Barefooters... Gloves for your feet?

FoxholeAtheist

FoxholeAtheist

Joined
Apr 7, 2003
Messages
2,315
I've read a few posts here by people advocating barefoot hiking, and going around barefoot in general. Have any of you folks seen the Vibram Fivefingers? It's kind of like gloves (complete with separate bits for each toe) for your feet.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

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people start wearing them things in the woods and theres going to be lots of "bigfoot" track sightings lol
maybe thats how it all got started?
 
My immediate reaction was "SILLY!!". But then I got to thinking about crawling around on the rocks down by the river... hmm.... got any reviews?

Really though I see lotsa stuff getting gunked between the toes... and how the heck do you "fit" a pair of those? I got long monkey toes, don't think they would work for me.
 
Gibson, there's a "review" section on the factory site... of course, they are all positive reviews.

I think they're kind of neat, but was hoping that someone had tried a pair.
 
Thanks for the post Foxhole, I never knew something like these existed.

I think they are an excellent idea.
For light duty stuff they should work very well.
I would like to see them come out with a little heavier duty bottom for woods walking, for sharp rocks and thorns and such.

Kinda spendy but I might look into getting a pair.
 
I kayak and raft alot, these look excellent for that, I will most likley buy a full footed pair with the ankle straps to go over my wetsuits lower legs. They look like they have plenty of grip too. Might have to try them out a water too. Might also be good for fishing in shorts.
 
Knifemaster said:
FREAK :eek:
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Maybe so, but you should see me climb a tree! :D

Really though, I'm serious this time, honest... I've been looking for a pair of lightweight shoes for in the river/mud... got to have good "gription"... anyone have any recommendations? There must be something better than my old Chuck Taylors, without spending $200...
 
Groovy, humans went for hundreds of thousands of years without footwear, and the foot evolved to handle that. Apparently your foot toughens up in a fairly short period of time if you go barefoot regularly, and advocates say that it puts you more "in touch" with your surroundings, etc.

Heck, they even have their own organization: http://www.barefooters.org/

I think it sounds intriguing, but probably not something to do in Canada in the winter. :D
 
I saw these when they first came out and I was looking for shoes that were really light and could be used for crossing streams. Crocs have been the winner so far and they can double as camp shoes. I chalked the Vibram's up to one of those "it had to be done" designs.

If you want wet water shoes, NSR has some ineresting stuff. I picked up a pair of Salomon Tech Amphibians on a sale and they work for those trips when you are in and out of the water all day. They dry fast and still give some support and traction.
 
GibsonFan said:
My immediate reaction was "SILLY!!". But then I got to thinking about crawling around on the rocks down by the river... hmm.... got any reviews?

Really though I see lotsa stuff getting gunked between the toes... and how the heck do you "fit" a pair of those? I got long monkey toes, don't think they would work for me.
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EXACTLY! They look silly sure....

But if yout hink about it, they give your feet decent protection, but are lighter and more breathable than shoes, let alone hiking boots.

Dang you all. now im gunn have to get some :mad:
 
I think they're pretty cool. . . I'd like to try a pair and see how they compare to actually going barefoot. I like hiking barefoot, but always carry a pair of Tevas or similar sandals just in case. A pair of these might be better than the Tevas.
 
I can just see the looks I would get on the hills here, wearing those!

I must admit to being of the barefoot brigade myself though. As a kid, I wore shoes as little as I could get away with. I even used to play in the snow barefoot. Still do! I never wear anything on my feet around the house or garden (unless I'm doing heavy work) and rarely when on a camp. I've even backpacked about 60 miles on the Pennine Way without my boots (just had socks on), when the blisters got so bad I couldn't bear to wear them. It was *much* more confortable.

Really, I would love to give those things a go. Who cares about the funny comments? I'll just wear my big knife on my belt, instead of in the pack.

Rick.
 
I don't see the point of having the separate toes, other than novelty. What practical purpose does it serve? Seems the downside would be the chance for blisters and hot spots between your toes, an area that even on barefooters isn't already toughened.

Otherwise, speaking as a barefooter, I think the low ones would be handy to pack as emergency footwear for large gravel, thorns, and other temporary areas where you might want protection, without packing a lot of weight.
 
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