The toe shoes market is soon to get another contender from none other than Body Glove, one of the leading manufacturers of water sports apparel, in the form of a three-toed shoe. You read that right. Three. First you had FiveFingers with, well, of course, five toe pockets; then the Fila Skele-toes with four; and now we’re down to three!* I guess we’ve already got two-pocketed toe shoes in the form of Tabi Shoes, so Body Glove is just filling in the niche with the 3T here!
The Body Glove 3T Barefoot Technology is coming Spring 2012 and sports the following features (as noted in the official product spec sheet above):
- Three toe pockets: the smallest three toes get one pocket to “work together to increase stability and control.” This should make them pretty easy to put on, to boot.
- “Just your foot, protected”
- “Hybrid” for use in and out of the water
- A “IDS” (Integrated Drainage System): through-the-sole drainage system to let out water (or let air circulate)
My contact at Body Glove indicates that these are geared specifically for kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, though I’m sure they could be used in just about any water application.
What I don’t know (yet):
- If the upper is made out neoprene or something else (I’d guess it is).
- How thick the (presumedly) rubber sole is; how flexible is the sole?
- Are these neutral from heel to toe?
- Price.
My first impression, which are necessarily general given how much I don’t know about these toe shoes, is that it looks like an interesting design to round out your toe shoes options. While I joke about the “three toes,” I can’t help but think about my experience with Flow FiveFingers, which are neoprene and separate all five toes. While many have worn Flows for winter running, it’s very easy for your little toes to get cold if you’re not moving enough due to the tightness of the neoprene and the lack of the little toes being able to heat each other as with a more typical “mitten” design; perhaps putting the three smaller toes in one pocket will solve this issue while still providing a greater “barefoot” feeling through separating the largest metatarsels.
All in all, toe shoes get a lot of their benefits through the separation of the toes (See: why toe shoes?) as individual pockets allow a minimal, flexible-soled shoe to move with your foot as your toes bend, splay, and flex. Could there be an ideal compromise between separating all the toes, which leaves at least one or two more susceptible to snagging on rocks (and breaking) and still maintaining some (or all) of the benefits of articulated toes? I don’t know.
What do you think about these? Interested in a three toe option for water sports or winter running wear? Sound off in the comments!
* This is at least a little reminiscent of the “Seven Minute Abs? I’m going to invent ‘Six Minute Abs?'” line from Something About Mary; or perhaps a reverse of the number-of-blades escalation you get with disposable razors
17 replies on “Body Glove Toe Shoes: 3T Barefoot Technology”
The shoes look interesting but not a fan of the 3 toed design. It’s my little toe that needs separating out more than any other after being forced unnaturally under my other toes after hours in climbing shoes.
If it was a two toe pocket design with one pocket for the pinky and one for every other toe I’d still prefer it to this one.
I don’t see these in my future, unless they have a really low price point. If I would get them, they would be as a water shoe only. Unlike many others,I was not instantly put off by Fila’s combined toe pocket concept, so I also can see the benefit in Body Glove’s design. As Justin pointed out in his review, they would be easier to put on and in some applications where toe snagging could occur, they could offer some benefit. Since I am not into activities where added toe protection is needed, I will just stick with my VFFs. It will be interesting to see how minimalist they will be regarding drop and amount of padding. partial toe splay alone does not make a minimalist shoe. If they take a stab at a true barefoot feel, then it is a step in the right direction.
If these were gloves they’d be called “trigger-finger” gloves or mitts.
There’s also another varient of a three-pocket design that is sometimes used for gloves. It looks like the Vulcan salute. I once owned a dry suit mitt with this design.
Theis design should be of particular interest to those of us who have small toes that don’t extend very far into the toe pockets of VFFs. A friend of mine was very sad when his little toe didn’t make it at all into the the toe pocket and hence he decided to forgo wearing VFFS.
I wonder when they’ll get back to one toe? XD
In a word: pathetic.
I could see the benefit of a three toed shoe. It would make putting them on for beginners much easier. I do worry about it being designed for Water use. Maybe if this one is successful they will make some that are meant for dry land and use more dry land style fabrics. I did not even know Body Glove makes shoes.
The need to make sure to keep the sole Flexible. IMO Fila Skeletoes has the “transition toe shoe” market pretty covered. So I would like for the body glove to be comparable to VFF Trek sole in flexibility and ground feel. We have enough thick soled stiff toe shoes with the Skeletoes line.
I have a few comments since I have looked at the design more. I would say #1 scrap the cord on the heel for something beefier. Those cords break and are just cheap. #2 re-work the strap system to something more like the KSO or the KomodoSport. That strap system does not look very secure. #3 make the upper smoother less design flare. I see all these U shaped fabric patterns on the upper. The more complicated you make the top the more likely it is going to cause pain on the top of the foot. Just my general first thoughts.
The separation of my last three toes is one of the best feelings in the world in VFF’s, personally. And though this may work better for other people who don’t feel that way, it does, in essence, look like a water shoe, not so much a minimalist shoe. If anything, it looks like it would be even beefier than, say, the Teva Nilch in terms of sole thickness. I might try them on in a store to see how they feel, but I don’t think I would veer away from VFF’s for a pair of these, no matter the price point.
I think these are among the best looking toe-shoes out there, arguably better than anything Vibram has out (shock! horror!) However, I’m also a bit wary about the three-toed design. I hope this doesn’t point to a trend back to square-one.
I think when you compare these to their current crop of Water Shoes (at http://www.bodyglove.com/shop/categories/?4081/footwear/water-shoes ) this is a step in the right direction. Warmth is a key factor and having the three toes together in a large pocket is fine. Toes need room to move. They don’t have to be separated. My wife and I love our Merrell Barefoot shoes and those have one toebox. I cannot tell much difference when wearing my Tough Gloves vs KSO Treks once I get going. My toes splay just fine, and honestly it is usually the first 3 that splay anyway. The smaller two are just along for the ride.
I say good for Body Glove here. These aren’t for the general public but for their niche market. It is another way to introduce bareform shoes to a new group of people.
One of the only downside to VFFs is the poor breathability. This Shoe looks promising with it’s drainage system.
Nobody noticed the non-anatomical shape of the bottom (sole) view of the shoe? I see it curves inward along the outer side leading up to the pinky toe. I’m pretty sure most people’s feet and the foot bones are straight on that side (all of them for that matter).
Can’t say I’m a fan.
@Patric I did notice that but I was hoping it was just an drawing error. They do look like they kind of bend outwards more then your toes would be comfortable with.
I was looking at some of their other shoes and I am surprised at how cheap they are. Some of them run for $19.99 and most around $29.00 if they keep the price point of the Toe Shoe around their other shoes it might be some good competition just based on price alone.
The major thing they need to do is make sure to keep the sole flexible. We don’t need any more thick Skeletoes style toe shoes.
I also worry about the draining system getting clogged up with sand and rocks. It looks like their is a filter to keep sand and dirt from getting in the draining system. Not sure how well the system would work though with mud/dirt clogging the holes.
Shoe companies are trying to gradually ease us into single toed shoes. Now how cool would that be. Having one toe without having to remove any.
Oh you VFF lunatics are annoying.
At low temperatures the small toes can become ice cubes easily depending on your activity.
even my trek ls are to cold when it is really freezing.
I don’t see a problem with the 3 toe design for its special purpose.
It gives your toes room and on the other hand it keeps them warm.
I’m interested in the IDS drainage/ventilation system. To me, that’s the real differentiator since the number of toe pockets is largely irrelevant for me aside from the ease of putting the things on.
I train in Vibram 5-fingers Bikila’s, but am left in the lurch when race time comes. Is there anyone developing a track spike shoe with toe pockets??