first ride vibram five fingers.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

Last night I tried my vibram five fingers for the first time

http://www.kayakshed.com/vibram-five-fingers/mens-five-finger-kso

I ride a strapless surfboard with dakine tailpads front and rear. I was on a 6rpm at rufus with good swell and wind. I usually ride a Mosier so I need footwhere for sharp rocks. These things have a much tougher sole than the ripcurl split toes I was wearing. I could hardly feel the sharp rock yet they have a very nice barefooot feel on the board. The sole also had better traction on the kick pads then my rip curls, infact at first my jibes were a little off because their was so much traction but I got used to it. I bought these for sup but they are definatly going to be my new kite footwhere.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

Yes, but my 11 year old bought a pair and the cheap nylon top material ripped on day two. I was not happy, as they are not cheap.

Eric

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

did they waranty that

shred_da_gorge · Wed Jun 30, 10 7:55 am

Thanks for the info guys! I'm in the market and have a few friends that love them for Third Ave shells/rocks. Eric, what did the dealer/rep say about the rip? Warranty replacement I'd imagine?

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

Yes, but it's going to happen again. The shoe has a tough sole material seamed with light weight top material. Somethings gotta give. They need to glue and tape the seams like on kites and wetsuits.

Eric

stinkyskate · Since 18 Feb 2009 22 Posts Tri-cities WA

I, too, recently got a pair of Vibram fivefingers KSO for kitebarding. They should be excellent for strapless riding or for use with really loose straps and I plan to use them any time there are particularly ugly surface conditions on launch/land, strapless or twintip. However, when used with my TT, I found them hard to get into the footstraps, much harder than barefoot, though I loosened the straps substantially. Jamming my feet into the straps also resulted in the shoes being forced in between my toes rather uncomfortably. The worst part was that when I lost one foot from the board (on wipeout or whatever), the foot that was left in the strap would really get wedged in to where it wouldn’t come out without some serious effort. I’ve heard of positive experiences with these shoes from other people so my issues may be personal preference or related to my brand of footstrap/pad.
In general, I think the shoes are comfortable and fun to wear. They provide good grip on most surfaces, adequate protection against rocks, broken glass, goat-heads etc. though they are a bit obnoxious in taller vegetation or fine dry sand and not good for walking on smooth hard surfaces. Overall, I'm happy with them.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

i get a season out of these before they disintegrate: (dry super quick)

http://www.zappos.com/nike-free-70-v2-black-black-anthracite

Knot Kracker · Since 02 Jul 2008 130 Posts Clackamas River Stoked

I have purchased two pair over the last year. The first were too large at 47 and the second fit better at size 46. Took them to SPI this spring and wearing the first day, developed holes on the inside of both insteps severe enough that it took over over a month to heal. The same happened to the other person that wore the 47 on the same day (it was either sand, fit or a combination) Also, when gripping hard in straps, my foot would pull out slightly and then the the toes would go into different "toe holes" making it very uncomfortable.

I have since sewed moleskin on the inside portion to see if it works better. I have sent an email back to Five Fingers and have not gotten a response (3 weeks ago).

Mine would probably fit better if I could pull the fabric up tighter on the smaller toes that seem to have too much room to move around.

I still want them to work because the sole is thin but very durable and is cut for less slippage on rocks.

carlitos · Since 02 Feb 2006 81 Posts NE pdx

and besides all of that, they are just f-ing ugly

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

These look interesting, but what do most people use? I'm not looking for anything too fancy, just something that's durable and performs well on the board.

splaterwin · Since 17 Nov 2005 165 Posts Vancouver Stoked

I've been using these for the last couple years with good results. Order them snug
or you will not be happy. Took a little time to get used the different feel, now I don't kite without them.

www.seasidesurfshop.com/Xcel-Wetsuits-1mm-Split-Toe-Reef-Boot.aspx

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

I think these are the ones more suited ( at least for me) for twin tip or strapped riding.

http://www.kayakshed.com/vibram-five-fingers/vibram-five-finger-mens-classic

The top straps on the KSO may get in the way of foot straps.

noobydoobydoo · Since 15 Jan 2010 20 Posts

I have to wash mine each time I wear them. They get stinky pretty damn fast, and I don't have "swamp feet" either.

shred_da_gorge · Sat Jul 10, 10 9:56 am