Vibram FiveFingers Classic

I think barefoot running is worth a look. I'd try it, but I heard you have to work up to it and can't go from cushy running shoes to barefoot in a day.

I bought these in a kayak shop on impulse at the beginning of the summer. I put them on my feet & I thought "THESE ARE SO COOL!" Some people [my relatives] think the shoes are really ugly, but most people want to look, but are afraid to. I'm a 54-year old, somewhat stodgy male [when it comes to attire], so take that into consideration. Right after I bought them I went to Home Depot. What was cool is that I walked through the garden dept. outside and there was a puddle of water. I left bare foot prints after walking through it. It just tickled the hell out of me for some reason. These shoes are really fun to wear. The instructions say that walking in these shoes is different from other shoes & to only wear them for 2 hours a day at first. I pretty much agree with this. Your foot and leg muscles do need to adapt. I haven't tried running in them over any distance, but I think after some conditioning, you could run a ways, although on concrete there might be a problem with the shock to the heel bones after a few miles. My recommendation is to suck it up, spend the $80 on these, and ditch the summertime flip flops. You probably won't regret it.

Wow. Isn't it annoying when you come up with cool product ideas, only to find out that they've already been done? I was dreaming up a snug rock climbing shoe that covered each individual shoe...and now - this perfect item. This will likely revolutionize shoe design for outdoor sports and I can also see it exploding in the same fashion as Crocs. Just did some research online and this pertains to only Canadians - MEC carries only the Sprint version which is a it more expensive. I'm definitely going to look out for these the next time I go!

What do you mean "strong toes"? (As I crush a can of Pepsi with my toes)

I've been dying to talk to someone who has gone barefoot! How did you decide to make the switch? Was it difficult? Do you have tough feet?

I decided to start running barefoot for health reasons. I kept having knee problems. I have not had any knee issues since I stopped where traditional running shoes. I ran barefoot for 3 months but the callouses and blisters were killing me and I was not looking forward to Midwest winters on bare feet. I ran into (no pun intended) the Vibram Five Fingers and the rest is history. It takes about 30 seconds for my toes to get used to the VFF's when I first put them on. After that I just run. They are great!

I have waited for 3 months to get my exact size of the black classic style. I honestly have to say that after wearing them for a day I have remembered my right pinky toe which I had broken years ago after forgetting about it totally. Evidently, this toe's bone did not heal perfectly so all I felt was significant discomfort wearing these foot gloves. They appear to be the exact fit because I spent over an hour fitting the right size in the shoe store in nyc. I waited for black because that was the least goofy looking. I have to say these foot gloves did not feel in any way that I was going barefooted, and I can testify first hand because I DO go barefooted everywhere all year in the NJ area unless it is about the low 30's F or below and thats exactly what I bought these for. I am already fully accustomed to going barefooted so that is not the issue with getting used to the shoes. Overall, besides the right pinky toe being very uncomfortable in these, they were comfortable like wearing slippers with toe inserts. I can honestly say I can run far faster barefooted than either wearing these or any shoes as long as the pavement is reasonably smooth. I also had heel pain walking gently on pavement wearing these and mind you I walk barefooted on pavement like it was carpet. I will stick to going barefooted thanks unless I'ts cold enough to wear gloves on my hands then I shall wear my Rockports too until I can be barefooted again. I don't think they are worth the money all they are is fancy slippers with toe inserts.

The shoes do look a little silly but, personally I could care less what my feet look like as long as I'm comfortable. I bought a pair of the fivefingers a week ago. I've been wearing them around town, the yard, house, etc.. I love the outdoors and thought this would be a great shoe for hiking, bouldering, running; things the for which fivefinger is advertised to be great. Then I decided to test the shoes after wearing them for several days. I went for a 6 mile hike. This was the biggest mistake I've made in a long time. Do not wear the Vibram FiveFingers shoe hiking. My feet (both) were covered in blisters after only 3 miles. Unfortunately, I was dumb enough not to travel with some good hiking shoes in-case the fivefingers failed me, which they did! I had to hike a very painful 3 mile back to my starting point stuck in those shoes. The fivefingers are great for casual wear and probably for swimming shoes, terrible for hiking!