The military clearly has a love/hate relationship with Vibram. A few months back we saw this:
A member of the Special Forces jumping out of a plane with military dog. Notice the FiveFingers.
Then, a few weeks ago we saw this headline (details here):
One of the many headlines proclaiming the ban.
Following that, a number of anonymous Army brass and ‘rank and file’ alike wrote letters and posted comments condemning the decision. Most didn’t have a problem with the ban Per se, but with the logic behind it. “Why ban them for their looks when they offer so many benefits?” they asked. We’ve had a number of military men and women write in to talk about how much they love their FiveFingers.
So what’s the latest update? Its not a huge one, but its worth sharing for the irony of it all. We were recently at the Navy Exchange and noticed that they now carry FiveFingers. The Navy Exchange is like a small mall for just military personell and their families (my dad is retired Navy, so I go shopping their from time to time). It is ironic that while one branch of the US military tries to prevent its men and women from wearing FiveFingers, another branch is gladly selling them at great prices.
FiveFingers for sale at the Navy Exchange (NEX). The price tag on the left is for a different pair of shoes, however the FiveFingers are cheaper at the NEX than the price at most retailers (as is the case with most goods sold at the NEX).
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Which base is that at? I haven’t seen them here in Groton, ct yet.
That is at the Norfolk Naval Base Exchange… they actually just put up a banner that they are the largest Exchange in the world.
I’ve also seen them at Little Creek in Virginia Beach, and I’ve seen them at several different military exchanges in Northern Virginia (not just Navy).
I hope that the Marine Corps exchanges start carrying FiveFingers – that would be awesome :) They do carry the Injinji toes socks at least.
Thanks!
That is funny because the PX’s here in Germany (Army and Air Force) sell the Fila Skelton. I have 4 pairs of VFF and going to get my 5th pair (Vibram Speed) this weekend.
Yes, I just spoke with a young girl from the army who I saw out who was wearing KSO Treks and she said the Navy permits wearing them for PT (physical training) and stuff, though the Army doesn’t yet have them that integrated.
It makes sense that the navy would embrace them. There is a historical tradition of bare feet aboard ship, for the safety of improved footing during slippery wet conditions.
My wife and I bought a couple pair at MCAS Miramar a couple weeks ago. The savings where about $20 for each pair. I’ve been wearing them for a few months now and my wife just got her first pair… she’s hooked like me. :)
Hmmm, I think I may have to asked my buddy back east to be on the look out at the base eh works at. The athletic shoes the Army required my boys to have in boot camp would have killed me, and that was even before I had VFFs