Vibram FiveFingers

[1] The footwear is meant to replicate being barefoot and has thin, flexible soles that are contoured to the shape of the human foot, including visible individual sections for the toes.

[2] The company settled a lawsuit in 2014 alleging false health claims and set aside $3.75 million to pay refunds of up to $94 to anyone who had purchased the product since March 21, 2009.

[2][4][5][6][7][8] Vibram FiveFingers were originally targeted to yacht racers to maintain grip on slippery decks without compromising the barefoot experience.

[citation needed] Shoe sizes correspond to quarter-inch increments in foot length, closely resembling the Continental European system.

"[14][15] Lieberman has "emphasized that his research does not include data on injury or show that barefoot running is better for you" but that it is "a reasonable hypothesis that needs to be tested".

[18] If not conditioned slowly enough, especially when transitioning away from heelstrike running or from wearing shoes with an elevated heel, the sole of the foot or plantar fascia can become inflamed or damaged with activity.

While Vibram has "expressly" denied "any actual or potential fault ... or liability", on May 7, 2014, it was announced that company has moved to settle the suit and agreed to set aside $3.75 million to pay refunds of up to $94 to anyone who had purchased the product since March 21, 2009.