The demise of form following function?

Well, maybe so, as this New York Times article asserts, but not in the case of my new shoes. The Vibram Five Fingers. I first read about the benefits of going barefoot in a New York Magazine article and have been intrigued ever since. Then I saw this woman walking into work the other day with these on. I did a Google search for "toe shoes" when I got to my desk and voilà, there they were. Just like toe socks in the 70s, only with puncture resistant soles. Groovy.

I bought mine on Friday and wore them a lot this weekend. They're really cool. And comfortable, although my pinky toe feels a little weird sometimes. And your leg muscles are sore after walking in them for extended periods, given that you're basically walking barefoot, something most of us are not used to doing. 

The best experience I had was when we went traipsing all over Robert E. Lee park with them, along rocky, hilly, muddy trails and sand. The feedback through my feet was great! I could even tell the temperature of the ground, which was quite an enlightening, novel experience. It made me think about my graduate thesis on wayfinding for the blind. I think the visually impaired could benefit from wearing shoes like this which allow tactile feedback via the feet. They would get to know where they are by the texture and temperature of the ground at any given location. Amazing. 

They were freaking my co-workers out when I was wearing them around the office. They make you look like a pterydactyl. Mais, n'importes, salopes! These shoes are awesome! I can't wait to start running in them, either….