I was suffering from "runners knee" for about a week after I tried to run consistently for anything above about 15 minutes (at a steady 10:00 mpm pace).So basically I couldn''t get up any kind of decent running schedule, so I started to look into barefoot running.I started walking my dog barefoot and working on strengthening my feet, and when my last bout of "runners knee" cleared up I started thinking about running.I didn''t think my gym would allow barefoot treadmill running so I invested in a pair of Vibram''s.First day at the gym and I started running and I''d reached the 15 minute mark and no knee trouble, so I kept going and upped the speed and did another 10 minutes.No pain at all.Now anyone who''s started running in these knows what I''m going to say next! ...
... They REALLY work your calf''s because they force you to land on the balls of your feet (exactly as you should run) so about 2 days after my first run damn did I have DOMS in my calves, I was walking around like a croquet hoop!So friendly advice, start slow!
After that initial adaption my calf muscles I was fine going forward.
No more knee pain, I ran an hour for the first time yesterday (~5.5 miles), I''d have never been able to do that before.
I normally run 4 miles M/W/F and 2 miles on T/T.I LOVE these shoes.Never going to run in anything else again!
Buy Vibram Fivefingers Bikila Sports Shoes Now
I found these to be a slight departure from the original five finger concept of "near barefoot running." The tread has become quite aggressive and there is almost what could be considered arch support.Additionally, because of two hot spots created by the internal stitching, I have to wear socks, which creates even more padding and road isolation than found in models like the original KSO and Sprint.The one saving feature that keeps me using them is that there is still no heel cushioning which means I still have to focus on barefoot running technique.They are pretty good for winter running though as long as conditions are dry.The material is warmer than my Sprints (which are my favorite model by far).Read Best Reviews of Vibram Fivefingers Bikila Sports Shoes Here
I alternate running and cycling every day to try to keep in shape. I did a lot of damage to my achilles tendons when I was a whippersnapper through doing a lot of triple jumping. As a result, as an all-growed-up forty-something adult I found that I had to retrain myself how to run again in a way that avoided injuring my ankles. Lots of introspection, self-analysis and trial and error later I came up with some changes to my running style that allowed me to pound out miles without seriously hurting my ankle, although I was still getting twinges every now and then.
Running in regular running shoes made me feel like I was missing something: mostly the ability to maintain forward momentum. Specifically, even though I was trying to minimize heavy heel strikes in the new style, I still felt that the heel strikes were slowing me down and bleeding off a lot of forward movement. After all, why would you land on your heel when you''re trying to move forward.
I came across the whole "barefoot" running thing somewhat accidentally and thought that it looked interesting. But I didn''t think much more about it since my regular runs combine dirt/gravel roads with paved roads. Then a large billboard went up in Spokane for a specific brand of barefoot shoes... and after mildly tweaking my ankle again I thought to myself "let''s give that a shot."
After doing a reasonable amount of research I decided that the right shoe for me was the Bikila. I followed the foot-measuring instructions on the Vibram website and ordered my first pair.
The first thing I have to say is that I really, truly did follow the instructions precisely. But when the shoes arrived they were too big. Not just a little bit too big, a lot too big. I sighed, packed them back in the box and sent them back to Amazon (excellent return process). I ordered the next size down and the arrived two days later.
Well, even the next size down was just fractionally too large and I suspect that the next size down from that would be perfect. But they were certainly close enough, so I started the process of figuring out how to use them.
1. The first time (or the first few times) you put them on, it''s a complicated headscratching process. How can my toes be so disobedient? Get in there, pesky toe! No, not there, THERE! I think it seriously took me 20 minutes to put the shoes on properly the first time. On the plus side, my toes are getting better trained and now they jump into the right slot straight away... putting the shoes on is more difficult than putting on a pair of slippers but not by much. So just be patient until your toes learn.
2. I started by puttering around the house. Running down to the mailbox and back, etc. Felt a little weird, but OK.
3. After a few days I decided to go for a quick run 1/2 mile down a dirt road and back again. First thing to note: avoid rocks. Since I was used to running in regular shoes I wasn''t paying much attention to avoiding small rocks on the road. Well, I do now. Second thing to note: Wow. This truly IS a different running style. Up on your toes, definitely no jamming your heel down first. I was trying to run at a slow pace but ended up flying along without even thinking about it
4. My calves killed me. That 1 mile run felt great! Fast, smooth and easy. About 2 hours later my calves started locking up. Next day I could barely walk! Running for just a mile pretty much on the front half of my feet instead of the back half had exercised my calf muscles in a way they hadn''t been used since I was a kid. I stretched, hobbled around, stretched more, hobbled more.
5. Two days later I was ready to try my regular shortest loop, a 5k. I set off slowly, making sure I was focusing on running properly. First half, on dirt and gravel, felt OK. Hit the second half, pavement. WOW! It''s like I had wings on my feet. I could barely slow down. I went up the first hill faster than I ever had (thank you, balls of feet and no heel strikes). However, on the way down the next slight downhill I realized how much I had come to relyon the rebound of my regular running shoes for coasting down hills. No rebound in the Bikila! Just me! So going downhill is harder than before. Going uphill, much easier than before. Go figure!
6. Calves hurt again after the 5k but not as bad, so apparently the stretching helps and they''re getting used to the new running style.
7. One day break then off for the same 5k but at "regular" pace. Incredible. Pushing to regular pace in the Bikilas has hurt my still-developing calves again but without even really trying to seriously push hard I just set my fastest time over this particular 5k (by 20 seconds!). And I felt great doing it.
So far, I love these shoes. A lot. I haven''t even felt a single twinge from my ankle since I started using them.
Summary:
I measured my feet carefully but the corresponding size I ordered was at least 1 size, maybe 2 sizes too big.
It takes a while to put them on the first few times. Be patient, it gets much faster once your toes are trained.
My calves hurt. A lot. Stretch and be prepared for the (good) pain from knowing that you''re using muscles the way they''re supposed to be used
You will need to change your running style. No more heel strikes and a much lower foot lift seems to work best for me.
Presumably because I''m now running on the balls of my feet, my pace is much faster then it used to be with seemingly less effort.
Want Vibram Fivefingers Bikila Sports Shoes Discount?
I have been running in Vibrams for a couple of years now.Until recently, my only pair was Vibram Fivefingers KSO.I absolutely love them.However, I''ve begun running in the mornings before dawn, and am unable to avoid every rock or burr on the road.The KSOs will keep you from hurting yourself, but you''ll definitely feel the pings of rocks.
A bit frustrated by this, I decided to try a conventional (if neutral) running shoe.I selected the Saucony ProGrid Kinvara Running Shoe.I did my best to ease into them, but after a couple of weeks, I realized ever more clearly the benefits conferred by Vibrams.The chronic knee pain that I had all but forgotten returned.And really, running just isn''t as enjoyable with conventional shoes as it is with Vibrams.It''s really cool to feel the connection to the road that you do when running in Vibrams.I realized that, even with the rock pings, I wanted to run in Vibrams.
Still, better no pain than acceptable pain.I decided to buy my second pair of Vibrams: these Bikilas.They are _exactly_ what I needed.I still feel very connected to the road, and the shoes are much easier on my knees & shins than conventional running shoes.I like the styling (I got the royal blue/black/grey because they were the only ones available for overnight shipping in my size), and especially like the reflective surfaces around the shoe (running before dawn, after all).
Overall, I like my KSOs a little more than the Bikilas.The KSOs are more minimal, and they''re also "my first."I will prefer them for smooth, unobstructed surfaces.Nonetheless, the Bikilas are certainly five-star shoes.Vibrams are leaps & bounds better than conventional running shoes.They''ll make you want to run, run some more, keep running, & run again tomorrow!
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Update, 26 January 2012
I''m not sure that I want to dock them a star, because really, I think all VFFs deserve five stars (other than Bormios, which don''t fit my feet).I now have four pairs of VFFs and there''s only one pair that I don''t wear anymore.That''s right -the Bikilas.When I want the best feel of the road, I wear my KSOs.When I go to work, I wear my leather Treks.And for most of my runs, I now wear Komodosports.This last bit is why I wanted to amend my review.I think that VFF Komodosport has rendered Bikila obsolete.They''re better in every important way.The seamless construction in particular is a big step up.I''d say if you''re looking for one pair of Vibrams for running & working out, the Komodosport is the better choice.
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Update, 8 August 2012.
I''m up to eight pairs of VFFs now.I wanted to update this review because I actually find myself wearing my Bikilas more now that I did some months ago.Even though they still aren''t a "purpose" shoe for me, I find myself choosing to wear them out & about.They just flat out look better than most Vibrams.Also, they are very soft & light.So if you''re looking for a pair of shoes to wear to look and feel good, these are indeed a very good choice.I''d still recommend KSOs and Komodosports for running.
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