I would normally be suspicious of something that keeps cropping up like this (ref. PG's "The Submarine"). However, sometimes something comes up because the trut

I would normally be suspicious of something that keeps cropping up like this (ref. PG's "The Submarine"). However, sometimes something comes up because the truth will out. I think the "discovery" of these shoes being American is not an accident. Other markets are too small, and the USA probably has the biggest contingent of foot-damaged runners in the world. Although I live in Italy, Vibram keeps its Five Fingers shoes out of the market (they are available in Germany, even though Vibram is an Italian company). Part of the reason is, people already prefer flat-soled shoes here. Nike style sneakers are almost non-existent. Some alternatives to VFF: Closer to home for you, perhaps, is the Feelmax Planka, and the UK has Vivo Barefoots which may be a bit overpriced. I don't suppose thin soles will perform well in a cold environment though! As for me, all through summer I wore what in a different age would be called "canvas plimsolls", and I am now dreading having to wear winter boots. If someone could make a waterproof canvas hi-top, I'd rest easy. So yes, I do think these articles are coming out because people experience the sheer joy of wearing minimalist shoes (perhaps explainable by the sensory organ density of the foot?). These are almost identical to the shoes I wore. http://www.seejackshop.com/images/uploads/ASOS-plimsolls.jpg http://www.seejackshop.com/images/uploads/ASOS-plimsolls.jpg