VFF KSOs back in stock!

[Becky]

If you were watching and waiting like I was, it looks like Vibram has women's KSOs back in stock on their website! I didn't check all the sizes and colors, but they definitely had 39s.

I just ordered a pair of black ones, and I am sooooooooooooo excited!

(Sorry LRS- gotta get 'em while I can!)

[Blueberry]

I can't wait for the women's trek to come out - haven't heard anything lately, but I think it was slated for late spring 2010.

[Becky]

I definitely looked at those too....so nice!

I didn't see any of the new styles or colors up yet. The Bikila was another one on my list to consider, and I really liked some of the new colors, but not enough to wait longer for them.

[Blueberry]

What's the Bilkila? I don't remember seeing that one...

[Becky]

A "running-specific" model: http://www.runblogger.com/2009/09/vibram-fivefingers-new-vff-bikila.html

Supposedly, this is the 2010 catalog that got leaked onto some Russian website: http://www.fizan.ru/RF/Sum2010/FiveFingers%20SS10.pdf

[tribogota]

I tried on 2 different styles of vibrams but couldn't get my pinky toe (which is squished down) in properly. I guess vibrams just don't fit everybody?

[sarahspins]

I guess vibrams just don't fit everybody?

They don't :P I know plenty of people who tried them and found them impossible to get on, or very uncomfortable, but I wear my classics ALL the time, they fit fine, and feel great, but I really dislike my KSO's.. they're hard to get on and I feel like there isn't enough room through the instep at all.

Granted I don't run in mine... my interest in VFF's has been more along the lines of "I don't like shoes"... but I do like my vibrams :)

[wnyrider]

Hopefully someone may find this helpful... I just came across this site that includes the KSO product. They have free two day shipping.

https://www.zbsports.com/Store/Store_ProductDetailDesc.aspx?ManufacturerID=73&ProductID=17593&CategoryID=677

Use coupon code 0001200 for an additional 10% off. It brings the price of the shoes down to $76.50.

The special is said to last until the end of today, Jan. 8th.

Also they have the Classic ($67.50), Sprint ($72.00) and men's are included too.

[colby]

Okay, so the only thing stopping me from buying a pair is whether to buy mens or womens. I wear a EE in normal shoes, so I am thinking I should buy mens, and buy them 1/2 size bigger so I can wear my Injinjis underneath them. $75 is too good of a deal to pass up, so I think I might just bite the bullet!! :D

[sarahspins]

I don't think there's really a huge difference in the comparable sizes... the difference seems to mainly be one of color choice and the fact that the women's line is available in smaller sizes ;)

I am able to wear socks under my classics with no problem.... I would actually caution going up a size since they likely won't fit right with or without socks. These shoes already have enough 'give' for Injiji's or any thinner toe sicks (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/4190923843_a85cc3f5f7_m.jpg)(mine were some $3 big box find).. the entire upper material is stretchy.

My KSO's are really difficult to get on without socks... there's NO way I could wear them with any socks.

I don't think wide feet tend to be a problem with any of the vibrams because of the materials used.. the loudest complaining I have heard is from people with super narrow feet.

[Becky]

Okay, so the only thing stopping me from buying a pair is whether to buy mens or womens. I wear a EE in normal shoes, so I am thinking I should buy mens, and buy them 1/2 size bigger so I can wear my Injinjis underneath them. $75 is too good of a deal to pass up, so I think I might just bite the bullet!! :D

From the VFF FAQ (http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/technology/faqs.cfm):

I'M A MAN; CAN I WEAR WOMEN'S SIZES? (OR, I'M A WOMAN; CAN I WEAR MEN'S SIZES?)
We have recommended many male consumers to try on a female size FiveFingers and have had great success. The only difference between a male and female FiveFingers is that, male "lasts" are slightly wider and longer than the female models. If your foot is smaller than the smallest male size, certainly try on a female size based on your measurement in inches --you may have much better luck! Alternately, if you are a woman and your foot is bigger than the largest female size, we encourage you to try one of our Men’s models based on your foot measurement in inches.

I think I would look at the size charts for the length and give the men's styles a shot :)

[HillSlugger]

I tried on 2 different styles of vibrams but couldn't get my pinky toe (which is squished down) in properly. I guess vibrams just don't fit everybody?

At first you may have to force your toes apart to get them into their proper spot but after you've worn them for a while your toes will become more spread apart and will go in easier.

[colby]

Thanks much for the advice, Becky (and pointing out the FAQ)! I wish I could try them on, but we don't have anyone who sells them around here.

[Becky]

Thanks much for the advice, Becky (and pointing out the FAQ)! I wish I could try them on, but we don't have anyone who sells them around here.

I ran into the same problem, since my LRS was all sold out. I managed to try on a different style while I was on travel for work, and that was enough to convince me that my feet weren't too weird for VFFs. I don't like buying shoes without trying them on!

Also, my LRS isn't listed as a dealer on the Vibram website. I just happened tto be in there looking for something else... Might be worth making some phone calls to potential dealers?

[Jolt]

If you were watching and waiting like I was, it looks like Vibram has women's KSOs back in stock on their website! I didn't check all the sizes and colors, but they definitely had 39s.

I just ordered a pair of black ones, and I am sooooooooooooo excited!

(Sorry LRS- gotta get 'em while I can!)

Wow, your LRS actually carries them? You're lucky. I tried to talk mine into it a while back but they didn't seem interested (maybe I should try again now that there's been so much buzz about running barefoot or in minimal shoes). I also tried to talk my local hiking/backpacking/kayaking shop into it and they didn't think the shoes would sell well enough to be worth their small shop carrying them.

[Becky]

Wow, your LRS actually carries them? You're lucky. I tried to talk mine into it a while back but they didn't seem interested (maybe I should try again now that there's been so much buzz about running barefoot or in minimal shoes). I also tried to talk my local hiking/backpacking/kayaking shop into it and they didn't think the shoes would sell well enough to be worth their small shop carrying them.

I'm not crazy about my LRS, mostly because I'm not a "serious" runner and don't seem to be part of their target audience. I always get this weird vibe from them. AFAIK, they haven't carried VFFs all that long- makes me wonder if they jumped in on the trend or if anyone there actually uses them.

*shrugs* Whatever, I have other sources for running stuff (like TE!), so I'm not losing sleep over it.

[Becky]

Sorry to bump this thread, but my KSOs arrived today and I'm looking for some guidance about fit.

I ordered a size 39 according to the size chart, based on feet measurements and the fit of the size 40 Sprints that I tried on. My left big toe is pretty darn close to the end of the shoe, and feels a little "claustrophobic". None of my toes feel cramped or curled, just "close". I realize that they're supposed to be form-fitting, but is this a correct fit? Should I think about going up a size, or do I just need to get used to them?

Thanks in advance!

Becky

[HillSlugger]

Sorry to bump this thread, but my KSOs arrived today and I'm looking for some guidance about fit.

I ordered a size 39 according to the size chart, based on feet measurements and the fit of the size 40 Sprints that I tried on. My left big toe is pretty darn close to the end of the shoe, and feels a little "claustrophobic". None of my toes feel cramped or curled, just "close". I realize that they're supposed to be form-fitting, but is this a correct fit? Should I think about going up a size, or do I just need to get used to them?

Thanks in advance!

Becky
They should fit pretty tightly, like hand-in-glove. You probably just need to get used to them.

[colby]

Still waiting for mine... impatiently!!! ;)

[Becky]

They should fit pretty tightly, like hand-in-glove. You probably just need to get used to them.

Ok, that makes sense to me. I need to stop thinking of them as shoes, and start thinking of them as gloves.

I had a moment of panic there- thanks for alleviating it!

[slowandsurly]

[QUOTE=Becky;486894]Ok, that makes sense to me. I need to stop thinking of them as shoes, and start thinking of them as gloves.

Hi there, I think I'm having the same issue.

I'm pretty new to running. I just joined TE recently even though I've been reading posts on biking and running for the last two years. I've only been running about a year, and have been training for a 10 mi run next weekend. It's going pretty well, I'm really slow, but all I want to do is finish, and I'm okay with that. I've learned so much from this site.

I tried on a pair of sprints last weekend at our LRS, because that was the only women's model they carried. My foot measured for a 39, so I tried on a 39 and a 40, just to see. The 39 definitely fit like a glove, but so did the 40, just slightly looser. I was not uncomfortable in the 39, but my toes filled up all the space. I'm wondering if I should go with the 39 or 40. Do they stretch out from use?
I actually wanted a pair of KSO's but I might have to order them online since they are hard to find around here.
Thanks.

[Urlea]

Slow- I'd go with the 39s. My KSOs fit snug, but not uncomfortable and I haven't had any problem with them. I've even managed to wiggle injinji socks into them for winter running and while the toes were very full it hasn't been an issue. With about 200miles on mine: the fabric breaks in a little bit, but I wouldn't say it stretches much further. If anything it's your feet that adjust to being wrapped in the VFFs the more you use them. Hth!

[colby]

I would say they do break in, but don't really stretch, and more in the width/forefoot than in the toes as they shape to your foot. I have a pair of mens 38 sprints for everyday and mens 39 KSOs for running. The sprints would be a little tight in the toesies if my foot expanded with socks on (as it does during running; they'd probably be okay barefoot) and the KSOs are a little tight over the top of my foot as it is, but the larger size means I have a little extra room in the heels - too much and it could lead to slipping/blistering. They fit my foot width-wise exactly. I didn't dare to try womens sizes, though it might be okay because of how they fit.

Anyway, your toes shouldn't come up to the END of the pockets, and it shouldn't "hurt" between your toes for the shoes to be there. You might try on one size smaller too just to see how they would feel if they were too tight. Also, if you plan on wearing them most often with socks, you might want to try them on with socks (it makes a little difference, though mostly it just feels like more filled-in space between the toes). The KSOs do have a top section where the strap is that can feel tight if you wear them for a long time and have a higher instep/wider foot.

If you are concerned about sizing, you might want to just wear them indoors (and probably with socks, or clean not-sweaty feet ;)) for a couple of days and see if you got it right.

I saw a guide to VFFs on birthdayshoes.com that should be easy to find. It was a few "slides" about the different shoes and how to size/fit, with a couple of tips.

I wish they were more common, you're lucky to get to try them on before you buy!!

[kmehrzad]

After searching everywhere for Vibrams to try on for size, I finally ordered a pair of Sprints from REI. The shoes seemed to fit well except for one toe which hit the top of the sandal. I knew eventually there would be problems with the fit, so I returned them on the spot in the store. That's a great thing about REI and having the purchased items shipped to their store, if an item isn't the right size, you can return them right then and there.

[slowandsurly]

Thank you for the tips. That's a good idea about trying on a smaller pair to see what they would feel like. I just found the birthday shoes site yesterday. I'll look there too. I can't find a store locally, but I went to visit family and was able to try on a pair then. They're about 2 hours from me, but I go often enough that I wouldn't be making a trip just for the shoes. Not that wouldn't make a trip just for the shoes :)

[Selkie]

Just FYI that I noticed Vibram's at rei.com.

[TsPoet]

For those asking men/womens sizes - many people on barefoot forums (mostly men) wear both mens and women's - the feeling is that is how you get 1/2 sizes - so if men can wear women's then women can wear men's LOL.
I have 2 pair of men's treks (size 40) and one pair of women's KSO (size 43) and they fit me identically.
Also my big toe definitely rams into the end of the shoe, it isn't a problem, you get used to it and IMHO tight is better, it allows your foot to work more.
I got the women's KSO trying to give my big toe more room, it didn't work that way, but it doesn't matter.
I also got my first pair in October, so I've been wearing socks. It'll be interesting when it warms up to see how the lack of socks affects the fit/comfort.