Vibram Five Fingers “Sprint” Review
Here is the much-anticipated review of Vibram Five Fingers that I’ve promised you. I wanted to wait until there was better weather, so I could do a more thorough test, but winter came up so fast. Also, I unfortunately was not able to secure a give-away pair, which was also one of the reasons for my delay in writing this review!
My review will be on the Vibram Five Fingers Sprint model. Here is what the website said about this particular model:
Some have called FiveFingers Sprint the most versatile footwear they own. Adjustable hook-and-loop closures cross over the instep and surround the heel for a personalized, secure fit. A thin abrasion-resistant stretch polyamide fabric follows the contour of the foot for comfort. And a flexible, non-marking TC1 performance rubber sole is razor siped to enhance grip over a variety of terrain.
SPRINT IS BEST FOR: Light Trekking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Running, Fitness Training, Martial Arts, Yoga, Pilates, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Flats Fishing, Travel
The Concept:
I love the idea of Vibram Five Fingers. I love how it’s letting your foot work naturally – how it was built to work. I love how it is such a versatile piece of footwear, and I love how it will strengthen my foot muscles over time. I have problem feet to begin with (very flat feet, no arches, narrow heel), and the idea of making them stronger so I will have less problems in the future is very appealing.
Before Buying:
I tried so hard to find VFFs in a store so I could try them on. But after calling a bunch of places, checking out the stores that said they had them in stock, and even driving down to Seattle in search of a pair, I ended up with nothing. I was scared that I would buy the wrong size, since they fit a lot differently than regular shoes. So when I got the chance to order my own pair, I followed the website instructions and hoped for the best.
First Impression:
When I opened the box, my heart sunk because I thought I had ordered the wrong size. They were super small looking. Even holding up the shoe to my foot, the sole of the shoe was smaller than the bottom my foot. Crap. But after a mighty struggle to put them on, I realized that they fit pretty well. Maybe a tiny bit too snug. My advice? Go to a store to get fitted.
As for putting them on, it was a struggle to get used to it. My toes were just not used to having material between them. I would say that it took a good 60 seconds to get my little toes in the appropriate places. As a side note, for those who have their 2nd toe longer than their big toe, you should really try to find a store to try them on before you order them online. They might not fit you properly.
Walking:
They are excellent for walking in (if you can handle the fact that you’ll probably feel ridiculous wearing them – at least for the first little bit). I went for a short 15 min. stroll and the arches of my feet were starting to get sore – but in a good way. In a way that you can tell they’re just working really hard. I passed a woman walking her dog, and she stared at my feet and had that ‘WTF’ look on her face. I haven’t worn them for a walk since. Mostly because it’s either been really crappy weather, or we’ve been going for a longer walk. I’d like to wear them for shorter distances and get my foot adjusted to it a bit better.
Running:
It felt weird. It felt like I was running in bare feet (which is clearly the point of VFFs). Because I have awful ankles and even worse arches, it was really hard to get used to. I was always afraid I’d roll over on my ankles because there isn’t any support. But because my feet aren’t lifted off the ground by the soles of a running shoe, I stayed on my feet. My arches started to hurt not too long after I started running. But I know that if I kept working at it, my feet would get stronger and it would become more natural. I really love how I can completely feel the ground under my feet (reminded me of the feeling of wearing track shoes – except without the spikes).
Rock Climbing:
We have a mini climbing wall in our house, so I tried it out. Fail. Total fail. The bottom of the shoes aren’t meant to grip onto the little holds in the climbing gym. I would never try these at our climbing gym. My feet were slipping everywhere, and it felt unsafe. Perhaps if they made the soles like climbing shoes, but even then. I don’t think it would work. That being said, I feel like it would work somewhat for outdoor climbing because real rocks have more tread on them. Nothing technical, maybe just scrambling. I would 100% advise against using them in place of real climbing shoes.
Hiking:
I wouldn’t wear them on any sort of hike that wasn’t on a well-maintained path. There’s just no traction on the bottom of the shoes. While my feet weren’t turning over, I kept slipping. Especially on wet rocks. Also my feet were quite sore because I felt everything – rocks, roots, uneven terrain. I’m guessing that if I wore them more often, my feet would become stronger and less affected by the unevenness. But for me, as someone who likes hiking and climbing mountains, these shoes just aren’t going to cut it. I need shoes that are beefier and that will stand up to the elements.
However, I think that these shoes could work as hiking shoes for some people. I have a friend who just did a 4 day trek of Machu Piccu in her bare feet. But if your hike actually involves climbing a big mountain? Where one misstep might result in death? No thanks. Bring me my hiking boots, please!
Conclusion:
I wanted to try out the KSO Trek, but they don’t come in women’s sizes. So I chose to review the Sprint model because they were cited as the most versatile, all-around Vibram Five Fingers.
As someone who is quite active, I was hoping for more. I know there is no such thing as an all-in-one shoe, and maybe my expectations were a bit high. They will definitely help make my feet stronger, and if you can get over the fact that people will stare at you, are great for walking and running. I also could see myself wearing my pair while working out on the Wii. But I workout in bare feet anyway.
So here is the list of things VFF says the Sprint is best for:
- Light Trekking ✓ YES - but nothing more than a well-maintained path.
- Climbing ✗ NO – maybe scrambling, but definitely not rock climbing.
- Canyoneering ✗ NO -not real canyoneering (with rope work and rappelling)
- Running ✓ YES
- Fitness Training ✓ YES
- Martial Arts ✓ YES
- Yoga ✓ YES
- Pilates ✓ YES
- Sailing ✓ YES
- Boating ✓ YES
- Kayaking ✓ YES
- Canoeing ✓ YES
- Surfing ? MAYBE – I’ve never been surfing before
- Flats Fishing ✓ YES
- Travel ✓ YES
So it works for most of what it was designed to do. Whether you can get used to them in terms of looks and fit, is up to you. For me personally I’m not ready to give up on my regular shoes. But I do wear my VFFs around the house, sometimes when I work out on my Wii, and washing my car, etc. My mom thinks they’d be brilliant for her, since she does a lot of paddling and kayaking.
I can feel that they are making my feet stronger, but I can’t commit to wearing them outside on walks and runs. My feet aren’t there yet, strength-wise, and they just look goofy. In the time I’ve had my VFFs, I haven’t seen a single person wearing them.
I really want to like these shoes, but I feel that I like the concept of the shoes a lot more than the actual shoes themselves. Hopefully in time, I’ll get used to them.
16 Responses to “Vibram Five Fingers “Sprint” Review”
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You have a climbing wall in your house but not a stove? :)
The Trek will be coming out for women in "late spring" according to Vibram.
As for running, based on your ankle ailments, I think you should work up the foot strength as doing so will help prevent future ankle rollings and injury!
Be aware, the more you wear your VFFs, the more likely you are to dislike regular, constricting shoes.
BTW, will be picking this up on Sunday in my weekly round-up of latest FiveFingers reviews!
You have a climbing wall in your house but not a stove? :)
LOLOL, yeah, that's pretty funny!
Weird, I just saw someone in these today for the first time. He was running on a paved path in the park. It was also 34 and raining and he was in shorts.
He looked a little strange, but I think they could be fun. Do you think you'll get shin splints if you use them for too long distances?
great review!! I really want to try them
How's the cushioning and arch supports? Whenever I look at those, all I can think of is how badly I think they'd affect my plantar fasciitis.
@Katie,
There is no arch support, and when you think about it, why do you need arch support anyway? Aren't arches supposed to support themselves by design?
Though I can't put my fingers on it at the moment, it seems that external arch support actually weakens the arch support naturally built into your foot by weakening the muscles/tendons around the arch in your foot.
As for your PF, I don't think VFFs would make it any worse — there's a good chance they might actually make it better. I'd venture to guess that your PF is being caused by your running shoes (or other high-heeled/highly cushioned shoes).
Just note that if you try VFFs, you should take it slowly.
Hmm I can't claim to know anything about shoe technology or arches, but the one benefit I recall from running around barefoot back as a kid was that my feet were pretty calloused, so even walking on something like gravel didn't hurt. Nowadays I need to walk gingerly at best. I don't think I've experienced other benefits, but I'm not much of a long distance runner.
So is wearing them around the house/ while on the Wii alternative to wearing shoes inside? For me at least, I'm barefoot, or in socks at most around the house (I was raised in and continue to practice the 'take your shoes off at the door' style, and am constantly reminding my fiancee to do the same).
Also what material is the bottom made out of, I would have imagined a rubbery bottom, but it sounds like it isn't since it has worse grip?
csdx: The point of the shoe is to strengthen your feet. Humans were not meant to wear shoes, and when we wear shoes, we protect our feet from strain by providing arch support or cushioning, etc. VFF shoes are meant to correct our foot problems by bringing us back to the way we were meant to move about – bare foot.
I wear them around the house to get used to them and to strengthen my feet so that I can wear them for longer outside and when I'm doing activities. I too do not wear shoes around the house, but these shoes are so different that I really do need to get used to wearing them.
The bottom is made out of rubber, just like other shoes. But the difference is there isn't really any tread. Not that that's a bad thing, since the bottoms of our feet don't have tread either.
hah, well I suppose the reasoning is ok. Though I've never been a fan of the "nature intended" or "we were meant to" arguments. I for one will continue to wear a jacket rather than run outside naked in freezing weather. Snark aside, I think that being more aware of how your walking and using more muscle groups is generally a positive thing.
Also I recall reading about how the typical heel-to-toe walking style developed because of shoes and is bad for us. It advocated more of a walking/running style which used the ball of your foot and toes more. I don't think the shoe company is related to that or anything, but it did just remind me of it with the 'not how our ancestors walked' deal. (Aha, a quick google search dredges up the link: http://tobyspeople.com/anthropik/2007/06/learning-to-walk/)
I just picked some up after about a year of research. All I can say is so far I LOVE them. As someone else said in the comments, arches are meant to support themselves (that's why they are so important architecturally in buildings). Runners cripple our feet, and that is very obvious once you make your feet do actual work :)
I am assuming from this one post you live in Vancouver (as do I). Myself and my gf got ours a few weeks ago at Fairhaven Runners in Bellingham. A lot closer than Seattle (and 40 minute drive) and they seem to pride in specializing in Vibrams. They were very helpful there. Getting to fit in store is a huge plus.
They look really cool- very "avatar"-esque!
I haven't seen anyone sporting them around yet. Probably will more so in the summer.
I wonder how it works for people with flat feet…?
I do hope you give them more of a chance to grow on you. I've been wearing VFF (KSO/Trek) for about 9 months and love them. I started out by running on a gravel trail in the KSOs and am now running on actual trails (lots of roots and rocks) in the Treks, with the KSOs for everything else.
As Justin mentioned, your feet WILL strengthen the more you use them. Flat feet will become less flat as the muscles/tendons/ligaments all get stronger. I'm of the belief that the reason your plantar fascia hurts is because it's not being used. There's nothing wrong with protecting your feet for any given task, but I believe we'd all have healthier feet if we let them function the way they're supposed to.
I really hope you get the chance to try out a women's version of the Trek. They are SO much better for trail activities than regular VFFs. I now have two pairs, one for trail running and one for wearing out and about (they're really comfortable but the muddy trails make it hard to wear them around, thus the 2nd pair.)
My husband has had his for a long time (maybe a year?) and he wears them fishing all the time in the spring/summer/fall – both on the boat and while wade-fishing. They are really durable – the prior year, he went through 3 pairs of keen sandals (at $85/pair) for the same usage. Your point about the lack of tred on the bottom is valid – the only time hubby has ever fallen out of a boat it was while wearing them…Double concur with making sure to try them on – our REI was carrying them for a while, DH wouldn't have gotten them had he not been able to feel how they fitted prior to purchase (his 2nd toe is longer than big-toe, so he went up a size).
You have a mini climbing wall in your house?! Really? Pics?
I bought the VFFs in the Komodo style about 1 year ago.
I use them for beach walking and sting ray protection in the Gulf of Mexico.
Once you get used to them, they are very comfortable.
They still look great- no wear to speak of.
My feet are stronger.
Love the fact that they are water proof and dry fast.