Barefoot Shoes

[TsPoet]

I love these things, so wanted to share!
I’ve always had foot, knee, and back issues – not problems really but issues. The biggest things in the last few years have been spurs and hammer toes, which were getting worse. In late November someone talked me into trying Vibram Five Fingered Shoes.
Heaven, heaven.
My hammer toes have straightened a little – and they are no longer attacking the toes next to them. My feet are stronger, heal spurs gone. No knee trouble.
Negatives
– they are hard to put on at first – now I just slide them on like any old shoe.
- they have almost no sole, but that’s fine, you get used to feeling the ground
- first couple of weeks include some interesting acclimation – my feet felt like I’d put them through a huge workout – who knew your feet had muscles and you could make them sore? Second were my calves, they are used to having a heal on the shoe, so they had to get used to being stretch down, again felt like I’d been working out. I also think my calves are bigger than they used to be (definitely not a positive).
- my boss told me last week that I can't wear these to business meetings, since she talks to me about twice/year, I guess my footwear has been noticed and not liked. I've just ordered a different brand without the toes that will hopefully blend more for business purposes. (I already have a winter pair without the toes - they aren't nearly as "barefoot" for various reasons, so I recommend the funny looking ones!)
- I pretty much can't wear 'regular' shoes anymore, putting them on is agony.

Anyway, if you want to try something odd and new – barefoot shoes!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/business/30shoe.html
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

[Biciclista]

what shoe did you find by Vibram without the toes? Congrats on your happy feet!

oh i re-read what you said. What are the shoes you are wearing that are "less barefoot" ?

[Kalidurga]

I've been curious about these shoes since people first began mentioning them over in the Running forum. They sound very cool, but I have trouble talking myself into spending that much on any article of clothing.

[GLC1968]

I love my VFF's. I bought the SPRINT style in black (I really wanted a fun color but they only had black left in my size) and honestly, I wear them all the time and most people don't seem to notice them. They kind of look like a mary jane at first glance, and socks at second glance...only then do people comment. ;)

They are so fun to wear! Mine slipped on super easy the first time, but my feet are shapped just like the VFF's, so I kind of figured they would. I don't run in mine (just wear them around where barefeet are not allowed) but between those and running barefoot, my feet and lower legs are getting MUCH stronger which is exactly why I bought them.

[TsPoet]

oh i re-read what you said. What are the shoes you are wearing that are "less barefoot" ?

Terra Plana makes some (my winter shoes - even though they are thin, very very warm)
and I just ordered soft star shoes to, hopefully, wear at meetings.
http://birthdayshoes.com/vff-alternatives/


I've been curious about these shoes since people first began mentioning them over in the Running forum. They sound very cool, but I have trouble talking myself into spending that much on any article of clothing.

I forgot price as a negative, they are expensive! They are all expensive for what they are. The softstar I just ordered were $63 instead of $100.
but, the Treks that I got back in November are in great shape, and I've warn them every day since - including walking the dogs and short hikes up hills and around work... everywhere all the time. So, so far they stand up to wear, I was afraid they'd be expensive and fall apart quickly, not so.

[Kalidurga]

I might have to break down one of these days and get a pair for warm weather use. I used to hike in soft-soled suede moccasins and it felt so good. These sound as if they would give a feeling somewhat along those lines.

[sfa]

I wanted to get a pair of these, but when I went shopping I found that there wasn't a shoe that would fit my unnaturally long toes AND unnaturally narrow heels--it was one or the other, so I just skipped it. My husband was shopping with me and decided to get himself a pair, though, and he loves them!

Sarah

[OakLeaf]

Aw, bummer sfa, sounds like you and I have the same feet. I might try some of them on anyway just to be sure... was there a model that was closer to fitting you than the others?

[sfa]

The store I went to didn't have any of the fuller-coverage shoes--it was just the moccasin type with nothing on the top of the foot, so there was no good way to adjust the fit. I'm thinking the Mary Jane style (sorry, I don't know the actual style names--the one with the strap over the top!) would work better because then I could get it to fit my toes and the strap on top would let me adjust it to stay on my foot.

Here we go: the Sprint, Flow, or KSO models look like they could be adjusted a lot better to fit my weird feet. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_Sprint_f.cfm I need to find a local shop that sells them--I like doing most of my shopping online, but shoes are the one thing I have to try on before buying.

Sarah

[TrekTheKaty]

Thanks for the link.

I'm definitely interested. I know when I used to run, the 5-toe socks were the only thing that got me through a marathon without blisters on my small toe. The running store says I have wide feet, so I've been sticking with Sauconys, Keen and Dansko.

I'll have to ask my chiropractor. He doesn't like my birks, but gave a thumbs-up to my Keens.

Too bad you can't wear these to work. I'm interested in the black ones.

The kayaking reference did it for me--I almost bought water shoes last summer, and these will be a perfect multi-use summer shoe.

[KnottedYet]

The video on this page (youtube from Nature) is utterly fascinating.
http://birthdayshoes.com/results-of-daniel-lieberman-barefoot-running-research-beginning-to-emerge

Don't be confused by the fact that the barefoot runner has a higher point pressure than the shod runner. What is cool is the difference at initial impact. I want to find the paper and see if the higher point pressure is windlass rebound, essentially recycling the energy from mid/fore foot impact into a more powerful or more efficient toe-off.

I can't wear VFF, which was a huge disappointment. My toes and the VFF toes don't match. But I run in Chaco Z1 and Z2 sandals, which allow me to midfoot strike and solved a lot of my running troubles.

ETA: Ooooh, science nerd heaven! Looky! http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

[marni]

both my son and daughter wear VFF pretty much all the time although they originally bought them for running. My daughter found a store model pair for me that I am still trying to get used to. My son gave me some five toe socks which are about the only thing I have found besides custom fitted hand knit socks that fit and keep my feet warm. My feet look very much like the shoes, wide short and short toes. I may work up enough courage to wear them to the gym one of these days for cardio work and intervals on the treadmill, once I get used to them and have them stretched out and broken in a bit.

marni

[arielmoon]

Thanks for all the links! I have been fascinated by the movement of barefooting! I hope to visit a store near me and check it out!

[lph]

Oh dear. I am fascinated by these shoes, and I love to go barefoot, but I just cannot get past the way they look. I mean... they look like FEET! Nothing wrong with feet, of course, except when they look like rubber robot feet in purple, blue and camouflage... so they look like somebody spilled paint all over their feet and then stuck little rubber caps on their toes :D I swear, I haven't found any footwear as ugly since Crocs.

However, at some point I'm probably going to try them, fall in love, never want to take them off and loudly deny ever finding them ugly ;)

[Becky]

LPH, I think they're totally ugly, but my VFF KSOs are the most comfortable things in the world! I can't wait until it's warm enough to wear them outside.

[gnat23]

I've been in the Vibram camp for a while now. I love the idea of them, but I have to admit that I was excited and didn't "ease" into them. I was punished by some pretty severe shin splints for about two weeks.

They definitely get comments. People call them my geckofeet.

If you want the barefoot affect without the toes, try the Nike Free line. They look like normal shoes, but have way less support!

-- gnat! (Still wears Vans nearly every day)

[GLC1968]

Oh dear. I am fascinated by these shoes, and I love to go barefoot, but I just cannot get past the way they look. I mean... they look like FEET! Nothing wrong with feet, of course, except when they look like rubber robot feet in purple, blue and camouflage... so they look like somebody spilled paint all over their feet and then stuck little rubber caps on their toes :D I swear, I haven't found any footwear as ugly since Crocs.

However, at some point I'm probably going to try them, fall in love, never want to take them off and loudly deny ever finding them ugly ;)

Honestly, I think Crocs are WAY uglier! ;)

[OakLeaf]

I can't wait until it's warm enough to wear them outside.

You need to talk to Urlea.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=485579&postcount=28

[TsPoet]

Oh dear. I am fascinated by these shoes, and I love to go barefoot, but I just cannot get past the way they look. I mean... they look like FEET! Nothing wrong with feet, of course, except when they look like rubber robot feet in purple, blue and camouflage... so

I got their leather topped version - brown leather shoes, other than the toes, they look normal (to me).
the first day I wore them to work, coming out of the lady's room a coworker was literally pacing out in the hall. I said "hi, Theresa, what's wrong". She said
"OH! Thank God! I was wondering what large black man was in the stall next to me!"

[Becky]

You need to talk to Urlea.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=485579&postcount=28

Urlea is a bad-@ss cold-weather running animal! I am not...I am a Mid-Atlantic weather wuss ;)

[OakLeaf]

I got their leather topped version - brown leather shoes, other than the toes, they look normal (to me).
the first day I wore them to work, coming out of the lady's room a coworker was literally pacing out in the hall. I said "hi, Theresa, what's wrong". She said
"OH! Thank God! I was wondering what large black man was in the stall next to me!"

That's hilarious. :D:D

[ginny]

I bought the VFF and ... I like the feeling of them, but my toes just aren't happy. I can only wear them for about an hour before my feet start cramping (maybe from my toes not being happy about being separated from their buddies). I only wore them maybe 10-15 times... bummer. A lot of $$ for something that was a washout for me. If anyone wants slightly used VFF (I will look up what style and size), PM me... (I can throw them in the wash before I send them to you and I don't have any foot funk...). Maybe I'll try those birthday shoes. Also, has anyone worn Sanuk's? I LUUURRRRVVVVEEE them! They are sandles with a shoe upper - made by surfers, and I can wear them working in a lab! Have I mentioned that I love them? They truly are flip flops with a slightly more presentable look... I consider them my new barefoot shoes.

[ginny]

um... for those who are interested, the VFF I would sell are KSO women's size 38 in brown. I'll see if I can't get a picture posted today or tomorrow...

Ginny