My Stems don't feel anything like my VFFs

[Barrid]

So I just got a pair of Stems online (with the Birthday Shoes discount code ) and today's my first day wearing them.  I own several pairs of VFFs (classics, sprints, and KSOs) and I wanted to get these as more of an 'everyday' shoe that I could wear with normal socks and hopefully wouldn't get completely wet and soaked through with a drop of water   So far that has been fantastic. 

The shoes are comfortable and do feel a little like slippers.  I'm liking that part.  They have an insole in them, which I wasn't expecting and didn't see mentioned at all in any of the reviews.  It's not real thick and I can easily take them out if I want, but it's interesting. 

The one thing I'm thinking is that these shoes really feel nothing like my VFFs.  While the soles are flexible and there's a good-sized toe box, I don't really feel like I'm barefoot or even close to it.  In fact, for some reason it feels like the area under my forefoot is thicker than the heel and I almost feel like I'm leaning backwards when I'm standing.  Is this normal?  Maybe just something I need to get used to?  In my VFFs, I feel like I'm mostly barefoot and there isn't any molding or any noticeable effect on my feet.  Just more of a protection around them.

Anybody else have any experience with these shoes?

[MCvet]

I have a friend who tried also. He reported the same complaint. He's in VFF only

[BearFooted]

I feel the same way about my stems.  My major issue is the fabric at the end of the tongue rubbed me the wrong way.  I have to wear them with thick socks in order to not fee that part of the shoe.  My partner also did not like them.  He said he could not explain quite why but they just felt off balance.  He is wearing a pair of Vivobarefoot Neo right now and likes them allot more. 

[Barrid]

Thanks for the comments guys.  Good to hear it's not just me.  But I'll still wear them.  They are comfortable and light and when I'm sitting like at work then it doesn't matter.  I'm just surprised that neither Justin or Tim mentioned this in their reviews (or any reviews I read for that matter). 

[Horse Rider]

Ha, I kind of have the same issues. I would never have returned them, I still like them a lot as a casual shoe, the upper flexibility is great, and they are cute, but the sole to me is thick (though flexible), and when I went running with them I hurt myself (posterior tibialis). So now only running in Bikilas, Flows and VB Evo II.

[pooch]

I love them, and have one of the best "barefoot" feelings in them, compared to other single toe shoes that I own (VB Neo, NB Trail, Merrel Pace Glove, Saucony Hattori)

Mine doesn''t have an insole - just a stitiched bottom, and luckily, nothing rubs wrong on me.

[BearFooted]

I love them, and have one of the best "barefoot" feelings in them, compared to other single toe shoes that I own (VB Neo, NB Trail, Merrel Pace Glove, Saucony Hattori)

Mine doesn''t have an insole - just a stitiched bottom, and luckily, nothing rubs wrong on me.

Strange I have the VB Neo and I feel like it has better ground feel then the Stems. 

[cla]

I have run about 40 miles in Stems, wearing socks. The soles are thicker than my KSOs. However, for my purposes, running on a trail, I find that the KSOs sole sometimes is a little too thin. I also don't miss the process of putting the KSOs on one toe at a time. I just want a zero drop and a sole that isn't too thick, but thick enough that a small piece of gravel doesn't affect my gait. With the KSOs on a trail I pretty much have to keep my eyes down a few foot in front of me whereas with the Stems I can take in a longer visual perspective. All in all, for my purposes, I prefer the Stem.

[pooch]

I love them, and have one of the best "barefoot" feelings in them, compared to other single toe shoes that I own (VB Neo, NB Trail, Merrel Pace Glove, Saucony Hattori)

Mine doesn''t have an insole - just a stitiched bottom, and luckily, nothing rubs wrong on me.

Strange I have the VB Neo and I feel like it has better ground feel then the Stems. 

I keep the removable insole in since I use them for work and don't mind the extra "cushion". I actually haven't tried them sans insole yet. Maybe I'll try and see if it doesn't feel less then my Stems...

[BearFooted]

I keep the removable insole in since I use them for work and don't mind the extra "cushion". I actually haven't tried them sans insole yet. Maybe I'll try and see if it doesn't feel less then my Stems...

Ahh for me that makes a big difference.  I notice the ground feel much more with out the inserts in the Neo.

[Kyrah]

It's interesting how every foot is obviously different.  I had the Neo's and didn't feel like they had good ground feel at all, my toes were squished etc.

With my Stems my feet feel like they are in heaven.  I would never personally run in these but they've been an awesome winter and kicking around alternative---though I can't wait until it is drier so that I can get back to my five fingers again so that I don't have to wear socks.

For me, I love my Stems and can't say enough about them---far superior in my opinion to my Vivobarefoot Brooklyn's & the shorter ones in the same brand(can't remember the style type).  That being said though, that's just what my toes like

[PatrickGSR94]

Wow interesting.  I also like my Stems better for casual wear than my VFF Komodosport LS's.  But I also would never run in them.  They're almost TOO roomy inside for running.  I prefer full-on barefoot for running (and everyday life actually), or VFF if it's too cold for BF running for my taste.  But for casual wear when I absolutely must wear shoes, Stems will be my first choice, I think.

[cla]

Wow interesting.  I also like my Stems better for casual wear than my VFF Komodosport LS's.  But I also would never run in them.  They're almost TOO roomy inside for running.  I prefer full-on barefoot for running (and everyday life actually), or VFF if it's too cold for BF running for my taste.  But for casual wear when I absolutely must wear shoes, Stems will be my first choice, I think.

Based on their website I wouldn't run in the Stems that I got either. They just seemed too loose. But I sent them back and got the next smaller size. I have put about 50 running miles on them so far.

[Dexter_Morgan23]

Yeah, I don't really run in my stems either. To me they seem more like a casual shoe, and that is how they function best for me. Not to mention the fact they have the perfect amount of cushioning (I cannot believe I said that word) to make a good recovery shoe for me. When my arches were killing me after a 13 mile run I found them to be insanely soothing.

[Mr. Leigh]

I love my Stems.  I have not had an issue.  I think the ground feel is to be expected.  I tried Neos, and they were too narrow.  So far the only non-toe shoe to fit me properly right out of the gate has been the Stems.  I think they are super comfortable.  I do not have the toe rubbing issue that others have described.