5 finger / barefoot shoes

[Manosteel]

Anyone use those 5 finger / barefoot shoes made by vibrame for stalking game or around camp? Been looking at them after a buddy of mine swore by them for stalking in close on game with a bow. They only weigh 10-13 oz for a pair. That's about what my camp crocks wiegh.

 

[maxp]

All I wear for running and such is either barefoot merrells or my five fingers. I would say the quietest thing to actually going barefoot...I wouldn't want to do it on cactus country but here in alberta it's pretty much the ticket...way easier on your legs for running too...

 

[mAv]

They wouldn't be quieter after you step on a rock and yelp out in pain...

If you're just wearing them around camp, use whatever is comfortable.

As far as running goes, no way, wouldn't touch them. I know plenty of folks who have- if you take the necessary time to slowly work your muscles into them and don't overdo it, they're fine for short distances. If you don't take the time, you will most likely get injured in no time flat. There truly is not enough benefit to even try. There are plenty of minimalist running shoes that do just as good of a job or better that are the same or only very slightly more weight.

 

[squeekieslayer]

a few guys I used to crossfit with wore them... here is my take, they small like rotten ass after a few wears and they take a long time to get all your tootsies just right. They may be awesome but I feel like they would drive me crazy.

Joe

 

[justinspicher]

I own a pair of classics and have reduced them to house slippers. I used to wear them for just about everything, but they didn't stay on my feet very well and ended up just pissing me off. However, they are nice to have on just around the house. I've ran in them and done workouts, but I have since switched to Merrell minimalists for just about everything but trail running. I think if you work into them they can be useful for just about anything.

 

[Brent1321]

I wouldn't be buried in those things!!!!

Brent

 

[Travis Bertrand]

FYI this is in the optics section.

 

[SHTF]

I'm with Brent tried them on once and they creeped me out the way they split your toes

 

[maxp]

Ya when I said running I've only ran my five fingers on track not trail...they don't have the protection for trail but they definitely have place in my closet...you do have to adjust to them and once adjusted it is hard to go back to a regular shoe at least for me...I can't run very well unless I have a barefoot oriented shoe...so just personal preference

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

I think I'm going to get a straight up pair of moccasins this year. Or I'll just do my stalks in my socks like usual.

 

[unm1136]

I have a couple of pair. They do retain odors, but are washable. I like them to work out in, and they are not too bad in camp. My biggest issue growing up in NM is I have lost track of how many time I have stepped, and my toes separated, like they are supposed to, and I trap a thorn, or sticker, or something like that between the toes. Getting it out quickly is tough. I am barefoot most of the time around the house and my soles are fairly tough, but the space between my toes is very soft and tender....Getting the thorn out hurts more than getting it in.

pat

 

[fillthefreezer]

im a man. no one wants to see my toes.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I am planning on wearing them for antelope this year. Keeps the thorns from getting into my toes

 

[Manosteel]

Lol some funny responses. I tried some on this morning and boy do they look stupid but dam! They are comfortable! I have worn moccasins before and this is the next best thing for comfort and real feel for the ground. Don't know if I would want to run any long distance with them but I could see myself popping them on to close the distance At that all important 200 yard mark when bow hunting.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

They work fine for me. I wear them for scouting, hunting, running on and off trail, most anything really. They don't retain anymore odor than regular shoes if you wear the socks. Can't say it takes me any longer to get in them than any other shoes.

 

[oldgrowth]

I really like them for camp shoes. they are great for giving your feet a break from the hiking boots. That said you have to be careful around rocks and roots, as it easy to stub a toe. Funny thing is when i first saw them in the store i made a comment to my wife about them being yuppie shoes and i would never own a pair. It happened the salesman was standing nearby and overheard me. he came over and said don't knock em until you try them. Seeing he was wearing a pair i figured i owed it to the guy to at least humor him and try a pair on. I'll be danged, if i didn't walk out with a pair! They are comfortable.

 

[Rucker61]

They wouldn't be quieter after you step on a rock and yelp out in pain...

If you're just wearing them around camp, use whatever is comfortable.

As far as running goes, no way, wouldn't touch them. I know plenty of folks who have- if you take the necessary time to slowly work your muscles into them and don't overdo it, they're fine for short distances. If you don't take the time, you will most likely get injured in no time flat. There truly is not enough benefit to even try. There are plenty of minimalist running shoes that do just as good of a job or better that are the same or only very slightly more weight.

I took the time to get my body used to them and wore them, after a good bit of training, for a half-marathon. I haven't tried any other shoes since I started wearing Vibrams, but I sure do like the way that they hug my feet.

 

[mAv]

I know lots of folks swear by them, and I'd always encourage people to use what they want to use- personally I'd just rather have a racing flat that is pretty much the same weight, better cushion and more all around foot protection. The toe thing is very awkward to me, especially for long runs on pavement. I run the Brooks Green Silence - they pretty much fit like a sock, weigh next to nothing, but have ample support for virtually any duration of run (Scott Jurek set a previous 24 hour world record in them at 164 miles- granted he's a bit of a freak, but still worth mentioning).

Getting off topic anyway I suppose- my neon blue and yellow shoes would probably not be very stealthy in the woods

As far as different stalking shoes go- I wouldn't waste the time trying to change them out to be honest, as far as what you use in camp- whatever you want

 

[jcodyc40]

I prefer closed toe over 5/4 toe shoes for hiking and trail running. As stated above rocks, sticks, grass and thorns seem to always get lodged between my toes.

 

[charvey9]

I have a pair, and they are OK for wearing around. Compared to regular shoes, they are a PITA to get on and off though. I like to give my feet a break in camp and air out a little, not to mention easy to take on and off when you need to get up and take a piss in the middle of the night. Althought they are probably better than a pair of clunky boots for stalking, they wouldn't be my first choice. If you want to stalk, just take off your boots and throw on an extra pair of wool socks.