Anyone experiences with VIBRAM Five Fingers shoes??

I have had mine for 2 years now and love them. It does take a bit of ramping up as far as mileage goes and you do have to make sure your gait is proper to run with these. Running in the VFF makes you run "properly" on the front half of your foot, away from the cushioned heel striking many are prone to.

Your lower legs, calves and feet will strengthen with time not relying on a cushioned shoe. I have had no running injury issues since switching to the VFF where with a "regular" running shoe, I would tweak something minor at least once a year (just enough for a couple days off from training)

Hope this helps

Just got mine so no experience yet to relate unfortuantely. But a definite second on reading 'Born to Run' by Chris McDougall, excellent book (for many reasons). I believe in the concept of barefoot running and will use this summer to work on becoming one

Thats a quick adjustment you did, too fast for most runners I think. I'm a barefoot runner already and want to try the Vibrams for trail running sometime. Usually to adjust to flat shoes or barefoot running it takes months not weeks... like increasing 1/4 to 1/2 mile per run to get a nice slow safe adjustment.

Yea wanting to read Born to Run also heard lots of good things about it.

http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm

I initially tried barefoot running to help with knee pains and it worked, stuck with it ever since.

These look interesting , a new model of Vibrams coming out soon that are more heavy duty. I would like something like that but with just the big toe seperate, almost like a foot mitten for cold days in the winter.

The model "Trek" is made from high quality suede and finally makes the Fivefingers for year-round shoe. The Fivefingers "Trek" is in difficult terrain through its sole and strengthening the quality leather processing also in the mountains or even in the winter bearable, the heat insulation is significantly better than for all other models. [Available] approximately in September 2009

http://www.voycontigo.de/index.php/fivefingers-trek-leder

Here's an interesting Popular Science article:

http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-05/running-barefoot

As an alternate option, I just measured my foot as Vibram's website suggests and online ordered. I got the right fit for my wife and me w/out trying them on. Of course, that won't work for everyone but if there isn't somewhere local to try them on (which was my case) then you can definitely give online ordering a go. Being frugal, I looked for sites that carried them and offered 15% or more off for first time customers (I got mine from Rock Creek Outfitters  ) .

As for increasing mileage, I didn't look for any specific sites but I think based on your foot strength it may be fairly individualistic? I'm just taking a month of working up to 5k and then will progress normally from there based on any other run training plan.

Good luck & enjoy!

The 2 miler you did is actually a lot for the first time. I would wear them for 1/4 to 1/2 mile at the end of regular shoe runs for next few times. Then after you get a better feel for it then switch a little sooner each time or add short runs in with just the VFF's. Your calves will be sore in the beginning for days to weeks, go very gradual increases. Resist the temptation to increase faster till you get thru the first few weeks at least also you may get a few blisters in the beginning too.

Your heel should not be sore unless you are pounding your feet or over striding. It will take some time to adjust, patience will be your friend.