Comments on: GR5: Five Fingers, Collapsing Arches and Leg Injuries

By: ajune

ajune — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:50:15 +0000

Thanks! I will give them a try! :)

By: RedYeti

RedYeti — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:45:56 +0000

Hi ajune, Glad you like the blog! :) Well, along with wearing the inov8 Terrocs they certainly seem to have improved the arches in my feet dramatically. However, there is the obvious danger as described in detail on this post regarding short-term injuries until your arches get back to normal strength. Would I recommend them? Oh yes. I'm taking them to Corsica for walking some of the trail (though I'll be sticking to the Terrocs for the Cirque du Solitude!).

By: ajune

ajune — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:27:16 +0000

Hi! Lovely blog! I ran across it researching Five Finger shoes. I’ve been dying to try them out and there is a great deal of good info here.
I too have collapsing arches of the feet and have to wear orthadics. But have read that these shoes can strengthen your foot. Did it really help your foot arches? I am soon to go on a hiking trip and would like to know if you recommend them. I have mild collasping arches. I normally had mild to high arches but they are starting to fall and slightly pronate. Thanks!~

By: RedYeti

RedYeti — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:16:07 +0000

Thanks for the kind words re. the pictures and panoramas. They took a fair time to prepare but it was worth it :)

The grip is better than you might expect looking at the smooth rubber. Vibram have somehow managed to create a very soft, grippy compound that is also very hard-wearing.

They aren’t great on mud – but most footwear isn’t! Their only real weakness is on hard-baked ground that’s been recently made muddy by rain, giving a thin “slip plane” to skate around on.

If the mud is thicker, they’re as good (or bad!) as any other footwear since you can then grip with both the curve of your foot – and your toes!

I have a feeling the KSO Treks will fix that weakness. But the current set aren’t worn out enough yet to justify replacing them. Must try harder.

Oh wait – they have a two year guarantee… ;)

By: Martin Carpenter

Martin Carpenter — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:22:58 +0000

The perils of a (truly commendable!) pioneering attitude I guess :) Very glad it didn’t stop the walk.

I’m intrigued – what was the grip like using the classics? Not much obvious grip in the sole unit but I guess being so close to the terrain could help a lot.
(a bit more on the KSO treks I suppose.).

Oh wonderful pictures and paranomas :)