1. Why do you wear Vibram FiveFingers?
I have worn Vibrams for running since 2011 now and wouldn’t run in anything else. They have helped my legs get stronger, kept me injury free and allowed me to enjoy running more! I was a barefoot runner before I got my vibrams and after trying a few brands decided five fingers were the best for me as they let me feel fully barefoot while protecting my feet. After being a walker and runner for a while but hating hiking boots and thick running shoes I read up on barefoot running and started to give it a go. I found the sense of flexibility and freedom amazing after using restrictive shoes for so long and have never gone back since. Five finger shoes have allowed me to run further and faster and hike with much more confidence now I can feel the ground under my feet properly!
2.What do you use them for most and how have FiveFingers made a difference?
I wear my vibrams for running, training and walking. I find they allow me to move more efficiently, offer great grip on the ground and let me run faster. I always liked being barefoot when exercising as I found it gave me better balance, posture, strength and flexibility and with my five fingers all these benefits stay but the shoes allow my feet to be protected when moving outside. I have worn my five fingers for everything from hiking mountains both in the UK and in Europe as well as running in everything from weekly park runs to the great north run which I ran last year in my five fingers.
3.How do you respond to people who don't understand the benefits?
I always try and quickly list a few reasons why I run in barefoot shoes when people ask about them. After lots of conversations about them I try to keep to simple points rather than dive into all the detail about why barefoot shoes are better for our bodies. I feel more and more people are hearing/reading about the benefits now and I feel people in general are more open minded towards the idea and listen to the reasoning behind wearing them whereas I feel in the past people thought it was very strange and didn’t want to listen.
4.How did you discover FiveFingers?
Being a barefoot runner before buying my vibrams I chatted to a few other runners and through talking with others and reading barefoot running blogs I came across vibrant five fingers and bought my first set in 2011 I have been through many pairs since then and got others running in them too!
5.What other barefoot products do you wear?
I wear barefoot trainers every day and also have barefoot hiking sandals my everyday barefoot shoes tend to be other brands but I only use five fingers for running as I find other brands too restrictive while running
