Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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So I've been hearing a lot about the Vibram Five Fingers shoes & the like, and am intrigued. I would like to try this. But when I look around, the shoes for women, while fine if I was out running trails or hanging out, isn't something that I would want to wear for work. And I think that your footwear should be good for you all hours of the day, not just for your designated exercise time (if you even designate exercise time).

So, are there any good suggestions out there? I've been thinking maybe the ballet type shoes, since they have a relatively thin/flat sole, usually. Anyone have any tips/suggestions? Or should I start up my own company? ;)

UPDATE! I ended up buying some ballet flats (the street shoes, not the actual ballet slippers), and the sole is quite thin, so let's see how this goes...

I do like the idea of starting up my own company, though! Keep you posted... ;)

edited Jul 10 2010 at 0:07

asked Mar 31 2010 at 22:17

Paleolady
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The industry is ripe for a shakeup, and the minimalist movement is gaining ground. Start your own line! – David Csonka Apr 1 2010 at 15:28

Louisa · Accepted Answer · 2010-04-01 14:16:37Z UTC

Some women's shoes with the thinnest soles I have seen, that aren't a barefoot speciality shoe (and are perhaps the least expensive choice when buying) are the chinese Mary Janes, shoes which I wore a lot when I was a student. You can pick them up at Chinese shops all over the world and the velvet ones are really dressy:

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Interestingly enough there are a pair of VFFs coming out in 2010 with a similar feel to the Chinese Mary Janes above (The Performa):

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Huarache shoes are becoming more popular and they are really fashionable at the moment, Roxy have some super-thin-leather-soled Bermuda flip flops and if these are too cold at work, you could go for the japanese look with these tabi socks (of course there are always injinji socks which fit the VFF's).

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or try this page for some other ideas like duct tape sandals, fabric flip flops and shoes made from old tyres:

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You could always go for hand knitted slippers, they would be perfect for wearing in the office in a subtle color:

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Or for a more 'covered' look, how about making your own moccasins, with or without the tassles with thin suede and here is a website with beautiful soft suede shoes in lots of different styles - they have Vibram or suede soles soles

Bethany · Answer 2 · 2010-06-02 20:51:07Z UTC

I love my Vivo Barefoots! I have a pair of black boots for the winter, a pair of white and black ballet flats for summer, and this Candy style is my staple on the weekend: http://www.terraplana.com/candy-p-941.html?colour=162

How cute are these? http://www.terraplana.com/kali-p-1523.html?colour=57

The Vivos really spoil me for walking in much else, but I bought a pair of Bensimon canvas slip-ons that I'm really digging, especially on days that I cycle - sometimes I find the Vivo soles a bit slippery on my pedals: http://www.epauletshop.com/servlet/the-564/Canvas-Slip-dsh-On-Light-Blue/Detail

Kat · Answer 3 · 2010-03-31 23:30:41Z UTC

I personally like the look of the new Vibram Performas. The leather upper seems a bit more work appropriat. I don't own any yet and haven't seen them in real life though. I own the KSOs and sometimes wear them to work on a casual day with jeans.

I wear ballet type shoes which are pretty much the same feeling as Vibram Five Fingers shoes with a very thin flexible sole.

Depending on your work you could just go barefoot. Some people at my work do. I take my shoes off while I'm at my desk usually.

puddlefoot · Answer 4 · 2010-04-01 01:50:24Z UTC

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I love my black vibram classics. I think that they look a lot like a ballet shoe. I feel like Audrey Hepburn in them!

I also love my birkenstock shoes (not sandals). They let my toes spread out nicely and I like how they look.

answered Apr 1 2010 at 1:50

puddlefoot
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Bryan Barksdale · Answer 5 · 2010-04-05 23:11:45Z UTC

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Vivo barefoot by Terra Plana

They have some nice women's shoes that have thin soles

answered Apr 5 2010 at 23:11

Bryan Barksdale
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Jess · Answer 6 · 2010-06-03 04:56:19Z UTC

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How about just a simple ballet shoe? They are designed to be flexible, have thin soles and as far as I am concerned are extremely elegant... and can be found for not very much money! http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuId=065558070&productId=64037&subCatId=&catId=&lotId=065558&category=&catdisplayName=Womens+

answered Jun 3 2010 at 4:56

Jess
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	I would LOVE a simple ballet shoe. Only problem - I live in Seattle, wet wet wet, and ballet shoes would not work well for the weather, since the sole is leather. Perhaps a good summer option, though! – Paleolady Jun 3 2010 at 21:30
	well I'd think that ballet shoes would fit well in a pair of wellies!? I think the concrete/asphalt might be too hard on the leather anyway... maybe they are the kind of shoe you put on when you get to work. Ballet shoes at work, vibrams and vivo's to and from and lyrical sandals at home! – Jess Jun 4 2010 at 16:14
	I wore PayLess ballet shoes to a formal last winter and decided heels are highly overrated. when everyone else was slogging around barefoot on the nasty dance floor because their heels hurt them, I was still in my pretty shoes. :-) They are only a Bedazzler away from something fancier! – CraftyCrofts Jul 16 2011 at 1:28

eakthekat · Answer 7 · 2010-04-02 16:51:16Z UTC

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Here's and article on going barefoot. He has some reviews of good shoes and tips on what to look for in a shoe.

answered Apr 2 2010 at 16:51

eakthekat
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Tess · Answer 8 · 2010-06-11 13:31:09Z UTC

I have just taken delivery my first pair of Vivo Barefoots ('feet?!).

Never. Going. back.

Have swiftly followed first purchase of non work Candy sandals with a pair of office friendly Isis.

I slipped a disc last year and having walked "barefoot" all day today my back feels better than it has in years. Also - weirdly - I have never in my life been able to just stand still comfortably, it's always made my lower back ache. I was always swaying, or shifting from hip to hip. Not any more! Standing barefoot is suddenly pain free and somehow very relaxing.

I'm delighted!

Kirsten · Answer 9 · 2010-06-11 21:57:23Z UTC

I have a pair of vibrams for running/lifting/rainy days and a pair of vivo barefoots for work or when I don't want strangers asking me about my footwear. I just noticed a mention on Mark's Daily Apple for Feelmax shoes, which I hadn't heard of before... I went digging around... the Feelmax Osmas are totally cute so I'm thinking of trying a pair. They're supposed to be ridiculously lightweight... Having trouble finding them in my size though. :( found some here: http://www.extremeoutfitters.us/barefootshoes.aspx

Meeses R. · Answer 10 · 2011-01-13 01:21:10Z UTC

Dr. Scholl's For Her Fast Flats:

http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/forher.jsp

These are pretty much disposable, and as good quality as you can get for $12.99. That said, I find them pretty comfortable for office/moderate street use. They look pretty much like those cheap black ballet slippers used in beginners' dance lessons. Plus, $12.99 is not a bad price if you want to try out the whole "barefoot" shoe experience. Available in most mainstream drugstores, at least here in NYC.

Footwear for ladies? ATTRACTIVE footwear for ladies?

10 Answers