Vibram FiveFingers – Those Funky Toe Glove Shoes

Many years ago, in what seems like a galaxy far far away – a friend posted about these funky toe glove shoes he had been wearing and loving.

My first thought was ‘Eeeeeewwww… I hate wearing flip flops and having things between my toes. Why on earth would I want something between all my toes??’.

As with things that are jarring initially, mind virus seeds are planted. They grow slowly and keep re-entering your consciousness. Over the years, I’ve peered in on the VibramFiveFingers.com website to look further as part of my eternal quest for the perfect shoes.

My toes started thinking about what it would be like to be individually wrapped. My feet craved walking barefoot more and more. And my limited shoe carry space craved the slim design.

When I had opportunity to visit my friend over the summer, I asked him if he was still loving his VFFs. Indeed he was.. and he was still wearing the same pair he had posted about many years ago, and let me fondle them.

I was set to take the plunge…

And then the wind was knocked out of me.. Timothy Ferris, well known in the ‘lifestyle design’ universe as the author of the The 4-Hour Workweek posted about getting a pair, becoming the poster child for making them popular.  We already get labeled as ‘lifestyle designers’ ala Tim Ferris (who’s book we did not touch until well into our own journey).. so I was reluctant to be seen as literally following in his five toed footsteps too.

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But gosh darnit.. I wanted a pair! And I wanted them before they were ‘cool’ and ‘trendy’ and an icon of independent jetsetting new rich lifestyle.

I kept seeing other friends of mine trying them out here and there. When I mentioned them to people I respect and admire, they admitted a curiosity too.

Instead of taking the plunge tho.. I took an intermediate step. I ordered myself a pair of high quality toe socks from Sock Dreams (an excellent resource of funky socks… and I now have an eclectic collection of toe socks). I experimented with how my feet reacted to wearing something around them full time. My feet loved it.

So.. my last hurdle was that I had settled on the ‘Sprint’ design being what I was most called too. I liked the adjustability of them, as I tend to have odd feet to fit in closed toed designs. But the Sprints, everytime I looked, didn’t come in black. And I just couldn’t bring myself to getting a funky colored pair. I wanted something versatile for everyday wear.

So one morning, after standing on my feet for 12 hours straight… my feet aching in traditional closed toed shoes.. packing boxes at Amazon.com, I pondered – would I feel happier not having my little piggies confined? I checked the VFF website.. and viola – black ladies Sprints. I got out a tape measure, did my best to measure my own feet and ordered a pair as my holiday gift to myself. After a month of being on my feet non-stop, my feet deserved it.

I’ve now been walking in these things pretty much every day for 3 months straight. They are super comfy, comfier than I ever imagined. My feet adapted to them instantly. I’ve done extensive urban hiking (5-10 miles a day in New Orleans and Austin most recently), trail hiking on rocky dirt paths and am now slowly getting back into jogging with the Couch to 5K program. I’m walking differently – the ball of my feet striking first, not my heel.

My leg muscles are used differently, and my toes have spread out, expanded and grown in strength. My feet feel and look different – healthier. More natural. I’m more in touch with the earth beneath me, more aware of my surroundings. My step feels more stable.

They’re also ideal for travel, as they’re versatile, small to carry and can go from hiking to dancing. I’m enjoying changing their look with a variety of fun toe socks. People strike up conversations with me.. allowing my introvert to not have to initiate contact with strangers. If I carried several pairs with me, I could likely sell them on the street.

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My only complaint so far is that the Sprints are not well suited for cold weather, wet weather or snow. For now, that’s no longer a concern – but if I find myself in the frigid tundra of Florida for the winter again, I may have to think again.

Curious? Check out Birthday Shoes as independent resource too.