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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bill Tell on January 27, 2010, 07:44:00 PM

Title: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Bill Tell on January 27, 2010, 07:44:00 PM
Has anyone on here tried the Vibram Five Finger shoe for stalking.  It has a low heel, thin sole, and articulated toes.  I am thinking that they may be the best stalking shoe ever made.  No I haven't been drinking.  Yes I know they are weird.  But you couldn't have anything more traditional on your feet.  They mimic being barefoot.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_Flow_m.cfm
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Bill Tell on January 27, 2010, 07:45:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Tell:
Has anyone on here tried the Vibram Five Finger shoe for stalking.  It has a low heel, thin sole, and articulated toes.  I am thinking that they may be the best stalking shoe ever made.  No I haven't been drinking.  Yes I know they are weird.  But you couldn't have anything more traditional on your feet.  They mimic being barefoot. I am going to get a pair.

 http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_Flow_m.cfm  
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Oregon Okie on January 27, 2010, 07:45:00 PM
I haven't but I want to. They look interesting for sure.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: LongbowGuy83 on January 27, 2010, 07:55:00 PM
I would think they would sweat like crazy in the heat because of the neoprene type material. Or freeze in the cold because of lack of insulation. BUT, the site says they are made for cold weather running and climbing so maybe for cool to semi cold weather, they probably would do pretty good. Mostly constant moving sports. BUT(another one), for $90 you can almost buy the Jackals from Danner or the Bean boots. If you try them let us know though. Might be worth it. You should be our guinea pig.
  :goldtooth:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Homebru on January 27, 2010, 09:20:00 PM
I have tried them for general use and they didn't fit well.  I have other "barefoot" shoes that I love but I wouldn't use them stalking in the woods.

Sorry not much help.
Regards
homebru
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: BMG on January 27, 2010, 09:28:00 PM
I have a pair that I use for trail running and have put LOTS of miles into my first pair.  I think they would be great for certain settings.  If I draw an elk tag for Sept. I will be bringing my 5Fingers.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Mudd on January 27, 2010, 09:30:00 PM
I tried them but only lasted for about an hour. My feet were really hot and my toes were lonely for each other..lol
I never knew how much my toes liked being in contact with each other.

I returned them the next day.
God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: boznarras on January 27, 2010, 11:52:00 PM
I want some of these to walk around town in fresh snow before everyone gets up, and start a Bigfoot scare!
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: beaver#1 on January 28, 2010, 12:04:00 AM
im thinking they would be better water shoes than stalking shoes
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Chuck Hoopes on January 28, 2010, 01:00:00 AM
Ive always just pick up a few pairs of Aqua shoes at Wally world for $6. Work great for still hunting Sept.-Oct. Mich.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: TheFatboy on January 28, 2010, 04:07:00 AM
I'd say they are walking/running shoes. The good thing about them, is that they can cure hip and knee problems, due to the feet absorbing much of the shock, not to mention how you have to really use your toes, just like walking in sand. I'm thinking about getting them, as I have some minor hip issues.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: joekeith on January 28, 2010, 11:13:00 AM
I've had a pair for over a year.  They are great for stalking and such.  They do have socks you can wear with them, but I don't wear 'em in the cold though.

They have a new one out I think would be better, and last longer.  If they go on sale I'll have to try 'em.  Here's a link.
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_kso_trek_m.cfm
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Mudd on January 28, 2010, 11:25:00 AM
Be sure to shop around. I only paid $72. for my KSO Treks. If I can find the place I bought them I'll come back and post it.
Good luck with them.
God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Str8Arrow on January 28, 2010, 11:26:00 AM
I have them for running, but don't see much use in them for hunting. My feet sweat in them when it's warm and they are way to cold for most hunting weather where I live. In some situations they probably would be nice to have on.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Bill Tell on January 28, 2010, 01:11:00 PM
Well now I know for sure I am going to get a pair.  I think I will try a pair of the kso trek joekeith.  Seems they would be a little better. Boznarras I only have a size 9 so I don't think I would be scarring anyone.  I can see the headlines now.  Adolescent yeti found in IL.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Greg Skinner on January 28, 2010, 02:02:00 PM
I've been "barefoot" running with the Feelmax shoes for several weeks and wearing thin-sole moccasins (H.S.Trask Gallatin Gates)to see if it helps with the foot/joint/ health issues associated with running.  It has been enlightening for sure, and I will probably try the Vibram 5fingers when the weather gets a little warmer. I had plantar fasciatis a couple of years ago and took close to a year to get over it. Read the book "Born to Run" and you will get a different perspective on footwear.  For still-hunting and stalking I think toughening ones feet up enough to be able to wear extremely thin-soled shoes could have some real benefits. My goal with the "barefoot" running (see "Barefoot Ted's" web site)is to strengthen my feet and ankles and toughen them enough to be able to use that kind of footwear for hunting - probably still need good-fitting boots for steep rocky terrain, though.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Shakes.602 on January 28, 2010, 02:02:00 PM
My Daughter has  Toe-Socks ........Wonder if you Could Cover  THEM  in Buckskin or something??  :confused:    :biglaugh:    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: BJP on January 28, 2010, 02:08:00 PM
I was just thinking that now there is a purpose for those toe socks my girl friend has.   :D
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: TheFatboy on January 29, 2010, 06:37:00 AM
Hey! Don't mock toe-socks. I have a pair and they rule!  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Mark in SC on January 29, 2010, 06:46:00 AM
Those would be great, I could count to twenty without taking my shoes off!
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Bill Tell on January 30, 2010, 09:46:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Greg Skinner:
Read the book "Born to Run" and you will get a different perspective on footwear.  
I did and I have.  This book hit home with me too.  Shin Splints and PF have bothered me for years.  I used to run 60 - 80 miles a week in ... wrestling shoes.  Thin soled no heel cushion or arch support.  Never had a problem.  A light went off in my head when I read this book.  That is how I found out about the FFV so I want them for the running reason too.  My Asics are getting junked.

How cool would it be to Pursuit Hunt with a bow and arrow?  I am trying to convince a buddy that we could do it.

You know I haven't read a better "traditional" book in a long time.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Str8Arrow on January 30, 2010, 11:42:00 AM
QuoteHow cool would it be to Pursuit Hunt with a bow and arrow? I am trying to convince a buddy that we could do it.
The best part was that they were tracking individual animals by the pattern in their scat. Each intestinal track leaves a type of "finger print" on the feces that you can use to follow a particular animal.  When I read that, I thought "Amazing, I'm learning a hunting technique in a book on running!".

By their description, pursuit hunting is something that could take a long time to learn. Seems to be a lot of detailed knowledge required to be successful in keeping a herd animal out of the herd and identifying it once it gets to the herd.  I think it would also require a particular type of terrain. In our eastern hardwoods I can't imagine it would have much use.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: GREASEMAN on January 30, 2010, 11:48:00 AM
They look CREEPY,but,also look like they would work for closing the distance.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: David Mitchell on January 30, 2010, 01:17:00 PM
I like ankle support and it would seem that lots of debris and junk could get into them...  :saywhat:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Shakes.602 on January 30, 2010, 02:42:00 PM
Heck, I couldnt  RUN  if I was Going Down-Hill!!  :rolleyes:   Just Curl up in a Ball like Da Armadillo and  ROLL  Baby  ROLL!!  :thumbsup:    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: George D. Stout on January 30, 2010, 03:02:00 PM
I can still-hunt in my running shoes...I actually like them for that purpose...don't need no toe socks for hunting deer.  Not that there is anything wrong with that 8^).
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: David Mitchell on January 30, 2010, 03:05:00 PM
Do real men wear toe socks?   :eek:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: GingivitisKahn on January 30, 2010, 09:32:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Mudd:
My feet were really hot and my toes were lonely for each other.
Great way with words.  That got me giggling for some reason.

   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: SHOOTO8S on January 30, 2010, 11:59:00 PM
Even wadded up socks make me crazy...have to stop and fix'em or I'm not having fun. I cant even begin to imagine having something between each toe!
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Bill Tell on January 31, 2010, 11:22:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Str8Arrow:
 
QuoteHow cool would it be to Pursuit Hunt with a bow and arrow? I am trying to convince a buddy that we could do it.
By their description, pursuit hunting is something that could take a long time to learn. Seems to be a lot of detailed knowledge required to be successful in keeping a herd animal out of the herd and identifying it once it gets to the herd.  I think it would also require a particular type of terrain. In our eastern hardwoods I can't imagine it would have much use. [/b]
So here was my thinking...

Go out west to do some speed goat hunting.  Carry some bino's and find one goat with some really specific marking and make that the one.  You wouldn't have to run em dead just to the point that they would let you get into bow range.  I think that they would start running later and later allowing you to get closer and closer.  Anyway just a thought.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Str8Arrow on January 31, 2010, 11:48:00 AM
Goats? Are you nuts?   :D    ;)

I'd probably make it about 30 yards before I fell off one of those cliffs. In fact, I'd probably just throw myself off a cliff to avoid the pain of the impending heart attack.

I was thinking it might be better to start off on a prairie chicken - a prairie chicken with a broken wing.
Title: Re: Vibram Five Finger stalking
Post by: Bill Tell on January 31, 2010, 12:08:00 PM
Well goats are about the only thing I can think of were you would have enough room to do it and were it would be hot.  You could try to pick off a sage grouse along the way.  I think it would be fun to try.  Plus how many people do you know have even given it a shot.  Make for a great story.