beginner's guide to vibram five fingers

Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

“Modeled after The Instinct™ platform, The Provision™ adds a firmer midsole and a removable varus stability wedge to assist men with fallen arches, excessive overpronation and knock knees. Built for moderate and high overpronation, the Zero Dr… more »

Tags: review

SKORA BASE & FORM Review

Reviewing the REAL RUNNING shoes from new running shoe company Skora. On the left, the Skora Base; on the right the Skora Form.
Reviewing the REAL RUNNING shoes from new running shoe company Skora. On the left, the Skora Base; on the right the Skora Form.
The BASE and FORM models reviewed here today are SKORA’s first foray into an increasingly crowded minimalist shoe market. But as we pointed out, SKORA prefers to eschew terms like “minimal”, “natural” or “barefoot” in favor of their marketing tagline “run real.” more »

Sockwa G2 Long Term Review

This will be my Sockwa G2 Review. more »

Luna Sandals Catamount (Plus Original) Review [Huaraches]

The Luna Catamount Huaraches from Luna Sandals is quite possibly the nicest pair of huaraches you could ever have; photoed here with leather laces and a cordovan leather/Vibram rubber sole.
The Luna Catamount Huaraches from Luna Sandals is quite possibly the nicest pair of huaraches you could ever have; photoed here with leather laces and a cordovan leather/Vibram rubber sole.
We've reviewed a number of huaraches here on BirthdayShoes. "Huaraches," is simply Spanish for "sandals." While huaraches may refer to Mexican sandals of all varieties, here we're specifically talking… more »

BeNat Shoes First Look

BeNat shoes are an ultra-minimalist shoe out of Germany that is almost like a mix between a pair of huaraches on steroids and a Roman boot.
BeNat shoes are an ultra-minimalist shoe out of Germany that is almost like a mix between a pair of huaraches on steroids and a Roman boot.
[gallery] [gallery] Availability BeNat shoes can be purchased off the BeNat website for €89. They size in European sizing (my FiveFingers size is a 43; my BeNat size is the same). more »

Fila Skele-toes Voltage: Nike Free,Toe Shoes Lovechild

Allow me to introduce the Skele-Toes Voltage; the bastard lovechild of Nike Frees and Vibram FiveFingers (toe shoes).
Allow me to introduce the Skele-Toes Voltage; the bastard lovechild of Nike Frees and Vibram FiveFingers (toe shoes).
What if the grid-foam-soled shoe, as pioneered by Nike via the "Nike Free x.0," somehow copulated with a pair of toe shoes? What would you get? The Skele-Toes Voltage; a four-toed Frankenstein toe-shoe-slash-sneaker-slash-Nike-Free-wannabee. But… more »

Swiss Protection Socks Review

We posted an article about the Swiss Protection Socks sometime last month. They are Kevlar and PVC based pair of socks that protect you from sharp objects while you are exploring the outdoors. They were kind enough to send me a pair to test out. I sp… more »

Women's VIVO BAREFOOT Ultra Review

I think I laughed out loud when I saw these purple Vivo Ultras! They look like someone took a hexagonal hole punch to a pair of Crocs...not a fan of Crocs. Vivo says, “Innovation at its best, the Ultra is a 3 in 1 chameleon shoe i… more »

Vivo Barefoot Ultra Review

Imagine a minimalist shoe that is lightweight, has a plus-sized toe box, breathes well, provides good ground feel, has virtually no seams, and is basically a sole that wraps the entirety of your foot. What would such a shoe look like? Well, it'd look… more »

Aguias Spartan 1 Review

I came across the Aguias Spartan 1 because of a post on the forum awhile ago. When I checked out the companies website I really liked the look of their shoe. It reminded me of a retro style basketball sneaker with a minimalist twist. The people at… more »

Sockwas - a Minimalist Shoe Mini-Review

I was inspired to become a barefoot runner after reading Born to Run, and started looking for “barefoot” shoes. My first pair of minimalist/barefoot shoes were Vibram Sprints. I liked the FiveFingers Sprints but ... They… more »

Icebreaker Clothing for Minimalist Runners

Fell racing in North Wales (Icebreaker Ace Tank and Distance Short)
Fell racing in North Wales (Icebreaker Ace Tank and Distance Short)
A review of Icebreaker clothing for minimalist runners. more »

New Balance Minimus Life/Wellness Zero Review

The New Balance Minimus Life/Wellness Zero (MW00), the latest casual, post-workout zero-dropped minimalist shoe in the NB Minimus line.
Here at BirthdayShoes.com we've provided exhaustive coverage to the new New Balance Minimus Zero line-up for 2012 — including wide reviews of the Minimus Zero Road (MR00) and Minimus Zero Trail (MT00) and a multi-user review of the Zero Road and T… more »

Altra Samson Review

Altra Footwear made a splash in 2011 as they brought to market a handful of shoes designed to accommodate a natural running style — shoes that were neutral from heel-to-toe (Altra coined the term "zero-drop") with an anatomically correct design an… more »

New Balance Minimus Trail Zeros for Wide Feet

A look at two NB Minimus Zero Trails (MT00) - wide (4E) on the left and regular (D) on the right.
The release of the next generation of New Balance Minimus minimalist shoes — the "Minimus Zeros," so called for being the first "zero-drop" or same sole thickness at the heel as at the ball of the foot — is imminent. One exciting aspect of… more »

Merrell Barefoot Bare Access Review

The Merrell Barefoot Bare Access is a zero-dropped "transition" shoe from Merrell intended to be used as an intermediate tool to go from regular, heel-lifted and more cushioned running shoes to a more minimally soled, cushion-less shoe.
The Merrell Barefoot Bare Access is a zero-dropped "transition" shoe from Merrell intended to be used as an intermediate tool to go from regular, heel-lifted and more cushioned running shoes to a more minimally soled, cushion-less shoe.
Is there room for a "transition" shoe in the toolbox of the would-be natural or barefoot runner? Is the shortest distance to learning barefoot-style running going straight to full-bare feet? Or is there room for shoes like the Nike Free or the Reebok RealFlex? Enter the Merrell Barefoot Bare Access - a review. more »

Altra Instinct Review

A zero-dropped running shoe with an anatomically correct, upsized toe box, the Altra Instinct is a formidable running shoe, albeit not the most minimalist shoe around.
A zero-dropped running shoe with an anatomically correct, upsized toe box, the Altra Instinct is a formidable running shoe, albeit not the most minimalist shoe around.
Introducing the Altra Instinct, the first shoe to truly marry the form-improving benefits like a zero-drop sole of the minimalist/barefoot running shoe with the comfort, cushioning and support of a traditional running shoe. more »

Women's SeeYa Vibram FiveFingers Review

As soon as I saw my pale blue SeeYas, I thought they looked very aquatic. There’s a water droplet design on the upper and along the velcro strap that gave me the initial impression that they are some kind of footwear meant for the water. But they’re a… more »

Altra Adam Review - A KSO-Like Shoe Sans Toes?

Altra Running is a new zero-drop running manufacturer based out of Utah. It was born out of necessity: the founders, themselves long-time runners and owners of a running shoe store, had been chopping off the heels of running shoes effective… more »

Merrell Barefoot Edge Glove Review

The Merrell Barefoot Edge Glove is a new shoe from Merrell for 2012 that is built on the road glove sole (made by Vibram) and geared towards casual or perhaps even business casual wear.
Feel grounded and enjoy life in our edge glove barefoot shoe Its minimal cushioning and Vibram® sole give you just enough underfoot protection, while letting your feet land flat to feel the earth beneath your feet – stimulating the senses, strengthening… more »

Spyridon LS vs. KSO Trek Vibram FiveFingers

What better way to compare Vibram's two trail running toe shoe offerings - the original KSO Trek (right) vs. the new Spyridon LS FiveFingers - than to wear one on either foot and go for a muddy trail run?
A comparative review of the new FiveFingers Spyridon LS trail running shoe versus the original KSO Trek FiveFingers from Vibram. more »

SeeYa Vibram FiveFingers Review

No longer are we limited to “one type fits most situations” but now there are VFFs to suit your specific activity. It’s clear that the SeeYas are design for pavement running and racing and while they excel at this task, I don’t think I’d wear them for much else. more »

Bedrock Earthquake Sandals and Merino Ninja Socks Review

I reviewed the original Bedrock Sandals back in December and found them to be a solid option for a basic huarache sandal suitable for both casual wear and running. I'm pleased to report that based upon feedback, Nick and Dan have tweaked the design to… more »

Altra Lone Peak Review

“Blending cushioned protection with the benefits of barefoot freedom, Altra footwear is designed to reduce injury and promote proper technique for the most natural run. Every shoe features Zero Drop™ and a foot-shaped, gender-specific design so everyone can find the right fit and run better and healthier.”
“Blending cushioned protection with the benefits of barefoot freedom, Altra footwear is designed to reduce injury and promote proper technique for the most natural run. Every shoe features Zero Drop™ and a foot-shaped, gender-specific design so everyone… more »

Stem Footwear Survival Origins Quick Review

Stem is getting a good bit of press here on BirthdayShoes and while I've pointed out a few nits above in this review, my overall take on these shoes is glowingly positive: if you're looking for a casual mono-toed barefoot/minimalist shoe, the Stems are worth serious consideration. more »