Rina Volpina 🦊🔞
Darnell ClaytonTen Toes In: Vibram FiveFingers Or Peluva Toe Shoes‽
After seeing numerous Instagram ads for Peluva shoes, I decided to check out their website to see what the company offers regarding toe shoes (which are the only type of shoes I wear outside of work).
I watched some of the reviews from people who tried both, & they looked like a decent, stylish alternative to Vibram FiveFingers shoes, especially when it came to activewear.
I am eager to start running again (doctors are telling me not to push too hard until 2026 due to a foot injury), so speed walking is all I can do for now. 🤪
I was thinking about ordering some Peluvas, but I came across some reviewers who claimed they were not designed for running and high impact (which I thought was weird).
Later, I confirmed it on their website from Peluva’s post earlier this year.
When Vibram Five Fingers released the original five-toe barefoot style shoe back in 2005, they became an immediate sensation. They consisted of a nylon, sock-like upper with a thin rubber sole. They offered by far the most barefoot-simulated footwear experience of any shoe in modern times. The Vibram marketing pitch was spot-on: elevated, cushioned shoes cause dysfunction, while a barefoot lifestyle is the ultimate expression of health and functionality. Forward-thinking fitness enthusiasts started wearing Vibrams for walking, hiking, jogging, gym workouts, and everyday life. Those hard-core folks who became barefoot-adapted drove a true revolution in fitness footwear. However, only a select few were able to enjoy such an unusual shoe, and for a limited number of fitness endeavors. Unfortunately, backlash occurred against this radical shoe movement in the form of complaints and injuries sustained by poorly adapted people. A class-action lawsuit blaming Vibram’s lack of protection for overuse injuries was a ridiculous premise, but nevertheless generated bad publicity for the company. […]
We’ve learned from the setbacks the barefoot movement has experienced in the past, and present the most functional, stylish, versatile and safe barefoot-inspired shoe ever developed. We are also committed to educating you about best practices and smooth transitions. For example, we encourage you to walk as much as you can in Peluvas, but don’t run in them–too risky for almost everyone (perhaps don’t run at all, a concept detailed in Mark Sisson and Brad Kearns new book, Born To Walk.) For more support, we offer our free 88-page PDF eBook called The Definitive Guide To A Barefoot And Minimalist Shoe Lifestyle at Peluva.com.
~ Peluva Blog, Emphasis Mine
From what I saw, Peluva shoes offered more cushion than Vibrams, but I am disappointed that none of their shoes are designed for running.
Ultimately, I ordered some more shoes from Vibram (which offered a few at a discount—yay!), but I will keep an eye on Peluva, especially on some of their more fashionable options.
Note: I am still trying to find a decent dress-toe shoe or boot after Vibram discontinued their Bormio boots. 😞
Vibram FiveFingers Bormio Toe Boots
Penny Richards
