Walking barefoot
If you've got diabetes you already know that one of the big challenges is loss of feeling in your feet. This is caused by peripheral neuropathy and it often leads to foot damage because you can't feel the pain of an injury to your feet.So those of us with diabetes are taught early and often to protect our feet. "Don't walk barefoot" is a standard mantra.
Today I was doing my random walk through the internet and I came across a product called Vibram FiveFingers. I've not bought a pair and I have no connection to the company. These things look very interesting to me. And the thought of having a barefoot experience of sorts is intriguing. I really like the look of these, someone has clearly put some thought into the design (diabetes product makers take note).
I'm blessed with wide feet, but according to the FiveFinger FAQ (I had to use this alliteration it was too tempting) the material accommodates wide feet. So that removes one obstacle for me.
Have you ever heard of, or bought a pair of these? I'm tempted, but at $70 and more for a pair I'd love to know before I invest in them.
posted by Bernard @ 10:53 AM
12 Comments:
Those look really cool! I am with you though. I want to hear some feedback before I spend the cash.
I love how they look!
I've never tried them, but now want to. THANKS BERNARD - now I want spend money and I'm on a budget. I bet this could be considered a tax write of though - you know as in saving medical receipts for the Tax Man. Hmmmmm
Kelly K
I may have to look into these further. I would love to give them a test run first though.
I'm a bad Floridian diabetic who is barefoot ALL THE TIME. I'm also almost always in flip flips. I'm trying to be better, but shoes are soooo inhibiting to me. My doctor always tells me he wants to yell at me for not wearing tennis shoes when I pounce into his office in my flops, but he says I have some of the prettiest diabetic feet he's ever seen.
As far as the product... These things scare me. Let us know if you end up trying them.
I've not tried these exactly as pictured, but have tried on a similar concept with more of a sandal design (they had an ankle strap) also with Vibram soles. The problem for me was that they didn't fit my toes! I have very short, slightly curled toes that really didn't fit the toe spaces. I think there probably are certain limitations on foot shape, so I'd recommend trying them on first.
I have several pairs of shoes with Vibram soles on, and my other caution is that they are fairly useless for wet and/or slippery surfaces as they have quite poor traction.
I do tend to walk barefoot quite a lot! I have my feet checked regularly and have no signs of sensory loss, so I don't really see the harm at present. I guess if I stepped on something and cut my foot it may take longer to heal...
Those actually look cool, but I'm another member of the "bad barefoot diabetic" crowd. My endoc says my peripherial circulation is good, and my feet are quite sensitive, so I don't hesitate to go barefoot in the house for now.
Howdy,
I bought a pair of these a few months ago, after reading about them here:
http://www.google.com/reader/view/?tab=my#search/vibram/0/feed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.marksdailyapple.com%2Ffeed%2F
I haven't taken them outdoors much yet due to the winter, but I've enjoyed running with them. I actually set my personal best 6:00 mile wearing them on the treadmill. If you're willing to tolerate some funny looks and some very sore calves, they're great. Still, I find that I don't use them all that often- I don't always work out in them, although I'll be excited to take them hiking when it warms up.
Also- I got the kind with the strap on top. They're not especially good-looking, but they look less like ballet slippers and I think they fit better.
Neat idea, Bernard. But they sure look hideous to me. Froggy... :)
Wow. I think those look wicked cool. I think I'm going to buy a pair. I'll let you know! I have wide feet, too!
They look interesting. But I think they might make my feet cold. I'm the opposite of about everyone else. I wear my shoes & socks from the time I get dressed in the morning until I get in bed at night. I can't stand to go without shoes! I think these might give me that feeling. But I would definitely be interested in hearing what other people say about them.
They look like a marriage of AquaSox and the pair of rainbow-striped, individual-toe knee socks that I have. I think they're a cool concept, but for now I'm sticking with the knee socks. Maybe once they're cheaper I'll change my mind.
I'm not diabetic so can't really comment there, but I've been using a pair of FiveFingers for travelling and hiking for around 6-8 months. I wrote a review on them here which might be some help.
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