Tim Ferriss on Vibram Shoes from Kevin Rose on Vimeo.
“The human foot is a work of art and a masterpiece of engineering.”
—Leonardo Da Vinci
“OK, dude, what’s up with the goofy shoes?”
It was the second day of Pavel’s RKC kettlebell course, and I’d seen more than a few people wearing what appeared to be gecko feet. The sheer goofiness compelled me to ask Rudy Tapalla, a CrossFit instructor from Chicago, why on earth he would put these ridiculous gloves on his toes. He seemed to have good mojo — he was shorter than me but had a vertical jump to match Michael Jordan — so I figured he might have good reasons.
He did, though I didn’t realize it at the time.
I remained a skeptic but tested them a month later. Now, I have three pairs and find it hard to wear other shoes. Vibram Five Fingers shoes (“VFFs” to the die-hard fans) are worth a closer look.
After two weeks of wearing them, the lower-back pain I’d had for more than 10 years disappeared and hasn’t returned since I started experimentation about 8 weeks ago.
Sound ridiculously implausible?
It doesn’t once we look at how feet and posture adapt…
Nasty Pictures and Maladapted Feet
Each human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles and tendons. It’s a surprisingly malleable structure.
From the cached version of the most excellent Nature’s Magic Bullet, referred to me by Joseph Mascaro:
Most people, including doctors, have never seen a natural foot, unaltered by footwear. The following images of habitually bare feet are taken from a study performed almost 100 years ago, published 1905 in the American Journal of Orthopedic Surgery, which examined the feet of native barefoot populations in the Philippines and Central Africa. A line can be drawn that runs through the heel, ball, and big toe of a habitually bare foot. The little toes spread naturally and fan out to provide a wide, stable base for walking or standing.
How do our shod feet compare? The following more common image, also taken from the 1905 study, demonstrates feet that are shaped like the owner’s shoes. No such line can be drawn, and the little toes crowd to a point—a comparatively unstable, narrow base for walking or standing.
The Simple Biomechanics of Bad Posture
Postural compensation is unavoidable while wearing shoes that elevate the heels. It’s necessary to maintain balance.
Chronic use of heels can result — and usually does — in some degree of kyphosis-lordosis and related pains in the lower back and mid-upper back.
Reversing Degeneration – Embracing the Barefoot Alternative
Vibram Five Finger models: KSO (blue), Classic (brown), Sprint (gray)
Laboratory studies show that the plantar arch alone returns at least 17 percent of the energy of impact. Running shoes have largely replaced our arches, but they are neither as effective nor as durable. Barefoot runners can clearly do as well as shoed runners, but it takes time to develop the strength in the foot to use our natural arch fully.
(Source: The Barefoot Route)
Ethiopian Abebe Bikila ran a world-record 2:15:17 marathon at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
Barefoot.
The unadorned human foot is built for running. In fact, some researchers have proposed that bipedalism is an evolved trait related to “persistence hunting”, which is common among predators like wolves. Don’t think a human can run an antelope to death? Think again.
So how do we reclaim our rightful arch strength, our stability, and undo the damage of years of unnatural posture? Not to mention rediscover the joy of feeling the terrain under our feet?
Going barefoot is one option, and one that I enjoy, but there are limits. In the concrete jungle, glass and other dangers make going Bushman a roll of the dice at best. Tetanus or a trip to the ER? I’ll pass.
The Vibram Five Fingers shoes, to differing degrees, allow you to both walk without a heel (as would wrestling shoes, Vivo Barefoot shoes, or thin flip-flops) and condition toe-spread, especially the big toe, for lateral stability.
I first tested the KSO (“keep stuff out”) model, which fits most like an aqua sock and has more padding than other models I tested.
I then tested the Classic model, the least complicated of all, and the Sprint model, which is almost a hybrid of the KSO and Classic.
I wear a size 9.5 men’s shoe in the US and tested EU 42 for the KSO and Classic, and an EU 43 for the Sprint.
The results, in brief:
My favorite model is, by far, the Classic. It’s easiest to get on, even with my worthless nub of a little toe, and it most closely mimics the true barefoot feel. The only downside is that, to get a snug fit and not have the heel come off the foot, you must slide the top slip-tie until it is quite tight. This will feel unusual for the first 24 hours or so. I have used the Classic to go trail running in SF and it is euphoric.
I love the KSO, but it is more of a process to get on, and far more conspicuous. At first, it’s fun to get a lot of attention with the shoes (gentlemen, you will not believe the “peacocking” effect of these puppies), but giving each person you meet a 5-minute explanation gets old fast. The Classic blends in more than the KSO or any model with straps. Black will help all models fade into the ground, but I prefer colors.
The Sprint model was so uncomfortable at first that I shelved them, never intending to test them again. It was the only model, and not due to size differences, that oddly pulled my little toe out, causing minor pain but great discomfort after even 10 minutes. I sent an e-mail to their US CEO, who responded back with a suggestion to “seat the heel”, particularly with the Sprint model. This means:
Slide your foot back to nestle your heel into the heel pocket. It’s important to get your heel deeply seated. Secure the instep strap BEFORE latching the heel straps. This will ensure the foot is positioned properly.
I have since been able to wear the Sprint model for 1-2 days at a time, no more than 1 hour of walking at a stretch, but the velcro strap can still bite into the skin without the KSO-like mesh below it. I find it the least comfortable of the three models.
But what about flat feet?
I had clinically-diagnosed arch problems as a child — flat feet supreme — and was prescribed not only custom orthopedic insoles but also exercises for the feet themselves, rolling up towels with the toes, etc.. For those who like random anecdotes, my mom e-mailed me this addition after I published this post:
You didn’t mention that you leapt at the orthopedist examining your feet, like Spidey to a wall.
Sounds like me. I was a little hellion. But we digress…
Needless to say, the exercises fell by the wayside, and I took to increasing levels of support through the shoes themselves. VFFs have been nothing short of spectacular for me, despite my history of flat feet.
Barefoot runners are often asked “but what do you use for arch support?”, to which they respond: “your arches”. I’ve found that my arches, and foot as a whole, feels better with less support rather than more.
Cautions and Cons
-Do not overdo it at first. Chances are that the ligaments and musculature of your feet is underdeveloped. Use them for no more than 1/2 – 1 mile in the first 24 hours, then take a day off. I suggest alternating VFFs with “normal” shoes or flat-soled shoes like Chuck Taylors for the first week. I now use VFFs for no more than three days in a row, as I’ve had some bruising on the heel with more, and such bruising is slow to heal and massively inconvenient. Asphalt is somewhat forgiving, concrete much less so (The Embarcadero in SF, for example), and marble or stone is brutal (casino floors in Las Vegas, etc.).
-Beware the sizing. There are complaints online of the VFF website sizing suggestions being inaccurate for some people. Get sized at a retail location that carries VFFs if possible. If you can’t, check the VFF return policy on their site or order through Amazon to ensure swaps are simple.
-Be prepared to wash them. VFFs are machine washable and should be air dried. There are five-toed socks like the Injinji brand, but I have found all of them to be incredibly painful between the toes, no matter which model of shoe is worn. I now only wear VFFs barefoot. One nice side-effect of the toe separation? No more athlete’s foot or foot skin issues.
In Closing
To embrace barefoot living or the barefoot alternative, you will have to change how you walk and run, avoiding the heel strike we’ve all used since putting thick Nike padding under our soles. No need to obsess, though, as your gait will adapt naturally — reverting to a natural state, as it were — as you avoid the discomfort of doing otherwise.
The fastest runners have a style quite similar to that of a person running without shoes. They absorb shock by landing lightly on their forefeet rather than on their heels, and their landing leg is beneath the torso, with the leg slightly bent to absorb impact.
…
According to exercise physiologist and Olympic marathoner Pete Pfitzinger, the key to starting out is to go slowly. He advises walking barefoot for a few weeks to toughen up the skin on the bottom of the foot as well as the muscles in the ankles and feet. Once you are ready to run, start with a mere five minutes, increasing slowly and running barefoot every couple of days. From there, build to up to 20 minutes over a month. After a few weeks of this, the feet and ankles will be stronger, thus reducing the risk of injury. Possible places to train include sandy beaches and golf courses.
The barefoot running technique has been described as falling forward. It has also been described as gently kissing the ground with the balls of your feet.
(Source: The Barefoot Route)
For those interested in developing the most efficient and low-impact running gait, I suggest starting with the Chi Running DVD (skip the book, which gets into too much pseudo-Asian chi mumbo jumbo) and moving to the Pose Method of Running book if interested in more specific details.
Experiment with rediscovering your feet and proper biomechanics.
If a few weeks can eradicate 10+ years of lower-back pain for me, it might just do something for you.
At the very least, you get to wear some goofy shoes that encourage you to wiggle your toes.
###
If you enjoyed this post, check out my latest book, The 4-Hour Body, #1 New York Times and #1 Amazon bestseller. You will learn: How to lose 20 pounds in 30 days (without exercise), how I gained 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days, how to go from running 5K to 50K in 12 weeks, and more.
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Other things you might not have seen:
Tim Ferriss in NY Times Styles: Too Much Information? Ignore It.
Tim Ferriss on Twitter – what I am doing right now?
Tim Ferriss Investments – what have I invested in recently?
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[…] second time I saw these shoes was in reading a blog post from author Tim Ferriss. In his post he shares an excellent look at the medical reasons and […]
Tim –
I believe there are many of benefits of training yourself with above mentioned shows, yet people with a leg difference will have a problem not being able to insert their orthotic. Not having it creates more stress on the lower back….Any thoughts?
I can attest to the fact that they are GREAT. I have flat fleet, and once I got used to barefoot / almost barefoot / VFF, there was no turning back.
However … the VFF have a VERY short life span. I get about three months out of a pair, and I’m just using them about 5 hours per week, and 80% of that is walking, not running. I only weigh about 150 pounds, I don’t drag my feet. And yet, that super thing rubber material wears out very, very quickly.
These shoes become a very expensive hobby, if you end up buying two, three, or even four pair a year. At $80+ dollars, that’s just prohibitive. I contacted the company about this, and they confirmed that due to the very thin sole and the nature of the material, this type of wear can be expected.
Yikes.
On the upside, I’ve found that some other shoes, especially the boating type shoes, can also work well. If you remove the insole from some of those shoe styles, you just have a very basic, very flexible bit of foot protection remaining. Much cheaper, and longer lasting.
So then, when will you change your header image to actually show your person in VFFs? 🙂
I’ve recently seen them in action, but they were a couple of sizes too small for me to consider even wearing them. And the only German retailer I could find in a Jiffy is at the other side of the country, which makes test-walking them a no-go.
Just read an article on barefooting in the June issue of Outside. Also, my sister doesn’t live near a five finger retailer so she ordered a pair from the vibram website using their measurement methods and they fit perfectly. Went to the dunes this weekend on Lake Michigan and wore the shoes on the dunes, in the lake, on the beach, in the campsite, in a creek, and into town. Love ’em!
Got the VFF KSOs a while ago and love every second in them. I recently nearly broke my pinky toe during a 5 mile run through some pretty rugged terrain – the trail is intended for mountain bike riding (I know, not the smartest thing to do, but I’ve been running other trails in the same reservation and was looking for a new, fresh run). Anyhow, my pinky toe snagged the root of a downed tree while I was running pretty fast. It hurt like hell. I finished out my run am taking a week or two off until it heals. I guess it’s back to the bike until then… but I’m looking forward to more running in the VFFs.
This is just an incredible post, the kind that could improve many people’s lives! Thank you Tim .
FiveFingers are top-notch!
I wrote Vibram to request that they begin carrying children’s sizes.
Please contact Vibram and request that they carry children’s sizes.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to prevent kids’ feet from developing poorly in the first place? 😀
Thanks for considering!
A grateful parent, cnn
I saw my first pair of Vibram 5-finger shoes the other day.
Amazingly, a fellow liveaboard (we both live on sailboats) was walking around the marina in a pair of them. He said he has owned them for about 2 years. He LOVES them.
Guess I’ll have to give them a try! LOL
Rob
Might FiveFingers cause a plantar stretch in individuals with high arches. This type of statement is often said by those who feel high arched individuals must wear orthotics to save the plantar from being stretched or torn.
Thanks for the information. It’s true that this shoes look really strange…but also so interesting..
[…] review of Vibram Five Fingers shoes. Interesting for its discussion of how normal shoes change the shape of our feet, the way we walk, […]
I picked up a pair of these and I have to agree that they definitely help with back pain! I’ve tried running in them with minimal success though I do appreciate the way they strengthen the feet and ankles from just normal wear and walking.
Had these shoes for a while now – and I love them.
I recommend EVERYONE own a pair. Just avoid any super-long walks on concrete. I went to an amusement park with them last weekend…. BAD idea.
Hey Tim,
Loved the article. I’ve run countless ultramarathons and thought for many years that I had some tough feet. When I got my VFF KSO’s, I walked .2 miles to the park with my kid and my achilles was eff’d up. I realized that my feet were pampered (and weakened) for way too long. I’ve been strenghtening them with VFF’s since.
I can’t agree with you more about taking it slowly. While I have run 100 miles in a single day, I started with only 1-2 mile runs in the five fingers. I ramped up to 5-6 miles, but still take it easy because I’m fighting against 30 years of foot evolution adapting to over-protective Nike’s…
Good luck to those that want to make this leap. If you have any questions, don’t stress about contacting me at TJ@HealthUnchained.com, I’m glad to help. Minimalist footwear is something I really believe in.
TJ
Like the writer of this article, I have also had back problems for about 10 years. I bought my vff ksos a little over two months ago, not because of my back, but because my brother had a pair and I thought they were cool. It has made a world of difference in my back though since I bought them. I wear them everyday, usually for 6-8 hours. I cannot stand regular shoes anymore and my feet and legs feel so much stronger. I am a vffer for life and recommend these shoes to anyone that has lowerback problems.
I know I’m late to the discussion, but maybe someone’ll answer? I’m not really a runner, mostly just crosstraining workouts at home, but now that the weather is nicer I’ve been taking the dog out more for walks and wanting to run more outside.
How would the VFFs be for someone who isn’t running tons of mileage? I’m incredibly intrigued by these, and the KSOs sound like they could double as watershoes for when I go camping/hiking/canoeing. I’m due for some new athletic shoes, and am thinking of getting a pair…if I’m not running regularly already, should I avoid the VFFs?
Hi Pete! I don’t see any reason to avoid them! At about $80, they’re a lot cheaper than many athletic shoes that aren’t nearly as good. So, it’s probably not like you’re paying too much even if you only use them occasionally.
I’m not what you’d call a serious athlete — or even an athlete, for that matter. But I love my VFFs! My husband and I mostly just wear them walking around the neighborhood and on trails. They still make a noticeable difference, though — no blisters or shin splints for me since making the switch, and my toes have stopped looking like the rest of my family’s (i.e. stubby, crowded toes with bunions forming). And actually, I’ve started walking more since I enjoy it a lot more now!
I’m a competative athelete and i had bad back pain for a long time, in my sport of figure skating it’s pretty much a promise that you’ll get flat feet. But last year a bought a pair of Nike Free cross trainers and felt like it was comfortable to run for the first time in my life (without my lower back tightening up so that i couldn’t train for the next few days.) I had been wearing orthopedic shoes and orthodics that were perscribed by my trainers and doctors, but now my feet are healthy and my stamina, strength and skills are all so much better, now i moved up from the 7.0 frees to the 5.0 frees (on a scale where 0.0 is barefoot) I’ve been looking to grab a pair of the vibrams for a while, I’m sure now i’ll grab them when i get back home. Unfortunately though, because i live in Canada it’s tough to wear such shoes year round. Unless they come out with a winter boot version ofcourse (which they should!).
Hi, I have been doing aerobics classes at the gym for the past two months and cannot last longer then 10 mins before I have to take my shoes off due to pain and cramping in my feet. It doesn’t matter what shoes I wear it happens everytime – as soon as I take my shoes off and do it in barefeet the pain goes away. The only problem is when I do it in barefeet I get incredibly sore knees the next day. I have tried inserts in my shoes but it only makes it worse!! Would these vibram five finger shoes work for me?? Can they be used in aerobics classes?? Can I get them in New Zealand?
I can’t run at all right now and use the KSO for walking the dog, the Brooklyn Bridge and all around – -except when I have to be at a business meeting – – the KSO is still too odd looking. Try them – – you get hooked because it is so much healthier a way of walking and your feet will love them.
Pete, Tim & friends,
Personal anecdote: Two days ago I walked and ran without foot pain in 12 years! Any pain at all. I’m 6’6″ formerly heavily D1 recruited lineman when I was knocked out of the sport with incurrably flat and maleformed feet – or so said the best doctors in Texas (I went to Drew Brees’s guy for example.) They told me to take up a new sport. Three broken bones in my foot later, I had to comply. I’ve busted my 1st meditarsal (the big one) two collapsed arches, two broken navicular bones (Yao’s plight) titanium pins, 5 different makers of orthodics, etc etc etc. My first break was 12 years ago.
In June I read a Christopher McDougal article in Men’s Health magazine about the Tarahumara Indians and the complete lack of evidence supporting current running shoe technology (shoe marketing is more like it.) On the strength of this and other research I started running stairs, lightly, barefoot. Within a month I had my VFFs and if I wasn’t at work I was barefoot or in them.
Now my feet are 100% cured. 100%. I have an arch again (seriously I’ve measured my instep progression) and I can run! I never expected to be able to seriously run again.
I’m begging everyone to please read Born to Run by Christopher McDougal. More than just a runner’s tale, this is a masterpiece on what it means to be human. Truely outstanding. I, like many I’m sure, read it in one day.
Good luck!
@Peter
I use a pair of KSO as my everyday shoes, not running in them at all. They have held up extremely well. I wore standard shoes, until about four months ago when they became too painful – I’ve been wearing my KSOs ever since. In my job you do lots of walking and moving, and I haven’t noticed any wear on my VFFs yet.
In short, you don’t have to use them to run in, you can use them anytime you want to be barefoot, but can’t.
[…] I wear size 43 Vibram Five Fingers […]
[…] can solve lower back problems (see Tim Ferriss’ post for a good […]
I don’t run for cardio, so that function of the Five Fingers shoes would be lost on me. However, I walk a lot and spend a lot of time standing (I work in a lab). I’ve tried on the Five Fingers shoes, but felt that they wouldn’t be good for routine walking on concrete and other hard surfaces. Also, it would take some time to adjust to the aesthetic. As a substitute, try Sanuk shoes (Paul offers the same suggestion above, along with a link to Sanuk’s website). Sanuk’s shoes are built on a flip-flop base. The base provides a light but sufficient cushion to manage walking on concrete. Sanuk’s Sidewalk Surfers come in many styles, most being variations on a loafer. A pair of Sanuks for home and office, and a pair of Five Fingers for exercise, could maximize the amount of time you spend in “barefoot” shoes, if that’s your objective.
@Anthony
Just curious, why did you think that they “wouldn’t be good for routine walking on concrete and other hard surfaces”? My husband and I mostly wear ours when walking around the neighborhood on paved roads and sidewalks — and we have nothing but good things to say about them. They are certainly more fun/interesting to use over more varied terrain, but I think they are still far superior to walking with regular shoes on paved surfaces — and perhaps superior to walking barefoot, at least insomuch as our Florida pavements get too hot and nasty for my feet and I have no interest in toughening them up more than they already are.
Of course, the aesthetics…yes, these may not be shoes for the office. I’m definitely still a lover of cute shoes for myself, so you probably won’t see me wearing these out to the mall or theater anytime soon (not that I go to either often these days). However, I find that wearing them on walks is a very good compromise.
Just wanted to post a follow up….
I went to a local store that carries them to try them on, looking for a pair of KSOs. First, apparently I have very small feet. Well, I knew that, but still….I got fitted for a women’s 40 or something…ah well. Anyway, they didn’t have the KSO in my size, so they had me try on the Sprint. It was a struggle to get on, my big toe fit fine, and the one next to it OK, but the rest were a struggle to get into the toe holds. Especially my nub of a pinky toe, I don’t think it actually was “in” anything :-P. Right after I got the Sprint on, there was some discomfort/pressure on my pinky toe. But…once I did get it on, after a few minutes it felt fine. And I have to say they felt really cool. It was differently, but free-feeling, too.
All in all, I didn’t get the pair – the wife and I are starting running and I ended up with a traditional pair of shoes; I figured it would be a lot of work to get them, and they didn’t carry what I really wanted anyway. But I still want the Vibrams. I’m thinking about ordering some KSOs online since the store didn’t have what I wanted. It feels like a small amount of money for something that has so many benefits, or a large amount of money for some novelty water shoes :-). So I dunno….gotta convince the wife that I need *another* pair of running shoes after getting a normal pair!
Just my $.02, and thanks again for the great article!
Just got a pair of KSOs – after reading about them in Born To Run – great book BTW, – and went from 14 min miles to 10 min miles immediately – my legs are sore from the different mechanics, but my feet feel great, and they are a joy to run in – can’t envision running in anything else from now on.
Tim,
Hope you’re still enjoying the FiveFingers. I certainly have. Ended up purchasing a pair after reading your recommendations just a few months ago. Unfortunately they seemed to have a defect though and have started to fall apart! I wrote a review to explain here: http://www.christopherrcooper.com/blog/4/barefoot-running-in-the-vibram-fivefingers.html
Once youve gone fivefingers – you certainly are ruined for going back to traditional shoes……The post was great – i already tweeted you, and am posting to just ask if i can post this article on my own blog?
Thanks Stephen
Hi Stephen,
It’s generally considered bad blogging etiquette to copy an entire post, but feel free to share what you’d like as long as you link back to the original.
All the best,
Tim
No worries!
[…] or trying the Vibram Five Finger shoes. Between Twitter friends, my kettlebell instructor, and Tim Ferriss, I’d had enough recommendations to (completely impulse) buy some […]
So I broke down decided to go to Vertical Runner and try out a pair of these things. The only one they had in my size was the black KSO model. Needless to say, I fell in love with them instantly. It really is just like walking bare foot, except you can step on things and not get hurt. I went to the park and even tested them out in a creek and the feeling is like you said, euphoric.
So while hanging out with my roommates (college kids) no one noticed until I said “Hey check out my new shoes”. The reaction was priceless. They all pointed and burst into endless laughter, calling me gorilla feet and what not. I’m still getting made fun of by everyone. It’s hilarious. I really don’t care though. I think of it as sort of a “comfort challenge” and the comfort these shoes provide outweigh the insults. They are daring me to go out to the bar with them on. I’m willing to make a bet I can get a girl’s number while showing these things off.
Finally … I’ve just purchased VFFs KSO (blue marine) last week … it’s abit hard to source this item down in Australia. But was able to get a hold of one for my size down in a local outdoor shop …
Tested for walking and running … absolutely love em! … I even tried it on last night when I played Squash … better feeling than when I use my Adidas Barracuda (tennis shoe) for Squash. I want to try it on this weekend for Tennis … on grass court. Will be great too I believe.
I have a rather flat feet, using the different shoes for the sports that I’m in, had caused me all sort of injuries. This is my best shoe ever … !
It does cause alot of attention … but … dont really care, its comfortable.
I’ve had my KSO’s for a month and a half now. I run entirely on asphalt and concrete, with the occasional track day routine. The KSO’s have finally replaced my running shoes completely; I’ve used them to log sub 5 minute miles, 16.5 minute 5k’s, 36 minute 10k’s, and 90 minute training-day half marathons. Plantar fasciitus, shin splints, weak calves & arches, and sore toes? Gone the moment I put them on!
The KSOs are not for everyone, unfortunately. I have small wide chubby feet with a high arch and I literally could not get my feet into these for fear I’d rip the tops. I hope to have better luck with the Classics for which I’m exchanging them as they seem to stretch to width but don’t take feet height into consideration.
It worked! A few months ago I started logging a lot of walk/runing miles and developed a nagging case of plantar fasciitis. Researched a lot of “cures”, then remembered reading Tim’s advice of flat, thin-soled shoes which is the exact opposite of everythig else I read. Immediately after reading “Born to Run”, I went to Walmart and bought a $13 dollar pair of their thin, flat, canvas, court-shoe sneaks. One week later, after 7 to12 miles of pavement and mountain trails every day( I live in Reno), I woke up for the first time in months pain free. I mean zero, dude. Haven’t gone 5 Fingers, yet, but at $13/pr., I’m sticking with the thin, flat and cheap until they fail me. Ferriss, you have replaced Eric Clapton as God.
due to a pretty extreme flat right foot I literally ran into a bit of a problem with the KSOs using the elliptical trainer – -I strained the posterior tibial tendon that supports the arch and it became inflamed and painful. I went to a podiatrist and she recommended that I stop the barefoot stuff for awhile and use my orthotics to support the tendon and the arch. That has helped. So has the doctor’s warning that continued aggravation of that tendon can lead to the need for an involved surgery which she described as not something anyone would want.
Everyone is different, but the key at least for me is not to be greedy – – everything was fine until I pushed the elliptical training up a notch by increasing the resistance, speed and mileage.
Very interesting indeed. For some reason, I’ve never been able to walk on a treadmill with shoes on, especially at higher speeds approaching a running page. So, I always do it with just socks on, which is completely against the manufacturer’s suggestions. (Completely barefoot causes burns from the belt, so that’s the only reason I wear socks). These would be a great alternative to socks for that (trust me, socks do not last but a few weeks if you wear them to walk on a treadmill)!
However, I unfortunately have webbed toes on both feet, so these would never fit. 🙁
So, i should first thank you for posting this. I’ve read it probably 10-15 times. I’ve mulled over 100’s of pages of data, in the process of reading ” Born to Run,” and have been talking to people who have owned VFFs. I dropped the hammer, bought a pair of Vff classics, and haven’t taken them off since. I love them, i owe you a great amount of thanks.
I broke my leg/ankle a year ago, and have had pain every day since. I assumed it would be a life long pain that never goes away. I was wrong, i slipped on my vibrams in my hot car and set out to walk in them to get my ‘sea legs,’ and i loved them. I’ve had them for two days now, and have ran both days, PAINLESS. I know that seems like not a huge deal, but for the past 354 days( the anniversary is soon approaching) i’ve been in supreme pain every step i take. So to go from wearing shoes with extreme cushion to shoes that have Zero cushion, no support and to be completely better. I feel insane, and amazed.
So again, thank you for planting a seed in my mind, i read your blog avidly and look forward to more posts!
I purchased some of the VFFs (sprint) about 5 months ago and I love them. I typically have a lot of foot pain and these seem to help by strengthening all the muscles in the feet and calves.
I do not run in these, but I do work out in them and wear them for up to 4 hours daily.
I plan to purchase another model this fall, most likely, the KSO or the Flow.
I highly recommend!
To ken wasserman,
Ouch. I had extremely flat feet as well from blowing both naviculars and a first metitarsul. When I began with my VFFs I had quite a lot of tendon ache so I took it easy and now, 6 weeks later, I ran a 10K on sunday with no problems at all.
for what its worth,
Trev
Trevor, it’s exactly on point because the key is not to overdo and each different use of the VFFs can involve different usage of the feet. I had no problems walking any distance within days of getting the KSO, but the flexing of the foot that is involved with the elliptical trainer was another story, and once I started to overdo that I ran into trouble.
I love my VFF’s. For those of you looking for a cleaning technique, might I recommend lemon juice concentrate. It does the same thing as white vinegar without the nasty odor.
I love these shoes, I have had my pair for almost a year now and they are so comfortable! I am glad to see you like them as well!
Interesting, but they’re almost as ugly as Uggs…and does foot odor become a problem worse than regular shoes?
And after several months of wearing these now, what measurable benefits have you noticed to offset such drawbacks? Has it actually increased your vertical jump any?
Just got a pair of these. LOVE them. Really. Thanks for the thorough post.
Has anyone found any scientific research that supports the vibrams as athletic shoes? My university currently has a policy against them…
Tim, great write up. I even sent your post to Christopher McDougal “Born to Run” and he enjoyed it.
Here is my review:
http://www.runcolo.com/Product-Reviews/Vibram-Five-Fingers.html
Ballsy,
Yes, foot odor is my only complaint. Mine reek, I run in them quite a bit and now keep them outside 24/7, if they are in my closet the entire closet will reek.
@RunColo,
There are a number of solutions to the odor problem that VFFers have tried with varying success:
http://birthdayshoes.com/forum/index.php?topic=20.0
@Katie,
What exactly is this policy? What is the university?
Do we really need research to support the use of bare or effectively bare feet in athletic/fitness endeavors? Were human beings not athletic for countless tens of thousands of years before the invention of shoes?
I need to get a pair of everyday shoes suitable for casual business/office – – suggestions? tia
Hello,
I just started training for for my first half marathon and I would like to train with Vibram. Which model is better (classic, kso, sprint of flow) suited for distance running?
Thanks.
I would vote KSO, but that’s me.
It’s been about a month a they still don’t have the size/style I’m looking for (mens size 38 black-black KSOs). Customer support responded to my first inquiry, but I haven’t heard anything back from the last two messages I’ve sent over the past couple weeks. I really want a pair, but they don’t seem to have any in stock (mens or womens) in the styles I want. All I’d like to know is if they’ll actually get some in eventually, or if I should give up and look at a different style/size altogether!
[…] for strengthening your foot in areas previously neglected due to shoe use. After seeing them on Tim Ferriss‘ site, I wanted to gain first hand […]
What about the <$10 water socks? Something is wrong when going "barefoot" means hundreds of $.
@Blueroo Have you tried water socks for running? If so, how long do they last? I would think the VFFs would last a bit longer. Of course, if they don’t last 8 times longer than I guess the socks would maybe be better, but it also depends on how they work, too. I’ve never worn a pair. Would they slip around? Would they be very hot? I also like that the VFFs spread my toes out a bit more than they would naturally at this point. I think that’s why my toes are looking straighter even when not wearing the shoes.
Anyhow, the VFFs are around $80 or so and that doesn’t seem so bad to me considering that even moderately priced running shoes are often $100+. Of course, you can choose to go barefoot for free, but having the VFFs lets you have the benefits of going barefoot in places that don’t welcome barefeet like stores/offices/etc. if you choose to wear them even when not exercising.
My main reasons for wearing them while walking is to avoid god-knows-what-ickiness on the roads like oil, animal excrement, fertilizer & pesticide run-off, etc. Plus, my feet aren’t tough enough to walk the distances I’d like without getting rubbed sore — and I’m not sure yet that I’d like them to be all that tough.
Hey Folks, looks like Vibram is coming out with a NEW version of the VFF’s for running!!!! Due in February 2009….
Posted details on my blog here:
http://www.sethigherstandards.com/new-vibram-fivefingers-model-for-running/
I think what Blueroo is referring to are aqua socks, also known as water shoes. They aren’t actual socks, but extremely light weight, flexible shoes. I have a pair that cost $5 and another pair that were $20. Actually the $5 pair are the better pair, because they are a bit lighter. I don’t run in them a great deal, mostly just in the Winter. I prefer running barefoot. In terms of wear, at this point I’m guessing that aquasocks would last many hundreds of miles. Given that I only wear them in Winter, I’m guessing that they will last for many years to come.
If Vibram comes up with a good product for Winter running, I will give it a look.
[…] next week to get me in the Paleo-Primal spirit. I figured if Mark from the Primal Blueprint, Tim Ferriss of the 4 Hour Workweek, my friend Kappy, and Saint all swear by these things, it’s time for me to jump on the […]
So I just returned my first pair of KSO’s. They were fantastic, but a little too big. Running uphill my heel would slip back and my toes would pull out of the toe slots. Even with the strap fully (over)tightened, it wasn’t a snug fit and I could feel the footbed slide around on my sole when I tried to stop or change directions quickly.
I wear about a size 9 and bought size 41 KSO’s, the smallest size REI carried. I’m gonna special order size 40, or just get ’em somewhere else.
They’re genuinely fun to wear. Your feet are free. Walking and running somehow feels “right” in these, like the way we were meant to be. You can definitely feel the differences in texture between gravel, dirt, pavement, woodchips, grass, tall grass, and so on. Roots and big sharpish rocks are painful, so you do have to watch your step there. Otherwise on decent terrain you don’t have to watch your step.
They’re great in the water too. It’s wonderful going out for a run on a hot day next to a river and being able to hop in and cool off whenever you feel like it. 🙂
It is tricky at first learning to get your toes into the slots. You have to fan your toes out when you stick them in, making sure that each one goes into the right slot without doubling up. However, once you get the shoe on, it isn’t weird at all to have the fabric between your toes.
I hike in Chacos (sandals) so my ankles are already pretty strong which is nice. I’ve run several miles in VFFs and my feet don’t feel tired. My legs did get sore in new places, but it felt so goooood. 😉
Yeah, I definitely recommend getting a pair. Try them on if you can and be wary of the sizing differences between models. A size 41 sprint = size 40 KSO, for example.
Tried on some sprints yesterday. Size 40 was wearable, but supertight and annoyingly grippy. Size 41 was close to perfect with just a little extra room in the toes. Size 42 was definitely too big. With my heel all the way back, my toes were right at the entrance of the toe slots. Since I want a KSO, I’m going with the size 40.
So make sure you either get fitted for the shoe you want as the online sizing charts may be a little bit off. If you order online, make sure you order from a place like Amazon or REI (seems to have better prices than Amazon) which has a liberal return policy. Many stores won’t let you return the shoes if they’ve been worn and trust me, you’ll want to take these shoes out for a spin. 🙂
article in NY Times about barefoot running:
nytimes.com/2009/08/30/business/30shoe.html?ref=business
Tim, you didn’t answer the first poster’s second question and I have found it very difficult to find anywhere online a thoughtful answer to the very pertinent question. This is the elephant in the room, it seems, in the barefoot running world. Could you address it? Many thanks.
2) Our ancestors probably never ran on anything as hard as concrete sidewalk. How does this play into the barefoot running concept?
[…] know who owns a pair swears by them. Tim Ferriss, Life-Hacker and Author of the 4-Hour Workweek, wrote a fantastic piece on the shoes that really opened my eyes to the world of barefoot running. If you have 10 minutes, make sure […]
I found out about VFF’s on a website advertising a course I wished to take regarding running injuries ( i’m a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario). Two seconds after I saw them, I knew I had to have them. I have been using Injinji socks for about 3years because they allow my toes to grip individually while trail racing. I was very nervous about the size translation but they fit fabulously. I don’t care if they take more time than usual to put on. When you’re doing 50 mile trail races, that’s called sweating the small stuff. My first run was about 13 minutes with minor heel stiffness the next day – nothing major, gone the day after that. My next run was 90 minutes with absolutely no problems. I should interject that I have been Chi running for about 4 months now and these shoes make it all a whole lot easier because cushioned shoes are counter productive to that technique I find. Interestingly, I also started running with a metronome (mini ear model – very tiny) – very cool – keeps me from running faster than 180bpm. I just ordered another pair which I intend to use at the clinic daily. Do your foot strength exercises – they are very beneficial.
Sandy — In answer to the question, “Our ancestors probably never ran on anything as hard as concrete sidewalk. How does this play into the barefoot running concept?”
I’ve been running barefoot for over 2 years now, and can say without a doubt that concrete sidewalks are the easiest surface to run on. When running barefoot, the harder and smoother the surface, the easier it is to run on. Ironically, the more natural surfaces I’ve run on have been more challenging.
It’s true that humans weren’t designed to run on concrete. The natural world is much more challenging and comes in a wide variety of textures and surfaces (including surfaces that are as, or harder, than concrete).
Update on dealing with the smell.
1. The vinegar solution works, but it doesn’t last too long.
2. My new favorite solution is Simple Green dPro3 with Fungicide. I got it at home depot. It’s heavy duty, so be sure to dilute according to directions. The shoes got soaked for an hour and then air dried. No smell back after 2 weeks and I know it’s killing anything, too.
I’m just finishing reading one of the best books ever written about running, “Born To Run” by Christopher McDougall (just published this year).
It’s mainly about a hidden tribe of Mexicans living in the Copper Canyon region of Mexico, who are known for their great ability to run long distances, and doing so with very little footwear, but also includes a cast of ultra long distance running characters.
The author’s impetus for writing the book was due to foot injuries he had because of running. In hearing of the Tarahumara tribe, he seeks to find their secrets, and ends up writing a book that is part running history, part technology, and reads like a spellbinding novel at times.
If you’re skeptical at all about running bare-footed, or with very minimal foot protection, this book will give you some great insight into why you should strongly consider it, including stories about Barefoot Ted, who runs ultra marathons in his Five Fingers.
It’s a helluva read, but also very eye opening concerning the running shoe industry.
Believe me, I want the shoes and all the soon-to-come improvements, but my feet are two small. Get this, my foot is 9 1/2 inches long. It’s not even that much smaller, but I don’t want the Classic or Sprint model.
Believe me, I really want the Vibrams, and the style is no problem for me. Except, my feet are too small; I’d have to get a women’s shoe otherwise. But my foot isn’t even that much smaller, it’s 9 1/2 inches long.
What’s worse is that the company hasn’t responded to anything I’ve sent; several emails to Vibram USA and Int’l; a letter to Vibram USA last Sunday.
Hi Tim and all!
I’ve just bought one pair two week ago here in Barcelona -there’s only one place where they sell them in Carrere del Duc, near to Portaferrissa-.
I cannot use any other shoes. They are the best I’ve ever used in my whole life.
So, comfortable and nice.
Of course all folks would look at you like “WTF’s that!” but, if you don’t mind it -like me- the benefits are quite positive.
I used to fall a lot -for no particular reason- and that was gone as soon as I started using them.
I’m not a physician, nor I’m paid by anyone -here they believe I’ve got a penny for every one they sell since I promote them so much-, but I just love them.
Hello all,
any opinion on using injinji socks with VFF? I am using a kso without socks for the past three weeks. I like using my VFF all day not just for running but all day long. In fact I haven’t used my other shoes in the last three weeks at all. However, there is an odor problem. I do wash the shoes every week but the smell starts in a few days. I am hoping injinji may help. Let me know if your opinion. Thanks.
Are they warm? I mean, would I be able to wear them as shoes in the fall or winter? Thanks, Stephanie
[…] loads and times to comments. Has anyone tried Vibram Five Fingers? I have seen them here (Tim Ferriss shouts out CrossFit as well), here, and here. Is anyone up for trying them […]
[…] I’m not quite one of those yet, but I’ve been interested in the concept since reading Tim Ferriss’s article about his Vibram Five Fingers shoes. (I really want some of those monkey-toe shoes, but I’m […]
awesome post! picking up chicks in these things? Definitely going to try it, thanks Tim! i think they have some new ones coming up that are worth checking out, not sure if they are out yet though.
http://vibramfivefingersshoes.com/new-fall-2009-vibram-fivefingers-kso-trek-moc-and-performa/
Just got a pair a couple months ago, and I absolutely love them. Unfortunately as an MBA student, I can’t always wear them (or most of my favorite clothes) due to requirements of “business casual” dress.
I can second the strength training benefits of these babies, as they do indeed work the calves and feet. However, this is a double-edged sword: between the Vibrams, taking up Tim’s HIT workout regime, a walking-heavy lifestyle and starting to do cardio 2-3 times per week, I’ve overtrained my calf muscles. My calves have been sore as hell for a week now. I’ve had to remove the leg presses from my weight regime, leaving it almost entirely upper-body, as well as severely cutting back on wearing the Vibrams and doing sprint training (I wasn’t wearing the Vibrams during my workouts- I’m not that far yet).
So, word of warning to people who love Vibrams and work their legs a lot: beware overtraining! In hindsight, I should probably have replaced most of my running with swimming.
that link above is broken, I cant find the new models on that site or even on the vibram site but I was able to find some posts about them at http://barefootrunningshoes.org/
Only concern is about these shoes is that i heard it’s hard to actually RUN for a long time on concrete, anybody have any advice about that?
That site didn’t seem to have many reviews, but some real-world reviews can be found at (http://www.bestbarefootrunningshoes.org) for Vibram and Merrel, alongside many more to come.
The nice thing about this place is that it’s updated regularly with news and reviews versus just sitting there.
hey hanson, the site has only vibrams.. have you heard of other barefoot running style shoes? they might help on concrete.. Also, I think the KSO ones are fine on concrete, i’ve tested on short runs (5-8 miles) I think on the same site it’s here: http://barefootrunningshoes.org/vibram-fivefingers/men/kso-men/
but I’ve been looking for some that are even more minimalist. shoot me an email if you have more advice.
Your review really excited me. I’ve had my Sprints for about 3 weeks going on 4 and I was getting concerned about the tops of my feet being really sore. I think my feet are now beginning to mold to them with mild soreness still; although I though it would only take 2 weeks.
One thing I just realized is that when I originally purchased my Sprints, they really were snug and comfy at first. I based my measuring on only one of my feet being significantly longer than the other (about 1/2 inch). Since then, they have stretched out to where they are now loose in the toe area and causing some blisters as I ran in them for long periods of time. This could just be my feet getting used to them still, but all the same, I’m starting to wear the socks with them and they’re stuck again.
I just ordered some Classics in a smaller size and I’m anxious to try them out to see if they’re more comfortable. Especially since your review said that the Sprints were the most uncomfortable out of the bunch, which is where I started.
Hi,
I was just wondering if you could give me your opinion. I don’t have anyone to discuss this with so I would appreciate your thoughts if possible.
I bought a pair of KSOs over a year ago now. When I bought them I just bought my shoe size which was 38 (I am a woman too). These have been great for me and I love them…
HOWEVER recently I was looking at a pair of surges for the Winter months..they are the boto version of the flows. I was sent sizing guides to just make sure I got the right size because I was getting them from America for cheap. Anyway on this, I discovered that my KSOs should have been a size smaller…like you say in your article.
Discovering this was a bit of a shock because I have had no problems with my KSOs being the size they are. I put them on again to see and I do find that there is a slight gap in the back of them which has never caused me problems.
Now I am wondering if I should just buy a pair of Surges in 38 or should go for a 37. From measuring my foot a 37 would be a snug fit and the 38 really should be quite loose (surges are same as flow in sizing). However, as I said the KSOs aren’t really big and are in fact quite nice.
So I am not sure what to do…as I would be getting them from ebay I don’t know if I should get a 38 or a 37. From your review a flow seems to be tighter.
Nowe from the sizing chart my foot is a perfect size 38 in sprint but as I said I got the same size in KSOs and no problems…
Not sure what to do. I am tempted to get the size 37 to see what a snug fit would be..I thought I was getting a snug one from KSOs but obviously not as I have some room in the back.
Anyway…yeah sorry for the ramble. Would really appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Kelly
“Not sure what to do. I am tempted to get the size 37 to see what a snug fit would be..”
I don’t know how much you save with ebay. At least for the first time, it is better if you go to a store and try this out. I have 4 pairs (2 kso, 1 sprint and 1 trek). Even though I know my sizes, I put on the shoe and walk in the store for 10-15 minutes before I buy. Interestingly when I bought my trek a few weeks ago, I was not comfortable in the first pair I tried. I felt my left side was too tight. I ended up buying another pair (same size).
I got some soft & squishy $10 water shoes from a hiking/camping store last month. These are better quality than what I usually find in my local mega-mart. Wearing them (with socks) feels like walking around on neoprene carpet. Very nice – I can feel every crack in the pavement yet walk on acorns without hurting. Hoping they’ll last until I can find a better deal on some KSOs.
[…] Vibram Five Fingers Shoes: The Barefoot Alternative […]
RE: Starting slow and building up
I start my clients with a slightly less stiff shoe than a normal trainer, and work them to training barefoot.
This is my list of shoes, starting pretty rigid and getting progressively more mobile:
9.) Nike Free 7.0
8.) Nike Free 5.0
7.) Nike Free 4.0
6.) Nike Free 3.0
5.) Puma Speed Cat
4.) Converse Chuck Taylor
3.) Puma Saloh
2.) Vibram FiveFingers
1.) Bare Feet
The average workout dude can probably go Nike Free 5.0 -> Nike Free 3.0 -> Puma Saloh -> Vibrams
And then any time they need a training shoe that looks more normal than the VFFs, the Puma Saloh (even though it doesn’t have toes) is extremely mobile and it’s totally flat to the ground. It looks like a shoe but it’s basically a sock.
@Jawa
Unfortunately I live in the UK and there are like 2 shops on the opposite end of the world and I can’t get there. I wish I had the opportunity but don’t. I might order them and see..but the ones on ebay are selling for £20 new from US as opposed to me paying £100 for them in the UK.
Tim,
So it’s been awhile now since you posted about your VFFs here. You still using them much? Any unexpected uses?
I also understand you recently met up with a fellow fan of fivefingers — Richard Nikoley of freetheanimal.com (via the Eades).
Anyway, I wanted to see if you’d consider doing an interview for http://birthdayshoes.com to update on your experiences with fivefingers — if you’re interested, please drop me a note via justin@birthdayshoes.com.
Or if you can’t swing the time for an interview, perhaps I could convince you to submit a paragraph or two on what you’re now doing in VFFs along with a photo of you sporting them for the site. Lots of visitors to the fan site got into VFFs via your write-up here, and I’m sure they’d appreciate it!
Thanks!
Justin
[…] don’t recall how, but a while ago I somehow ended up reading a post by Tim “Four Hour Work Week” Ferriss on barefoot alternatives. The post and its comments fascinated me. In discussing his experiences of barely there shoes, the […]
[…] regardless of how quickly one chooses to ambulate. Google that shit. Here, I’ll help you: Tim Ferris New York […]
[…] I have worn Vibram Five Fingers for 5 months now and they have lengthened my Achilles, flattened my foot back to it’s original structure, improved my horrible ankle stability, and much much more. Here is a link to an article by Tim Ferriss that explains the benefits into SMART PEOPLE detail…click here. […]
Tim, love the Vibrams.
Just a few points:
* My training is 95% hilly trails: Rocks, gravel, mud, water-crossings, logs, weeds, you name it. The VFF’s rocked the trails.
* Had no problems at all with gripping/slipping, balance, or pain. Had more difficulty with my running partner’s eye-rolling ribbing.
* Was dutifully easing into distance, alternating the Vibrams with Vasques (which I also adore).
***Then…got over-confident, and did a 10 mile trail run too soon–2 weeks into initiation, and ended up with a sprained ligament on the top of my foot. Not a problem, but told to stay completely off the foot for (ironically) 2 weeks.
Healing well and still have my sights on a November marathon.
My point??? I’m hoping this comment might help to convince at least one VFF newbie into INCREASING GRADUALLY. So, I hope you don’t mind…I’d like to re-post your cautionary blurb from 5/7/2009, posted about 404 comments above……
“DO NOT OVERDO IT AT FIRST. Chances are that the ligaments and musculature of your feet is underdeveloped. Use them for no more than 1/2 – 1 mile in the first 24 hours, then take a day off. I suggest alternating VFFs with “normal” shoes or flat-soled shoes like Chuck Taylors for the first week…”
See that??? It was right there, in black and white.
Lesson learned…and I can’t wait to get back into my VFF’s (and Vasques).
R.I.P.
Run In Peace
If your heels are bruising, you’re running incorrectly. Really, you shouldn’t be heel-striking at all when running, but especially not when running barefoot or in the VFFs.
Started running again a few months ago after years of lay off. Got relentless plantar fasciitis symptoms. I remembered a separate post by Tim re.how running in flat shoes cleared up his fasciitis. I haven’t gone to VFFs yet, but after reading”Born to Run” I did buy some $13 Walmart cheap sneaks. They’re fine. Plantar is gone. Yeah it took some time, but it’s gone now. The cheap sneaks won’t hold up but I can get six pair for the price of VFFs. This post isn’t about Walmart. I don’t like Walmart. It’s about the utility of the kind of “running shoes” I grew up with. Anybody remember “Keds”?
I just got a pair of KSO’s size 41 (they were backordered and I had to wait almost a month to get them) — ordered on the internet from REI — and they seem a little tight. It’s a super snug fit from my big toe down to the heel of my foot. But since the vibram sole doesn’t stretch at all, I feel a lot of tension/pull-back if I try to raise my big toe when wearing the “shoe”. (What do we call these things, anyway? Five fingers is a bit of a mouthful. How about something short for foot-glove, like “gloot” or “glovot” or “glovoot” or “footlove” or “flove”?) Anyway, my question is how to properly fit these things? Should there be any space between the ends of your toes and the end of the “flove”?
[…] months and will review them at some point in the future when I have time. However, I found this interview with Tim Ferriss and decided it was worth […]
I read “Born To Run” and it talks about the vff’s specifically. I haven’t been able to run more than 2 or 3 miles for about 6 years now and I couldn’t run at all for about 2 years. My knees, arches, and back just ached too much afterwards that I gave it up and started cycling or using the eliptical at the gym instead. But anyone who’s used to doing long distances knows how hard it is to give up something that makes you feel alive. I did a search for the vff’s and found your site, it totally convinced me to give them a try. I’m a convert!!!
Before they arrived I trained my foot at the gym by running barefoot on the indoor track for only a mile. But when they got here, the sizing was off so, I had to wait again, and train some more indoors. Probably a good thing because as soon as they arrived I went out and ran 6 miles, no pain. The next day, 8 miles, only a little swelling in the backs of my knees, iced them took a day off, but went out the day after that and did 7 miles without pain. They really do let you know when you’re form is off, or you need to slow down. It’s amazing, I’m having a conversation with my feet for the first time in my life and I feel wonderful. Thanks for the informative site!
I’m not a runner, but I am a barefoot person. I wear shoes maybe 12 hours a week, the rest of the time I wander around barefoot. Shoes are for walking to and from the car, or in the store. Everywhere else the shoes get left at the door or under my desk.
But now I might have to go find these shoes. Regular shoes just aren’t comfy.
[…] Vibram Five Fingers Shoes: The Barefoot Alternative – “After two weeks of wearing them, the lower-back pain I’d had for more than 10 years disappeared and hasn’t returned since I started experimentation about 8 weeks ago…” […]
Sergy Brin seems to like them too.
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/19/this-season-crazy-monkey-shoes-are-the-new-hotness-at-the-chrome-os-event/