Vibram Five Fingers
I just bought a pair of these “shoes”, well they are more like a foot glove. These shoes give you the ability to walk or run with the feel of being barefoot, but with the protection of a thin sole beneath your feet. There are separate pockets for your toes and they afford a freedom of movement not possible with traditional shoes.
The most noticeable difference that I found in walking with them at first was the increased movement in the bones of my feet. I specifically was aware of my heel rolling subtly backward with every step while walking. This allows the medial arch (instep) to expand fully in response to the ground. This is an interesting feeling and became more apparent when I put regular shoes back on and felt the heel cushion absorb this pressure rather than allowing the heel to respond dynamically.
My toes also felt stretched out and much more responsive to varying terrain. The day after I wore these for a full day I felt a soreness under my toes from them being stretched out beyond their norm. They felt longer and more open.
Over time, as my arch opens in my foot I also feel like my spine is allowed to open up at the upper thoracic level. This allows for my diaphragm to fully open and relax, leaving me with a feeling of abdominal openness and spinal stability that I have never quite felt before. When my arch is allowed to open up that stability provided at the ground level effects my entire structure! How cool is that?
I think these shoes offer a great way to allow the feet to behave as they are intended. They aren’t for all situations by any means, and anyone with feet problems should be wary of aggravating a condition. But they are a great experiment and are a real treat to experience.
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/
