Not My 80s High-Tops
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 9:43PM I still remember my first high-tops. A bargain shop special at around $10, they were a white vinyl with some red accents, and they were as cool as, well, the cowboy gum boots with the rubber spurs that I grew out of years before. I wanted to wear them everywhere, but they were my gym shoes. Did that stop me? Probably not as evidenced by the deteriorating traction they had on the gymnasium floor. Stops and direction changes were Looney-Tune-like as I slid around or spun my feet momentarily before gaining momentum again. Oh, the joys of middle school.
Just a couple of hours agoI found myself in a gymnasium full of adolescents. Instead of my super cool, super cheap high-tops, I was armed, or rather footed, with my black KSOs. The game: a pioneer version of 'Duck, Duck, Goose' where the person walking around the outside of the circle dropped a handkerchief at the feet of their victim rather than yelling "GOOSE!" The victim would then pick up the cloth and run in the reverse direction in hopes to beat the other person back to his original spot.
The handkerchief was dropped at my feet by a speedy youngster before I really caught on to what was going on in the game. No, I'm not slow in the head, just a late starter. Many of the kids thought I was an easy target because of the 'socks' I was wearing. He was a quarter way round the circle before I had a chance to pick up the hanky and take off. And take off I did. I was surprised at the grip the FiveFingers had on the floor. "My gym shoes never did that," I remembered thinking. I leaned, what felt like a 45 degree angle, into the run and poured it on, stealthily, stickily, and speedily sneaking back into my position well before the Scout made it around. Hah. Okay, maybe a little competitive for one of the leaders, but I couldn't help but smile when others in the circle asked how I did that in my socks. "They're my shoes," I began explaining as I was attacked with questions.
After the activity I continued for an hour with a group of leaders and Scouts in friendly basketball. I've heard that VFF aren't very good for sports where lateral movement is required. My experience tonight proved the opposite. I had no problem shifting my weight from side to side or side stepping around the court. The only times I was reminded of wearing FiveFingers at all was 1) when landing once on my heal... no big deal as I was able to shift my footfall quickly and avoid significant pain; and 2) when another player stepped on my foot while I was on the move... three of my toes were yanked out of their toe pockets but popped back in easily.
Nike used to ask in a popular slogan, "Is it the shoes?" Well, after sinking my first half dozen shots during warm-up, I'd have to say, "yes." In all seriousness, though, the KSOs were light, grippy, and helped me to be aware of my foot to floor connection. They were definitely not my 80s high-tops.
Reader Comments (2)
Interesting that you wrote about basketball! I play basketball in a 2nd division team. As soon as I got my Fivefingers (black KSO's) after christmas, this was the first opportunity for me to try them out. Wearing them outside is a bit hard when we have 75 cm of snow and temperatures of about -15 C. First I just wore them too school practice, then I dared to take them to my team practice. My coach was like "Where are your shoes?" and it took about 10 practices until he gave up asking. I wear them to every practice (3 times a week) because I feel I move much more smoothly and that I am more in control of my movement. I haven't worn them to a game yet cause I woulnd't want to get stepped on and I'm not sure I would even be allowed to wear them :/
Keep up the good work! I'm eager to see what this year has in store for you :)
Cool review. :) I suck at basketball...dodgeball, I can do. :)