Product Description

The Vibram FiveFingers (VFF) Classics are the original model of VFFs developed by the Italian rubber sole company Vibram.  VFFs have been around for a few years but have recently taken hold in the minimalist and ‘barefoot’ running communities.  The Vibrams were developed originally as a shoe for sailboat racing that was meant to provide the barefoot feeling while offering some protection to the feet.  Vibrams eventually found their way to everyday consumers.



I’ve owned the Vibrams for a few months now and enjoyed them from the start.  In my quest to become an injury free runner I was exploring many options and started down the path of minimalist running.  My first step had been the introduction and eventual full transition into Nike Frees for training.  I found a much better running experience in the Frees and wondered where else I could go with the minimalist running.  I eventually found out about Born to Run by Chris McDougal where I read about the VFFs used by Barefoot Ted.  I looked them up, did some research and ordered myself two pairs, the Black Classics for everyday use and the Vibram Sprints specifically for running.  The Vibrams were advertised as being the closest to barefoot as you can get while being shod, with individual toe pockets to allow splaying and gripping around objects.  The limited support and lack of cushioning is meant to stimulate your feet, which are a bio-mechanical marvel with 33 muscles, 28 bones (a quarter of all the bones in the human body) and 19 ligaments holding it all together.  The theory behind the use of Vibrams is to allow your feet which have been ‘trapped’ inside supportive shoes and have entered a level of atrophy, to regain strength and flexibility, which can in turn help you prevent recurrence of previous injuries or the onset of new ones.  Another benefit is getting your feet back in touch with the ground they walk on.  The thin sole allows a large increase in proprioceptive feedback.  You can literally feel the ground underneath you and in turn learn to be lighter on your feet and avoid those painful objects such as sharp stones and pesky acorns.

The Classics were the simplest pair of Vibrams at the time of my purchase.  I chose the solid black look to minimize the shock and awe of what was on my feet.  I took it easy the first few days of owning them, wearing them around the house and for running some errands.  Soreness would develop in my feet and I could feel them getting stronger after each wear.  Transitioning to full time use should be done over time.  You will feel sore in your feet and calves (yeah they’re involved too) and occasionally will feel fatigued.

The Classics are definitely a head turner and conversation starter.  The black on black color is easy to work with and with a pair of Injinji toe socks you can even pass off the Vibrams without a second glance from most people.  They secure with an elastic band with a tab behind the heel that should only be tightened just enough to keep the shoe from falling off.  Other versions of the Vibrams are the KSO (Keep Stuff Out; covers the whole top of your foot) and KSO Trek (for trails), Sprint (more secure Classics), Flow (more insulted for colder use) and the newly introduced Moc which is strictly for indoor use.  The offerings for women include all of the above, except the KSO Trek and the Moc is replaced by the Performa.  All versions come in a variety of colors.  The Classics have razor sipped rubber sole that provide excellent grip and traction on both wet and dry surfaces.  The Vibrams require some time to break in and loosen up.  They are extremely comfortable as you start gaining more strength and using them more often.

At the moment getting your hands on a pair of Vibrams is rather difficult, at least for my size range.  The recent popularity spike has left Vibram scrambling with many versions backordered for months.  The most popular version the KSO have been unavailable in my size for a few months now.  The Vibrams are no available in any standard sizes.  They require you to measure each foot from heel to the longest toe.  It’s recommended that you measure a few times to get the right fit or find a retailer where you can try on a pair.  The Vibrams are available online from a few retailers and in a handful of specialty stores.  They range in price from $85 for the Classics and Sprints; up to $115 for the Moc and Performa (kangaroo leather is expensive).  If you’re interested in strengthening your feet for whatever reasons I would highly recommend these as your minimalist shoe of choice.

Pros:

• Relatively cheap with a long life span.  Some runners report mileages into the thousands.
• Interesting color assortment.
• Can be easily machine washed and hung dried.
• Lightweight and comfortable for everyday use and fulltime wear.
• Head turner and conversation starter.
• Will increase the strength and flexibility of your feet which can in turn help reduce likelihood of running related injury.
• Increases your ability to use and absorb proprioceptive feedback from your feet and in turn teaches you to better mind your surroundings.

Cons:

• Can easily cause injury if introduction to use is not gradual.
• Difficult to find and exact fit if toe lengths vary greatly and come in non-standard sizes.
• Classics can be used for running but are not geared towards it and can slip off.
• Lack of an upper can introduce debris into the shoe.
• Sockless wear can lead to friends poking fun at you for wearing ‘girl’ shoes.
• Very difficult to find in stores and online due to sudden increase in interest.

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