Orthopaedic Ugly Shoes Are Trending—But Are the Vibram FiveFingers a Style Step Too Far?

Model sat at desk wearing vibram fivefinger shoes.

Following on from the great Tabi renaissance of the 2020s, freaky footwear has become a hot topic. A shortcut to cementing your status as a fashion insider, subversive flats are perhaps the most sought-after style purchase of late. But Vibram's FiveFingers shoes could be the thing to separate the wardrobe conscious from sartorial spear-headers.

Lyst's Q2 Index Report, which ranks the most popular brands and products for the period April-June 2025, placed the Vibram FiveFinger V-Soul in fifth place—beating the likes of Isabel Marant and Prada footwear. The avant-garde has always occupied an invaluable place in the world of fashion, but never before has a single item managed to make a truly disruptive purchase so sought-after.