i love mine, unfortunately they're worn by a lot of tools that are predisposed to class action lawsuits to get maybe $5 back and ruin them for everyone else.
Vibrams are actually pretty good. The problem lies in the unprepared that think they can go from normal shoes to running barefoot overnight. They are essentially gloves for your feet. The settlement is exactly that, vibram settled out of court to avoid a large unfounded money grab. They marketed the shoes as better for your feet and for many this is true because it alters the way you run. However, if you still strike heel first in your gait you need the Extra padding. This settlement doesn't prove anything other than vibram wanted to correct the headache now to avoid the migraine of a large suit later. And those looking to cash out in the settlement enjoy your 30 cents because the lawyers took the rest.
I love mine as well. It took me about 6 months to learn to run barefoot-style. I ran only a little in my Vibrams, just enough to work on my footstrike. I did the rest of my running in regular shoes. I went from being a heavy heel-striker to a mid- to forefoot runner and my knees are much happier now. I also no longer wrestle with planar fasciatus or achilles pain at the back of my heel. The trade-off has been that barefoot style running seems to increase the stress that leads to piriformis or high hamstring tendinopathy (pain in the ****). The science is solid behind barefoot-style running for injury reduction to the knees, even if it's done in regular shoes.
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http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/103454/the-chewbacca-defense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ6K59vc_HQ
Thank you!