I am a barefoot sort of guy. In general I hate having shoes on my feet.
I go barefoot at work, When I go camping my shoes come off fairly quickly. I love to drive barefoot etc.
The only thing that holds me back is how sharp and rough the surface is and the pain associated with it.
Has anyone seen these Vibram Five Finger shoes. Are they more of just a gimick or very functional?
http://www.justinowings.com/b/index.php/me/my-bare-feet-vibram-five-fingers-revi (http://www.justinowings.com/b/index.php/me/my-bare-feet-vibram-five-fingers-revi)
(http://www.justinowings.com/b/media/blogs/me//img_1103.jpg)
this was covered a while back........decidedly IZ_ish
you get a free pair when you buy a ridgeline
i've heard some decent things about them, and have secretly wanted to try them out, but i can't justify the money spent on shoes that won't be worn very often.
Yeah, but are they nail=proof?
They sort of creep me out. In a "whatever his name is, the aquatic skinny guy in Hellboy" sort of way.
Quote from: Fresh Pants on June 11, 2009, 06:58:24 AM
Yeah, but are they nail=proof?
They sort of creep me out. In a "whatever his name is, the aquatic skinny guy in Hellboy" sort of way.
was his name Gil?
[laugh]
Quote from: bobspapa on June 11, 2009, 06:59:28 AM
was his name Gil?
[laugh]
That's him. [laugh]
Although, matching gloves would be pretty sweet.
Not to be politically incorrect here... but they kinda look like driving gloves for an amputee.
That and they kinda creep me out.
Quote from: ryandalling on June 11, 2009, 07:47:16 AM
Not to be politically incorrect here... but they kinda look like driving gloves for an amputee.
... that made me giggle for some reason...
The toe strap on my Teva's lines up pretty well with the shift lever. Might be awkward trying to shift barefoot. ;D
Does anyone find it odd that they're using the word 'fingers' for a product for your feet?
Flat out, those are *creepy*.
Quote from: Speeddog on June 11, 2009, 10:01:05 AM
Flat out, those are *creepy*.
Yeah, but in an awesome way.
Yeah I agree they are really creepy. :-\
The name is creepy as hell also.
Thats whats holding me back from trying them.
I'd probably fall over laughing if I saw a dude wearing those in the park.
Just say'n. [cheeky]
i bet your feet would sweat like a mofo in those things.
<looking around for the stinky smiley>
the creep me out factor is par with a Cyclops midget with 4 fingers on each hand and a humpback and make up like like the clown in " IT " (Tim Curry i think it was)
i just freaked myself out with my description, had to make sure there was nothing under my desk....
the first guy i saw wearing those was wearing a pair that were light bluish-grey with a brown bottom and i could jsut see a bit of silver around the toes.
the upper colot matched his pants perfectly, and the bottom matched his skin tone very well.
it took me a few min to figure out what the silvery color was doing on his toes.
Quote from: KnightofNi on June 11, 2009, 12:21:53 PM
the first guy i saw wearing those was wearing a pair that were light bluish-grey with a brown bottom and i could jsut see a bit of silver around the toes.
the upper colot matched his pants perfectly, and the bottom matched his skin tone very well.
it took me a few min to figure out what the silvery color was doing on his toes.
Wow... you really stare at mens feet a lot... ;D
I am pretty sure if thats what we were wearing for decades and then went to the current closed shoe style we would think the closed shoe style was creepy and strange as well.
In my karate class we work out in bare feet, but one of the instructors wears those things and they just look weird.
Quote from: ryandalling on June 11, 2009, 12:36:30 PM
Wow... you really stare at mens feet a lot... ;D
no, just his. [cheeky]
I can't wear a pair of thongs (the footwear, kids, the footwear ;D ) without being totally irritated about something crammed between two toes. Let alone each toe.
Barefoot or slip-on sandals, baby. [thumbsup]
Quote from: NeenjaMastah on June 11, 2009, 10:18:50 AM
I'd probably fall over laughing if I saw a dude wearing those in the park.
Just say'n. [cheeky]
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
ditto on that [laugh]
well, that pic is obviously not of AZ_feets...
but he ought to chime in, eh?
:D
"I don't get it, big Dan"
Quote from: herm on June 11, 2009, 04:01:49 AM
this was covered a while back........decidedly IZ_ish
WTH?! >:(
This has to be the 4th thread on those things?!
Quote from: IZ on June 11, 2009, 10:01:55 PM
WTH?! >:(
This has to be the 4th thread on those things?!
you're a popular guy ;)
EVERYone wants to rock out, shire-stylee
Creepy would be if they were skin colored, but had painted toe nails. Or better yet, if one had a stuffed sixth toe.
Quote from: ryandalling on June 11, 2009, 12:36:30 PM
Wow... you really stare at mens feet a lot... ;D
Well, he has to watch those feet in case they start tapping while in the stall next to him....
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 11, 2009, 11:47:25 PM
Well, he has to watch those feet in case they start tapping while in the stall next to him....
that and i want to know who the jackhole is that always comes in and sits in the stall RIGHT NEXT TO ME when there are 4 other open stalls.
Coming from the yoga studio owner: I see these ALL the time. They are quite popular. We practice yoga barefoot, but some people have issues that require some sort of footwear so they use these. Even people without issues wear them because it helps spread your toes out which provides better balance.
I might actually get a pair myself. :o
They're not THAT creepy...
;D
Well since those are my feet in that original picture I figured I'd log in and opine ...
The "five fingers" moniker is from Vibram, an Italian company. They thought it was clever b/c the italian word for fingers is the same as the word for toes. I'm guessing it's something like phalanges but I have no idea.
I call them my "birthday shoes" -- and created a fan site for them: http://birthdayshoes.com (http://birthdayshoes.com)
Basically, you can do just about anything in them that you'd normally do wearing sneakers or more traditional footwear.
People run marathons:
http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/birthday-shoes-interview-with-matthew-fleming (http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/birthday-shoes-interview-with-matthew-fleming)
Hang glide:
http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/hang-gliding-barefoot-interview-with-davis-straub (http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/hang-gliding-barefoot-interview-with-davis-straub)
Kettlebells (or weight lifting generally):
http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/sandy-sommer-talks-kettlebells-and-five-fingers (http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/sandy-sommer-talks-kettlebells-and-five-fingers)
And on and on. If wearing a very thin sock makes your feet sweat, then these would do about the same. Amazingly, they individual toes thing is less annoying than the thong part of a flip flop -- I actually find it a lot more uncomfortable to wear my flip flops these days.
Why would you wear these ugly things on your feet? Basically b/c it makes biomechanical sense. Our feet were molded by countless generations to deal with traversing the earth without a clunky foamed "foot mit" strapped onto them. And just like you'd expect if you wore a cast on an arm for a few months, you'd expect your arm muscles to atrophy -- well the same happens with your feet (which is why if you start going barefoot or effectively barefoot you'll be sore for awhile as your feet get rehabilitated).
Anyway, for a bit of humor and *really* creepy "shoes that look like feet," check out JJ Casuals:
http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/j-j-casuals-shoes-that-look-like-feet (http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/j-j-casuals-shoes-that-look-like-feet)
Let me know if you guys have any questions about them -- BTW, I don't own a Ducati Monster but if my wife ever let me get a motorcycle, it would be a Monster. Gotta love the bare-ness of it - a powerful combination of function and form!
Hi Justin
Is this the first step to a nudist clothing line?
I refer my feet atrophied and under a set of steel toes, thankyouverymuch.
I don't see the point of 'em , either. If you want to go barefoot, go barefoot. Same difference, less money.
Either way, I'm going to call you a dirty hippie.
Quote from: KnightofNi on June 12, 2009, 06:46:15 AM
that and i want to know who the jackhole is that always comes in and sits in the stall RIGHT NEXT TO ME when there are 4 other open stalls.
It's your Gay stalker [cheeky]
Not, that's there's anything wrong with that, Well, all except the Stalking part
Some people seem to do ok with just plain bare feet.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/15/article-1170253-04569862000005DC-952_306x264.jpg)
I totally see the point of them.
You have more of a natural foot movement with some abrasion protection on the bottom of the foot.
Its funny how there are thousands of styles of closed foot shoes and these seem to creep everyone out ;)
Yeah they look ridiculous but I can see them being totally functional.
Quote from: ROBsS4R on June 13, 2009, 06:12:05 PM
I totally see the point of them.
You have more of a natural foot movement with some abrasion protection on the bottom of the foot.
Its funny how there are thousands of styles of closed foot shoes and these seem to creep everyone out ;)
Yeah they look ridiculous but I can see them being totally functional.
and yet
mittens instead of gloves seem equally silly
Quote from: ROBsS4R on June 13, 2009, 06:12:05 PM
I totally see the point of them.
You have more of a natural foot movement with some abrasion protection on the bottom of the foot.
Its funny how there are thousands of styles of closed foot shoes and these seem to creep everyone out ;)
Yeah they look ridiculous but I can see them being totally functional.
Man up and get calluses.
People invented shoes for a dang reason-it's to protect the delicate foot. Next time you drop something, have someone step on a foot, or discover something sharp on the ground, you'll be throwing those things away.
Quote from: Mother on June 13, 2009, 06:15:17 PM
and yet
mittens instead of gloves seem equally silly
i happen to LoVe mittens :)
While yes, they look REALLY creepy, I can see the functionality of them. I like going barefoot, but these would offer some protection from stepping on things that might hurt...
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 13, 2009, 06:20:48 PM
Man up and get calluses.
People invented shoes for a dang reason-it's to protect the delicate foot. Next time you drop something, have someone step on a foot, or discover something sharp on the ground, you'll be throwing those things away.
Well I don't totally agree with that. I mean every show has a purpose. They all have various levels of protection. I mean you don't go running in your motorcycle boots do you?
Your less likely to drop something heavy while running or doing yoga in those shoes.
Quote from: Mother on June 13, 2009, 06:15:17 PM
and yet
mittens instead of gloves seem equally silly
Didn't even think of that. That's a good example of a double standard. Of course you have more mobility, feeling, articulation with gloves than mittens. Why wouldn't that be the same for these new style of shoes ???
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 13, 2009, 06:20:48 PM
Man up and get calluses.
People invented shoes for a dang reason-it's to protect the delicate foot. Next time you drop something, have someone step on a foot, or discover something sharp on the ground, you'll be throwing those things away.
The "delicate foot"? So human beings existed for countless millennia without Nikes and yet our bare feet are delicate?
I think the problem is more that we've developed cultural expectations that feet should have something attached to them, and that attachment increases in proportion to the formality of whatever event you're attending.
In the end, the more connected your feet are to the ground (or to whatever surface they are touching), the more agile/powerful/mobile you will feel. Barefooted is not only natural in a fundamentally human way, it also makes functional sense -- not unlike the exposed nature of the Monster, no?
And as has been said, the purpose of them is to provide *some* protection while allowing feet to do what they were designed to do - root our legs to the earth, feel out the ground, power through a stride, climb a wall, whatever.
No doubt you could get callouses, but that's a fairly unreasonable demand in our concrete jungle where you'd be kicked out of your job if you were barefoot all the time (which you'd have to be to "man up" to get functional callouses). These "shoes" help instantly provide us a substitute for these callouses. Why is that a bad thing?
Quote from: justin on June 13, 2009, 07:16:08 PM
The "delicate foot"? So human beings existed for countless millennia without Nikes and yet our bare feet are delicate?
Yeah, they are. Calluses get built up over a lifetime. Starting on them as an adult does not work well. I've known people to try it, specifically peace corps workers in third world countries (the locals do it-why not me?) it never worked out well.
Quote from: justin on June 13, 2009, 07:16:08 PM
I think the problem is more that we've developed cultural expectations that feet should have something attached to them, and that attachment increases in proportion to the formality of whatever event you're attending.
Yes, and that thing attached is called the ankle.
Quote from: justin on June 13, 2009, 07:16:08 PM
In the end, the more connected your feet are to the ground (or to whatever surface they are touching), the more agile/powerful/mobile you will feel. Barefooted is not only natural in a fundamentally human way, it also makes functional sense -- not unlike the exposed nature of the Monster, no?
Feeling good does not mean it is good. Three drinks make me feel powerful and mobile, still doesn't mean I should be in public like that. As far as feeling "connected" I haven't a clue what you're talking about. I feel connected just fine in shoes, and the first job I had (on a boat) let us go barefoot, so I went barefoot half the year until my early twenties. The only "connection" I felt when barefoot was when one of the other mates dropped a knife and it stuck into my foot.
Relating it to a monster will not curry favor-the exposed nature of the bike is *not* functional. Drive one from one end of the country to the other and you'll beg for fairings. You'll also need two sets of tires and a service.
Quote from: justin on June 13, 2009, 07:16:08 PM
And as has been said, the purpose of them is to provide *some* protection while allowing feet to do what they were designed to do - root our legs to the earth, feel out the ground, power through a stride, climb a wall, whatever.
No doubt you could get callouses, but that's a fairly unreasonable demand in our concrete jungle where you'd be kicked out of your job if you were barefoot all the time (which you'd have to be to "man up" to get functional callouses). These "shoes" help instantly provide us a substitute for these callouses. Why is that a bad thing?
I maintain the amount of protection those offer would be no better in a concrete jungle than going barefoot, except perhaps to give one a false sense of security. I wouldn't want to step on anything sharp with those on, nor be anywhere crowded for some overweight nasty construction worker in boots to see those ridiculous things and step on my foot on purpose just to make a point.
In other news they make crocs look good-seriously, those are
fugly.
I think the Vibram's has its useful applications.
I can Imagine the extra dexterity you could get from them for rock climbing compared to a conventional rock climbing shoe.
Like I mentioned before every shoe has its purpose such as a heavy soled, thick leather's boot protects you on a motorcycle ride perhaps a form fitting extremely light shoe with more natural articulation will be better for certain activity's.
(http://larkinflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/climb-300x300.jpg)
Quote from: ROBsS4R on June 13, 2009, 11:45:33 PM
I think the Vibram's has its useful applications.
I can Imagine the extra dexterity you could get from them for rock climbing compared to a conventional rock climbing shoe.
Um, yeah, no. There are a few guys who climb barefoot. On really hard, very thin crack climbs I've heard of taking the shoes off to jam the toes into the cracks (yes, those would be toe jams) but I'd much rather athletic tape my toes for such a venture than wear these things. And for most technical climbing, climbing shoes would be sure to outperform these.
I thought it couldn't get weirder than people who wear sandals and toe socks. I stand corrected. Have fun being a hobbit, though.
Of course I am being devils advocate here ;D
So why don't people ride with mittens over the creepy gloves that actually show your fingers?
I think people think they are creepy because we are not use to them just like mittens look strange on people etc.
These add additional protection that just going barefoot and also maintain some dexterity or articulation of your feet.
I have them - I like them. I don't care what others say. They're comfortable, they breath, I wear them in and out of water. I don't wear them on ship where safety toes are required.
People complaining about them have likely never worn them. Their opinion is then limited to what they think they would be like and the aesthetics of them. If they don't like them based on that, so be it.
Quote from: ROBsS4R on June 13, 2009, 06:31:28 PM
Didn't even think of that. That's a good example of a double standard. Of course you have more mobility, feeling, articulation with gloves than mittens. Why wouldn't that be the same for these new style of shoes ???
i think you would actually
but
I think it would take some time to regain the mobility and strength of your toes
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 13, 2009, 11:09:25 PM
Yeah, they are. Calluses get built up over a lifetime. Starting on them as an adult does not work well. I've known people to try it, specifically peace corps workers in third world countries (the locals do it-why not me?) it never worked out well.
So you're arguing that unless you've been building up callouses for your entire life, you can't possibly build them up now? Sure, callouses take time, but by the same argument, no one could play guitar unless they were playing since they were a baby. Reality is that you can get functional callouses on your fingers from playing guitar in a couple weeks. Why would feet be any different?
QuoteFeeling good does not mean it is good. Three drinks make me feel powerful and mobile, still doesn't mean I should be in public like that. As far as feeling "connected" I haven't a clue what you're talking about. I feel connected just fine in shoes, and the first job I had (on a boat) let us go barefoot, so I went barefoot half the year until my early twenties. The only "connection" I felt when barefoot was when one of the other mates dropped a knife and it stuck into my foot.
You're saying that the good feeling you get b/c your feet are empowered from being *unencumbered* is equivalent to drinking booze, and thus it is suspect as far as being good?
I'm curious what you do in your shoes. Is it complex movement? Do you weight-lift? Sprint? Jog? Do martial arts? Hike?
You seem awfully convinced that there is no place for being barefoot in our modern day. The only reasoning I can see for your argument is aesthetics (these things are ugly) and protection (they don't provide any).
The former argument is a non-sequitur if you value function over form. The latter argument is false: these provide some protection from the ground - not unlike the seasoned callouses that are apparently unattainable by adult humans. To the extent that they don't provide protection, that is arguably one of the reasons they are valuable -- less protection means more awareness. More awareness means less injury.
Really, they are trying to strike a balance between minimalism and protection. It's a niche, for sure, but a pretty useful one.
In short, I think slowpoke hit the nail on the head with the numerous naysayers here:
QuotePeople complaining about them have likely never worn them. Their opinion is then limited to what they think they would be like and the aesthetics of them.
Interestingly enough, I know a great deal of people who laughed/pointed on first appraisal of fivefingers -- and now they own them and think they are the best thing since sliced bread.
Quote from: justin on June 18, 2009, 03:14:59 PM
More awareness means less injury.
That's true, but...
Quote from: justin on June 18, 2009, 03:14:59 PM
The latter argument is false: these provide some protection from the ground - not unlike the seasoned callouses that are apparently unattainable by adult humans. To the extent that they don't provide protection, that is arguably one of the reasons they are valuable -- less protection means more awareness.
That's funny.