[c-cialis]

What does everyone think of this?

Feel free to comment here or on my blog:

http://runningjackalope.blogspot.com...on-vibram.html

If you are looking for alternatives, I talk about a plan for that here:

http://runningjackalope.blogspot.com...ransition.html

[kanchouska]

Not shocked in the least.

I'm Air Force, been running in minimalist shoes (including Vibram FiveFingers) for two years, and been running totally barefoot for a year. But even I can see the point behind this change. VFFs look ridiculous. I love them, I know the benefits people have seen from using them, and know they're a great piece of fitness footwear. But they still look ridiculous.

There are so many more minimalist options available now that look more conservative yet serve the same purpose as VFFs. Merrells, racing flats, Somnio NADAs, NB Minimus...I could go on forever. Bottom line, the Soldier isn't restricted to using toe shoes anymore if he wants something glove like. I think the ban is unfortunate and perhaps a little shallow, but people still can get the same benefits by using different forms of minimalist footwear.

[lodsemelf]

I talked with some of the Soldiers who work for me about this. None of them wear the VFF (I do and love them). I posed this question...

Since the Army uniform regs don't state what your shoes should look like (other than now not allowing the VFF) what's the difference in wearing the VFF or wearing some puke/lime green or some other ugly a$$ color shoes with the PTU ? Wouldn't wearing some shoe that looks like it it belongs in some frufru shoe shop in Berkeley "detract from a professional military image" ? Since when does fashion trump function ? Those who like the VFFs swear by them. I've had surgery on both knees, one fully replaced and one partial. Until I ran with these shoes, I always had pain. Now, hardly any and my run times after surgery are picking up considerably.

BTW, I've seen the other non-VFF versions out there (most have an actual Vibrams sole), but I think they're a little stiffer than the VFFs and I like the toe interaction with the ground that I don't see happening with the stiffer sole'd versions. Someone who wears the non-VFFs may disagree, I have no actual anectdotal evidence to back that up.

Edit to add: As of right now, the Navy has no policy regarding the VFFs with the PTU. Not to say that it won't somewhere down the line. I hope that they wait about 18 months till my mandatory retirement before outlawing them, if they do. To have to switch from VFF to normal tennis shoes to run the PRT won't make sense. Shoes are too important a component of training to be messing around with.

[papadopul]

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.

[Petwrenny]

For those that wear them for their personal PT and then have to change for unit PT and the semi-annual APFT, I'm concerned that they risk losing speed on their run, or worse, injury from getting used to the footfall of the VFF and then having that radically change for a normal shoe. I guess if they wear the VFF for personal and switch to one of the other minimalist shoes for APFT, they shouldn't have that much of a change.

I'm waiting for the local NEX to bring in the Bakilas in the next couple of weeks to buy a pair for running. The KSOs that I have are comfortable enough, but I'd like just a bit more padding without (hopefully) sacrificing the feel.

[dWSOj26H]

I've been running in VFF's for about 4-5 months now. I tried going back to normal running shoes just to see if I could improve my run time. I managed to get a few strides in followed by pain in both legs, around my shin area. I've had shin splints before and this felt different than what I've experienced before. Has anyone else experienced this?

[shiciapsisy]

First time I ran in them I got cramps in my calves. I assume it was from using muscles in such a manner that I hadn't since I was a kid running around barefoot. I haven't tried running in normal shoes since starting the VFF.

[Aluback]

IMO, the military favors uniformity above utility, and even common sense.

They aren't upset about 5-toed running shoes being unhealthy or posing a safety hazard, its "OMG, they look different!"

[NarhozNic]

Are the FiveFingers Toe shoes good for the runner and healthy? Are you in formation? Do the shoes stand out from the others in formation? BANNED!!!

I was a First Sergeant, so I can say this: Most 1SGs are too rectal to allow something as unusual looking as those shoes to join their formation. Never mind uniformity; all PT shoes can be different. Get over it, top!

Yeah, I said Top. I retired as Top, so bite me if you don't like it.

[gabbaman]

Looks like the Navy is looking to follow suit. This week's edition of Navy times says "Navy on verge of nixing barefoot sports shoes". However, this is the part of the article I found interesting: The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center and Center for Personal and Professional Development reviewed medical literature and found insufficient evidence either to support or refute the safety of barefoot run*ning shoes. It noted, however, that the footwear strengthens muscles in the foot’s arch, reduces exces*sive pronation — when the foot strikes the ground while tilted either inward or outward — and encourages lighter landings with each stride. The review also cited problems. For example, the footwear requires greater demand on foot and lower leg muscles, increasing the risk for injury if these muscles are not ade*quately trained. Well, no kidding. You shouldn't use any piece of equipment unless you're properly trained on it. You shouldn't use any equipment in the gym unless you're properly trained. Would you forbid Sailors from working out with weights because they "might" get injured from improper use ? The whole thing is ridiculous. Also, this caught my eye: In the next few weeks, a Navy*wide message is expected to expand a policy that already bars Vibram FiveFingers... There is no prohibition that I'm aware of against using these shoes with the PT uniform. I specifically contacted the Uniform program office and asked that question. The reply I got was "The Navy has no policy regarding the use of these shoes with the PTU".

[86GlSqSK]

Looks like the Navy is looking to follow suit. This week's edition of Navy times says "Navy on verge of nixing barefoot sports shoes". However, this is the part of the article I found interesting: Well, no kidding. You shouldn't use any piece of equipment unless you're properly trained on it. You shouldn't use any equipment in the gym unless you're properly trained. Would you forbid Sailors from working out with weights because they "might" get injured from improper use ? The whole thing is ridiculous. Also, this caught my eye: There is no prohibition that I'm aware of against using these shoes with the PT uniform. I specifically contacted the Uniform program office and asked that question. The reply I got was "The Navy has no policy regarding the use of these shoes with the PTU".

Well, Dave,

The Army has officially banned the "toe shoes". It's not a health issue, it's a uniformity issue.

No Army "leader" wants an unusual and uncontrollable variable in the formation. Is it better for the Soldier (Toe shoes)? Probably. Does it detract from the daily routine that controls Soldiers? Uhhh; it DOES.

The shoes in question will help the wearer to exceed the standards. It is unusual looking, though, so it is BANNED.

I'm glad that I'm retired; I'm really sick of that bullshit.

[Poowssnople]

Well, Dave,

The Army has officially banned the "toe shoes". It's not a health issue, it's a uniformity issue.

No Army "leader" wants an unusual and uncontrollable variable in the formation. Is it better for the Soldier (Toe shoes)? Probably. [B]Does it detract from the daily routine that controls Soldiers? Uhhh; it DOES./B]

The shoes in question will help the wearer to exceed the standards. It is unusual looking, though, so it is BANNED.

I'm glad that I'm retired; I'm really sick of that bullshit.

How does it detract soldiers from their daily routine? Do we not want to see individuals succeed on their PT test? I've been wearing them for about 4 months now and have yet to gain any huge advantage. The only thing that has changed is my running style and no more shin splints.

[Clolmemaexata]

How does it detract soldiers from their daily routine?

Re-read my reply: The Soldiers aren't detracted, the "leaders" are distracted.

Do we not want to see individuals succeed on their PT test? I've been wearing them for about 4 months now and have yet to gain any huge advantage. The only thing that has changed is my running style and no more shin splints.

Exactly, and that is the point: We definitely want to see individuals succeed on their PT test; the Army uniform Nazis, though, don't want to see unusual shoes in their formations. Don't upset the uniformity; those shoes will only breed dissension and distrust (sarcasm).

Here's the real point: So-called "leaders" don't like the shoes in their formations because they are unusual and don't match with the rest of troops. When the Department of the Army delivers an edict about SHOES, you KNOW that it's important.

I mean really, look at the new P.T. test. Sit-ups have been replaced by "the rower". Many arguments against the old test were how do the events apply to combat. Right. How many Soldiers do you see rowing their asses across the battlefield? ZERO? Yeah, I thought so.