Originally Posted by Mitchellicious
These things look so uncomfortable. I hate the feeling of things between my toes.
I own 4 pairs, 2 in solid rotation with 2 on ice for backup. Originally designed as a deck shoe for yachting crews soon found great acceptance in the parkour/free running community & then transferred over to the powerlifting/athletic community. I can hands down say I love them.
*At first I thought I would hate the feeling of wearing something BETWEEN my toes too, but as I got accustomed to wearing them, they have helped immensely in the weight room with their "court feel" It's like lifting barefoot but you're wearing a shoe that looks like a slipper with articulated toes.
Before I used to lift in Nike Aquasocks I scored from the Kissimee outlet like a decade ago & since I have switched over, no looking back. Granted I do get asked about my shoes but face it they are pretty freaky looking.
Nonetheless, it's about picking the right tool (in this case, shoe) for the job. Wearing them gives me serious support in terms of reminding me to execute the lift with proper form since there is no "AIR" or cushioning to impede the biofeedback from your feet, and how much work they're doing.
For those that know all power in sports basically is generated drawn up through your feet. I'm killing it on my deadlift, squats, front squats, etc.
For all the guys queasy about their "look" you do you, carry on & respect, although those that inquire with the intent of mockery all I gotta ask is why ask why? I'm getting stronger & beastlike & you're checking out my shoes? It's not for the attention because that gets old fast, young man.
I get the same looks when I wear my Foams into the office "Oh look, Jay's in his spaceboots again" I tell them where to go.
I wear Vibram KSOs for their functionality & their purpose, to help me kill it in the weight room. Some guys use Chuck Taylors, I use these for lifting. It's a shoe model with that love hate thing going for it & unless your feet are truly messed up & disproportionate a model will fit you.
Granted, when I don't have them with me I lift in Nike Free 5.0s, TR models, etc. but if you want a serious lifting shoe either these OR Chuck Taylors will do you fine. I know we're all a bunch of shoeheads on this site mostly dedicated to Nike but even this model has the Nike Free series beat overall.
As for being called Flipper? LOL sticks & stones, yo. I'm probably warming up with that hater's max.
To help out people further just Google "Vibram FiveFingers, KSO, or Sprint" Going for about $80 USD, here in Toronto they ran me about $90 CDN. Word to the wise this is a shoe you BEST TRY ON FIRST before online shopping if at all possible for best fit - also, these babies usually sell out ASAP so get in there if you are serious.
I found my 3rd pair while on Kuaui during my honeymoon - my wife was like "You are NOT going to buy those; we're on our honeymoon" & I was like "Watch me"
