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/