Vibram FiveFingers Sighted in NYC

By Justin Owings on Jul 16, 2009 | In User Stories | 2 comments »

Kevin (koffekev on the forums) was recently gallivanting around New York City with his niece when he happened upon a fellow VFFer named Richard (pictured above). Kevin wrote about the experience:

Hi Justin.

I met Richard on Mott St. as I was walking out of Gimme Coffee. I just said "hey, do you mind if I take a pic of your five fingers?" Before he realized I was wearing the same KSO's he asked if I liked his prosthetic feet? When he noticed I was wearing the same thing he mentioned that they were far less expensive here than in his native Australia. I invited him to check out B-day shoes so hopefully he will introduce himself. ...

In the Times Square area I noticed a group of tourists pointing and giggling. I asked if they liked them and a young woman said "yes, very much" in very broken english.

Waiting at a busy cross walk a man crouched down to try to read the Vibram stitched on my foot. I had a quick conversation with him. He seemed interested when I told him it felt as if I were barefoot but when I suggested he google five fingers he replied curtly and condescendingly that he would. I just laughed and waved him off.

Thanks, Kevin!

Inspired by Kevin's experience meeting people in the Big Apple, I'd like to offer up the following definition for Vibram fivefingers:

Vibram fivefingers [noun] — a rubber-toed foot in the door for sparking conversations with complete strangers (and making new friends).

Am I right?

If any of you have a "VFF sighting" or chance-meeting with another VFFer, tell us about it! We even have a forum topic about fivefingers sightings in the wild.

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: black kso, casual wear, kso, walking

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Comment from: barefootnyc [Visitor]
barefootnycI've had so many pleasant conversations with strangers since wearing VFFs I can't count. I would recommend them as social ice breakers, if nothing else. In New York people tend to keep to themselves, but quickly open up at the drop of a hat--or the sight of shoes with toes.

The other day I walked by several rugged looking construction workers on break, and one of them exclaimed, "Whoa, those are hot! Pointing at my VFFs. We talked for several minutes.
07/19/09 @ 16:58
Comment from: Deirdreelise [Visitor]
DeirdreeliseI just received my Performas in violet,ordered from Travel Country,no waiting.I have to say the color is more "cassis"than "violet" but I had to have them!I also want the black which I tried on for size at City Sports here in NYC.A decadent foot indulgence for me...
10/14/09 @ 09:19