Might these work for Barefooting

So my runner friend finds these for running - supposed to be better for you to run barefoot. They have a couple of different models and he said these might work for barefooting.

Fivefingers

The lake I'm on is a dammed up river and we get lots of flotsam early in the season and these might protect the feet some.

They also have a neoprene type model;

Neoprene Model

These might be nice for those that like to barefoot in the cold.

I've tried sneakers before and I don't like the disconnected feeling they provide.

Mark, those look pretty cool and like you I ski in a river so I'm always dodging junk. If you do try them out please post back how they worked. I hurt my foot over a year ago and it still kills me to foot for any more than 1/4 mile or so, these might be an option.

dude, you are killing me...LOL...

WTF are those things? I almost drew down on them with my .357 magnum thinking they were a five-toe gila monster...LOL I thought you were joking until I read the rest of the posts. You are freaking serious!

If you want some shoe skis for a bit of warmth and a bit of protection, check these out at barefootcentral.com:

Shoe Skis

I am not a big fan of using things for barerfooting that are not intented for footing. JMO. The five freaking toes put me over the top. Sorry, I am ROFL over here...

Ha I had the same thought initially Lakeboy. But, if they work well, provide some protection, maybe provide some warmth while still giving the feel of the water, what's the harm?

Also my friend the runner is thinking of getting them for running - in public! At least on our boats the audience won't be so big.

Also, most of us don't have the luxury of footing in a nice warm log free California canal/lake. ;)

Mark, we are by no means log/debris free. Last week, Andy avoided driving me onto a huge submerged, water soaked log. The whole set we came across all kinds of debris. We are no strangers to the shoe skis. I nearly skied across a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the winter. The only place there is no risk is a private ski lake, but the trade off is a short run.

The Sacramento River Delta is a favorite spot with miles and miles of sloughs. ALL get debris, especially winter/spring. Check those shoes out on BFC.com if you are serious about protection AND the right product for the job.

I am intrigued by them but not enough to blow $100....I already have BI's, Scarpa's big and small, and BFC's...

I think they would work and if I could try em before I buy em I might consider it...in fact over on www.onlineshoes.com there is a 90 day unconditional warranty on any shoes you buy...I'll have to check and see if they have them...

we ski in tons of debris, its a constant worry...I've seen hottubs floating down the river!

86BFN wrote: I don't like to use shoe skis either but they do have many advantages. mainly slower speeds for new tricks. I've tried most on the market and my favorite by far is the BFC shoes. I think KSO's are the same but just more money. Just my two cents! Steve

Agreed, I have a pair from BI and they're great for learning/practicing tricks but I was intrigued by those Mark posted. A few barefoot passes and the next few days at work are just miserable on my right foot so the thought of an alternative caught my eye.

ps. It's bad enough where I'm considering taking up wakeboarding this summer!!!

Hollywood wrote: Alan, may want to try a pair of $20 neoprene socks. I'd think they're soft enough to give you a feel for the water and minimize the pressure. Steady Eddie was wearing just 1 when we were down at Reids, didn't seem to affect his skiing.

A few guys I ski with have used neoprene booties to deal with deeply bruised feet.

I wouldnt think anything with a shoe-like sole is going to provide any feel at all- whether theyre shaped like a foot or not.

What I dig about footin' IS the feel of the water on my feet, especially glass. Nothing like it. Some people dig a fine wine or a single malt scotch down the throat; for me it is the water on the feet.

Can't describe it. That's why I foot, and that is why I can't get enough of barefooting. Just ask Andy. (GlassSeeker) I can talk about barefooting all day, every day and not get bored. I am obsessed, sorry to say. My mid-life need for the hot blonde and the red Vette cannot match the need for FOOT FREAKIN' FEVER! I am recovering from a groin pull I got skiing backwards Sunday, and I am already in Andy's grille talking about going out Saturday.

Sorry, back to the point...what was the point? OH yeah.. footin'.. that IS the point.

Ya got me there, 81. No offense taken, for real. I wish I was exposed to this sport a long time ago. That's why I am so into it: it's fun, and if I can do it, most anyone can.

Thanks for tracking my progress, sincerely. I post, video, and expose barefooting not to make myself look better or cool, but to inspire others. Sure it is fun to succeed and grow. What I want it the sport to grow. The world out there puts footing in a fringe category not because it is fringe, but because they cannot visulize doing it themselves.

I have benefitted so much from people, like you, who have been into the sport for a long time, and can teach me. When I go out with Andy, Willie and one of Andy's or Willie's buddies, there is like 80+ years of footing experience on the boat. As the clear rookie you can rest assured I eat plenty of humble pie. Just ask those guys...LOL.