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Five Fingers now in boots

by Tyler Hurst » on Jan 20, 2011 32

It took me seven tries to write the headline to this post. I wanted something witty and a little cruel to accurately convey my sentiment toward the newest line of Five Fingers announced from Vibram today.

Who would wear such a thing?

Boots. They made Five Finger boots. Fuzzy-topped boots and men’s ankle boots. Boots, with room for each individual toe. Do not buy these things.

I certainly understand the need for minimalist footwear beyond regular shoe form, but I have a hard time accepting any kind of boot, especially a furry one, as a great fashion choice. Can you see anyone who’s not already a customer buying and wearing these? Why ever would you?

Not to be outdone with such spectacular women’s offerings, male Five Fingers wearers have their own ankle boots, which resemble every ankle boot ever, with neo-modern double zippers. If you’re also looking around for the rest of the SCUBA gear, don’t be ashamed, because you’re not the only one.

Be sure your belt matches.

Or maybe these ankle boots are more suited for the ninjas out there. I bet they’ve been patiently waiting for a Five Fingers model that protects their ankles from sharp objects while they lurk in the shadows.

I’m really looking forward to the U.S. Speeds, which are right now only available in the U.K., and with conversion rates and shipping, come out to $140. That’s a heckuva lot for any pair of shoes and more than I’d like to spend. Either way, U.S. Speeds seem imminent.

I’ll also be starting my 20+ month training for the November 2012 Ironman this next week, and I plan to wear Five Fingers the entire time. I’m having issues with my Bikilas hurting the inside of my ankle/shin, and will need to figure out a way to strengthen that area to eliminate pain, because I’d really like to bike/run in the Bikila sole.

If that doesn’t work, I’ll go back to Sprints and maybe even Invisible Shoes (run only). I don’t know anything about triathlons, so I’d rather not change my shoes as often as I did last year, increasing my prep time and increasing the chances relearning my form may cause injury like it did with my ITBS in November 2010.

Either way, it will be quite a ride. Anyone out there done a triathlon?

PS…I want those Five Finger boots so bad.

Submitted Comments

  1. Bill Pairaktaridis says:

    I got the Speed about two weeks and they kick ass. People stop me all the time at the gym to ask about them. Some impressed, others mocking. Still, they are very light, very comfortable and better than the KSOs that I had tried previously and thought were too stiff.

  2. Jonathan says:

    Hey man,

    Just a heads up on the triathlon – most sanctioned races will not allow any type of footwear during the swim portion. Too much like a fin, and thus, an advantage over other racers. But if you’re willing to add some time to T2, it’s totally worth the run in those bad boys!

  3. Tyler Hurst says:

    Oh, my bad. I wasn’t planning on wearing them in the water.

    And I bet fins wouldn’t provide me much of an advantage.

  4. Mike Wentzel says:

    For sensitivity try using the injinji liners to build up the toughness. I’ve run 50+ milers in my Treks with and without injinji socks and see a very noticeable difference in the feel.

  5. Tyler says:

    I’ve started to do the same in my Sprints, but I think my next pair needs to be a size bigger to accommodate the socks.

    Makes a huge difference when I run 5+ miles.

  6. Michelle says:

    wow, usually, I LOVE Vibrams … but those boots are just UGLY! It’s bad enough to get the “Bigfoot” jokes, but come on, now there’s FUR on them?! maybe I could wear them with my leopard print sarong and swing from the chandelier? just … ew.

    http://www.twitter.com/michellecope76
    http://www.facebook.com/ur2stupid2breed

  7. Rob says:

    I’ve been wearing mah KSOs for 12 months now and they’ve strengthened my flat feet into strong arches! I’m in school now for nursing prereqs and it looks like they’re not gonna let me wear 5fings during nursing school:( Oh well, i’ll either try to fool ’em with my old tennis that I cut the soles off of (covering the KSOs) OR maybe just switch my major to something more along physical therapy assist?!?! I’m so tired of the way business in this country is all about protecting IT’s LIABILITY, if I can’t walk with free feet then screw it…I’ll go work at a health food store…maybe I’ll be broke but at least have feet strong enough to go run 10 miles at the end of the day!!! You name it, i’ve done it…as far as keeping my “freed feet” LO-PRO…I work at a hospital, I chose nights so that all the big-wig supervisors wouldn’t see my modest black treks. Even with those, i’m getting stares, questions, etc…and to be sure I don’t get in trouble…i switch into my white vivo barefoots around and hour before the end of my shift, right about when the day supervisor gets in. Like I said, if I can’t wear my 5 fingers…screw ’em…I’ll just find another job. Sheesh, no wonder like 80-90% of the Americans I see over 40-50 years of age walk like they’re in their 90s or more like they’ve been in a bad semi-truck accident…bad posture, knees, back…whatever…BAD SHOES!!!! I was gonna sell my Honda to invest in Vibram, alas to no avail…as I found ot that Vibram is private and not listed for stock exchange. Man, don’t get me wrong please, i’m American…and just find it nuts that we ONLY believe something if we read it, hear it from a “Doctor” or ??? I think it’s gonna take this brainwashed, narrow-minded society of ours another 1-2 decades before people say, “oh, uh…hey Delbert!!…where’d ya git them funny shoes at???” :p

  8. Jackie says:

    I love it that you cut the soles off of your old tennis shoes to cover your Vibrams! Ingenious! Has it been working for you?

  9. Becca says:

    I just ran my first vibram marathon and it was amazing. My toes didn’t go numb (what usually has happened to me) and I lost no toenails. I have been dreading winter. I am so getting some!

  10. Tessa says:

    You’re an idiot. Who cares what you think about anything? All things aren’t for you. Maybe some people like the boots. I found this because I was hoping these boots existed. Do you ever listen to what you are saying or read what you are writing and realize just how critical and worldly you are?

  11. matt says:

    The fuzzy boots are cool

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  31. Where can I find these boots!! I will buy them if I can find them!

    Can you help?
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  32. Jewell says:

    Hi I have been wearing Vibram FiveFingers only for 10 years. Has anyone found out where to purchase these or any five finger Vibram toe boots?

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