Vibram’s FiverFingers shoes creep me out, but I understand the appeal of footwear that feels like it’s barely there. The Swiss Barefoot Company thinks the same way, but has instead created an ultra-durable sock that’s worn like a shoe.
The socks are made from eight per cent spandex, 10 per cent cotton, 32 per cent polyester, and the most important ingredient, 50 per cent kevlar. The bottoms have also been reinforced with a PVC laminate that helps make them cut-resistant. So your feet will feel as close to being naked while still having some level of protection. Just remember, the socks aren’t cut-proof, so walking on broken glass or jagged rocks is still going to be risky.
Each pair runs about $US78 and apparently requires a bit of practice to get used to walking in them. And while I like the general idea, I can’t think of anything worse than the feeling of walking around in wet socks. So I’ll stick to my sneaks thank you. [The Swiss Barefoot Company via Gizmag]
RooBoy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 9:51 AMI’ve been wearing Vibram Five Fibgers for years now.. best shoes on the planet by leaps and bounds (pun intended)
The best way to describe the feeling is like wearing gloves on your feet. They allow to grasp the ground and contours of the earth with your toes.
Rock climbing, running and hiking are all easier once you’ve adapted to the new feeling. I even give credit to the FFingers for correcting a 15 year old ongoing injury from a dislocated foot.
Try them, they are worth the extra dosh..
As for the sock idea, sure why not, but I’m sceptical that a soft fabric would last versus rubber soles like on the FFingers.
Oh, if you do get and wear the FFinger style shoes, be prepared to answer a lot of questions and get more attention than you would expect
Antonia
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 9:52 AMThe problem with the 5 finger shoes and, I guess, with these socks is that it presupposes a specific foot shape which means that only the average footed get properly shod.
RooBoy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:19 AMI can only testify to the Vibram products, they are quite flexible in terms of fit, even broad or narrow feet would suit these shoes. I’ve always had arch problems in shoes, so I was skeptical I would like these, and truth be told, these hurt my feet like hell until my bones returned to their natural positions in the foot… now.. these are like wearing ankle socks, you don’t even know they are there.
Titsnass
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:02 AMI like this idea, they’re a little expensive, but if they could ruggedise the sole a bit more I think I might consider them for running. Toe to heel is supposed to be better than heel , toe, which is how I do it with runners!
RooBoy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:17 AMVery much so, the barefoot shoes will definitely get you up on the balls of your feet when you run.. after you adapt, you’ll find you hardly even touch your heal down when running..
PS: not sure now, but do not buy Vibram products on eBay, they are all cheap knock offs. Vibram will not sell via eBay only on their own site and they dealers. I got stung by a fake pair myself .. once
Graeme
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 12:33 AMI’ve got numerous pairs of cheap Chinese knock offs (from a fairly well known web site with extremely good deals). The quality of all of them has been just as good as the real thing, but at about a sixth of the price. If I’d have paid full Five Fingers price for them I’d have been annoyed, but I wouldn’t pay full price for the Vibram ones anyway as they’re ridiculously over-priced.
BrightNobleWoman
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:42 PMThey may allow you to move as if you are bare-footed, but there is more to the sensation of bare-footedness than movement. One of the reasons I love to go bare-footed is to feel the textures, and the varying temperatures. Soft grasses, harder grasses, rough concrete, sliding my feet through sand. Any footwear will get in the way of these sensations. Bare-foot is bare-foot.
RooBoy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 1:21 PMSurprisingly, except for the sand experience, you feel literally everything under your feet as the shoes of the shoes at least are very tough but thin
RooBoy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 1:22 PMsouls of the shoes… Damn autocorrect
Peter
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 3:56 PMSoles*.
Whatever you say about them, they’re still ugly as sin.
RooBoy
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 10:18 AMthanks Peter, and yes they are ugly as Shyte but worth the odd looks and questions for me at least
Sam
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 5:31 PMAre they dog $hit proof?