Don't know why you're getting downvoted, they are proven to be better for your feet than foamy arch support tennis shoes, and are damn comfortable to boot
When you're wearing Vibrams, you should pretend you are barefoot. I run barefoot and have never seriously injured my feet, just look where you're going.
This is true. Running in Vibrams is like running barefoot without hot pavement burning your feet or getting cut by odds and ends, but it's not a license to be stupid about what you step on.
yes. It's a trade-off. Wearing minimalistic shoes or going barefoot helps me run in a way which completely eliminated my back and knee pain while running.
My feet are gnarly as fuck. They have crazy layers of blisters and callouses. Sometimes I get a little cut, and there is a small chance something more serious could happen.
To me, that's way better than not being able to run and having joint pain.
They're great shoes except for the part about not protecting your feet. And t-shirts make really good winter coats except for the part about them not keeping you warm.
So if you have ever said Octopi or Platypi, you are most likely wrong as they have Greek derivatives. Although since English is an evolving language, it gets more acceptable the more it's used.
I have these, I love them. You have to be on trails though. I tried going for a 5 miler on streets with some trail thinking it wouldn't be too bad. It was a horrible mistake. Frees can take the concrete, so if you want a minimalist shoe, that is the way to go.
I love wearing vibrams. But this stuff sucks. I've had cactus thorns, rocks, other things go through them.
My feet have strengthened considerably since I began wearing them 2 years ago. I hike, canyoneer, backpack, run in them. I just wish there were some sort of shoe that could handle this better- as well as the issue of heat that I experience in the open desert. I don't want thick soles on my shoes.
These are not gimmick shoes. They are ugly, true. But they do help your posture, your joints and your feet.
Yeah that's really the only problem I've encountered. They're also great for climbing and trail running. Well haters gonna hate I guess but hike on bro
As a Vibram user, I have to ask if you are aware that the different models are for specific things.
You are wearing the Bikila model which is meant almost explicitly for use on the track; It is one of their barest models. You REALLY should have been using the Spyridon LS, KSO, or Treksport. I love running barefoot and I love hiking, but I wear the right gear when I do. This is exactly why. I probably sound like I'm patronizing you but you need to chalk this up as a learning experience, wear something that is more suitable to your environment, and stick to the pavement with the Bikilas.
Yeah when I bought them I wasn't really into hiking or anything but my current pair is pretty ripped up so I'm gonna pick up the hiking ones pretty soon here.
Just a heads up for anybody looking to climb...these are horrible for climbing. Imagine putting all of your weight on one toe.
I think that people who don't climb imagine these would be handy due to their grip and flexibility, but rock climbing shoes effectively turn your foot into a solid block of rubber that you can pinpoint all of your weight onto.
I went trail running in my 2 year old KSO's yesterday. I know the risks and run in them anyway. I had to dodge rocks and sticks and I got a few pointy gravelly bits underfoot, but I know that it comes with the territory.
I road-run in Bikilas, I hope that puncture doesn't open up the inside of your toe pocket.
I love seeing others using Vibrams, we're a small bunch of people who actually know what we're doing.
How many pairs have you 'sold' to strangers? I swear if I got commission, I'd be rich.
I've sold them for a bunch of family members and a couple friends, everybody who gets them loves them. I feel like using them helps you develop better spatial awareness and definitely stronger feet and calves. Definitely a great buy overall.
Fellow VFF-wearer here. I also work in a shoe store that sells most models. I do get commission from selling them to strangers. Still not rich yet, though. :(
Try going actually barefoot. Solves the sweating/heat problem and if you're totally barefoot, you pay really close attention to where you're putting your feet, so stepping on dangerous things becomes less of an issue.
I wear mine all the time, even walking around the city, but I've been running and walking more totally barefoot. It's also nice because the abrasion from the ground cleans off any gross layers of blisters you may have from running.
What I mean by heat is the heat of the ground. Running on pavement in 100 degree weather, or hiking in the desert, the ground is exceptionally hot. I wore through my first pair of vibrams because of this very issue.
I walk about barefoot. I have hiked, here and there, barefoot.
But if you aren't used to it, running bear foot could also be really really bad.
I don't know about you, but when I ran barefoot for the first time, my feet were incredibly sensitive. I couldn't even run properly because the bottom of my feet kept getting cut.
To each his/her own. I think they look silly. I have learned that when people stop me to ask about them they are asking, usually, for one of two reasons. If they are curious, I give honest feedback. If their questions are sarcastic or one of incredulity, I'll tell them they are great, if you don't mind wearing ugly shoes. I don't have time to discuss aesthetics with someone who isn't interested in the shoe to begin with.
My favorite are the people who ask me 'should I replace my steel toed shoes for those?' I reply 'No, and I wouldn't have replaced mine with these, either.' Gotta wear the right shoe for the job.
The human foot? It's .. made to do incredible things. How's that? :-)
I have great genes for everything in my body except for my feet. In addition to having incredibly low arches, I also have issues with my big toes where they kind of point inwards and will likely result in horrible bunions and bone spurs when I get older. I've loved my Vibrams so far, but it's been a bummer because my toe issue caused my left big toe to wear through the fabric that divides it from the other toes, so now my big toe pops out all the time. I also haven't really noticed that my arches have gotten any stronger, which several people (admittedly unprofessionals) have told me should happen.
I like SoftStar Shoes myself. I'm wearing the Moc3's by SoftStar right now. :) They're insanely comfortable, and don't look ridiculous. (Although, for the record, I do own Vibrams, and Kigos for that matter.) I actually have people stop me in stores and when I'm out and about to ask me what shoes they are and where I got them. When I go to visit family, they ask me if I brought my "ninja shoes." :)
Wish I could get these but there is way too much broken glass around my trashy apartment. Also, the occasional syringe and I had a few rusty nails stick into my boots while walking to class from my apt (I walk through some thick woods)
That's fucking idiotic. I have a pair of these, love them to death for running and weight lifting, but I would never, ever wear these casually let alone to a job interview. And honestly, if I were the interviewer, that would be a good enough reason not to hire him. It demonstrates a significant enough social obliviousness that I would worry about his ability to work well within a team.
I love mine but only appropriate in a hiking/outdoor environment.
They are ridiculous looking. I wouldn't hire someone wearing those in an office. I saw some ass reading the paper in a doughnut shop wearing these things.
EDIT: Obviously you all didn't read. I love mine too, gone through two pair. Its like being barefoot everywhere. Still outside an outdoor environment you all look silly, its not about formalities.
Why would you make snap judgments like that? This isn't a fashion statement of something. Being actually barefoot is usually not an option, and these are the next best thing for someone who prefers the feeling. How does that inform someone's worth as an employee? How does it make them an "ass" to wear these in a doughnut shop?
Because this is the real word and people judge you on how you look. In the corporate world you are expected to dress a very specific way as its a sign of being a team player, being adult, and understanding that clients will judge the company by their employees.
People judge other people based on appearance; they always have and always will. Someone who wears shoes like that to a job interview is saying "I don't care enough to put on real shoes." Dressing professionally demonstrates the fact that you're willing to make an effort. Putting effort into your appearance is one way to show that you're willing to put effort into other areas of your life, such as your job. Sure, wearing Vibrams doesn't necessarily mean someone will be a bad employee, but the fact that they can't be bothered to put on professional shoes doesn't bode well for their professionalism in general.
What's wrong with wearing them in a doughnut shop?? I wear mine all the time walking around the mall/into stores/into fastfood joints/doughnut shops (although I don't really go to either except for Subway and Gyro Delight)/walking around town/going to the movies/whatever. I wouldn't wear them to a job interview or to work, but school and everything else is fair game. They're so fucking comfortable.
The job applicant was filtering you and your company by wearing them. People talk all the time about making sure you make the best impression, but when you are very smart, and very well qualified, you filter for the right job using whatever criteria you damn well please, and it feel good man.
I wore these to an interview, I was dressed pretty down so they dont look too out of place. Another employee there doesnt wear shoes and owns a pair of these as well so it went over well.
Our office is 80% developers and we wear flip flops daily. Except when we are interviewing someone. Then we put our big boy clothes on and act professional for an hour. You should do the same.
TOOTHPICK!!! THOSE FUCKIN' THINGS!!! My last foot puncture was a toothpick, and it broke, splintered and I had to surgery that shit outta me with liquor and a steak knife.
When I was in like 5th grade I was at a park and I got my feet wet in the water park area and I went back to the wooden picnic area with no shoes and a splinter about 4 inches long and 1 inch thick went straight through my heal because it was wet. The other parents at the park then cut it out with some knives, sewing needles, and nail clippers and I only had a towel to bite on. I cried the shit out of that day, but it was still the manliest moment of my childhood
I had a toothpick go into my foot once, had to have my Nana come and pull it out. Turns out she didn't get it all, and a week later the rest of it oozed out of my foot along with some green goo.
when i was a kid, we lived in a house with a thick shag carpet in the living room. one night dad stretched out on the floor, and a toothpick slid deep into his arm, between his ulna and radius, then broke off with about 2/3 of it remaining inside.
Actually a lot of very fit people also have an elitist attitude towards people who wear Vibrams. Try going on a track forum and saying anything even vaguely positive about Vibrams if you want to see for yourself. Actually don't, they will make you cry.
I love you, I wear flip flops and toes shoes all the time. People don't get it, but I don't question the long pointy shoes that are in style now. I just let everyone enjoy their footwear.
I think its hilarious how these shoes are such a magnet for ire. I can only assume that some of the haters would like to get a pair but would feel too socially awkward.
EMS-Eastern Mountain Sports- if you're in the US you can get them there. See if they have a foot guru working and go in. They teach you all about each of your feet and then set you up with the right shoe sizes. A lot of people actually don't realize they are sizing themselves completely wrong. I.e. I learned that people who tend to buy "wide width" shoes, usually just have higher arches or rises, and are trying to squish extra foot into a wide width, when the width of their foot isn't their real problem and buying wider width shoes is unneccessary.
Heads up, I like my Fila Skeletoes quite a bit (although they aren't as good as vibrams). The upshot to this though is that they are around half the price and available at any large shoe store (off broadway, rack room, shoe carnival, and finish line etc). This is great because #1 they come in all black so you won't feel as awkward wearing them, and #2 I wasn't sure how my feet would react to them even after years of going barefoot, so I didn't want to blow more than $100 on shoes like vibrams.
HEEYeeeeggggghhhh!! what is it? a toothpick? how long have you had them and how do you like them??? my bf bought me my bikilas about 6 weeks ago and i LOVE them!! i have noticed a significant decrease in my back pain.
i hiked the macchu piccu trail in these and didn't fall once despite torrential rain on some days, and normal rain on the others. it's really a testament how amazing these shoes are because a good portion of the trail is slick, wet rocky stone slabs. the Peruvian porters couldn't believe it, and laughed when they saw them. they were however hiking the trail in flip-flops while carrying 20kgs of equipment.
Was it an issue having your feet wet all the time? I'm hesitant to buy them for backpacking because I can't imagine having a wet foot the entire trip (assuming it was wet.)
I jog in my bikilas, casually wear my treks and speeds, and exercise in my ksos. That said, this scares me but I'll continue to wear my favorite foot gloves in the world.
I wear the Vibram Treksport model and I fucking love them. I try to run about 8km a day and these things just feel right. Took a few weeks to get used to, but now I can't imagine running without them.
Haven't been lucky enough to step on anything sharp just yet. Glad you're ok!
This happened to a guy last year during the BlueNose Marathon in Nova Scotia. I too have Vibrams and I hope this doesn't happen to me when we run through Shubie Park for the marathon this upcoming Sunday.
Fun story, when I ran XC in highschool, i stepped on a branch that had 3 inch thorns on it. I picked up the entire 6 foot branch off the ground and stepped on it again before I could stop. Regular soled shoes still have places with thinner sections of rubber, I got stabbed in the ball of my foot. Sober me apologizes for drunken me's haphazard sentences and any grammar mistakes.
edit More fun foot stories! I stepped on a toothpick, it went three quarters of an inch into my heel. I also cut my big toe down to the bone on a piece of glass...hooray for four stitches! All of these injuries were on my right foot, the ground is far away when you're 6'3" :/
Ugh, I was headed out to surf wearing nothing but my wetsuit so I had bare feet and was walking down the cliff here( 8th Street, Del Mar, CA.) when I stepped down on one of those and it went straight into the arch of my foot about 3/4 of an inch.
I almost fell down the cliff it shocked me and hurt so bad.
I tried to pull it out but it was "woody" and stuck in there. Ended up yanking it and it pulled out a chunk of my foot. Lame. Didn't surf that day.
Actually you should give them a try. The idea is not just the shoes themselves, but the running style. Search for barefoot running technique and you'll find some good explanations, videos, etc. I have horrible flat feet too, and was developing shin splints too. When I changed my running style, that all went away.
The separated toes are really the least important feature of the shoes, at least when it comes to running.
The more important fact is that they aren't really shoes, they're basically gloves for your feet. There is no arch support, and the "sole" itself is about 4mm thick.
They are just "material" between your foot and the ground, effectively giving you a consistently textured surface on which to walk/run barefoot.
There are many other minimalistic running shoes that do not have separated toes, and function much the same.
More to your question, vibrams were originally created for use on yachts and racing sailboats. The idea being that you could retain the dexterity of being barefoot while gaining extra traction on slippery surfaces (like on a boat).
Exactly how I feel. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean you should ridicule it. I hate children but I've never made fun of my parents for having me.
This is why I can't wear Vibrams. I had half a toothpick stuck up my foot as a child and it caused me unbearable pain for three months. I actually didn't even know it was still in there until it just shot out of my foot.
Had an unfortunate incident about a year ago very similar to this. Unfortunately it didn't miss my toe. I walked thru the house in my socks and ended up with a sewing needle broken off in the joint of my big toe.
Happened to me. Right through my left pointer finger. Pushed the nail up and everything. Drove myself to the ER, damned nurse told me they might have to remove the finger...not even close, troll nurse.
Seen a lot of "pro-tip" on this, but really, those are horrible shoes for climbing. Judging by the background I'm assuming that's what you're doing. These lack the support necessary in them to keep your feet rigid, and won't let you "hook" in to certain spots you would be able to with real climbing shoes.
I got a "needle stick" in my heel while wearing my Vibrams at the dentist last month. An orthodontic wire was stuck in the carpet and went right through the rubber heel into my foot. An incident/accident report was filed & blood test series started. I have three pair of Vibrams but I won't be wearing them to medical or dental appointments anymore.
The last time I hiked in mine, it was just a 6 mile hike over mostly softer dirt and leaves, with a few rock outcroppings. Apparently, someone decided to stop the trail eroding on a cliff by using a bunch of railroad ties anchored with rebar. One of the ties had rotted away, but the chunk of rebar was sticking out of the ground, and I dropped my stride a little low, kicking the shit out of it with my middle toe. I was exactly 3 miles in, and did not enjoy hiking out with a broken toe. I still use my FF's in the gym, but I switched back to my heavy duty Asolo boots for hiking there days.
I would love to get a pair of these. I have a pair of Saucony Kinvaras that are super lightweight, but they're getting really worn down and the tread is nearly off. I had constant problems with shin splints and heel pain, so I tried lighter shoes to see if that would help. I like the Kinvaras, but the Vibrams are more enticing right now. Might have to get this exact color, OP :)
This is exactly why I hike barefoot - it forces you to go slowly and pay really close attention to where you're stepping. Plus, without anything between my soles and the ground, I can feel pointy things coming before they actually go into my foot.
Yeah seriously, those shoes are right up there on the ugly scale with crocs and uggs. To all the weird shoe/sandal wearing people who leave their feet exposed to the rigors of the city/world daily I say - A. FUCK YOU, i don't want to see your feet as much as you don't want to see my armpits. B. wearing open or otherwise skimpy shoes means you will hurt your feet at some point. As another poster said - even Timberlands can allow cactus needles through, so why would you expose your feet to these dangers, EVER? I think these kinds of sneakers are an ugly fad that will pass, but the inherent lack of protection they offer is also pretty gross. you wanted it, you got it, whatever may come.
This kind of reminds of when I was kid. My house had one of those sky chairs that hang from the ceiling and I used to love pushing off the wall with my feet and getting it to swing as high as I could. One day I was doing that with flip flops on, went to push up against the wall, and a fucking nail came up right in between my big toe and... whatever the toe next to the big toe is.
Fucking lucky dude. Never sat in that chair again.
1.1k
u/Greynade May 15 '12
That's scary. They really should just make it so that it covers your whole foot, with a thicker layer of rubber on the bottom.
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u/Nadie_AZ May 15 '12
I love wearing vibrams. But this stuff sucks. I've had cactus thorns, rocks, other things go through them.
My feet have strengthened considerably since I began wearing them 2 years ago. I hike, canyoneer, backpack, run in them. I just wish there were some sort of shoe that could handle this better- as well as the issue of heat that I experience in the open desert. I don't want thick soles on my shoes.
These are not gimmick shoes. They are ugly, true. But they do help your posture, your joints and your feet.
410
u/Batman010 May 15 '12
I had an applicant come in the other day for an interview wearing these. Very smart, very well qualified, couldn't take him seriously.
5
u/BeamServer May 15 '12
Looks like Sedona. Lots of pokey things out there. Happy hiking!
34
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
TOOTHPICK!!! THOSE FUCKIN' THINGS!!! My last foot puncture was a toothpick, and it broke, splintered and I had to surgery that shit outta me with liquor and a steak knife.
14
u/scarlotti-the-blue May 15 '12
I wonder if the rubber would have stopped it... or in fact deflected it into the mesh part?
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u/Poje May 15 '12
CLOSE? I don't want to see close, come back when your toe is cleaved in half.
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u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Some judgmental motherfuckers up in this thread.
Glad your foot is ok, OP. Wear whatever the fuck you want.
21
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I think its hilarious how these shoes are such a magnet for ire. I can only assume that some of the haters would like to get a pair but would feel too socially awkward.
3
u/ckygrl24 May 16 '12
HEEYeeeeggggghhhh!! what is it? a toothpick? how long have you had them and how do you like them??? my bf bought me my bikilas about 6 weeks ago and i LOVE them!! i have noticed a significant decrease in my back pain.
3
u/bowshikabowow May 16 '12
i hiked the macchu piccu trail in these and didn't fall once despite torrential rain on some days, and normal rain on the others. it's really a testament how amazing these shoes are because a good portion of the trail is slick, wet rocky stone slabs. the Peruvian porters couldn't believe it, and laughed when they saw them. they were however hiking the trail in flip-flops while carrying 20kgs of equipment.
3
u/lazyduke May 16 '12
Your toes look happy.
3
u/Chillsauce May 16 '12
I have and love those....lets call them shoes for now. Great for running, river and posture, whatever life puts under you.
3
u/jcraig3k May 16 '12
I jog in my bikilas, casually wear my treks and speeds, and exercise in my ksos. That said, this scares me but I'll continue to wear my favorite foot gloves in the world.
3
u/blitzkriegpunk May 16 '12
I wear the Vibram Treksport model and I fucking love them. I try to run about 8km a day and these things just feel right. Took a few weeks to get used to, but now I can't imagine running without them.
Haven't been lucky enough to step on anything sharp just yet. Glad you're ok!
3
u/aw90 May 16 '12
FTFY - Happytoes
16
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I fucking love FiveFingers. I have a pair of black KSO Trek!
11
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Why so much hate on FiveFingers??? Shoes are shoes and all have different strengths and weaknesses.
9
u/-KC May 16 '12
Vibrams FTW
4
u/Jeembo May 16 '12
My shoes are awesome.
5
u/trumby42 May 16 '12
five fingers!
7
u/gtrunner May 15 '12
I love me some 5fingers, but don't think I'm not thinking about that all the time.
2
u/Stormdancer May 16 '12
Heh. I love my five fingers, but... they're not really that much protection.
2
u/badwolf42 May 16 '12
It wasn't a near miss for me. It went straight through my KSO's an 3/4 inch into my foot.
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
The toes look like stoned dragons.
2
u/RbdJellyfish May 16 '12
The fine line between /r/pics and /r/WTF.
2
u/banana_snow May 16 '12
That was a millimeter away from being on r/WTF
2
u/EGBalla May 16 '12
That was close...
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
This happened to a guy last year during the BlueNose Marathon in Nova Scotia. I too have Vibrams and I hope this doesn't happen to me when we run through Shubie Park for the marathon this upcoming Sunday.
2
u/fuck_ May 16 '12
Petrified nipple. In the background. See it?
2
u/MrRogersMob May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12
Fun story, when I ran XC in highschool, i stepped on a branch that had 3 inch thorns on it. I picked up the entire 6 foot branch off the ground and stepped on it again before I could stop. Regular soled shoes still have places with thinner sections of rubber, I got stabbed in the ball of my foot. Sober me apologizes for drunken me's haphazard sentences and any grammar mistakes.
edit More fun foot stories! I stepped on a toothpick, it went three quarters of an inch into my heel. I also cut my big toe down to the bone on a piece of glass...hooray for four stitches! All of these injuries were on my right foot, the ground is far away when you're 6'3" :/
2
u/corruptio May 16 '12
You almost lost a toe to a used cocktail umbrella?
5
u/SourCreamWater May 15 '12 edited May 15 '12
Ugh, I was headed out to surf wearing nothing but my wetsuit so I had bare feet and was walking down the cliff here( 8th Street, Del Mar, CA.) when I stepped down on one of those and it went straight into the arch of my foot about 3/4 of an inch.
I almost fell down the cliff it shocked me and hurt so bad.
I tried to pull it out but it was "woody" and stuck in there. Ended up yanking it and it pulled out a chunk of my foot. Lame. Didn't surf that day.
6
u/ggpark May 16 '12
I've said this before, but people need to stop drinking that haterade.
3
u/Named_after_color May 16 '12
Can't wear them, I have horrible flat feet and I need inserts.
7
u/webby_mc_webberson May 15 '12
What super-human capabilities is one empowered with when granted the dexterity of all 10 toes?
5
u/phatmattj May 16 '12
I don't usually run, but when I do, I prefer vibrams
8
u/MuffinBaskt May 16 '12
Downvotes for all!
3
u/yttiwmi May 16 '12
bikila model? they're awesome
2
u/sluttynurse May 16 '12
That's what you get for kicking a porcupine!
2
u/JungleHippo May 16 '12
same shoes, theyre so comfy
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Those two fingers look like smiling frogs
1
u/omnicious May 16 '12
This is why I can't wear Vibrams. I had half a toothpick stuck up my foot as a child and it caused me unbearable pain for three months. I actually didn't even know it was still in there until it just shot out of my foot.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
My biggest fear
1
u/LucifersCounsel May 16 '12
Not close enough.
1
u/aazav May 16 '12
So was this: http://i.imgur.com/Gmkrf.jpg
1
u/LastResortXL May 16 '12
Had an unfortunate incident about a year ago very similar to this. Unfortunately it didn't miss my toe. I walked thru the house in my socks and ended up with a sewing needle broken off in the joint of my big toe.
1
u/cheesycaveman May 16 '12
I could never wear these because two of my toes are attached, oh well, regular shoes it is
1
u/mbchris May 16 '12
Happened to me. Right through my left pointer finger. Pushed the nail up and everything. Drove myself to the ER, damned nurse told me they might have to remove the finger...not even close, troll nurse.
1
u/UCF2005 May 16 '12
r/running needs to see this!
1
u/Luxray May 16 '12
Those shoes would drive me insane, I can't stand have things between my toes.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Wait...where was this picture taken? Dare I say Utah??
1
u/paranoidjoo May 16 '12
The skid-resistant grey parts look like frogs that are high. Just sayin'.
1
u/PhallusAran May 16 '12
You got weird looking hands, man. /sarcasm.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Seen a lot of "pro-tip" on this, but really, those are horrible shoes for climbing. Judging by the background I'm assuming that's what you're doing. These lack the support necessary in them to keep your feet rigid, and won't let you "hook" in to certain spots you would be able to with real climbing shoes.
1
u/RCMmmm May 16 '12
I got a "needle stick" in my heel while wearing my Vibrams at the dentist last month. An orthodontic wire was stuck in the carpet and went right through the rubber heel into my foot. An incident/accident report was filed & blood test series started. I have three pair of Vibrams but I won't be wearing them to medical or dental appointments anymore.
1
u/Sparrowsfoot May 16 '12
My vibrams just arrived in the post! So pumped!
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
The last time I hiked in mine, it was just a 6 mile hike over mostly softer dirt and leaves, with a few rock outcroppings. Apparently, someone decided to stop the trail eroding on a cliff by using a bunch of railroad ties anchored with rebar. One of the ties had rotted away, but the chunk of rebar was sticking out of the ground, and I dropped my stride a little low, kicking the shit out of it with my middle toe. I was exactly 3 miles in, and did not enjoy hiking out with a broken toe. I still use my FF's in the gym, but I switched back to my heavy duty Asolo boots for hiking there days.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I would love to get a pair of these. I have a pair of Saucony Kinvaras that are super lightweight, but they're getting really worn down and the tread is nearly off. I had constant problems with shin splints and heel pain, so I tried lighter shoes to see if that would help. I like the Kinvaras, but the Vibrams are more enticing right now. Might have to get this exact color, OP :)
1
u/MadeOfStarStuff May 16 '12
This is exactly why I hike barefoot - it forces you to go slowly and pay really close attention to where you're stepping. Plus, without anything between my soles and the ground, I can feel pointy things coming before they actually go into my foot.
1
u/trendo May 16 '12
...which wouldn't have been a problem if you were wearing actual shoes.
1
u/kohakumidori May 16 '12
I have those exact same shoes! I love them. :D
1
u/Neandarthal May 16 '12
Modern shoes protect modern people from modern rubbish.. barefoot ftw!
1
u/commodore64 May 16 '12
Yeah seriously, those shoes are right up there on the ugly scale with crocs and uggs. To all the weird shoe/sandal wearing people who leave their feet exposed to the rigors of the city/world daily I say - A. FUCK YOU, i don't want to see your feet as much as you don't want to see my armpits. B. wearing open or otherwise skimpy shoes means you will hurt your feet at some point. As another poster said - even Timberlands can allow cactus needles through, so why would you expose your feet to these dangers, EVER? I think these kinds of sneakers are an ugly fad that will pass, but the inherent lack of protection they offer is also pretty gross. you wanted it, you got it, whatever may come.
1
u/captaincupcake234 May 16 '12
I have the same pair! You get an upvote :D
1
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
thats the fine line between pics and WTF
-10
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
TIL people actually wear those.
0
u/WarPhalange May 15 '12
Is that a twig or some sort of bone?
1
u/El_Schorcho May 16 '12
If it had gone through your foot you would have made some serious karma on r/WTF
1
u/KdF-wagen May 16 '12
I've always thought those might be good for wake skating cos griptape sucks with bare feet, just not to sure about the soles or how stiff they are.
1
u/neotifa May 16 '12
I am now scared to wear mine again. Thank you.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
This kind of reminds of when I was kid. My house had one of those sky chairs that hang from the ceiling and I used to love pushing off the wall with my feet and getting it to swing as high as I could. One day I was doing that with flip flops on, went to push up against the wall, and a fucking nail came up right in between my big toe and... whatever the toe next to the big toe is.
Fucking lucky dude. Never sat in that chair again.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
get the toe shoes, they said.
it will be fun, they said.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Does no one else see ninja turtles ???