Vibram trail shoes, named after their inventor, Italian mountaineer Vitale Brimani, originated in 1937 in Italy, and quickly became famous for its rubber outsoles with superb traction. Vibram FiveFingers, marketed as a “shoe glove,” hit the market in 2004, and the model is still going strong. Known as “barefoot” shoes, Vibram FiveFingers are intended to make your feet stronger naturally. Many running and hiking shoes are built to cushion feet, while Vibram FiveFingers are minimalist shoes, designed to protect your feet, but also built to improve strength. Vibram counsels its customers that the transition to FiveFingers should be made over time, in order to allow your feet and legs to acclimate with minimal discomfort. They advise when you get your shoes to wear them around the house for 10 minutes a day, then slowly increase the time and the activity level. Wearers tout the shoes’ ability to improve balance, stability, agility and even speed. We at Outdoor Equipped are very pleased to offer a broad selection of Vibram shoes.