5 Finger Shoes, opinions?

I tried on my roommates and they're so comfy. I don't like shoes that much to begin with so maybe I'll buy some 5 fingers.

How do you all like them? Are they actually better for you?
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Replies

  • I have a pair that I bought from East Mountain Sports, comfortable, but you have to get use to them. Some guy at the store warned me to run with them for a bit cause it puts alot of strain on some part of the body. Forgot what he said. But I wrecked them at Tough Mudder.
  • MaigreKacie
    MaigreKacie Posts: 27 Member
    Haha wtf.....
  • professorRAT
    professorRAT Posts: 690 Member

    LOL: "You are wearing shoes. They are stupid shoes, but they are shoes nonetheless"
  • Booksandbeaches
    Booksandbeaches Posts: 1,791 Member
    I don't have them. I doubt I'd get them. They remind me of Hobbit feet.
  • They have a few other minimalist shoes if you don't like having your toes separate, etc

    Trust me though, obey the 10% rule for a while with these types of shoes. Otherwise it will hurt lol.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    they look so weird
  • WDEvy
    WDEvy Posts: 814 Member
    BEST $100 I've ever spent. I was able to start running in them, which I was never able to do in regular running shoes because I have broken arches but mostof all they allowed me to start hiking! they are absolutely amazing to climb rocks, the grip they provide on hard trails is unmatched by anything else I've ever tried.

    yes they look weird and people will stare at your feet ( heck, mine are bright turquoise) but they are one of the best thing you can buy as a fitness accessory/ equipment!
  • florymonde
    florymonde Posts: 261 Member
    I know my brother and his wife love theirs. I've been wanting to try some; I have a family tendency toward bunions, and it seems to me the 5 finger shoes might help delay bunion problems. My skin isn't tough enough to go barefoot!

    I know they do not offer the support of traditional runners, so you're supposed to start using them gradually, so your ankle and foot muscles have a chance to strengthen and compensate.
  • crimsoncat
    crimsoncat Posts: 457 Member
    I think they're fine for sports but I would question the judgement of anyone who wore them to work.
  • I love mine and don't work out/run in anything else. They do take some time to get use to and are not the most attractive but from a pure functionality standpoint I love them. You really need to be careful when breaking them in as you body needs time to get use to them especially running.
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    I love them for running!!! Best shoes I've ever owned. I also don't like to wear shoes generally.
  • Just bought my 1st pair (Jaya) on Moosejaw.com for $29.99. Now that is a price worthy of trying to see if I like them. The typical is anywhere from $50-120 based on the model.

    Looking forward to trying mine~
  • kmoore02
    kmoore02 Posts: 167 Member
    I just bought a pair of Vibrams because they were 50% off. I tried them on before and they felt very comfortable but I remain optimistic. I bought some running shoes before that were expensive and comfortable when I bought them but when I ran in them, they hurt my legs so bad that I had to take them off and walk to my car in my socks!
  • anzi888
    anzi888 Posts: 102 Member
    I have some and I don't regret buying them. I like them for weight training, circuit training, outside running (they did hurt my feet for a while)... but I could never get used to running on a treadmill or biking with them.
  • I bought a pair of Fila Skelatoes originally for use as water shoes. The first time I wore them to the gym, I was in heaven. I did my cardio machine, weights and ran for 2 miles on the treadmill in them. My feet felt great...the rest of me was wiped out but my feet could have went out clubbing afterwards...in 4 inch heels...LOL

    Wanted to add, it did take some time getting used to putting them on. My pinky toe just didn't want to spread from the other toe closest to it...LOL
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    I like them for certain things. They are great for paddleboarding. Tried them for kickboxing and they slid off my feet. Running, I could give or take, but prefer sneakers. If you like how they feel on your feet, they're worth just wearing around for no reason
  • ash8184
    ash8184 Posts: 701 Member
    I LOVE mine, but you have to get used to them. I don't wear them for long runs, I reserve them for 3 miles or fewer because they have no cushioning at all. But I love that I use different muscles wearing them than I do in other shoes, and I love the feeling that I'm gripping the ground with my toes. I'd see if you can get them for less than the standard $100/pair just to try them.
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    I like mine, however, I don't run in them. I use them when rafting and at the beach or poolside.
  • I have Fila Skeletoes and I love them. I feel like they really help with my bunion, just gutted that I can't wear them just now with all the snow and ice.

    And yeah they do look bonkers, loads of people have pointed that out, but hey, it's a conversation peice right? :D
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    Looooove them. They are the only shoes that I can run in without hip and knee pain. Makes you really concentrate on form/stride. Also perfect for lifting in a gym setting!
  • BrawlerBella
    BrawlerBella Posts: 400 Member
    I have two pairs of Vibram love them. I walk, run, and wear them for errands. My VFF are very social, great conversation starters. People often stare and ask what are those? lol
  • TinaDay1114
    TinaDay1114 Posts: 1,328 Member
    I bought a pair last year, and loved running in them. BUT, I progressed too quickly, and ended up fracturing my heel attempting a long run in them (and then I was sidelined for 3 months to heal). So listen to the folks here who say to ease into them S-L-O-W-L-Y. I still love the way they felt, but I gotta admit, I'm a little afraid to run in them again...
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    I like mine, however, I don't run in them. I use them when rafting and at the beach or poolside.

    Yeah they are fantastic for uh... water sports of any kind. I was glad I had them at the beach for kayaking/paddleboarding and to walk on rocks
  • Brannock8
    Brannock8 Posts: 170 Member
    I painted mine tan, glued on some hair, and wore them as hobbit feet for halloween. They worked great! haha
  • My roomate also has a pair, I think I may get a pair as backups when money allows.
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
    Am I the only one who read the thread title and thought she was asking for opinions on stealing shoes?


    No? Just me then....
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Honestly, I wanted a pair because they're weird and unique. I just wear mine casually, couldn't imagine running in them. They're just not that comfortable IMO.
  • I like mine for walking but not for running. You'll realize soon enough that the tiny bit of sole on the bottom of these shoes don't really support your feet when you're running and your feet is slapping against the pavement. I'd say if you really want some, then walk in them, don't run in them. Although at the beginning it does take a lot of getting used to. I wore it around the house the first day for a few hours then the next day, the whole day. I've had mine for 7 months.
    The other thing is that I realized I like wearing them for hiking as well but just becareful you don't step on sharp rocks/pebbles. Hope this helps.
  • Got my first pair of Vibrams this past September....best shoe ever, IMO! Just make sure you ease into wearing them, especially if you were a big heel striker before because it will take time to adjust to a mid-foot strike.