I fell in love with lake swimming this summer, but I had a bit of trouble getting into and out of the lake. The beach, and the first 20 feet of the lake floor, is covered in pebbles of all sizes. Add some slimy seaweed, and it’s quite a challenge walking into or out of the water.
Slip and Slide
Even wearing my old Vibram Fiver Finger water shoes, which are held together with duct tape, I needed to use my cane to safely enter and exit the lake. Then I would tie my cane to one of the metal posts that hold the ropes demarcating the shallow end from the swimming side of the lake before starting my swim.
Those ancient Five Finger shoes were designed for wet surfaces, not surfaces that shift beneath your feet as you walk. It was time for a new, improved Vibram Five Fingers style, the V-Alpha.
Steady as I Go
While the shoe is designed for outdoor use–think camping and light hiking–I have found it to be the ideal swim shoe. The V-Alpha’s Vibram treaded sole does a fantastic job of giving me purchase on those slippery lake bottom stones. I can feel the tread gripping the rocks so I can navigate my way into and out of the lake…without my cane! It’s no small thing that I can leave my cane with my towel on the beach. I’m thrilled to get the stability I need from the shoes.
It’s still not a simple or quick trip, the rocks always shift, but I can manage it with better grip, which, in turn, gives me improved balance and more confidence.
Heat for My Feet
The past week or so I’ve had to admit to myself that the water is getting colder, and I’m going to need a wetsuit soon. I’ve been reading articles about cold swimming, about the importance of having the right cold-weather gear, like neoprene swim socks. But here’s the thing: I don’t think I need neoprene socks (yet or maybe ever) because the V-Alpha shoes actually keep my feet warm. I noticed it the first few times I swam in cold water. My skin would burn for a few minutes until I warmed up, but my feet never felt cold.
I find this a bit strange since my feet are always cold, but I’m running with it. Now I swim in cold lake water, and my feet stay warm. Well dog my cats! What a surprise bonus. I’m hoping it lasts through the fall and winter months because neoprene socks and booties don’t have Vibram treaded soles!
All-Terrain
The V-Alpha shoe is sleek and black, with laces I can cinch to tighten up the shoe around my foot. It’s harder to get on my foot than my old Five Finger shoes, which didn’t have laces but a larger opening and a velcro strap to secure the shoe on my foot. At first I didn’t like having to loosen the laces and wiggle my feet into each shoe while tugging the heel tab down until I could get toes into the toe sleeves and heel into heel cup. It was a bit of a struggle.
However, now that I’ve been wearing the shoes most days of the week, I’ve figured out how to fit my forefoot into the shoe, then pull the heel up around the back of my foot in one swift motion.
The lake where I swim has two outdoor showers, and a grassy (mostly dirt) mound to cross before reaching the showers. It’s really helpful to have grippy footwear when I trek to the showers and back to the beach. Without the treads I might slip on the incline. I used to need my cane to feel safe doing this walk, but now I can leave the cane on my towel again, and that’s always a fantastic feeling.
Finally, the walk back to the car on the sidewalk and another grassy incline. Not a problem at all with the excellent Vibram tread.
Five Finger shoes are available in men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes. I have large and quite wide feet, so I tested a men’s size 41 (I’m usually a men’s U.S. size 9 in shoes), and they fit perfectly. Available in black and blue.
$110 some sizes on sale for less at Amazon
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