Hi everyone,
I'm really looking forward to being here on Toe Salad. I first heard about minimalist footwear last spring through Damien's posts on AdventureinProgress, and it made so much sense to me - I was sold.
I am not a runner, and have had little need for athletic-style shoes, which is one of the main reasons I am so pleased to see this community develop that doesn't have all the running "stuff" mixed in with the shoe information. (Although I am starting some circuit training this winter, so I will have to get something for that - hopefully the reviews here will help!)
What I look for now in footwear is a nice roomy toe box and a completely flat sole (zero heel elevation, arch support, etc.). A sole that is thinner and more flexible than "normal" is nice too, but I don't really care about "ground feel" and having paper-thin soles.
I now wear VivoBarefoot Kalis every day at work, and can highly recommend them. However, I continue to search (as others here do) for the ideal winter footwear. I tried Soft Star Phoenix boots, and I wanted so much to love them, but they have not lived up to my expectations. I will post a few comments in the product section.
I am also interested in minimalist footwear for small children. I like the VivoBarefoot options, but, as my daughter is only 2, she won't be able to fit into their sizing for some time.
Cheers,
MJP
Welcome to the site! It is always nice to meet some people who are into minimalist footwear for purposes other than running. (Nothing against running, I love to do it myself!)