To my knowledge Vibram does not provide a lifetime warranty. The Mocs that you are commenting on are also not made for outdoor use. They are an indoor shoe designed for yoga, martial arts, and other less demanding activities.

Milage, so to speak varies. I still have and use my first pair of classics, which are now many years old. I don’t run in my classics however.

I would suggest to select your Fivefingers model according to the activity you do. Choose a Bikila for running, or a KSO Trek for trail running.

On average I would think you could get a couple years of reasonably heavy use out of a pair, provided that you are not really hard on the upper. If you are more gentle you could get much more time than that. In any case you could probably expect better longevity than a typical running shoe.

I think there is no doubt in my mind that the life span would be decreased by using them on cement outside. The question of how much is a difficult question to answer. The bottom of the shoe is not incased in rubber the way that most of the Vibram FiveFingers products are. Instead there are rubber “pods” at the point of contact (the heel, and the pads of the forefoot and the toes). While these would take the majority of the wear, the non-protected areas of the shoe (made of leather) would undoubtedly come into contact with the rougher ground and suffer some wear. The amount of wear would be dependant on things like your style of walking, how rough the surface is, and just how your feet move in the shoes.

Vibram does not recommend them for outdoor use. The are designed for more casual use indoors. Carpets, smooth tile etc. I would argue they are probably not designed to withstand the millage that the other FiveFingers models would be designed to withstand.

I do not think that sealant/protectant would increase the endurance as it is not a moisture issue so much as it is an outsold protection/wear issue.

In summary I would say that they could be used outdoors but I would expect the life span to be reduced significantly. I hope this helps. I know it’s not a clear-cut answer but there are a few too many variables.

Or do you think that sidewalk exposure would just kill their lifespan?

http://www.softstarshoes.com/index.cfm

I was also wondering if these are a better alternative to vibrams?

So if I have a pair of KSO’s but I would like something for easier use and to use everyday, I should go ahead and get the classic?

If i plan to wear these for most of the day which includes walking outside, is it better to get the classics or should I get the mocs?

I already bought the KSO and like them a lot but they are not that easy to get on and off. I want to get one I can wear for most days.

Thanks,

Love the website.

The leather is very soft and supple and is easier to fit than the standard classic. We haven’t been able to test long enough to comment on any stretch. Leather shoes can stretch so it is possible that these may as well.