I recently decided to train for a 5K and found these while researching minimalist running shoes. I'm one of those vain people who don't want to run around in 5-fingers getting crazy looks from people. The feeling of rubber between my toes didn't appeal to me either, so I was really excited when I found these and read all the amazing reviews. I got them in "Dark Shadow" figuring they would hold up better in a dark color, but I would love to get them in "Crystal" or "Chili Pepper" for my upcoming visit to the Grand Canyon this fall once I have the funds. Make sure you try them on in a store before buying. I'm usually a 7/7.5 so I was surprised when the salesperson recommended an 8, but I'm so glad I went a half size up. My left foot is smaller so I got a very minor blister on my left heel after the 2nd time jogging, but it went away within a day and I've had absolutely no discomfort since. Love that you don't need socks. I have problems with shoes rubbing against my big toe nail & near my pinky toe (narrow heel, wide toe area). Now that I've been doing research I see that is how our feet are meant to be, but we've made them scrunched and weak by wearing conventional shoes. So the pace glove really feels like it was made for my feet. So roomy in the toe area but snug enough in the heel that they don't feel loose. Makes it hard to go back to "normal" shoes now!

The vibram sole is very flexible, but has more traction than the 5-fingers sole so they can be worn hiking. I love feeling my entire foot flex as I run. You can feel the wind flow through the mesh material. Perfect for summer. I think I may need the Lithe Glove in the colder weather, but I'm going to try socks with these first. I naturally got a little scared when I read the random horror story reviews of people getting injured in these, but I see a common thread of people not stretching properly, using bad running form or being experienced runners who've trained on cushioned soles for years and try to jump right in. Just take your time, listen to your body & ignore the cocky voice in your head that tells you to keep going even when something feels wrong! I've run around barefoot in the summertime since a child, and I always favor flat-sole, low-profile gym shoes over the clunky thick ones that are advertised. So these didn't feel foreign or like they weren't supportive enough. The arch actually has a lot of support and fits snugly.

Before I got these I made the mistake of trying to jog in an old pair of sketchers thinking they would cushion the impact. Dumb! My shins and knees hurt so bad right from the start I had to keep stopping. Now I can keep going until I'm winded and actually need to stop. I researched foot strengthening exercises, pose form running, watched all the barefoot running videos on merrell.com & found a few non-merrell videos on youtube to make sure the information was un-biased before I even started jogging in these. I usually have a very long stride and heel strike, but I consciously land mid-foot now. These shoes seem to encourage good form anyway. It forces me to shorten my stride, but I know I can increase my pace as I build endurance. I make sure I stretch my legs before & after (focusing on deep calf/achilles stretches). After the 2nd time jogging in these my left calf was very tight for a couple days. So I just took a couple days off and have been fine since. My calves still get sore, but it's a healthy "I'm using new muscles!" kind of sore. I've had virtually no knee/shin pain since wearing these. I can feel my feet and legs getting stronger every week. I'm very excited to see my calves become more shapely and muscular as the months go by. I increase my distance  mile every week to be safe- and because that's literally all I can do at this point in my training. So far so good!