Anyone here try the Vibram Five Finger [Toed] Shoes, yet?

[teedubya]

I got a pair for Christmas, well a couple days before Christmas... and they are by far, the most comfortable shoe that I've ever worn.

I have flat feet, and so standing properly in shoes has always been a challenge... but the way these shoes are constructed, my feet are perfectly in the right place, for like the first time ever.



http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.htm

Our revolutionary design makes feet healthier by allowing them to move more naturally and freely.

The typical human foot is an anatomical marvel of evolution with 26 bones, 33 joints, 20 muscles and hundreds of sensory receptors, tendons and ligaments. Like the rest of the body, to keep our feet healthy, they need to be stimulated and exercised.

So, I've elected to not wear shoe mittens anymore and I've evolved my footwear.

This isn't my review... but I feel the same.

[philfree]

They need to make a pair of boots. Call it the 'Hobit' or something.




They should probably go higher up your leg.

This reminds me of a friend of mine who cut some big feet out of wood, strapped them to his feet and made bigfoot tracks in the mud by the creek.

PhilFree

[Fish]

Ooops. Turns out these are bad for your feet. Causing Vibram to pay out $3.75M...

STUDY

Maker of Five-Toed Running Glove-Shoe Things is Paying Big to Settle Suit Over "Unsubstantiated" Health Claims

You know those running shoes, pictured above, that look like sock-gloves made out of a substance you'd use while cleaning a kitchen? They're supposed to emulate the act of running barefoot, and became popular around the same time as other "return to the natural environment" trends like the Paleo Diet. But one of the companies that manufactures them, Vibram, has just agreed to pay $3.75 million and stop making "claims that FiveFingers footwear is effective in strengthening muscles or reducing injury" in a class-action settlement brought on behalf of buyers who felt swindled by "false and unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits" of the shoes. From Runner's World:

Bezdek alleged that Vibram deceived consumers by advertising that the footwear could reduce foot injuries and strengthen foot muscles, without basing those assertions on any scientific merit. “The gist of her claim is that Vibram illegally obtained an economic windfall from her because it was only by making false health claims that Vibram induced consumers to buy FiveFingers shoes, and to pay more for them than they would have otherwise,” Harvard Law School professor, John C. P. Goldberg, told Runner’s World at the time of the original filing.

Customers who submit valid claims are expected to receive somewhere between $20 and $50 per pair. The company does not acknowledge any wrongdoing in the settlement.

For what it's worth, the following passage still appears on a page of Vibram's website titled "Why Barefoot Works":

Just remember, improving the skill of those muscles then practicing and using those muscles in Vibram FiveFingers® will increase both endurance and strength. This will have profound beneficial effects on your body and wellbeing.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by lazepoo

They do make you look a little goofy, but who cares if they're comfortable?

A little?

[Rain Man]

I bought a pair of the toed shoes a couple of years ago. They weren't Vibrams, but they were some other name brand. I can't remember what brand.

They seemed comfortable in the store, but once I got them home and tried to wear them regularly, they didn't work very well at all. First off, the socks were hard to fit, and it seemed like you had to have socks. So I ended up carving up the socks to make them work. Then, they didn't breathe well at all so my feet were getting all hot and sweaty. I wore them perhaps 8 or 10 times and gave up on them. Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes.

[WilliamTheIrish]

They were panned in any good running store. I tried on a pair. Just walking around in the store I could feel the shock tranferred to my lower back.

No bueno

[loochy]

I wear them for squats and deads. I like the flatness andbthe feeling of being connected to the floor.

[Gravedigger]

Yeah I have Merrill Trail Gloves, barefoot shoes are pretty boss for working out.

[Jakemall]

I have a pair...used them for 2 weeks. My toes are too long.

[Silock]

I still wear them for yoga and doing yardwork. I also have another pair for the dog park and wading in and out of the lake.

[teedubya]

I do love wearing them... they form fit your foot nicely. But, they suck to go on hikes and shit in. Your feet will hurt. But for water stuff... going for a walk... working out, they are great. Walking on a trail with rocks? ****ing horrible.