Double Tap to Zoom

TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist has released a toe-curling new collaboration in partnership with VibramFiveFingers and Suicoke that, quite honestly, makes me feel a little queasy.

Now, I’m no podophobic (someone who has a fear of feet and/or toes), but five fingered shoes in general have never sat right with me. Take these terrifying toenail shoes, for instance. Or those ghastly wet suit creps.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

For me, I think it’s the way each individual toe wriggles when inside its respective compartment. Or perhaps the fumbling art of actually getting them onto your feet. Truth be told, I’m a firm believer that your toes should be virtually one solid square block and not individually separated and stretched between differing levels of fabric. Let's leave the separation to the gloves, shall we?

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Nevertheless, the toe-heavy two-piece capsule — which officially dropped on September 23 — comprises two takes of Suicoke’s popular NIN-SABO silhouette that have been rejigged through the lens of Takahiro Miyashita’s eponymous Japanese label.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Coming equipped with monk straps and a super-grippy Vibram MEGAGRIP sole underfoot, the end result is a peculiar sort of Boston Birkenstock meets deep sea diving aesthetic.

Sure, both colorways will likely go down well with the gorp heads (they love anything slightly out of the ordinary), but for me and the 12 percent of Americans that suffer with podophobia (according to the world wide web) they won’t be coming anywhere near us. Period.

We Recommend
  • Why Is a Sandal Company Making Leather Tabi Surf Boots?
  • Sandals? No, It Makes Everything
  • The World's Most Controversial Shoe Finally Got Its Toe in the Door
  • The Perfect Shoe Is So Soft It Becomes a Slipper
What To Read Next
  • New Balance's Smooth Leather Loafer Is Business in the Front & the Back
  • These Vans Conceal a California-to-Tokyo Connection
  • adidas' Fine Leather Samba Mary Jane Is the Cream of the Crop
  • adidas’ Slimmed-Out Sneaker Is Proudly Reptilian
  • Converse’s Wonderfully Beefy Leather Sandal Doesn't Just Eat — It Chews
  • This Is Nike’s Luxe Street Sneaker of the Future