My FiveFingers

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Five Fingers in public

by Tyler Hurst » on Nov 23, 2010 5

These Vibram things seem to be catching on. From seeing them around the gym, spotting an entire company sporting them at the office and even my parents inquiring about a pair, Five Fingers are steadily moving from niche to accepted footwear. I’ve seen them in races, around the office and have been repeatedly stopped on the street to ask where to get them.

That being said, I’m always a little hesitant to wear them when the occasion calls for slacks or dress pants, but have steadily become more confident in foregoing my always-uncomfortable slip-on dress shoes for my black KSOs. Now that winter is arriving and pants are becoming a part of my daily outfit, I’m having a bit out trouble finding comfortable ways to wear my Five Fingers without stepping on the back of my pant legs. I suppose the answer is to hem them a bit shorter, but that doesn’t work for when I’ll eventually be able to wear a nice pair of minimalist Terra Plana boots when the occasion calls for a bit more class than my Five Fingers can muster.

Here are a few things I’ve been contemplating about Five Fingers:

Chris Lee blames me for everyone owning a pair.

1. They are now acceptable office wear
The guys at Customer Systems ALL sport Five Fingers on a near daily basis. They’re quite comfy, make great conversation starters and cut way down on your need to launder socks. They also make long days at the office quite a bit more doable, as they never feel the need to slip them off. When’s the last time your office shoes WEREN’T uncomfortable? Be sure to wash them at least once a week and remember, don’t put them in the dryer.

2. Colder weather requires more coverage
I find myself wearing my KSOs far more than my Classics during the colder winter months, as no one wants to have their feet freeze or be caught wearing socks in the Classic models. Remember, socks with open sandals look very weird. Yes, I’m looking at you, Birkenstock and Teva owners.

I'm all about hipster stylin'

3. Rolling is better than hemming
My wear my pants a bit longer than most, usually because I want to allow for a proper break when I have on boots or dress shoes with a bit of a heel. I don’t want to hem my good jeans too short, so I’ve taken to the hipster style of rolling my pant legs up. While this or the capri style looks pretty ridiculous, it’s better than tearing up my fancy jeans.

4. Socks are great for long periods outside
I live in Arizona, so cold to me is under 60. When I visit Seattle at Christmas, I’ll be sure to bring a pair of my Injinji toe socks that I bought last year just just such an occasion. The athletic pair I bought are sweat wicking, so my feet stay dry and warm. I have black, but they have plenty of other options. Be careful about sizing your Vibrams if you plan to wear socks in them. Runners suggest you go two sizes up if you’re going to run with socks and Vibrams, and for walking I’d go at least one size up. Something to think about when I buy my next pair.

5. Bikilas are great cold-weather running shoes
The extra rubber on the bottom of my Bikilas insulates me a bit from cold pavement, meaning I can run longer and farther outside in them. Can’t wait to try them out when I go home for Christmas.

Do you wear different Five Fingers during different seasons? Different socks or pants? Would love to know!

Submitted Comments

  1. Jess says:

    For adjusting hem length, try Style Snaps (they’re these adhesive snaps that you can remove from pant legs, but that work great and look better than just rolling up nicer pants). I wear my VFFs year-round (loving my new leather KSOs for the cold!), but occasionally have to change into dress shoes, and the snaps work pretty well.

  2. Chris Lee says:

    Sported my black KSOs at 2 fancy events. Wore the dress shoes for the wedding ceremony & then switched into my KSOs with a suit for the reception. Thought my mom was going to flip out but she seemed to be in quasi support of them as she was the one who kept pointing them out to her friends. Then I sported the KSOs at a ballet performance at the Herberger Theater on Sunday with slacks & a sports coat. They do look goofy but I find it hard to wear anything else now. And this is coming from a long time flip flop freak.

  3. Tyler Hurst says:

    I love you so much for that suggestion.

  4. Dan says:

    Awesome, I would love to wear me some Five Fingers to a wedding.

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