We get off the couch and down to the gym for our latest gear review, putting the awesomely zany ‘5 Fingers’ from Vibram through their paces. The certainly look the business, but are they a novelty item, or will they stand up to our rigorous workout routine? Read on to find out...
Out of the box:
Whether you’ve seen them before or not, you can’t help but react in a certain way when you first get your hands on a pair of the completely unique ‘5 Fingers’ range from Vibram. Things were no different for us as we eagerly unpacked ours...”OMG! They look like feet!!” I must admit, once I’d got over the initial enjoyment of the shoe’s aesthetics I became a little dubious. I’d been sent one of the lighter shoes in the range and the inability to wear socks, coupled with the cold temperature of the British winter, left me less than thrilled by the prospect of taking these bad boys out for a run. My ‘Gimmick Sense’ was tingling.
At home:
All that trepidation disappeared once I’d put them on. After an initial struggle to get my monkey-like feet into the sleek, well fitting form of the shoe, I was treated to pure comfort. If the aim of the ‘5 Fingers’ range is to provide the comfort and support of a premium trainer without the feeling of actually wearing any, then Vibram have hit the nail on the head. The shoe didn’t feel like it needed to be worn in, and genuinely felt invisible to the touch. I wore them all night, like slippers...they felt that good.
Outside:
This would be the real test; after all, outdoors is what they were made for. Against my better judgement I went sockless, tracksuited up, strapped on my bright orange and black Vibrams and hit the mean streets of Cambridge for a jog. The shoes took a bit of getting used to. I have high arches and at first I didn’t feel that I was getting the support I needed. A quick stop to tighten the adjustable Velcro straps solved that and soon I was tearing across one of Cambridge’s many jogging/cycle paths. Even on the concrete, the shoes felt comfortable enough to be hardly noticed, while offering the same support as a regular trainer. While the particular model I was wearing were probably better suited to summertime or indoor use, many of the bulkier lines in the ‘5 Fingers’ range are ideal for winter time or colder climates. I was so happy with my run that I jogged all the way to the kebab shop for a chicken and doner combo. I felt I’d earned it.
In the gym:
Even though the Vibrams I had seemed ideal for the warm, dry interior of a gym, I was still nervous. Firstly due to that ‘not wanting to look like an idiot in the gym’ feeling for a guy walking in with bright orange feet-like trainers. Secondly because I have serious knee problems, and the twisting and lifting of circuit training means in need all the support I can get, both from a knee brace and my trainers. Again, the Vibrams came through. It’s tough to see where the support comes from, but it’s there. More so than that, the feeling of being almost barefoot while knowing that you have the traction of a regular trainer is a weird, but awesome sensation. As for the fear of looking like an idiot, that was soon dispelled by a chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’. 10 cool points for me.
The aftermath:
Anyone who goes to the gym without socks had paid the price by way of a pair of permanently rank-smelling trainers. Vibram claim that their ‘5-Finger’ range, obviously designed for use without socks, avoid this. This was possibly the claim about which I was most dubious. Not because my feet are especially rank you understand, just because. Amazingly, it works. Whatever kind of odour absorbers the ‘5 Fingers’ are made of, they did the trick, at least after a few wears.
Let’s not beat around the bush, there is certainly a ‘wow’ factor involved with Vibrams ‘5 Fingers’. They look gimmicky, and like marmite, you’ll either love or hate them. I love them. The fact that friends I’ve had over have all to a man asked ‘Can I try them on?’ would suggest that I’m probably not the only one. And that really answers the most important question: Would I recommend them to a friend? I don’t have to, because everyone I’ve shown them to already wants a pair.
With styles starting from around £50, they not only look and feel great, but they compete with other leading brands in terms of both price and functionality. The verdict: Go get yourself some Vibrams.
By Brad Wharton Follow him on Twitter @MMABayBrad
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