Vibram Five Finger KSO
I step off of my porch, my forefoot contacts the concrete toes first. My heel barely touch the surface before my other foot repeats this process. I feel the texture of the ground as it changes beneath my feet, but I am not worried about injury. I am wearing a second layer of skin so to speak, Im wearing Vibram Five Fingers.
Barefoot running has gained some substantial momentum as of late. The only problem is it isn’t particularly safe to do everywhere, But thanks to Vibram’s Five Fingers line of shoes we can now achieve the same barefoot running posture without the risk of cutting or injuring our feet.
A New Type Of Shoe
The Vibram Five Fingers KSO are a barefoot style running shoe that wrap a thing layer of Vibram’s famous rubber around your feet. Each toe is isolated by its own individual pocket. This allows for unmatched tactile responsiveness from your feet.
I initially was interested In the five fingers as a light weight solution for descending from bouldery slopes after a rock climb, but when I put these shoes on, they became so much more. They are one of the most comfortable pieces of footwear I have owned, and they certainly seem to have a positive impact on posture.
Vibram Five Finger KSO Barefoot Running Shoes
A Brave New World Of Running
Running took on a whole new feeling. The way we as humans run when we are barefoot is quite different then when we have fully supported shoes. With these shoes I had a more natural tendency to strike with the front of my feet and keep my weight there rather than rolling off of my heel. This felt surprisingly good.
One thing I will say though is running on less than perfect pavement is annoying due to the thin rubber. Thats not to say I won’t get used to it, it just feels odd.
The Verdict Is In
Barefoot running is not for everyone, just like these shoes are not for everyone. Personally I enjoyed the way they fit my feet and they way they made them feel. That said, the winter months are now here and these puppies do not offer any sort of thermal protection. A pair of wool toe socks may help insulate for a run, but I wouldn’t recommend trudging through a foot of snow in them.
The Shoes feel well constructed and the soles seem like they should hold up well over time. They are also very light weight and make them perfect for my original intended use.
If you are interested, I do recommend trying them on in a gear or shoe store even if you plan to buy them online. The sizing is a bit strage and it is a good Idea to try a few sizes on.
-Patrick
Have you tried them out as descent shoes yet? Or do you have any thoughts on how they might work for on a trail (not on pavement)?
I haven’t used them on a descent yet. but I have been off road with them, and it feel great in my opinion. I would’nt use them in anything really sloppy, but a dry to damp trail would be fine. they also are great for trail running.