Vibram Settles Lawsuit for False Advertising of the Benefits of Barefoot Running

Vibram, the company behind FiveFingers shoes, just settled a $3.75 million class action lawsuit over false claims that its running shoe yields health benefits, Runner's World reports. The thin-soled, flexible shoes, which cost about $100 a pair, are said to mimic the experience of running in bare feet, and thus "improve foot health" -- an unsupported claim the company falsely advertised. This was also reported in the Huffington Post on 5/10/14. 

The company extensively advertised that their shoes would strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improve range of motion in the ankles, feet and toes; stimulate neural function important to balance and agility, eliminate heel lift to align the spine and improve posture, and allow the foot and body to move naturally.

Does this mean that all of these claims are false? Does it mean that we should get rid of all of our "zero drop" minimalist shoes? No, but it means that not everyone benefits from the use of these types of shoes and that caution should be taken when transitioning from traditional running style to more of a "barefoot feel".

Personally, I have seen some benefits from sprinkling in barefoot running and using a more minimalist shoe for tempo runs and track workouts. I also have many patients who praise the change to a more minimalist shoe; but I also have lots and lots of casualties from minimalist running. At one point in my Grapevine, Texas office, we had a tally going on a white board of the number of stress fractures linked to Vibram-type shoes.

Bottom line: Minimalist running should be approached with caution and pre-hab strengthening of your feet before shedding your traditional running shoe is a must; but just like very other fad that has passed throughout he running community, its not all bad!