Kids Vibram FiveFingers from Feetus.co.uk
Categories2015, Kids, Vibram FiveFingers by

Vibram FiveFingers for Children

Research published in podiatry journal The Foot in 2007 suggests that structural and functional changes can result from the foot having to conform to the shape and constriction of a shoe, rather than being allowed to develop naturally. And the younger the foot, the greater the potential for damage.

Crucial: Well-Chosen Footwear for Children

The human foot at birth is not a miniature version of an adult foot. In fact, it contains no bones at all and consists of a mass of cartilage, which, over a period of years, ossifies to become the 28 bones that exist in the adult human foot. This process is not complete until the late teens, so it is crucial that footwear – when worn – is well chosen.

Research has shown that when children spend more time in bare feet, even in just two months, i results in increased foot strength, balance, mobility and ankle function. You child’s shoe should reflect this ‘barefoot feel’, with the shoe offering as much of the following:

  • A completely flexible sole,
  • A wide and deep toebox,
  • An anatomically correct last (the ‘mould’ that a shoe is built on),
  • A closure at the back and an adjustable closure at the top, such as laces or Velcro

By wearing Vibram FiveFingers, children get the health benefits of going barefoot whilst offering protection. Here are the Vibram FiveFingers styles available for children, most available between sizes 29 and 25:

KSO for Kids

We love the KSO for Kids. The ‘closed’ upper fabric keeps out any debris when the kids are out playing and the Velcro fastening makes it easy for kids to secure the shoe (without any farcical laces!). The KSO is the biggest-ever seller of Vibram FiveFingers and the most popular shoe for men, women, and children.

Speed for Kids

Breathable and more conventional-looking than some of the other Vibram FiveFingers styles, we love the Speed for Kids. This shoe promotes natural (barefoot) movement of your child’s feet and the sole provides good grip for all activities. Available in a lace-up.

Sprint for Kids

The Sprint allows your child’s feet to move as nature intended, the thing we like best about this shoe is the open top. Having an open top makes it so much easier for kids to get their dainty little feet in to the shoe and position their toes in to each pocket. They don’t even have to worry about tying the laces either, as the Sprint is a simple Velcro strap fastening.

All the children’s Vibram FiveFingers are available NOW at Feetus.co.uk. Some are available as ‘on order only’ but this only adds typically 2 days to your order time. We also sell matching toe socks from Injinji.

Kids Vibram FiveFingers from Feetus.co.uk
Kids Vibram FiveFingers from Feetus.co.uk
CategoriesBarefoot Running, Minimalist Running Shoes by

Minimalist Running is Back!

Rediscover the Natural Way to Run

For many people the hallmark of a good life is all about feeling the sand between your toes or the grass beneath your feet each morning. There is a sense of having retired from the daily hustle and bustle of life and having ‘arrived’, when you have the leisure of that ever-elusive thing called TIME.

But what about those amongst us who don’t have the luxury to leave our 9 to 5’s or the city life yet? What about that innate longing within us to connect back to nature at its barest and feel the world beneath our feet?

Fret not! For there is a way – The Way of ‘Minimalist Running’.

We have seen a revival of barefoot running, something that has long been part of our history in the evolutionary scheme of things! Ask the Apes if you are cynical!

What do we mean by ‘Minimalist’?

By Minimalist, we mean natural running or barefoot running – and it’s certainly not just a fad! Minimalist / barefoot footwear is designed with a minimal midsole to make sure that you are able to run, walk, hike, climb and experience nature just as it was intended to be.

The past few years has seen this form of running take off. Long distance or short; people are combining workouts with outdoor and adventure and are now enjoying the experience and the benefits it gives to the entire body and mind.

See our range of men’s minimalist running shoes here

The entire concept here is to find a balance and harmony between the traditional support of a regular running shoe and the benefits of running barefoot. Shoes that mimic the feel of bare feet allow similar degrees of flexibility that vastly improves the body’s balance.  This ‘feel’ provides continuous feedback from the ground up and makes the runner more aware of pain that precedes injury and yet, giving the wearer protection over various terrain and hazards like rocks and stones, broken glass, and all subtle changes that occur constantly mile after mile.

Vibram Feet
Minimalist?
Well… Sort of, but not quite

See our range of minimalist footwear for women

Running this way is not only liberating, but performance gains are potentially huge too. We will discuss that in more detail our next blog post.

Vibram FiveFingers - Experience barefoot whilst still wearing shoes
Vibram FiveFingers – Experience barefoot whilst still wearing shoes
CategoriesBarefootRunning, Minimalist Running Shoes, Saucony by

The Saucony Natural Range

Au Revoir, Hattori

I heard from Saucony earlier this month that they are discontinuing the Hattori. This came as a massive shock to me, as I am a massive Hattori fan – often using this super-lightweight minimal firecracker for my 5K’s. Having raved on about it to many friends and colleagues in the past, many others also use this shoe as their weapon of choice.

Saucony Hattori Natural Barefoot Running Range from Feetus.co.uk
Farewell Hattori

Today, I met with Matt from Saucony, who brought with him two huge luggage bags full of shoes. Jaw-dropping stuff.

The Saucony Virrata

I am pleased to say that, although we’re sadly going to see the last of the Hattori and the laced-up Hattori LC, the shoe that will replace this is right on par. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Virrata.

Saucony Virrata Natural Barefoot Running Range from Feetus.co.uk
Introducing the Saucony Virrata

Now I know this isn’t groundbreaking news – but this was my first in-person view of the Virrata. Slightly similar to the popular Kinvara 3, the Virrata weighs less (184g for a men’s size 9). If I had only looked at the sole I would have bet my money that it was the sole of a Hattori – same colour, material, and very similar tread pattern (a triangular lug design). Very flexible too…

The Virrata offers a good deal of room in the toe box, which is essential for good, natural running form. There is zero drop (0mm) from heel to toe making it a good option for barefoot and minimal running shoe lovers. The upper is also very breathable, with its mono mesh, and looks the part too with its reflective details.

In Rainbows

Saucony’s full range of shoes could almost be classed as psychedelic. There are barely any sensible colour options (black/black). Triathletes will love this colour-pumped ‘look-at-me’ range (as do I), but I do wonder if the distinct lack of ‘sensible’ colour schemes may put a number of people off. Time will tell.

The Kinvara TR2

For me, the star of the show was the Kinvara TR2: Very easy on the eye, looks geared for maximum performance on the trails, and features a minimal 4mm offset from heel to toe. Can’t wait to get my hands on a pair in my size!!

Saucony Kinvara TR2 Natural Barefoot Running Range from Feetus.co.uk
Running Porn: The Saucony Kinvara TR2

Another One To Watch: The Saucony Unleash SD

This is not one I have seen in the flesh – but the Saucony Unleash SD looks realy nice. Although it is a shoe designed for shot put, discus and hammer throwers, I think this shoe looks really cool, similar in style to the Hattori. I wonder if it’s suitable for running? What do you think?

Saucony Unleash SD Shot Put Hammer Discus Natural Barefoot Running Range from Feetus.co.uk
The Saucony Unleash SD – Can you run in these?

I’ll post some post-run reviews of these beauties in the near future. In the meantime, stay tuned: Facebook and Twitter