Fugly ‘foot condom’ toe shoes are back — with celebs, fashionistas stepping into the tacky tootsie trend: ‘Everyone laughs’

After toeing the line for years, the world’s most controversial shoe has found its footing — and that’s quite a feat.

What was once considered the most reviled footwear on the planet is now strutting down runways and racking up waitlists.

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The Vibram FiveFingers shoe — a glove-like creation with individual slots for each toe — has been deemed the shoe of the summer, despite sparking visceral reactions ranging from laughter to full-blown disgust.

Originally launched in 2006 by Italian sport and mountaineering brand Vibram for barefoot running purists, the FiveFingers were designed to mimic the natural movement of the foot. Enthusiasts claimed benefits like improved posture, stronger foot muscles, and better balance.

They first gained traction with athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, and quickly became fashion’s favorite punching bag.

Celebs like Prince Harry, Kate Hudson, and Scarlett Johansson were seen in them over a decade ago.

Described by critics as “the most embarrassing footwear ever made,” the shoes remained firmly outside the style mainstream — until now.

This summer, the shoes are selling out worldwide, gracing Vogue spreads, TikTok and runways.

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They’ve recently been spotted on fashion-forward celebrities like BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim, model Paloma Elsesser and rapper Doechii; the once-ridiculed shoes are suddenly a hot commodity.

Influencers are desperate to find a pair, with some scouring resale sites for months. Several styles are now sold out globally, priced between $100 and $200. Also known as barefoot shoes, the style is now being sold by Margiela Tabis, Balenciaga Crocs, and JNCO jeans.

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According to secondhand platform Depop, searches for “barefoot toe shoes” have risen 205% this year, with demand for Vibrams specifically spiking by 296% since April.

On TikTok, the shoes have become a viral phenomenon.

London-based fashion advisor Emma Hope posted a TikTok video of herself riding the Tube in her pair, captioned: “POV: people on the Tube are laughing at your freaky toe shoes.”

Fashion influencer Abby Walker shared a TikTok video of herself dancing around in her shoes — only to whine, “everyone laughs at my shoes.”

Although most people on the app seem to love the accessory, someone commented that they are “actually the hottest shoes rn,” on a TikTok video of @daisypyo styling her pair.

“Idk what it is but these feel like the mostttt cutie feminine shoe, but they are always sold out,” someone else commented on a similar video of @melinaft styling her pink pair.

But the FiveFingers aren’t for the faint of heart.

One commuter, who goes by @feriliketheboat on TikTok, recorded a fellow passenger wearing them on the London Underground, saying, “No, this is not acceptable on public transport. Oh my God, they’re your toes. Oh, I’m going to throw up. No, get them off.”

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Another TikTok user, Georgia, complained about constantly having to explain her footwear: “Every time I wear them, I have to talk to someone about them. It’s like I have to give therapy to make people okay with my shoes.”

Despite the backlash, support for the shoes is growing. Enthusiasts argue that toe shoes are simply ahead of their time — and maybe always were. Celebs like Prince Harry, Kate Hudson, and Scarlett Johansson were seen in them over a decade ago.

Today, it seems the FiveFingers are finally having their moment as part of the broader “footnaissance.” The resurgence of foot-forward fashion is undeniable — British Vogue even declared in 2023 that “toes are the new legs.”

The broader cultural shift toward unconventional footwear — from Maison Margiela’s tabi boots to Nike’s split-toe Air Rifts — has helped normalize previously taboo silhouettes.

Ballet flats and flip-flops have also walked into the fashion world.

So whether you find them fascinating or nauseating, toe shoes have officially stepped into the spotlight.