Over the last few weeks Em and I have been busy running in our old and new Huaraches. She completed a 10K race in her new 6M Contact Invisible shoe Huaraches and we both did our first 10K 'trail' run using the same footwear. In short I am as psyched about these new Huaraches as I was about the original 4mm Vibram cherry models.
Here are my impressions of all three models of huraraches:
The origional 4mm cherry were and are great for my road running needs. As has been indicated by a number of users the only shortfalls I have encountered are the tendancy to be a 'tad' floppy under the toes and some wear on the string at the ankle holes. The former is related to my damn big feet and the latter systemic to traditional huaraches, especially if one runs on hard abrasive surfaces like sidewalks / blacktop. I have my original huaraches laced in the 2 string slip on style.
My new 4mm Connect Huaraches with Invisible shoes own rubber compound is a significant improvement over the 4mm cherry in my view. The preformed outsole is definately less floppy than the cherry and to me seem to provide a 'bit' more cushioning and traction. The amount is noticable to me but just. I really appreciated the pre punched ankle holes and the new design seems to result in much less string abrasion wear than the originals.
The connects are now my go to huaraches for road running. I also changed up my lacing style. With these I am using the ultra minimalist slip on method that only has one string around the heel. This has worked great after going through the initial round of adjustment to find the right tension.
THe 6mm Contact huraches have become my walking about town 'shoe' as well as my trail running 'shoe'. By trail I mean a smooth gravel walking / biking path type. Em and I did a 10K run over the weekend on such a trail with our contact's with no problem at all. SO when I am looking for a bit more protection, either from hot tarmac or gravel these are my go to footwear.
I thought I would mind the extra weight of the 6mm huaraches. However after a very short time the difference, while noticable, became insignificant. The only real perceptial difference for me is that I often get a sense of the 4mm being truly invisible or not there and with the 6mm that has not happened.... yet. I have these laced using the 2 string slip on method.
I also tried these running for a bit along the gravel shoulder of a country road near home. On this surface I found it difficult and still a bit painful. This is probably due to the nature of this loose and sharp edged gravel surface and my still hardening feet. I am sure I'll experiment further with more challenging surfaces as I continue my transition to FF running. However the next challenge I see in the not distant future is winter. It will be interesting to see how both Em and I do with running in huaraches & socks.
In summary we both have been very happy with our experiences to date both with FF running and with our Invisible shoe huaraches. Most importantly we are both still running and both excited about where this will take us...
TTFN,
Jenn
Here are my impressions of all three models of huraraches:
The origional 4mm cherry were and are great for my road running needs. As has been indicated by a number of users the only shortfalls I have encountered are the tendancy to be a 'tad' floppy under the toes and some wear on the string at the ankle holes. The former is related to my damn big feet and the latter systemic to traditional huaraches, especially if one runs on hard abrasive surfaces like sidewalks / blacktop. I have my original huaraches laced in the 2 string slip on style.
My new 4mm Connect Huaraches with Invisible shoes own rubber compound is a significant improvement over the 4mm cherry in my view. The preformed outsole is definately less floppy than the cherry and to me seem to provide a 'bit' more cushioning and traction. The amount is noticable to me but just. I really appreciated the pre punched ankle holes and the new design seems to result in much less string abrasion wear than the originals.
The connects are now my go to huaraches for road running. I also changed up my lacing style. With these I am using the ultra minimalist slip on method that only has one string around the heel. This has worked great after going through the initial round of adjustment to find the right tension.
THe 6mm Contact huraches have become my walking about town 'shoe' as well as my trail running 'shoe'. By trail I mean a smooth gravel walking / biking path type. Em and I did a 10K run over the weekend on such a trail with our contact's with no problem at all. SO when I am looking for a bit more protection, either from hot tarmac or gravel these are my go to footwear.
I thought I would mind the extra weight of the 6mm huaraches. However after a very short time the difference, while noticable, became insignificant. The only real perceptial difference for me is that I often get a sense of the 4mm being truly invisible or not there and with the 6mm that has not happened.... yet. I have these laced using the 2 string slip on method.
I also tried these running for a bit along the gravel shoulder of a country road near home. On this surface I found it difficult and still a bit painful. This is probably due to the nature of this loose and sharp edged gravel surface and my still hardening feet. I am sure I'll experiment further with more challenging surfaces as I continue my transition to FF running. However the next challenge I see in the not distant future is winter. It will be interesting to see how both Em and I do with running in huaraches & socks.
In summary we both have been very happy with our experiences to date both with FF running and with our Invisible shoe huaraches. Most importantly we are both still running and both excited about where this will take us...
TTFN,
Jenn
