Go (almost) barefoot with Vibram Fivefingers

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts)
Oct 22nd 2007 7:00PM

As workout wear goes, Vibram Fivefingers fall into the "odd" category for sure. But if you can get past their appearence, they're the perfect fit for exercising in (almost) naked feet, says Mark over at Mark's Daily Apple.

Vibram's website says that the shoes allow your feet to move in a more natural way, let you reconnect with nature, and help you improve your balance and agility. Vibram Fivefingers protect toes from stubbing and soft soles from being injured by sharp objects during such sports as bouldering, kayaking, chirunning, barefoot running, and many more.

Have you tried Vibram Fivefingers? What did you think? Would you try these funny looking shoes, or are they just too bizarre for you? I don't know, they might be starting to grow on me!

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Comments (3)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tim 10-23-2007 @ 1:51AM

I've worn VibramFiveFingers for two years now. Originally purchased for sailing, they were so comfortable I ended up wearing them all the time. Walking, yoga, biking, sailing even light jogging. One word of caution, Vibram issues this caution as well. Build up your foot strength slowly a little more each day. About two months into owning these “shoes” I decided to go for a full out run. Having walked and jogged in them I didn't think anything of it until the ball of my foot behind my middle toe started to hurt. I had to call for pick up and couldn't walk in the Vibram's for a month while my feet healed. I have nothing but good things to say about these wonderful “shoes”.

BTW: Be prepared to talk to many a stranger interested in your new footwear.

Craig 10-23-2007 @ 1:00PM

I've been using them for travel shoes all over Europe - I like walking barefoot, but find things too dirty outside NZ. In general though, I like them.

We recorded a brief review on our travel podcast, which might be useful for people considering them as an all-purpose shoe:
http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/2007/episode/026-review-vibram-five-fingers/

Cheers, Craig

john 11-30-2007 @ 1:20PM

I own the Kayakshed and http://www.kayakshed.com we have been selling them for a couple years now ( I think we were one of Vibrams first stores) Since then, I've purchased both the five fingers classic as well as the sprints for myself. I can't tell you how much I love 'em! They were not what I expected. I thought I would only use them for water applications (Kayaking obviously). Turns out I use them more for all sorts of things including yard work. They are tough to fit. We have a sizing chart on our site that works well. However if you're in between 2 sizes. Buy both sizes and return the one that doesn't fit. They are tricky to fit and they do get easier to put on after you have put them on 2 or 3 times.
Good luck and enjoy! http://www.kayakshed.com/vibramfivefingers.cfm