By Justin on Apr 21, 2009 | In vibram user stories, interviews, classics, kso, sprints, vibram five fingers | 1 feedback »

| Name: | Matthew Fleming |
| URL: | http://mdf356.livejournal.com |
| Birthday: | 1975 |
| Age: | 33 |
| Regular shoe size: | 13EEE or so |
| VFF shoe size: | EU46 |
| Feet are: | wide |
What prompted you to get Vibram Five Fingers?
I had regular Achilles tendinitis from running shoes, and rather than adding even more heel (as was sometimes suggested) I thought I'd try less heel. Plus I don't think I ever really liked shoes, but I didn't realize until I read Barefoot Ted (BFT) and his adventures with huaraches on the ULTRA list.
What type and color Five Fingers do you have and how long have you had them?
I have a pair of white Classics (worn through, about 3 years old?), grey Sprint (same age but less worn). I just got a pair or blue camo KSO but the footbed feels a little longer; I may try one size smaller but my guess is that will be a little short.
What do you do most while wearing your Five Fingers?
Running. That's really it.
Any unusual experiences while wearing them?
Nothing unusual. They're a remarkable shoe -- that is, many other runners see them and remark on them. Some people now recognize them, instead of just being curious.
How do Five Fingers fit in with who you are as a person?
They're an application of technology to solve a problem (barefoot isn't perfect always) in a way that's very different from existing solutions (bulky shoes). This is always my kind of product.
Anything else you'd like to share about your Five Fingers?
Can't think of anything. I've run two marathons and two 50Ks in them now. I do all my training runs in them (though that's a lot less running than I did a few years ago due to small children). Someday in the next year or so I expect to be trying a 50 miler in them.
Follow-up question: You mention that you "had Achilles tendinitis." Has this condition improved since switching to FiveFingers and/or incorporating barefoot running? Have you developed any problems that you can tie to using FiveFingers for running?
The Achilles tendinitis is mostly gone. I did once or twice get small tightness, so perhaps for me the perfect place is somewhere between the completely flat and the normal 1" heel.
I have had a few problems with extensor tendinitis instead and with the tendon on the inside of my right foot. Now that I'm running more rarely the problems are gone, but I expect if I get back to 30+ miles per week I'll need to do no more than 20 of them in the Vibrams.
Thank you, Matthew!
Matthew's LJ Thoughts of a meat popsicle keeps up with his running escapades (For example, a 31 question runner's survey) and other musings about life. Be sure to check it out!

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I have a pair of Classic and Sprint. The KSO came out later; I have a pair at home but Vibram suggests going down a size. The footbed looks like it should be the same but it seems just a little longer so I'm thinking of trying the 45 instead of the 46. On the Sprint I couldn't get my foot in the 45 without it being tight, and I expect the same on KSO, but probably worth a try before getting a $85 pair of shoes dirty.
Unlike running shoes I got my "true" size in the Vibram. My running shoe size is 14, but my Vibram size works out to about 12 1/2, which is how *long* my foot is. Because the shoe is more flexible, my incredibly wide foot isn't a problem in it and so the right length is all I needed.
They all have at least one flaw, though:
The Classic has too high a tab on the heel, and it gives me blisters over a very long run (I was bleeding at the end of my first half marathon in them, but I've since run 16 miles okay).
The sprint has a better attachment / tightening system, and will stay on the feet in swift water. But the strap on the top rubs a sore in my feet over half-marathon-type distances. This isn't too much of a problem since I need socks for a little extra padding at that distance anyways.
The KSO's tightening system isn't independent on the heel and the top, so it was feeling like I couldn't keep the heel snug without overtightening. I'm not sure I like that, but I probably need to try it on a real run for a while to see.
I have two pair of Injinji toe socks. I wear them for distances over about half-marathon (for the cushioning, and also some blister prevention where the VFF rubs me).