Author: Justin

Justin Owings is a deadlifting dad of three, working from Atlanta. When he's not chasing his three kids around, you'll find him trying to understand systems, risk, and human behavior.

Samuel takes his VFF Sprints on a Trail Run

I stumbled on a great VFF trail running video by Samuel Duregger the other day. I asked Sam if he’d mind I share the video with birthdayshoes and he kindly obliged:Cool video — I really dig the accompanying music.Sam has been running…

Latest Vibram Five Fingers Reviews 1/27/10

This week’s latest VFF reviews: Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) KSO Trek at Rundurance [KSO Trek]So this is a review of the KSO Trek’s, which are very similar to my classic VFF KSO’s, except with new and hugely improved traction on the sole. The original…

Vibram Five Fingers Trek Sport in Fall 2010 [New Product]

Above to the left is an upcoming Fall 2010 FiveFingers model called the FiveFingers Sport Trek displayed at the recent Outdoor Retailer event in Utah. The Sport Trek simultaneously combines elements from the KSO, the KSO Trek, and the Bikila.
Above to the left is an upcoming Fall 2010 FiveFingers model called the FiveFingers Sport Trek displayed at the recent Outdoor Retailer event in Utah. The Sport Trek simultaneously combines elements from the KSO, the KSO Trek, and the Bikila. Beneath it in blue and grey is another color combination of the Bikila (previously unseen).

Last week and weekend was the winter market 2010 Outdoor Retailer trade show out in Utah. Vibram apparently had a booth and thanks to Byron over at iRunFar, we get his scoop — seems Vibram is working on a FiveFingers Trek Sport for fall 2010. The…

Erik takes his KSO Five Fingers to the Playground

FiveFingers are so amazing that you can levitate in them!
FiveFingers are so amazing that you can levitate in them!

Above is Erik, having an extraordinarily fun time on the playground in his black Five Finger KSOs. Here’s what Erik had to say:Justin, I really enjoy your website and forum, as I’ve used it from the sizing guide (prior to getting my vffs) and ever…

Digging into Daniel Lieberman’s Barefoot Running Research

A Kenyan elite runner who grew up running barefoot but now runs shod is taped in slow motion running in running shoes. Screencap from Lieberman research into barefoot running.
A Kenyan elite runner who grew up running barefoot but now runs shod is taped in slow motion running in running shoes. Screencap from Lieberman research into barefoot running.

Do modern running shoes effectively force runners to heel strike? Here we dig into Daniel Lieberman’s barefoot running research, and also poll the Vibram Five Fingers community regarding how to walk or run in shoes versus Vibrams.

Results of Daniel Lieberman Barefoot Running Research

Screencaps from the Nature video, this image shows that initial impact running with a heel-strike registers at around 1.81 x body weight compared to .34 x body weight initial impact running with a forefoot strike. Interestingly, peak bodyweight impact on each curve registers higher with a forefoot strike — around 2.60 x bodyweight running with a forefoot strike compared to 2.30 x body weight with a heel-strike. Note in both running styles here, impact is measured with barefeet.
Screencaps from the Nature video, this image shows that initial impact running with a heel-strike registers at around 1.81 x body weight compared to .34 x body weight initial impact running with a forefoot strike. Interestingly, peak bodyweight impact on each curve registers higher with a forefoot strike — around 2.60 x bodyweight running with a forefoot strike compared to 2.30 x body weight with a heel-strike. Note in both running styles here, impact is measured with barefeet.

Daniel Lieberman’s research into impact forces experienced while forefoot-striking or heel-striking, full round-up coverage of all the press surrounding the research release.

Interview with Patri Friedman, Seasteading Institute Founder

Patri Friedman gets ready for a maiden voyage on a DIY Tensegrity Pyramid / motorized Raft at the inaugural Ephemermisle — check the black Classic Five Fingers and Injinjis
Patri Friedman gets ready for a maiden voyage on a DIY Tensegrity Pyramid / motorized Raft at the inaugural Ephemerisle — an annual floating festival of politics, community and art — check the black Classic Five Fingers and Injinjis (photo credit: Chris Rasch).

Interview with Patri Friedman, Vibram Five Fingers fan and founder of the Seasteading Institute, an organization that has set out to revolutionize the means by which nations are formed and thereby increase competition in government!

Joe’s Five Balls, Five Fingers

If you’re ever in the mood for juggling 5 mini basketballs, I highly recommend wearing VFF’s while doing so. They help keep your balance, and they help your balls stay in the air longer. When gravity is doing everything it can to bring the balls past yo…

Jawa’s Vibram Vacation

Jawa runs on Negril Beach in Jamaica in his Sprint Vibram Five Fingers. Looks like a beautiful place for a sandy run!
Jawa runs on Negril Beach in Jamaica in his Sprint Vibram Five Fingers. Looks like a beautiful place for a sandy run!

I am sure Vibram Five Fingers have been subjected to various conditions and your website serves as a single, authentic source where real people share their success with Vibram. As you may know I have been using Vibram since September 2009 and recently r…

Steffan likes to climb things in his Sprint FiveFingers

i wanted to send in this photo because i love climbing things. but with vibrams its so much easier and fun.Looks like you’re having a blast! Reminds me of my brother’s lamp post climbing in his Classics.FiveFingers — making the urban jungl…