Wednesday, October 1, 2008

My Review of Vibram FiveFingers Classic Water Shoes - Men's

Originally submitted at REI

Experience barefoot freedom in your outdoor activities while protecting the soles of your feet with a thin Vibram® skin.


Simply wonderful

By Frankie the Climber from San Diego, CA on 10/1/2008

 

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Durable, Good Traction

Cons: Difficult On and Off, Dirt can get inside

Best Uses: Hiking, Running, Climbing

Describe Yourself: Advanced User

I actually have the "Sprint" models which have a strap across the top of the foot but are more or less the same as the classics, save the strap. I had heard that when first wearing these shoes to take it easy when first wearing them till the muscles in your feet get stronger before wearing them for extended periods of time, running and other strenuous activities. I see the logic in it if your footwear experience is solely things that have a lot of support and padding. I climb, a lot. So naturally from doing so my feet are a bit stronger than most, and also wearing sandals such as Chacos and similar things, that have less support than other footwear tend to lean towards being barefooted. Having those things all going for me, I found these shoes to be literally like going barefooted. I had no problems going out on class 4 trails and scrambling up rocks and even leading some technical climbs. They held up awesome and were just great.

With climbing in them however, it was nice to have some protection while climbing on some sharp rock or doing moves that would otherwise tear up your foot when climbing barefoot, but like anything else you do, you adapt and know what you can and can't do. I look forward to climbing more in them and even trying out some other activities.

(legalese)

1 comment:

Airin said...

dude those look intense