The History of Vibram FiveFingers — a Second Skin for your Feet

The History of Vibram FiveFingers — a Second Skin for your Feet

Everyone will by now have seen Vibram FiveFingers around — and there's no chance that you'll ever forget these futuristic-looking "foot gloves" once you've laid eyes on them. When the world was first shown the now-famous five-fingered shoes, they instantly created an immense and well-deserved buzz. These shoes(if they can even be called that) were utterly revolutionary, and whether you love or hate the way they look, they can transform the way you walk.

What's the backstory behind Vibram FiveFingers, though — and why should you consider trying them out if you still haven't snatched up a pair?

Praised as one of the best inventions of 2007 by Time magazine, the actual idea for Vibram FiveFingers started much earlier, in the mind of Robert Fliri. Back in 1999, when he was a design student in Italy, one of his professors challenged his class to create a concept based on the idea that sport is, at its heart, fun. For Fliri, that invoked images of going barefoot in nature — of actually feeling the ground beneath, unhindered by bulky shoes.

Getting cuts and scrapes is the opposite of fun, though, so Fliri wondered how to make it possible for people to enjoy the “powerful feeling” of moving around freely, as if they weren't wearing shoes at all, with the benefit of added protection. "It was clear to me that it had to be a glove," he said.

The concept was able to come to life later, thanks to Vibram. Founded by a mountaineer in the early 20^th century, the company started its life as a manufacturer of sturdy yet flexible rubber outsoles. By the time Vibram met FiveFingers, though, the company was headed by CEO Ted McDonald, who himself came to fame as a barefoot running coach — which should give you “perfect match” vibes, right?

Vibram FiveFingers may originally have been popular among yacht racers who craved the barefoot feel while needing to keep their feet firmly on deck, as well as among minimalist runners. Still, they quickly gained traction nearly everywhere else too. Whether you're gardening, doing an outdoor yoga class, or simply running some urban errands, Vibram FiveFingers can give almost anyone feelings of fun and freedom.

It's true that the sizing chart- which can be a bit tricky- must be consulted. Vibram FiveFingers aren't traditional shoes, so it's no surprise that they don't rely on conventional sizes, either. It's also true that they're a little harder to get on and that it may take some time to get used to these foot gloves. Once you spend time transitioning to Vibram FiveFingers, though, the chances are you'll only want to take them off if you absolutely need more heavy-duty protection, like for serious hiking or a DIY construction project.

Going barefoot feels good for a reason — it's what the body was made to do. So, it's not surprising that people who frequently shun shoes have less risk of foot problems like sprained ankles and plantar fasciitis. Unfortunately, hazards like glass shards and scorching asphalt are just as unnatural as shoes are. Vibram FiveFingers keeps you safe from these dangers while still offering much of the comfort you'd get if you weren't wearing any shoes at all.

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