Vibram Five Fingers KSO review
- Price Paid:$0.00
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User rating:(4.3)
- Would buy again from this company: Yes
- Used product for: 2 months
- # of logged workouts:
"The Five Finger KSO represents a critical step in deprogramming the heelstrike ahead of your COG stride espoused by the mainstream shoe companies. If you pay close attention to your body while learning to use these shoes and take care not to overtrain, the KSOs will make you a better runner with a substantially lower risk of injury over the course of your running career. Simply put, they allow you to train barefoot on many surfaces that you would otherwise avoid sans shoes. Again, moderation and listening to your body are the keys to enjoying the Vibrams. If you can avoid the pitfalls of an overuse or overexertion injury while breaking in with the KSOs be prepared to experience a whole new world of running pleasure."Gumwars
Ease of use
You're essentially barefoot without being barefoot. How much easier can it get?
Quality of Construction
The Vibram EVO sole is great stuff with solid assembly throughout. I've taken mine all over from rocky trails to tide pools with sharpened barnacles and they still look new after I wash them. I'm not sure how long they'll last but I wouldn't doubt it being a very long time.
Fit
Very snug, especially around the ankle. I can see some people with odd feet (you know, one foot bigger than the other) or with long toes having problems with the Five Fingers.
Comfort
Very comfortable for extremely long periods of time. I've gone the whole day in mine and the only uncomfortable thing about them is the offensive odor when you remove them.
Adjustability
If it doesn't fit right out of the store there isn't much by way of adjustment to bring it into true.
Durability
As mentioned earlier, they seem to be pretty rugged. I'll report more on this down the road.
Value
Worth every penny.
Appearance
You either love them or hate the look.
Performance
While the mechanics of running in minimalist footware is still widely disputed, using a shoe like this as a part of your training WILL make you a better runner. In the absence of being able to spend a small fortune on a personal trainer or coach shoes like the KSOs force you to avoid footstriking ahead of your center of gravity by leveling a painful penalty if you do. If used in that capacity, until your level of conditioning allows longer trips, the Five Fingers are an excellent tool in developing foot and lower extremity strength.
Strengths
Excellent training tool
Phenomenal level of feedback
Very well constructed
Great quality materials
Superior wet surface grip
Weakness
Very steep learning curve
Painful if overused without proper conditioning
Needs to be washed regularly - smelly feet otherwise
- 54 people use
- 326 workouts logged
- 3941.52 miles / 604.21 hours logged
Ease of installation
Forget quick transitions. I could see if your toes are nimble and you've done it thousands of times but in all likelihood you will struggle from time to time inchworming into these things.