The Vibram FiveFingers Mens KSO EVO is a universal, minimal training tool and the number one selling FiveFingers style. Maximum ground feedback with 3mm rubber outsole in grippy, hard wearing XS TREK compound. Fast lacing polyester mesh upper and 2mm EVA insole with Drylex sockliner provide comfort and natural feel.
Maximum articulation and ground feel
Assured grip and essential protection*
Light, airy and simple adjustable upper design
This style is part of our max feel product philosophy.
USAGE
Functional fitness, plyometrics, primal movements, balance and strengthening workouts.
*CAUTION: as used in this catalogue, “protection” means only a rubber barrier between ground and the foot. Vibram Fivefingers® are not orthopedic or safety footwear and should not be used as such or for playing.
XS-Trek Sole:
Vibram ® XS TREK is a technical compound that allows great overall performance qualities, in particular flexibility and wet traction. Highly responsive to the various demands of life, XS TREK will carry you from the trail to the urban playground and even to indoor activities, due to its non- marking features.
Optimal balance of traction and durability
Responsive on unpredictable terrain
Engineered for stability and comfort
Vibram FiveFingers Mens KSO EVO Specification:
Weight: W38= 3,5 oz / 99gr ; M43= 4,9oz / 139gr
Sole Spec:Insole: 2 mm EVA + Drylex sockliner
Outsole: 3mm rubber
Compound: Vibram XS Trek
Upper Material:Polyester Mesh material
PU film protection and reinforcement
The Vibram FiveFingers Mens KSO EVO is a universal, minimal training tool and the number one selling FiveFingers style. Maximum ground feedback with 3mm rubber outsole in grippy, hard wearing XS TREK compound. Fast lacing polyester mesh upper and 2mm EVA insole with Drylex sockliner provide comfort and natural feel.
XS-Trek Sole:
Maximum articulation and ground feel
Assured grip and essential protection*
Light, airy and simple adjustable upper design
This style is part of our max feel product philosophy.
Vibram FiveFingers Mens KSO EVO Specification:
Weight: M43= 139 g. W38= 99 g
Sole Spec: • Insole: 2 mm EVA + Antimicrobial Drilex Sockliner • Midsole: N/A • Rubber: 3mm
The Vibram FiveFingers Mens KSO EVO is a universal, minimal training tool and the number one selling FiveFingers style. Maximum ground feedback with 3mm rubber outsole in grippy, hard wearing XS TREK compound. Fast lacing polyester mesh upper and 2mm EVA insole with Drylex sockliner provide comfort and natural feel.
XS-Trek Sole:
Maximum articulation and ground feel
Assured grip and essential protection*
Light, airy and simple adjustable upper design
This style is part of our max feel product philosophy.
Vibram FiveFingers Mens KSO EVO Specification:
Weight: M43= 139 g. W38= 99 g
Sole Spec: • Insole: 2 mm EVA + Antimicrobial Drilex Sockliner • Midsole: N/A • Rubber: 3mm
The ideal combination of ground feedback and protection, the Womens KSO EVO allows you to experience terrain with great grip and flexibility. Less than 5 millimetres, the thin sole encourages good form while remaining durable enough to absorb shock. Exclusively for women.
DETAILS
Weight: M43= 4.9 oz. W38= 3.5 oz.
Sole Spec: • Insole: 2 mm EVA + Antimicrobial Drilex Sockliner • Midsole: N/A • Rubber: 3mm
The Vibram FiveFingers Womens KSO EVO is a universal, minimal training tool and the number one selling FiveFingers style. Maximum ground feedback with 3mm rubber outsole in grippy, hard wearing XS TREK compound. Fast lacing polyester mesh upper and 2mm EVA insole with Drylex sockliner provide comfort and natural feel.
XS-Trek Sole:
Maximum articulation and ground feel
Assured grip and essential protection*
Light, airy and simple adjustable upper design
This style is part of our max feel product philosophy.
Vibram FiveFingers Womens KSO EVO Specification:
Weight: M43= 139 g. W38= 99 g
Sole Spec: • Insole: 2 mm EVA + Antimicrobial Drilex Sockliner • Midsole: N/A • Rubber: 3mm
The Vibram FiveFingers Womens KSO EVO is a universal, minimal training tool and the number one selling FiveFingers style. Maximum ground feedback with 3mm rubber outsole in grippy, hard wearing XS TREK compound. Fast lacing polyester mesh upper and 2mm EVA insole with Drylex sockliner provide comfort and natural feel.
XS-Trek Sole:
Maximum articulation and ground feel
Assured grip and essential protection*
Light, airy and simple adjustable upper design
This style is part of our max feel product philosophy.
Vibram FiveFingers Womens KSO EVO Specification:
Weight: M43= 139 g. W38= 99 g
Sole Spec: • Insole: 2 mm EVA + Antimicrobial Drilex Sockliner • Midsole: N/A • Rubber: 3mm
The Vibram FiveFingers Womens KSO is arguably our most successful FiveFinger to date, mainly due to its versatility. We added this back into the mix a few years back to celebrate the rebirth of a legend. When you’re scrambling up a rocky bluff or bounding along a riverbank, the last thing you want is gravel and grit seeping into your FiveFingers. So why not Keep Stuff Out! The KSO has a snug fit, one of our most minimal sole constructions for maximum ground feel, and a breathable, quick drying upper. The KSO also features a thin, abrasion resistant stretch polyamide and breathable stretch mesh that wraps your entire foot to do just that. A single hook-and-loop closure helps secure the fit. Non-Marking XS Trek performance rubber soles are razor-siped for sure grip.
Based on the original KSO with velcro fastener, the thin breathable stretch polyester mesh wraps the entire forefoot to “Keep Stuff Out”. The 3.5mm XS TREK compound sole offers strong grip, hard wear and the maximum ground feel.
XS-Trek Sole:
Maximum articulation and ground feel
Assured grip and essential protection*
Light, airy and simple adjustable upper design
This style is part of our max feel product philosophy.
Vibram FiveFingers KSO Specification:
WEIGHT: Men’s 43: 5.9 oz., Women’s 38: 4.71 oz.
SOLE SPECS: Insole: Polyester Microfiber, Midsole: N/A, Rubber: 3.5 MM
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…
I’ve been using my KSO Evo for more than 12 months now, and as they’re about to hit the 1,000 mile mark, I thought it was about to time I showed some love for them. Here’s an overview and my long-overdue review.
If you have a pair of KSO Evo, we’d be interested to see or hear how your Vibrams are getting on too.
A Brief History of the KSO Evo
In case you’re wondering, KSO stands for Keep Stuff Out. Evo is short for Evolution, and evolve is exactly what this shoe has done.
The KSO Evo evolved from the original KSO and since the shoe’s release in February 2014, the KSO Evo has become the most popular FiveFingers style. It is not surprising, then, that Vibram have decided to make absolutely no changes to this shoe for 2015 (except release new colours, in grey/black for men, and purple/grey for women).
2015’s KSO Evo
Original KSO for women
Speed-Lace System
The original KSO featured a hook and loop Velcro fastening system that I felt was flawless. I was skeptical about the new speed-lace system on the KSO Evo, but I was very quickly won over.
The lace system provides a much wider opening of the shoe that greatly enhances the ease of getting your foot in to the shoe. For me, there is no more squeezing and fumbling to get your feet in to the shoe; the foot slides straight in. Easy on / Easy off. Pop on a pair of toe socks, and its even easier.
Once you’ve got the shoes on, you slide the lace and release the quick lace button and you won’t have to readjust the shoes again during your workout. It is that simple.
950 miles in: upper
950 miles in: soles
950 miles in: inside
950 miles in: side profile
Ground Feel
Often referred to as proprioception or barefoot feel, the KSO Evo wins hands-down in this department. With a maximum sole thickness of just 4.7mm, you are able to get fantastic feedback from the ground. Whether you like it or not, you really do feel everything under your feet.
The XS Trek sole features a zig-zag pattern that provides a surprising amount of grip, and because the sole is so thin from heel to toe, there is total flexibility.
What is the KSO Evo best for?
The KSO Evo is perhaps the most versatile shoe in the Vibram FiveFingers collection. I’ve used mine for road running, on the treadmill, on dry trails, in the gym, for leisure and for travelling. It is impossible to put the shoe in to one category so I’ll give an overview for each and a suitability rating.
Road / Treadmill Running
The bulk of my 950 miles with the KSO Evo has come from road running. The low weight makes for an excellent road and treadmill shoe. There is no bulk to slow you down and the thin sole ensures you maintain a good cadence.
Road / Treadmill Running Rating: 9/10
Trail Running
As you know, trails can wildly differ. From smooth, dusty trails, to boggy, wet single-track, to technical descents, it is impossible to get a trail shoe that suits all off-road terrain. The KSO Evo is definitely not a good shoe for mud (for that, see the Spyridon MR), and for technical terrain that may have sharp stones and gravel, you really don’t want a sole this thin (for that, see the Trek Ascent). But in the summer months when the trails dry up and you’re present with dry terrain, the KSO Evo really can perform. The zig-zag sole pattern offers substantial off-road grip and the lightness of the shoe makes it very agile. Just be careful of anything sharp or gnarly underfoot!
Trail Running Rating: 4/10
Gym use
The polyester mesh upper fabric is extremely breathable and is treated with Aegis Anti Microbial, which prevents the build up of odour. I’m no gym monster, but I do enjoy indoor training and bodyweight exercises, and I find the KSO Evo extremely capable. The flat, low-profile nature of the shoe provides unparalleled balance. The KSO Evo may just revolutionise your ‘leg day’ at the gym!
Gym Rating: 9/10
KSO Evo: Good in the gym!
Leisure use
I don’t wear Vibrams very often for everyday use. I use mine solely for training and travel, but that’s just my personal preference. However, the KSO Evo is perhaps the least offensive of all Vibrams. The design is minimal, the black colourway is relaxed, and they are extremely comfortable. Like slippers, honestly!
Leisure / Everyday / Casual Rating: 6/10
Travel
When travelling light, you want things that take up the least room with the least weight. The KSO Evo is not only both of those, but is also extremely flexible; you can roll them up – They are packable footwear!
Wearing the KSO Evo after completing the Via de la Plata
Travel-friendly: The KSO Evo are inside the handlebar bag
Slipping in to the KSO Evo after a hard day’s cycling
My KSO Evo, despite the high mileage they have already endured, still look almost new. The upper fabric remains intact, the soles show only mild signs of wear on the outside of the forefoot, and they still smell (relatively) fresh. My first pair of KSO (original) lasted 1,300 miles, and I’m expecting to get at least another 1,000 miles from my KSO Evo.
We recently got hold of the Spring/Summer 2014 Vibram Catalogue, and thought it would be worth sharing with you some of the new and exciting ‘barefoot’ (or not-so-barefoot) shoes that are going to be available.
I love the KSO (Keep Stuff Out): My first pair of FiveFingers was a KSO and they lasted me around 700 miles. I ran in them everywhere and really put them through their paces. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one whose first pair were a KSO either. Their aesthetics, practicality, foot coverage and ground feel made them the ideal choice. Even today, my current KSOs are my go-to shoe for short/mid-distance road running and indoor fitness. They really are a versatile, ‘do-it-all’ shoe.
Next year will see the KSO retire, and will be replaced by the KSO EVO.
An excerpt from the 2014 Vibram FiveFingers catalogue: The KSO EVO
The KSO EVO will feature the serrated blade lug sole as can be seen in SS13’s men’s EL-X (Entry Level Cross-Trainer), and the ladies’ lovely Entrada and Alitza, with a maximum sole thickness of just 4.7mm.
You will also notice that the Velcro is making an exit, and instead we’re being introduced to a new KSO that is lace-only – the KSO EVO comprising of Vibram’s Speed Lace System.
Here’s What Vibram Have To Say About the SS14 KSO EVO
Built on a platform that offers the best ground feedback in our line, the KSO EVO is one of three shoes that round out our new category: max-Feel. A reinforced upper and speed lace allows for easy entry and a snug fit while the zig-zag patterned sole provides grip and flexibility in all directions. Feel more under foot with more versatility.
Making the KSO redundant is an incredibly brave move by Vibram. A hugely popular shoe for both men and women, the KSO has been around since FiveFingers shot to popularity after Christopher McDougall’s bestseller Born to Run.
It’s good to see Vibram have maintained the all-black colour-way that has proved to be a bestseller in the KSO.
Many will miss the original ‘razor-siped’ TC-1 rubber sole of the KSO (that also featured on the Speed, Flow, and Classic styles), but it has been superseded by a superior Vibram XS Trek Compound sole. Feedback from customers who have been wearing the EL-X (which features this same sole) has been really positive, so I am sure this will go down well. The jury is still out on how many miles this new sole can sustain.
Vibram’s decision not to offer a Velcro alternative is also quite a surprise, but with the growing popularity of the lace-up styles, this is probably a wise decision.
All in all – This is a radical change and a very bold decision by Vibram, but upon studying the changes closer, they make a lot of sense – and I am certain the KSO EVO will prove to be equally, if not more popular than its predecessor.
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