Maria Coryell-Martin: Expeditionary Art » Minimalist shoes

Climbing in Five Fingers

Maria — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:49:53 +0000

South Arete Summit, 7,807 ft (photo credit Joel Reid)

Last month I enjoyed a beautiful climb up the South Arete of the Early Winter Spires in the North Cascades. Though I love strolling in the high country, I don’t often do technical climbing. Thanks to my brother-in-law and climber extraordinaire Joel Reid for leading the adventure! Our climb was in mid-October and there was already a dusting of snow on the ground. While considering the 1.5 mile+ approach and climb, I opted to wear my KSO Vibram Five Fingers with a pair of Injinji socks. The shoes gave great traction and I was impressed how great my feet and knees felt at the end of the long day. As for the cold, as long I kept moving, I had no problems. I’m excited to try the new KSO Trek model coming in Spring 2010. Learn more about my other minimalist footwear adventures here.

From Hwy 20

Early Winter Spires

Vibram KSO

Toe Shoes in the Mountains

Maria — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:45:29 +0000

This past week I completed my first backpack wearing only my Vibram FiveFingers Sprint toe shoes on my feet along with a pair of Injinji toe socks. I’ve worn FiveFingers for a couple of years ago and am delighted by how they’ve strengthened my feet. My sweetie Darin Reid and I left Stehekin at the head of Lake Chelan (1200 ft.) in the North Cascade Mountains and completed a two night backpack for 21 miles, climbing up to 7400 ft. My feet felt remarkably good as I scrambled over and around logs in burned regions of the hillside, traversed boulder fields, and crossed snow patches. My shoes did show some extra wear, particularly between the toes from the debris and abrasion, but it did not affect their performance. For up the mountains and down, I had no blisters, no knee pain, and the delight of the world beneath my feet!

photo credit: Darin Reid

I invite you to read my other posts on my toe shoes and you can learn how others are enjoying their Vibram FiveFingers at www.birthdayshoes.com

Vivo Barefoot

Maria — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:06:42 +0000

I have found the most comfortable boots. It’s taken several months of looking to find them, but it was worth waiting for what was right. Vivo Barefoot Dundan boot is my new winter footwear. The design is based on the premise that a shoe should not interfere with our natural balance and rhythm of walking. The puncture-proof soles are very flexible and thin to give a barefoot sensation. My new boots feel like cozy, supple slippers and I love them.

My curiousity with barefoot shoes began last year when I started wearing Vibram Five Finger shoes for just about all activities. (Read my May 30th post about them) Walking, running, hiking… they look different (ok, downright, odd- my running buddy calls them my “gorilla feet”) but they’ve strengthened my feet considerably and changed their structure. Less constricted by shoes now, my feet have broadened. After trying on my former running shoes for the first time in months and experiencing considerable pain and discomfort, I’ve given them away. Same for my Chaco sandals that I loved for years… they now strike me as clunky and heavy. As much as I love my Five Fingers, though, they are chilly in winter (even with toe socks) and are informal. I prefer them for my physical activities. My new Vivo Barefoot shoes are my winter/city solution. They look good, feel great, and don’t interfere with me standing on the ground.

Update: use the code TPLOVESART for 20% off Vivo Barefoot styles through April 31!

My Vivo Barefoot "Dundan" boots

Cutthroat Pass

Maria — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:10:30 +0000

Monday night I returned home from a lovely few days on the eastside of the N. Cascade mountains. My boyfriend and I took his mom on a lovely overnight to Cutthroat Pass. It’s a 5 mile hike in from Highway 20 that ends with fantastic 300 degree views. (Read a trail description here.) I did the entire hike in using my Vibram Five Finger shoes and also wore them for half of the way down. (Snow patches were a bit chilly, but my toes were able to grip it like little crampons). I also tried my new Golite backpack which I’m quite excited about. It’s a step up from my former one which would wear my shoulders raw. This new pack also has a great pocket in back which fits my lightweight drawing kit well. I’m looking forward to heading back out to the mountains soon! I need a few more shakedowns before I begin working later this month with Girls on Ice.

Cutthroat Ridge Sketch- the wind was blowing and the mosquitoes were vicious!

On the trail with Darin (photo credit: Mila Reid)

Vibram Five Fingers

Maria — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:10:29 +0000

“What do you have on your feet?!” is a question people often ask me as I’m wearing my most comfortable pair of shoes while out and about. I have a pair of Vibram Five Fingers shoes- the “Sprint” model- and this past week I’ve worn them hiking, kayaking, and running. They’re the only shoe that Vibram makes and are incredibly fun and comfortable (albeit strange looking).

Basically the shoes make me feel like I’m barefoot with kevlar on the soles’ of my feet. The idea behind them is that using our feet and actually feeling the ground strengthens our muscles and creates better movement. I agree with this and enjoy the fun of sensing all of the textures beneath my feet. The soles of the shoes also have a subtle “tire tread” pattern which creates excellent traction. They make me feel like I can walk up walls.