 Sophomore management major Edwin B. Pollock shows off his Five Finger shoes. Photo by Tommy Penick
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by ALYSSA BOYER
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
To some, they are about making a statement.
To others, they are about being healthy.
Either way, a footwear trend is beginning to sweep Appalachian State University’s campus, especially appealing to the athletic community.
Designed to combine
comfort and the health benefits of being barefoot, with the protection
of a shoe, FiveFingers are equivalent to gloves for feet, with
individual pockets for every toe and rubber soles contoured to the
shape of a foot.
Vibram, a company that has manufactured soles for premium footwear brands since 1935, makes the shoes.
The
company claims FiveFingers improves posture, balance and agility, and
can be worn during a variety of athletic activities, from running to
surfing.
Shortly after their creation, they were named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2007.
Megan D.
Naylor, paddleshop manager at Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel
Outfitters and senior journalism major said the popularity of
FiveFingers has greatly increased within the past two years because the
range of wearers continues to broaden.
“It’s
been interesting to see the people who have come in to buy them,”
Naylor said. “We’ve had swimmers, tri-athletes and people lifting
weights, because [FiveFingers] are actually better for their feet [than
regular shoes.]”
Freshman industrial design major Nathan J. Metty bought them for a martial arts class he took over the summer.
“[They’re] easier to maneuver, as opposed to sneakers or some other kind of athletic shoe,” Metty said.
Metty also likes how FiveFingers strengthen muscles and improve range of motion in the feet and legs.
Sophomore elementary education major Kristin L. McMillan purchased FiveFingers simply because they were different.
“They’re
kind of attention-seeking shoes,” McMillan said. “You wear these and
walk into a room and it’s the first thing people notice.”
McMillan mainly wears her FiveFingers for hiking because of their ability to improve balance, grip and durability.
“They’ve held up really nicely and you can just throw them in the wash to clean them,” she said.
Currently
there are four models of FiveFingers, each designed for specific
activities and climates, and are available in a variety of colors and
patterns, from solid purple to camouflage.
Depending
on the style, a pair can be purchased for $67 to $77 at Footsloggers,
cheaper than those listed on vibramfivefingers.com.
Naylor said the popularity and reasonable cost make them hard to keep in stock.
Because of this, Footsloggers sells 10 to 15 pairs each week.
Naylor herself owns two pairs.
Photo by Tommy Penick | The Appalachian
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