Do you remember that episode of Married With Children where Al talked to god in a dream and designed a pair of shoes that looked like feet? I think the people at Vibram saw that episode too. As it turns out, that was a very good thing because these shoes will change your life.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room. A lot of people will think these shoes are silly-looking and, to be fair, it’s an unusual footwear design for a culture that’s accustomed to strips of leather attached to a flat sole. I get asked about them everywhere I go; sometimes with intrigue, sometimes with sarcasm. Either way, they generate attention. That’s ultimately a good thing, though. The footwear industry isn’t really known for innovation, and Vibram may be the company to change that.
Most shoe companies base their designs on aesthetics and a few companies add marginal functional improvements to address specific orthopedic concerns. Vibram, however decided to completely rethink footwear. The result is the FiveFinger design, which is almost purely based on ergonomics. The concept is that feet perform best when they are restrained the least, and Vibram has some science to back it up (check out their website here).
For this specific review, I selected the FiveFingers KSO, which stands for Keep Stuff Out. The KSO differs from the Classic model by adding an nylon mesh covering to the top of the shoe and a velcro strap for a better fit. After putting them on, the first noticeable difference from normal shoes is that your toes are free to spread. That spreading really adds a lot of stability and maneuverability in walking. I felt immediately more agile than I do in normal shoes. The best way to describe the sensation is “heightened awareness.” I felt much more in contact with the environment and much more in control of my movements in it. It’s a very pleasant feeling.
On the mats, the FiveFingers give a lot of grip, but do tend to catch the gi material, limiting some movements in traditional gi training. Also, purists will disapprove of any footwear worn during rolling. However, the shoes do lend themselves quite nicely to no-gi jiu jitsu, boxing, and wrestling where they can replace traditional wrestling/boxing shoes. As for the rest of the training (sprints, roadwork, plyometrics, etc.) that goes along with these sports, the FiveFingers can handle that extremely well.
After wearing them (everywhere) for about two weeks now, I have adjusted to the FiveFingers quite nicely. Initially, however, there was some unusual soreness. My calves, arches, and upper legs were all pretty sore for a few days, which a good sign that the shoes are working. Conversely, I noticed that being on my feet for long periods of time didn’t leave my lower back sore at all, something that always happens to me in normal shoes.
Time magazine named the FiveFingers shoes one of the inventions of the year in 2007 (the year the iPhone debuted), and I’m forced to agree. These shoes represent a huge step forward (pun intended) for footwear design. Go try some today and thank me later.