all the little piggies
I was fortunate enough to receive a pair of Vibram FiveFingers KSO's from Vibram to try out. The Vibram company seems genuinely interested in what the users of this unique product have to say about it, and I am only all to happy to provide them with that feedback.
My experience with the Vibram FiveFingers Sprint made me eager to see how they might improve upon the FiveFingers line with the new KSO. I ran five races and countless miles in my Sprints last year and I gotta say, I am genuinely impressed by what they do for the strength of your feet and your posture. It now feels quite unnatural to be in shoes with elevated heels, not to mention running in them!
However, one of the big downfalls of the Sprint was the fact that the top of them was open. Any amount of sand in there and whether you had Injinji socks on or not, you could pretty much count on your toes becoming hamburger. I overcame this by attaching a lycra gaiter over this opening with Shoe Goo, but it was not a very pretty solution.
So, great was my surprise when after I'd emailed Vibram about this, they release a model of the FiveFingers which built upon the strengths of the Sprints and culled some of the weaknesses of the Sprints called the "KSO," or Keep Stuff Out. The KSO's feature a tightly woven mesh covering over the top of them. This serves the obvious purpose of Keeping Stuff Out, but it also helps to give them a more socklike fit.
mesh forefoot covering
I did not like the way the strap would come over the top of your instep onto your bare skin with the Sprints, and Vibram has shored this little issue up nicely with the KSO's.
The mesh is also found near the back of the heel area, which will go a long way towards cooling feet off on hot asphalt. I like the combination of functional materials on the KSO's, from the very rugged nylon around the toes, to the surprisingly tough aforementioned mesh.
Injinji socks and Vibram FiveFingers KSO: a great combination
a great spot for mesh
The fit hasn't changed a lot in the footbed area from the Sprint to the KSO. The size 43's I tested were about the same as the 43's I ran trails in all last year. The big difference in the fit involves the way they are secured to the foot.
I know that my fit will differ from just about everyone who reads this review, but in my personal experience with all of the FiveFingers line, I prefer a size up from what I should be wearing according to the size chart in the FiveFingers. Especially if I'm wearing Injinji socks with them. For tooling around town, I like the glove-like fit of the size down from what I run in, over bare-feet. Of course, if I could find a "42.5" I think I'd have the perfect fit! I will also probably enjoy wearing the KSO's out and about more than the Sprints because of the over-foot protection.
In putting the KSO's on, I found it easier to slip into them than the Sprints. I think in part it's because of the new strap, and also because the top mesh kind of guides your toes towards where they should be. There doesn't seem to be as much wiggling around to get the fit right and then strapping everything down. It's one simple adjustment once your foot is in.
The way my foot is built, the FiveFingers absolutely help my biomechanics. The toes are gently spread, as opposed to being all squeezed into shoes, where the toes are all clumped together and rendered nearly useless. In my case, the FiveFingers help out with my "mild bunion deformity." It keeps my big toe from slowly smothering the toes next to it on longer runs as it likes to do in shoes. I've also noticed no pain on runs or walking around, no matter how I interact with the ground in my FiveFingers. This is definitely not the case when wearing shoes.
the new, elegant strap
The KSO's feature more of a mono-strap that winds through both sides of the top of them, and around the heel. This is an elegant and effective solution to the fit issues with the Sprints. In my testing so far, the mono-strap did not have the tendency to lose tension, but it did not feel over-tight. It also did a much better job of locking the heel into place and not allowing the feet to slide forward into the toe boxes at the front of the KSO's.
a giddy, almost exuberant fit
Often with the Sprints, if you ran down a hill you'd wind up with a lot of sloppy fit in the heel and your toes all bunched up in the front of them. Often, this would require a "reboot." Where you kick your heel back into them and re-secure the three independent Velcro straps. The KSO requires just one gentle tug to tighten things up.
In the KSO's I will use for running, I actually ran the strap back through in a loop to keep it at the desired tension all the time. I may wind up just having it cut down and re-sewn so I can cinch it down if I desire.
One thing I am concerned about with the KSO's is the small plastic ring that the top strap slides through to fasten the Velcro to itself. In my experience, I've been very hard on small plastic pieces on things.
reaching for the plastic ring
My feeling is that the KSO is close to an ideal as far as protecting the feet while running with minimal "support," which, contrary to popular belief "support" does not actually benefit the foot or the runner. I really like the new strap system, although I do kind of still desire some way to secure the forefoot a little better. Something along the lines of a hybrid Tarahumara sandal and the FiveFingers idea.
Part II: Running in The Vibram FiveFingers KSO's...Since I've gotten the KSO's I've been running on the treat-mill. A lot. It's been well below zero and it's maddening! My goal is to get out in the spring mud just as soon as there is some.
UPDATE: Got in a muddy 9 miles on path and off path on the Parkway. Boy howdy was that fun!
The KSO's will be available online after April 1, and in select stores as of March 1, 2008. Trail Mark in Edina, MN is one store I know carries the line.
LINKS:
Part 2 of this review: The Beta Run.
My experience with the Vibram FiveFingers Sprint.
The Vibram FiveFingers website.
To give you an idea what is possible in the FiveFingers that perhaps you reading this might not think is possible: Barefoot Ted's Adventures.
My experience with the Vibram FiveFingers Sprint made me eager to see how they might improve upon the FiveFingers line with the new KSO. I ran five races and countless miles in my Sprints last year and I gotta say, I am genuinely impressed by what they do for the strength of your feet and your posture. It now feels quite unnatural to be in shoes with elevated heels, not to mention running in them!
However, one of the big downfalls of the Sprint was the fact that the top of them was open. Any amount of sand in there and whether you had Injinji socks on or not, you could pretty much count on your toes becoming hamburger. I overcame this by attaching a lycra gaiter over this opening with Shoe Goo, but it was not a very pretty solution.
So, great was my surprise when after I'd emailed Vibram about this, they release a model of the FiveFingers which built upon the strengths of the Sprints and culled some of the weaknesses of the Sprints called the "KSO," or Keep Stuff Out. The KSO's feature a tightly woven mesh covering over the top of them. This serves the obvious purpose of Keeping Stuff Out, but it also helps to give them a more socklike fit.
mesh forefoot coveringI did not like the way the strap would come over the top of your instep onto your bare skin with the Sprints, and Vibram has shored this little issue up nicely with the KSO's.
The mesh is also found near the back of the heel area, which will go a long way towards cooling feet off on hot asphalt. I like the combination of functional materials on the KSO's, from the very rugged nylon around the toes, to the surprisingly tough aforementioned mesh.
Injinji socks and Vibram FiveFingers KSO: a great combination
a great spot for meshThe fit hasn't changed a lot in the footbed area from the Sprint to the KSO. The size 43's I tested were about the same as the 43's I ran trails in all last year. The big difference in the fit involves the way they are secured to the foot.
I know that my fit will differ from just about everyone who reads this review, but in my personal experience with all of the FiveFingers line, I prefer a size up from what I should be wearing according to the size chart in the FiveFingers. Especially if I'm wearing Injinji socks with them. For tooling around town, I like the glove-like fit of the size down from what I run in, over bare-feet. Of course, if I could find a "42.5" I think I'd have the perfect fit! I will also probably enjoy wearing the KSO's out and about more than the Sprints because of the over-foot protection.
In putting the KSO's on, I found it easier to slip into them than the Sprints. I think in part it's because of the new strap, and also because the top mesh kind of guides your toes towards where they should be. There doesn't seem to be as much wiggling around to get the fit right and then strapping everything down. It's one simple adjustment once your foot is in.
The way my foot is built, the FiveFingers absolutely help my biomechanics. The toes are gently spread, as opposed to being all squeezed into shoes, where the toes are all clumped together and rendered nearly useless. In my case, the FiveFingers help out with my "mild bunion deformity." It keeps my big toe from slowly smothering the toes next to it on longer runs as it likes to do in shoes. I've also noticed no pain on runs or walking around, no matter how I interact with the ground in my FiveFingers. This is definitely not the case when wearing shoes.
the new, elegant strapThe KSO's feature more of a mono-strap that winds through both sides of the top of them, and around the heel. This is an elegant and effective solution to the fit issues with the Sprints. In my testing so far, the mono-strap did not have the tendency to lose tension, but it did not feel over-tight. It also did a much better job of locking the heel into place and not allowing the feet to slide forward into the toe boxes at the front of the KSO's.
a giddy, almost exuberant fitOften with the Sprints, if you ran down a hill you'd wind up with a lot of sloppy fit in the heel and your toes all bunched up in the front of them. Often, this would require a "reboot." Where you kick your heel back into them and re-secure the three independent Velcro straps. The KSO requires just one gentle tug to tighten things up.
In the KSO's I will use for running, I actually ran the strap back through in a loop to keep it at the desired tension all the time. I may wind up just having it cut down and re-sewn so I can cinch it down if I desire.
One thing I am concerned about with the KSO's is the small plastic ring that the top strap slides through to fasten the Velcro to itself. In my experience, I've been very hard on small plastic pieces on things.
reaching for the plastic ringMy feeling is that the KSO is close to an ideal as far as protecting the feet while running with minimal "support," which, contrary to popular belief "support" does not actually benefit the foot or the runner. I really like the new strap system, although I do kind of still desire some way to secure the forefoot a little better. Something along the lines of a hybrid Tarahumara sandal and the FiveFingers idea.
Part II: Running in The Vibram FiveFingers KSO's...Since I've gotten the KSO's I've been running on the treat-mill. A lot. It's been well below zero and it's maddening! My goal is to get out in the spring mud just as soon as there is some.
UPDATE: Got in a muddy 9 miles on path and off path on the Parkway. Boy howdy was that fun!
The KSO's will be available online after April 1, and in select stores as of March 1, 2008. Trail Mark in Edina, MN is one store I know carries the line.
LINKS:
Part 2 of this review: The Beta Run.
My experience with the Vibram FiveFingers Sprint.
The Vibram FiveFingers website.
To give you an idea what is possible in the FiveFingers that perhaps you reading this might not think is possible: Barefoot Ted's Adventures.
27 comments:
Those FF's look pretty bad-ass, Keith! Glad to hear you got your mitts on a pair for testing. Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm still interested in trying them out myself and have tried to convince my pessimistic brother to try them too. He's concerned about how they are in ultras. Nonetheless, I've still been barefooting around as much as possible to help strengthen my feet.
Thanks for the review, Keith. Do you have any super secret insider info on when these will be available for regular folks? I'd like to give them a whirl.
Wayne,
They will be available online from Vibram and other retailers April 1, and are in stores now. Trail Mark in Edina carries the line.
I've heard they are supposed to be out in March, but apparently that's going to be towards the later end of the month now. I've been holding off buying the sprint's for about 3 months in anticipation of the KSO's. Along with the KSO's they are coming out with a new one designed for the water.
Thanks for the write-up, now i'm more eager to get them!
Thanks for the great review. I'm eagerly awaiting their release, though in Australia it takes even longer to get your hands on a pair. I do all my longer trail runs in sprints and everything else barefoot. The KSO's look awesome. Hope they make it to this side of the world soon!
Not sure if I'd like these over the Sprint.
I do get the rub from the strap on my foot but even at marathon distance it wasn't too much of a problem. VFFs are the only shoe I get in my actual size, since they are flexible enough to accommodate my very wide foot.
I like the heel straps on the Sprint because they stay out of my way. The Classic I had to cut off the elastic because my large foot meant that it was putting pressure on my Achilles which was uncomfortable. The Sprint doesn't have that problem, but with this new heel strap, if it can't be left loose then I may have the same problem as the Classics.
Cheers,
Matt
I just got a pair of KSOs myself and I love them. For just casual jogging or walking around I prefer my classics, but for going for an actual run, especialy trail runs I prefer the my KSOs.
I have a pair of sprints i really enjoy using for everything, though i like the idea of KSOs or the Flow for when it is a bit chilly outside (I dont have any Injinji socks), though i have fashioned a half sock that comes to the arch of my foot...still not really ideal. I was just wondering if you knew why Vibram isnt using the new version of velcro?
I just got a pair of sprints. I'm wondering if you find that the heel is a bit loose. There seems to be a little space in the heel after I walk around just after putting them on.
Anonymous,
Follow the fitting tips found on this page:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_sprint.cfm
a little room in the heel is probably normal, you should be able to snug it up a little bit by putting your heel well into the heel cup before tightening the straps.
Thanks for the reply. You see, when I first slide my toes fully into the pockets then put the heel in, there is a little space in the heel cup. However, if after I get the heel in I use my bodyweight to shift the heel all the way back then there ends up being a little space in the toe pockets. Do you have this problem? I did measure my foot prior to buying the Sprints, and it came out to just a hair under 11 and 3/4 inches. This is why I chose a 45, but now I'm thinking I should have gone with 44.
A few other questions: Did you find that your feet got more muscular (bigger) after using the FiveFingers? And did the shoe itself start to stretch out or loosen up a bit?
Anonymous,
It's a matter of personal preference. I like my KSO's to be a little roomier. You may want to try wearing them with one of the many varieties of Injinji socks that are available. That can snug up the fit a little bit.
I think the VFF's will break in a bit, but they don't stretch much, as they are pretty much just rubber.
I found my feet got a little bit wider and more muscular, but no bigger. I hope you enjoy them once you get the chance to really start using them! Just take it easy and start slow!
I weaer a 43 as well, got the brown kso that seems to be a new color.
My feet are narrow, width D in asics running shoes. To get a good snug fit, I have to pull the straps far. It exceeds by 3.5 inches on the left, 2 inches on the right. I dont wear socks with them as I use it when paddling.
Here's the pic of how it looks like when I have it fit snug:
[IMG]http://i25.tinypic.com/11ke9ls.jpg[/IMG]
Mark,
A decent shoe repair place should be able to cut the straps down a couple inches to help snug that fit up. It looks like the strap with the plastic loop on it is really long. you can also cut the velcro tabs down so there isn't so much material hanging out when they're tight.
happy kayaking!
HI Keith,
Before reading your post, I left my KSOs at the shoe repair shop for strap adjustment. There's no cutting needed as it will just be inserted deeper to achieve the correct length.
I paid 150 pesos or $3.33 for the "repair". KSOs arrive last night here in Manila from the US via air. Got to test it during dragonboat practice this morning. I got the expected reaction from all 10 toes being shown. Girls found it "cute". I also plan to run with this soon. Just concerned if it will wear out fast. I can just use my asics and keep this for paddling.(surf ski an dragonboat). The grip is just unbelievable. I just retired my nike aqua socks.
I sent an email to Customer service with the same pic attached. Hopefully they come up with an innovation or strap design change to address this problem.
Thanks for the suggestions Keith, I just got reassured on my decision. : )
Mark
Just got a pair of KSOs 4 days ago. Got a very slight bruise on the ball of my left foot within the first hour of wearing them, because of my out of shape feet and general un-mindfulness concerning how much force I clump around with while wearing poofy cushioned running shoes. I've kept wearing them all weekend none-the-less but because they're FUN! but the bruise won't heal if I keep that up, so I'll have to wait... :(
Need to be PATIENT with the break-in time.
THANKS for the excellent blog Kieth! Great info on your experiences here!
Jason
I see you wearing socks with them in every picture, what types of issues do you face with these shoes when not wearing socks?
They're just rough on your feet if you wear them for distances over 10 miles and no socks.
hmm....I am looking for something to wear with no socks...mostly because I hate socks
First I would like to thank the author as well as all the helpful comments left on this blog. I purchased a pair of 42 KSOs about a little over a month ago due to the information I gathered on this and other sites. As suggested I purchased just one size larger than the Vibram site guide instructed and I have a beautiful fit with just enough room for a pair of injinji socks when I feel inclined. I have been running regularly for only about a year, and I currently run about 30 miles per week at a 7-8 minute/mile pace. After 2 weeks of gradually getting my feet and calves used to the act of running barefoot, I now log ALL of my miles in these incredible 'shoes'. I run on grass/dirt paths and the sensation is exhilarating. I now despise running in those $100+ clunky prisons for my feet. I no longer suffer from chronic shin splints or leg aches after my 10+ mile runs. My gait is smooth and natural now and my calves are much stronger. Long runs are now a pure delight! I apologize for my rant...
Thanks for your super detailed review. It's been great - especially for international readers where this model is an international-order only.
I've linked to it on this post detailing how to fit / pick your size of Vibram Five Fingers
with thanks
mc
do you prefer the kso's or the flow's? im going to be using them for running, trail-running, and cross-training. What would you recommend?
if you are using them in fairly temeperate climates, the KSOs are the way to go. The flow are thick neoprene designed for water and cooler climates.
I haven't had a great experience with my KSO's. I have worn the Classics for about two years and I have found that they were much more durable. I did a seven-mile run on the treadmill and there were actually chunks of sole coming off. The anti-funky insole doesn't seem to work as well either. They seem to have used a much thinner lycra material. I guess maybe they are planning failure into the design so that we have to buy new shoes sooner. These are all I wear, so I am a little disappointed with Vibram's step down in quality. Other than that, I love the shoes!
Just ordered the KSO's in a 42 based on the Vibram sizing chart and having received them was slightly concerned over the bagginess in the toes. Right foot was not too bad, but the left foot, when walking I could feel the toes flapping slightly.
Just ordered the 41's to see if they are any better. Knew I should have ordered both sizes at once!
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