Ever since I purchased my Vibram FiveFingers back in April, I have very rarely worn close-toed shoes.

The only time I subject myself to feet torture is when I decide to wear vanity heels. Otherwise, I’m usually in sandals, Vibrams or barefoot. Occasionally, I’ll wear my Chucks at the gym because they do not allow me to lift in FiveFingers.

Aside from those options, however, I don’t have many close-toed shoes. Ever since becoming a minimalist runner, I have not purchased any flat close-toed shoes. I just haven’t felt the need to.

Unfortunately, it’s raining today.

I really did not want to wear sandals in the rain, because the last time I tried, I ended up with cold, wet feet during class. Today, I’m wearing my faux Uggs. They’re super comfortable, but not completely durable in the rain. What to do?

As a Californian, I’ve never truly experienced rain. I didn’t own an umbrella until I moved out to DC.

Rain boots? Never heard of such things.

When it rains in California, we normally just brace ourselves and run, or hide in our cars, or skip class. It’s not a usual enough occurrence where I have to be weary.

In Washington, DC however, rain comes and goes whenever it pleases.

I’ve finally invested in a pair of rain boots, but they have not arrived in the mail. I’m contemplating investing in other close-toed shoes as well, but seriously, nothing is as comfortable as Vibrams. Most shoes, compared to barefoot or Vibram FiveFingers, seem heavy and clunky.

I never realized how constricted my feet feel when they are in shoes. Going minimalist gives me a sense of freedom and liberation, as if I have an additional bounce in my step, something that I lose when I switch back to shoes.

I could wear Vibrams in the rain, but they do get wet as well, although they do dry extremely quickly. Since I get cold easily, I particularly favor keeping my Panda feet nice, dry and warm when it rains. Wet, soggy, and cold is not my idea of fun.

As much as I love my Vibrams, I still have to factor in my every day life, including triumphing over the rain.

So I am asking for your help. I need your practical advice for bracing the weather.

What type of shoes do you wear in the rain?

If you are a minimalist runner, how do you adjust for the weather?