I thought I would do another product review. This time it
is for something that I was really skeptical about, so I feel this makes me an
ideal person to do a proper and fully unbiased review. This review is on the Vibram
FiveFingers. FiveFingers are the shoes that “started the barefoot revolution”.
Vibram FiveFingers® (VFF) were developed by Robert Fliri
and Marco Brimani (grandson of Vibram’s founder Vitale Brimani). They are
considered to be a healthy alternative for your feet, when living an active
life and not a replacement for all of your shoes.
In August of this last year (2011), while I was still in
Southern Sudan, my wife and I were discussing buying both of us a pair of
Vibram FiveFingers shoes. I thought they
might be interesting but wasn’t completely sold on the comfort level or how I
was going to feel about having my toes separated and wrapped. But I thought it
might be kind of cool to walk around with that feel of being barefoot. After
all, when we were kids we always ran around and played outside with no shoes on
and it was great. Plus, I was working in Africa at the time and was reminded
that shoes were not necessarily needed to survive. Many of the Africans are
still going barefoot and it doesn’t seem to bother them. Believe me the
environment over there is much harsher than it is here.
So as my enthusiasm grew I continued to research and saw
many different styles, some of which are very odd looking and do not look very
appealing but some very cool looking. I
also learned the health benefits of the “barefoot” fitness and lifestyle.
Well my wife decided she could not wait for me to get home before she went to buy hers. I can’t say I blame her. It was still over a month away. When all was said and done, she had bought 2 different styles that look totally different. The Jaya were a slip on style with just enough sole to let you know there was something on your foot and the Speed, which has laces like a traditional shoe. (The ones pictured below are the exact styles and colors)
She immediately fell in love with both. Even with how much she seemed to really love her new shoes, I was still skeptical. It wasn’t just the toe thing or a matter of comfort but also sizing a shoe that had to be a precise fit. There is no wiggle room when it comes to the FiveFingers and I mean no wiggle room (at least not for me).
Shortly after getting home in September, I decided it was
time for me to get my shoes. I went from store to store searching but could not
find any that fit me. Vibram has a sizing chart on their website with
instructions on how to properly measure your foot. I followed their
instructions and found that my foot had the exact size on the women’s chart but
was in between sizes on the men's. This kind of explained why I was not happy
with the feel for the few I had tried on the stores. In learning this I decided
to just take a chance and order straight from the website. Well you might have
guessed it. I actually order from the WOMEN’S section. I’m secure, plus they seem
to have more colors to choose from and after all, I had an exact size match, so
why would I go with an off size?
After a few days of searching, I also decided on the
Jaya. (These are the exact ones I chose)
It took me a little while to get
used to them, for the same reasons I was skeptical. When you first start
wearing them it is VERY different. They feel like nothing I have ever worn
before. It is weird walking flat on the ground with no thick soles but feels so
good to do so. Now the Jaya’s are not made for
high impact but I enjoy working out in them on a daily basis. At first, I had a
little discomfort wearing them for several hours at a time but now I forget I
have them on and even tend to hang out in the house with them. I have already
decided that I will be getting a second pair this year; it is just a matter of
deciding which style and what color. 
So it is my opinion that you cannot go wrong with a good
pair of VFF. I am a firm believer in them. For more information on them go to
their website: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com
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