Five Fingered Shoes

[milq]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

I have to ask, how does articulating toes make running/walking/climbing better than say a similar shoe in which all your toes are inside? Also, how come the extra fabric between your toes doesn't cause more issues than it helps?

Seriously, honest questions, not trolling.

Jim

It's my understanding that "normal" shoes tend to squeeze the toes together a bit and this creates a narrower platform for stability.

I was reading about these some time ago (still haven't bit the bullet and bought them) and the article (maybe an ad by Vibram, can't recall) had a photo of a baby's foot. On the baby's foot the big toe is in a direct line with the corresponding bone that runs through the foot; a photo of a "typical" adult foot shoes the same toe angling toward the next toe, rather than straight. I know that my big toes certainly angle that way, but when I stretch my feet a bit they straighten out to (perhaps) the way nature intended?

I have spent a lot of dough on supportive insoles and such over the years and this explanation and a lot of the other things I have read seem to make sense to my non-medically trained mind.

[crazydrummerdude]

Originally Posted by Buzzez

I've been considering buying a pair.

I had been drinking when I was giving you a hard time about this thread, and I don't remember everything I said, but I meant every word.

[Buzzez]

Originally Posted by crazydrummerdude

I had been drinking when I was giving you a hard time about this thread, and I don't remember everything I said, but I meant every word.

You said something to the effect,"There's no way, I'm even going to post in your thread and you'll never see me wearing those shoes"...BTW, I have a 20% coupon from REI. You're welcome to it...

[Buzzez]

Originally Posted by milq

It's my understanding that "normal" shoes tend to squeeze the toes together a bit and this creates a narrower platform for stability.

I was reading about these some time ago (still haven't bit the bullet and bought them) and the article (maybe an ad by Vibram, can't recall) had a photo of a baby's foot. On the baby's foot the big toe is in a direct line with the corresponding bone that runs through the foot; a photo of a "typical" adult foot shoes the same toe angling toward the next toe, rather than straight. I know that my big toes certainly angle that way, but when I stretch my feet a bit they straighten out to (perhaps) the way nature intended?

I have spent a lot of dough on supportive insoles and such over the years and this explanation and a lot of the other things I have read seem to make sense to my non-medically trained mind.

I'm seriously thinking of getting the Five Fingered Shoes, in hopes that they will help straighten my toes out...I've seen the toes on some older folks look like a real mess..I really don't want mine to end up that way...I'm thinking that if the shoes help keep my feet splayed the way they should be and help strengthen and straighten them, they can't be all bad...

[Dave KLR]

good lord, i think i would do some pretty drastic things to keep my feet from looking like that!

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Dave KLR

good lord, i think i would do some pretty drastic things to keep my feet from looking like that!

You would have to do some pretty drastic things to MAKE them look like that!

OK, so I am getting the spreaded toes thing, and it makes sense. So how come you couldn't just wear shoes that allowed a more natural spread, but gave you more protection? I'm thinking stubbed toes, and sharp rocks here. The guy I saw wearing them last weekend stubbed his toes 2-3 times in the few minutes we were hiking next to each other, and complained about sharp rocks through the sole.

Jim

[Krabill]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

You would have to do some pretty drastic things to MAKE them look like that!

OK, so I am getting the spreaded toes thing, and it makes sense. So how come you couldn't just wear shoes that allowed a more natural spread, but gave you more protection? I'm thinking stubbed toes, and sharp rocks here. The guy I saw wearing them last weekend stubbed his toes 2-3 times in the few minutes we were hiking next to each other, and complained about sharp rocks through the sole.

Jim

You just have to get used to having your feet exposed. Once you figure it out foot placement really starts to come naturally. I hike in mine all the time and don't have any issues. Rocks, roots, hills, dirt, sand, etc, etc . . .

[Doc.Snyder]

Of course I would not use them in high alpine environments or mountaineering in general ... but for everything else, I use my KSO Treks. But you have to get used to them first and build some muscle in your feet/ankles.

[troidus]

I went hiking in Arches National Park in Tevas and my feet didn't complain a bit. I imagine that the VFFs would work even better in that environment. I sure wouldn't want to encounter a baby saguaro in them, though. Had that happen with a regular soft hiking boot in Organ Pipe once and had to pull a crapload of spines out of the top of my foot by hand.

[Norhasken]

I saw a dude in a pair of those at the grocery store. I thought he was a Hobbit for a moment.

[P B G]

Originally Posted by Dave KLR

good lord, i think i would do some pretty drastic things to keep my feet from looking like that!

You get stuff like that in individuals with neurological disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth, as well as severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. But a very tight shoe can result in a good bunion, and a tight toe box can result in that displaced big toe, and such.

Figure, properly fit shoes, many people think look big. That old figure of 3/8" of free space in front of the toes, and having enough width is important, but people feel sort of goofy when their shoes look big, particularly the ladies who all seem to think they wear about a size 6.5 womens shoe. Which, they just do not.

[Dave KLR]

Originally Posted by P B G

You get stuff like that in individuals with neurological disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth, as well as severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. But a very tight shoe can result in a good bunion, and a tight toe box can result in that displaced big toe, and such.

Figure, properly fit shoes, many people think look big. That old figure of 3/8" of free space in front of the toes, and having enough width is important, but people feel sort of goofy when their shoes look big, particularly the ladies who all seem to think they wear about a size 6.5 womens shoe. Which, they just do not.

i see. I mean if my feet look like the above pic who is gonna want to put them in their mouth? why is life so hard?

[P B G]

Originally Posted by Dave KLR

i see. I mean if my feet look like the above pic who is gonna want to put them in their mouth? why is life so hard?

Probably because you define success as an oral toe event?

[Dave KLR]

Originally Posted by P B G

Probably because you define success as an oral toe event?

everyone else does not?

[milq]

Originally Posted by P B G

That old figure of 3/8" of free space in front of the toes, and having enough width is important, but people feel sort of goofy when their shoes look big, particularly the ladies who all seem to think they wear about a size 6.5 womens shoe. Which, they just do not.

I swear those pics are my grandmother's feet (at least the way the big toes are pointed). She is a broad shouldered gal at 93, I can't imagine how stout she must've been at 30 and her shoes are CLEARLY at least one size smaller than she needs. Bless her heart.