beginner's guide to vibram five fingers

What are Vibram FiveFingers and other Minimalist Shoes fans doing "almost barefoot?" Everything.

Vibram FiveFingers and barefoot or minimalist shoes enthusiasts are doing just about everything under the sun while being just a little bit closer to barefoot. From running any race out there (5Ks to 100 mile ultramarathons), to working out, playing, going to work, hang-gliding, sky-diving, or even playing golf.

Part of the mission here at BirthdayShoes has been to document these fan experiences in the words and photos of the wearers of toe shoes, minimalist shoes, or barefoot shoes (or whatever you call these things) — if you've got some great photos of you doing what you do in your Vibram FiveFingers, NB Minimus, huaraches, VIVO BAREFOOTS, or whatever, consider sending them in (learn more) and sharing with the community!

Below you'll find pages and pages of Vibram Five Fingers user photos and stories that display just what you can do when almost-barefoot as with everyone's favorite five-toed shoes. If you want to see the posts below listed out by model, check out the comprehensive list of Vibram Five Fingers fan photo stories here.

Category: User Stories

Interview with Justine Lam on her Vibram Five Finger KSOs

Justine Lam sporting her grey green Vibram Five Fingers KSOs after a hike.
Justine Lam sporting her grey green Vibram Five Fingers KSOs after a hike.
Interviewing Justine Lam on her Vibram Five Fingers KSOs -- she uses them for hiking and crossfit, among other things. more »

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Photos (and comments) from reader Chris

Chris is up a tree in his green/gray KSO Vibram Five Fingers shoes at the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Chris is up a tree in his green/gray KSO Vibram Five Fingers shoes at the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
A Vibram Five Fingers fan story from Chris in North Carolina who talks about his KSO Vibrams and his wife's Sprints. Photo of Chris up a tree in his KSOs! more »

Interview with Free the Animal's Richard Nikoley on his Vibram Five Fingers

Vibram Five Fingers Classics fan Richard Nikoley shows off his black VFFs.  Richard is a health enthusiast and blogger over at his excellent site, FreeTheAnimal.com
Vibram Five Fingers Classics fan Richard Nikoley shows off his black VFFs. Richard is a health enthusiast and blogger over at his excellent site, FreeTheAnimal.com
Interview with Vibram Five Fingers fan and health enthusiast, blogger Richard Nikoley of the popular paleo community blog, Free the Animal more »

Nathan Owings on his Vibram Five Fingers Classics

Empowered by the superior traction and flexibility of his Vibram Five Fingers Classics, Nathan makes use of a mere inch of purchase four feet up a light post and strikes a pose.
Empowered by the superior traction and flexibility of his Vibram Five Fingers Classics, Nathan makes use of a mere inch of purchase four feet up a light post and strikes a pose.
Interview with Classic Vibram Five Fingers fan Nathan Owings. Nathan talks about walking, working out, and chillin in his Vibram shoes which let him be barefoot without getting his feet dirty. more »

Playing Kickball in your Birthday Shoes

This past weekend a buddy of mine needed extra players for his Go Kickball league game, and since he more »

Birthday Shoes Interview with Vibram Five Fingers fan and runner Matthew Fleming

Above is a photo by Paul David of Matthew Fleming sporting Vibram Five Fingers Sprints in the Mt. Sinai 50K
Above is a photo by Paul David of Matthew Fleming sporting Vibram Five Fingers Sprints in the Mt. Sinai 50K
BirthdayShoes interviews Vibram Five Fingers fan (Sprint model) Matthew Fleming about running 50K races in his Vibrams. more »

Flying "barefoot:" TSA reaction to Five Fingers

Last weekend Patri Friedman was donning his Five Fingers while traveling about to present on Seastea more »