After receiving my first pair of Vibram Fivefingers (VFF) in the mail, I could not wait to open the package and see how they looked felt on my feet! These are my first pair of barefoot/birthday shoes/minimalist footwear.
Compared to all of the other Vibram Fivefingers line, the KSO Trek is a rugged version of the standard KSO. The sole is a little thicker and has light rubber cleating which will protect your foot more than the rest. So these shoes are great for hiking in the woods, walking on gravel, as a normal day to day shoe or for long walks on the beach. Needless to say, I have been looking forward to going on my first hike in them! Since I planned on having a pair for hiking in woods, I wanted to really put these to the test so I chose the roughest hiking trail I knew. There are boulders peaking out of the ground, downed trees, steep hills, uneven ground and holes. Just to add to that, the humidity is very high. Enough to leave a dew on everything in the middle of the day.
I am just a regular guy who likes to hike now and then… I am no athlete…
Wearing Vibram Fivefingers Trek — My Everyday Shoe
My first steps! This is the thickest sole in the Fivefingers line. You could call it the “boot” of Fivefingers. I was absolutely amazed how much detail on the ground I could feel with my foot. My foot still felt protected enough to walk in the city streets. While I was at work, these shoes almost became invisible to me. It was almost like I wasn’t wearing shoes because I wasn’t constantly bumping a chunk of rubber on something. Rather, I was not bumping anything since these shoes do not protrude outside of your natural safety zone. I am just a regular guy who likes to hike now and then… I am no athlete like many who wear Fivefingers are. So, yes, I wear them during my daily routine and on the trails.
The KSO Trek is probably the classiest looking Fivefinger shoe available right now. The brown suede kangaroo leather feels surprisingly durable and smooth and is surprisingly thing. It fits right in most work environments without causing too much distraction. On another note, I have seen photos of the new line of Fivefingers that will be coming out soon and I better not say too much… but they are going to be producing a new style that is a semi-dress/casual/leisure shoe that is surprisingly classy.
Running in Vibram Fivefingers Trek — How was it?
The plan was for a leisure hike to find out if a canoe could make it up the river to a lake I enjoy fishing. Within a minute of hiking, I found myself running full speed ahead to loose the swarm of deer flies that had found me. Seriously, it sounded like a swarm of bees chasing me! Not totally familiar with the trail, I was unsure of what my Fivefinger clad foot might find. I normally wear hiking boots! My worry quickly dwindled and I found myself running for fun. I had great traction and control. It was like I was running bear foot without getting my feet scratched or bruised from the ungroomed trail. All Vibram Fivefingers can wet so it makes for a great water shoe. My next expedition into the woods will be with a canoe and a pair of Vibram Fivefingers and I plan on getting them muddy! After todays hike and run, I have decided to make the Fivefingers Trek my new hiking shoe.
Overview
The Vibram Fivefingers Trek is a well rounded shoe. It has treated me well in the work environment and yet allowed me to be aggressive on the trails. Did I mention that all VFF shoes are machine washable?! You can was them for work the next day! After todays performance, these shoes have replaced my hiking shoes… and all of my hiking boots.
This is just my initial experience with Fivefingers. After putting these shoes through a real quality test: my hiking and canoeing excursions, I will post how they have faired. I have a feeling I will be writing a positive, long-term, performance review about these shoes… I can just feel it.