Vibram FiveFingers: Feel The Difference

Vibram Five Fingers:

Vibram's Five fingers is a concept unlike any other - a patented design that mirrors the flex points and silhouette of your foot to propel your body forward and promote a more natural gait. Customers report an increased sense of balance, expanded range of motion, and visibly improved posture.

Five fingers shoes act like a second skin shielding your feet from scorching surfaces and rugged terrain, liberating your body to move in a healthy, more natural way. Rediscover a smoother, more natural walking motion.

Vibrams' Five Fingers Barefoot Technology

All Men's Vibrams | All Women's Vibrams

The nine types of Vibrams' we currently carry are:

Bikila: Is best for Running & Fitness
Classic: Most like being barefoot - minimal upper allow an unrestricted feel - good for light running and more
The KSO Featuring a thin, abrasion-resistant stretch nylon and breathable mesh upper that wraps your entire forefoot to "Keep Stuff Out." A single hook-and-loop closure helps secure the fit. A non-marking 3.5mm Vibrams' TC1 performance rubber sole is razor-siped for a sure grip, and a 2mm EVA midsole enhances plating protection and comfort.
The KSO Trek is a more rugged version of the KSO. The kangaroo leather upper and sock liner feels soft against the foot, yet is strong and tear resistant, with outstanding breathability. A 4mm EVA midsole offers plating protection from stone bruising, and a lightly cleated 4mm Vibrams' performance rubber outsole delivers improved traction on trails and over more rugged terrain.
The KSO TrekSport Light Trekking, Trail and Road Running, Cross Training, CrossFit, Walking and Travel
The Performa is best for Fitness Training, Indoor CrossFit, Travel, & After Sport.
The Performa Jane is best for Fitness Training, Indoor CrossFit, Travel, & After Sport.
The Smartwool is best for Travel and After Sport.
The Sprint is a specialized version of the KSO designed with runners in mind.

On Sizing:

The Vibrams are sized according to the EU sizing chart, not the US sizes, so you'll need to make sure your ordering the correct size for your foot. This is further complicated by the fact that Vibrams fit more like gloves then Shoes - they're best worn snug around the foot - and many of our customers report that they end up comfortably wearing a shoe 1 or even 2 full EU sizes below what they would normally wear! We recomend coming into the store to try them on and make sure they fit if it's your first time purchasing them or if that's impossible carefully measuring your foot using the size chart to make sure you get the best possible fit.

On Barefoot Running:

Barefoot running has gotten a lot of press lately, including several scientific studies suggesting it may reduce injuries because the lack of cushioning forces a barefoot runner to land on the ball of their foot and roll forward onto their toes instead of heel-striking. Running this way dramatically reduces the impact force on your legs which in turn may help to reduce injuries caused by those impacts, particularly knee injuries. It also allows the foot to flex naturally so that the muscles in your toes, feet, and calves can develop the way they have evolved to over the eons.

The drawback to running barefoot, of course, is that the foot is left unprotected from frost, thorns, rock, glass, and all the other hazards of running - particularly in urban environments. The Vibrams offer a great way to gain all the benefits of barefoot running while offering protection for your feet. As an added bonus, their unique design separates the toes which can help prevent blistering caused by traditional shoes which press the toes together and place them in friction against each other.

Runners transitioning from traditional shoes to Vibrams or other thin-soled shoes should take special care to slow down and do shorter runs at first, paying special attention to how you land. Make sure you don't continue to heel-strike and carry over other bad habits! If you run in Vibrams and continue to land on your heels you can seriously injure yourself because there is no protective padding there to dampen the impact. If you're like most people in the industrialized world and have spent most of your life wearing heavily padded inflexible shoes the muscles in your feet will have atrophied and need time to strengthen. Transitioning from walking or running in regular shoes to Vibrams is like switching from skiing to Snowboarding: the two are obviously related activities but they're really different sports and it takes time to make that transition. So slow down, take care of your feet, and enjoy the freedom!