New York Magazine is great for reading on the toilet, or any other time for that matter.  And it was this article that convinced me I must get a pair of Vibram Five Fingers.  Let me first say that this is not a paid post.  With that out of the way…these are the best shoes I’ve ever had in my life!  Here’s my newest pair:

After reading the NYM article I wanted to get these shoes, but was concerned about the fit and put it off.  I let it slip from my mind for a while, but then a friend of mine who is a Crossfit instructor told me he likes them so much he has two pairs…one for exercise and another for every day wear.  I finally ordered my first pair in October 2008.

As soon as I put them on I was addicted.  Although it did take some time for the muscles in my feet to get used to walking in them for long periods, the experience of feeling the ground, being able to use my toes when I walked, and the extremely good balance and traction was incredible.

I like these shoes so much I’ve bought three pairs in the last 8 months.  I started out with a pair of Sprints, and then bought two pairs of the KSO’s.  The KSO model is definitely my favorite, and it’s what I’d recommend to anyone.  They seem to fit a little better than the Sprint, and I love the fact that when hiking on trails they’ll “keep stuff out”.  I’ve got one pair that I’m wearing only indoors…keeping very clean…and another for outdoors and exercise.  My mother and father-in-law both have Sprints now.  Here’s a picture of my father-in-law’s Sprints:

I wear Five Fingers almost all of the time now, and in the rare situation when I cannot, I realize how aweful traditional shoes are.  They don’t allow your toes to grip the ground, they smash your toes into the narrowing front of the shoe, and overall they just feel like blocks of junk surrounding your feet.  Before winter comes around this year I’m going to get another pair of the Flow model, which is twice as thick and more suitable for cold weather.  Here’s a picture:

…and don’t just take my word for it.  Everyone who tried these shoes loves them.  They were even featured on NPR last year.  Treat your feet to a pair of Five Fingers.  You’ll thank yourself for it!