Two weeks ago, at the Notre Dame football game, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a new kind of shoes. “Look at that kid’s shoes!” my friend slurred at pregame. They’re a mix between toe socks and water shoes, except more expensive and harder to find.

The thing is—when you see them for the first time, you wont’ be able to stop staring.   It was then that it hit me—these shoes are awesome—and I’m not the only one who thinks so.  In 2007, Time Magazine voted this unique form of footwear known as “Vibram FiveFingers“one of the Best Inventions of 2007. So, what’s so great about them?

Think back to when you were a child, running barefoot through your backyard, climbing trees, playing on the monkey bars. Barefoot was the way of life as a child. Vibram FiveFingers understands the exhilaration and joy people feel when they go barefoot, which is why they created footwear that’s the closest things to actually being barefoot. “FiveFingers footwear liberates you to move in a more natural, healthy way by stimulating the muscles in your feet and lower legs.” On their website, they have a variety of designs that are specifically used for certain activities (i.e. running, water sports, yoga, and traveling).

So, other than looking really cool, what are the actual benefits of wearing FiveFingers? Dr. Ivo Waerlop, a physician on the Vibram Biomechanics Advisory Board, explains on their website that “…running in FiveFingers improves agility, strength, and equilibrium… this greatly improves running efficiency.” Many Olympic athletes have trained for their sport barefoot, as it allows for quicker speed and promises less potential for injuries.

Vibram FiveFingers shoes is the closest thing to exploring the word barefoot. It acts like a second skin to protect you from injury, while still stimulating feet, to make them healthy and strong.

Alexandra Foster