Are Vibram Five Fingers Right for You?

Fitness Shoes - By Ed Forteau on Saturday, February 12, 2011 - 01:18

Vibram Five Fingers are the hottest athletic footwear on the market. The uniquely designed footwear is turning heads on trails and in airports.  Originally developed as performance footwear for a variety of outdoor sports, Vibram Five Fingers is quickly becoming the preferred choice of kayakers, canoeists, surfers, boarders, and sailors because of their control, grip, and performance.

The running community embraced Vibram Five Fingers, making barefoot running very popular.  As its' popularity increased, so did the number of uses.  You will now find people wearing Vibram Five Fingers for trekking, walking, climbing, running, skateboarding, fitness and strength training, yoga, pilates, the martial arts, and yoga.

Time Magazine even named Vibram Five Fingers as one of the best inventions of 2007.

Vibram Five Fingers Are Not Shoes

You have probably seen the Vibram name on hiking shoes.  Well known for the quality of  their soles, you will many of the top hiking shoe manufacturers use Vibram soles.  Vibram Five Fingers are different.  They are designed to provide  a barefoot walking experience while  protecting your feet.  The soles are made  from Vibram TC-1 performance rubber that  holds  up remarkably to wear and tear.

At its thickest, the sole is only 4mm,  making them very flexible.  This flexibility  allows your  toes to bend and grip for sure  footing on uneven surfaces.  The soles are also razor-siped  for added traction on wet surfaces.

Vibram Five Fingers Help Strengthen The Foot and Ankle Muscles

Vibram Five Fingers do not provide the level of support you will find in a quality athletic shoe (but remember, these are not shoes).  The second you take your first step in Vibram Five Fingers, you will notice you have a greater sense of the ground beneath you.  The cushion you have grown accustomed to in higher quality athletic shoes is not there.  This is actually a benefit to the footwear.

Recently there have been studies that show that inserts and cushioned soles weaken the foot and ankle muscles.  Barefoot walking strengthens these muscles by causing them to react to the different surfaces you come in contact with.  Your toes can curl and grip the ground.

You also reduce the stress of a heel to toe walking motion.  When walking in Vibram Five Fingers, you land on more of the center of the foot.  When running, you land on your forefoot, instead of an unnatural heel strike.

Vibram Five Fingers Size & Fit

The following video is a guide to choosing the proper size...

Putting on Vibram Five Fingers takes some practice.  It took about 3 mintues for me to get them on the first time, because you have to line up your toes just right.  It doesn't take long to get the hang of it, and soon they slip on as easily as typical shoes.

Also, keep in mind that sizing is not standard for all shoes.  See the charts below when choosing the style and size you want.

Shoe Size Chart for Men

Shoe Size Chart for Women

Which is the Best Vibram Five Fingers to Buy?

The KSO (which stands for "keep stuff out") is probably the most versatile model.  It fits higher up on your foot, and has secure hook and loop closures (which keep it more secure on your feet). 

The KSO sell for $85, and is ideal for people trying Vibram Five Fingers for the first time.  The Classic is not as versatile as the KSO, Sprint, or Flow because of its' lower profile.  The Bikila and Bikila LS have more of a shoe feel to them, and are specifically designed for running by promoting a more natural (and efficient) forefoot strike.  The Bikila LS is the only lace up model in the Vibram Five Fingers line up.  The prices range from $75 for the classic, to $125 for the KSO Trek.

Cleaning Your Vibram Five Fingers

The biggest complaint about Vibram Five Fingers is that they start to smell over time. The best way to clean them, and get rid of the smell, is to turn them inside out and soak them in cold water and vinegar overnight.  Rinse them off, and put in a mess nylon bag, and toss them in the washing machine.  Then hang them out to dry in the sun.  

Where to Buy Vibram Five Fingers

Ideally you should try on a pair Vibram Five Fingers at a local store, but they can be very hard to find.  They are sold in specialty shoe stores, and REI also carries them.  Most stores have limited supplies, so they may not have a pair in your size.  And it is unlikely they will have the style and size combination you are looking for.  You can purchase them directly from vibramfivefingers.com, but like all manufacturers, they don't have the best return policy.  

Reputable online retailers, with a liberal return policy, are your best bet.  They will carry a wider selection than local specialty stores, and have a better return policy that the manufacturer.  Do be careful, because there are many counterfeiters selling Vibram Five Fingers.

Our => Favorite Online Retailer <= now carries Vibram Five Fingers.  They are currently selling 15 different models including the KomodoSport and the Bikila LS which are not available to order from Vibram directly.  They can only be purchased from authorized retailers.

Are Vibram Five Fingers Worth The Money?

Vibram Five Fingers are very unique footwear that provides benefits you won't find in any other shoe.  Strengthening the muscles in your feet is a good thing, and they are the only footwear designed to do just that.  And it doesn't hurt that they are cool looking.  As the weather gets warmer, you will see a lot more of these.  I give Vibram Five Fingers 2 Thumbs Up!