throw away your boots and socks

Seems to me that walking around in Vibram Fivefingers (akin to barefoot) would actually strengthen your arches whether naturally high, flat, or in between. Not to mention improving your balance.

My 12-month old son has worn leather soled Robeez shoes (think mocassins) since he was 3-months old. At 12-months he is literally running around. He has perfect running form – always on the balls of his feet. We recently got him a pair of regular-soled athletic shoes for when it's dirty or wet outside, and while he does fine in them now, he clompted around in them like he had boards strapped to his feet at first.

Is this purely anecdotal? Yes.
Is this applicable to adults? Probably with conditioning.
Is this something I am looking forward to trying (fivefingers)? Yes.
Is this something I'll wear hiking/backpacking? Only time will tell.

Well I'm warming up to these things, maybe there is a yardstick for how long it takes compared to how long it's been since you've gone barefoot.
That's cool about your son, one of the premises of Alexander Technique [a system for performers and injury recovery/workplace function] is that children start out with perfect posture using the least stressful motions and slowly get "changed" by school, parents, etc.
so it looks like you are very aware of his movement/balance. Good work.

Might not these cause blisters on the sides of one's toes?

The soles don't look too sturdy or grippy.

Eric

Good luck with your new five toes.
When going from foowear with more support to footware with less support always start small with the distance and build up. This gives your structures a chance to strengthen and adapt. Sure the ligaments stretch and the muscles relax from disuse, but it's also your whole posture which effects what is happening to the foot structures, arch height etc.
I'm interested to see how you go with this footware.
I liked the comment about leaving big-foot prints everywhere – tell me do these shoes come in a brown fur covered version with fake toenails? When they do I want some :-)