FROM LYNX: TOE SHOES (this will be a long post)
Okay the Vibram (tm) five-finger shoes just came in and I really like them. It's supposed to be like walking barefoot, but with a thick skin on the bottom of your foot. What it really is like, is a glove for your foot. I always did prefer to walk without shoes because they are always built up more at the heel than at the toe. I feel more balanced and agile without shoes, or with flat moccasins or something. These shoes I will probably not want to take off as soon as I get home.
And it's a good conversation starter.
Yes, I'll be wearing them in public - they're not house shoes, they're real shoes.
I'll report back after a few miles.
NEXT TOE SHOES POST:
This is the first pair of shoes I have NOT wanted to take off.
As soon as I get home the first thing I do is take off my shoes. Part of it is my toes being bunched up in there, but most of it is the heel being thicker than the toe in most shoes. These shoes I did not want to take off right away. I took a nap with them on - granted I don't take naps often, but when I do I always have to have my shoes off. For some reason I can't sleep with them on.
This is also I believe the first time I have ever forgotten I was wearing shoes. And though it was a hot day, my feet didn't get sweaty. You're not supposed to wear socks with these, and I didn't, but my feet never got slippery in them.
One caveat: The sizing chart at amazon.com is off. Measure your foot while you're standing on it, not while you're sitting, go to the vibram site and use their chart, and you'll get a good fit. Then go to amazon, ignore their sizing chart and place the order. Mine were a bit too large, which is how I know about the discrepancy. But even too large they still fit and wear better than any other shoe I've had.
Of course I got the KSO Trek, which is leather, and the only leather version they have. I don't know about any of the others. I have a pair of regular KSO ordered and on the way (a bit smaller this time) so we'll see how they do for wearability and sweat control.
Will report back when I've managed to wear something out.
Oh yeah, forgot the logic part:
With normal shoes with thicker heels, the "natural" stride is with the heel striking first. This is not natural for the way the human foot was made, it is less efficient and the impact is probably the root cause of so many people's knees and hips wearing out and needing to be replaced. The truly natural way the human foot is supposed to meet the ground is forefoot first, then heel, with the forefoot just barely ahead of the heel in striking the surface. The foot/ankle is supposed to use the forefoot to cushion, then spring back to propel the person forward.
This is not the reason I got them, but it's the reason that will probably matter to normal people. I of course am not normal so it's all gravy.
Oh, and with "normal" shoes with thick heels, a natural stride is impossible without overpointing the toe.
My, aren't I sounding like an elitist all of a sudden... well it's all true.
NEXT SHOE POST:
About those shoes: After buying six pairs I can now say that for comfort and a luxurious feel KSO Trek (the leather ones) are about the best shoes to get. They're also the most expensive of the lot, but worth it. I have a black pair that are now my dress shoes. Barely anybody at church has noticed yet.
For all-around wearing without having to worry about protecting that leather, Komodo Sport is good. They are now my work shoes. A bit more padding at the bottom and more of a "quilt" feel in the toes. Also, where the KSO have one strap that goes around the heel and over the instep, Komodo Sport has a strap around the heel and a separate strap over the instep. Much appreciated.
For something cheaper but still as functional, KSO TrekSport are good. Some kind of polymer instead of KSO Trek's leather, but they seem as durable and the heel/instep strap is in exactly the same place.
If amazon.com doesn't have the kind you want in the color and size you want, try Vibram's own website. Or try Trailblazer at
Denali - Outdoor Clothing and Footwear - Trailblazer Between the three I've found all I need in my size and my preferred color.
And so far nothing has worn out. Of course I've only been wearing them for four weeks, but nothing looks about to give way any time soon.
One caveat: Do not get the Bikila or Bikila LS. They do not have a strap around the heel, where you want to take up slack if you are wearing toe shoes. They have a strap across the instep (speed laces for the LS) which functions like a normal shoe... but a normal shoe leaves free space at the toe, so with these TOE SHOES your toes keep sliding out of where they are supposed to be. Nice thought, speed laces, but they should have tested it a bit more for function than for form. There's one other style that has speed laces but I can't remember which it is... avoid them too if you see them.
NEXT SHOE POST (about zero-drop shoes without toes)
By the way, if you want a more natural stride without funny looking toes there are zero-drop shoes that don't have toes. Zero-drop means a shoe that doesn't have a built-up heel like most "normal" shoes these days, and many professional runners swear by them.
Of course you should still take it easy if you want to switch from "normal" shoes to a zero-drop shoe. Those tendons and calf muscles are underdeveloped from walking in a built-up heel all your life and they will need time to stretch out to where they should be.
PLEASE NOTE: I have not tried any of these brands. Yet.
Some brands of zero-drop shoes are Altra, Vivo, Soft Star RunAmocs, New Balance Minimus (actually not zero-drop, but a very small heel-toe drop,) Merrell, Inov-8, Stem... the market is getting crowded lately.
Searching amazon.com is a great way to get some honest reviews on different brands. Two Rivers Treads has a good all-in-one site where you can find all the popular zero-drop brands.
http://www.tworiverstreads.com/category_s/36.htm
And without toes in the shoes, nobody will ever notice... :smug:
... is from Lake Champlain Chocolates. Specifically their five star candy bar. 
I can get a good used Thinkpad T500 for $150-ish on ebay, off-lease. They look like something from 1998, but they still pick up wifi signals other laptops can't even see and they still keep running forever.
