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dual survival* maybe
these Merrel shoes are really thin too but don't have individual toes. i feel like i should maybe go all in and get the thinnest Vibrams if i'm going this route

Just get some sandals bro.

>>2876536
thin sandals can work i guess but they wont have individual toe articulation. i want to feel everything like a monkey (without being barefoot)

Can those things even last a week?
I mean they're overmolded soles, or at least soles you wont get to buy replacements for let alone manage to glue to the complex shape.
At the same time they are >>2876535
>really thin.
So what sort of milage can you really get from stuff like this? And is the whole thing destined for the bin once it's got a hole?

>>2876534
I love them so much. They don't make my favorite model with the wool uppers anymore so I stocked up on them
The only thing that sucks is sharp stones will leave bruises. Never had any penetration
>>2876547
The sole is way more durable than you think. I had a pair for 2 years of regular use and occasional hiking and they are still usable. Some flatter spots on certain areas, but not awful.
The uppers held up amazingly well too

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>>2876534
They were a meme from the moment they came out. In fact "barefoot" shoes in general are a meme. A whole generation of coastal retards fell for it because of this TED talk and his dumb book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-iGZPtWXzE

>>2876538
>too pussy to be barefoot
Then you don't deserve it.

>>2876547
You won't get much less mileage than out of a regular pair of running shoes. But you probably won't wear them much because you'll soon realize that they're retarded. I own a pair, by the way.
Quite literally I would go hiking or river walking in a pair of $10 Chinese EVA croc knockoffs any day of the week over those things.

>>2876552
>>2876553
Idk, I put Vibram Sass Maor soles on my boots. I don't expect them. to be shit quality. But they need replacement every year and it's two pair of boots. I put studs in one pair they should reduce wear.

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its between these and vibrams for me now. these seem to be the thinnest and most responsive vivobarefoot shoes that also have some grip. really tempted to get vibrams but idk about the fit. did you fit them easily or did you have to buy and return initially?>>2876552
>>2876553
i can believe they were oversold and overhyped for a time but they're still interesting to me. havent really thought about injuries etc i just want more information when walking

>>2876560
I measured my foot like they recommend on their site and liked my initial fit
It is about a half size smaller than what I usually get, but it fits like a glove

>>2876553
This guy is right.
The only footwear I own are a pair of flip flops, a pair of moccasins, some slippers, and some crocs. Anything more is for pussies.

>>2876535
I had a pair of Merrel Trail Gloves and the inner sole was worn trough in just 3 months. Turns out Merrel nowadays either glues or sews the sole in place. I had mine warrantied and the replacement pair had a same issue. 3 months of use and holes. Now I have >>2876560 and I have been very happy with my shoes so far.

>>2876535
I have those. the sole was gone after few weeks.

>>2876560
i got those vivos maybe 6 months ago and i threw away my old beaten walking boots away like 2 weeks later. it was super weird at first and felt some buyers remose, and there was mild pain from building new muscle and adjusting to the zero dropbut now i got them fitted right on my broad feet and some miles in them, i can't do without them. although i'm lookin at their leather boot style ones for the winter time. we'll see when the rain and cold comes back. coincidentally also, my gf really wanted the vibrams you posted, i got them for her and she swears by them now. she has super small feet and thinks she shoulda gotten a size smaller than she usually gets, and apparently her toes can slip into the other pockets, but she doesnt wear socks so that doesnt help either. give the vivos a go bud, look at the fitting advice they provide and follow it if u do order any.

>>2876589
>I have those. the sole was gone after few weeks.
So then, you were walking barefoot. What's the problem? They're already barefoot shoes.

>>2876534
I love them. I have a V-Alpha with 1166 km in it. I used it for running, hiking and via ferrata. Only drawback is when you are tired it is easier to hit your toes into rocks and it didn't protect much.

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i ordered the vivos, had to order the biggest size as usual and it came to 180 usd after referral code and shipping. i think i'd order the vibrams first if they shipped here but these seem like a more balanced option anyway. looks more normal, easier to take on and off and probably has better grip. thanks for your inputs

seems like they'll use express shipping so the thread might be up when i receive them. i'll let you know what i think

>>2876639
>slow board
>requires express shitting for thread not to be holocausted before arrival
third world?

>>2876640
no i've just had many bad experiences with international shipping. it could take 4-5 working days or 3-4 weeks

>>2876534
i’ve only ever seen russians wear these things

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>>2876534
>trapped my feet in a plastic cast
my brother had a pair. all i can tell say is he smelled.
greeks figured it out before jfc: >>2875167
would you rather wear the sandals of gay conquerors or the prius of shoes techbros use to eat costco pizza with?
but let me guess
you need more

https://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-shoes/athletic.html

>>2876784
i just want walking to feel more direct is all. while having weather tolerance and grip and preferably normal enough looks to wear anywhere. shoes itt can do it with just a few mm between me and the ground

>>2876818
i looked at these too. you tried them?

I had FiveFingers and they feel like my other Barefoot shoes (Wildling) you dont even really notice the seperate toes unless your Climbing. I ended up selling them.

>>2876840
yes, I got RunAmoc and chukkas that use as work shoes
unfortunately I gained 20 extra pounds shortly after getting them so I only ran in them a few times, but they feel nice

>>2876839
i was like that too and swore off using sandals but the huarache design in particular gives a level of control shoes don't. the shoes that have gotten close tend to not nearly last as long either.
the zuzu (forgot name) is like 5-6 mm and they use tires for the outsole so its a magic combination thats durable with good grip and next to nothing
its one of the few barefoot shoes i expect to last over 1000 miles but im a durability first kind of person
if you're in europe sole runners are pretty good and give a lot of ground feel but getting them to US is a pita
i use minimil shoes and there's not as much ground feel but use them for durability

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>>2876904
hm these are actually probably ideal for a lot of terrain if the weather is good. more integrated. interesting

>>2876945
straps are replaceable and everything. not much to go wrong. the one thing i've found out with thing sandals though is don't oversize them because the front lip can catch on things either picking up stones or bending backward and tripping you. i only go a few mm bigger than my foot measurement like 3-5 mm despite some of them recommending 15-20 mm larger than your tracing.
you don't have a heel cup or toe cap so you don't need the extra length.
i blew off sandals as a meme for years but they're the real deal. cheap compared to shoes, way more durable, replace the easy wear parts, lightest weight, lowest drop, best thing you can do for your body besides barefoot.
luna also sells one with tire outsoles and bedrock has some long lasting ones as well but you're looking at like 10-14 mm thick. would work better as cushioning for long distances and the extra length wouldn't be an issue with bending backwards or catching stones at easy.

>>2876534
The rigid front of your shoes (toe cap) protect your toes. If you kick a soccerball or slam your toes into a rock or curb with those on you're going to feel it. Really comfy otherwise but no toe protection.

>>2876538
What about Xero sandals? I like the Genesis model.

>>2876536
You mean Converse. The pattern and material on the sole can't be beat. And they're cheap as shit.

>>2876534
I got a pair as soon as they came out because of all the science that said barefoot walking was better for you. Turns out, all the science was made up and fake. A few years after that came out I got a letter in the mail saying that if I wanted, I could be apart of the class action lawsuit against them. I think I got 20 dollars by the end of it.

>>2877328
Converse aren’t bad but they don’t make them like they used to.
I had the same pair of chucks for 16 years until they finally completely detached from the soles. The replacements lasted three years so I never got another pair.

>>2877329
>thing is fake
>literal evidence exist that it strengthens the arch and stabilizer muscles of the feet and keeps them flexible
what did anon mean by this?

>>2876945
>80 bucks for flip flops
wat

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>>2877334
Buy Japanese ones on eBay.

Converse got bought out by Nike and they cut every corner they could. A Japanese company, Itochu, bought the rights to Converse in Japan so Nike can't sell them there and vice-versa.

Being the nips they are, they went the opposite direction and decided to make their shoes the best version while keeping true to the original design and construction.

You will pay more, possibly twice as much, but it'll last another 15 or 20 years from the look of it.

>>2877137
xero has some major durability issues. only some of their models will last forever. they use to have a 2 year warranty and the 5000 miles but they've since shortened the warranty. most the outsoles definitely do not last 5000 miles either.
the og hfs were incredible shoes but they discontinued it and brought it back. ironically 90+% of their models are too complex for the manufacturers to make well so the uppers tend to fall apart. i can't even think of a model they have that isn't dogshit now.
just get zuzu earth runners or luna for sandals.

>>2877888
Checked and thank you kindly for the information and advice.
Is there anything them nips can’t do?!

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>>2877911
procreate
also palladium use to be pretty good similar style to converse. there's also pf flyers but i think they got bought out by a fashion brand. they're all too narrow now for me.

>>2876534
my ring toe on both feet is curled under the middle. it causes no problems apart from not being able to wear finger shoes. fuck my parents and fuck this gay ass world I didn't want to wear them any way.

>>2877911
offer the Made in Japan series in a size larger than 11.5 US. Big feet gang also want that OG Chuck quality.

>>2877938
Well shitballs.
12.5 wide here and I’ve tried to shove them in 11.5s and it won’t work.
This is why I started to go barefoot.
No footware fits my wide ass Neanderthal hobbit feet.

Black people look barefoot when they wear these jej

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>>2877958
Nothing but eyes and teeth.
See the black dude?
No, the other one.

>>2876534
Can you find these in stores?

>>2877961
Fuck, took me a sec.

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>>2877970
no. they smell. you don't even have to look for someone to detect you're wearing them. unironically foot cushions for coping tech bros
ever heard of sandals?

>>2876534
Buy the cheapest pair of shoes on Decathlon, model NH50, unironically those things are a fucking hidden gem, great grip for a great price.

>>2876534
I use to work in an outdoors store that sold them and they are very much a gamble if they will work for you. While some people absolutely love them, also just straight up dont work for some peoples feet. Like they could not get the toes to fit them right no matter what. Also the sizing on them is difficult to get right, your normal shoe sized will probably not match the size of these you wear.
If you can go to a store and try them on I highly recommend doing that.

A more conventional style of zero drop/barefoot shoe would be more likely to fit your known shoe size. Merrell or Xero both were popular brands for that.

used to wear them when i was a teenager. they're comfy but grass and sticks WILL get lodged between the toes all the time. also stepping on a stone still hurts.

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>>2876534
I used to own two pairs, got them way back something like 15 years ago or so. A major thing to consider is Color, in fact, Color is the most important part in my opinion. A darker colored pair will cook your feet if theyre not in water a lot. Absolutely never wear the dark colored versions unless youre going to be in water a lot, because the tops of your feet will feel like theyre being cooked due to sunlight absorption.

>Pros
Comfortable for my feet
Lightweight
Felt way more stable after getting used to them
Better control while walking on riverbeds
Helped force me to pick up my feet completely while walking
Strangers will ask about them


>Cons
Everything, sticks, grasses, pebbles, will get stuck beween the toes
Sand is a bitch to get out of them
Terrible for winter (obvious but has to be stated)
Will take some getting used to
Will cause you to trip if you a foot-dragger
Strangers will ask about them

I adapted to them super quick because I already rarely wore shoes, in fact, the only times I wore shoes growing up was when I was at school or in cities. If I was at home or in the wilderness, I was barefoot. Hell, even in the city I was barefoot if I knew I wasnt going to be going indoors. If youre a person that wears shoes all the time, you will have a nightmare of a time adapting to them and they WILL FEEL WRONG. They felt fine for me, but i'm posting a picture of my foot as a visual example of why they worked for me so well. My toes are naturally spread because I almost never wear shoes, while most peoples toes are compressed together. If yours are compressed together, you will have a whole ass learning curve to deal with.

>>2878317
nice feet bro

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>>2878317
See how your tendons are showing? That means you’re flexing your toes to make it appear more hardcore and “barefoot”.
Additionally, your feet are too pale. You might be barefoot but you don’t go outside.
Left foot trying to spread toes notice tendons. Right foot not spreading toes no tendons popping out.
Quit larping and go outside.

these meme shoes got to my friend and he praised them to high heaven while walking to work and going around in the office for months
when we took them for a weekend stroll he did take them off pretty quickly because the sole was pretty much too thin to walk on anything other than soft mossy forest floor or soft trail
sure he had awesome grip with his toes when were walking up some rocky hills but be also said this loud OW OW OW FUCK DOES THAT HURT on pretty much every step and on every root

they do feel really nice on youre feet though its nice to get your toes to spread like that for a change

>>2878448
>tendons
I'm old and my skin isn't as supple as it used to be, and even when it was I had thin skin due to just not eating that much. This is just how my feet are, you're not the first and wont be the last to comment on it.

>pale
Yes, because i'm old and now have a fear of dying to skin cancer and catching lyme or AGS from ticks, now I cover up pretty much everything but my arms when I go outside, naturally i'm gonna be pale.

The entire premise of my post was about the past. I dont have them shoes anymore, now I wear regular shoes when I leave the house because I grew out of being okay with having rough feet, dirty carpets, and stepping on sharp things. It is what it is man.

>>2878458
man you really are old and have no business beign on the internets or so drunk you just seem like one and should sleep it off

>>2877098
>i blew off sandals as a meme for years but they're the real deal. cheap compared to shoes, way more durable, replace the easy wear parts, lightest weight, lowest drop, best thing you can do for your body besides barefoot.

I am currently discovering this for myself, I often walk over ten miles a day in mountain terrain and switched to bedrock sandals from hiking boots. It's insane how much my posture and gait has improved in a relatively short time. I look forward to watching my toes heal after decades of cramming them into ill-fitting footwear

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>>2878508
>look forward to watching my toes heal
It takes a while to get them to unbind and depending on the damage they might never be all the way unbent.
You’ve taken the step in the right direction.

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>>2878508
it's the best. i had cold feet for years wearing heavyweight darn toughs and boots. thought i had a mortons neuroma even. ditched both and realized my feet were warmer without either.
like you, i went for a long hike without feeling winded or beat up. i was ready to keep going, estimating my range to much further than i ever imagined but was losing daylight.
my only concern is when i'm in snake country or thorny (blackberries where I am)
but i can now see it where you can potentially have a woven (not knit) sock to act like the upper of a shoe. this can potentially act as a wicking layer, insulation, protection, and something easily replaceable. trying to match that level of breathability in a shoe means going for mesh, which would never last.
i'm geeking out, but trying to make this work is like comparing japanese, mexican and greco-roman sandal culture to find the perfect combination. the japanese tabi socks are some of the only woven coverings i've seen. you can get the polar feet polartec socks. fleece lasts a long time and is reasonable at wicking. i'm waiting till it's cooler to try some. i also know the traditional kimono tabi socks are wovens and not knits (problem with a knit is thorns would destroy it in a heartbeat since it pulling at the stretch would break and untangle it). sadly most the japanese use cotton, so i'm still looking for a linen or hemp or even more dense nylon/polyester.
luna also now makes a fairly pricey tabu sock for colder weather. i may end up caving at some point if i don't pick up a needle and thread and make my own hemp version.
with how modern culture is now it's easy to look at sandals as primitive. it reminds me of the mark twain quote about how education is unlearning what we've been taught. historically samurai and ninjas were fighting with glorified flip flops and socks.
logging boot fags may as well rope with the amount of damage they do to their body just to be slower with their expensive illusion of benefits.

>>2876534
I sorta want to try these but also it looks like its made for retards so I don't want to wear them