Barefoot Junkie!
Read our review and win a pair of Furoshiki wrap shoes!
I tried my best not to be too excited when the small box containing Vibram’s Furoshiki shoe arrived in the post. I caught a glimpse of this unusual, looking wrap shoe for the first time at the Outdoor Show, it was love at first sight - I knew I had to have a pair.
The term Furoshiki comes from a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used for wrapping valued items to transport them. And that’s exactly what these shoes do, they wrap your precious assets – your feet!
You place your feet onto the Vibram soles, wrap the colourful, stretchy fabric around them, furoshiki style, and adjust to exactly the right pressure for you. You are assisted by some strong Velcro fastenings at either side of the shoe, so don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in Japanese knot tying!
I am a bit of barefoot fan, I like to feel what’s going on beneath my feet and wondered if I would find the shoes restrictive. Absolutely not, the wrap system supports your feet but doesn’t confine, it lets them move naturally, whilst keeping them securely in place and your soles protected.
The shoe is lightweight and the wrap fabric is breathable. I was concerned the shoes might become grubby once worn outside but thankfully they are machine washable and so far the ‘wrapability’ has remained intact!
When to wear them? When not to wear is more the question! They are a perfect addition to the contents of any long-distance rucksack… They wrap into each other and then into a very small lightweight travel bag. These were the perfect antidote to my sturdy walking shoes after a long day slog on the Yorkshire Wolds Way.
I say take them with you as your friend along the National Trails - believe me you will be so pleased to see them at the end of the day!
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