New Trend Creeping Up: Finger Shoes!

You know those five fingers that look like mittens, with each toe getting its own little miniature sock? There is something creepy about those, which is probably why no one ever wears them. And now there's an even more disturbing creation: five finger shoes! And somehow this has infiltrated our city, our subway system, our elevators... our gyms.

Former SNL castmate Jenny Slate just spotted a pair underground, Tweeting: "HOW DARE YOU?! Those r NOT shoes! Especially not for the subway. Burn in hell. vibram five fingers—she included the above photo. With REI coming to town, this is going to get worse before it gets better.

The brand most commonly associated with these shoes is vibram shoes, the model is called five fingers. Technically, Gothamist got this one right.

There's a subculture (or vibram five fingers, depending on whom you ask) in long-distance running devoted to barefoot running. Given our urban environment, many people substitute true barefoot running for running in these sorts of vibram shoes. They're supposed to help build leg strength, despite making you look absurd. They also make you sound like you're running with flippers on, but I digress.

It's a pity to see people wearing these around town, though the sole is quite strong... It's not like wearing socks as the five finger shoes are actually quite durable. Still fugly, though.

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