Vibram FiveFingers

The Vibram FiveFingers are a type of minimalist shoe

manufactured by Vibram, originally marketed as a more natural
alternative for outdoor activities (sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and
as a camp or after-hike shoe).[1] The footwear is meant to replicate
being barefoot and has thin, flexible soles that are contoured to the
shape of the human foot, including visible individual sections for
the toes.[2]
The company settled a lawsuit alleging false health
claims and set aside $3.75 million to pay refunds of up to $94 to
anyone who had purchased the product since March 21, 2009.[3]
FiveFingers KSO Trek

Contents
Origin
Purpose
Design
Styles
Sizing
Materials
Minimalist shoes
Health effects
Lawsuits
See also
References
External links

Origin
The original prototype of this shoe was invented by Sidney Rimhollow a character played by Tim
Kazurinsky on the TV show Married With Children who got the idea for this shoe in 1925. This design
was from season 6, episode 8 entitled "God's Shoes".

Robert Fliri, a design student from Vinschgau who wanted to "figure out a way to move around in nature
better." built upon the original concept and Vibram FiveFingers were developed and introduced in
2005.[2][4][5][6][7][8]

Purpose

Vibram FiveFingers were originally targeted to yacht racers to maintain grip on slippery decks without
compromising the barefoot experience.[9] Their potential use as a minimalist running shoe was suggested
by the Vibram USA CEO to Ted McDonald, a runner who earned the nickname "Barefoot Ted" and ran in
the shoes during the 2006 Boston Marathon as part of the brand launch.[10] The purpose of these shoes as
outlined by the manufacturers is to provide footwear to be mainly used for fitness, running, water sports,
yoga, trekking and travelling, and other sports.[11]

Design

Styles

Vibram FiveFingers come in a variety of styles and sizes, including

FiveFingers KMD Sport, KMD Sport LS, Classic, Sprint, Flow,
KSO, TrekSport, KSO Trek, Bikila (named after Abebe Bikila,
whose family unsuccessfully sued Vibram for damages over use of
the name), Bikila LS, Speed and also men's styles FiveFingers
Spyridon (named after Spyridon Louis), Trek LS and Bormio and
women's styles FiveFingers Jaya and Jaya LR.[12] Children's KSO,
Sprint and Speed styles are available.[13][14] Children's KSO, FiveFingers Spyridon LS
Sprint and Speed styles are available.[13]

Since 2020, Vibram has collaborated with fashion labels to develop

FiveFingers-based designer footwear on at least three occasions: a
$1,300 "Toe" shoe released by Balenciaga, a shoe with painted
nails produced by Japanese footwear brand Suicoke and label
Midorikawa, and a shoe based on traditional sneakers from Suicoke
and designer Takahiro Miyashita.[15]

Sizing
FiveFingers Bikila
Unlike traditional footwear, Vibram FiveFingers do not follow the
typical US or UK shoe-sizing scales. They require precise foot
length measurement with accuracy of 1/8 inch (3 mm) and conversion to the FiveFingers sizing chart. This
ranges from 38 to 50 for men, 34–42 for women, and 29–36 for children. As a result, the shoe sizing more
closely mirrors the EU system. However, minor discrepancies exist between the women's and men's sizing,
so, e.g., a women's size 39 does not equal a men's size 39.[16]

Materials

Vibram FiveFingers comprise many different materials that vary depending on the style of shoe. The most
common components are Vibram TC-1 performance rubber, which makes up the sole of these shoes, a thin
stretch polyamide comprising the frame of the shoe that molds to the contours of the user's foot, and an
antimicrobial microfiber footbed.

Minimalist shoes
In a report on an article in Nature, co-author Daniel E. Lieberman (whose research was partially funded by
Vibram) stated that "People who wear conventional running shoes tend to run with a significantly different
strike than those who run in minimalist shoes or barefoot. More specifically, the ball of the foot should
strike the ground before the heel when running (or walking) barefoot or in minimalist shoes. By landing on
the middle or front of the foot, barefoot runners have almost no impact collision."[17][18] Lieberman has
"emphasized that his research does not include data on injury or show that barefoot running is better for
you" but that it is "a reasonable hypothesis that needs to be tested".[19] Lieberman et al.'s study was an
experiment that involved five groups of runners from Kenya and the United States. The two American
groups were adult athletes who had run with shoes since childhood, and those who habitually ran barefoot
or with minimal footwear such as Vibram FiveFingers (mentioned by name in the study). The three Kenyan
groups were adults who had never run in shoes until late adolescence, as well as two teenage groups: those
that habitually wore shoes and those that always ran barefoot. The runners were instructed to run over a
force plate that was embedded in a 25-meter track, and were recorded during the run using a three-
dimensional infrared kinematic system. These measurements were used to assess the pattern with which the
foot strikes the ground and how forcibly it does so.[20]

Health effects

Barefoot running, which is similar to running with FiveFingers on,

appears to decrease the risk of ankle sprain and plantar fasciitis.[21]

If not conditioned slowly enough, especially when transitioning

away from heelstrike running or from wearing shoes with an
elevated heel, the sole of the foot or plantar fascia can become
inflamed or damaged with activity.[20] Also due to over-training or FiveFingers with toe socks
incorrect form, runners may experience Achilles tendonitis or
metatarsal inflammation and fractures. Over-striding in Vibram
FiveFingers, that is, landing with the foot too far in front of one's hips, adds extra unnecessary stress to the
calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and the arch of the foot, which can lead to serious health problems if not
addressed.[20]

One study found a greater number of new wearers of FiveFingers showed an increase in bone marrow
edema than those in the study's control group.[22] It recommended transition to use of the shoe be very slow
and gradual.

Lawsuits

In 2012, an initial lawsuit was filed against Vibram over claims made about their FiveFingers minimalist
shoe. Vibram claimed that the shoe "reduce[s] foot injuries and strengthen[s] foot muscles". The claim was
based on Gert-Peter Bruggermann research accepted at the 2005 Conference for the International Society
of Biomechanics. While Vibram has "expressly" denied "any actual or potential fault  ... or liability", on
May 7, 2014, it was announced that company has moved to settle the suit and agreed to set aside $3.75
million to pay refunds of up to $94 to anyone who had purchased the product since March 21, 2009.[3]

In 2015, the family of deceased Ethiopian Olympic runner Abebe Bikila filed a lawsuit against Vibram for
using and trademarking the Bikila name without permission. The suit was dismissed in 2016 on the basis
that the Bikila family unreasonably delayed in seeking to enforce their rights. The family had become
aware of Vibram's use of the Bikila name in 2011. Following the dismissal, the Bikila family's attorney
stated that "Vibram has never asked the Bikila Family for permission, nor compensated them for using
Abebe Bikila’s personality."[14]

See also
Jika-tabi
Minimalist shoe
 Toe socks
Tabi
Vivobarefoot
Xero Shoes

References
1. "The Living Barefoot Show episode #3: Interview to
Michael Martin, National Sales Manager for Vibram
Trail vibram shoes after a muddy
FiveFingers" (http://www.livingbarefoot.info/podcasts/Livi
run.
ngBarefoot_EP3.mp3). 2009-07-30. 47 minutes in.
{{cite episode}}: Missing or empty |series=
(help)
2. "Foot mechanics and health" (http://www.vibramfivefinge
rs.com/technology/faqs_mechanics.cfm). Vibram
FiveFingers. 2010-07-20. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
3. Lenny Bernstein (May 8, 2014). "People who bought
these Vibram FiveFinger shoes may be entitled to a
refund" (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-h
ealth/wp/2014/05/08/say-it-aint-so-vibram-say-it-aint-so/?
tid=hpModule_1f58c93a-8a7a-11e2-98d9-3012c1cd8d1
e). Washington Post. Retrieved May 8, 2014. Close view of the soles.
4. "The story of the five fingers" (http://bodyconsciousdesig
n.com/uploads/interview_fliri_for_publication.pdf).
Bodyconsciousdesign. 2006. Retrieved October 16,
2011.
5. Dziernak, Lou (November 2009). "Barefoot your Soul".
SGB. doi:1933424561. ISSN 1548-7407 (https://www.wo
rldcat.org/search?fq=x0:jrnl&q=n2:1548-7407).
6. "Vibram FiveFingers shoes". Steve van Dulken. 2009.
Retrieved October 16, 2011.
7. Vonhof, John (2011). Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and
Treatments for Athletes. Wilderness press. pp. 85-86.
ISBN 978-0-89997-638-9.
8. "Bare facts; Running fads". The Economist. September
16, 2011. doi:2458505431.
9. "Protect your feet at the beach, in the boat or at the mall
with shoes designed for water and land but with more
support than a water sock.". Star Tribune. June 20, 2006.
doi:1064219291.
10. McDougall, Christopher (2009). Born To Run (https://arc
hive.org/details/isbn_9780307279187/page/163)
(1st ed.). New York: Vintage Books. pp. 163–164.
ISBN 9780307279187.
11. "Men's Footwear" (https://web.archive.org/web/2011111
1030424/http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/men
s_footwear.htm). Vibram. Archived from the original (htt
p://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/mens_footwear.
htm) on November 11, 2011. Retrieved November 10,
2011.
12. "Women's Footwear" (https://web.archive.org/web/20111
113095612/http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/w
omens_footwear.htm). Vibram. Archived from the original
(http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/womens_foot
wear.htm) on November 13, 2011. Retrieved
November 10, 2011.
13. "Kid's Footwear." www.vibramfivefingers.com. Vibram,
n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2011.
<http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/kids_footwear.htm>.
14. Johnson, Gene (November 1, 2016). "Lawsuit over use
of barefoot marathoner's name is dismissed" (https://apn
ews.com/article/7373346e39d4463fa0fb9bf579990ed9).
Associated Press. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
15. Watamanuk, Tyler (August 19, 2021). "Are
Sneakerheads Ready for Barefoot Shoes?" (https://www.
gq.com/story/can-barefoot-shoes-be-cool). GQ. Condé
Nast. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
16. "Size Conversion Chart" (https://web.archive.org/web/20
111115083803/http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/size_fi
t/size_conversion_chart.htm). Vibram. Archived from the
original (http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/size_fit/size_c
onversion_chart.htm) on November 15, 2011. Retrieved
November 10, 2011.
17. "Barefoot running: How humans ran comfortably and
safely before the invention of shoes" (https://www.scienc
edaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127134241.htm).
Sciencedaily.com. 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
18. Peter Vigneron (March 30, 2012). "The Vibram Lawsuit"
(https://www.outsideonline.com/1898256/vibram-
lawsuit). Outside Online. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
19. Ki Mae Huessner (January 29, 2010). "Barefoot
Running: Is Going Shoe-Free for You?" (https://abcnews.
go.com/Technology/barefoot-running-shoe-free/story?id=
9691475). ABC News. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
20. Lieberman, DE.; Venkadesan, M.; Werbel, WA.; Daoud,
AI.; D'Andrea, S.; Davis, IS.; Mang'eni, RO.; Pitsiladis, Y.
(Jan 2010). "Foot strike patterns and collision forces in
habitually barefoot versus shod runners". Nature. 463
(7280): 531–5. Bibcode:2010Natur.463..531L (https://ui.a
dsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010Natur.463..531L).
doi:10.1038/nature08723 (https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnat
ure08723). PMID 20111000 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.ni
h.gov/20111000). S2CID 216420 (https://api.semanticsc
holar.org/CorpusID:216420).
21. "Barefoot Running" (http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/m
w.htm). www.sportsci.org. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
22. http://unique-sportstime.de/site/wp-
content/uploads/Barfuss-Laufen1.pdf

External links
 official US website (https://us.vibram.com/shop/shop-all-products/)
official EU website (https://eu.vibram.com/en/vibram-fivefingers/)
Have Shoes Changed the Way We Run? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/848340
1.stm)
"The Vibram lawsuit, barefoot running and science perspectives" (http://sportsscientists.com/
2014/05/vibram-lawsuit-barefoot-running-common-sense/), The Science of Sport

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