A Matter of Stinky Feet

I've had lots of questions regarding my Vibram Five Fingers, and after recently purchasing a pair of Soft Star Shoes RunAmoc's, I'm turning a lot of heads with those too. I've now had my VFF"s for about 7 months or so, and the RunAmocs about a month.

First of all, I highly suggest purchasing your VFF's through REI or REI.com. Their satisfaction guarantee is best in class. Last week I noticed the strap on both of my VFF's was beginning to break. There's a friction point on the shoes, that after while, it starts to cut the strap. A design flaw they may have addressed in the Bikila's. I took them to REI and without a hesitation they swapped me out with a brand new pair. Fair, considering I'd probably only put 20 miles on them- They should last longer. Nonetheless, REI is the only store that would have done that. (At least the only one that carries VFF's)

Okay, so the RunAmocs. They are handmade in Corvallis, Oregon. I actually met the cobbler that made my shoes. Very cool.

The shoes are a super-light moccasin that is comprised of a loose fitting perforated black leather, a pig-skin insole, and a 2mm (or 4mm if you choose) Vibram outsole. They have an elastic drawstring that keeps them snug, but comfortable. From the moment you put these on, they are comfort embodied.

They feel like they would be awkward to run in, given how loose they are, but I have not put them to the test. I've enjoyed them so much as an everyday wear, I've really had no compulsion to take them on a run.

VFF's had been my choice for daily wear. At one point I had two pairs, one for running and one for street wear. I love the lightweight minimalist feel they give. However, they STINK. Maybe I just have sweaty feet. I don't have athlete's foot or anything like that, but after two days of straight wear, VFF's are ripe.

I ended up taking back my second pair and using that money to buy the RunAmoks. A great decision. I've been wearing the RunAmocs for days on end. Hot weather and cool. My feet don't sweat in them, and they don't stink. At all. Soft Star told me I'd have less trouble with stinkage due to the natural materials they use. They said the leather would breath great, and it does. I am exceedingly happy with this.

One of these days I will do some runs in the RunAmocs. I know a number of marathoner's run races (including ultra's) in them, so I imagine I'll be pleased with them on runs too.

I continue to be very pleased with my running experience in the VFF's. Adequate protection from hazards on the ground, while still providing maximum feel and feedback. I will never return to normal shoes again.

2 Miles in My Birthday Suit

Some of you know I'm training for my first half-marathon, the Eugene Women's Half. Ya, I know. Talk to Paul Shih. He's the one that talked me into it (something to do with the included herbal footbath's at the end).

Well anyway, I wasn't sure when I was going to get my run in today, as I'm on Mr. Mom duty. My folks though, invited us over for dinner, so I had a shot at getting my run in while the kids played with Grandma and Grandpa.

The only trouble was, I didn't have my VFF's. I wasn't about to run in my strappy Nike sandals, so I took off completely
barefoot. A quick two mile route down Conifer, past Cheldlin, turning around after Conser- all on concrete and asphalt.

I didn't expect that it would be uncomfortable on my joints- I've never had any discomfort running in my VFF's, but my bare feet we're tender. Some of the concrete surfaces actually felt great on my feet. Nice and smooth or softly round and pebbly. Some sections however, were downright pesky. I had to dance over those sections, a couple of times pausing to brush tiny pebbles off my feet.

By the end of my run, I noticed a blister on my right foot. I initially thought it might have been a sliver of something, but after pulling a small piece of skin away and cleaning it out, it appears it was just a blister. No biggie. My other foot is tender, but no cuts or blisters.

All in all, the upside to the run was the light weight, uninhibited running. It felt great running naturally shod. And in a way, the periodic pain was a welcome distraction to the running. I ended with a great pace, and slightly less winded than my recent runs.

I'll likely stick to running with my VFF's, but in a pinch, running naked ain't half bad.





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