DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Army Bans Vibram Fivefingers "The toe shoes" in formations

**papadopul** · 06-29-2011, 11:34 PM

Dave, you bring up an excellent point. I think it's just a matter of somone having the balls to tell the guy with the outrageously colored shoes to go find something more conservative. It's a heck of a lot easier to point at VFFs and say "NO!"

I almost threw the BS flag back at OTS when I wasn't allowed to use VFFs, but some guy in my flight had (no kidding) flourescent YELLOW shoes. The whole shoe was flourescent yellow. I couldn't believe that crap was allowed.

I haven't checked out the Merrells, but they are reasonably close with a zero drop, thin sole like VFFs. It could very well be stiffer, and I'd believe it especially if they're using the same recycled rubber material that are on the VFF Smartwool Classics. Those Classic models are stiffer than traditional Classics, Sprints, etc. My main beef with the Merrells is that they look too form fitting - ie. they seem to hug the foot a little too closely. I love the Mizuno Wave Universe flat because the upper is light enough to allow plenty of natural movement, and the toe box is HUGE. Plenty of room for my toes to splay out as they do when I'm totally barefoot. I would expect the Somnio NADA flat to be the same.

I do 90-95% of my running barefoot. If not barefoot, then I'm likely in the Mizunos, unless I feel sporty and put on my VFF Sprints. But I do still have several pairs of VFFs for casual wear, and I do feel badly for those wanting to wear them in Army PT gear. But if they're willing to spend some time, I know there are other good minimalist options for them to wear for organized PT. Thankfully they can still wear their VFFs for personal PT.

06-29-2011, 11:34 PM	#4
papadopul Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 466 Senior Member	Dave, you bring up an excellent point. I think it's just a matter of somone having the balls to tell the guy with the outrageously colored shoes to go find something more conservative. It's a heck of a lot easier to point at VFFs and say "NO!" I almost threw the BS flag back at OTS when I wasn't allowed to use VFFs, but some guy in my flight had (no kidding) flourescent YELLOW shoes. The whole shoe was flourescent yellow. I couldn't believe that crap was allowed. I haven't checked out the Merrells, but they are reasonably close with a zero drop, thin sole like VFFs. It could very well be stiffer, and I'd believe it especially if they're using the same recycled rubber material that are on the VFF Smartwool Classics. Those Classic models are stiffer than traditional Classics, Sprints, etc. My main beef with the Merrells is that they look too form fitting - ie. they seem to hug the foot a little too closely. I love the Mizuno Wave Universe flat because the upper is light enough to allow plenty of natural movement, and the toe box is HUGE. Plenty of room for my toes to splay out as they do when I'm totally barefoot. I would expect the Somnio NADA flat to be the same. I do 90-95% of my running barefoot. If not barefoot, then I'm likely in the Mizunos, unless I feel sporty and put on my VFF Sprints. But I do still have several pairs of VFFs for casual wear, and I do feel badly for those wanting to wear them in Army PT gear. But if they're willing to spend some time, I know there are other good minimalist options for them to wear for organized PT. Thankfully they can still wear their VFFs for personal PT.
	Quote