Got Toes? The Vibram FiveFingers Review
I finally succumbed to peer pressure.
After some careful online research (like here, here, and here) and being persuaded by my co-worker Stephane, I finally mozied on down to get myself a pair of Vibram FiveFingers. After all, being named one of Time Magazine’s Inventions of the Year couldn’t be all that bad… right? 
After perusing their website, I found only two retailers on Oahu that sold them.
- Uyeda Shoe Store across from Puck’s Alley (map)
- The Wheatgrass Center behind the Bank of Hawaii on Waialae (map)
After calling Uyeda’s several times and being greeted with one of those funky fax feedback tones each time (note - please update your online phone number), I finally decided to ring up The Wheatgrass Center. For those of you instructionally-impaired like myself, just take a left on Waialae Ave. before the Bank of Hawaii heading Kahala bound. Located behind the bank, The Wheatgrass Center is quite an interesting store selling both the Vibram FiveFingers and of course… wheatgrass. (Why people want to ruminate like cows is still truly beyond me.)
Review
When I first saw the Vibram FiveFinger, I did what any other (semi) normal human being would do - I laughed. Not any normal laugh, mind you - but a “there’s no f-in way I’m wearing that in public” laugh. They resemble footwear of a ninja-in-training, and since I’m neither of the two (a ninja or in training), I really couldn’t fathom seeing myself in a pair.
But after trying them on, I was immediately taken back; back to small kid time when I ran barefoot and carefree in the red dirt hills of Mililani. The Vibram FiveFingers not only allows you to feel the contour of the ground, but also provides protection to the soles of your feet. After being given the sales pitch by Mr. Fukuda, I was sold. There’s a few models; I ended up purchasing the Classic. (Check out their website to see the entire product line). Not to mention, Mr. Fukuda instructed ordered me to wear the pair out the door. After a full weekend’s worth of wear and tear, here’s a few images of them on my feet - along with a short list of my pros and cons.
The Pros
- It’s surprisingly comfortable. Sometimes my toes still feel weird being separated, but it’s pretty neat to actually feel the ground without fear of having a rock in your foot. Btw, if you like the separated toe thing, check these socks out from Injini.
- If everything the Internet world says is true (like we all know it is!), I’ll have crazy leg/toe muscles, damnit! And, not to mention, it promotes a more natural walking motion. To learn more, read this article about barefoot running.
The Cons
- I developed a blister on the back of my foot near my Achilles from the back strap. It’s pretty sore, but after reading other reviews, I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
- Since I’m fairly self-deprecating and a non-fashionista (you should see my car), the design doesn’t faze me one bit - but I could see how embarrassment could set in.
- The price. $73 bucks isn’t a drop in the bucket in this economy. Damn, do you know how many beers I’m giving up for this?
July 8th, 2008 at 1:57 am
[...] Original post by Ryan Kanno: The diary of an Enginerd in Hawaii [...]
July 26th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Ryan,
Welcome the world of VFFs! It has been an adjustment for me, but I’ve really enjoyed the simplicity and freedom that comes with being almost barefoot! I have been running trails for months and plan to run my first 1/2 marathon in the Fall in the KSOs!
I’ve found since I ditched traditional running shoes that my IT band probs and soreness are gone. Ok, that’s after building up strength in these bad boys.
Great to read your post.
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
Hello,
thinking about getting their KSO model for Trail Running, but I was a little concerned about the durability. How have yours held up so far?
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:53 am
@Jordi - I don’t have the KSO’s, but the regular VFF’s have been holding up quite well. I am still getting red spots near my Achilles, but that doesn’t stop me from running in them.
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Hi Jordi,
I graduated from the Sprints to teh KSOs and really am pleased with their performance and durability. I run some really rough trails and am out there daily and find the KSOs to be exactly what’s needed for trail running. I am beyond happy with them. There’s a huge group in Minnesota that wear them trail running and have been for a year with equal success. Get a pair…you won’t regret it.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Wow, look fabulous to me and I agree with the idea of feeling like you are almost barefoot.
Thanks for the post!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I got the Classics at first, but that darn thing on my achilles was so uncomfortable! So, I ended up with the KSOs which I love!! I’ve been wearing them for a total of about 3 days now, and the muscles in my feet and calves are acctually sore from wearing them! They are perfect for my olympic lifting, yoga, and all of the other things I do. I ran in them a couple of days ago, and although it will take some getting-used-to, the experience was fabulous!
Long live the Fivefingers.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
@Jessica, @Ryan - From the sound of things, it appears that the KSO’s are the way to go. They look really hot. Are they? Btw, does anyone know how to clean these things? Washing them completely made them give off this strange rubber odor - should I just have spot cleaned my VFF’s?
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
I’m considering picking up a pair myself, but I had a question: their website says that the classic wouldn’t be so great for things like kayaking and such; do you find any issues in the fit or the security? I’m curious as to whether I should consider the classic or the sprint.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
My two boys have VFF’s and love them. They wear them everywhere. On the issue of cleaning just throw them in the washer preferably with powdered detergent. To dry leave them outside in a sunny place.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:45 am
@Jonathan - Though I haven’t taken my VFF’s out to the water (and I live on an island, heh), I don’t get the feeling that they’d totally slip off. Part of is that not only would the heel portion have to come off, but the force must also push it forward off the foot. Even if the heel portion sometimes slips off in motion, I’ve never had my VFF’s slip off completely.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Ryan K - I was worried the KSOs would be hot but they aren’t at all! They are very light and breathable material. I do believe they look heavier online, more than they actually are in real life. I’m in AZ, so I would let you know if they were too hot - heat and AZ go hand-in-hand. Wore them this morning on a trail run - perfect. KSO stands for Keep Stuff Out, and that’s why they are beautiful trail runners.
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