I have completed two runs in my brand spanking new Vibram KSOs, and I LOVE ‘em! I didn’t think they would be too much of a shock after wearing the Pace Gloves, which have essentially 4mm of sole as opposed to 2mm for the KSOs.
Probably the biggest difference (other than the toe pockets) is that the KSOs have no arch support at all (the Pace Gloves do have a bit). I thought I might feel a difference due to the lack of any arch support, but my arches are not complaining at all.
It sounds really cheesy to say, but it does feel very liberating to run in the Vibrams. You feel light on your feet (probably because you have a lot less shoe weighing you down! 
) and you see what it feels like to land on the forefoot instead of heel striking.
I did 3 miles Tuesday and 3.5 miles yesterday, and I have zero calf or arch soreness. The only thing I did get was some friction on the bottom of my big toes, which I think is due to not wearing socks (or possibly to pushing off instead of lifting my feet), because I got it initially when wearing the Pace Gloves regularly. Yesterday, I just slapped a band aid on the bottom of each big toe and I was fine.
I am going to continue along with the lower mileage in the Merrells and the Vibrams and see how it feels over the next few weeks. I am only increasing mileage 10% (practicing what I preach for once)!
Who else runs in Vibrams? Have you had any issues with friction blisters on the bottom of the big toe?
Glad to hear they are working out for you! I’ve never run in the Vibrams. I’ve tried running in Nike Frees before and after awhile my feet were in too much pain. I think I am too much of a heel striker for minalist shoes.
After talking to you at BlogHer about these shoes, and minimalist running, I have really been thinking about how I run and how my foot strikes…we really have to make a plan to get together one day for a run, I would love to see how you run in a shoe like that. I think my feet would love it….
I wear my Vibrams exclusively. Love them.
The stink and blisters got too much for me and I had to get socks. I got blisters on the sides of my feet, near the knuckle.
I do get big toe sores, but not blisters. More like cuts. Even with socks. I’ve always had this problem though, so I don’t think it’s a fault of the shoe, just my toes.
Sounds like you’re really enjoying the Vibrams! I haven’t run in mine in a while, but I just got some new ones and will be going back to them soon. I definitely got hot spots on my big toes, but when I tried wearing the Injinji socks, I really disliked the feeling, so I just dealt with it. I like the band-aid idea!
welcome to the club! I dont use Vibrams, I have the fila skeletoes, but the concepts are the same. i am glad you taking it slow and working your way in to this!
That’s great they are working so well for you! I’ve never run in Vibrams, but I’m very much interested in making the switch to more minimalist running shoes in the future. I have to get over my injury first and then maybe after baby #2 is born and I have to ease back into running, it might be a good time to give it shot.