minimalist shoes for work

F#$k's sake. I just searched on "Vivo Barefoot" shoes.

My f%*k, a $20 pair of Vans on sale at Ross have the same structure and benefits as those "Vivo" shoes.

I would agree but I don't like Vans because the sole is so thick - they feel inflexible.

vivo barefoot aqua, dharma, or lesotho are the best and most expensive as you noted. if you have the $$ they are worth it. also the most 'work' looking shoe of the lot.

a finnish company, feelmax, makes a line of really minimal (read thin and flat) shoes. the osma is their 'running' version and costs appx 80 bucks. kind of looks like the onitsuka ultimate but even less shoe. really helps pf. if too thin simply add a thin flat insole (ie spenco).

converse all star new model, the allstar slim, is appx 50 bucks. also very good, and more flexible than the original. now that the sole of cons are made of a composite along with rubber, rather than the original which was a more flexible full rubber sole, the sole is not nearly as flexible as in past. the slim has exactly the same canvas upper, but is more flexible due to thinner composite/rubber sole.

there are others, but these come to mind.

vivo via their terraplana site, feelmax via amazon or extremeoutfitters.us, and cons via zappos.

Sanuks and Toms should work for you, depending on how casual your office is.

Take a look at sperry topsiders. Flat, very flexible and look pretty decent. I'll never go back to my heavier shoes for just everyday office stuff.(If I can help it)

I have a similar problem but need steel toe boots! So far no luck at all finding ones that meet my requirements but don't have a big heel to toe drop. So what I've done is remove the stock insert, which usually has some sort of built up arch support that would drive me nuts, and get two flat padded inserts. I cut one off so that it is only the front half, ending right after the ball of my foot and then stack that under a full length one. This builds up the toe area and in effect reduces the drop from the heel.

It will take some experimentation to find where exactly to cut so that it doesn't bug your foot, so start with the cheapest replacement insoles you can find and then upgrade to better ones if you must. Of course this won't work if you have a fat foot that already hits the top of your shoe, but if you can comfortably raise it, then the double insole under toes/ball might work for you.

Hey everyone, thanks! I'm thinking about the feelmax osma as they look the most "usual". I might be able to get away with Sanuks....but I doubt it.

Some Merrells (sp?) are pretty minimal. The "Dash" series I think it is.

I've gone with cheap Converse all-star from Ross/Marshalls.

The sole might look thick, but it's just a rubber outsole with an insole.