Vibram Five Finger - a smart or stupid travel investment?

I assume many of you will have come across this range of footwear. Vibram’s ‘Five Fingers’. Aimed more towards sport but apparently compatible with outdoor/travel pursuit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibram_FiveFingers

Given the right model and size, is it naive to think a pair could actually withstand the demands of a 9 month trip as a primary mode of footwear?

Am I getting carried away on a wave of eccentricity and innovation, or could this actually prove a smart investment? As I will be visiting predominantly hot climates, the comfort and breathability would be unparalleled, would it not?

As a complete newbie to hands-on travel, could some of you more experienced folk advise me on this? Has anybody given the Five Finger a whirl?

My Aunt’s friend has a pair, he lives at the Grand Canyon and uses them day in day out to get around the trails and he says they’re amazing.

:)

Personally they’re not for me, mainly because I think they look stupid. Each to their own. I’m sure they serve a good purpose and there are plenty of people that would love them.

I’ll stick to my cross trainers and merrell sandals.

  i would not have the confidence to wear those. but if you do then its all good.

only + i can find in those is. i could run really fast maybe.

theres cheaper ways to have cool feet.

:-)

alot of people who have weak calf/leg muscles rave about these as they way you pronate your feet when walking running with these really strenghen the muscles involed. I may purchase a pair but thats only as i may have to have a ankle operation and they will be good rehabilitation aid. i would like to hear of anyone who has used them for a pro longed period of travel

When planning for your travels, I wouldn’t start spending a load of money on anything which you haven’t used before. They might be amazing and last a year of heavy wear (I’m a big fan of Vibram soles), but you won’t know until you’re wearing them while travelling. If you then find they’re not so great you’re stuck with them and will have to put up with them, ditch them or send them home and have to find something to replace them, wasting more valuable funds. I wore a standard pair of Merrell sandals for most of my travels.

You won’t get into a bar with them on and you won’t know if you like them until a few days on your trip. they are rather expensive for shoes/sandals.

your look out of place in cities as well.

But if your spending allot of the time off the beaten track and wanted to experiment with minimalist living and wanted to select only one foot ware (no socks needed as well) then they are the preferred foot ware for this pursuit.

Hope that helps