Barefoot Shoes

[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/pro...s_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-...ning-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 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.

[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 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!

[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!"