Remember toe socks? Those often rainbow coloured socks with individual fabric wrapping around each little piggy? Remember how they seemed like a good idea until you put them on and realised that by separating your toes you eliminate the effects of body heat rendering some very cold tootsies? I do. I also remember thinking “Hey, these knee high socks will be perfect for snowboarding!” This was, quite unfortunately, before I came to the body heat conclusion. Well, if you missed out on the toe sock bandwagon and have been lamenting it ever since, a company called Vibram has made a pair of shoes just for you!

They are called the 5 Fingers, and they are shoes that are shaped just like the human foot (toes included)!

The idea of the shoe is to give the wearer the feeling and agility of being barefoot, but with the safety and protection of a shoe. These shoes are made for “exercising, play, and fun.” A lot of customer reviews have mentioned using them for rock climbing, hiking, running, and just about any kind of foot-on-the-ground sport. Vibram says that these shoes strengthen muscles in the feet and legs; and in them you can “experience the same physical and visceral sensation” as going barefoot. And, while all this may be true, I just can’t get over how silly they look.

A man came into my shop today wearing these shoes. I had to look twice but once I did, I was thoroughly intrigued. I couched down beside him and pretended to straighten up the shelves so I could see the brand name on the shoes. I have since read a lot about them, and while most of the customer reviews are quite positive, I just can’t get past my toe socks prejudices! You could be Brad Pitt and still look a fool in these things.

Even attractive people can’t make these look good.

The Vibram website really recommends that you wear these shoes for any activity that you would rather do barefoot – it even specifies yoga, although I am not sure why you wouldn’t just do yoga barefoot.  The only problem I see with these shoes, and I suppose this could be solved by trying them on, is the fit. In a regular pair of shoes there is a certain amount of lenience when it comes to fit. You know, give or take a bit on the width and if the toe is a little roomy it’s no big deal, but with these, I feel like you get an incorrect fit and it could be very uncomfortable (especially if you find the toes to be too widely spaced).  Not to mention the blatant discrimination against people with webbed feet! I just remember having problems with my toe socks and having to wiggle each toe into place individually. That being said, these would be pretty awesome for climbing chain link fences. Remember trying to stick the front of your runners into one of those loops? Impossible. Ever try climbing them barefoot? Immensely painful. Vibram 5 Fingers may just be the answer. …We should probably be on the lookout for groups of thieves in toe shoes.

All joking aside, if anyone reading this has these shoes, or has tried on these shoes, please leave a comment with your thoughts. Are they really all that Vibram makes them out to be? My inquiring mind wants to know!