June 04

VIBRAM FIVEFINGERS V- ALPHA: THOROUGH TEST +150KM. MULTIPURPOSE MINIMALISM, FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE GYM.

Posted by Héctor Rubio on June 4, 2021 in barefoot, fivefingers | 1 Comment

VIBRAM FIVEFINGERS V- ALPHA: thoroughly test of +150KM. Minimalist multipurpose shoe, from the mountain to the gym. Our MINIMALISM RUNNING section brings us today the in-depth test of the Vibram FiveFingers V-Alpha. Multipurpose lightweight minimalist shoe, from daily use to the mountain or gym. A good option for those who want to enter the world of barefoot or run barefoot.

As usual in the brand, it is an ultralight shoe of only 136 grams in size 42, a Vibram sole with a thickness of 3mm and of course a 0mm Drop.

VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS V-ALPHA
(109€ / M-136GR F-103GR)

The V-Alpha model is the Vibram FiveFingers tool developed for outdoor training, 100% max feel: a shoe that is an authentic training tool that gives protection for the foot, allowing an impressive perception of the ground, in addition to great agility. We will not dig much in all the details because in the video analysis that you have seen before and the review that we launched last March FiveFingers V-Alpha will allow you to know more about this shoe.

DATA SHEET

Weight: Male (Size 43)-136gr/Woman (Size 38)-103 gr
Recommended sales price: 109
Vibram Megagrip sole: 3mm thickness, extremely flexible. It uses a Vibram Megagrip compound, the perfect solution for excellent grip on challenging, dry or wet surfaces.

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VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS V-ALPHA: FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

Obviously one of the first things that comes to mind when you want to wear these V-Alpha FiveFingers is how to do it and whether you have to wear socks or not. During my thorough test, I have worn them with and without socks. As for socks, there are multiple brands on the market that offer them.

Apart from the “socks” issue, one of the things that (at least to me) has happened to me at the beginning is that the toes do not go directly into the holes intended for them and you have to “help them”. As the days go by and wearing them more often that has been solved.

Beyond the socks, the adaptation to them has involved dusting off running technique exercises with main attention to the reactivity of ankles, as well as to the muscles of the foot such as:

towel/rubber exercises to strengthen the muscles of the foot
tiptoeing, walking on heels
race technique exercises on soft ground

VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS V-ALPHA: THOROUGH TESTING

As you have seen, with these shoes we have not rolled, so far, beyond 150 km to do the test thoroughly, because simply the adaptation to them (in a safe way and without injuries) requires time. Although, we wanted to be able to share with you our experience so far. That is why, I have carried out a strict program of adaptation to minimalisto or barefoot to not generate any injury and to enjoy them to the fullest. More so when, I’m usually used to wearing fairly padded sneakers like New Balance X More V2, Hoka Speedgoat 4 or more recently the Inov-8 TrailflyUltra G 300.

So since I received them, I planned 8-10 weeks in which I have left, little by little, adapting to them as follows:

week 1-2: two days walk 5-10 minutes through diverse terrain and two gym sessions with them.
weeks 2 to 4: two days of walking 10-15 minutes on diverse terrain and running technique sessions on white ground, plus two gym sessions with them
week 5-7: we’ve started running, on grass. Raising out sessions of 20-20 minutes in which I have alternated walking and running, in addition to and running technique sessions. As well as two gym sessions with them.
week 8 onwards: I’ve run 1-2 days a week on soft ground about 30-40 minutes. As well as two gym sessions with them.

I have to say, that this is the plan I have designed myself, it does not mean that it can be valid for everyone because it will depend a lot on your muscles, experience, technique and the ability to adapt to drop 0.

VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS V-ALPHA: SOLE AND UPPER

Sole and cover are the key elements of these FiveFingers V-Alpha. The sole, in this case, is the brain of the shoe and transmits to the head of the runner much more information than we are used to processing when we run, especially if we go fast, although, I have to tell that it is a very intersante feeling, because not only do you concentrate on running but on what the foot is feeling at each step.

As for the cover, it wraps perfectly to the foot as if it were a glove and the size-cover fit on my handle has been perfect. The newly developed material, composed of 50% wool, to optimize thermoregulation and eliminate bad odors, and the other 50% in synthetic fiber, to ensure mechanical strength and durability offer a great feeling to the touch when wearing them without socks and have not generated any chafing both with and without socks.

VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS V-ALPHA: CONLUSIONS

In particular it is a shoe that I do not recommend to heavy people and or with problems in the joints, because simply the period of adaptation can generate unwanted injuries if it is not carried out with patience and care. Although, if you have time, patience and want to improve your running technique, it can be your ideal partner.

It is a shoe that forces to strengthen all the muscles of the foot and leg, from the ankles, through the tibials, the soles and the achilles tendon, so it is not just about putting them on and going for a run, because there lies the main mistake of those who venture, for the first time , in minimalism, but to prepare the body to enjoy them and make the most of them.

If you manage to get them, surely you will have fun, especially running at medium rates, in the forest or grass after a little rain, where I have to say that the Vibram sole behaves exceptionally and has reminded me to go on a gravel bike at full speed on narrow trails in the forest at 40km / h. When running with them, once the adaptation period is carried out, a new mental sensation is generated when running, since, the muscle memory has changed and the foot is able to transmit more and different information to the brain being this one of the things that I would highlight mainly: these shoes change your mentality and way of “feeling” running.

Running fast with them is also possible, although, in my case I have not gone beyond some progression on the grass because the level of impact generated by high rhythms would have been counterproductive for my battered meniscus, but it is possible.