Vibram Five Fingers

[#8]

I noticed these being mentioned in a few different threads. Who on here owns these and how would you rate them?

Im not talking about working out specifically, I mean just walking around regular daily use.

Thanks nukkas.

[steve_d]

there are many different kinds. I have the KSOs. they are comfy for every day walking, but be prepared to have some strange looks. People think I am nuts no matter where I am wearing them.

[Memo]

Those look cool, i just ordered a pair.

[Aaron_37]

As if they only make them up to a 48! :( I'm far closer to 58.

[steve_d]

holy...the reason I ordered them online is because the stores only carry the larger sizes. I am a 38...My feet are exactly 9.75 inches long. a 48 works for 12" feet.

[Big D]

Big nate has a pair I think, and hes a tall guy so he must have big feet.
pm him maybe he can help you out

[Aaron_37]

Yeah, I'm mid-to-high 13 inches unfortunately. I know Nate reads on here a lot, so I'll let him chime in.

[Forever]

I got a pair of KSO's about a month ago for gym shoes because I like to squat and deadlift barefoot and can't at my gym. Since then I have worn them in pretty much every way possible.

Overview
They are well designed and feel like they would last a long time under normal use. A bit tricky to put on your feet, but once you get the hang of it, it goes quicker. The material used on the upper part of the shoe breathes well, the day I got them I was driving home wearing them and the foot AC in the car was blowing right through them and freezing my feet lol. My only complaint would be that after a few hours of use the bottom of my feet sweat a bit and get that clammy no sock feeling. Its no where near as bad as say a pair of sneakers, but I HATE that feeling and despise wearing shoes without socks because of it.

General wearing around.
Whether walking around downtown or grocery shopping at walmart, they feel good to just walk around in. The soles are thin and flexible enough that you get tactile feedback from the ground, feeling not just little grooves and bumps, but even the heat or cold depending on the surface. But they are thick enough that I would feel safe walking on most sharp debris I would walk on in shoes, and it insulates from temperatures enough your feet won't burn on asphalt. A crowded store full of shopping carts will instill the fear of god in you though, and after getting your toe run over once you will quickly learn something about spacial awareness for your feet. Oh and you will quickly be surprised at how many people look at your feet. I always get a chuckle when I notice someone just standing there staring at my feet.

Lifting, Squats/deads.
I have lifted in everything from running shoes and chuck taylor style thin flat soled shoes, to wooden soled Olympic lifting shoes and bare feet. Bare feet was by far my favorite and the main reason I sparked interest in the vibrams. For squats and deads I would put them somewhere between a flat soled shoe like chuck taylors, and bare feet. Your feet can't spread out quite the same as being truly barefeet, but its close. Also you don't get the same looks in the gym, I guess gym people are more accustomed to seeing other people doing shit they don't understand.

Running.
I'm not a runner, I'm a lifter. I do cardio (usually HIIT) for the purpose of making breathing through a set of deadlifts easier and nothing else.
That said, I know a lot of people use these shoes for running so I decided to try it out. I a couple weeks running for 5 minutes on the treadmill to ease my feet into the different style and it hurt. A lot. My calves hurt like my quads did the first time I squatted. It went away after about a week and I have been running 10 minutes a day 3 days a week since. Feels great. Nothing like running in normal shoes, completely different cadence, stride and footfall. It feels much more natural and I liked the idea of strengthening the muscles connective tissue and all the little bones in my feet so I am now a 30 minute per week runner in these shoes.

At the library.
Yea I wore them to the library to study. I found this was the only place I hated wearing them. While I was just sitting there I suddenly became aware of the clammy no sock feeling on my feet. I became fixated on this feeling and could not concentrate on anything else, it nearly drove me mad. Once I started walking again I was fine, but I find them uncomfortable to wear when just sitting. Regular shoes and socks to the library or any other situation I know I will just be sitting for extended periods for me.

[#8]

^^ Thanks dude. Wicked helpful post.

Do they get the smell that shoes get when you wear them without socks at all?

[natenator]

I love mine. Takes a bit to get used to but feel great once your feet and body adjusts

[Forever]

^^ Thanks dude. Wicked helpful post.

Do they get the smell that shoes get when you wear them without socks at all?
They have some microbial shit or something in them that's supposed to help, but after a while they do need to be washed. I have had mine for about a month, probably wore them ~40 hours and washed them once so far. On the plus side, they are machine washable and while they are not dryer safe, they air dry in a a short time on their own.

I have read a couple reviews from long distance runners who claim that after a while they do get a scent that's hard to get rid of, but I'm not sure if this is just an issue for people who spend a lot of time in them running outside or not.

[fathead]

apparently there is a company in san diego that makes 5 toed socks made to be worn with these... according to a weirdo at my gym who wears them and squirms like an animal moving immense weight on machines only

[Memo]

a squirmer.. there is one a those at my gym..

[cog]

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing those.

[Forever]

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing those.

Aesthetically it seems to be a split between this opinion and people who don't mind being different. As for absolute look's, they don't look any weirder then a pair of nike shoks IMO, people just aren't used to seeing these. My mom and girlfriend are both members of the "wouldn't be caught dead in those" group and my girlfriend rips on me all the time when I wear them out lol.

[4031]

apparently there is a company in san diego that makes 5 toed socks made to be worn with these... according to a weirdo at my gym who wears them and squirms like an animal moving immense weight on machines only

lol, theres one of those guys in every gym!

[yooN]

My Nike Free cross trainers are almost dead. Had these since they came out but want something lower to the ground and less of a floaty feeling while working out.
I'm wondering which version of the Five Fingers I should get.

Wondering between TrekSport and KSO...
Anyone try the TrekSport?

[Forever]

Wondering between TrekSport and KSO...
Anyone try the TrekSport?
KSO's have a 2mm insole and 3.5mm rubber sole while the treksport has 4mm insole and 4mm rubber sole. Not a huge difference, but when your looking for a minimalist shoe the difference is there.

If your going to be using them on rough terrain at all and your concerned about discomfort from pointy things pressure pointing your feet the treksports might be a good option for you.

If your primarily going to be wearing them inside a gym or around the city where everything is fairly level, or if you want a better foot to ground feet, I would go with the KSO's. The thin soles really get you close to the ground and offer good foot flexibility and ground feedback.

To be honest if you think the treksports just look cooler and have your heart set on them I'm sure you would do just fine with them around town or in the gym as well.

FYI: I haven't tried the treksports, just offering an outside objective opinion.

[morty]

I wonder if they make them for extra wide hobbit feet. They look very comfy but I'm sure they wouldn't make a pair to fit me

[yooN]

Well I just ordered a pair of Black KSO's in 43 from the online store.
Called all of the authorized dealers in Southern Ontario and they didn't have any.
Apparently these are selling fast and Vibram can't keep up with the demand.