As people age, the demands of society cause the loss of some of the finer parts of childhood; case and point: going barefoot. In order to reclaim this lost joy, Vibram, the company that makes all of the soles for shoe company Merrell, has invented the next big thing in outdoor sports — The FiveFingers.

To escape from the drudgery of adulthood and shoes, Vibram has created two principle models of The FiveFingers — the Classic and the Sprint.

Each model offers the same signature barefoot feel with a polyamide fabric and a TC-1 performance rubber sole. The differences between the two primarily lie in how the shoes are secured to your feet.

The Classic offers an adjustable elastic cord which runs around the top of the shoe and can be tightened at the heel. Although they compromise nearly all of the comfort, the cord does manage to hold the “shoe” on your foot.

The Sprint offers an adjustable strap, which provides a snugger more secure and comfortable ride. This added security makes the Sprint better equipped for a wide range of intense activities, yet compromises the aesthetic appeal of the shoe.

According to the Vibram Web site, the Classic is ideal for “bouldering, running, fitness training, martial arts, yoga, Pilates and travel.” On the other hand, the Sprint is best suited for “light trekking, climbing, canyoneering, running, fitness training, martial arts, yoga, Pilates, sailing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, flats fishing and travel.”

As a barefoot enthusiast, I found that the Vibram FiveFingers were the perfect alternative for the less-than-adequate mobility of sandals as well as the restrictiveness of traditional shoes.

They provided protection against the dangers of broken glass while preserving the exhilarating experience of going barefoot.

Through my personal use of both the Classic, which set me back $70, and the Sprint -$80, the additional $10 required to upgrade to the Sprint is a worthy investment and reduces the amount of slippage and blistering of the Classic.

If you are one who despises the restricting feel of shoes, then the FiveFingers might just be the perfect solution to all your problems.

I encourage each of you to regain contact with your inner child and experience life on the wild side: barefoot, but not.