5 Finger Shoes

[engaged]

I was reading one of my regular blogs ( http://tinyurl.com/c9w79q ) and found them discussing 5 finger shoes. I hadn't heard of them before and they look like they would be great for lifting. They should certainly get around many gym's bans of bare feet.

[ricepower]

They look a lot less gross than the two-toe split ones, than reebok/nike/puma or somebody like that were doing. You still look a cock wearing them in the street but for climbing or lifting, yeah they look good.

Ill stick to my vans though.

[Mehdi]

I walk barefoot all the time at home, and lift barefoot. I wouldn't do power cleans barefoot though. Would be fine for the rest, including running.

[Dada]

I can see wearing them for climbing but that's about it. I normally just lift barefoot at home.

Found a great quote about the Nike split toes. Read the first review here.... haha

http://www.outdoorreview.com/cat/outdoo ... px#reviews

[Rokku]

I think I've seen similar used for trail running before (as an argument that running "barefoot" is better than running in modern running shoes). You wouldn't catch me in a pair, though

[bigwhat62]

try out the vibrams. let us know how you like them.

[sean]

I actually bought a pair of these, been wearing them for a few weeks. I'll give a brief review.

* Ordering/sizing. They have their own weird sizing chart where you actually stick a ruler under your foot and measure it. I recommend measuring your foot, then ordering a size larger. I had to return the first pair because my little toe didn't fit. If you're one of those people whose second toes are longer than your big toes, these probably wont fit you. I bought the classic model. They stay on my feet while walking around, but if I'm doing anything more aggressive than walking I need to cinch them tight, which feels a little weird at first, but you get used to it.

* Usefulness. I work as a lifeguard at a pool, and these are a great alternative to sandals. The double as water shoes too. I'm used to walking around barefoot, so the "transition" from walking in normal shoes to these was nonexistent. After getting over my fear of looking like a hipster, I began to wear them outside the pool setting. They've really grown on me.

* Look factor. Yes, you look weird wearing these. I have the all black model, and I still get stares and comments all the time. When people ask me what they are, I just have fun with it and say something like, "These are my 2009 ninja boots from Ninja Upgrade dot com. Thanks for noticing." Or when they ask where I got them, "Hipster's Warehouse dot com." Great conversation starters.

* For Weightlifting. Honestly, I haven't tried lifting in them and I don't plan to. But that's because I already own some Rogue Do-Wins. That being said, these could definitely work well as lifting shoes, much better than Chuck Taylors imo. The sole is hard rubber with great traction, but the top material is pretty flimsy. It wont protect your foot if you drop anything on it.

* Overall. I'm glad I bought these. They feel much better than a normal shoe. I wear them everywhere now. If you can deal with looking like a douche, and if the price doesn't bother you, they're definitely worth buying.

*** Pros - Feels better than a normal shoe.
- Better for your feet and ankles to develop strength.

*** Cons - They get smelly fast. Need to be washed a lot.
- They make you look weird. Just learn to play it off.

[lovestolift]

......an argument that running "barefoot" is better than running in modern running shoes.

The argument is sort of a sound one. Modern shoes allow us to run in a way that our feet have not evolved for. We strike the heel first and then roll onto the ball of the foot. It is like putting the breaks on with every stride. Try running barefoot, or in these and you will cut out the heel strike immediately, or deal with some major problems. I'd like to try these out, but I don't want to put up the cash if I don't fit (I have monkey toes and wide feet).

[muadib]

nobody who is hip would ever wear these. these are the nerdiest things I have ever seen. that being said, they look like they would be good for lifting or running. I haven't tried any serious barefoot running but these look like they'd be good for avoiding cuts and the like.

[dmaip]

just stick to the basics...CHUCK TAYLORS

[santisua]

I went to buy myself some vans for lifting because I have really WIDE feet... Funny thing is that none of the vans fit me...So i went up to footlocker and was like what the heck. I tried on some Addidas Classics which fit so much better. Got those and lifted in them today....it is SO much easier to be on my heels when squatting, i love it and I love the shoes

[baatzt]

I actually bought a pair of these, been wearing them for a few weeks. I'll give a brief review.

* Ordering/sizing. They have their own weird sizing chart where you actually stick a ruler under your foot and measure it. I recommend measuring your foot, then ordering a size larger. I had to return the first pair because my little toe didn't fit. If you're one of those people whose second toes are longer than your big toes, these probably wont fit you. I bought the classic model. They stay on my feet while walking around, but if I'm doing anything more aggressive than walking I need to cinch them tight, which feels a little weird at first, but you get used to it.

* Usefulness. I work as a lifeguard at a pool, and these are a great alternative to sandals. The double as water shoes too. I'm used to walking around barefoot, so the "transition" from walking in normal shoes to these was nonexistent. After getting over my fear of looking like a hipster, I began to wear them outside the pool setting. They've really grown on me.

* Look factor. Yes, you look weird wearing these. I have the all black model, and I still get stares and comments all the time. When people ask me what they are, I just have fun with it and say something like, "These are my 2009 ninja boots from Ninja Upgrade dot com. Thanks for noticing." Or when they ask where I got them, "Hipster's Warehouse dot com." Great conversation starters.

* For Weightlifting. Honestly, I haven't tried lifting in them and I don't plan to. But that's because I already own some Rogue Do-Wins. That being said, these could definitely work well as lifting shoes, much better than Chuck Taylors imo. The sole is hard rubber with great traction, but the top material is pretty flimsy. It wont protect your foot if you drop anything on it.

* Overall. I'm glad I bought these. They feel much better than a normal shoe. I wear them everywhere now. If you can deal with looking like a douche, and if the price doesn't bother you, they're definitely worth buying.

*** Pros - Feels better than a normal shoe.
- Better for your feet and ankles to develop strength.

*** Cons - They get smelly fast. Need to be washed a lot.
- They make you look weird. Just learn to play it off.

Thank You for the review. I have been wanting these for a long time, but they are quite costy, as you also point out. I know RKC'ers use these vibram's 5-fingers footwear exclusively, and "if it's good enough for them ..." Anyway, I am slightly flat-fooded, do You think this would have any influence when ordering?

Thanks in advance
baatzt

[codygman]

These shoes really are great, and I would wear them exclusively if it weren't for one thing.

The smell!

It's terrible. The only way to handle it is to buy some ininji socks, wash that pair every day, then wash the shoes every 5 days.

Other than that, these shoes will do amazing things for your feet. I stopped wearing them exclusively about 2 months ago, since I felt I needed to push my parkour training in a way I couldn't do barefoot.