Fila Skele-Toes Ez Slide Drain

Product Information

Whatever the case, if you’re looking for less interference when you run compared to traditional options , any of the footwear we cover below will be a good place to start – especially many of the more affordable pairs. I’ll let you be the judge. Here are some casual photos of me wearing the Skele-toes Voltage. Pay particular attention to the dorsiflexing; that’s some serious toe flex for a pair of marshmallow shoes!

One thing I did notice about the Skeletoes is since it’s stiffer than VFF, you feel like you want to walk normal in them, heel strike. I tried walking forefoot with them and I didn’t really get the natural feet movement I get when wearing VFF for walking. Vibram S.p.A., Vibram USA, Inc. and Fila USA, Inc. have entered into a settlement agreement resolving a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Vibram against Fila on July 6, 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The lawsuit involved Vibram’s U.S. Patents No. 7,805,860, D579,181 and D582,134, and certain of Fila’s Skele-Toes footwear models. While the terms of the agreement are confidential, Vibram’s patents remain valid and Vibram will continue to vigorously protect its intellectual property and enforce its patent rights. Furthermore, the lightweight Fila Skele-Toes EZ Slide Drainage Shoes comes with a four-way stretch fabric made with air mesh for an overall comfortable and relaxed fit.I’m not trying to dog the Skele-toes’ look— they are clearly (to the eye) a fairly quality shoe for the price that is well-made of beefy materials. Just that given they are a lifestyle shoe, I’d have expected them to look more casual and less sporty. Of course, most VFFs are also very sporty, Speeds and KSO Treks perhaps excepted (Indeed, the Trek LS and Bormio are downright “dressy” as toe shoes go), so this is more or less par for the course in the toe shoe world. That said, if you do play other sports, these shoes are fantastic. Their durability is unmatched on this list. They can put up with harsh hiking trails, CrossFit mats, and everything in between. This is why their price is so easy to justify for so many. It would cost a lot more to buy minimalist shoes for a half-dozen different activities.These have one of the best barefoot designs for all kinds of activities, which probably justifies the price. Next, we have the Xero Prio , which is the only pair on our list that has been featured on ABC's Shark Tank . While the founders’ time on the show didn’t result in an investment, the company has been EXTREMELY successful ever since. Case in point, my wife actually remarked that they didn’t look that bad, which I had to ask her to repeat a couple times; apparently ,they sorta look like normal sneakers on first glance. Your mileage may vary, but as seen above with jeans they look pretty ok, no? Having said that, the other good design point for shoes like these is that they look better than any other water shoe around.

Fila Skele-toes are both toe shoes and have an overall minimalist design—not much upper and not much sole. Unfortunately, the Skele-toes rubber sole is noticeably stiffer than what I’ve come to expect from my toe shoes. The stiffness is most noticeable at the arch as the Skele-toes sole is curved at the arch to mimic the shape of the foot. Long time wonderer, first time buyer of toe shoes. I walked around penny’s for about a half hour, at first i thought they were the most uncomfortable things ever, but after 10 minutes either my feet got used to them or they got used to my feet. When I saw the Skeletoes were coming out, I thought that they would be a cool addition to the VFFs. I know that’s not a major priority for every runner, but given the price tag, I like knowing you don’t need to spring for a completely different shoe to wear during leisure activities.

The Perfect Puffer

Given the Nike Free and a pair of four-toed Skeletoes (this is a pic), it’s incredibly easy to imagine what a toed Nike Free would look like; well, with the Voltage, all the guesswork has been eliminated. Just take a look at the Skele-toes Voltage and you’ll have to agree — it really is the bastard lovechild of the Free and a pair of toe shoes: This is easily the best shoe on the list if you are looking for a barefoot option to take on the challenges of beach running . The combination of their joint-friendly construction and the low-impact nature of the sand is a great way to avoid one of the most common running mistakes beginners make: running too much and too hard on pavement. The irony of the Nike Free, which is so well known (and bemoaned) by barefoot- or minimalist-running enthusiasts is just how far the Nike Frees are from being barefoot. There is hardly anything “barefoot” about the Frees, even in their most minimally soled iterations. Oh the gnashing of teeth these shoes have caused us!

Some people love them because they’re perfect for running with a more natural style . Others supplement their normal runs with these shoes because they may help build greater foot strength. And still some wear barefoot options because they offer superior foot grip and suppleness for sports like weight-training, CrossFit, and other activities where the typical design may interfere with their performances. Fortunately, the design of their exteriors was given a lot of thought, as well. Stretch uppers also make it easy to pull these running shoes on and off with ease – the adjustable strap is great for this, too.

Fila USA, Inc. announced today that the company will vigorously defend itself against the complaint filed on July 6, 2011 by Vibram S.p.A. and Vibram USA Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging that Fila USA Inc.’s Skele-toes™ line of footwear infringes three patents. Fila has reviewed the allegations in Vibram’s complaint and has determined that they are without merit. Prior to developing and releasing this line of footwear in February 2011, Fila determined that the Skele-Toes shoes did not infringe any existing patents including those owned by Vibram. Though Vibram is generally credited with launching the minimalist trend in the footwear industry, Fila Skele-Toes joins a long history of shoes with articulated toes and represents a more accessible approach to this rapidly expanding minimalist footwear category. While you should definitely take your time considering all of your barefoot options – plenty of them aren’t exactly cheap – if you start with the list above, I think you’ll have an easier time finding the right pair for your specific needs. I also got a pair of Vibrams, size 36, which also came today. They’re a shade small in the width. I can get my toes in the Filas quite easily, but not the Vibrams. I admit the Vibrams will probably feel quite a bit better in the long run, but for the moment, the Filas are my shoe of choice.