Hey Rudolf

Why wouldn't you just replace your  Aquasock  with your 5 fingers? I haven't got my 5 fingers yet but I would of thought they would be just the same if not better.

Also have you tried the Nike frees 3.0 yet?

I was running in 5's then 4's then 3's in the nike free range but I recently went up to a 8.0 reluctantly because I kept on injuring my right ankle. Its made a big difference but I do want to run in 5 fingers one day.

Sacha

5 fingers are expensive.

the USA distributor does not ship outside of the north america, the cheapest options would be to have somebody in USA to buy it for YOu and than posted over here, that would be about half the cost

from memory they are $80-90 USD

australian distributor is selling them for about $189 from memory, my understanding is, that he needs to get them via europe distributor, where they are already extremely expensive.

australian distributor is via net, I will dig the website later, cant remeber.


Sacha - in theory 5fingers are same or better than Aquasocks, but there are few buts.

economical - I have some of the Aquasocks for as low as $6, so I have no prob to tear them up on trails and discard to rubish bin, but they last long anyway.

the sole of the Aquasock is actually tinner than 5fingers, so my foot is closer the earth, and feels the ground better
also feels the branches stones rocks etc so it is more challenging and forces feet to be stronger and thougher.
Aquasocks fits nicely on the feet, there are no issues.

5 fingers firstly feel weird between toes, perhaps it is possible to get use to it.
secondly 5fingers are loose at the heel and needs to fatsened with straps around achiles, which can be irritating.

You either do not wear socks at all, which can fine in summer, or You use glove socks.
Injinji are very expensive for socks $30+, I have cheap socks from chinese $2 shops, these are ladies models, so it take lots of time to put the socks on first and than teh 5 finghers on...


with Aquasocks I have 1 pair 1 size bigger and in cold wet morning I just put 2 thick socks into them and am good for 1H run in cold wet weather, than would not be possible in 5fingers

so shortly I am saving them for warmer weather and for some special runs and perhaps races, but would use the Aq for the bulk of training.

The Aquasocks is so thin, that actualy each toe can move freely and press on the ground freely indepensdently, so basicaly the only argument for 5fingers is not than clear vs Aquasocks anytway


Frees - I only have 5.0, but taking insoles out they would be equivalent to 3.0 I guess, I got them on special from Nike factory and only using them because I have them I am not going to chase another pair at all, I prefer Aquasock, I think that fRees are too soft too much cushioning too high, there is a risk of rolling ankle in them since the foot does not touch the ground etc, Frees are cushioned shoes what is taken from them vs other shoes is there is no motion control and that they are flexible, but still too much cushioning material for me.

Frees vs barefoot running is like apple waxed and sprayed, than marinated, soaked in sugar and fried...

YOu can get a US address from myus.com. This is the way i get most of the things not shipped here through there. Shipping is still expensive
(dhl) but when i think about how certain websites charge $30US for one items shipping to Australia, its still worth it. Most charge free shipping if your within US this is good for me when i can get items shipped for free to my us address and then only pay combined shipping for my items when all of them arrive, they put into one box so its cheaper for you.
MY access usa is very reliable and havent had fault with them as of yet. Pretty fast 3 days to Australia to get items.

You can order from Canada (only a little more expensive than the USA from MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop)). They will ship to Australia for about $50. Better if a few people ordered together and shared shipping. Sacha was going to get some and I was going to ship them from Canada for him personally. So if he's ordering, and anyone wants to go together with him for an order I'm happy to help. It would be free shipping in Canada, then regular Canada Post rates to Australia. Talk to Sacha if you want to do this... I'm not sure given what I've read about his ankle above though if he's going to order them soon.

Cheers,
Sheryl

PS I've seen people with these 'shoes' and they are so totally amazing! They are on our shopping list for next time we feel like a splurge to reward ourselves for something. Right now though honestly we usually go barefoot walking around our property. I love being in touch with the earth.