Vibram worth the money ?

[tofu]

As I understand it, the recent backlash started with observation of how people walk after they're fitted with these compensations. With "stability" shoes on, they tended to heel strike, without them they tend to come down more front/mid. Which has implications for hips and knees, etc. The foot -- not the heel -- is a big part of that muscular system that absorbs impacts. I don't know, there has undoubtedly been more research since then and the podiatrists and shoe industry people have plenty of ammunition with which to defend their turf, I don't really follow this stuff.

I know for sure, there are plenty of reports of people who threw off their crutches so to speak and then had major issues. By all accounts, if you can develop your own muscles to go without compensation, it's a process that takes a good long time, and an abrupt change is asking for injury. Speaking of which - your Vibram shoes:

Those shoes were all the rage a couple years ago. I don't see a lot of people wearing them so much these days. From all my own athletic pursuits I certainly can see the benefits of naturally strengthening the foot for people without inherent structural deficiencies. For myself I could never use these shoes as I've got flat arches and no amount of training is going to alleviate this & those shoes would just make the problem worse. I think a lot of folks developed problems from those shoes because not only did they not gradually build up their feet over time but they had inherent structural issues. Which is why a good podiatrist and pedorthist is worth visiting.

[Donn]

Well, having never worn them, I'll just refer you to a web search on "five fingers" "flat feet". My opinion is that the podiatrists overdo it - there is such a thing as irremediable foot problems, but ordinary flat feet, pronation etc. aren't among them. The toe shoes were a gimmick, there appears to be no real reason for it, but "minimal" shoes with much less padding and support are all over the place.

[Three Valves]

....but "minimal" shoes with much less padding and support are all over the place.

When our feet are young, flip flops are not a problem!!