Vibram Five Fingers - Gear Review

Vibram Five Fingers
This is the first time I have done any significant hiking in my Vibram Five Finger footwear. I have done some running and milling around the yard in them and for that have been a fan. Hiking wise, I am still a fan. I lugged a backup pair hiking shoes up the mountain with me just in case but didn't need them.

The Vibram Five Fingers fit over your feet like a glove and give you the sensation of being barefoot except there is a protective layer of Vibram rubber (the same quality rubber you will find on rock climbing shoes) between your feet and the ground. They are extremely light and your feet will be sensitive to the terrain beneath them. I felt as agile as a deer in the shoes while navigating this trail. The trade-off for agility though is protection. Reckless bumbling through rough terrain could cause easier toe injury if you are not being completely mindful of every step. My mind wondered a few times and I snagged each small toe on a root and rock that hurt like an SOB but otherwise uninjured. After that, I was really focused about what I was doing and actually made my journey in the “now” more vivid.

As I write this, I am lounging in the sun and acutely aware of the soreness in my calf that I probably would not have otherwise experienced. If I had worn the Five Fingers more diligently prior, I would most likely have the foot strength already in place. But it is a good sore and really provides a sense of how unnatural conventional shoes allow us to walk. Spend a day in the Five Fingers and walk the way humans were designed to.

I love this product and recommend it to everybody. I look forward to the day that it is socially acceptable to see people going into their offices with these type foot gear.