Are vibram shoes bad for running?

Not necessarily: The vibram "5 fingers" are in the category of "minimalist" shoes. They were desinged by be extremely lightweight and to promote proper foot and lower body strength and good running mechanics. I think about 10-20% of runners will excel in these shoes. The remainder will have a hard time adjusting to them and may have increased pain. Consider going to vibram fivefingers website for education on use.

Depends: Vibram shoes are currently being debated and there are arguments on both sides. I do not feel they give the feet enough protection when running.

Remember: Vibrams and other minimalist footwear are probably not for everyone. While some people's biomechanics may be adaptable to a footwear as such, there are those who have underlying issues that may in fact be exacerbated by minimalist shoes. If you are interested in this type of footwear make sure you ease yourself into them: start low mileage, low intensity and listen to your body.