You may well have seen footwear around that splits the toes, either into two separate groups or into individual toes. If you have seen this phenomenon out and about on the street, then there is a good chance that you have seen designer footwear that has copied very specific sporting wear.
Vibram Five Fingers is a make of footwear aimed specifically at those who run or walk on a regular basis. Unlike normal walking boots, which simply offer a great deal of support, comfort and strength, these shoes offer a huge amount of dexterity to the walker or runner, allowing them to move more comfortably and more naturally, and to walk or run as though they weren’t wearing shoes at all.
It is worth remembering that we have evolved in very specific ways to suit an external environment. It is only in very recent history that we have not needed to hunt and gather and, as such, our feet are still very much formed to allow us to move outside as easily and as freely as possible. Were we better adapted to the outside in normal shoes, we would not have individual toes at all but something more akin to duck’s feet.
The benefits of Vibram barefoot running shoes do not end there however. Not only do they allow greater dexterity, greater range of movement and even greater balance and strength for the wearer, but for those who run or walk to stay in shape, they also stimulate the muscles in the feet and lower legs far more effectively than any other type of shoe.
For those who have previously avoided ‘toe shoes’ because of their unique look, it may be comforting to know that the popularity of this style of footwear is surging and, therefore, if you want the best shoes to allow you to walk or run as freely and effectively as possible, you no longer have to stand out to get the benefits.