I’m still going barefoot, but my Bikilas rock!

After a 4 mile run today in my new Vibram Five Finger Bikilas, my quick take is: They rock! I expect most of my running before winter to be barefoot, but Bikilas are a great compromise between barefoot and sole protection.

As far as I know, it is still the case that City Sports on Boylston Street is the only place in the world to get Bikilas. It was great fun to head into Boston, on my birthday, hours after the Marathon to a store located a block from the finish. The place was bustling with spectators and marathoners.

First, they look great with the sort of swoshy styling that runners expect. Everyone I’ve shown them to, mostly when I was parading around work today, thought they were way cool. They also feel good in your hand. Nice and light. The uppers feel kind of like heavy under armor.

My only VFF experience is with Flows; the Bikilas went on my feet much more easily. If you are a newbee, you will still find it’s a trick to get your toes in the right holes. When I heard about the thicker soles and arch support, I’d been a bit concerned that they were going to be too much. No worries. The stiffer arch section simply makes the shoe fit better. Vibram did a great job on the details. One tiny example is a little piece of fuzzy Velcro at the end of the strap that enables you to secure it from sliding through the slot even when loose (see pic below). I wore those beauties out of the store and to dinner at Jose’s in Cambridge.

Today, I took a run. Confession: My feet stung a little after 5 miles yesterday and I’m not sure how they would have handled another 4 today. So, in that sense the new shoes were welcome. Right off the bat I tried purposely stepping on sticks and stones and rough patches. Certainly, the Bikilas provide plenty of protection; you can be virtually careless about where you step. They do what they are supposed to do.

My stride felt a little different. It seemed that I was striking more on the center ball of my foot rather than my normal barefoot strike just behind my smallest two toes. But it may have just felt that way due to having something under that softer part of my foot. It didn’t feel bad in any way, just different.

If there was a negative, they felt a bit warm and I think it was only about 60 degrees out. Maybe no warmer that conventional socks and shoes, but it’s been months since I’ve worn them. I suppose the other negative is $100. Seems like a lot, particularly as I may not use them too much until Thanksgiving or so. But, on the other hand, they do rock.

I can’t imagine how Vibram could have done a better job designing a minimalist running shoe. Bikilas are a great option for folks who can’t quite do barefoot. My plan is to continue au natural, but I’ll strap these on occasionally, and I love knowing I’ve got a great fallback if my soles need a break for whatever reason.

I have to quote my clever friend, Paul Simpson, who likened barefoot running in VFFs to “streaking in your negligee.” Bikilas are one sexy negligee!

Explore posts in the same categories: Barefoot Running, Experience

Tags: Shoes

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