really do look so weird
I thought so the first time I saw them
about a year ago
but these crazy shoes
were with me this morning
as I lost my
31st pound
so they hold a special place in my heart
and on my feet
this is not a sponsored post
I am not being paid to say this
or bribed with lentils or garbanzo beans
you see
I tried lots of other kids of athletic shoes
for years now
but all of them made my feet go numb or hurt
or both
but these Vibram Five Finger barefoot shoes don’t
it’s like being barefoot
but with the bottom of your foot protected
thank you a million times
to those of you who reminded me about them recently when I asked
I feel certain I wouldn’t have remembered about them
I wear them outside
to WalMart
working on the elliptical and yes
even running
I ran and ran in these
and then one day just one blasted day
I wore another pair of old tennis shoes to run
and messed my knees up good
easing back into it now
and won’t take these shoes off ever again
they even can be worn in the water
for H20 sports
I have wide feet so I needed to get a men’s pair
so no pink for me
but they fit every foot because
they’re stretchy
just need the right length
and off you go
I love being barefoot
I love working out
I love eating right
I love losing weight and
I am going to love it when my body looks as healthy as I now feel!
thanks in part
to these crazy shoes
and no there is no arch support
did you know when you aren’t not wearing
athletic shoes that lift your heel up
you don’t need any?
who knew
it feels so primal and comfortable and just plain
right
to be barefoot
(we are the only mammal who puts things on our feet)
and now thanks to
these crazy shoes
I always am
(want more info on these shoes or to get a pair yourself? just head right here)
phew girl… i dont know how u put up with some of these comments. I scrolled thru for a few and read some of them… ridiculous. People need to just shut their mouth.
Travis has been unemployed since aug 2011 and im abt to purchase me a pair of vibrams. Why? Because I have Christmas money to spend on ME!
– and I own ZERO pairs of sneakers… none… all I have to walk in are flip flops… and well, you cant do that going down big hills… results in a lot of scraped tootsies.
So yes, since I hate heavy sneakers, but loved the feel of these (Tried some on at a local shop) – im totally budgeting and using my Christmas money to purchase something nice for myself. Esp since these last for many many many years from what I have heard… rather than wasting $25 on cheap walmart shoes, that will only last me a year – I actually find it wiser to invest in something that will last and feel good too.
Hope the comments you get dont get to you… i felt nerves pinched reading them and felt for you…
We are getting knocked over Travis’ unemployement by people… saying hurtful things… its so sad people feel the need to belittle others they don’t know…
Many times it makes me want to shut the door to my blog.. but can’t since it does bring in income for our family.
Makes you feel torn
Thanks Jen for being so patient.
HI mckmama, i know im banned, but you’ll read this anyways. Just pointing out typos for you, so you can fix them
I tried lots of other kids of athletic shoes – I think you meant “kinds”.
did you know when you aren’t not wearing – Aren’t not? One or the other
Hope you’d do the same for me if you saw a mistake on my blog. Have a good day!
Typed this post on my phone last night…surprised those were the only two mistakes!
I thought you might find this article VERY interesting, considering your recent knee pain after running, and your new love of these shoes. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html
Congratulations on the weight loss, Jennifer!
Can anyone attest to these helping with shin splints? I can’t figure out how to run with out re hurting my shins…
so proud of you! Keep up the good work. You can do it. Becky
What about plantar fasciitis? With no arch support, this type of shoe would kill my arches, I believe! I go barefoot/flip-flops in the house, and pay dearly at the end of the day!
I would love to hear a response to this as well – I danced professionally for several years and have paid dearly with feet and leg issues. How are these effective without any support?
Oh no, I have plantar fasciitis and arthritis. For years I was only pain free when barefoot on the beach. Just couldn’t figure out why. Then I tried these after going for more and more ‘supportive’shoes–inserts on inserts. Madness! When I wear vibrams, I am pain free–arches, heels, knee, hip, back. I can walk for miles! (Two blocks in regular shoes has me limping and knotted up in spasm after just a few blocks.) I am not paid or anything but I literally cried the first time I was able to hike again. Maybe they don’t work for everyone, but I think everyone should try them.
Well thanks for your testimonial, radmama … perhaps I will check them out. Not too sure about the toes, though. Are they made without the toes?? Or would that de-feet the purpose?? ha, ha! I appreciate your comments!
hey Barb! if you don’t like the toes being seperated, Merrell makes a barefoot shoe. if you can find a store that sells these type of shoes, they can help you with what style you’d be most comfortable in, i’m sure.
Thanks, Sarah! I appreciate you taking the time to give input. I’ll check it out. Blessings!
I have Vibram fivefingers (and love them) I also have the Merrell barefoot shoes and love them probably more
I got the mens in the Merrell’s because they’re wider. I wear them all the time. You can wear them with or without socks.
I am dealing with a bad care of PF and it has me crazy!
I had pf in the past. Take a large dose of fish oil morning, noon and night for two weeks straight. Stretch your feet every morning before you get out of bed. It cured mine!
Thanks so much for the fish oil suggestion! I will def start that first thing in the morning!
I do the stretches, sleep in a brace and etc… its just so frustrating when it acts up! I think a big part of it is walking around on hardwood floors while home!
Just out of curiosity – how do you afford $100 shoes with all the financials problems you say you have? Not trying to be negative, and it’s probably not my business, but for my own information.
I’m not sure exactly what you are asking. We have jobs, we have income and a budget for different expenditures, including paying down our debt. In this specific situation, I didn’t pay $100 for the shoes myself.
I truly don’t mean to offend. I was just curious. You have mentioned several times in the past about your financial woes. I have the same concerns in my life.
I, too, have a job and make a good living for me and my son (I’m a single parent). You just seem to be able to provide all the best for yourself and your children. High tickets items that are hard for most folks to come by. If you could share some tips on budgeting, or how you find deals on some of your wonderful purchases, I would really appreciate it.
A lot of the name brand things we have are due to connections I’ve made being a blogger. It’s one of the perks of this job, and I’m honored and thankful that it helps our family in this way sometimes.
I hate responding to things like this on your blog because I truly read it for entertainment but it gives me a knot in my stomach to think you’re filing for bankruptcy and can justify these shoes. And while I understand your blogging provides some of these perks, you said on facebook that you bought your vibrams on sale so these weren’t a perk.
My husband works outside of the home in a middle income job, we have 4 children but there’s absolutely no way I could justify spending $80 for on sale vibrams.
Good ol’ envelope system works well for a lot of people. If you put X amount of dollars into an envelope dedicated to clothing/shoes each pay period you could have $100 in there to use on those shoes. You only spend what is in that envelope on clothing/shoes and you don’t use any other money from any other envelope on clothing/shoes. If you want to spend $100 on shoes, you can if it’s there. Just because you are on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t save up for higher quality, “wonderful” purchases.
I was going to get a pair of these and I went to try them on and I thought they were kind of uncomfortable but then I saw these other shoes, they are Merrel’s but the bottom is made by Vibrams. So they are just like wearing the Vibram Five Fingers and have the same effect (letting your toes span out, barefoot benefit) but you don’t have to have all of your toes separated, which was the uncomfortable part
I love them! These are the ones I got… http://www.zappos.com/merrell-barefoot-pace-glove-aluminum
I LOVE hearing how many pounds you’ve lost. It’s so inspiring!
Keep going!
I’m laughing at the ugly comments, not because I don’t think they aren’t ugly, I do think they are kinda ugly. But, I remember everyone saying the same thing about Crocs years ago when we first started wearing them and now they are everywhere it seems!
Sometimes comfort rules over fashion! Well, a lot of times in my life to be honest.
Can I just ask a quick question? How far do you typically run in them? I’m a Nike girl myself…
I want to try these shoes sooo bad but I have extremely short toes and I do not think they would fit!
Try something like this http://www.zappos.com/merrell-barefoot-pace-glove-aluminum they have all the same benefits of the Vibrams but they don’t separate your toes
I love them!
Omg! I totally am going to get those! So many awesome colors too!
I know! I didn’t know they had so many cool colors when I bought mine. They only had 3 colors at the store, but I still love them! I can’t wait for the weather to get a tiny bit warmer so I try them out!
The deal with fivefingers is that you have to have fairly normal toes and the toe next to your big toe cannot be longer than your big toe. They’re definitely a shoe that you would want to try on and not order without trying on first.
you sure can get them if your 2nd toe is longer than your big toe. you just use that toe as your measuring point. there are some helpful youtube videos out there by vibram explaining how to measure your foot.
Exactly. You use whatever your longest toe is and make sure that one fits almost perfectly to the end of the shoe’s toe.
My bro-in-law has worn these since his first pair in 2008 and he swears by them! We call them his “monkey shoes.”
I have a lot of runner friends who swear by those shoes! I have stinky feet, and the thought of no socks about makes me want to gag! Good for you losing 31 pounds! I’m trying to hit my 20 lb mark now! Keep up the good work!
REI sells toe socks for that very reason!
Good to know! Thanks!
What about socks? I’d love to try those, but I can’t handle going sockless . Do they have special socks (specifically ‘gym’ socks that wick away moisture?) My feet sweat a lot, which causes my shoes to rub if I dont’ wear socks.
Yes they do make toe socks for them!
They do have special socks for those shoes, to me they look like toe socks from the 80′, lol.
It’s so hard to read things that are formatted like that. I got about 10 lines in and had to stop. It makes me head hurt and it doesn’t flow so I have a hard time remembering what I just read. Maybe I’m just weird because this type of formatting sure has become the cool thing over the past few years.
Try copy and pasting the article into Word or notepad. It should left justify so you can more easily read the post.
I hadn’t thought of that. Good idea!
My boyfriend was wearing his running at the gym tonight and it made me think of you. His are orange though, surprised you didn’t buy those! I’m going to get a pair of those ones that look like sneakers with the little laces on them. I love them.
Oh and a bit of advice for everyone. The kangaroo leather ones don’t get stinky as easily and never wear any of them in the salt water or they will get super stinky. Learned that the hard way on a trip to Cape Cod.
I LOVE reading your blog! You are so down to earth and I relate to you on the normal day-to-day life of a mom and wife. Way to go on the weight loss! You inspire me to put more effort into losing weight. And thanks for the info on the shoes. I’m going to give them a try, I hate wearing socks and shoes to work out because I don’t like the feeling of my feet being hot and sweaty.
Just got some recently. Haven’t decided if they will work for me or not. How did you “ease” into wearing them? I have been told that is the trick, but haven’t seen details of how to do that.
I have two pairs of Five Fingers. A pair of classics I wear on the treadmill to run and a pair of Bikila’s that I will wear in the summer for hiking and general outdoor wear. My kids wear them around the house and pretend to be monkeys!
I can’t wear them, but everyone I know that has a pair, absolutely loves them!! Great job on the weight loss! keep up the great work!!
Congrats on your weight loss! Awesome job, you go girl:)
My husband injured his foot last year and has been seeing a foot specialist, he asked about getting those shoes and the Dr. said those shoes will keep him in business for years (just his opinion).
This post is precisely what people get angry about.
You claim you are not being paid or bribed to SAY that you love your shoes, however, when the link is clicked it takes it to your affiliate page from which you earn income if any of your readers purchases so much as a button from Amazon within a specified time frame following the click.
It’s twisting words to suit your purposes & being economical with the truth…some would call it lying. In my book, not an outright lie but certainly not full disclosure.
I know there are many of your readers who like to support you and your family, entirely their decision and personally I have no problem with you earning income this way. However, I do feel that you need to be open with what happens once they click on the affiliate link.
Perhaps if you did this there wouldn’t be so many who are critical of the way you conduct yourself. It really is as simple as a single line disclosure notice.
The links on my blog aren’t Amazon affiliate links. They link to my Deals page which has clear disclosure about any links that are affiliate that leave from that page. Frankly, I’ve never heard anyone tell me posts like this make them “angry.”
Amen!
I may be wrong, and please correct me if I am, but I thought the products featured of your “Deals” page were part of an affiliate program whereby you earned income whenever someone who had clicked on a “Deal” made a purchase from Amazon for a specified time.
Again, it is a matter of interpretation, I should have made my post less ambiguous so as to avoid confusion. You are right, the links on your BLOG aren’t direct Amazon affiliate links but they take a reader to your “Deals” page which does contain them.
You may not have heard anyone tell you directly that posts like this make you angry but if you read in the right places you will know the ambiguous & vague nature of how you often write is frustrating and misleading to many. I don’t see why you cannot be direct and upfront.
I read on your Disclosure page that if a reader has questions to please email you directly. However last time I did just that regarding another comment I made my email was not responded to despite it having been opened.
As an aside…we are also the only mammals that wear clothing, live in houses, drive cars, use electronics & engage in sex for pleasure not just procreation (apart from some primates) too.
I’m reading along just like everyone else with no inside knowledge of my own, just reading this blog and then the disclosures and I’m not seeing what isn’t upfront here. It’s clear that there isn’t a direct link back to Vibram, so she isn’t being paid to talk about the shoes but if one orders them through the mckdeals page, she could be compensated for that order. The only way that Jennifer would be paid is through ads on this blog and/or if someone purchases them through one of the links provided. That isn’t being paid to talk about them, it’s not a paid review.
Help me out here, I’m not following with you about what is not direct and upfront?
If you click the link in her blog, it goes to the Deals page which has a disclosure. Then, if you decide to go further and click on the links, you go directly to Amazon. Give people some credit! We can read and we also know what disclosure and affiliate links are.
I agree that it does go to a deals page, which clearly shoes a disclosure if one chooses to purchase through that links provided. I think it’s pretty wide open for the consequences of clicking on a link on the deals page. The disclosure bar is pretty clear.
However, my reading and understanding of disclosures and affiliate links would not indicate what you claim. A sponsored post is where a sponsor (in this case the shoe company) would pay a blogger to post about their product. Being paid to talk about a post would mean just that, being paid to talk about a specific product. Posting and talking about this product doesn’t equal a paycheck, which is exactly what was said. I thought that was pretty clear myself.
If these types of posts would make me angry, I would spend a lot of time angry, they are all over blogs everywhere! But really, I can’t imagine these types of post making anyone angry, all of the information is right there for anyone who wants to read the details.
Not shoes, lol….shows! Shoes on the brain it seems this morning.
Whi cares if it goes to her deals page, an Amazon page, etc. If I wanted these shoes I would get them if I didn’t I wouldn’t. Simple really. And Kerrie replys like yours makes me “angry”.
Never once have I left “replys” here. Replies maybe but never “replys”.
Oh no, you still sound a bit angry. I hope you have a better day!
I hope her day gets better, too. I would hate to get so angry and worked up over a silly blog post about shoes. WHO CARES?! Feel happy soon!
Not at all angry…quite the opposite in fact. It is our Australia Day holiday here, I have just enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with my family & am looking forward to friends coming over for a swim in our pool & a barbecue lunch.
In fact I really am not sure why you thought I was angry…not once did I mention that I was. I suggested that “people” get angry but didn’t necessarily include myself in that group.
However, poor grammar & spelling is another matter entirely, but that frustrates more than angers me.
Melissa…you know as well as I do that “shoes” was not the subject of my reply.
Also, as I mentioned, I’d have addressed this issue privately by email with Jennifer, however last time I did just that (regarding a comment deleted in which I offered support to another reader whose child is very ill awaiting a heart transplant), my email was ignored despite it having been opened by Jennifer.
Because of your response to Allison, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt, you know those types of comments made in anger and all that tend to be more excusable. Reminds me of something I read on pinterest the other day: “If you can’t win an argument, correct their grammar instead.”
I guess I don’t understand the obsession or the anger , I don’t think I ever will and I’m so very thankful!
Have a wonderful holiday!
Jen, I have a pair, worn twice….I will send them to you if they fit you. Can you see what size your’s are?
Good for you! What is your weight-loss goal in pounds? I don’t think I read that yet!
I have these same shoes and LOVE them! I never thought I would. I hate toe socks or even wearing shoes, and have ‘clostophobic’ feet. But these are like wearing nothing at all. I’d wear them out, but my family isn’t as fond of them as I am. Congrats on finding them and the weight loss.
LOL, I hate “toe socks” too but love these shoes to run & power walk. I feel like a kid when I exercise in them, free, happy, and barefoot outside!
I’ve seen them in stores!
Amy
I rarely wear shoes. Socks I abhor. Can’t wear flip flops or any sandal that goes between the toes. Sadly I don’t think I could handle wearing these, although I’m sure they would be amazing. They would MAKE.ME.CRAZY. I get all claustrophobic and panicky lol I also have struggled with shoes that make my feet go numb and make them ache, etc. I did finally find some that I can stand to wear. You will find me in my Skecher Shape-ups 5-6 days a week for 2 hours a day (not one minute more) and then I’m barefoot the rest of the time. My hot feet enjoy the snow
I think I’d get yellow, with shoes that look so goofy that nearly everyone stares anyway, why not look like I have duck feet? I’ve been wanting a pair of these for a long time though,. And I just noticed they come in kid sizes too!
Love it! Keep up your amazing and inspirational work!!
xoxox
Congrats on 31 lbs down! That is so wonderful! I am down 27 and feeling great. It seems we may be following similar regimins.
Congrats on the weight loss, that’s awesome! I’d love for you to post more of how you are losing so much weight in such a short time, such as what you eat and how much you exercise. I’m trying to lose weight myself and it’s not coming off very fast.
When are we going to get another update pic of you?
Have you read the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall?? Its all about humans and running and ancient mexican tribes and how they run and the physiology of the human body running in relation to ultra-running… its amazing! we dont need the high tech shoes Nike makes! Hope its been helping the knee situation..
That is the book that made me try the FiveFingers shoes. i’ve been running in them for about 9 months now and I’ll never go back to regular running shoes again. I highly recommend that book!
This is an article by the author of Born to Run that explains why barefoot shoes are so great:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html
These are the Taramuhara indigenous people of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. They live in the mountains there. Some of them make shoes (sandals) out of old tires to run in. I lived in the city of Chihuahua for a time when there was a severe drought, and the Tarahumaras had no rain for their corn. They came down into town to beg. Very sad, but I think the drought has ended by now and things are back to normal for their way of life.
My BIL is a big runner, one of the best in his age group, and he just told us about these shoes. The only problem is, I can’t stand having anything between by toes, so no sandals like that for me or flip flops, which makes finding sandals really hard for me. But I have the same experience; my feet also hurt in sneakers.
I was hoping for a Not Me Monday post! I might still write mine
Glad you are on such a roll! Hope things are a bit better. Every day.
You might like something like this /// http://www.zappos.com/merrell-barefoot-pace-glove-aluminum … I know I’ve replied to a few people with this link, but it’s a great option without having anything between your toes
Congrats on loosing 31 pounds!
Crazy shoes is right! On a whim a year ago, I gifted a pair of these to my brother (he’s a baker and stands a lot!!). To this day he “swears” by them… he even purchased another style and the socks to match. I’m now seeing them in many places while out and about. They have changed my brother’s life – took away so many aches and pains. Good luck on your path to healthy!
Here a website my husband has visited pertaining to these shoes. He just bought a pair of leather ones.
http://www.rei.com
They also have a FB page: vibram FiveFingers
Congrats on losing 31 pounds! Glad you’ve found shoes that work for you.
Go Jennifer!! 31 lbs that is so awesome!!! I can’t wait to see some pictures. I think those things look crazy…I can’t stand those toe socks but my work out partner uses them too….I might have to try them sometime. So awesome you are running btw…..next time I see you we can go for a run together!
xoxo
I am going to show these to my husband and then talk about me getting some. I NEVER wear shoes, unless to go out in public. In the summer, I even walk around outside without shoes, just feels better on my ankle. Definitely going to need to get a pair of these.
Gosh, I just wish they were cuter though. Might have to give them a try.
No offense, but I think they are ugly!! I guess I care too much about what they look like.. You don’t want to go barefoot. Our family learned the hard way and my son had to have painful wart removal from his foot.. The doctor said it is caused by a virus, from not wearing shoes.. Who knew?
I thought they were incredibly ugly when I first saw them too. I vowed I would never wear them outside the house (only on the treadmill) because they were so weird looking. But now they’re so comfy and awesome that I don’t care anymore. And truth be told, people hardly notice them anyway.
I may have to try them..
I agree! LoL..
There are some versions that aren’t quite as ugly as those (I have a similar to pair to hers and they are certainly comfortable). The classics look more like a slip on and fit more snug to the foot though.
I would start running JUST to wear those awesome shoes.
31 pounds? Wow, thats awesome. So proud of you. I really want those shoes but I am skeptical, will try them though.
I have so many problems with my feet and I’m ONLY 37! My heels ache, my toes go numb, and I can’t find a shoe that will help me. I’ve thought about Vibrams but worried they wouldn’t be enough support. You’ve convinced me to give them a try! Congrats on 31lbs down. That. Is. AWESOME.
Yes my toes go numb in ALL other athletic shoes I’ve tried!!
Isn’t it so frustrating? Especially when you’re actually motivated to exericise and it’s your feet, not your will standing in your way…
I wish I could wear these shoes (my feet also go numb in typical athletic shoes) but I’m syndactyl–which means my 2nd and 3rd toe are fused. So no toe shoes, toe socks, pedicure toe separators for me
im in the same boat as you! in middle school, a friend bought me a pair of toe socks and cut, then re-sewed them so i could wear them
Check these out! My cousin has toes like that and she was psyched when she found these. http://www.littlemissmatched.com/Catalog/girls_flip_flop_socks
Try these!
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-barefoot-pace-glove-acacia?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_sub
how would this type of shoe work for the treadmill walker/runner?? due to the material of which they are made, I have hesitated in purchasing..anyone have thoughts on the matter?
they have rubber bottoms, just like regular shoes, only more flexible.
I know many that run in them…what they were designed for…they wouldnt’ go back to anything else!
I use these to walk outside, as well as on my eliptical inside. They are the best invention since the wheel!! It took a while for me to be convinced, but once I tried them, I was sold! No more knee pain, also help with core strengthening and posture.
Haha LOVE it. So happy for you..31 pounds already..wow! Can’t wait to see some more “after” pics!
I do everything barefoot!
Doth hath almost persuadeth me to buyeth a pair