How to put on Classic Vibram Five Fingers without using your hands [How-to]

By Justin Owings on Aug 4, 2009 | In Guides | 7 comments »

Awhile ago I asked the following question to forum members: can you put on your fivefinger Classics without using your hands? At least a couple responded they could (Kevin even sent me a short video to prove it).

I, too, can put on my VFFs using naught but feet (As I pat myself on the back). There are two default starting positions from which you can pull off this "fivefingers foot feat:" either with the elastic strap as loose as possible or with it cinched up tight.

How? Let me see if I can explain:

Note: Both methods require enough toe dexterity to find and insert your toes into their respective toe slots. If you try this little trick, make sure you do it in an area where if you fall from losing your balance, you won't hurt yourself!

If you have questions or comments, let me know! And yes, I did say "do do" in the video. And I know, this is probably one of the weirder how-to videos on YouTube.

Regardless, don't be too jealous of my toe dexterity, k?

About the Author — I founded BirthdayShoes.com in April 2009 on realizing just how much I enjoyed having "free feet" - I mostly wanted to use them for weights, sprints, and plyometrics (I'm not much of a runner!). I'm a Googler by day and minimalist footwear aficionado by night; you can find me 'round Atlanta. If you want to catch up with what I'm doing outside of the site here, follow me on twitter @bdayshoes or @justinno or check out my personal site JustinOwings.com.
has written 754 articles and 302 comments.
Tags: classic

related posts you might like ...

wait! before you go —

« Jerry's KSO Vibram Five Fingers at "Foamhenge"A lesson on shoes from Sesame Street: "Monsters don't need shoes. We can do everything in our monster feet!" »
Comment from: crunchysue [Visitor]
crunchysueI can get my toes in my KSOs without hands, but not the heels.
08/04/09 @ 13:43
Comment from: Sterling [Visitor] Email
SterlingI now have a new goal!
08/04/09 @ 22:49
Comment from: koffeekev [Visitor]
koffeekevI hate to burst your bubble Justin but I just put on BOTH KSO's with no hands. The second one was a little tricky but I did it and can prove it. Just not now, i'm still working. I wasn't able to fasten the strap but i'm sure that can be forgiven. Kevin
08/05/09 @ 16:47
Comment from: Justin Owings [Member] Email
Kevin,

I wasn't able to fasten the strap but i'm sure that can be forgiven.


I think it's pretty debateable that the KSOs are really "on" if the strap isn't fastened. You're not likely to go roaming about with the strap dangling all loose, right?

Now, I will say, spurred on by your comment, I just spent probably five minutes putting on my KSOs, strapped and everything without hands. I did it sitting down and probably looked like a complete dufus doing it. In fact, my wife kept saying "what are you doing? Stop playing with your shoes!" But I prevailed and now I have my KSOs on. And I did it without hands.

Unfortunately, it's way too difficult to do (and I think even with practice it would be pretty difficult!) to do regularly. Convenience is what makes this trick actually worth learning with the Classics!
08/05/09 @ 17:32
Comment from: Britt [Member] Email
I remember when I first saw this, before I owned a pair of Classics, thinking it didn't look too hard. Now, after a couple of days with my Classics, I feel pretty sure that I will never be able to do this. Like Sterling said, I have a goal!
04/25/10 @ 20:58
Comment from: iPhreak [Visitor]
iPhreakGood lord... I have no toe dexterity. I will never be able to do that :)
05/14/10 @ 09:29
Comment from: Karin Edwards [Visitor] Email
Karin EdwardsI love that someone is as geeky about this as I am! I have been known for my toe dexterity and "stupid human tricks" since childhood. So of course, I have learned to put on my leather Performas hands free!

The first key was learning to NOT overspread my toes while trying to insert them into the pockets. Using my opposite big toe to slip the heel on is the hardest part.

My other favorite trick: With barefeet, interlacing my toes without the help of my fingers. It's an old yogi trick.

Good luck everyone!
07/22/10 @ 18:40