If you are willing to go to Konstanz, I saw them last week in the Intersport right by the train station. So they come with that 19% off discount of no tax. Plus they are already cheaper than the Swiss prices.
Went to Intersport in Konstanz last week, but their Vibram selection was limited to about 10 pairs and these were pretty much all small sizes and the standard Sprint model. Not much use to man or beast I'm afraid.
I'm now into the third month of barefoot running. No bad ankles or knees. The calves are still taking a pounding and that's the general idea, so all good. I'm finding I need to do some extra leg training at the gym to work on the quads and hamstrings as they don't get the same amount of use as with regular sneakers. The sensation when accelerating on any surface is remarkable in barefoot mode. Even more so when you're headed uphill, I'd say that descending steep grassy slopes or off trail in forests requires more concentration.
I have fallen in love with my Vibram Five Fibger shoes which are available in many US retailers. I have also seen them in England and so on. I have not seen them here and no one in the sports stores has even heard of them. Does anyone know where I can get them? The official website only ships to EU residents and not CH. Most US retailers charge a huge amount for shipping and then CH hits you with a huge import tax. Any help would be awesome.
Have you tried proper running shops? If a sports store hasn't heard of them then they are probably not that good as a running store.
And why aren't they called Five Toes? How can you trust a product for your feet when the maker doesn't even know that fingers are on hands and toes on feet?
I was a huge sceptic of these, but I have a few friends that are avid runners and they swear by them. They all say they are the best shoe to run in, period. I have to say they have sparked my interest and I'd love to give them a shot.
I was skeptical at first too, but they are fantastic. I tend to pronate inward, so padded running shoes make my ankles hurt, but these are like running barefoot, so there is no pronation. My calves and bottoms of my feet were sore for the first week, then once I got used to them, they have been amazing.
How do you run downhill in them? There is zero heel support and all your weight impacts on the heel normally when you run downhill. Just wondered because this is what prevents me from buying a pair. My running route takes in flat, uphill and downhill sections and the downhill sections would definitely have my teeth rattling if I don't have something good to absorb the impact.
I pushed the limits at the weekend - and ran a half-marathon (semi-trail) in them. I made it, but only just.
I have no problems clocking 10-13k in them on mixed terrain - but the added distance - and stonier ground is pretty tough on your feet.
The best advice is to build up slowly the distance you do - and work on your technique. It has taken me a 4 months to get upto this distance - and I still wasn't adequately prepared.
Was I quicker? No
Have I had any injuries in 4 months? No
Have I started enjoying my running? Yes
My one problem is that after the 1/2 marathon I have doubts for a 19km mountain run I'm doing in 6 weeks - and I don't have a sensible alternative at the moment!
Flat - forefoot running is more efficient (Pose method)
Downhill - it is all in the knee bend! You need to really get that knee bent and focus less on braking each stride. And finally just up your cadence - a super-fast cadence with good knee-bend and you'll be fine
I am faster uphill then I ever used to be - with far better form, cadence - and no overpronation - and no head bobbing!!