Famous inventor of the barefoot shoes dies in a tragic mountain accident

Famous inventor of the barefoot shoes dies in a tragic mountain accident

The South Tyrolean Robert Fliri, known as the inventor of the popular barefoot shoes "Five Fingers", tragically died in a mountain accident on Wednesday. It fell from a height of around 3,400 meters on the northern Schwemser tip in the Ötztal Alps and fell about 300 meters. The 48-year-old suffered so serious injuries that he died immediately, reported OE24 .

Fliri, who came from Naturns in Vinschgau, was a passionate mountain athlete and described himself as the “child of the mountains”. He had already developed his idea for the "Five Fingers" shoes in 1999 to create a feeling of walking barefoot, combined with the necessary protection against injuries. This invention was chosen in 2007 by the "Time" magazine for the "invention of the year" and has experienced worldwide success since then. When fliri lost and crashed on a steep grate, other mountain athletes were nearby and immediately alerted the rescue workers, reported Bild .

The rescue work was difficult because there was a strong wind and the area was very rocky when the rescuers abseiled out of a helicopter. Fliri not only leaves a significant invention, but also a life story that is shaped by his close contact to nature and brought many people closer to walking barefoot.