*Stares out the window*
Perhaps they're for the snow?

Just trying to make sense of that weird shape. WHY!?!

The new aldens are best of the bunch and would look good when worn in a bit, like in the original link, but the yuketan version look too cartoon, which I put down to the light sole unit, it draws too much attention and sits uncomfortably with the colour of the shoe and the ripple unit.

I'd probably go for a commando sole on a smart shoe, the dainite aren't worth shit in this weather, but i'd get a ridge vibram on a outdoor shoe or boot, not a smart split-toe. But they obviously served a purpose somewhere, maybe for those Chicago winters?

I think if the split toes had slightly smaller ripples on the sole they would look really good. Grey, brown or olive herringbone tweed suit, nice blue Chambray button down, wool knit tie and a pair of those would work well IMO. Rugged Ivy.

Guy on the left has a tree stump wedged in his arse.

Cheers lads.

Actually I'm amazed how I remembered every detail of what was going on in that picture but weirdly in my minds eye I had them all looking the other way. The whole image flipped really. And I seem to have blocked out the stump in the arse bit. Too traumatic probably.

Bit of info on the origins.
http://blog.needsupply.com/2012/05/23/ripple-soles/

Sounds like the chap in the blog got his off vibram - is that possible, sorry not had time to look through the whole site.

Wonder if it's worth doing this with some older shoes too, guess they need to be a decent shoe to start with, just a though.