Joe finishing in his Bikilas at North Olympic Discovery Half-Marathon
Joe, a Vibram Five Fingers fan, sent us his story of choosing barefoot running in Bikilas over orthotics. Although, we don't recommend going against a doctor's advice, the recent popularity of barefoot running has produced many differing opinions on what works. Here is what worked for Joe:
Last summer I made a decision to take the exact opposite of my doctor's advice. My podiatrist had recommended that I wear shoes with custom orthotics from dawn to dusk. There were just two problems: the first was that the orthotics didn't stand up to daily use plus soccer twice a week, and second my feet hurt worse with them. It got to the point that the only time my feet felt good was when I was walking barefoot around the house. So, I picked up a pair of KSO's and this spring I was able to start running again.
In June I ran the North Olympic Discovery Half-Marathon in Port Angeles, Washington wearing a pair of grey and red Bikila's I got from City Sports. Our local MLS team, the Seattle Sounders FC, won the night before so I decided to wear my Sounders jersey during the race. It proved to be an interesting expiriment... what would garner more comments? The V5F Bikilas or the Sounders jersey? Well, in the end they turned out to be pretty even, although the Bikilas started more conversations. Oh, and how was the race? Well the half-marathon course at the NODM runs through a wooded trail for the most part with the last five miles running next to Puget Sound. Its a beautiful place to go for a run, and I made it three minutes off of my personal best... which was a bit disapointing but it give me something to work towards next time.
Cheers,
Joe
In June I ran the North Olympic Discovery Half-Marathon in Port Angeles, Washington wearing a pair of grey and red Bikila's I got from City Sports. Our local MLS team, the Seattle Sounders FC, won the night before so I decided to wear my Sounders jersey during the race. It proved to be an interesting expiriment... what would garner more comments? The V5F Bikilas or the Sounders jersey? Well, in the end they turned out to be pretty even, although the Bikilas started more conversations. Oh, and how was the race? Well the half-marathon course at the NODM runs through a wooded trail for the most part with the last five miles running next to Puget Sound. Its a beautiful place to go for a run, and I made it three minutes off of my personal best... which was a bit disapointing but it give me something to work towards next time.
Cheers,
Joe
Joe, glad to hear barefoot running in Vibram Five Fingers is working for you and thanks for the story.
About the Author — Hailing from College Station, Texas (Home to Texas A&M!), I grew up running cross country. Believe it or not, I gave Justin the name for this site back in early 2009 but I didn't jump on the toe shoes bandwagon until a year later. I am also really into quadcopters and drones and have a blog called OddCopter.com.Britt has written 161 articles and 67 comments.
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I was present for this. Had several clients run this on a sprinkling morning.
I had almost the same scenario. I had really bad knee tendinitis and my PT guy recommended custom orthotics. I got them and they gave me significant pain in my right foot. I have since switched between various types of VFFs and regular shoes and now do 95% of my running in Bikilas. Planning on doing two marathons in them this Fall. After being out 9 months with tendinitis and missing time from orthotic pain I am pain free now for over a year. 
Good for you Joe! I wore shoes for 30 years and orthodics for 15 of them. It was all when I was looking to see if I could ditch the orthodics that I happened on foot biomechanics, barefoot walking/running, VFFs and Birthdayshoes ... the rest is history:)
I have been running in VFF's since February. My first pair was the KSO then I jumped on getting the Bikilas. Once I started building my mileage up to the 5 mile mark, I started getting pain in my foot. Just went to the doc and he diagnosed me with a neuroma. He also gave me some orthotics to wear with my Nike Free Runs. The last two runs with the orthotics we totally pain free. I would love to continue running in my Bikilas but not at the cost of only being able to run no more than 5 miles. Plus be in pain at the end of my run. Still I hope I can eventually get back to running in my Bikilas. We will see. 
Jason Gibson,
I have flexible flat feet and it does not seem to matter what I run it. I've tried 3 pairs of orthotics, one made especially for athletes, and ran in those for 2 years. Ran a 1:20 half with heavy pronator shoes but was sick of having leg pain. Specifically, shin splints, pain on the interior shin about two inches right above my ankles, was excruciating. A PT said it was the tendon ripping away from the fascia. 
This week my rheumatologist gave me a referral to a podiatrist for an orthodic. I have been wearing the Five Fingers I received for Christmas around the house and love them. Unlike my "best" shoes, my feet don't hurt in these. I hope to wear them more often when the temps here in Chicago warm up. I am hopeful they will feel good on my feet for long walks and hikes with the dog. However, what do people wear on their feet for regular day to day stuff if boycotting the othodics? 
I was in a major car accident which resulted in a crushed heel and later a joint fusion. The joint fusion reduced my pain dramatically. After that, I wore an orthotic with little success for many years. I would often have cramps that started in the ball of my foot and extended/distended my toes and then go all the way up past my knee. Nothing seemed to help the cramping until I recently discovered VFFs and got a pair of Bikilas. The cramps have disappeared and I've even been able to start jogging - something drs said I'd never be able to do. 
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