Five fingers shoes

A rather strange title for a blog and a very strange and unusual type of footwear.

Five fingers shoes are the latest fad in shoe design and they throw everything that we normally associate with shoe design out of the window.

What they are – These strange looking shoes are more like gloves for the feet. They don’t have a toe box, but instead have a separate compartment for each and every toe, five for each shoe. The upper of these shoes is light and made of fabric and the sole pretty much duplicates the appearance of the underside of a human foot, right down to the toes. This sole is also very flexible.

All told this means that these shoes act to cover and protect the feet, but they do nothing when it comes to supporting the feet, providing a sturdy sole or supporting the foot’s natural arch.

So what do they do – What they do is allow the feet to work in the most natural way possible. This means that once you get used to wearing them you will start walking as if you had bare feet. This means that all of the muscles in your feet will start working, you will feel the ground and its contours, and your toes will spread and distribute your weight as you walk. This helps balance and it good for the muscles from the legs right through to the back. Indeed, one of the claims of these five fingers shoes is that they can alleviate back pain.

What do they look like – The only sensible answer to this is odd. They look a little bit like you borrowed your feet from a character from “The Planet of the Apes”. The shoes mimic the feet, so they look like feet, but in whatever colour of shoes that you select.

What are they used for – They were developed for running, but they can be used for any activity and all of the indications are that they can improve posture, foot comfort and a range of other human conditions.

Are they a gimmick – They look like one, however the scientific evidence behind them means that they might just be the start of a footwear revolution.

Are they expensive – Yes
With a bit of luck the price will start to drop, but these beauties cost as much as a serious pair of hiking shoes, and they are not cheap.

You can find out about these and some other unusual shoe types by performing a search.