Two weeks ago a light and small package from
fitnessfootwear.com landed on my doorstep. In it I found a pair of Vibram Five Fingers KSO in Ninja Black (what else?!), Size 41, weight 300 grams for the pair. Since then a new relationship has started, and wearing any other shoes is something I don't look forward to.
Chillin at the lake. And yes, you can swim in them!
The first time I read about Vibram Five Fingers "shoes" was on the
Red Yeti's blog, and earlier this year
LAUFBURSCHE and
Ultra Knilch went for a hike and run with them. All of them were of the highest words about them, and so I decided to get a pair.
I was thinking a bit about which VFFs to get - the Bikilas looked tempting, but as they weren't yet available I went for the KSOs. The strap around the top of the foot for some extra support is useful, and the abrasion-resistant stretch nylon/ mesh upper is warm when wet wet yet airy, so no overheating. The problem with the mesh is that it lets a bit of tiny sand through, and worse, allows mosquitos to bite you.
Perfect grip on rocks, wood, mud, forest floor, moss and anything in between...
... thanks to the super grippy Vibram sole.
So, how is it walking "barefoot"? I love it. As I said above, after wearing my VFFs it is difficult to put other shoes on. My gait in the VFFs is more natural, I love the "massaging" effect of them - no worries, you're not getting hurt when walking over sharp stones, gravel, glass or similar sharp objects which usally would feel painful when walking barefoot. My partner tried them on last Sunday, and came home with a smile on her face and told me that it was the first time she felt she'd like to go for a run, and decided to get a pair herself!
Feels so soft and great, walking on moss!
During the IWG Forest week I wore the VFF KSOs for the first time, a whole day straight, including offtrail navigating through dense forests, bogs, clearings, up and down hills with small climbing passages, and never did I feel scared to hurt myself, twist my ankle or similar. The perfect sole protects your foot so well that I didn't even bother looking where I walked. Last week I was wearing them when we went to search mushrooms, and this week - BCU Canoe and Kayak week - I will wear them every day as they're perfect for that. Even hiking with a good 10 kg on my back they were perfect, I didn't worry I might injure myself - which I think is the biggest worry people might have.
That worry comes from the brainwashing Meindl, HanWag & Co. are sending out (of needing boots to protect your ankles, etc.) and after decades of brainwashing the idea that hiking = hiking boots is firmly in the minds of the majority of hikers. But with the VFFs your feet are moving the way evolution intended them to, your five toes give the best grip - better than any sole ever will (that includes, I am afraid, the Inov-8 Roclite sole). Your gait is natural and you strike ball first, instead of heel first - the latter sends a shockwave through your joints and spine and is very unhealthy.
Well, what is the conclusion? I will continue to use my Inov-8s, yes, but my number one go to footwear till the snow is here will be my VFF KSOs. They feel just to comfortable, natural, healthy, relaxing and good to miss an opportunity to use them. On the coming Russia expedition we apparently are "required" to take Wellies to cross bogs and rivers - I will take my KSOs at a fraction of the weight and triple the comfort. After all, wet feet should be embraced instead of feared. In my opinion they are perfect for the lightweight and UL backpacker, as with our small loads and our open minds we are ready to take the next step of going barefoot! Finally, I'll follow this first look up with a long-time review after I walked few more hikes and trips with them, but so far I haven't been that excited to put my shoes on since I learned to tie my laces!
Buy a pair at:
Vibram FiveFingers KSO at Bergfreunde.de
Vibram FiveFingers KSO
at REI
Or visit
Vibram Five Fingers UK stockist FitnessFootwear.com and choose another pair for your needs.
Two weeks ago a light and small package from
fitnessfootwear.com landed on my doorstep. In it I found a pair of Vibram Five Fingers KSO in Ninja Black (what else?!), Size 41, weight 300 grams for the pair. Since then a new relationship has started, and wearing any other shoes is something I don't look forward to.
Chillin at the lake. And yes, you can swim in them!
The first time I read about Vibram Five Fingers "shoes" was on the
Red Yeti's blog, and earlier this year
LAUFBURSCHE and
Ultra Knilch went for a hike and run with them. All of them were of the highest words about them, and so I decided to get a pair.
I was thinking a bit about which VFFs to get - the Bikilas looked tempting, but as they weren't yet available I went for the KSOs. The strap around the top of the foot for some extra support is useful, and the abrasion-resistant stretch nylon/ mesh upper is warm when wet wet yet airy, so no overheating. The problem with the mesh is that it lets a bit of tiny sand through, and worse, allows mosquitos to bite you.
Perfect grip on rocks, wood, mud, forest floor, moss and anything in between...
... thanks to the super grippy Vibram sole.
So, how is it walking "barefoot"? I love it. As I said above, after wearing my VFFs it is difficult to put other shoes on. My gait in the VFFs is more natural, I love the "massaging" effect of them - no worries, you're not getting hurt when walking over sharp stones, gravel, glass or similar sharp objects which usally would feel painful when walking barefoot. My partner tried them on last Sunday, and came home with a smile on her face and told me that it was the first time she felt she'd like to go for a run, and decided to get a pair herself!
Feels so soft and great, walking on moss!
During the IWG Forest week I wore the VFF KSOs for the first time, a whole day straight, including offtrail navigating through dense forests, bogs, clearings, up and down hills with small climbing passages, and never did I feel scared to hurt myself, twist my ankle or similar. The perfect sole protects your foot so well that I didn't even bother looking where I walked. Last week I was wearing them when we went to search mushrooms, and this week - BCU Canoe and Kayak week - I will wear them every day as they're perfect for that. Even hiking with a good 10 kg on my back they were perfect, I didn't worry I might injure myself - which I think is the biggest worry people might have.
That worry comes from the brainwashing Meindl, HanWag & Co. are sending out (of needing boots to protect your ankles, etc.) and after decades of brainwashing the idea that hiking = hiking boots is firmly in the minds of the majority of hikers. But with the VFFs your feet are moving the way evolution intended them to, your five toes give the best grip - better than any sole ever will (that includes, I am afraid, the Inov-8 Roclite sole). Your gait is natural and you strike ball first, instead of heel first - the latter sends a shockwave through your joints and spine and is very unhealthy.
Well, what is the conclusion? I will continue to use my Inov-8s, yes, but my number one go to footwear till the snow is here will be my VFF KSOs. They feel just to comfortable, natural, healthy, relaxing and good to miss an opportunity to use them. On the coming Russia expedition we apparently are "required" to take Wellies to cross bogs and rivers - I will take my KSOs at a fraction of the weight and triple the comfort. After all, wet feet should be embraced instead of feared. In my opinion they are perfect for the lightweight and UL backpacker, as with our small loads and our open minds we are ready to take the next step of going barefoot! Finally, I'll follow this first look up with a long-time review after I walked few more hikes and trips with them, but so far I haven't been that excited to put my shoes on since I learned to tie my laces!
Buy a pair at:
Vibram FiveFingers KSO at Bergfreunde.de
Vibram FiveFingers KSOat REI
Or visit
Vibram Five Fingers UK stockist FitnessFootwear.com and choose another pair for your needs.
Vibram Five Fingers KSO First Look
I couldn't agree with you more. I think you made the right choice, the KSO is by far my favorite model, I like it much better than the Bikila. The only other model that might be interesting to try is the TREKSPORT which combines the upper of the KSO with the lugged sole of the TREK. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGreat for white water kayaking and portaging. Would love to give them a go trail hiking but not sure about using them in hills...?
ReplyDeleteOk, sounds all good. Except. The only reservation I have is neopren as material. Dries up very slowly, and, phui...that smell! Sweaty feet + neopren = "interesting buqouet indeed"! Hendrik, have you tried them long enough to smell if my reservation is false or not?
ReplyDeleteMaz: My experience is that they are GREAT for hiking and backpacking, but require time to build up foot strength, especially if you are doing longer distances.
ReplyDeleteLitekayaker: They aren't really neoprene, they dry pretty quick. The best solution to deal with the smell is to buy them slightly big and pair them with light-weight Injinji Merino wool socks. The socks also prevent blisters too.
Litekayaker, I corrected the neopren bit, it is actually some Sort of stretch nylon - because it keeps warm when wet and feels/looks like neopren, I thought it was that, which was wrong. They do not dry fast, but the smell ain't too bad - I might be better to judge that at the end of this week.
ReplyDeleteMaz, go give them a try-out in the hills, I am sure it is just a mental thing that needs to be overcome. Laufbursche used them in the hills in Germany and possibly in the Alps, so I am sure you're fine in the UK hills.
ADVENTUREinPROGRESS, thanks for the comment and the affirmative for the decision for the KSOs! Will have a look at the Treksport as a second pair...
dude,
ReplyDeletei totally want to hear about stomping russian bogs and swamps in these.
pictures please.
ordered a pair, couldn't resist. and, can't discount the babe factor, elvis would have worn them, and, written a song about them!
As tempted as I am, I'm not 100% convinced they would be good for me.
ReplyDeleteReason being, I have to use orthopedic inlays if I walk any longer stretches, or else my knees are extremely unhappy with me and start hurting.
This is coming from sports related injuries and subsequent surgery.
And still, it's very tempting indeed...
/ Karl
Nice write up, and cool pics (esp. the first one)! I have debated getting some of these for about the last year, however every time I get some money saved I always go for something else... Eventually I will get around to getting some though.
ReplyDeleteThis is what worries me about VFF:
ReplyDeletehttp://drw.me.uk/RedYeti/2010/01/23/gr5-five-fingers-collapsing-arches-and-leg-injuries/
That being said, lots of people rave about them. Do they walk 50km a day? Jury is still out for me.
harttj: Injuries will happen if you don't take things slow. Wearing shoes for your whole life, then trying to use FiveFingers for a long trek has the potential for problems.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Hendrik.
ReplyDeleteOn my last hike in the Virihaure area I used another version of "barefoot shoe"; the Terra Plana Ewo for parts of the hike. No problem with 16 kilos on my back initially. I will write an article about this soon.
Regarding being "required" to bring wellies you can always bring them. Considering it is 5 times more energy consuming to carry a weight on your feet than on your back you can always keep them in your pack the whole trip :-)
So... the elf of the Nordic Lightpacking fellowship is actually a hobbit? :)
ReplyDeleteI'm using the same couple of Terraplana EVO as Jörgen, and I am definitely becoming a fan of sports moccasins, or footgloves, or what you want to call them, even for everyday use.
Haven't tried them with load, though.
Nice to see that you find still time to keep up the blog!
ReplyDeleteInteresting - but I am not quite convinced yet. I have been occasionally using Feelmax "barefoot" footwear but I still concider good trail runners far more superior option for hiking than "barefoot footwear".
The reasons include that I am a heavy guy and my pack is only light - not UL - and with weeks worth of food for a big guy the combination tends to weight so much that nasty rocky terrain feels a bit uncomfortable even trough trail runners soles. And I have even managed to tear trail runners while running in forests and if something similar would happen while using VFFs my foot would be busted. And when in need for best grip: metal studs! ;)
Other reason would be my newly found need to use orthopedic insoles which feel quite comfortable and according to the medical experts should keep my feet and legs in good condition for longer time than not using them. BTW I would not recommend usual custom supportive insoles that are sold in sports stores (Foot balance, etc.) I have managed to walk them flat in no time and in addition they dont support the mid section of the foot that might be needed, and the guys sellign them usually don't know about that. Instead go for a pro and ask advice if needed.
But the Feelmax are great for canoeing and kayaking and also for occasional river crossings in near-winter/winter when you don't want to get your walking footwear soaked. So I might try VFFs when my Feelmax are worn out (which seems to happen a bit too quickly in my opinion but I've been using some Liquidsole to patch them up.)
I've wanted a pair of these for over a year, when I first saw Tim Ferris (4 Hour Work Week) wearing them but as others have mentioned I also use custom insoles. My knees hurt otherwise but still fancy giving these a go.
ReplyDeleteI read earlier in the year of a guy walking in the alps who used them. He liked them but could only walk short distances until his feet got used to them.
I believe Inov-8 are bringing out something similar next year.
The whole idea behind these, or any other minimalist shoe, is that they are an alternative to wearing special insoles. Granted it takes time to build up your strength to get to that point, but once you do, in many cases you should be able to eliminate insoles all together. I have experienced this myself, and is thus why I write about it so much on my blog.
ReplyDeleteYea! I love my fivefingers. I run 5-10km in them pretty much every day, and I've done a couple of climbs in them too. They've acquired one or two small holes in the upper, nothing major, and the sole is way tougher than I originally suspected. Maz, these things totally stand up in the hills.
ReplyDeleteHendrik - I saw these a couple years ago in TGO - there was a review on them . Look pretty wacky, but I sure that once you got use to them, they might be quite a liberating experience.
ReplyDeleteMark
Hi, Hendrik.
ReplyDeleteHow about wide feet - really wide. I've just discovered Brasher AT20 for work which are 20% wider than normal and pretty much wide enough for my feet. This is the first time I've found anything resembling a last for my feet. Are the VFF KSO another example of footwear for the 50th percentile or do they come in width fittings?
I'm in agreement with Lightening Up... I like the idea of these, but having just got back from hiking 50km on an extremely rocky, uneven and overgrown trail my feet are bruised and sore - and that was in trail runners. There were times when sharp rocks nearly poked through the inov-8 soles. I'd hesitate to take the five fingers on tough terrain.
ReplyDeleteHowever... I'm willing to challenge my beliefs!
I just bought VFFs last two weeks ago. I was using them on during running and brisk walking and the feeling was a little bit unpleasant. My foot got sore the next day but it went all afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if this is true but one of the sales lady at the store where I bought mine, VFF KSO, said that VFF Speed or VFF KSO Treskport is recommended for running or climbing instead of KSO because the sole is much thicker and tear resistant.
Here's a link from trek http://bit.ly/annkZc and
speed http://bit.ly/dfN1BW
Anyhow, I still chose KSO because of the looks. It's so awesome.
Woozle did fine on rocks and the like hiking bare foot. That is right bare foot up a big mountain. Note how his feet strike the ground.
ReplyDeletehttp://woozlesbucket.blogspot.com/2010/09/barefoot-hike-up-mount-manzol.html
I think the review is fantastic Hendrik. Wont get a pair but still great write up.
Well i dont have anything vise to say about these,i just heard about your ninja shoes from our common instructor T.A,he really had wondered about those it seems :)
ReplyDeleteCornelius, thanks for the great comment, made me laugh! Hope you enjoy your VFFs and that the babes will go mad about ya ;)
ReplyDeleteKarl, if you'rewilling to trust ADVENTUREinPROGRESS and can spare the 90£, get a pair and give them a try over a couple of days, but start slow. You might find that you don't need the insoles and are fine with the VFFs, or not. I think it is worth the try =)
stick, I had the same problem, wanting a pair since years. I recommend you to get a pair, you'll just think "Why didn't I get them earlier!"
harttj, if you have such problems just start slow, then things might improve. Use common sense - I know you have plenty of it!
Jörgen, don't think I will bother with Wellies at all =) The Ewo looks interesting, though I think the KSO is better suited to hiking (the Trek Sport even better!), but in your look-put article there are some interesting alternatives.
Martin, lets stay with the elf ;)
Lightening up, valid concerns, but as I said above, trying them out slowly, getting used to them and training your foot to walk as it was intended might result in you being able to use these on treks, even with your lightweight load.
Steven, Inov-8 indeed bring out some barefoot shoes next year. If you don't want to wait, get a pair now - it is a great investment and you'll ask yourself later the "Why didn't get them earlier?!" question. Just start slowly with them and get used to them, and then I am sure you'd be fine in a couple of weeks.
Chris, nice to see you comment here, and great input! Doing climbs in them and running daily in them is a great pro for them, and I know you put your gear and yourself to the max.
Mark, they do look strange initially, but after a while you will get used to it. And as Cornelius said, its a babe factor, these shoes ;)
John, I have normal feet so can not comment on very wide feet. You might want to go to a store and try them out, but I don't know if VFF makes a pair for very wide feet :/
Mark, those soles are tough - tougher than Inov-8s in my opinion! They protect your feet very well, and I am running on gravel roads (big, pointy gravel) without problems. Try them slowly, then go longer walks =)
Zachy, I knew about these two but think that the KSOs are fine (the Speed is super odd looking!) for my purposes. I might get a Treksport pair, but for the moment the KSOs do a great job.
Thanks Martin for the informative link - more support of barefoot hiking in the mountains is always good! Thanks for the positive words =)
Perkunas, if Turkka mentions them to other Wilderness Guides they surely must have made an impression (if good or bad, I don't know) on him. We'll have him next week again, with Traditional Wilderness skills. Great teacher, knows so much!
Thank you, Hendrik
ReplyDeleteAre they comfortable for sitting on the fence, because that's where I'm at!
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally believe in minimal footwear. I suffered less problems as soon as I ditched my 'motion control', heavily padded Nike 'mile munchers' for Inov8s and my gait became more natural too. Sure it took a while to adjust as I started re-using tendons and muscles that I had isolated with technology but the benefits are undoubtable. Thinner midsoles, zero pronation control, little or no heel lift and ultra lightweight are all elements of minimal footwear that I subscribe too.
But...
On long, steep, rocky trips in the mountains I want a little more protection for my feet than the VFF offer. My feet can get pretty 'abused' after 3 days on a rocky trail, even in Inov8 330s, so a step towards the VFF for anything other than local trails, is a step too far, for me.
I would love to hear about peoples experiments about VFF's lifespan. When I surfed around for resellers in Finland, the prices seemed to be around 100 euros or more and I've had bad experiences in past about "barefoot" shoes lifespan.
ReplyDeleteIn 2007, I got Feelmax shoes for taiji practise and after I had replace them two times within month, we came to agreement with the store that bottom of those "shoes" simply doesn't survive pressure between heel and sand. During summer, I was trying to find list of current Feelmax resellers, but ended up finding reports about how people have wore them out within one week (in urban environment with pavement on streets, etc.)
I like the look of these shoes, I do already have a pair of huaraches, which is also minimalist footwear so to say. btw I think you shoulds also just try going barefoot as well sometime, you guys are missing out on all the great stuff by shielding your feet from the earth ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat review Hendrik - pleased to know it was my blog that first pointed you at them (there must be other people finding useful products and not telling other people - blogs are great!).
ReplyDeleteAs for the fact that as harttj mentioned, here's a whole blog posting on that (which I was writing anyway as it happens!):
http://drw.me.uk/RedYeti/2010/10/17/fivefingers-are-good-for-your-feet/
I had knee problems. I had custom made insoles. I now have neither. The FiveFingers AND the Terrocs are the reason.
The inov8 Terrocs (and Roclites) are a great starting point to strengthen the feet I think.
Are you going to review the pants soon? What are they?
ReplyDeleteJ
San Diego Ca
J, the pants are the Arc'teryx Palisade pants, Review is coming soon indeed!
ReplyDeleteIts a shame they don't make them more 'normal' looking and thus more marketable by attaching a sort of 'toe-disguiser' or should I say finger-disguiser as they insist in calling themselves five fingers. A sort of thin neoprene cover to hide the separate toe look. Might also make them warmer for winter running, but at the cost of speed of drying etc.
ReplyDeleteIf you want FiveFingers like shoes without toes, then I suggest you look at Altra Adams. Altra is a new company and one of the first shoes they will be releasing is called the Adam. The Adam is essentially the same shoe as the Vibram FiveFingers KSO but without the toes. I have been testing a pair for a couple months now and absolutely love them.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks AdinP,
ReplyDeleteJust had a look, very similar to the Terra plana evo.
I've spent most of my life walking/running in cheapo £5 white plimsolls which are basically the same thing. Never had problems, only injuries I've ever picked up have been from contact sports where something else hurt me.
Plimsolls work especially well when combined with Sealskins. Only I presume the Five fingers dry out quicker.
Thanks AdinP for jumping in, and Anonymous, have a look at www.toesalad.com for more useful information on barefoot footwear!
ReplyDeleteIts a shame they don't make them more 'normal' looking and thus more marketable by attaching a sort of 'toe-disguiser' or should I say finger-disguiser as they insist in calling themselves five fingers. A sort of thin neoprene cover to hide the separate toe look. Might also make them warmer for winter running, but at the cost of speed of drying etc.
ReplyDeleteI've wanted a pair of these for over a year, when I first saw Tim Ferris (4 Hour Work Week) wearing them but as others have mentioned I also use custom insoles. My knees hurt otherwise but still fancy giving these a go.
ReplyDeleteI read earlier in the year of a guy walking in the alps who used them. He liked them but could only walk short distances until his feet got used to them.
I believe Inov-8 are bringing out something similar next year.
Nice to see that you find still time to keep up the blog!
ReplyDeleteInteresting - but I am not quite convinced yet. I have been occasionally using Feelmax "barefoot" footwear but I still concider good trail runners far more superior option for hiking than "barefoot footwear".
The reasons include that I am a heavy guy and my pack is only light - not UL - and with weeks worth of food for a big guy the combination tends to weight so much that nasty rocky terrain feels a bit uncomfortable even trough trail runners soles. And I have even managed to tear trail runners while running in forests and if something similar would happen while using VFFs my foot would be busted. And when in need for best grip: metal studs! ;)
Other reason would be my newly found need to use orthopedic insoles which feel quite comfortable and according to the medical experts should keep my feet and legs in good condition for longer time than not using them. BTW I would not recommend usual custom supportive insoles that are sold in sports stores (Foot balance, etc.) I have managed to walk them flat in no time and in addition they dont support the mid section of the foot that might be needed, and the guys sellign them usually don't know about that. Instead go for a pro and ask advice if needed.
But the Feelmax are great for canoeing and kayaking and also for occasional river crossings in near-winter/winter when you don't want to get your walking footwear soaked. So I might try VFFs when my Feelmax are worn out (which seems to happen a bit too quickly in my opinion but I've been using some Liquidsole to patch them up.)
i like five finger vibrams better ,i think that five finger vibrams makes the toe boxes on their feet nice and wide,and you will see your calves and bare feet in the process of your running which is the best way to train your muscles of feet and legs.Let's go to five finger vibrams to have a pair to have a try. i trust that you will agree with me
ReplyDeleteHi, I venture, saw your article I think we should say something, or not very rude, you say.
ReplyDeleteI am not very good reading ability, but still thank you for sharing, I also like you to learn more.