Barefoot shoes simulate walking or running barefoot and are gaining popularity due to their health benefits. Vibram Five Fingers are the most popular brand, but Nike and other companies are also creating barefoot shoes. Barefoot shoes can strengthen feet and improve posture, but may not be suitable for everyone. Vibram shoes are expensive but durable and have many fans.
Barefoot shoes can refer to several different types of shoes that simulate walking or even running barefoot. The shoes that seem to be the most discussed are made by the Vibram company, and they can be marketed in various styles called Vibram Five Fingers. There are many rave reviews of these thin-soled shoes that use a special product called Vibram TC-1 rubber in the sole. The shoes fit well around the foot, conforming to the contours of the foot and creating freedom of movement. The most notable thing about these shoes is that they have individual toe holes; This makes them look quite unusual, and probably not the first choice with a cocktail dress or tuxedo.
However, there are many advocates of the barefoot movement, but the problem with barefoot walking or running is that the ground may have stones, glass, or other small obstacles that can injure your feet. Other shoe companies like Nike have jumped on the bandwagon of creating barefoot shoes of various types that give the feeling of being barefoot without endangering the dangers of injuring your feet. People who are fans of barefoot running enjoy Vibram and Nike products, with a slightly larger population buying Vibram shoes to get the patented Five Finger design.
There have been some studies that support the health benefits of going barefoot. In areas where people routinely walk barefoot, foot health is better than for those who walk with shoes on. Ill-fitting shoes and the artificial way your foot is positioned in many different shoes can change the way you walk, the way you heel strike, and even your stance. There are some claims that barefoot shoes strengthen the feet and naturalize the posture, resulting in fewer back and alignment problems and less foot problems.
This is not the case for everyone who tries barefoot shoes. Although they can be great for strolling on the beach or even jumping in the water, some runners, especially with heel problems such as plantar fasciitis, find them difficult to wear. Since they don’t provide arch support or cushioning, running barefoot on hard surfaces like concrete can exacerbate existing foot problems.
Vibram and other companies are gaining traction in creating modern and perhaps healthier barefoot footwear. Of course, going barefoot has never been this expensive before, and most Vibram shoes cost at least $80 US dollars (USD). However, they are machine washable, with many vouching for their durability and having many fans. People who run, climb mountains, skate on the beach, participate in various water sports, and many who like the feeling of walking barefoot claim that these shoes are extremely comfortable. Time Magazine called Vibram’s products one of the best new inventions of 2007, and other shoe companies are scrambling to catch up with Vibram, even though they have to create shoes that don’t violate Vibram’s patents.
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