1st Impression: Vibram 5 Finger Barefoot Shoes

[KnottedYet]

I tried a pair on at REI. (the ones with the strap across the instep and straps at the heels) Size 40 fit me fine. I generally wear a 9 or 9.5 in women's shoes. They fit like a glove. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

If your foot is *exactly* like the ideal foot they model these shoes for, you will love them! They do feel like going barefoot! Free toes, grippy yet smooth soles, flexible flexible flexible!

I did a little fake "bouldering" on the shoe try-out "rock" in the shoe dept, and boy howdy would these make awesome bouldering shoes!

My toes fit the little toe parts perfectly, but my heel wasn't quite the right shape. No matter how I tried to adjust the heel straps, I just couldn't get it right. I was wearing a pair of Injinji toe socks, which saved my foot from some serious pain at the heel.

If it hadn't been for the fit of the heel, I'd've been seriously tempted to buy these. The other styles didn't interest me, so I didn't try them. Perhaps the heel issue wouldn't have surfaced with a different style.

If you get the chance, try them out! 5 Finger shoes are very cool!

[mimitabby]

Knot, interesting! I am going thursday to check them out.
I read another review somewhere and the reviewer had the same problem, the heel wasn't quite right. I am surprised at the sizing though.

[Kitsune06]

I've heard similar heel complaints. Supposedly the 'sprint' is better for it than the 'classic' because one is not so tempted to draw the elastic tight. who knows?

[KnottedYet]

The "Sprint" is the one I tried on. Even if I disconnected the heel straps entirely, the heel still didn't fit right.

But they were nifty shoes... (wistful sigh)

Mimi - the sizing is pretty much what I wear in European sizes. 40 in just about everything. They are supposed to fit like a glove, so when I pulled 'em out of the box I was thinking "whoa, little shoes!" But once you've got them on, it's peachy. If you know your European size give that size a try even if it looks small.

[colby]

Those look way cool!! I love my Keens because they are foot shaped, but this takes it to the next step. But... I wonder if they will fit me. I have a wide forefoot and need a wide (usually mens) toebox, but I have more like a womens narrower heel. Had to buy mens' Sidis, no way the womens would fit. I can wear womens' of some shoes, though.

I'll have to check them out next time I'm at REI in Seattle. Nobody has them around here (yet?).

[annie]

Those are so cool!! I wish there was somewhere around where I live to try them on..... I will have to search. I also wish they made a model for biking cleats!

Annie

[KnottedYet]

Those look way cool!! I love my Keens because they are foot shaped, but this takes it to the next step. But... I wonder if they will fit me. I have a wide forefoot and need a wide (usually mens) toebox, but I have more like a womens narrower heel. Had to buy mens' Sidis, no way the womens would fit. I can wear womens' of some shoes, though.

I'll have to check them out next time I'm at REI in Seattle. Nobody has them around here (yet?).

It sounds like you and I have very similar feet. I also love Keens (but love my Chacos more!). I have a wide set of toes (and a neuroma in my left foot) and very narrow heel. The 5-Fingers fit really well, except for an oddity at the heel. It was like the back side of the heel was too long and it was pushing the sole part away from my foot. Or trying to fold over on itself.

Next time I'm downtown I'll try out the "Classic" and see if it fits my foot better.

[mimitabby]

after wearing my Nike Free's for about a year I wore my Keens and the arch did not feel good on my foot. I can't wear them any more!

Nike Free's protect your foot and keep it in a more natural shape. The foot problems I was having with the Keens are completely gone now.

[mimitabby]

Went to REI yesterday to pick up my Bike to work month packet and check out those shoes.

The guy brought me a pair of 41's. I put them on and they fit my toes divinely.
I could wiggle my toes and they were delightful. but the heel of the shoe was about 1 inch behind my foot, they were clearly too big.

Next I tried a pair of 40's. this time my pinky toes felt like i was trying to wrench them off. No 40.5 ??? no fit. no buy.

As I suspected, by limiting sizes they are going to seriously limit sales too.
A shoe that fits like a glove had better fit like a glove!

So Instead, amused by the whole toe thing, i bought a pair of Nuwool toe socks
they are in ugly colors, but they feel GOOD.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Keens have pretty high arches. My feet have very high arches too, and I find the Keens feel divine and supportive. Been wearing several Keens for over a year now- I LOVE their high arches. For me it feels like having a great ergonomic office chair that gives you good lower lumbar back support.
I know other people with more flattish feet that have had arch pain when they try to wear Keens.