they're perfect to pack for business trips or vacations.

Running in Vibrams takes a bit of an adjustment. Initially, I tried running on grass thinking that this would ease the transition, but instead I ended up with calves that felt like they were ready to explode (if you've ever run a long distance barefoot on sand, you know what I mean). Counterintuively, running on a harder surface was an easier transition b/c the asphalt provided a more stable running surface.

The running stride for Vibrams is completely different than that for traditional running shoes. You'll need to jettison the typical heel strike of running shoes and begin to strike with the balls of your feet. This takes a bit of getting used to, but did not cause any physical issues (for me).

If you've read this far, you're probably tuned in to the whole health debate of running shoes vs. barefoot running. In a nutshell, barefoot runners argue that the design of the modern running shoe causes injuries by forcing heel strike and pronation. I'm not a good comparison tester in this regard, b/c I've have never experienced any major running injuries, but I didn't experience any physical issues at all with the Vibrams. I can say that they are generally easier on my back (just a bit -- this is not a miracle cure) and that my overall leg strength is markedly higher with the Vibrams.

Running speed has not been affected by the switch to Vibrams. I'm still every bit as fast -- or slow -- as I am in traditional running shoes. Just don't buy these on the eve of a big race and expect to run well -- you'll need a couple of months to fully adjust your stride and build up your calf and leg muscles.

Durability is excellent -- I'm just wearing out my initial pair after ten months of regular running and gym use.

Finally, people invariably find these contraptions odd and mildly amusing. I get curious looks and questions all the time wearing these. If you want to don an Ipod and be left alone when you work out, just keep in mind that your Vibrams will attract some attention. On the other hand, if you view your gym visit as a social event, then they're a great conversation starter.

Overall, I've been very pleased with the shoes and would definitely recommend them. They haven't made me faster, smarter, a better person or drastically altered my life in any way I can discern (sorry, all you "Born to Run" afficienados), but I think that they're a comfortable, physically sound shoe that will provide you with a healthier, and longer, running experience than your traditional running shoe.

ADDENDUM, July 2010: I've been running in Vibrams for nearly two years, but the last two pairs that I purchased (directly from the company, so they aren't knock-offs) have worn out extremely quickly. I got no more than 200 miles on one pair and the second pair is wearing out after only three weeks of use (!!!). My guess is that they are ramping up production to meet the huge demand for the Five Fingers and are having quality control issues. I'd like to provide more information, but the company has not responded to either of my two e-mails or snail mail letter asking about the unusual wear. Anyway, you might want to avoid these until they address the qc issues -- just a head's up.

ADDENDUM, June 2011: A day or two after I published the above addendum, Vibram contacted me and offered to replace one pair of my Sprints which was fair of them. Unfortunately, the durability of the replacement pair was every bit as bad as the prior two pairs. I tracked my mileage closely and got around 80 miles on the replacement pair before the sole began to wear through.

So what's going on here? Well, if you compare the soles of the newer Sprints with those on the Classics or the KSO's, Vibram has clearly changed the formulation. Just run your finger over the soles a few times and you can feel that the Sprints are now using a softer formulation. And, of course, after 100 miles you'll be very aware of the softer sole.

At this point, I don't bother with the Sprints. The Bakilas have a softer formulation, but also include little protective knobs, so I can get about 300 miles on them before they begin to wear through. I still prefer the overall design and comfort of the Sprints, but until/unless Vibram addresses the durability issue, other Vibram designs are a much better choice for regular running.

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