Introducing Vibram FiveFingers: Shoes with unique design, while keeping your feet comfortable and protected. (Photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

Despite the obvious fact that shoes maintain the same function of protecting our feet through the years, we are all aware that today’s shoes have evolved since its prehistoric predecessors. Stilettos, boots, chucks and other shoes of today have intricate designs fit for doing activities in style, as opposed to our ancestors' animal skin and straw put together.

But no matter how striking the designs may be, walking around in them all day can be quite painful. And so this question is raised: Can we just go about barefoot?

Can we just walk around on our naked feet? We may just end up with bruises, cuts, and aching toes. Yet the feeling of going barefoot is possible with Vibram Fivefingers.

Vibram Fivefingers, or simply Fivefingers, is the newest innovation from Vibram, the world’s top sole provider for big footwear brands like Red Wing Shoes, Nike-ACG, La Sportiva, and Meindl. First introduced by Industrial Designer Robert Fliri to Vibram President Marco Bramani, Fivefingers takes the shape of your feet, giving it the freedom that it should naturally have while being assured of its comfort and protection.

“When you’re wearing shoes, it’s like putting [your feet] in a cast, so when you’re wearing them, you’re not exactly able to use your muscles in your feet and legs,”  says Juan Carlos Abad, Chief Executive Officer of Barefootwear, Inc, the Philippines’ official distributor of Fivefingers. “By removing your shoes, you can give them the freedom to move around and move about, and make use of all of your muscles in all of your toes.”

Sports

For sports enthusiasts, this unique pair of shoes is a good companion. Doing an activity right after another can be bothersome if you have to change footwear from time to time, but you don’t have to go through that with Fivefingers.

“[I found it while] I was searching the ‘Net, looking for a good pair of shoes that I could use for running, and I don’t have to change if I want to go and swim,” says Navy Lt. James Francis Lugtu, who is also the Director and Corporate Secretary of Barefootwear, Inc.

According to a statement, wearing Fivefingers strengthens muscles in the feet and lower legs, which will improve general foot health and reduce the risk of injuries. It also stimulates neurological receptors in the feet to improve balance and agility.

“[As for] the materials used for the shoes, for the fabric, it’s a thin abrasion-resistant stretch fabric, and for the sole, it’s the Vibram compound, which is non-marking and provides excellent grip because it has razor-sipping,” adds Abad.

Well-being

Vibram’s website states that “FiveFingers delivers a number of positive health benefits. By leveraging all of the body’s natural biomechanics, so you can move as nature intended.”

Since wearing these unique shoes helps our feet’s muscles perform their natural functions, it actually improves our wellbeing without us knowing it.

The statement entitled “6 reasons to wear Vibram Fivefingers,” it states that Fivefingers improves proprioception and body awareness, since the neurological receptors send messages about body mechanics, form, and movement.

Aside from that, it also “eliminates heel lift to align the spine and improve posture, since lowering the heel evenly distributes the bodyweight across the footbed.”

Studies say

In the book entitled "Born to Run", Christopher McDougall pointed out three truths about running and the type of shoes you’re wearing.

First, he mentioned that “runners wearing top of the line shoes are 123% likely to get injured than runners in cheap shoes.” This study was made by Dr. Bernar Marti of the University of Bern. He said that runners using “shoes that cost $95 or more were more than twice as likely to get hurt as runners in shoes that cost less than $40.”

Dr. Barry Bates, head of the Biomechanics/ Sports Medicine Lab in the University of Oregon, found out that “beat-up running shoes are safer than newer ones” because if you have less cushioned shoes, you are more conscious and careful.

The third truth is presented by Alan Webb, America’s greatest miler.

“Human beings are designed to run without shoes,” says Webb in a statement. Due to injuries earlier on, Webb did foot strengthening drills and special walks barefoot. As the muscles in the feet  became stronger, he cut down on injuries and ran faster.

The third truth was further elaborate by facts from Dr. Gerard Hartmann, Ph.D, who is an Irish Physical Therapist. Hartmann says that, “the deconditioned musculature of the foot is the greatest issue leading to injury. We have allowed our feet to be badly deconditioned.”

“I think this would be the start of the revolutionized version of rubber shoes, from padded until it seems thinner, until it completely feels barefoot,” says Lugtu.

With its innovation to footwear and unique appearance, it is not surprising that it was recognized by Time magazine as one of the “Best Inventions of 2007.”

Despite the big amount of response they’re getting from buyers in its first three days, Abad says that it’s not really about making money.

“We’ve already gotten numerous inquiries about distributorships all over the country, but right now, we’re still studying our options,” says Abad. “All we want first is to introduce the brand and to do our share in educating the market. As the principals have said; it’s not just about making money.”

And what’s more to come?

“We are coming up with a website, and this would be linked to the Vibram Fivefingers website internationally,” adds Abad. “You click on that, and you’ll be directed to our page, and you will be able to order online and get it delivered right at your doorstep.”

For now, Barefootwear, Inc.’s CEO says that they would just like to work on the store in Rockwell first to add  a personal touch, so that they may be able to “answer the inquiries of the market.”

Launched last May 1, Fivefingers is located at the Rockwell bridgeway beside Kenneth Cole.