Vibram FiveFinger KSO Shoes

Posted by Tim on Jun 4th, 2011 in Featured, Product Reviews | 0 comments

I (Tim) have asked a buddy and fellow work out enthusiast, Spencer Browning, to give Fit True an exclusive review on his experience with the latest in workout foot ware. Spencer’s no dumby in the gym so listen up to his review of the Vibram Fivefingers KSO
Fitness Shoes:

Ninja Shoes, Gorilla Feet, and Mountain Man; these are some of the names that people have used to describe the Vibram Fivefingers KSOFitness Shoe. Before I go on to give my review of the FiveFinger shoes, let me give you a little bit of my background in the fitness world.

I consider myself a “veteran” when it comes to working out. This December, I will have been working out consistently five to six days a week for the past ten years. I have done a variety of sports including track and field (sprinter) and ju jitsu. Long story short, I am pretty knowledgeable on working out.

I first saw the FiveFinger shoes in a fitness magazines. One of the bodybuilders was wearing the shoes, and they stood out so much that I had to research further. I decided to get them (really tough decision right?). So I went to the local Sports Chalet in Aliso Viejo and talked to the woman in the shoe department (very knowledgeable). I decided that the best shoe for me was the Vibram Fivefingers KSOFitness Shoe. What is great about these shoes is that unlike some of the other models they don’t allow anything to get in the shoe (Keep Stuff Out).

Buy the socks too. They are sold separately and are a little pricey (about 12 dollars for one pair) but worth it.

The first time aligning my toes individually in the shoes was a little weird and definitely didn’t feel natural. What I found out was the shoes separate the spacing of your toes the way they are supposed to be. So when you are wearing your regular shoes, your toes are actually getting more bunched together overtime. I wore my Vibram Fivefingers KSO
everywhere for two weeks. I wore them around the house, to school (even got a “cool shoes mate” comment), and everywhere else I went.

The real test for me was going to be in the gym. I wore them for both weight lifting and doing cardio. Keep in mind I have worn many different kinds of shoes in the gym (basketball, converse, running shoes, weight lifting shoes and the list goes on).

For key lifts such as squats (front or back) and deadlifts, they gave me the smoothest lifts I have ever felt. When doing cardio with the Vibrams it was a little awkward at first because I was used to having more support when doing things such as the bike, elliptical and stair master. I also noticed that if I jumped rope too many days in a row my feet felt weaker.

At the end of the day it’s a great product. All my lifts (especially deadlifts and squats) went up and after about a week it didn’t even feel like I was wearing shoes.

Pros:
• Makes squats and deadlifts feel easier
• Really comfortable
• Good traction and makes workouts better because you don’t lose your footing.
• Makes me feel like a muscle ninja.
• Easily washable- Can put in washer then air dry

Cons:
• Can’t jump rope with them too many days in a row
• Socks for the shoes are expensive (12 dollars for 1 pair)
• Can be awkward to fit each toe in each “finger”