minimalist shoes are the latest thing.  I "get" the premise and I believe most of it; but I'm not ready to buy the whole hog... yet... I have 2 pairs of the VFFs. (2 pairs isn't the WHOLE hog, right? lol) I have the Bikila for when I'm on trails, in the backyard (also woodsey/trails), and eventually running if I get there; I also have the classic for just wearing around.  I L.O.V.E. wearing these shoes.  They are initially odd.  After wearing them for a little while (like an afternoon) they seem so natural.  I wore them on the beach this weekend after my first half marathon and they were amazing.  I didn't get sand in them and I could still feel the sensation of the sand.  Wearing them while walking around in the woods and over rocks is like being a kid again.

I have found the first thing I wanted to do after a long run was be barefoot for the rest of the day.  With the VFFs I get a similar sensation w/o having to be in the house for the rest of the day.  I'll try running on the Treadmill with them in January, just to try it.  But I'm not ready to get rid of my favorite Adidas yet.

If you are looking for a new pair of "flats" to wear with pants, get the classic in black.  Someone has to actually LOOK to see they are VFFs.  If you get them in bright pink, you are just asking for comments :-)

Go try them on :-)  you might really love them :-)

< The "Performa" in kangaroo leather was TOO minimalist for me. >

I am one of those barefoot runners.  I started from zero last May and reached a sort of pinnacle of happy running as I ran the Evansburg Challenge 10 Mile Trail race on Halloween.  I ran purely barefoot all summer with no injuries.  Rather, the only foot injuries I suffered all summer involved children's toys in my kitchen. My favorite aspect of BF running is that it's so gentle on my old bod.  I'm 54, and weighed about 195 when I started.  I never had one minute of knee ache or any of that sort of misery.  I did buy a pair of Bikilas early in September with which I ran the Evansburg race - I hadn't seen the trail and lacked the confidence to tackle both my first race and a blind barefoot run.  They are great for me, though I do prefer barefoot running.  I just recognize that BF has limits.  I plan to run as long as I can through the winter, and figure the Bikilas will extend my ability to get out there.

The best place for online info about BF Running is the Barefoot Runners Society.  It's like a support group for the small but growing community

Most of your RUNNING shoe stores should have them.  They are European sized w/o half sizes so they really should be on your feet before you purchase.  Go to the VFF website to find a retailer - and be aware of who is authorized.  Apparently there are counterfeit shoes out there too being sold online for cheap.  I recently bought a pair from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports (www.brms.com) and they sent me a 20% off coupon for next week.  I'll send it to you if my husband doesn't want to use it.  <we also have BRMS store near-ish us so I could have taken them back if I needed to>

As for support - none.  They are stiffer than being barefoot, since they do have a sole to protect your tootsies, but they are so comfortable.  The sole gives confidence to people like me who aren't going "whole hog" yet with the minimalist thing.  I still run in my Adidas, and I'll be hard pressed to give that up for longer distances just because it is what I know.

I kept telling my husband I could be barefoot for free at home (I work remotely) but he convinced me to try them... so he didn't feel guilty for buying his own.  I'd love to be able to run in them - especially because I'd like to get into Tri's.  VFFs would eliminate a lot of transition time!

It is such an individual decision.  I'm an indicisive mutt on the topic of shoes, no shoes, five finger shoes.  If $100 for a pair of shoes to try doesn't phase you, go get some!

I've never had shin splints so i have no idea. i get the impression that shin splints are your muscles getting stronger though, arent they?  the little bit of running i did in my bikilias outside w the kids, my calves were more engaged.  i imagine my smaller, foreleg muscles would try to balance out and might end up sore, but i'm guessing. 

just the foot action that contracts the "shin muscles" would be lessened, wouldnt it? (the toe lift) did you get shin splints running barefoot?

I just ran the NYC Marathon in a pair of Brooks Green Silence racing flats. I do not think I could go back to a bulkier shoe. after running in these for a month by regular running shoes feel awful and effortful. these do not look to odd and work great on the minimalist principle.