Vibram Men's FiveFingers KSO Trail Hiking Shoe

When I first got these, I wasn't too sure if I was going to become an instant fan. I've always been used to shoes. After wearing these for a few days, I came to realize I didn't want to put anything else on my feet. Now, there is only one problem with these... If you wear them all the time like I do, they start to smell. It took me awhile to find something to clean them, but I finally came up with the solution. On amazon they sell a multi-purpose cleaner called Odoban. This stuff will kill any bacteria growing on your vibrams, without causing skin sensitivity. (at least for me) I bought a small shoe-box sized container and put the Odoban solution in there. Whenever I need my Vibrams cleaned, I soak them in that small container then rinse them. That's all there is to it.If you are planning on running in them, make sure you have a good running style. If you tend to hit the ground hard, work on your form before buying these. They don't have support, which is no big deal if you have good form and stay off solid surfaces. If you don't have good form, you could get injured from lack of support. Also, try to stay off pavement with these. It's just better for you anyways whether you wear shoes or Vibrams.This product really is beyond being just a fad. If you are buying them for style, you might take or leave them. If you are buying them for their functionality, then these are for you. I remember running around the yard bare-foot when I was a kid. These accomplish this wherever you go.Last note: MAKE SURE YOU GET AN ACCURATE FOOT MEASURE. I was very careful about measuring my foot size before purchasing these. They are not at all like shoes where you can be within a size or so and still fit fine in them. You have to be precise with your sizing. These shoes fit around your foot perfectly to help your foot work the way it was naturally designed to.

For all my pedestrian life, shoe manufacturers have been working on the assumption that the human foot is a faulty design. Shoe-engineering has always clamored for More Support, More Support, making the "platform" stiffer and the heel wider, and always vacillating between heavier construction but lighter materials. Podiatrists have made comfortable fortunes by prescribing uncomfortable arch supports, and more and more people have found themselves lifetime committed to wearing orthotics.Vibram Five Toe shoes are based on the assumption that "evolution got it right", that the human foot does its job quite well if it is allowed to flex and grip as it is 'built' to do. The toes are fitted independently, like fingers in gloves, and the sole is merely a tough membrane like the calluses that form naturally on the feet of barefoot peasants around the world. The construction is as light as a hiking sock or a moccasin. The shoes are intended, I suppose, to be worn without socks, but I prefer to wear the lightest Injinji five-toe socks in them. It was the Injinji socks that I wore inside my stiff heavy old hiking boots, on a 20-mile hike, that persuaded me to try these Vibrams. No hot spots, no toenail problems, and my "dogs" weren't barking at the end of the day.Personally, I confess that I've been more concerned all my life with the durability of my running and hiking shoes than with the durability of my feet. In my sixties, that 'concern' has proven to be misplaced. My sturdiest Vasques boots are still in good shape but my feet have been showing signs of wear and tear. So, I thought, why not try the Vibram shoes, since the Injinji socks seem worthwhile? Besides, if they don't work for walking and running, surely they'll make excellent kayak/beach shoes.Putting the five-toe shoes on for the first time isn't an encouraging experience. They don't 'fit' until they've been worn to the shape of YOUR feet. They're tricky to get over your toes properly for the first six or eight times, and it's hard to believe the your heels will enjoy the pounding on cement sidewalks or rocky trails. I've been wearing my first pair for all outdoor activities now for about two weeks, and I love them! Light, cool, free-feeling, and I don't seem to be having any problem with jarring on hard pavements. They look somewhat funky with a tuxedo, I have to acknowledge, and on the street people will gawk at your pedal extremities rather than your ample forehead or bosom. Hey, that's not such a bad thing in itself!I can't yet declare that my overall 'foot health' will permanently improve from wearing Vibrams. Also, I doubt that they will survive as long as a pair of indestructible Vasques; the soles are thin by design and will wear through. But the price isn't so high, even if you replace them twice a year, in comparison to the potential benefits of accepting the wisdom of Evolution and letting your feet do the job they did for your genetic ancestors over the past four million years or so.

I've been having foot pains all over, top and bottom, ever since moving to New York City and starting to walk everywhere. The first thing I tried was adding gel insoles to my existing shoes, which actually made the pain worse. Got a new pair of regular shoes too, but it had the same problems. Finally tried the Vibrams, and the pains are gone! I'm definitely going to look into replacing more of my shoes with barefoot-style shoes.My feet aren't quite properly shaped to fit into this shoe, however. While the overall size is correct, my big toes fit snugly but my pinky toes barely go into their pockets at all. This is really just a minor annoyance, though, and doesn't stop the shoes from doing what they're supposed to.Comfort is okay without Injinji socks, but adding the socks makes it work a lot better. Without the socks, the upper cover and its outline leave marks, but everything is fine and comfortable with the Injinji socks on.These shoes draw a lot of attention (even in plain black), and also force a bit of a goofy walk, as you really shouldn't heel-strike but it looks a little funny when you don't. The goofiness of the walk just begs for a run or a jog instead. It's a shoe that makes you want to run or jog everywhere instead of walk.