Trad Gang

OPINION: Are these good stalking shoes?  I'm going to go try a pair on and see what they're like.

Fila skele-toes
(http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aaej_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-FILA-Site/Sites-FilaUSACatalogID/default/v1304537784573/images/ProductImages/male/shoes_skele-toes/1PK000EX_001_01_LG.jpg)

Vibram FiveFingers KSO TREK
(http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h21/VAbowbender/KSOTrek.jpg)

Never tried em.  Look like a glove for your foot!  I would need waterproof knee socks where I hunt with these.

Not a clue. Try them and report back.

I'd guess you had better have strong feet. looks like they might work for the younger set. I could have wore them 30 years ago but not any more, Even if I were hunting the small hills.Anymore I need some good support. Of course they would be useless hunting the flats for antelope, the cactus would be a nightmare...

People will see your tracks and think Bigfoot is in the woods.

That sure is different.

As hard as it might be to believe on another forum I frequent there is at least one elk hunter that wears them in the mountains.  My son wears a pair of them for comfort around home.  I'm of the same thought as howler that my older feet would not enjoy them in the woods

at $125. Ill never know    

QuoteOriginally posted by bowmofo:
at $125. Ill never know      

The Fila are $50.00

They might be a good idea, at least for warm weather hunting.   :cool:     :dunno:   I can't imagine using them in cold weather.   :nono:

Not for me...i have a pair for goofing around the yard.  i have a high arch and these offer zero support. My feet hurt after a couple of hours.

QuoteOriginally posted by VA Bowbender:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by bowmofo:
at $125. Ill never know        

The Fila are $50.00 [/b]

But the Vibrams are much higher quality. And yes---they work great, your calf muscles will scream, though, if you haven't been working out.

I need support also. When I spot the animal I'm going to sneak on, I slip my boots off and go in socks, much quieter.

They sell heel supports that you can buy separately.

True, the vibram soles would be better quality. But if I need vibram soles, id just wear my boots.

I've thought about getting a pair for bowfishing.  I would use them for stalking before I went barefoot. Too many thorns in My area.

QuoteOriginally posted by The Vanilla Gorilla:
They sell heel supports that you can buy separately.

True, the vibram soles would be better quality. But if I need vibram soles, id just wear my boots.

I've thought about getting a pair for bowfishing.  I would use them for stalking before I went barefoot. Too many thorns in My area.

What I meant is that the Vibram is just a much better shoe, very well built amd will last a guy a while. I intend to give the Fila shoes a solid operational test this summer, but after close inspection already, the Vibram is much better built.

Look like good wading shoes for fishing the river or floating the river in a canoe.

I dang sure couldn't wear anything like that where I hunt, too many locust thorns. I have to put slime in all my ATV tires a couple times a year because of the thorns. The locust trees shed the dead limbs constantly and the thorns end up all over the place. Don't know how many pairs of rubber boots I've ruined because of locust thorns?

I know a couple that swears by them (they don't hunt in them). The shoes are suppose to be great for your legs and re-aligning your back. They were wearing them at a south Texas trad shoot, where there were lots of rocks. Didn't seem to bother them at all. I will be getting some this month.

I used them some last year.  Didn't reach any shot opportunities, but I did manage to sneak up on some critters while I was wearing them.  I use them to run a lot and can attest that they do allow you greater sensitivity to the ground. I plan to use them again some early in the season this fall.  

A few considerations: your feet will get wet.  Not a big deal if it isn't cold, but something to think about.  Also, your ankles/lower legs will be relativly unprotected from briars, thorns, etc.  This can be a good thing as it will encourage you to move more carefully.

my buddys boy just bought them i think they are made for weight lifting but i thought great canoe shoes as semo
but for $$$$ ill stick with the cheap river wading shoes from wally world

My brother wore his Vibrams all weekend while we were turkey hunting and stump shooting. I have a pair, too, but opted to wear boots with all the cactus and mesquite thorns.

Vibrams are well made...they used to only be $75, but increased with popularity.

I love my 5 fingers.  I wear them everywhere.  I do not how ever wear them hunting.  I think the shoes shouldn't make as much of a difference in stalk sound as does foot placement and slow moving.  I am a firm believer in strategy and honing personal skills before buying a product to try to fix it.

one time pulling your foot outta one of them with a cactus thorn still thru it, and your foot and you may change your mind.  Up north with no cactus, sure, try it.
ChuckC

I've got a pair of 5 Fingers, they are like wearing mocasins.  You may need to change how you walk.  Balls of feet touching ground first instead of heels as with most shoes.  And as stated before your calves will be screaming if your not used to walking that way.

From one who used to be a halfway avid runner... Vibram stinks to high hell after a while... a good cleaning in a vinegar/soap-water solution can help get the funk out.

I guided a guy here in Australia last year that had these shoes. He had blisters so bad after the first day he did not wear them again,    :biglaugh:

They are typically used for free running and cross fit workouts. both the vibram and fila brands are relatively thin.   If your used to full arch support and comfy insoles these would be difficult on your feet for anything longer than a short stalk. Running in them takes some getting used to. never thought about using mine for a hunt, mind you I have never stalked a deer on foot. Out here in AZ you'd get a jumping cactus in the foot for sure.

Just remember...

It's the guy in the shoes, not the shoes.

That said, a pair of thin-soled shoes of any type (I like indoor soccer shoes until the weather gets too cold) really put you more in touch with the ground.  As the leaves fall and start to cover the noisy stuff on the ground, you can feel the twig you couldn't see before you put your weight on it.

Whoops, doubled up.

I couldn't wear them. It's been raining so much here my toes are webbed now.

Saw a girl wearing these things in the store and it hurt MY feet to look at her.

Even if the greatest stalking shoe in the world I wouldn't be seen dead in them.

I've been wearing them for over a year.  I've run up to 15.5 miles in a pair.  Start out nice and slow.  The fila's will fall apart fast.  The vibrams are much better built. Start out slow and the muscles and tendons will strengthen up. They feel a lot like Mocossins.

Take a shot at it and let us know what happens.....

Alot of folks the Crossfit gym I work out wear these and love them. They say it takes about a month of walking in them to get used to them before you should run in them. I'd like to try them or one of the other minimalist shoes but way too many snakes and thorns where I hunt.

Here are my sneaky shoes before I swap out out the strings and Magic Marker the soles.

[img=http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/converse-allstar-hightops-sneakers-3.jpg]

Except ... they're just really short skis on cheat grass. Very slippery at times. The best I had were a pair of Nike light hiking boots that were as light and sensitive as the All Stars but with an ankle break in the lacing and knobby sole. I finally buried them, after a brief and solemn ceremony, when they were more Shoe Goo than shoe.

Sorry, let me try that again:

(http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/converse-allstar-hightops-sneakers-3.jpg)

I wondered about wrestling shoes. light and afordable

The Vibram 5-fingers are excellent back-up stalking shoes.  You must work up to wearing.  Do not expect to go cold turkey and wear them hunting all day long.  I use mine for elk hunting in Colorado; where my hiking shoes to cover ground and find elk; where the 5-fingers for close in stalking and crossing rivers and streams.

Brett

I agree with steertalker. Work into them.

Very comfortable if you ask me.

I've had some for a couple of years.  Like 'em.  Have worn 'em huntin' and they work good.

Oh geez I tried a pair on and HATED them. I just cant get used to having something in between my toes.