Vibram FiveFingers: Your feet deserve to be happy, too.

[TheBlueCow]

Well, I wear my hiking boots about every day (when it isn't unbearably hot), so that wouldn't seem unthinkable to me in that circumstance.

But, your point still stands.

However, I have more important (in my mind) financial goals. Number one right now is getting enough money to fly out to DC for the Revolution March in July (required: $400+; I make: $10/hr).

I wear my hiking boots as my everyday shoes too (well, when I have a pair. Still haven't replaced my old ones yet).
I was just making a point to make it, since it occurred to me

Day 3 Update-
(No, I won't be doing an update every day. Probably just when I think of something to mention).
Went kayaking today, not much to say about the Fives (I've decided I'll call them Fives for short, especially because I don't get why they call them FiveFingers). They are basically like water shoes (I have the KSO model).
I am getting much more comfortable in them. Pinky toes still the only major point of discomfort. This will probably continue for awhile.
I am most likely going to wear these every day as my house shoes. They're addictive :mrgreen:

[Erisianmonkey]

I looked at them, but as I can't stand having my toes separated, they would be a no go even if I could afford them. Now if they were to do a version without the toe separation, I'd really want a pair. (In other words, they'd be added to my "when I get back on my feet" list.)

[auld argonian]

While they do look interesting, call me a tenderfoot...never even wear sandals. Part of it is that I'm extremely pale and there's nothing quite as annoying as having sunburned feet.

I'm also one of those who wear the hiking boots constantly...with the wool socks summer and winter. Friend of mine that I meet once a year on the camping trip has his boots from twenty years ago and can't figure out why I have a new pair every year. It's because I wear the things out and if you've ever looked into getting them resoled, you know that it's usually cheaper to just buy a new pair at a discount than it is to fix up the old ones.

Best

AA

[TheBlueCow]

I looked at them, but as I can't stand having my toes separated, they would be a no go even if I could afford them. Now if they were to do a version without the toe separation, I'd really want a pair. (In other words, they'd be added to my "when I get back on my feet" list.)

My dad said the same thing.

Although, I would like to note that after wearing them a couple times, it doesn't bother you so much. It's only been a week and I'm actually much more comfortable with them on as opposed to wearing normal shoes. However, if you think the toe thing is going to be a real problem for you, I wouldn't spend $80 either.

[ccga3359]

Just received a pair of the surge for the kayak, these would look goofy with anything but a canoe/kayak as they're neoprene booties. I have another pair coming that I'lltry for daily wear. Don't know if they'll look good with a kilt though. I predict that they'll be popular but figure I'm one of the few in Canada to have a pair. In Canada they are only availiable at Mountain Equipment Co-Op. For the uninitiated here's a pic.

[TheBlueCow]

Just received a pair of the surge for the kayak, these would look goofy with anything but a canoe/kayak as they're neoprene booties. I have another pair coming that I'lltry for daily wear. Don't know if they'll look good with a kilt though. I predict that they'll be popular but figure I'm one of the few in Canada to have a pair. In Canada they are only availiable at Mountain Equipment Co-Op. For the uninitiated here's a pic.

Where'd ya find a pair of Surge? I thought the Surge were discontinued?

They have the Flow on the site, which doesn't have the ankle bit. I was kind of interested in the Surge, because it makes more sense to have the ankle part covered, for what they designed them for (cold water and snow running/sports). I figured the next best thing would be the Flow paired with neoprene/waterproof socks (with the toe having to be cut off for use with the FiveFingers).

[ccga3359]

Where'd ya find a pair of Surge? I thought the Surge were discontinued?

They have the Flow on the site, which doesn't have the ankle bit. I was kind of interested in the Surge, because it makes more sense to have the ankle part covered, for what they designed them for (cold water and snow running/sports). I figured the next best thing would be the Flow paired with neoprene/waterproof socks (with the toe having to be cut off for use with the FiveFingers).

Evilbay. Found an Ebay store Gotyourgear.com for $50 + $10 shipping to Canada (). Up here in Canada the only distributor is Mountain Equipment Co-op for $105! And I remember when MEC were reasonably priced. At G-Y-G's price I also ordered a pair of Sprints as the booties look just two out of place as I was trudging through our local big box electronic store. I got quite the looks and my wife refused to walk next to me. Wish I was also kilted at the time as she would refused to come out at all and I would have returned with a new 54" plasma TV . If the Surges are discontined I'd hop on them (if they have your size) as I have not found a better price anywhere on the interweb thingy.

[TheBlueCow]

Evilbay. Found an Ebay store Gotyourgear.com for $50 + $10 shipping to Canada (). Up here in Canada the only distributor is Mountain Equipment Co-op for $105! And I remember when MEC were reasonably priced. At G-Y-G's price I also ordered a pair of Sprints as the booties look just two out of place as I was trudging through our local big box electronic store. I got quite the looks and my wife refused to walk next to me. Wish I was also kilted at the time as she would refused to come out at all and I would have returned with a new 54" plasma TV . If the Surges are discontined I'd hop on them (if they have your size) as I have not found a better price anywhere on the interweb thingy.

Thanks! ...Unfortunately they don't have my size >_<
I did a search for them and all I got was a couple places that're trying to sell them for $100. I think I'll just get some Flow's and some neoprene/waterproof socks for when I want the ankle coverage.

Nice find though, some great prices compared to Vibram's site.
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~2 Week Update:
I haven't worn them every day, but close to it. I find my feet are much more comfortable in them than in other shoes, which I try to change out of ASAP and either stay barefoot or get my Fives on.

I have found that my posture has improved, easing my lower back pain.

I spent about 4 or 5 days in a row wearing only my Fives, and took a couple longer walks in them. I have found the soles of my feet toughening into leather, and gaining callouses (healthy if in the proper places, which modern shoes tend to mess with). I did get what seemed like it would be a blister one day, but a couple days later it doesn't hurt and isn't puffy - I luckily didn't push it too far to get a bad blister.

I find putting the Fives on to be much easier now; I can just slip them on, and with a wiggle of my toes, get them into the proper positioning. This is much easier compared to when I first got the Fives, as I had to guide a few toe-pockets onto the proper toes. My feet feel so much more natural in them and I don't even feel like I'm wearing anything on my feet most of the time (except for when I'm noticing that the sun-heated pavement didn't burn my feet). I find that you can be pretty much fearless with the Fives on, as compared to going fully barefooted. Your sole is protected from everything, but you feel more than you would if you were wearing shoes (so yes, walking on pebbles is uncomfortable). Obviously you wouldn't wear them at a construction site though.

I've worn them out in public quite a bit. Frankly, I don't think anybody notices them (who looks at everyone's feet anyways?), and if anyone has they never said anything to me, so I've gotten no positive or negative remarks from the public. My family also does not say "Are you going to wear that?" when they will be accompanying me in public (but I do get that just about every time I wear my kilt >_<).

I can tell that there are definitely muscles in my feet and calves that just have not been used in my 22 years of wearing shoes. I have felt those muscles being achy after a lot of time in my Fives. They say on the website that this is normal, and one thing that going barefoot helps with is strengthening your legs.

All in all, I'm enjoying my time in my Fives, and think that they have been a wise purchase as they have already (in under 2 weeks) begun to improve my posture, gait, leg strength, balance, and health, and I know that these will continue to improve.

I do recommend getting toe socks. 1) The Fives fit just that much better with the cushion of a sock. 2) Like any shoe, if you keep wearing it barefoot, it develops a stink. I have not been wearing socks with my Fives - I have a pair (the Injinji, which they carry on the website), but I found that these are tight on the webbing between my toes. The toe-pockets just aren't deep enough for my toes. I might try a size up, I think I have long toes (does not seem to be a problem with the Fives though). I might also try another brand - there seem to be plenty of brands that make toe socks for casual and performance wear.
No, my Fives do not exactly smell like roses at the moment. One more plus is that they are machine washable! Vibram says you can put them in the washer, and let them air dry. Or on a hot day, you could put them right back on your feet - your body heat plus the outside heat will dry them off quicker, and they'll help cool you down for awhile too!

If anyone has any questions about how they perform in certain activities, I'll be happy to try and find out, if possible.
So far I've gone kayaking in them, which was a comparable experience to wearing water shoes.
Driving; a bit awkward for me. When I drive with shoes on, I use my toes to push the pedals. My foot is wider than the accelerator, so my small toe gets kinda stuck on the side, unless I push with the ball of my foot instead (which is probably better anyways). My brake is too high up to use the ball of my foot if I rest my heel on the floor, so I either have to raise it or use my toes. This is something that I've started to get used to, and really isn't that big of a deal, just requires minor adjustment.
Walking; pretty much the same. Your body should correct itself after you get used to it.
Running; I haven't actually gone on a run (but plan to soon). But I have sprinted, and I'll say that it seems to be much easier. I ran faster than I thought I would, and was able to keep my footing better. From what I've read, running is different than in shoes, because in shoes, we tend to allow ourselves to hit the ground with our heels, which is why there is so much padding on the heel of shoes (which just makes us do it more, of course). In Fives, there is no extra padding on the heel, so you are forced to learn how to run barefoot, and land your entire foot evenly on the ground, instead of heel first. From what I've read, this is MUCH better for your feet, legs, and overall health, and is the way nature intended - and therefore there is also a performance increase.

I feel like I can be just a lot more active without thinking about how my foot will land so I don't injure it. I can just let my body's natural reflexes take care of it.