People wearing Vibrams to work. WTF?

One of our engineers at work wears shoes with giant holes in them... can't be any worse than that.

Welcome to a society of low slung pants, wearing sweats everywhere you go, loud cell phone talking, playing violent video games, and just plain old generally inconsiderate and "the government owes me something" attitude. Such is the future of America.

I used to think they were ridiculous too. Then I slowly incorporated them into my training and now I find them much better than any running shoes I ever used. But I mean SLOWLY. Your body needs time to adjust. It's like barefoot running. Will probably never go back to 'normal' shoes. Train in them, walk in them, do everything in them. Haven't been injured or sore like I used to doing the same running intensity/mileage in shoes.

A former skeptic turned believer.

Why would you wear shoes to work? Shoes are like gloves, don't wear em unless you need em.

It obviously garners attention. It's an easy ice breaker/conversation starter.

But on the other hand, it is a little gross in that Vibram FF wearers usually don't wear socks.

Most dress shoes are horrible for your feet. I love the look of a good pair of wingtips, but the elevated heel changes your stride and the narrow toebox ends up bending your toes.

It might be hard for a man to pull off, but these

http://www.vibramtopics.com/Images/Product/Vibram%20Five%20Fingers%20Moc%20Black%20upper%20Black%20bottom-1.jpg

aren't much different than a pare of women's flats (besides the whole toe thing).

http://www.five-finger-shoe.net/images/Vibram-FiveFingers-Classic-Coke-Yellow-Blue-mens.jpg

<--these, on the other hand, would be more out of place.

On a completely different note: who the hell cares? How dare people defile your sacred workplace with their trendy but potentially practical footwear.

I would if i could. Dress shoes suck.

I know a few people who wear them to work, but that's it. It's just another step above wearing Frees.

Vibrams are here to stay (at least for a little while), learn to move on.

Agreed, dress shoes are not good for you. Usually rather stiff, elevated hill, restrictive toe box.

I like to wear driving shoes, which is acceptable in business-casual kinda places.

There are nice shoes out there which are flexible and not restrictive, people. Just go find them.

And vibrams with a suit makes you look like a total jackass. I don't care how cramped your little toes feel in "normal" shoes, you look like a jackass.

Proud Heel Striker wrote:

I work in a large office building and from time to time while I'm waiting for the elevator, I see people wearing Vibrams. It's not like they are on their way to the gym either. I see people wearing them with their regular work clothes. When did it become acceptable for someone to do this and not be thought a fool?

Often people commute in shoes they find comfortable, then change to more "work acceptable" shoes once they reach their offices. I think it was a trend started in the 1980s in Manhattan (during a transit strike perhaps?) when women opted for walking or running shoes b/c heels just don't cut it for getting around in a city.

As for the vibrams, not my thing (just can't get myself to go for the "toe glove" look), but whatever grabs you... mostly...

Some fashion choices make me wince... but no doubt they're considered cool by that person's circle of friends. :)

A. Hipster wrote:

Most dress shoes are horrible for your feet. I love the look of a good pair of wingtips, but the elevated heel changes your stride and the narrow toebox ends up bending your toes.

It might be hard for a man to pull off, but these

http://www.vibramtopics.com/Images/Product/Vibram%20Five%20Fingers%20Moc%20Black%20upper%20Black%20bottom-1.jpg

aren't much different than a pare of women's flats (besides the whole toe thing).

http://www.five-finger-shoe.net/images/Vibram-FiveFingers-Classic-Coke-Yellow-Blue-mens.jpg

<--these, on the other hand, would be more out of place.

On a completely different note: who the hell cares? How dare people defile your sacred workplace with their trendy but potentially practical footwear.

Dress shoes kill my feet. I would love to wear my Birkenstock sandals to work in the summer. Women get to do it but no way a man could pull that off.

The Vibrams do look rediculous but I bet they feel good to walk around in.

The Stache wrote:

There are nice shoes out there which are flexible and not restrictive, people. Just go find them.

And vibrams with a suit makes you look like a total jackass. I don't care how cramped your little toes feel in "normal" shoes, you look like a jackass.

QFE

I think these look more acceptable and don't make you look like an ass.

classof89 wrote:

But on the other hand, it is a little gross in that Vibram FF wearers usually don't wear socks.

Like most gentlemen in the South, I don't wear socks unless I am running.

I wear dress shoes to work everyday.

Socks are what make your feet smell like shit. Let your feet breath.

Dandified wrote:

Like most gentlemen in the South, I don't wear socks unless I am running.

Think again, buddy. You're in the minority here.

Proud Heel Striker wrote:

I work in a large office building and from time to time while I'm waiting for the elevator, I see people wearing Vibrams. It's not like they are on their way to the gym either. I see people wearing them with their regular work clothes. When did it become acceptable for someone to do this and not be thought a fool?

It didn't become acceptable.

I saw an idiot using Vibrams riding a bike.

What? Shoes are what make your feet smell like shit. If you don't wear socks, guess where your foot sweat is going to collect and solidify??

Anyway, I say again, why wear shoes at all unless you have a good reason to? I love how people take their own cultural norms as gospel and tell anyone who acts different they look like an idiot.

The Stache wrote:

Think again, buddy. You're in the minority here.

You wear socks with loafers?