The Los Angeles Times features the Vibram FiveFingers non-shoe shoes. I’m surprised at how many people have no insight as to the problem with modern “athletic” shoes. I’ve always thought this industry to be very gimmicky and over-hyped. The shoes are beautiful and sexy and look fast, which is why people buy them. The industry’s marketing is top-notch. Read the article from the MailOnline – it’s a  fascinating piece.

I’ve liked the Vibrams ever since I first saw them, maybe a couple of years ago. I finally tried to get a pair while I was out west last month, but I had no luck. I thought, of all places, some retailers in Durango or Park City or Ouray – all swanky enviro-outdoor-hipster towns – would surely have them. In fact, most people in the outdoor/mountaineering shops never heard of them. Odd, I thought. I found one guy in a Durango store who did know of them, and he sent me to the one place in town that did sell them – Backcountry Experience. I tried them on, but it turns out that my size wasn’t in stock. I am fixing to get the “sprint” model. Mainly, I’d like to do workouts in them, and also light trekking and walking. And beach running when I go down to the fabulous beaches in St. Augustine, FL or Kiawah, SC.

I have always been a barefoot person, so I think I’ll have little trouble adjusting, other than enduring some sore muscles as I start to run in them. People mock me because I wear sandals until November (in Michigan) and I roll them out again in early April. Okay, but I won’t wear the Vibrams on my Harley.