Courtesy FiveFingers was named the one of the best inventions of 2007 by Time magazine. Now those are props — even if they do look creepy.

The mind-boggling success of Crocs shows people will slap just about anything on their feet.

Well, footwear hits a new aesthetic low with Vibram FiveFingers ($70 to $90, vibramfivefingers.com), very functional but very fugly foot gloves.

FiveFingers paradoxically employ the toe-wiggling freedom of “barefooting” with synthetic protection for your little piggies. That means the% Vibram sole saves your foot from rocks and other treacherous terrain while the toe slots give you coverage and added clinging power for rock climbing and other activities that call for surer footing.

Not to mention unsightly footing. Honestly, even hairy Hobbit feet look pretty next to these creepy things.

Still, Time magazine did name% FiveFingers one of the best inventions of 2007, which doesn't suck. So if you don't mind the stares when you hit the outdoors in your disturbing pair of% FiveFingers, more power to you. At least you can say they're not a bunch of Crocs.

René A. Guzman | 210SA contributor