Anybody here ever buy or wear these running shoes?

[ashling]

[font size = 4]Vibram, 'Barefoot Running Shoe' Company, Settles Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit
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If you were one of the 70 million Americans who purchased a pair of those weird-looking "barefoot running" shoes, you may be entitled to some cash.

Vibram, the company behind FiveFingers shoes, just settled a $3.75 million class action lawsuit over false claims that its running shoe yields health benefits, Runner's World reports. The thin-soled, flexible shoes, which cost about $100 a pair, are said to mimic the experience of running in bare feet, and thus "improve foot health" -- an unsupported claim the company falsely advertised.

The lawsuit was first filed by Valerie Bezdek in March 2012. According to court filings, Bezdek claimed that Vibram deployed deceptive marketing and falsely advertised the following benefits from wearing its shoe, without basing its claims on any scientific research:

(1) Strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs
(2) Improve range of motion in the ankles, feet, and toes
(3) Stimulate neural function important to balance and agility
(4) Eliminate heel lift to align the spine and improve posture
(5) Allow the foot and body to move naturally

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/10/_n_5302213.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

[sharp_stick]

1. No, but I have to admit

that I'm impressed that someone could out dork Croc's.

Damn, you wouldn't catch me dead wearing something that dumb looking or believing that kind of advertising. It sounds like something Kevin Trudeau would try to hock on late night TV.

[Kingofalldems]

2. Reminded of Earth Shoes

[calimary]

3. Yeah, but at least Earth Shoes weren't nearly as hideous!

[mysuzuki2]

4. I bought a pair of these because I thought they were cool.

Yes, I am a dork. I would never try to run or walk any distance in them. They are mostly just my Hausschuhe.

[Raine1967]

5. They always reminded me of these:

[mysuzuki2]

6. I also bought special socks with separate little piggy holes. They were just grey though.

I have always been a sharp and hip dresser!

[steve2470]

7. as an ex-hard core runner....

you need CUSHIONING in the soles. Those appear to have no or minimal cushions. I don't care if some shoes are the latest thing since sliced bread and cost $1K, if they don't have decent looking/feeling cushions, I'm not buying. Your feet, legs, ankles, and knees take a pounding and you need every bit of that cushioning.

That said, a cool ice breaker on the beach

[whistler162]

8. Sent this to my cousin

since I wasn't sure which brand he bought. His are from a different maker.