QuietJourney Forums - Five Finger shoes?

Jun 10^th, 2026 at 6:00am (UTC)

QuietJourney Forums › Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums › Strictly Gear - Gear specific reviews and ideas. › Five Finger shoes?

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Five Finger shoes? (Read 4577 times)

DentonDoc Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 3468 Location: Central Texas Joined: Dec 27^th, 2003	Five Finger shoes? Sep 13^th, 2011 at 2:06am	Quote Print Post
	Anyone have any experience (positive/negative) with this brand of shoe? (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links). Could be used as a wet footing alternative, but I'm really more interested in them as a camp shoe. dd


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BillConner Inukshuk Offline Posts: 665 Location: Thousand Islands Joined: Apr 12^th, 2010	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #1 - Sep 13^th, 2011 at 12:19pm	Quote Print Post
	I saw at least two others wearing these while in the Q last week. Seem wierd to me but I am slow to change.


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Mk631 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1128 Location: Ohio Joined: Sep 30^th, 2004	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #2 - Sep 13^th, 2011 at 12:58pm	Quote Print Post
	I had a guy explain to me that he was wearing them (around town, not wilderness) on doctor recommendation -- he'd messed up his feed playing football & they force all your foot muscles to be used in a natural way. Apparently shoes cause certain parts of your feet that would naturally get a lot of use to be pretty lazy - seems reasonable. Of course shoes protect your feet too - which I value most in the wilderness! -Tom


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Preacher Contributer Subscriber Offline Posts: 1327 Location: COTU Joined: Apr 10^th, 2010	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #3 - Sep 13^th, 2011 at 3:18pm	Quote Print Post
	I've heard great things about them & Vibram.


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PhantomJug Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 2855 Location: 1/2 way there Joined: Feb 12^th, 2003	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #4 - Sep 13^th, 2011 at 3:51pm	Quote Print Post
	I thought for sure I had reviewed these shoes about 5 years ago around here - Hmmm, couldn't find it but . . . . They are not a good canoe shoe IMO. The sole is fantastic (similar to a rock climbing shoe). It is no-slip and decent on the terrain. However, as far as comfort and stability they were very poor (on my feet anyway). Not only did they make my toes sore they were difficult to remove and get back on when wet (even with just sweat let alone fully submersed. My review? All style and little substance. FWIW - I have wide feet and a permanent twist in my right big toe from an injury in my youth which may have led to the discomfort - both feet were not real happy however.


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DentonDoc Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 3468 Location: Central Texas Joined: Dec 27^th, 2003	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #5 - Sep 13^th, 2011 at 4:52pm	Quote Print Post
	PhantomJug wrote on Sep 13^th, 2011 at 3:51pm: I thought for sure I had reviewed these shoes about 5 years ago around here - Hmmm, couldn't find it but . . . . Yeah, my search turned up no hits. I also thought I remembered reading something about them some time back. Strange! When I was finishing my walk a couple of days ago, I ran into a guy that was wearing the Spirit version. He indicated he liked them, but he wished he had selected a version with a slightly more "grippy" sole. (That would have been my guess because that model has no lugs, etc.) I asked if he had any issues with his toes on rough terrain, he said he didn't. In fact, he felt that the shoes (at least his) were better off pavement than on (which was were the trail junction was). I also think I'd prefer a back (heel) strap as well as one across the top of the arch. I may have to start with toe socks before I plunge into toe shoes, just to see if I can deal with something between my toes. Anyone use toe socks with toe shoes? I'd never even consider putting on my hiking boots without AT LEAST one pair of socks (and if hard hiking is in the offing, two). dd


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Drewfus Inukshuk Offline Posts: 291 Location: Illinois Joined: Mar 11^th, 2008	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #6 - Sep 13^th, 2011 at 9:15pm	Quote Print Post
	My paddling partner used them last year with his wife in the bdubs. He really liked their traction (the rubber soles are lazer siped), but said for actual walking around camp or portaging, and yes he did portage in them they were really bad, no cushion and obviously no ankle support. He likes them a lot for wet footing on fishing days and when we paddle around home on the local rivers.


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db Web-lackey Inukshuk Voyageur Offline Posts: 5460 Location: Just off the beaten path. Joined: Sep 14^th, 2002	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #7 - Sep 14^th, 2011 at 4:12am	Quote Print Post
	Here's some old ones. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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Ranger Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 848 Location: West MI Joined: Oct 16^th, 2002	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #8 - Sep 14^th, 2011 at 4:13am	Quote Print Post
	DD, take a good look at the Merrell Trail Gloves as an alternative. I went this route and have loved mine. I did a 7 mile hike down in Costa Rica (mix of jungle & savannah terrain) within a week of buying mine and they were great. They are mesh and vent well, have the Vibram sole and all of the barefoot shoe benefits. Plus you can wear socks with them. Ranger


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PhantomJug Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 2855 Location: 1/2 way there Joined: Feb 12^th, 2003	Re: Five Finger shoes? Reply #9 - Sep 14^th, 2011 at 11:55am	Quote Print Post
	db wrote on Sep 14^th, 2011 at 4:12am: Here's some old ones. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Thanks db. I knew I remembered a discussion about them. While the kilt passed the canoe camping test the shoes did not.


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