New to the 5 finger shoes

[Little1]

Hi everyone,
I am new to the 5 finger shoes. I have been seeing people wear them occasionally at the gym for over a year now and have become increasingly curious. I am considering going to get my first pair in the next couple of weeks. . I do not want to wear them at the gym because I am afraid of a weight falling on my foot with them on. I feel more protected with a regular shoe on.   I am wondering if you wear them casually out and about. If so have you ever been told you cannot go to a place with them on?  I live in the Midwest so I guess I could only wear these in the spring, summer and fall. I am also wondering if they are truly healthy for your feet. Does anyone have any advice for my first pair of 5 finger shoes?
Thanks.
 

[jmijares]

My all-around favorite for doing anything in VFFs are the KSOs.  You can't go wrong with those.  Though for casual wear, I've found that the KSO Treks look great with a pair of jeans.  I use the Bikila LS for running.  I got a lot of interesting looks when I work my Bikila LSs in Denver last week, but most folks had complementary things to say about them.

Every since I started running in VFFs, my arch has grown and I no longer had any running pains.  Though it's always good to start slowly in them.

Welcome to BirthdayShoes!

[Little1]

Thanks. I have SSOOO many questions. I am been told that I need inserts my my ciropractor. I have shoes with inserts in them for the gym and work. I normaly walk around the house bare foot. I wounder if this will effect my need for the inserts?
Little1

[Rockpup]

Some seem to feel that giving the foot a chance to work the way it's supposed to, then the need for orthotics goes away even when wearing normal shoes. Give em a shot.

As far as protection from weights hitting your foot at the gym, you'd have to go with OSHA steel toe shoes for protection, as I'm sure plenty of people have crushed their toe/foot with weights landing on their feet wearing every other sort of footwear. Go ahead and try VFF's, just be careful

[NYCBigL]

I do not want to wear them at the gym because I am afraid of a weight falling on my foot with them on. I feel more protected with a regular shoe on.

If you're worried about dropping a weight on your foot, you should be working out with steel-toed boots. A regular sneaker is not going to offer any more protection over a VFF.
My prediction is that if you get VFFs you'll be working out with them in no time.

I am wondering if you wear them casually out and about.

I wear them every chance I get.
The only place I can't wear them is work. So for that I just bought Merrell Tough Gloves.

[mizchris93]

I am also in the midwest and wear mine pretty much everywhere unless I have to "dress up." I have KSO's, Bikilas and Komodo sports and the Komodos are my hands down favorite for everything! There is lots of useful info available here on the boards and out in the barefoot world about inserts and such. I would think that if you take your time and transition to VFF's that would strengthen your feet and you wouldn't need them, but I'm also not a podiatrist! Good luck if you decide to try them!

[equiraptor]

Thanks. I have SSOOO many questions. I am been told that I need inserts my my ciropractor. I have shoes with inserts in them for the gym and work. I normaly walk around the house bare foot. I wounder if this will effect my need for the inserts?
Little1

I also have additional medical considerations around my feet. I haven't been told I need inserts, but I do need to watch my joints carefully (including the joints in the middle of the feet that many people forget they have!). I use VFFs as my daily wear shoes and only wear others when safety requires (motorcycle, etc.). I even wear my Jaya LR with dresses for a slightly more upscale look.

I think if I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to try the VFFs. If you don't already, start keeping a journal about your feet. Start now, and continue to keep the journal as you start wearing the VFFs. This will help you have a better record for what changes and what doesn't as you try the VFFs.