Except for the barefoot part.

“I used play barefoot a lot as a kid,” said a partygoer.

“I moved here from Connecticut. Playing barefoot was just unheard of.” It’s been coming up a lot since I’ve gotten these Vibram Five Fingered shoes. I learned about them from this post by Tim Ferriss. Basically, a pair ninja socks with soles. Nothing much more to them.

“You know if you’re serious about sticking with this you’re going to need some real shoes,” the man on the other treadmill bitched.

“I was about to say the same thing about yours,” I said and then sprinted off towards the weights. I didn’t feel like arguing. I was there to exercise, not to tell him his shoes were an expensive hernia belt that he was becoming overly reliant on. I didn’t point out that many of the Kenyan runners we’re so jealous of train without shoes due to increased injuries or cite an article pointing to an annoyed Nike about a track team returning their shoes.

My mother-in-law insists that my VFS are a “tattoo for smart people.” A way that I can scream look at me that isn’t permenant. I’d like to think that’s the case, but the way I keep getting stopped and questioned about them seems to point otherwise. I wear the black on black regular, which is by far the least flashy. Blue camo seemed a bit ridiculous.

The question that I get the most is “How do they feel?” I took a few minutes composing my answer for a wheel chair bound friend. “I forget I have them on,” I told him.

This wasn’t exactly true. For the first three days these were excruciating. I was really worried that I had gotten the wrong size. The sizing chart wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. I had to measure my feet and compare them to the European size chart on the Vibrams site.  The return policy wasn’t that great. I understand you can get better returns through Amazon, but fewer sizes. I then tried the novel idea of clipping my toes nails. Then the good times began.

Transitioning from shoes to barefoot hasn’t really taken that long. I don’t step heel-toe. After training with Chi Running I step with good posture and on the ball of my feet. The shoes enforce good form while walking and running. Asphalt and concrete are good. I can feel gravel, but it doesn’t hurt. Getting wet is annoying, but I understand the KSO “keep stuff out” model is more appropriate. Grass is divine, but tiles like at Wal*Mart are still hellish. They have been reducing the soreness I’ve been having in the bottom of my feet and ankles from my shoes inserts.

The question I am not comfortable is: “How much did they cost?” I don’t like telling people that these shoes are $80. Though so far completely worth it, and I think most people would brag about that point. And I bet you could drop that much coin into a pair of Nikes easily. A pair of Nikes that will only last about three months if you are a serious runner. I’m hoping the VFS has a much better lifespan.

Now shoes have their time and place. They look better and more conventional for a reason. We switched to those from bare feet for a reason. For the long haul shoes are great padding. However, with everyday use and sports I prefer living the dream.