Five Fingers Jumps the Shark

5 fingers jumped the shark the day they came off the production line.

I don't see how there is ANYBODY who saw the Five Fingers as more than just a passing fad. Hell, Vibram helped New Balance produce their Minimus line- even Vibram knew the Five Fingers wouldn't last forever. Thats why Vibram never went whole hog in terms of marketing and production. They created a little bit of a shortage to keep prices up and let the damn things sell themselves, and now they don't have to worry about trying to pump $$$ into the twilight of a fad. Instead, every pair of NB Minimus will have a Vibram outsole on it. Probably just as profitable as VFFs, and all they have to do is go back to their roots- making great, durable outsoles.

Masterfully played on their part. Made tons of bank, got their names in the news for free, and then slowly phase themselves out of the front lines as the trend starts to sour.

A guy wore them to win our conference title yesterday in XC

can we not say jumped the shark anymore. Is this 2006? That phrase has- well you know.

One day when I was putting on my combat boots (Im in ROTC) I noticed the bottom said Vibram. Later I learned Vibram makes all the outsoles for combat boots. I'm sure Vibram will be just fine. They make a lot of different products.

CCAA Time wrote:

A guy wore them to win our conference title yesterday in XC

still would've run faster in spikes.

They really do feel pretty awesome on your feet. But I could never do high mileage in them. While I think they can bring genuine benefits in terms of strengthening lower leg/foot muscles, you can get the same benefits by simply tossing off your shoes and finding a green meadow to zoom over for a mile or two. Afterwards, throw back on your regular shoes and go do 15 more miles. It's astonishing how many people have them now. There's a guy in 5 Fingers that "runs" on the local hike/bike trail at some glacial 11 minute pace with a silver weight in each hand, and a headlamp when it's not even near dark yet. It's people like that who are ruining it for everyone else. Every so often someone will blaze past me, really hoofing it, and I respect their Vibrams. I do not respect them on the joggers who just don't try.

Oh, and lameos like this:

http://birthdayshoes.com/dentists-harleys-and-vibram-five-fingers

and worse:

http://birthdayshoes.com/dr-jawa-runs-his-first-marathon

These are the kinds of things that make me never want to be seen in them, and why I haven't worn mine in public for over a year.

On the Metro after watching Marine Corps Marathon, I encountered a fellow whom I hope was wearing a Halloween get-up. Vibrams, shorty running shorts, wife-beater, headband and, the piece de restistance, he was carrying a Shake-weight.

Also a lady at MCM did a 3:20 in Vibrams.