In the Pits: Closed Toe Shoes

[EMHS2773]

So this past weekend I was walking in Vibram FiveFingers shoes around Sea World. These shoes are great for walking in as they are very minimalistic, yet still provide heel protection. Next weekend we're attending the Lone Star Regional in Houston, Texas. As team driver, these shoes would be great for going between the Pit Area and the Field, but my question is, are they considered Closed Toed Shoes? FRC Rules State: When engaged in FIRST activities, all FRC participants must wear shoes that completely cover the entire food. Shoes must have closed-toes and heels to protect against foot injuries, regardless of work location. So, FiveFingers: Shoes, or Sandals?

TJ

[JosephC]

I saw a few people wearing them in the pits at Northville.

[Cory]

We do not allow them in our lab.

I know this does not directly answer your question,but we do not consider them as being safe enough.

[tim-tim]

Yes, while these are technically "closed-toe shoes" I would be very cautious of wearing them. It is much less material to protect you than from normal shoes or boots.

Treat this as a typical safety item: You only have a finite number of toes/feet, protect them the best way possible.

[EricH]

I'm with tim-tim. They just don't seem that they'd have enough protection. However, I'm not a safety advisor.

If I were you, I'd bring along an extra pair of "normal" shoes. Talk to the safety judges (green polos) at some point early Thursday. If they say that those are closed-toe shoes, you're good. If they say that they aren't, go to the stands, put on your other pair of shoes, and return to the pits.

[TD78]

Seems like you can ask yourself this simple question: would you be comfortable wearing them if something fell on your foot or a shard wedged in between your toes? I don't think you need to wear steel toed shoes to competitions, but regular sneakers offer much more protection than shoes like the five-fingers.

[Joe Ross]

I would not wear them at a competition event. However (for better or for worse), they have been declared ok to wear.

Q. A question on the no open toe shoe rule - Vibram Fivefingers do not have "open" toes and are completely covered as well as closed heels. Are they classified in the open toe category? We have 2 students and 1 mentor that were them all the time. FRC4055 2012-02-23
A. Hello Team: Thank you for writing. Vibram Fivefingers are okay to wear at your team's Competition Event. Thank you, FRC Team Support

[DampRobot]

I've wondered this myself many times. However, the potential embarrassment of being thrown out of the pits/shop due to wearing them led to me never attempting to bring them to robotics.

[Alan Anderson]

I talked to someone at the Hawaii Regional about his FiveFingers. My main comment was "I'm glad I don't have the responsibility of deciding whether they're okay to wear in the pit area." He did have a pair of standard shoes ready in case they were disallowed.

[DonRotolo]

Meh, you've got ten toes, it's OK to lose a couple.

No, seriously: while technically closed-toed, I'd prefer to see better toe protection than what those offer. Think of a 3 pound aluminum bar falling end-on to your toes, what would you rather have stopping it?

[Koko Ed]

They're safer than flip flops and sandals and FIRST has been shockingly lenient about those in the pits this year so until FIRST makes an official ruling I say why not.

[ChristopherSD]

Test how safe they are by stepping on a Lego...

...at night.

[Jack Jones]

Originally Posted by ChristopherSD

Test how safe they are by stepping on a Lego...

...at night.

Those nocturnal Legos are the worst kind.

[its da PAT!!!]

I wore fivefingers at champs last year. I had some safety people asked me about them, but I wasn't told I couldn't wear them. This year I saw a couple of people at BMR wearing them.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by its da PAT!!!

I wore fivefingers at champs last year. I had some safety people asked me about them, but I wasn't told I couldn't wear them. This year I saw a couple of people at BMR wearing them.

I have seen other people om drive teams wear them to the field before as well.