Vibram FiveFingers Walking Shoes

Barefoot Walking Sandals

Vibram FiveFingers shoes imitate barefoot walking. They are shaped as a foot with separate toes. They are flexible to give the freedom of barefoot walking, but with the protection of a Vibram sole. The theory is that they will help people with balance. They come in several styles. The FiveFingers Classic is a simple slip-on with an open forefoot. The FiveFingers Sprint adds a strap so it can be used for fitness walking or running. The FiveFingers KSO adds mesh over the forefoot to "Keep Stuff Out," such as gravel and grit. The FiveFingers Flow covers the forefoot with neoprene for colder weather and water use.

The sole of the Vibram FiveFingers is made of Vibram TC1 performance rubber. The upper of the Classic is made of polyamide fabric, which is quick-drying. The footbed is made of antimicrobial microfiber, as wearers generally would not be able to wear socks. The shoes are machine washable. They are lightweight, 4 to 5 ounces for each shoe.

Drawbacks of the Vibram FiveFingers

As with any lightweight, minimalist shoes, this shoe should be worn for short periods of time as the wearer builds up tolerance to it. The FiveFingers will not provide support, stability, or motion control and should be used cautiously by those who need those elements.

People with toes of lengths that don't match those of the shoe will have difficulty. People may experience some discomfort with the toes being separated. The shoe may rub between the toes and cause blistering or hot spots. These shoes won't work for people with webbed toes or extra toes.

As the FiveFingers are worn without socks, wearers may detect more foot odor from the shoes. They can be machine washed and air dried.

David Van Veen has been wearing Vibram FiveFingers and describes his experience. David is a college student, not a shoe expert or foot health expert.

"I picked up the most basic model, FiveFingers Classic, as I've been going through a minimalist phase as of late. I had a difficult time in sizing, since they aren't sold in normal American shoe sizes. After some searching, I found a guide on how to measure your foot for them, now placed on their website, and I was off to the races! As a hindsight, I'd suggest that if you have toe nail problems, you get a pair that is one size bigger, a mere 1/4”, as the fittings are exact.

A few days went by, and they arrived. It was time to barefoot. Getting them on was a bit of a learning curve. My advice now is to set them on the floor, and line all of your toes up, sliding in just a small way until each toe is in the proper place. Then, explore. I walked around on my carpet first, just to make sure they were what I wanted, and, this is the honest truth, I've never enjoyed carpet so much. I'm a young, single guy, with other guy roommates, so it is often a bit hazardous to walk around barefoot. With these on, though, I could feel the carpet (ever felt carpet in your shoes?), as well as the hazards, but nothing hurt. I felt like a superhero; a feeling that persists every time I walk over a new surface."

David Van Veen continues:
"The change these little shoes have had on my life is what I'd like to impart on you. They have reawakened my desire to explore. A simple walk around the block has been transformed. I now walk on the sidewalk, and all types of grass (yes, they all feel different), weeds, metal grating, etc. My favorite thing so far is to walk on crunchy leaves.

They have also gotten me out of the city a lot more. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and I've taken them on a number of hikes. I get quite a few looks as I pass people on the trails, and at viewpoints, quite a few questions.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that these tiny 'shoes' have reinvigorated my passion for walking and hiking. It is no longer a simple way to get exercise, or travel, but an experience, one that has made me, at the very least, a little less lazy."

Shoe reviewer David Van Veen answers questions about Vibram FiveFingers. David is a college student, not a shoe or foot health expert.

"Are they comfortable? Yes and no. Sharp rocks still don't feel good. While I can walk over them without wincing, they make themselves known.

Arch support? The whole point of arch support is to support our weak arches. The beauty of an arch is that when you press down on it, it gets stronger. You walk completely different with these shoes. While you are protected, you still walk with a toe-heel motion, as opposed to the heel-toe rocking motion when wearing shoes.

Are they water moccasins? I get this one a lot. It is hard to explain to people what they are for, as they are for everything, and we are so used to having a different shoe for each activity. I normally tell someone that anything you do with your foot, you can do with these. For those who wish to participate in water sports though, I would recommend one of the FiveFingers with a strap."