Vibram...Shrek

Vibram Spyridon review

Wow – these shoes are fantastic – running is now fun again!

Vibram spyridon’s are the new barefoot running shoe designed specifically for trail running over lush and not so lush off-road terrain – and certainly meet the purpose they are designed for. They enable a barefoot running style to be continued despite running on not-so-friendly barefoot surfaces owing to the mesh plate under the arch to minimise sharp rock from jabbing your feet causing bone bruise with negative impact on your performance

For the best part of 12 months, I had regularly been questioning the enjoyment of my running as I had been plagued with with intermittent episodes of all types of foot pain – I had continued to run but running had certainly not been pain-free. I had been provisionally diagnosed with all sorts of problems ranging from Achilles tendinosis to plantar fasciitis, and I was unsure of where to go next.

It was a difficult situation as some specialists recommended more supportive shoes/orthotics and the like but out on a whim, I decided to take the opposite approach as I had little success with previous recommendations and self-massage was going nowhere. Surprisingly from the moment I decided to ditch my traditional built up trail and road running shoes and run exclusively in minimalist running shoes, running became enjoyable again, and painless. The regular aches and pains I experienced in my legs is now a thing of the past and does not have to be accepted as normal. I have gradually increased my mileage in these shoes and have logged numerous 18-20km trail runs with no problems – and am looking to complete a trail marathon in these as the next step.

 

The benefits I have seen from wearing the vibram spyridons are:

1.       Increased strength of feet muscles/tendons and bones minimising injury

2.       Enhanced proprioception (sensation of where your feet are in space) and awareness of what lies on the running surface reducing the chance of having a fall

3.       Optimal running form/technique with a mid-fore-foot landing, maximising propulsion and limiting impact forces on your feet/knees and hips

4.       No need to worry about water crossings or puddles as there is no shoe ‘bulk’ to absorb the water and keep your feet ‘heavy’ for the rest of your run

5.       A very light weight shoe which should result in faster running times

I feel this shoe is certainly an improvement on the Vibram Treksport for trail and off-road running owing to the extra protection it provides underfoot for menacing terrain. It is now my go-to shoe!