The genius who invented Fivefingers has died… but his legacy lives on in your feet

If you've been into barefoot footwear for a while, you surely know about Vibram Five Fingers.

Today, I want to pay tribute to Robert Fliri, the visionary behind these shoes, who sadly passed away this week.

His legacy goes far beyond a peculiar design.

They were the real driving force behind the barefoot revolution, marking the beginning of a movement that transformed the way we feel the ground beneath our feet.

The Five Fingers have been copied endlessly, and many celebrities have worn them. Some for fashion, others for their multiple benefits.

A lot has been said about them, but the truth is that trying them leaves you anything but indifferent.

Their design with each toe separated is not just an aesthetic matter. This feature allows your feet to move within a shoe as they would if you were barefoot.

A key moment for the Five Fingers is the book "Born to Run".

If you haven't read it, you are truly missing out on a gem.

In this bestseller, the story is told of how Barefoot Ted (whose real name is Ted McDonald), inspired by the Tarahumara tribe and their ability to run long distances with rudimentary sandals, discovered in the Five Fingers the perfect solution for running in the most natural way possible.

Through his experience, many runners began to question traditional sneakers, with their thick soles and excessive supports.

And so, the Vibram Five Fingers became a symbol of the barefoot movement, offering the opportunity to run feeling every inch of the terrain and improving running technique.

They say in this world we are here to feel, to live experiences.

That's what you'll take with you, the rest will stay behind.

And that's what this is about.

Putting on a pair of Vibram Five Fingers is a different experience from any other. At first, it might seem odd to fit each toe into its place, but once you do, you realize how comfortable and light they are.

Each step is an invitation to reconnect with the ground, to feel every stone, every leaf, and every change in the terrain.

It's not just walking, it's living every stride.

Have you ever felt that authentic connection?

With these shoes, you can.

Furthermore, the complete freedom of movement of the toes, allows your feet to adapt to the terrain and recover the natural movements and reflexes of your body.

I'm not just saying this, I own 6 pairs of Five Fingers, from the iconic Classic model to the Bikila, KSO, and mountain models.

I've run, walked, and descended canyons wearing them.

While my recommendation is that they are some of the best shoes for walking and strength training in the gym.

Running long distances?

For that, you need to have mastered running technique perfectly and conditioned your soles, tendons, and cartilage accordingly.

If after all this you dare to try them, I recommend a model that will serve you well for everything:

• Vibram Five Fingers V-Alpha for Women

• Vibram Five Fingers V-Alpha for Men

And remember that every time you wear a pair of Vibram Five Fingers, you are honoring the legacy of Robert Fliri and living the barefoot experience to its fullest.

R.I.P.

Antonio Caballo

Ps. Here is a photo of me in 2012 with my Vibram Five Finger Classic, Vivobarefoot Ultra and Pies Sucios sandals.