Store bought shoes rarely fit perfectly, and bespoke options are too expensive for many. Italian shoe maker Vibram, more commonly known for its military footwear, has come up with a solution to this problem with its Furoshiki Shoes.
Furoshiki (風呂敷) are a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used for transporting goods and were first used in the Edo period to carry clothing while at the public baths. Furoshiki shoes, created by Japanese designer Masaya Hashimoto, have no laces and instead wrap around the foot–hence the name–fastening with velcro.
Vibram calls it the first ever “wrapping sole.” These novel shoes can be bought from the Japanese Vibram store for about $140 USD, and come in at least five colors.
More info: vibram.com | facebook | twitter | instagram (h/t: demilked, rocketnews24)
Store bought shoes not always fit perfectly
So this company came up with a solution that was inspired by Furoshiki (風呂敷)
Furoshiki are a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used for transporting goods
Japanese designer Masaya Hashimoto used the same idea to create shoes that have no laces and instead wrap around the foot
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get a little sand, animal fur, dirt on that velcro and it won't work anymore. These are more for city wear..plus they are kinda ugly :/
Those are ergonomic bands that adhere to eachother, no velcro involved. However, your right about them being ugly :)
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Are they water resistant/repellent? Are they warm enough in cool/cold weather? Are they supportive for people with bad backs/knees?
The video is Vibrant brand, which is not supportive. That being said, many people with bad backs and knees, including me, have found relief after SLOWLY transitioning to true minimalist foot wear, and going barefoot quite a. bit. Raised heals and lots of padding cause changes in stride and stance that can hurt your back, hips, and knees.
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Disappointed that the video is just stills. I'd love to see someone actually show us how they put them on.
They look very comfortable. I really like the boots, both high and low ones. So...where/how do we get these? What is the cost??
It's stated in the article that the starting price is USD 140
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I love that idea ! For people who have difficulties to find comfortable shoes when the 2 feet are not the same , t would be perfect :3
I would not pay $140 for those shoes. Maybe $20. Don't want to sound rude, but they're ugly....
I love them, send them to me and I will wear them and inform people about them.
Any shoe that minimises friction gets a big thumbs up from me. Look very comfy and a bit like manta rays when putting them on
I think it is a great idea .I have a lot of difficulty to find comfy shoes , they might be the ones ^_^
I would like the boots version but only find the shoes. Are the boots not available yet?
I would like the boots version but I only find the shoes for sale. Are the boots not available yet?
Does anyone know where to purchase these? Have they even released? Any help would be appreciated.
I like them, being diabetic shoes need to fit correctly. They appear light enough to wear in most climates but perhaps not in cold and ice. I'm impressed would like pricing
Well, they are ugly alright... but having that fixed they sure will find their place in the market
Available now online in the US with Hanig's Footwear at http://www.hanigs.com/vibram_furoshiki.aspx
They look like theyhave potential especially for people whos feet tend to swell. It is hard to find a shoe for grandpa that can be go on eaisly, will not slip off, prevent him from slipping and allow for swelling. I am intrested depending on price I would try a pair. The black ones dont look bad.
I love the idea and with my bad back, knee and orthotics I would still try these. I walk barefoot most of the time so there would be little adjustment. I designs in the later video were more interesting than ones in the article. Many of the designs remind me of styles from the samurai period.
I want! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I find them attractive.
They look very comfortable, practical and I always wanted to be a ninja. The print designs could be endless to appeal to western taste. Great idea.
These are a very creative way to deal with shoes that will not sell because they don't fit. I have wide feet so they would probably be good for me except for the fact that I also need good orthotics for arch support as I am flat footed as well. Hope they do well in Japan. Maybe other countries depending on the weather.
These look like they'd be good for people with edema in their lower extremities.(swollen feet)
Look how bad you look. How can you judge what is ugly and what is not? Please, don't do it anymore. Because the shoes look better than your face.
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you mean you have one foot? you want a left or a right?
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What a useless product. The water will find a way, most likely, in that little part tha wasn't covered, and one rain and you get soaking wet feet
Love this idea. Anything that minimises friction gets a big thumbs up for me. Thought each shoe looked like a manta ray before being put on.
fab idea. i've been wearing thong sandals with low-cut socks for years. serves the same purpose. y'all yearning for "support," which you were not born with except NATURAL support of being barefoot, need to realize y'all individually RUINED your own feet with wearing idiotic footwear over the years. i look at women and want to gag. stupid. these wrap shoes do the same as a pair of thong sandals with socks and are a fab idea.
get a little sand, animal fur, dirt on that velcro and it won't work anymore. These are more for city wear..plus they are kinda ugly :/
Those are ergonomic bands that adhere to eachother, no velcro involved. However, your right about them being ugly :)
Load More Replies... Are they water resistant/repellent? Are they warm enough in cool/cold weather? Are they supportive for people with bad backs/knees?
The video is Vibrant brand, which is not supportive. That being said, many people with bad backs and knees, including me, have found relief after SLOWLY transitioning to true minimalist foot wear, and going barefoot quite a. bit. Raised heals and lots of padding cause changes in stride and stance that can hurt your back, hips, and knees.
Load More Replies... Disappointed that the video is just stills. I'd love to see someone actually show us how they put them on.
They look very comfortable. I really like the boots, both high and low ones. So...where/how do we get these? What is the cost??
It's stated in the article that the starting price is USD 140
Load More Replies... I love that idea ! For people who have difficulties to find comfortable shoes when the 2 feet are not the same , t would be perfect :3
I would not pay $140 for those shoes. Maybe $20. Don't want to sound rude, but they're ugly....
I love them, send them to me and I will wear them and inform people about them.
Any shoe that minimises friction gets a big thumbs up from me. Look very comfy and a bit like manta rays when putting them on
I think it is a great idea .I have a lot of difficulty to find comfy shoes , they might be the ones ^_^
I would like the boots version but only find the shoes. Are the boots not available yet?
I would like the boots version but I only find the shoes for sale. Are the boots not available yet?
Does anyone know where to purchase these? Have they even released? Any help would be appreciated.
I like them, being diabetic shoes need to fit correctly. They appear light enough to wear in most climates but perhaps not in cold and ice. I'm impressed would like pricing
Well, they are ugly alright... but having that fixed they sure will find their place in the market
Available now online in the US with Hanig's Footwear at http://www.hanigs.com/vibram_furoshiki.aspx
They look like theyhave potential especially for people whos feet tend to swell. It is hard to find a shoe for grandpa that can be go on eaisly, will not slip off, prevent him from slipping and allow for swelling. I am intrested depending on price I would try a pair. The black ones dont look bad.
I love the idea and with my bad back, knee and orthotics I would still try these. I walk barefoot most of the time so there would be little adjustment. I designs in the later video were more interesting than ones in the article. Many of the designs remind me of styles from the samurai period.
I want! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I find them attractive.
They look very comfortable, practical and I always wanted to be a ninja. The print designs could be endless to appeal to western taste. Great idea.
These are a very creative way to deal with shoes that will not sell because they don't fit. I have wide feet so they would probably be good for me except for the fact that I also need good orthotics for arch support as I am flat footed as well. Hope they do well in Japan. Maybe other countries depending on the weather.
These look like they'd be good for people with edema in their lower extremities.(swollen feet)
Look how bad you look. How can you judge what is ugly and what is not? Please, don't do it anymore. Because the shoes look better than your face.
Load More Replies... you mean you have one foot? you want a left or a right?
Load More Replies... What a useless product. The water will find a way, most likely, in that little part tha wasn't covered, and one rain and you get soaking wet feet
Love this idea. Anything that minimises friction gets a big thumbs up for me. Thought each shoe looked like a manta ray before being put on.
fab idea. i've been wearing thong sandals with low-cut socks for years. serves the same purpose. y'all yearning for "support," which you were not born with except NATURAL support of being barefoot, need to realize y'all individually RUINED your own feet with wearing idiotic footwear over the years. i look at women and want to gag. stupid. these wrap shoes do the same as a pair of thong sandals with socks and are a fab idea.
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