"Barefoot" Footwear

Review – Vibram FiveFingers: Classic, Sprint & KSO

By Al Gauthier ⋅ June 5, 2009 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Vibram FiveFingers: Review of the Sprint, KSO, and Classic Styles

I could not do justice to the barefoot cause and not give these amazing shoes a chance for the spotlight.  Vibram FiveFingers have perhaps received more press than any other shoe, but not because of how great they are.  Abandoning all that is common in shoes and embracing the real form of the foot, these shoes tread where no other shoes have gone before.  They are to the foot what gloves are to our hands.

First Impression
They have toes!   Vibram FiveFingers have to be the most unique looking shoes on the planet.  Almost all shoe companies claim to conform to the human foot.  Nothing comes as close as FiveFingers. These are like gloves for the feet.  They come in a multitude of colors and in four different models: the Classic (original) style, Sprint, KSO, and Flow (the Flow was not available at the time of our review . It is like the KSO but with a warmer neoprene upper for cold climates and cold water use). We will structure our review to cover all the common aspects of these shoes first, with a closer look and a comparison of all three models closer to the end of the review.

Comfort
These shoes are amazingly comfortable. It takes a little practice to learn how to put your toes into the shoes, but once you have mastered the art, you’ve already passed the most difficult test of wearing these shoes.  The microfibre footbed is soft and pleasant to walk on.  Toes are separated into compartments, however it is not an uncomfortable feeling.  The fabric between each toe is very thin (less than typical socks) and thus your toes do not feel pulled apart.

Walking is just like being barefoot.  Heel strikes are uncomfortable as there is no cushion for your feet.  This promotes a healthy, natural way of walking right away.  Once you are used to these shoes, they can be worn all day long without any discomfort.  In fact, these are the only shoes I have ever worn that I am not itching to get out of.

Weight
The sole makes up 90% of the weight.  The upper pats of the shoe are made of a strong light weight fabric.  These are not heavy shoes.  They don’t weight down your feet, and they would hardly be noticed in a bag.

Flex / Sole
The sole is extremely flexible, allowing your foot to bend and flex as it would naturally while walking.  Each toe is able to articulate individually.  Special razor sipping on the bottom of the sole adds even more grip to the already grippy sole, making these shoes able to grip items even on wet surfaces.

Support / Insole
There is no support, which is as it should be. While the sole has an arch built-in, the arch is not for support, but rather to conform to the shape of your foot.   The insole is stitched and/or glued to the rest of the shoe and is therefore not removable.  Made of a patented Vibram material, the sole stands up to most any use.  I have a pair of FiveFingers that is heavily used, and is the original model from several years ago and the sole shoes no significant signs of wear.

Barefoot Feel
These shoes feel incredibly close to being barefoot.  Clearly the sensation of skin touching the ground is absent, as with any shoe, however the textures of the ground are still available.  Furthermore, the design of the shoe allows you to use the shoes as if barefoot.  Unlike traditional shoes, there is little if any compensation  needed for the size or shape of the shoe. The fabric is thin and flexible allowing for natural movement.

Breathability
The thin fabric allows the shoe to wick sweat more than trap it in.  Although not as free as being barefoot, these shoes are not nearly as stuffy as a traditional shoe.  All three styles are comfortable to wear over extended periods, much like wearing socks.

Quality of Materials / Manufacturing
They are well made. I have a pair of the original design, and have travelled many a miles over years with those shoes.  The fabric upper is still undamaged, and the sole shows no sign of significant wear.  I anticipate that the new designs are just as rugged as the old and should last for years, even when used for heavy activity.  While the upper material wears well, it is not very thick and would break down over time if rubbed against abrasive surfaces.

Water Resistance
These shoes are sadly not water resistant.  While water does not seep in when walking on wet pavement, even wet grass will start to absorb moisture into the shoe.  I would guess that the razor sipping on the sole of the shoe may act to channel water into the bottom of the sole, and thus they are less water resistant than regular shoes.  They do not accumulate water when worn in very wet conditions, which is to their benefit when used for hiking through a river, for example, or wearing them in the rain.

Sizing
FiveFingers come in a variety of European sizes.  While they are separated into Men’s and Women’s sizing, I have found no difference other than size between the design of the two.  Therefore, when trying them on in a store, you may like to try both Men’s and Women’s shoes to see which fits best.  Although you may not be the same size throughout the four different models, Vibram has provided a useful, and in my experience accurate, sizing chart. The chart can also be used to measure your longest toe to determine the best size for you.

Although I suspect they will fit most feet, the differences in the human foot are, of course, quite varied.  Those with longer second toes than the average may not find they fit as comfortably.  There is also enough difference between styles that one style may be more comfortable than another, though the differences are subtle. The fit of these shoes is perhaps more important that any other.  If you have the wrong size, your feet will either be too loose, falling out of the shoe, or too tight, making them uncomfortable. Spend the time to get the best fit – you won’t regret it.

The new models have changed very little from the original design, however the toe lengths have been adjusted slightly.  The toe pockets have been lengthened slightly to allow for a more comfortable fit for those with longer toes.

Price
$80 US.  Expensive for what little material is used, priceless for the feeling of walking barefoot and for the health of your feet and body. These are worth every penny, and everyone I know who wears these shoes owns more than one pair.

Style
These unusual shoes gather more attention than anything I have ever worn.  As you walk down the street, people will look at your feet, wondering about your shoes.  If you stand somewhere long enough, someone will ask you about them.  Most people are shocked at first. Shock quickly transforms into curiosity.  Once you explain the shoes, how great they feel on, how comfortable they are, and how they feel like you are almost barefoot, most people want to know where to get some.

Even with all the positive attention, this can be a down side.  It can be difficult to pass through the world unnoticed wearing FiveFingers.  It’s a small price to pay, and with time they will become more commonplace on the streets, but do prepare yourself for a few questions, and some amusing expressions from those you pass in public.

Break-in Period
All three models are very comfortable, and the shoe does not require a break-in period.  In fact, they could probably not be broken in.  There is no leather, and the materials would not lend themselves to permanent stretching.  If they don’t fit when you put them on, you have the wrong size.

There is a break-in period for your feet and your body however.  If you have never worn a more minimalist type shoe, or you don’t spend a lot of time barefoot outside of your house, you should approach walking in your new FiveFingers with deliberate care.  As with walking or running barefoot, the muscles of your feet and legs will be exercised in very different ways.  You should gradually work up to wearing these shoes for longer periods of time. At first, your feet and legs may be soare after longer periods of use.  This is normal.  Let your body adjust to this very different way of walking and you won’t look back!

Shoe Care
They are machine washable and otherwise need no care at all.

Warmth
Just as the thin material does not keep much heat in, they also don’t keep much cold out, however, they are much warmer than not wearing shoes at all.  The rubber sole protects the feet from cold or hot surfaces.  Consider the insulating qualities  much the same as a pair of socks.  If you have cold feet, you may choose to wear toe socks with these shoes.  We have tested several brands of toe socks with the FiveFingers and all have worked well.  Choose toe socks that have a thinner fabric for the best fit.

Uses
Running, walking, hiking, climbing, swimming, yoga, and just about anything else you can imagine.  I use them as my regular shoes on the weekends.  There is nothing more comfortable.  I’ve hiked with them, I run regularly with them, and I wear them year-round.

Which model is right for you?

The Classic, Sprint, and KSO styles are all very similar, but here are the differences:

Classic

The Classic is the original, first design that came to market.  It’s the most simple of all four styles, and the most minimalistic.  Buying the correct size is critical with the Classic.  All that holds this shoe to your foot is the heel pocket of the shoe.  There is an adjustable elastic cord to help hold the shoe on, however, this shouldn’t be used in place of a well fitting shoe.

The great benefit of the Classic is the ease of which you can put it on.  It is possible to put the shoe on simply by slipping your toes into the pockets, and putting your foot down. No hands required.  This is also it’s downside.  While the fit is remarkably secure, and can be used for many activities, even running without problems, it is not as secure as the other models.

Finally, the elastic cord, no matter how loose, can pinch the skin slightly and, with extended wear, can be slightly uncomfortable.

Sprint

The Sprint was the second design to come from Vibram, and is a substantial modification from the Classic.  The elastic cord has been removed, in favor for a different, more customizable system.  The instep strap provides a secure fit.  Your foot can no longer come out of the shoe.  The addition of the heel straps further secures your foot inside.  The Sprint feels very secure on your foot.  This style can accommodate any activity suitable to FiveFingers.

The extra straps take more time to put on, but the fit is worth it.  The lack of elastic cord also makes these slightly more comfortable.

KSO

The KSO is my personal favorite.  While the strapping system for the Sprint works very well, it can feel a little bit restrictive, especially if you just want to go for a walk or run errands.  The KSO has a different design for the instep strap.  When pulling on the strap, the shoe tightens both under the arch, and at the heel.  This is a very effective and comfortable system.  The added fabric on the top help to hold your foot inside and, therefore, the fit of the shoe overall is less restrictive by design.

By far, this is the most comfortable of the FiveFingers models, however, due to the extra fabric, it is also the most cumbersome to put on.  The thin fabric breathes very easily and, while it does add a little warmth, it is not too warm for summer wear.

Flow

I have not yet had the opportunity to test the Flow, however, the design is the same as the KSO.  The Flow uses a neoprene upper for warmth in water or cold conditions.

Summary

FiveFingers are in a category all their own.  These are the Un-Shoes.  They don’t feel like anything you have ever put on your feet and you may never look back after putting a pair on.  Without a doubt, these are as close to being barefoot in a shoe as you can get.  You may even find that the look of these amazing shoes grows on you. They certainly did on me. They even leave perfect barefoot footprints!

They are comfortable, flexible, breathable, and grippy.  You can walk with them, run, swim, climb, sky dive, perform martial arts, dance,  shop, and the list goes on.  Their downside is their unique look.  They can’t be worn to most working environments, and they attract a lot of attention.  This is a small price to pay however for such a great product.

When you can’t be truly barefoot, but want as much of the barefoot experience as possible, Vibram FiveFingers are the answer.

To purchase Vibram FiveFingers, Visit the FiveFingers website: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com

Shoe Anatomy

If you find yourself confused by some of the terminology used in our reviews, see our list of shoe anatomy terminology

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- Vivo Barefoot – Aqua Review – Read It Here
- Vibram FiveFingers: Review of the Sprint, KSO, and Classic Styles – Read It Here
- Feelmax Shoes – Read It Here
- Vivo Barefoot – Leonidas Sandals – Read It Here
- Toe Socks – Injinji, ToeToe, Feelmax – Read It Here
- Terra Plana’s Lucy Shoes – Read It Here
- Vibram FiveFingers Moc – Read It Here
- Vibram FiveFingers Performa – Read It Here
- Feelmax Kuuva Boots – Read It Here

Coming Soon:
- Nike Free 5.0
- Terra Plana’s Dopie Shoes
- Sanuk Shoes
- MBT Shoes
- Feelmax Osma Running Shoe
- Feelmax Toe Socks Comparison
- Flexible Footwear Custom Footwear
- ReReview of Feelmax Niesa
- Sockwas
- Soft Star Roo Moccassins
- Soft Star Rambler Moccasins
- Zinetic Pocket Slippers
- Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek
- Kigo Shel folding footwear

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