Yes, this was my birthday cake for my 40th birthday.
In the past week I have been bombarded with either email links or Facebook tags regarding the recent settlement between Vibram USA and a Class Action Law Suit led by a woman who said the company deceived customers by claiming, without scientific evidence, that its FiveFingers shoe could strengthen foot muscles and decrease injuries. Vibrams USA will be paying out $3.75 million to anyone who bought a pair of FiveFinger shoes after March 29th, 2009.
“Aren’t these your shoes?”
“What do you think?”
“Are you going to keep running in them?”
Theses questions, and many more, have been asked of me along with the tags and emails of that story.
I will admit, I bought into the increased foot muscle strength and the decreases injuries mantra hook, line and sinker, and I am very disappointed in both Vibrams USA (for not having the scientific data to back their claims up) and myself (for not doing a little more research).
That being said, let me make it clear, I will NOT be asking Vibram USA for my $94 that I can rightfully claim.
Why?
Because Vibrams Fivefinger Shoes were very much an integral part of getting me INTO running AND taking my running to the next level. Without my KSOs, Bikilas, Treks and Seeyas, I don’t know if I would have achieved 8 marathons in less than two years. Did I wear them for every marathon? No. But they were an important part of my weekly training, and I believe they DID help keep my feet injury free.
Where’s my proof? I have none except my own experience. During a stretch a couple of years ago, after finding BQ success mixing my runs between VFFs and the original Saucony Kinvara, I purchased the 3rd iteration of the Kinvara. During about a 6 month stretch, I ran almost exclusively in them, despite never truly liking them. I’m not sure why I had moved away from the VFFs other than maybe VFFs were becoming popular as an alternative and I foolishly didn’t want to be “mainsteam alternative”.
Foolish, I know.
I eventually stopped using the Kinvaras because both of my feet were hit with plantar fasciitis…anybody who has experienced it will tell you just how painful it is. When I mentioned my pain on Facebook, a friend said I needed to put my VFFs (Vibram Five Fingers) on, go out for a run and burn that PF out of my foot. This went contrary to everything I had read on the Interwebs about PF.
Roll frozen water bottles under them.
Get orthodics!
Support, support, support!
Being the occasional contrarian (see above) that I am, I decided to heed my buddy’s advice, but instead of putting on my VFF’s, I went completely barefoot. 3 miles later, not only were the calluses on my heels now pedicured for free, but my PF was gone…yes, gone. After having suffered for nearly 10 days heeding the common wisdom, barefoot running had cured me of my PF.
Is that scientific proof? Absolutely not, and I want people to be perfectly clear that this was something that worked for me and for my feet. I am not you and my feet are not yours.
***
Do I think Vibrams USA made a mistake in claiming what they did in the manner in which they claimed it?
Yup.
Do I think Vibrams USA is completely at fault for what this woman and many other may or may not have suffered through due to their use of VFFs?
No. Friggin’. Way.
Even I, a mildly experienced runner at the time of my first purchase of the VFFs had absolutely no clue as to what I was doing. I went out and ran 3 miles in them the first day I got them and proceeded to be literally hobbled for the next week because I nearly snapped my Achilles’ Tendon. There are so many people in this country who, looking for a quick fix, will buy a product without thinking whether it is good for them and then go straight to using them without following instructions. That was me the first time I put them on…and I even had a friend who had adamantly told me to run no more than a 1/4 mile in them the first time.
Did I listen? No.
Typical of my fellow citizens, I went all out and nearly injured myself in a serious manner.
After that first run, my VFFs went into the closet, presumably never to come out again.
But then came the book Born to Run and I thought, maybe I didn’t do things right the first time (which I hadn’t).
This time I did a little research on transitioning into them. I read blog posts of runners who enjoyed some success in them and figured out how to make the slow transition myself.
I would go on to train exclusively and run 3 marathons in VFFs running a 3:54 (Manchester City), a 3:32 (Boston) and a 3:30 (Providence) all in the course of about 6 months.
***
So what’s my point? If you take nothing else from this post or from the Class Action Lawsuit that Vibams USA settled, let it be this – Barefoot and barefoot style running works…for some. Barefoot and barefoot style running doesn’t work…for some. There are a thousands of people who rediscovered running due to the FiveFinger Shoe because they were forced into better running form.
That health benefit, to the individual themselves and to our society as a whole, is priceless.
I will not be asking for my $94.
Run Luau Run 
I read this earlier today, and am just now able to comment. I really appreciate your approach to this. One of my biggest memories of you is the day of the Half Marathon on Sept 2012 and how you ran like a lot more miles than 13.1 running everyone in. Those shoes figure prominently in my image of you that day. Appreciate your candor in this post.
Interesting post, particularly as someone who is looking to make the transition to minimalist shoes. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Great post. Glad you shared, and are not injured. Was tempted to try them myself & didn’t.
Interestingly relatable
the theory came about from looking at people who couldn’t afford shoes and their foot health, right? It’s a different thing, being barefoot all through your growing years and wearing “normal sneakers for 20 or 30 or 40 or more years and then jumping into barefoot running, isn’t that the point?
Thanks for this post, that was exactly my plan, to by a pair and start slow . . .
I completely agree with you and will continue to rotate my Vibrams in my weekly runs. They have helped my running posture beyond measure and for that, I will continue to thank Vibrams and wear my shoes with a smile-
I, too, am NOT going to seek the $$ from Vibram. My wife and I both enjoy our VFF very much, have for a couple of years now, and have no problems with them whatsoever. Thanks for your post.
I’m so glad to read this! I agree. I have been using VFFs for a number of years and I love them. I’m not asking for my money back, either. People need to take more responsibility for their own welfare rather than blaming a company. Though, of course they ought not to have made such claims.
I never bought into the notion that Vibrams claimed, and never tried the shoes myself. I did have an elite runner friend who got a stress fracture in them. I also thought the Born to Run book likely contained a lot of hyperbole, yet I still let it inspire me to restart running after more than 30 years as a non-runner. Still going strong in my Brooks Adrenalines. I think that anything that works to keep one active, is worth it for that person, whether it meets the advertised claims or not.
Reblogged this on strength88victoryZOGGY.
Very interesting post. It’s not applicable to me as I’ve got flat feet along with numerous joint issues, but my wife runs to blow off stress. I listen to her issues she has.
I am on my 8th pair; I love ’em! After building up, I run in mine all the time!
Reblogged this on tomhulsey.
Really enjoyed this post, I own two pair of Vibrams and walk quite a bit in them. I love what they do for me and have not had any issues with them whatsoever. I’d feel a bit foolish taking money even though it’s being offered by the company considering I’ve had no issues. Hope the lesson has been learned by Vibram.
I appreciate your post. Too often people look to blame others (i.e, injuries) when they themselves are to blame. You are right not to hop on the gravy train, especially if you like the shoes. Too many people sacrifice principles to cash in on a few bucks. Thanks for restoring a little bit of my faith in humanity.
Thank you for the post! My experience training in VFF was pretty much the same. I looked at the instruction and went “Well, how different is it, really?” and ran all out… to a rather unpleasant few months of an injured feet.
But I am also not going to go after Vibram because, honestly, I love my VFF.
In my case, I got a weak arch in one of my feet that I didn’t know about. Going all out the first run injured it quite badly and I had to go really slow afterwards. I always credit VFF for getting me to know my feet again, what I should and shouldn’t do with them in my individual circumstance. I have better running form and stronger feet now because of that, so I really got nothing to complain.
It is so refreshing to read of someone who takes responsibility for his own choices! Kudos to you for not cashing in when you don’t perceive that you deserve to.
I have had a life time of flat feet, corrective shoes and PF. My VFFs replaced regular sneakers for walking around on a daily basis. I wore them everywhere but to work. No more PF and finally I have arches in my feet. I also will be asking for my $$$. I still recommended them to folks too as they know to ease into them.
Interesting post. Something to keep in mind as a beginner runner myself.
I’m an avid runner and fell in love with running “barefoot” after reading “Born to Run.” I bought Vibrams, ran my usual route in them plus a some exciting sprints and injured my feet for weeks. After more practice though, I built up strength and ran without much injury for years. Generally i’ve been happy with the VFFs. I could understand why someone would sue since VFF did sell a product that was falsely advertised as safe when it in fact probably would injure the unsuspecting runner.
associatedlawyer.wordpress.com
I think this is an interesting example of a much bigger phenomenon. I am definitely against false advertising which happens far too often these days. However I think people buy into products for the wrong reasons a lot. For example, if someone bought those shoes thinking they would cure all runners ailments and make them run faster, farther etc… then that is more of a personal issue. Every product you buy is a risk. That’s why, as you said, it’s important to do research. I don’t believe in blaming the company when the product didn’t do everything you hoped it would. If I bought the shoes and they didn’t work for me, it would never occur to me to sue.
I remember when running shoes were cooler if they had the better space-age looking cushion of air in the sole. Now it seems the shoes are cooler the more they look like neon foot socks. The world’s insane. Side note, Run Lola Run is one of my all-time favorite movies.
i have a pair of VFFs too, and have always found them pretty comfortable to wear. I also recently just took up running (YIKES) and found that they made running, which I used to really HATE, much much more enjoyable! My knees don’t hurt, and I feel good. So I think I’ll keep my shoes, thankyouverymuch.
I just stumbled on this lawsuit today when a friend told me, I almost couldn’t believe it as I own 3 pairs and use them all. The shoes work for some and not for some. You said it well when transitioning into them, take it slow. Wear them even for walking no more than 2 hours a day until your body gets used to them.
Good post as well.
Reblogged this on gustyariaindah.
Reblogged this on Federico Ricci.
yikes!
Great post. And good on you for having the integrity not to get the offered money.
I never bought into the groumdless claims of minimalism in footwear. I use them as one of several long distance hikers to keep my weight down thru working at a treadmill desk. Glad I have them.
From one VFFer to another, thank you!!!
Glad to see this post. Love my Vibrams.
Thanks for this! I have flat feet and bought VFFs thinking they would help. I ran 3K in them, which felt great until after. I also have to “learn” how to run in them. They feel great though and I have friends who swear by them for trail running, music festivals, etc. It seems it just takes time to get used to them. I completely agree VFF shouldn’t have made those claims without evidence, but please…do you sue shoe companies for using child labour or for getting back pain from wearing high heels?
I’ve never tried them but I think your post is a very well balanced look at them.
When I am elected president (well there’s not really a chance of that but lets SAY i was running and got elected) the first thing I would outlaw is articulated running shoes. They’re hideous and have no business being where people an see them. The next thing is people complaining about glutin or using the word “palleo” but that’s for another discussion…
Excellent post. I’ve been a happy Vibrams customer for four years and would never go back to the pumped air alternative. Love the birthday cake btw!
🙂
I got my 1st BQ in my VFFs. I ran 3 marathons in them. Then I suffered overuse tendinitis running the Boston to Big Sur challenge. Do I blame Vibram? No. Do I blame the Big Sur organization or BAA? No. Do I blame myself? Yes. We all need to listen to our bodies, no matter what we are wearing. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Reblogged this on zeenablid18.
Awesome post, I can totally relate. My friends kept Facebook messaging me these links to news articles about how VFF lost this court case, and they were all asking me what I was going to do. I recently discussed my own experience and explained that while I don’t feel like they’ve necessarily helped me, I don’t think that they’ve hurt me either. It’s really up to people to decide for themselves whether they like them or not. Myself, I will continue to enjoy my VFFs 🙂
Every set of feet is different. Do what works for you. I’ve run in the same brand of trail shoes for 25 years, injury free. I’ve ignored the trends and fads, and avoided over training. I’ve never tried VFFs nor will I. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I am glad I stumbled upon this post. I really love running, but I have had to stop after getting pain in my knees. I am not familiar with the lawsuite that you make mention of, however I read in a runners magazine about a guy who had knee issues and began running barefoot to great effect. I am too frightened to try and run again now in case I cause some irreversible damage. Any suggestions? I would normally run a 10km and then I battled to bend my right knee the next few days after the run. I agree with your stance regarding the VFF. They have encouraged people to become more active.