Apparently Prince Harry has just bought some Vibram Five Fingers in California!
It’s great to see the increase in popularity of the VFF’s. I can’t wait for the day they become more mainstream. I still get so many funny looks wearing my Vibrams around Sydney. Some people even comment about how they must be damaging my feet, which is especially amusing, as I have the exact same thought about their feet in the cushioned, padded, arched trainers they insist on wearing.
Do you think in a few years time EVERYONE will be wearing vibrams?
Why Prince Harry (and You) Might Want to Wear Vibrams
It’s not every day a royal makes a move that aligns with the barefoot running crowd, but Prince Harry’s rumoured purchase of Vibram FiveFingers in California got me thinking. What does it mean when one of the world’s most recognisable figures is spotted in minimalist footwear? Perhaps the barefoot revolution is more than just a fringe movement – maybe it’s inching its way into the mainstream, one princely step at a time.
So let’s talk about why these “funny-looking toe shoes” deserve your attention – and why more people, famous or not, are embracing them.
What Are Vibram FiveFingers?
If you're new to the concept, Vibram FiveFingers are minimalist shoes designed to mimic barefoot movement while offering protection from modern terrain (think broken glass, heat-soaked footpaths, and sharp gravel). Each toe has its own compartment, allowing your foot to move naturally – just as nature intended.
They’re used for running, walking, CrossFit, hiking, weight training, water sports – and, in the case of some Paleo followers, even with evening gowns or wedding attire (yes, really).
The Paleo Connection: Why Barefoot Makes Sense
A lot of people in the Paleo community adopt Vibrams as a logical extension of their ancestral lifestyle. If you believe in eating like your hunter-gatherer ancestors, it also makes sense to move like them – and that includes ditching cushioned trainers with artificial arch support.
Paleo is all about returning to a more natural way of living, and footwear is a huge part of that. Our feet weren’t designed to be stuffed into narrow, rigid shoes that immobilise the toes and promote poor posture. Vibrams, and other barefoot-style footwear, allow the foot to move, flex, and grip as it was meant to.
Benefits of Minimalist Footwear
- Stronger Feet
Wearing Vibrams helps strengthen the small muscles in the feet and ankles. These muscles tend to weaken in traditional footwear, especially those with arch support or high heels. - Better Posture
Without an artificially raised heel, minimalist shoes encourage a more upright stance and natural gait. Many people report relief from back pain and joint discomfort after switching. - Improved Proprioception
Feeling the ground beneath your feet enhances proprioception – your body’s awareness of its position and movement. This is critical for balance, coordination, and injury prevention. - Relearning How to Run
Most runners land heel-first when wearing cushioned trainers. But barefoot running encourages a forefoot or midfoot strike, which reduces impact and may lower injury risk. - Freedom & Sensory Feedback
There’s something uniquely grounding about feeling the earth as you move. It’s almost meditative – especially when walking outdoors.
Why Don’t More People Wear Them?
Despite their growing popularity, Vibrams are still not universally accepted – largely because of how they look. Let’s be honest: they’re not exactly subtle.
But that’s changing. More athletes, adventurers, biohackers, and health-conscious individuals are embracing function over fashion. And as people begin to question mainstream narratives around diet and movement, the stigma around barefoot shoes is eroding.
Even major brands have jumped on the bandwagon, releasing their own versions of minimalist shoes – although few match the foot-feel of Vibrams.
Common Misconceptions About Vibrams
- They’re bad for your feet.
Only if you jump into them too fast. Like anything, they require a transition. Your feet need time to adapt, especially if you’ve been in structured shoes your whole life. - They offer no support.
True – but that’s kind of the point. Your feet are designed to support themselves. Weak feet often result from relying on external support. - They’re just for running.
Nope. They’re great for hiking, strength training, walking, yoga, and even casual wear (if you’re brave enough!).
Transitioning to Vibrams: Do It Slowly
If you’re curious about trying them, start slow. Wear them around the house or during short walks. Increase duration gradually and pay attention to how your feet and calves feel – you’re likely using muscles that have been dormant for years.
For runners, start with just a few hundred metres at a time. Many people overdo it initially and end up with sore calves or strained tendons. It’s not the shoes — it’s just that the movement pattern is new.
Also, don’t toss your old shoes just yet. The transition can take weeks or even months.
Vibrams in Australia
While Vibram FiveFingers aren’t yet as common in Sydney or Melbourne as they are in parts of the US or Europe, the Australian barefoot community is steadily growing.
Shops like Wild Earth, KMD Brands, and Barefoot Inc. stock Vibrams locally, and there are growing Facebook groups for barefoot runners and primal health enthusiasts down under.
If you’re in one of the major cities, you may even spot someone – besides yourself – in toe shoes. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll spot someone royal.
What I Love About My Vibrams
Here’s what I've personally found from wearing Vibram FiveFingers around Sydney:
- People will stop and ask you about them – great way to spread the barefoot gospel!
- You become more mindful of your gait and posture.
- They're incredibly light – perfect for travel and minimal packing.
- Once you get used to them, regular shoes feel like moon boots.
- They’re surprisingly durable – mine have lasted years with heavy wear.
Paleo, Minimalism & Conscious Living
Wearing Vibrams isn’t just about feet. It’s part of a broader philosophy that questions modern norms. Just as Paleo challenges our approach to food, minimalist footwear challenges our approach to movement.
These shifts – in what we eat, how we move, how we sleep, and even how we think – are about alignment. Alignment with biology, evolution, and what makes us feel alive.
Whether you’re just starting out with Paleo or years into the lifestyle, trying something like Vibrams can be a great reminder that health isn’t just in the kitchen – it’s in every step you take.
Will Vibrams Ever Become Mainstream?
Honestly, I don’t know. But ten years ago, the Paleo diet was considered extreme too – and look how far it came.
If more people experience the benefits firsthand – and if the stigma dies down – it’s entirely possible that toe shoes could be as normal as Birkenstocks or Crocs (which were also once controversial!).
And if Prince Harry wears them, who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see minimalist footwear at the Met Gala.
Over to You
Have you tried Vibrams or other barefoot shoes? Did you love them – or hate them? What’s been the biggest surprise in switching away from traditional footwear?
Leave a comment below and share your story – or let me know where you stand on the barefoot spectrum. Are you 100% minimalist or still somewhere in the transition?
Let’s keep walking the barefoot path – one toe at a time.
