Almost guaranteed to be counterfeit:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/counterfeits/how-to-spot-a-fake.html

@danielsan05: Actually, they appear to be legit based on the photos. They may not be selling them legally, but if the pictures are accurate, those are a discontinued color for that model. In fact, that color was discontinued some time ago. That was also about the time that Vibram caught up with supply for the demand and added quite a few more re-sellers including some major chains like REI. Tanga has also been around for some time with good results from woot buyers if I'm not mistaken. I'd take the chance at this price (as they are great shoes), especially since you can always come back on Tanga if they turn out to be counterfeit.

Could you call this a five-finger discount?

@foosnark: I've been curious about the leather ones. Can you give a longer review of them?

@moondrake: I don't live in a dessert climate, but I know from experience that they can get hot on pavement especially but also on concrete. That hasn't stopped me, it just influences where I stay standing for longer periods.

As to the feet, the toe separation should indeed help and because of the nature of the design, they will stretch and conform quite a bit. There isn't arch support so much as arch training. These help your foot and calf muscles strengthen and allows you foot to perform in its intended shape. It will take some time for these changes to occur (just as it has taken time for other footwear to cause problems). This assumes that you are wearing these regularly. Going barefoot as much as possible when you aren't wearing these should help as well.

@moondrake: I have a severe case of plantar fascitis which has taken almost 2 years to resolve. I, too, am interested in arch support. I can only assume that there would be nothing to stop over/under pronation. There look intriguing, but will pass I guess

The deal is sold out, but these are interesting footwear. They attempt to mimic natural foot movement without going barefoot (which isn't a great idea, for several reasons). I have a fancier pair that I picked up several months ago, I wear them 3 days a week when I do resistance traning then some time on the elliptical.

They took a little bit to get used to, but after that I decided I liked them. My plantar faschiitis (which had been acting up in one foot) is much better, I don't know how much that had to do with it. These will train the musles in your leg to supoort your foot, and slightly alter your walking stride to avoid more severe heel strikes. I like them: I'm not a fanatic and I don't run in them, but for light use they are kind of nice.

@thepenrod, @wilfbrim, @klizitshoper: All very interesting information. I went and looked up plantar's fascitis and it's different from what I have. basically, the knuckle bone belonging to my pinky toe has rolled inward 90 degrees, torsioning the fine bone that runs the length of the foot. My podiatrist showed me the x-ray, which was interesting to see. There's no swelling, but because the bone is improperly positioned, it juts out at the pinky knuckle, and there's not much padding under that knuckle. I found out the hard way when I tried zumba in deck shoes that demanding footwork without arch supports yields major pain and cramping in my feet. Maybe I could try these vibram shoes with tucked in arch supports. Or maybe just wear them around the house, where I'd prefer to go barefoot but the dry climate makes my feet crack. I've missed this sale but maybe the next one. Thanks for all the answers!