Yesterday, I wrote about my new adventure into the world of barefoot shoes and the different options available to people.
Having finally decided to get Vibram FiveFingers for both Chris and me, and having spent a significant amount of time online finding out exactly how to do that in the UK, I’ve decided that it was worth sharing what I learned with everyone.
My new Vibram FiveFingers
Preparing for the price-tag
I understand that Vibram FiveFingers are reasonably easy to find in the US for the sensible price of about 80 US dollars (depending on exactly what design you get and where you get them). Buying them in the UK you need to expect to spend 80-120 UK pounds (our KSO shoes were just under 100 UK pounds) – a massive mark up on the US price, even allowing for shipping – and you’ll quickly find that it’s difficult to locate somewhere to buy them.
As far as I can tell, this “outside North America” mark-up seems to apply globally, so if you want a pair and happen to be on holiday in the US, use the opportunity to buy a pair of shoes too!
How to find Vibram FiveFingers
I found that in the UK none of the regular shoe shops or “outdoor shops” stock them. In the UK most outdoor shops, with the exception of the few small independent stores, are starting to get a worrying trend towards stocking big-name brands of outdoor fashion garments and nothing else, but that is a completely separate rant.
I strongly recommend trying them on first to guarantee the right size so it really is crucial to find somewhere nearby to go if possible. The best way to track down a supplier is therefore via the stockists page on the Vibram FiveFingers site (Canada & the US; Global distributors).
If you are in the UK there is currently one distributor, PrimalLifestyle.com, who then supply companies all over the UK. You can find the list of stockists on their website. After that a series of emails and phone calls found me someone nearby who, while selling them online, also caters for people who want to arrange an appointment to pop round to their house to try them before buying. Thank you Fast and Fresh!
Avoid counterfeit Vibram FiveFingers
I was aware from reading the Vibram FiveFingers website (currently, see the pop up screen if you click on the big yellow “Beware Counterfeit” sign) and from then putting this together with a string of mixed negative and positive comments on Begin to Dig about the life-span and warranty or non-warranty of Vibram FiveFingers that I needed to take care to avoid counterfeit products.
For this reason I highly recommend following the process above, no matter where you are in the world, to be sure you are finding genuine products.
Fitting Vibram FiveFingers
Fitting is an interesting experience.
The Vibram FiveFingers website has a carefully constructed chart (found by clicking on the Vibram FiveFingers sizing link at the bottom of any of the product pages or by looking elsewhere). You measure the length of your foot and then compare to the chart and the shoe type to find the right size in that make.
Plenty of people comment on the fact that you’ll most likely be a different size for Vibram FiveFingers than you are for a normal shoe. In fact, I measured my foot and ended up in a pair of Vibram FiveFingers that was two sizes bigger thanks to having a particularly fat little toe (my feet seem to be evolving to have no toes). Meanwhile Chris ended up with a pair two sizes smaller than the measurement suggested. For this reason I can’t recommend strongly enough that you find a supplier nearby, even if it is just to try them and then purchase them online from someone else.
Other than that, it is also worth noting that each make fits a little bit differently. However, rather than me doing a long section on this, it is easier to refer to you a long write-up by mc on Begin to Dig who tried on all the types available at the time.
So, are you tempted to try Vibram FiveFingers? If so then I hope this information is useful to you.
Related posts:
Well, to be honest I have always dismissed the barefoot running brigade as cranks, which is shameful of me.
But you’ve piqued my curiosity, so I’ve ordered a pair of Speeds! My justification: I needed a new pair of trainers anyway, and these should be great for lifting – right?
I’ll give feedback as and when …
my wife and I have been wearing them for a while now. one thing that I don’t see mention nearly enough is the cleaning factor. these things stink to high heaven in no time. soak them over night in a bucket with a denture cleaner tab. them run them through your wash machine in a lingerie bag. I find that only wearing them on mon, wed, fri I still need to do this about every other week. this has me really looking into some of the more bare foot style shoes that allow for socks.
The first time I saw VFFs online I thought they were a bit of a swizz, but the more time I spent barefoot the more I’ve been wishing I didn’t have to squish my feet back into trainers to go down to the village.
I’ve not come across Speeds – do let me know what they’re like.
The cleaning aspect was actually one of the big positives for me with Vibram FiveFingers. The fact that they can be run through the washing machine is a massive pro over most of my other shoes. I’ve been wearing them for a couple of weeks now and done some pretty big walks but haven’t noticed them starting to smell yet.
It is possible to get socks with toes to them – Injinji in particular are well known for making socks that can be worn with VFFs. I’ve seen some fairly positive feedback about these from people who live in cold climates and need some sock to help keep their feet warm with VFF in the winter. I’ll certainly be looking for some before the autumn is too far advanced here.
Blog-watch: foot health // Nov 18, 2010 at 21:07
[...] now fully adapted to my Vibram Fivefingers. I love them, adore getting that barefoot feel outside and I rarely go anywhere without them now, [...]