Barefooting It: Vibram FiveFingers

Raise your hand if you like being barefoot.  I know you can’t see me but I am raising my hand.  When I was a kid it was my preferred mode of travel.  It didn’t always happen though as little boys are want to get their feet in some pretty dirty and dangerous situations.  But when I was around the house I was barefoot.

Fast forward to today and not much has changed.  I still prefer not having shoes on my feet.  When I am at work they come off.  The first thing to come off when I get home is my shoes.  But, just like when I was a kid, I can’t go barefoot everywhere.  Notice the “No shirt, no shoes, no service” rules.  If any of you are still with me at this point and you are nodding your head in agreement, I have good news for you.  I have found the perfect alternative to traditional shoes if you don’t mind a few weird looks from other people.

Enter Vibram FiveFingers

You might be asking, “Why?  Why would you wear these weird-looking shoes, Brian?”  (I know my wife is asking that question.)  Let me give you a few reasons:

• I like going barefoot.  (Based on the preceding paragraphs I hope that was obvious.)  This is the closest to being barefoot as one can get.  You have the use of all your toes independently of each other and you can still feel the ground beneath your feet.
• Being barefoot is healthy for your feet and legs.  Our feet were created the way they are for a reason.  Have you ever run around barefooted?  Doesn’t it feel grand?  There is a reason for that.  Your feet are one of the most complex bone and muscle structures on your body.  When they are allowed to move and flex the way they were created to it strengthens them and your legs.
• Being barefoot improves balance.  Why do you think gymnasts do their balance beam routines without shoes on?  Your toes are a large part of what keeps you balanced.  When you encase them in a tradition shoe you eliminate a large amount of their balancing power.

All of these are especially true during exercise, which is one of the main reasons I got them.  I bought them as running shoes but I am already using them for so much more.

All of the above I knew before I bought the FiveFingers.  So what do I think of them after I have used them for a bit?  I like them a lot!

The first time I tried to put a pair on I had some trouble.  My toes did not want to separate to go in their individual pockets.  Apparently this happens to everyone because the muscles that work our toes are not developed very well because of the shoes we wear. In a traditional shoe the toes work as a unit, many of them not even being used in your stride.  As you develop the muscles by being barefoot or wearing FiveFingers it is much easier for your toes to work independently of each other.  I am sure that an increase in balance and running power will come from strengthened toes.

The first time I ran in the FiveFingers I immediately noticed a difference in the way my foot hit the ground.  In a normal running shoe the heel strikes first.  This can cause a lot of strain on the joints of the leg. In the FiveFingers I ran more on the ball of my foot.  From what I have read this difference allows the arch of the foot to take a lot of the impact so it doesn’t translate up to your knees and hips which could help prevent injury.

I bought these as primarily running shoes but I have found that they serve many functions.  I have enjoyed wearing them around like normal shoes.  They are very comfortable.  I usually take long trips in sandals so that I can take them off while in the car.  FiveFingers allow me to have the barefoot feeling while not having to worry about taking my shoes on and off.  Very handy.

I haven’t tried them in this way yet but I am sure that they would work great for the lake or other water sports.  They would also be great for hiking and climbing.  I would also like to give them a try during weight lifting.

Oh, and they are machine washable and dry very quickly.

I own the KSO model of the FiveFingers but I am also looking into the Sprints and Treks.

I have only had them a short while but I can tell you that they are great.  They allow me to be essentially barefoot in situations that I normally would not allow it.  Whether it is exercising or going to the store these shoes deliver the comfort and performance that only barefooting can give.

Brian

Here are a couple websites to look at that will give you some more info on these remarkable shoes:

www.vibramfivefingers.com

www.birthdayshoes.com

Update:  I have made my first real run in my FiveFingers.  I ran a little over a mile and I understand why people say that it takes time to break your feet and legs into wearing them.  I found it most comfortable to run on the balls of my feet and by the end of the run they felt hot (friction I am guessing).  Also as predicted I felt the most soreness in the arch of my foot and my lower calf muscle.  It felt very natural to run in these shoes.