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Vibram FiveFingers 2011
July 15, 2010, 9:22 am / Categories: Running, Footwear
Vibram’s FiveFingers line of foot-glove shoes has taken off this year like gangbusters. Here below is a preview of the 2011 line, where the company will expand on its road running collection with the Bikila LS model. It has an off-center speed lacing system and a new type of sole.
For fitness, the company will unveil the men’s and women’s KomodoSport. And for — dare we say? — fashion and everyday use, the women’s Jaya and Jaya LR are new entries.
Also, of note: In 2011, Vibram will be launching its first-ever FiveFingers children’s collection. No pics on the kiddie foot-gloves yet.
—Read Gear Junkie’s Vibram FiveFingers review here: http://gearjunkie.com/gear-review-vibram-usa-fivefingers
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People often wear Injinji socks — www.injinji.com
EpicGizmo: Short answer, yes. Long answer, read here: http://gearjunkie.com/gear-review-vibram-usa-fivefingers
On the topic of socks…I have the “sprint” model. I’ve had mine for a couple months now and I’ve really grown to like them. I golf, jog, hang out at the lake and have done a 7 mile hike (high elevation change) in the Rockies with them. I would never wear socks with my 5 fingers. But that’s just my opinion.
I wish someone would talk about the KSO Trek’s drawbacks, primarily the leather footbed. As soon it gets damp (e.g., from sweat or anything) it becomes clammy and slippery, not to mention builds up an odor. The shoe itself handles moisture terribly, bleeding black dye all over my feet if I do something like run when there’s still dew on the grass, never mind something really extreme like going out in the rain. Also, leather gives over time, stretching out at the tighter spots. In many shoes, that’s an advantage – with these, it just makes the fit worse.
The thicker sole is invaluable for running rocky trails and such, but I think leather is just the wrong material for these shoes – it doesn’t hold its dye; it stretches and sags; and it doesn’t do so well when wet. I would just like a tougher KSO with materials that hold up to normal use.
The Kso Treks are great if you use them w/ silk socks
sockless…wow thats just asking for blisters
after a few months of use I’d suggest getting 1 size larger than the size you’re measured for at the shop since they are definitely more comfortable w/ socks in cold weather…and you can do much more than just running
Try Yoga, Martial arts, Bouldering, Hiking, Boating…you get the idea
even @ $85+ per pair they are uniquely worth it but make sure you get yours w/ a good store warranty in case of poor stitching on the sides of the fingers.
I am a man but I like the Jaya design. They seem very comfortable, even more than the Classic. With some leather and also the toe pockets seem roomier. With shorter back sole below heel, in the classic soles (Classic, Sprint) this part is oversized to fit people with wide and protruding calcaneus (heel bone.)
I also like the Bikila LS design but my previous experience with Bikila wasn’t good. Perhaps in this new model the upper doesn’t fit so tight, but still the sole seems the same thick and rigid Bikila’s sole with too short toe pockets.
I’ve recently learned that the size correspondence for the Bikilas is different from KSOs and Flows and KSO Treks, their sizes are equivalent to Classic and Sprint, i.e., a unit higher than KSOs for a same size (KSO M40 = Bikila M41). See here size guide [ http://www.purefootwear.co.uk/vibram-fivefingers-flow-speed-shoe-prod21081/ ]. However, this size correlation for Bikilas is different from the one actually exposed in fivefingers.com !!
In my opinion, the correct correlation is the chart guide of purefootwear.co.uk, I tried a pair of Bikilas in same size as my roomy KSO Treks, and they fitted way tighter (probably due to the upper shape) and even slightly shorter.
@arqorange I agree w/ Scott that V5F Sprint’s are best without socks even if they end up stinking, they fit more comfortable on your feet and you will get a closer feeling to walk or run barefoot. Just wash them in the washing machine, they’ll dry quickly and will look almost like new again.
Great job with the Vibrams review! They’re great for walking, running or even for the gym.
On relation to the sweat and smell issues caused by wearing VFFs w/o socks, I read some advice on spreading baking soda (= sodium hydrogen carbonate = sodium bicarbonate) to prevent bacterial growth. I’ve tried spreading a generous amount of bicarbonate and talcum powder (3:1 ratio or so) and then removing the excess to reuse the next time.
My VFFs Sprints haven’t smelled since I’ve been applying this treatment and I can keep my feet dry and cool much longer. A drawback is that if you have some open wounds in the skin of your soles they will probably itch.
I have been reading reviews on several of the VFF“s especially the Bikila’s since I am a runner. I have seen some reviews and also heard from a running friend that there are some quality issues with some of the Bikila’s. I am wondering if the demand is so great that Vibram is pushing the makers to rush to get the shoes on the markets, which in turn is causing the lesser quality. I had originally thought that they were making some of their shoes here in the US or at least Vibram’s home base of Italy, but just like most everything else, I have noted the Bikila’s are made in China. I hope they do not sacrifice quality for quantity.
I love the fact that these shoes look really comfortable and is suited for outdoor activities. I would like to give one of these to my dad as a form of like retirement awards he gets from his office. I’m sure he’ll be happy.
I’ve been wearing VFF’s for 6 years, every day of the year. I like to be barefoot and this footwear allows me to do just that. Some people love them some people hate them; nonetheless they are an amazing piece of footwear for avid bare-footers. The is not a day that I am not being asked about the VFF’s comfort etc. In a nutshell here are my answers:
VFF“s are footwear not a shoe or sneaker.
Your feet will provide the support, not your VFF’s.
VFF’s are protection for the sole of your feet, nothing less and nothing more.
Learning to walk and run barefoot require training and time; you try too much you will get hurt.
There are different styles of VFF’s for different type of activities.
VFF’s are not waterproof, your feet are.
Wearing VFF’s does not make you Superman or Superwoman; you feet will once retrained properly.
VFF’s also look pretty cool.
The idea here is to run as close to barefoot as possible. I actually have the best pair of shoes I have ever owned, my barefeet. People don’t go to a nudist area and ask what to wear. “ What kind of socks do I wear”? Puhleez, do you know what VFF are?
Just be careful with your own anatomy and biomechanics, neutral runners, with lighter frames are best suited for barefooting.
I’ve been kayaking for a few months and have been looking for a neoprene bootie that lets my feet breathe. I’ve tried wearing my Keens and they are way too big, and the neoprene booties I’ve purchased make my feet sweat too much. I would love something that provides protection against the sharp gravel, lets my feet breathe, and will still fit comfortably in my kayak. I’ve heard about these so called “five fingers shoes” but I don’t know much about them or their quality.
Nature of the beast: Well, to some extent, that’s just the nature of neoprene. It’s an insulator, of course, so if your feet are outside the water and it’s not real cold, they’re going to sweat. Maybe a lot.
Popular option: The “five fingers shoes” you’ve heard of are <a href=“http://www.five-fingersvibram.com” title=“Vibram Five Fingers”><strong>Vibram Five Fingers</strong></a>(several models around $80). They’re sort of a rubber/fabric glove for your feet. Each toe has its own, well, “finger.” So you get the foot-feel of, well, your foot, and the protection of a light shoe. Vibram came out with these four or five years ago and at the time it seemed they had made these almost as a joke. There wasn’t any clear market or marketing plan. But now the “no shoe” running crowd has picked up on them, and stores can’t keep them in stock. Anyway, they’re great for kayaking. They give you good foot protection and a little bit of warmth, but aren’t as sweaty as neoprene socks.
So i buy a pair of shoes from five-fingersvibram.com try fell the quality.After pay money from my Credit Card,just got 5days,i got my shoes.Just find shoes are fit my feet.So i want share a my Experience.
Read more: http://www.five-fingersvibram.com
Great job with the Vibram five fingers review! They’re great for walking, running or even for the gym.
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what kind of sock do i need for this shoes?