It’s a great time of year, Autumn is coming in, night are drawing in, the trails will soon be turning beautiful tones of orange from the falling leaves… and it is half term.
As you may (or may not) know, Feetus is a small family run business who are passionate about running, the products we sell and giving you, our customers, the very best customer service that we can. But every now and again, we need to put down the toe socks, the mail bags and cellotape and have a touch of r & r, and that’s what we will be doing this half term.
I completely get that it is an inconvenience, but to try and make up for this, I have setup a 10% discount code which runs until Friday 4th November! Just enter HALFTERM at checkout.
So, on that note, my out of office is on (even though I will still be replying to emails) and headed off for some rest … and probably a few runs!
Steve Kalclash, a die-hard vegan and barefoot running fanatic, normally does the bulk of his running on the road, but we wanted to get his verdict on the new Trek Ascent. So he’s recently been putting in the miles off-road, trail running, and he made this short video to let us all know his first impressions of the Trek Ascent.
Who is Steve Kalclash?
For those of you that don’t know Steve, he is an inspirational character. His YouTube channel is growing bigger all the time and his videos range massively; from his vegan diet to product reviews, and training tips involving running, cycling, and weight lifting. His favourite Vibram FiveFingers model (given he is a road runner) is the Bikila EVO, but he’s a massive fan of the KSO EVO too. He also reviewed the KSO EVO earlier this year for us. See the video here.
The Trek Ascent – An Overview
In the Trek Ascent ‘Family’ there are three styles all featuring the same patented MEGAGRIP sole. They are all great for trail running, hiking, trekking, and casual use. The sole offers great grip on all surfaces, but is not too aggressive, making it still a good choice for road running too.
The TREK ASCENT is the original, featuring a synthetic upper fabric. The lightest in the range, the Ascent is fast and grippy, ideal for off-road racing and mud obstacle events (i.e. Tough Mudder). The synthetic, lightweight upper fabric means the shoe dries quicker should you get it wet.
The TREK ASCENT LR is exactly the same as the TREK ASCENT, expect the upper fabric is a combination of Hemp and Kangaroo Leather. This combination of materials makes the shoe naturally water-resistant and more durable.
The TREK ASCENT INSULATED is the newest style in the range, and is reinforced with wool inside the shoe making it really warm. Ideal for winter and cold weather.
Admittedly, minimalist shoes aren’t always the best choice for colder months. Such footwear is low-profile: the soles are thin which means your feet are closer to the ground and receive less ‘protection’ from the cold underfoot.
Barefoot purists may tell you to grin and bare it, but winter is long, and we believe that with the correct footwear, you can enjoy the best of minimalist running whilst keeping your fitness up during the whole of winter.
An Overview of the best winter Vibram FiveFingers
In case you don’t want to read the whole article, we’ve made it easy for you to pick out the best shoe depending on what activity you’re likely to use the shoes for most:
Best for mud obstacle events & racing: Spyridon MR
Mild winter shoe / Good all-rounder: Trek Ascent
Best casual/smart winter shoe: CVT Wool
Spyridon MR
Lightweight and low profile whilst offering adequate grip, the Spyridon MR is a favourite for those seeking speed and stability both on and off road. The ‘MR’ stands for Mud Runner, and these were designed with events like Tough Mudder in mind.
Best for: Mud obstacle events, winter racing (short-medium distance)
The leather upper is naturally water-resistant, strong, and durable. Sure, leather also weighs a little more than synthetic materials but the compromise is well worth it due to the added warmth and toughness this shoe offers. The LR‘s MEGAGRIP sole is thicker than most other Vibram styles and therefore offers more resistance to cold coming up from the ground through the soles. Just the few extra milimetres really does make a massive difference. The MEGAGRIP sole is also Vibram FiveFingers’ hands-down best sole for off-road running, trekking and walking.
Best for: Water resistance, long distance outdoor use, all winter
THE BEST WINTER SHOE from Vibram FiveFingers in 2015: The Trek Ascent Insulated comes higher up the ankle so it keeps more than just your feet warm; your ankles are kept toasty too! Not only that, but the wool lining is outstandingly warm – a total godsend for winter!!
Please note: The insulated padding inside this shoe means it fits smaller / tigher than all other Vibram FiveFingers styles. We strongly recommend you opt for +1 size up than you normally would.
The MEGAGRIP sole on this insulated shoe also features Vibram’s patented ICETREK technology, offering incredible grip on ice, snow, and cold surfaces. The sole is thicker, offering protection from the cold ground, and also features aggressive grip for fantastic stability on and off-road.
Best for: All winter use (running, trekking, casual, all terrain)
You guessed it, this shoe is largely made from wool making it warm and comfortable. The CVT Wool features a higher ankle for added warmth and the overall look of the shoe is stylish and ideal for smart and casual use. This shoe is surprisingly light yet cozy and warm.
For added grip on ice, snow, and cold ground, the CVT Wool features ICETREK pods in the sole.
Add extra warmth to your precious feet by wearing toe socks under your Vibrams. Some of the thicker socks (such as Injinji’s NuWool OUTDOOR range) can add too much bulk. In most cases a ‘normal’ thickness sock is more than adequate. See our guide to the best toe socks for winter (which also includes tips on keeping your feet warm).
Last month, Feetus company owner Lee Firman embarked on a solo, unsupported, mountain bike trip through the southern sierras of Andalusia, Spain.
He covered in excess of 900km and 60,000’ elevation over 7 days of cycling in order to raise money for our local charity, Cleveland Mountain Rescue, who celebrate their 50th year in operation this year.
“It was tougher than I had expected. Many of the climbs, especially in the Alpujarras, were very humbling. I took too many wrong turns, suffered too many flat tyres, but it was a priceless experience. I would recommend all cycling / outdoor enthusiasts to check out the TransAndalus mountain bike trails. Thanks also to everyone that wished me luck and sponsored me, and for those that participated in the little Facebook competitions during the ride”.
Do you ever wonder if its just a gimmick when a sports company offers an alternative for women?
We do.
Earlier this year, Injinji released their Womens-Specific range of toe socks. They claim that these lightweight no show toe socks ‘better accommodate the female foot’ and offer ‘increased heel-to-toe stretch’. There is a two-way stretch through the mid-point of the arch to provide better compression through the female foot, and the toe pockets have been re-designed for a ‘better, snugger fit’. It all sounds great – but is it marketing-speak or can these socks cut the mustard?
Earlier this month, we asked one of our super-customers to compare the new ladies-specific Injinji Performance 2.0 Lightweight No Show Women’s Toe Socks to the existing unisex toe socks. We like open, honest, and candid reviews (see this one from last month) and welcome criticism and feedback. We’re not all about sales, sales, sales; we care about our customers so its important to get an unbiased review from customers just like you… So without further ado, here’s Cath’s review.
A look at the Women’s Specific Toe Socks form Injinji
Injinji Performance 2.0 Lightweight No Show Women’s Toe Socks – A Review
I have to admit to being a bit sceptical when I was asked to review Injinji’s women’s socks to see how they compare to unisex toe socks. I wear both ToeToe and Injinji toe socks on a regular basis and have never noticed a major problem with wearing a sock which wasn’t specifically designed for girls. I run almost exclusively in Vibram FiveFingers, usually with a lightweight liner.
First Impressions
My first impression when I took the socks out of the packet was that I liked the funky pattern (not that anyone’s going to see it once I’ve got my shoes on!) but that the fabric felt quite thick, especially for a sock described as “lightweight” with “ultra-thin” cushioning.
The Fit
Getting the sock on was easy – the toes and heel fit in the right place first time with no need for adjustment. This is where I sometimes have issues with unisex socks – the toes tend to be a bit long and I have to tug on them to get them to fit snugly. Oddly, the ribbed band which is meant to support the arch sat too high on my foot but this didn’t cause any discomfort or chafing. The thick feel of the fabric was noticeable between the toes but overall, the sock felt snug – it hugged my foot without being constrictive.
As soon as I donned my Fivefingers, I completely forgot the socks were there – just what I demand of a toe sock. I’m always a bit wary of socks described as “no show” in case they’re too short and don’t protect my ankle from the cuff of my shoe, but these socks are a perfect length – they do show over the top of both FiveFingers and “normal” shoes but this doesn’t bother me as I prefer the protection this provides.
3 colours available in the UK
A look at the Women’s Specific Toe Socks form Injinji
Colour-Coordinated: Injinji Womens Socks in Vibram FiveFingers KMD Sport LS
While running, the socks stayed in place perfectly, felt comfortable and prevented the blisters I get if I run without socks.
On Test
The initial test run was a 4-miler on a cool Spring morning, and the socks kept my feet nice and warm, which makes me wonder how they will hold up to Summer conditions. However, when I got home I discovered just how good the “moisture management” properties are – the socks were damp on the outside but when I took them off, my feet were totally dry. In comparison, after a similar run, both my ToeToes and my feet feel damp.
Grey / Black
Daffodil / Grey
Pink / Navy
Overall, I liked these socks. I was surprised to find that the women’s socks do fit better than the unisex version and was very impressed with the wicking properties. In Summer, I would probably continue to use my ToeToes – even though they don’t wick as well as the Injinjis; they’re much thinner and cooler so I would expect my feet to sweat less in them. However, this particular Injinji sock looks set to become a favourite in the cooler months and if there were a thinner version it could well become the only sock in my drawer.
So… by the sounds of it, the Injinji Women’s-Specific toe socks do exactly what we expect.
Steve Kalclash from Kalclash Fitness reviews the KSO EVO
Steve is fanatical about Vibrams, and has been a Feetus Fan for a long time. His YouTube Channel is building up a very loyal following, covering various topics from triathlon, vegan living, and of his passion for Vibrams. We just love his no-nonsense, candid approach to reviews.
We couldn’t believe that after covering more than 2,000 miles in his collection of Bikilas, he hadn’t ever tried a pair of KSO EVO – so we intervened and this is what Steve thinks of his new KSO EVOs.
We’d love to hear what you think about the KSO Evo too! How close is it to barefoot running? Are these your favourite minimalist running shoes? What do you use them for mostly? Leave a comment and let us know…
2015 is here and we’re delighted to present to you a wonderful range of Vibram FiveFingers. We truly believe that this year there is something for everybody. Old styles such as the Trek Sport and the Seeya LS have made way for new releases, and we’re thrilled with the offering.
We’ve given them all a quirky name so hopefully you’ll be able to use this to figure out which style is best for you and your preferred uses. Each style has a quick overview so you can easily understand what the shoe is designed for:
The Big Hit – Trek Ascent / Trek Ascent LR
The Mud Racer – Spyridon MR
The One For Water – Signa
The Elegant Choice – Alitza Loop
The Classic – VI-B and EL-X
The Bestseller – KSO Evo
The Revolutionary (aka The Expensive One) – KMD Evo
The Indoor Favourite – KMD Sport LS
The Road Runner – Bikila Evo
The Waterproof One – Bikila Evo WP
The Casual One – CVT-Hemp
Have a read through the article and click the images to see the full product description of each.
The Big Hit – Trek Ascent / Trek Ascent LR
NEW FOR 2015
Trail Running
Trekking / Hiking
Mud / Obstacle Events
The Trek Ascent replaces the Trek Sport and the leather (LR) version has been released to satisfy the huge demand for an off-road leather shoe.
The shoe offers incredible rugged traction for all surfaces but is most capable on off-road adventures. The MEGAGRIP sole compound ensures you’ll have a firm and grounded experience when you’re on the trails.
The Trek Ascent LR does exactly the same job, except you can expect more durability with added water resistance from the leather and hemp upper fabric.
The Trek Ascent – Available for both men and women in a choice of different colours
The Mud Racer – Spyridon MR
Mud / Obstacle Events
Trail Running
If you’ve ever ran a muddy obstacle event you will have no doubt seen people lose their shoes in the mud or witnessed people losing their grip on the wet and muddy sections. That’s where the Spyridon MR comes in. MR stands for ‘Mud Runner’ and the shoe is equipped with a multidirectional lug pattern to ensure solid grip in all directions. Additionally, there is a molded 3D cocoon nylon mesh in the midsole to disperse impact.
Men’s and Women’s Spyridon MR
The One For Water – Signa
Surfing and Watersports (Kayaking, Rowing, SUP)
FiveFingers’ signature water sport shoe, the Signa is ultra-thin, flexible and lightweight. The Signa offers incredible grip thanks to the WAVEGRIP sole compound and is very comfortable, both in and out of the water.
The Signa – Available for men and women
The Elegant Choice – Alitza Loop
NEW FOR 2015
Yoga, Pilates, indoor sessions
Fitness Classes
Casual & Leisure
Available for ladies’ only, the Alitza Loop replaces the incredibly popular original Alitza. Favoured by yoga, pilates and barre practitioners, but is also great for any indoor activities. Lightweight, breathable and perfect for fitness classes and studio sessions as well as travel and casual use.
The Alitza Loop. An elegant, ladies-only style
The Men’s Classic – EL-X
Indoor Training
Travel
Available for men only, although women with wider feet often prefer the EL-X. This simple ‘barefoot’ shoe has no fastening mechanism and is versatile, comfortable and easy on and easy off. Equipped with Vibram’s thinnest sole (just 3.5mm), the EL-X offers incredible ground feel. The minimalist nature of the shoe, its flexibility and its low weight make it a perfect travel companion.
The EL-X. Available in black and red/black. Designed for men but also suitable for women
The Women’s Classic – VI-B
Fitness Classes
Casual & Leisure
Yoga, Pilates, indoor sessions
Travel
Available for women only, the VI-B is for the elegant minimalist. Consider this an ‘evloved ballet flat’; featherlight, breathable and slim-fitting. Great for indoor training, casual use and for no-fuss travel. Also comes with a free polyester mesh bag that matches your shoes!
Available in a choice of colours, the beautiful VI-B
The Bestseller – KSO Evo
Indoor Training
Road Running
Casual & Leisure
Travel
The KSO Evo replaced the original KSO back in 2013 and has become a firm favourite since. Ideal for pretty much anything, it is difficult to say what the KSO Evo is actually best for. Its great for hitting the gym, for tarmac running, and due to its sleek design (that isn’t quite as ‘outrageous’) as some other styles, the KSO Evo is popular as an everyday shoe.
Always a hit! The KSO Evo available in various colours for both men and women
The Revolutionary – KMD Evo
NEW FOR 2015
Parkour, Free Running & Similar
Indoor training
Casual & Leisure
Inspired by the rise in parkour and free running, the KMD Evo is a revolutionary new shoe from Vibram Fivefingers. The upper fabric is made from 100% low elastic polyester filament (similar to Nike’s FlyKnit material). The sole is fantastic for dynamic movement, for climbing, leaping and balancing. Its true that this shoe is expensive, but the KMD Evo certainly feels like a luxurious product.
Leap, bound, climb, run. The KMD Evo for men and women
The Indoor Favourite – KMD Sport LS
Indoor Training
Walking
Previously known as the Komodo Sport, the KMD Sport LS is hands-down the best indoor training shoe from Vibram FiveFingers. The multi-drection lug pattern on the soles makes it great for agile, lateral movements and intense workouts. The flexibility of the shoe provides great feedback (barefoot feel) and the upper fabric is reinforced in places to support the likes of rope climbing and other CrossFit-type exercises.
The KMD Sport LS: Available for men and women in various colours
The Road Runner – Bikila Evo
Road Running
Indoor Training
Walking
The Bikila Evo is an ideal shoe to transition in to barefoot running. At 6.5mm the sole is about halfway between the thinnest and thickest making it a perfect indtroductory shoe.
But that’s not all. The Bikila Evo is the premium road running shoe from Vibram FiveFingers. The lightweight EVA midsole provides a thin blanket of cushioning that really helps during races and long runs.
Rapid! The Bikila Evo, for road running
The Waterproof One – Bikila Evo WP
Road Running
Snow and Ice
Poor Weather Running
Introduced in late 2014, the Bikila Evo WP was a godsend to many. Finally, we have a ‘barefoot’ running shoe that is 100% waterproof. A total revalation, the Bikila Evo is startlingly good-looking, and the ICETREK sole compound acts as a sticky grip on ice and snow.
The Casual One – CVT Hemp
Casual & Leisure
Travel
Minimalist shoe lovers will be impressed by the CVT Hemp. Lightweight, breathable and stylish; there’s no fastening mechanism – it’s a simple slip-on shoe where the heel can also fold down to act like a clog. Durable and comfortable.
CVT Hemp, available for both men and women
What do you think of 2015’s Vibrams?
With the increase in people participating in muddy obstacle events and the growing popularity of trail and ultra running, we believe the Trek Ascent is going to be the big favourite five-toe’d shoe of 2015. But there seems to be a massive movement in people getting fit, going to fitness classes and PT sessions so the KMD Sport LS and the KSO Evo are likely to be big hits too.
Which is your favourite style for 2015?
If you could, what else would you have liked to see?
They didn’t bring the parts we needed to get our Delivery Rocket working in time for Christmas deliveries. We had such big plans too – Even intended to paint it a shiny NASA white! Our ground-breaking technology was supposed to outclass any ‘droid’ this year and deliver everyone’s gifts in time for Christmas.
The Feetus Rocket. (Maybe next year!?)
Never mind. We’ve got a PLAN B.
Instead. We’re going to UPGRADE EVERYONE to First-Class Priority Delivery when they spend £30 or more at Feetus.co.uk.
All you need to do is:
Add £30 or more of products to your basket
Go to the Checkout
Select ‘UK Priority First Class Delivery’ from the Shipping Method menu
If you wear Vibram FiveFingers, or are thinking about buying a pair of Vibrams, this can be a common issue. First of all, you need to decide whether you want to wear toe socks under your FiveFingers – and then – if you did use toe socks – would you need to get a bigger shoe size to accommodate the extra bulk from the sock?
Should I Wear Toe Socks Under My Vibram FiveFingers?
This all comes down to personal preference. At Feetus, we find that around 30% of our customers wear toe socks in the summer, but in winter, this percentage increases to around 90%. As you can expect, the colder months prompt barefooters to reach for socks to add an extra degree of warmth.
Personally, I wore Vibrams for years before I started to wear toe socks. My first pair of FiveFingers was the original KSO. I wanted to try toe socks, but was always put-off by the price (£10+ for one pair!). I eventually took the plunge and found that the quality just didn’t meet the price tag. This, HOWEVER, was back in 2011 – and Injinji have drastically improved the quality of their toe socks.
Now, I know that their range of toe socks are WORTH £10+, given their very high quality, longevity, and performance benefits. At Feetus, we like to offer discounts on toe socks too, so you can always pick up toe socks for less than £10, and we always have a toe sock ‘special offer’ for you to get extra value.
Nowadays, I very rarely wear Vibram FiveFingers WITHOUT socks.
Do I Need To Get A Bigger Size Vibram FiveFingers To Wear Toe Socks?
No.
There is a common misconception that in order to wear socks under your Vibrams, you need to get a larger shoe size. This is not the case.
Think about the conventional shoes you’ve been wearing over the years. How many times have you thought ‘I need to wear socks today – these shoes are going to be too small’? The answer is probably ‘Never’ – and the same applies to your Vibrams.
Toe socks come in a variety of different styles, with the common factor between each being the weight. Using the original performance toesock brand Injinji as an example, they offer Lightweight, Original Weight, Run MidWeight, Trail MidWeight, NuWool Original Weight, and the range is constantly growing and evolving.
Side Note – Please be aware that MidWeight socks (both in the RUN and TRAIL series’) may be a little too thick to wear in your Vibram FiveFingers. Injinji’s Yoga Socks are also not recommended for use in shoes.
What Other Toe Sock Brands Are There?
Injinji are definitely the pioneers. They’re the original creator of the performance toesock, however, we’re proud to offer GOTENA and V-Toes.
GOTENA make fabulous-quality toe socks. Their Merino Wool sock is fantastic quality, and they have also filled the gap by offering their GHOST sock, which is very similar to the (now-unavailable-in-the-UK) Injinji PED.
V-Toes offer an all-black toe sock, similar to Injinji’s Original Weight Mini Crew.
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