Feelmax shoes

[alicyndrew]

I just finished reading Born to Run, I really enjoyed it. In the book Barefoot Ted uses Feelmax shoes sometimes. They say the sole is thinner then the Vibrams. Has anyone tried these for running?

[jaryckon]

This site has a great review of the Feelmax Panka, as well as some other options for transitioning to barefoot running (or just wearing more minimal shoes in general). I've found this site to be informative and inspiring.

http://www.barefootrunner.com/2009/03/review-feelmax-panka/

Enjoy,
Jack

[rjsteadman]

I've got the new Osma running shoe on order. I'll give a report once I've tried it out and compared it to my Vibrams.

[alicyndrew]

My husband just ordered a pair from Amazon. He can't run in the Vibrams, crooked toes. Hopefully these work better for him. I think I'm going to order some to wear to work, but want to try running in them too.

When I was a kid my Grandmother called me "The Barefoot Contessa" and always begged me to wear shoes. I hated them and was a problem child because I insisted on no shoes. In high school I carried my shoes with me for stores and restaurants and was always barefoot, even on hot pavement. People thought I was a freak. It's so cool that finally it's OK to run around barefoot. More then OK, I am vindicated, it's healthier!! (sorry Grandma)

Ali

[rjsteadman]

They've arrived!

Initial good points - very light, flexible and thin-soled. Almost like ballet shoes.

Downside - inner sole is glued in and very hard to remove. They also have those 'achilles stabbers' at the back which are so common on shoes, so I've had to get the scissors out to level it off. I followed their sizing chart exactly but they are maybe just a tad too small on my larger foot. Unfortunately they don't do half sizes so I'm hoping they'll give just a little. I don't think they are in a fit state to return now after my hatchet job!

I will try running in them later in the week.

[bsgopalan]

I'm excited to here about your review for these shoes. I have moved to move minimal shoes. Currently run in VFF. But the feelmax shoes are supposed to have better ground feedback. I live in Canada so any shoes I order are online and really depend on comprehensive reviews before making the plunge.

[alicyndrew]

I just got my Feelmax, have been snowed in for a week. Hope to get onto the treadmill soon and try them out

[flammee]

I just got my Feelmax, have been snowed in for a week. Hope to get onto the treadmill soon and try them out

Feelmax are OK when running on snow. Maybe expect if it's slushy snow.. But when they spread some small gravel on icy roads, running with feelmax hurts. Thence the name feelmax...?

[rjsteadman]

I've managed a couple of runs in them now, about 10 miles or so. I've found them to be just about the most 'invisible' trainers to wear - quite easy to forget that they are there, as you don't have the shoe between the toes as you do with the Vibrams. They are also a bit warmer, in the same way that mittens are warmer than gloves I suppose! Probably the closest thing to slippers going (although only now that I've chopped the backs down of course...)

You do feel everything through the sole - as in the Vibrams, if not more so, so no problems there. The one reservation I have is the traction - I noticed they were quite slippy on a tiled floor, and obviously you need to watch out for metal drain covers in the wet, etc. However, of the 2 runs I've done, one was in frosty conditions and the other wet, and I didn't slip at all (although Chi running helps with this as we know). Don't think I would take them trail running through the bogs but so far, very pleased.

[mlb929]

I run in an area that has "goat heads" or puncture vine, these stick badly in the soles of regular shoes has anyone experienced a problem with this type of shoe?