Vibram Five Fingers

[nogardsram]

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com

Anyone have any experience with these? I'm thinking about trying to find a nearby store and get some.

I've searched and a couple people posted about these, but I wanted to see a thread on them.

By the way from:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/technology/faqs.cfm



ARE VIBRAM FIVEFINGERS A GOOD CHOICE FOR VEGANS?
Yes! Currently, every style and color of Vibram FiveFingers is made from vegan friendly materials.

[MrFlibble]

I've thought about it (and own 4 pairs of shoes/boots with vibram soles), but there still a bit too much of a rip off in the UK.

[Quinoa]

:hi: nogardsram

They look interesting – going barefoot is just the best but not recommendable most of the time, at least not in the city, so I never get to do it much except on the island. I’m interested in opinions too, I’d be afraid to get a sore between my toes from them?!
Almost can’t believe it but they are already available in Germany?! Wow. Not sure if I’d actually dare to wear them “in public”, but if I did, as people probably would stare at them anyways, I could as well write v-e-g-a-n on the toes LOL. I think I’d like the KSO (http://www.vitalisworld.de/Fitness/FiveFingers-Zehenschuhe/Vibram-FiveFingers-KSO-Zehenschuhe::1026.html). Looks like they’re sold out at the moment though, but you can pre-order from the new range in November. €100 is not half bad.

[IamJen]

Oh, that "between the toes" design would drive me insane, but they sound like a neat idea. MrF, what do you mean, that you have some shoes with vibram soles? Are they some sort of slip-ins?

:hi: nogardsram, btw. Long time, no see.

[MrFlibble]

Vibram generally make extremely comfortable (esp for walking/hiking) soles (as in the whole base of the shoe) that other manufacturers then use in their own shoes. For instance I've a pair of these (http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/pc-364-20-veggie-trekker-mk4-brown.aspx) which are great for hill walking (I've not walked in other vegan hiking boots but the build quality seems far superior to those i've seen, such as ethicalwares). My other 3 pairs are Merrell (http://www.fitnessfootwear.com/s-29-mens-vegan-shoes.aspx). They're very hardwaring and comfortable for casual use (I'm wearing some now).

[nogardsram]

Hi Quinoa and IamJen. I've been away from the internets for awhile.

I'm currently working on my toe dexterity and am really interested in this product partly for that purpose. I really, really, really dislike shoes, but they seem so necessary.

[WonderRandy]

and you guys think Crocs are ugly???

those are hideous!

[nogardsram]

I didn't realize I thought Crocs were ugly. I assume we're not talking about crocodiles.

I don't really think they're hideous, I just think they're very outside the norm. Which I like. And I think they're more functional or at least wonder from feedback hopefully if they are.

[erin84]

nogardsram

I have tried them on and i love them. however I wouldn't buy them until i need shoes, which I don't at the moment.

Separating toes is great for your posture and body alignment and being almost barefoot is great for a range of purposes. I hate wearing shoes and go barefoot most of the time (often with horrific injuries as a result!). When my sneakers run out I am most likely going to get a pair.

[nogardsram]

nogardsram

I have tried them on and i love them. however I wouldn't buy them until i need shoes, which I don't at the moment.

Separating toes is great for your posture and body alignment and being almost barefoot is great for a range of purposes. I hate wearing shoes and go barefoot most of the time (often with horrific injuries as a result!). When my sneakers run out I am most likely going to get a pair.

Thanks for the input.

The closest place to me where I can try them on is several hundred miles away. Guess I'll have to plan a trip soon.

[Fyvel]

Sorry but just looking at those makes my toes squirm. I'm very weird about my feet & toes. I tried on those toe socks once and *shudder*...

[nogardsram]

Gosh, I didn't realize how uncomfortable this was for people. :)

[erin84]

Sorry but just looking at those makes my toes squirm. I'm very weird about my feet & toes. I tried on those toe socks once and *shudder*...

I'm the opposite ... I only wear toe socks when I have to wear any socks at all, and when my toes touch one another I feel physically ill!

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

WOW! I think they look absolutely COOL! I have worn Birkenstocks exclusively for 15 years (or go barefoot whenever I can get away with it) - because I have serious heel spur problems AND can't stand anything around my toes, even socks....

I would LOVE to try these but I wonder if I could get used to something seriously enclosing my toes. It'd sure be fun to try though...

[Willowriver]

Well, I BOUGHT a pair months ago. There is no place around me where I could try them on (no, seriously, no REIs here :( ). They were too big. So I sent them back and asked for another size. Apparently they don't have the other size, and it's been forever since I sent them back. It was nice of their customer service to email and tell me what was going on, but I've been waiting for quite some time, and I even asked for either of two colors, whatever came in my size the quickest. So not so impressed about that.

Otherwise, I think I'll like them a lot. I tried on a pair, and they seemed super comfy (if you like being barefoot, which I absolutely do), they were just too big.

[Mr. Sun]

I really, really, really dislike shoes, but they seem so necessary.

You are such a freakin hippy!



I like that. :)




I don't think I could ever wear those "shoes". I remember some socks that used to have those separated toes and I could never understand why someone would want to wear them.

[Pixelle]

Vibram five fingers sounds like a euphemism for masturbation to me :D

[nogardsram]

Vibram five fingers sounds like a euphemism for masturbation to me :D

Yeah, that's what I like about them too.

[nogardsram]

I don't think I could ever wear those "shoes". I remember some socks that used to have those separated toes and I could never understand why someone would want to wear them.

Do you prefer mittens or gloves on your hands?

[Mr. Sun]

Do you prefer mittens or gloves on your hands?

Well, I have Raynaud's Sydrome (when I was growing up I thought everyone got really, really cold hands and feet - my hands and feet stay cold even when I have a fever) so I definitely prefer mittens. But yeah, I get your point, I don't mind wearing gloves at all. The thought of wearing those socks and shoes still bothers me though.

So what are you going to do when you have more dexterity in your feet/toes? I guess you could type on your computer and eat at the same time if you master some new skills.

[nogardsram]

So what are you going to do when you have more dexterity in your feet/toes? I guess you could type on your computer and eat at the same time if you master some new skills.

What do you mean could? My words per minutes with my toes is around 15 right now. I'm working on making a special keyboard that I put on the ground fit for my feet. I figure it's easier to type with my feet than to try to get flexible enough to and dexterous enough to put a spoon or fork in my mouth. At least yet.

Maybe I'm just lazy. I figure I don't have to bend over if I use my toes to pick stuff up.

[jenna]

i like mine but it took more than once to get a good fit.

you're lucky if you're able to find a store that carries them.

[GadgetGirl]

I think they're great too !! I went down in size so they would fit snugly even when wet - and the only thing I would change is that. Stick with your regular size. They are terrific. The ONLY time I didn't like them is when I was stuck on HOT concrete for a long walk. Otherwise, I wish I had one pair in every color of the rainbow !!

[kazyeeqen]

I can't wait to get a pair. For the folks who have them; have you had them long? How worn do they get from everyday use? If I like 'em am I going to have to get a new pair every six months or something ridiculous is what I'm after, so how do they hold up?

[Kiz]

Vibram five fingers sounds like a euphemism for masturbation to me :D

I'm glad I'm not the only one with a dirty mind. I thought it sounded like a sex toy.