RIP Vibrams - Time for a replacement?

Looks like they've developed some holes

Alas, I think it's time to say adieu to my first ever pair of Vibram Five Fingers. I purchased these (the Bikila model) back in September last year in hopes of correcting a shin splint I had, and to totally reconstruct the way that I ran (since I think I would be running for awhile). These shoes were probably the most valuable purchase I have ever made towards my fitness goals, and I am proud to say I have put many hundreds (maybe a thousand) miles in these, many including a couple half marathons, a full marathon and all the supplemental training.

Unfortunately, even minimalist shoes have an end to them. You would think even if minimalist shoes fall apart...hey it's more minimal and even close to being barefoot! Well, eventually my shoes developed a series of holes around the toes and odd formations in the seams and it produced some annoying rubs and attacks on my toes. Thus, I must move on to a shoe that still maintains the comfort of my feet as I run. If my feet don't feel good after 1 mile, I couldn't imagine how they would treat me after 20!

Luckily, I still have my trusty purple Vibram Komodosports to get me around. I don't particularly enjoy them as much as the Bikilas for long-distance running because they're a little thicker and stiffer on the feet (I love them for Crossfit) but they do a good job for now. Because they're thicker, my feet muscles work a little more and I tend to have a mild top-of-the-foot pain with these versus the Bikilas, so I can't run too many miles.

I went to CitySports (my favorite athletic store!) today to try out some of the other models. I've been particular interested in the Bikila LS model (mainly because the laces will be more forgiving to my wider-than-normal feet), and the Speeds (also with laces). They apparently also launched new Komodosport LS models in some neat purple and pink colors...but I already own Komodosport and am looking for a model to really mimic the thin feeling of the Bikilas.

Sadly, they only had a size 40 in the Bikila LS model, and the speeds weren't even in stock. I'm debating purchasing a Bikila LS model online....the new color for the season is Red/Gray (which isn't quite my cup of tea but will do) or waiting a couple weeks before they come into stores and hopefully City Sports will have a double-point purchase special by then.

While I couldn't try on the new vibrams, I did take the liberty to try on a new minimalist shoe that caught my eye: The Saucony Hattori. Normally when I see a lot of minimalist shoes...I think "What minimal? Really?" the soles are almost way too thick most of the time. This Hattori model was actually pretty light and flat...and really felt like a thin stretchy sock with a thin rubber sole. I tried on a 6.5, the smallest size they had and it surprisingly fit really well! Normally close-toed shoes are too narrow for my feet but I felt like my feet could breathe! It's a different feeling moving in shoes that are close-toed after having my toes feel so loose in Vibrams for so long, but I think I really enjoyed them. Not sure if I would use them for running long distances since my toes still felt a little captive, and after awhile they would need room to move from their cages or go crazy. They're also about $20 cheaper than the Vibrams.

Maybe if they were about $40-50 I would consider them as just a casual shoe (where I could drop my things and run off if I needed to at any moment). I also need to try the Merrell Trail Glove which I've heard also has the same glove-like feel.

What are your thoughts on minimalist shoes...do you like them? Too afraid to jump right into the Vibrams? I know they are still a growing phenomenon. You should at least make your way to a shoe store and try some on just for the experience of seeing how these feel. I could talk on and on about the benefits they bring to your running form (or posture overall compared to those "sketchers shape ups"...please! But I'll let you do some research (as I had to do).