Toe Shoes, Barefoot or Minimalist Shoes, and Vibram FiveFingers Reviews, News, Forums | Birthday Shoes - Latest Comments on Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Josh [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Josh [Visitor] — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:52:05 +0000

Just got my pair of lontras, i love them but i aggree with most people that the neopren cuff is to tight. I put these on when i first got them had no problem when my foot was dry but putting these on on my way out of work with a sweaty foot was damm near impossable.

Gina Harris [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Gina Harris [Visitor] — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:50:20 +0000

I really like my Lontras; they worked really well keeping my feet dry until I washed them for the first time and now they don't seem to be water resistant anymore. They are still great shoes and keep my feet very warm, but I'm disappointed that they let the water in now. I washed and air dried them like it said. I only have 80 miles on them. Any suggestions?

Reticuli [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Reticuli [Visitor] — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 05:39:18 +0000

I'm wondering if this is just manufacturing variation that is causing these sizing issues. Because my Lontras are exactly the same size as my other 6 pairs of Vibrams and yet my Speed XCs are slightly smaller, particularly on one foot... my smaller foot, so it's doubly too small. I have one pair (out of two) of Bikila LS that has the left foot slightly smaller, but it matches the naturally slightly smaller left foot fine. I suppose this is more evidence against buying Vibrams online without free returns. It's best to buy them in person and try the pair(s) on first. Every pair probably has a good match to some person's feet out there, but don't expect the size listing to tell you everything.

Tanja [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Tanja [Visitor] — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:07:15 +0000

Hello,
I read the post of Christina and outside was snowfall and -5 degrees and I decided to try it.
(The Lontras are the same size as my Bikilas and there is still space in lenght for my toes, maybe 1-2 mm shorter than my Bikilas.)
I was running half an hour and I didn´t think at the awfull space between my toes. My feet were not colder than in normal shoes and not wetter. My socks were a little bit wet only between my Toes.
After I got the shoes off, my toes itched for about half an hour and I think if I had been running a bit longer, I would have some blisters. I will see.

But I´m glad I didn´t return them.

Greetings, Tanja

Christina [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Christina [Visitor] — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:53:29 +0000

I sized up two sizes from my Bikila shoe and I've worn the Lontras all winter so far, doing a 50K and a half marathon. They are different, but if they hurt your feet-toes at all, I would size up. I can only wear them with socks anyways unless I want a bloody heel from the rubbing. Love these shoes and they are warm and much better than regular road shoes.

Tanja [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Tanja [Visitor] — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:23:21 +0000

Hello,

I just got my Lontra LS (size 37) and I was really looking forward a barefoot shoe, I can run with at cold temperatures. Today it´s -10 degrees and I hate my normal running shoes. Last spring I bought the Bikila LS and it´s great .... but now it´s too cold.

I just had it on for about half an hour in the house, mostly reading this site.
It felt like the toes would be spread really innaturally and I wonder if I would be able to run naturally like this. Unfortunately I can´t try outside if I want to send them back and my house is to small ;-).

I just got them off and my foot was absolutely cold and my toes were sleeping - I tried to move them all the time, but it was nearly impossible. Maybe it´s a bit more heavy to battle against a fat and hard sole when your size is only 37.

Now I sit here and wear my old Bikilas and my feet are getting warmer.

I think I will send them back :-(.

@Josh: The shoes diving shoes you mentionned, are you running with them? Is it ok? Is it possible to get them in Europe/Germany?

Greetings, Tanja

David [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

David [Visitor] — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:40:39 +0000

Thanks Elle. Both the left and the right are just a LITTLE bit too tight (but it's enough to be very painful), so I don't think they're defective. The main reason I'm not even trying to exchange them is that I bought them in the US and am now in Europe.

I went to a Vivo Barefoot store and bought some Off Road Hi boots two days ago, to make up for the Lontras...to wear when it's wet/snowy and freezing cold. I really do like the Vivos for that purpose. However, today I put the Lontras on after wearing the Vivos, and they'd be even better if they only fit! Compared to other shoes, I love how the VFFs are completely flat. My Merrells and now the Vivos curve up just a bit at the front of the ball of the foot, by design, so you don't get the same use of your ENTIRE foot like you do with VFFs.

I must say, I'm really disappointed since I had my hopes up about the Lontras. Maybe I'll get a size 42 and try them with 1 or 2 pairs of really thick toe socks.

Dave [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Dave [Visitor] — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:25:11 +0000

I have been running in VFFs for 3 years and have worn KSOs in the summe and Flows in the winter. The flows were warmer than the KSOs but when my feet get wet in below freezing temperatures it gets really painfull. When I saw the Lontra I was leary because of the price but after a few really cold days decided to order a pair. I have been wearing size 43 always and with the Flows even manage a pair of thin Injinji socks. When my Lontras arrived I tried to get them on my feet it was impossible. The toe space is very restrictive and I could not get them on. Now I am worried that if I send them back and get size 44 they will still be too tight on the toes. You would think the shoe interior would be the same size with the liner and not smaller.

Elle [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

Elle [Visitor] — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 03:03:08 +0000

Hello David, when I ordered a pair of lontra ls, the little toe of the left shoe was significantly shorter than on the right shoe. You couldn't tell at first sight, the shoes looked smooth and well made from the outside and in - except my little toe hurt on the left. When comparing both shoes more closely I could then see and feel the difference in length.If you tried another pair of lontras your size and it turns out your pair is defective maybe the store will still take them back?
Having said all that, I did find the lontra ls toes to be slightly less long on the inside than the seeya's and I had to size up - only because of my big toes' length. Not many people seem to have to size up but if your pair turns out to be not defective maybe your small toes are borderline to the next size?
I hope you will have a well fitting pair soon.

David [Visitor] in response to: Vibram FiveFingers Lontra Initial Review

David [Visitor] — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:19:34 +0000

Thanks Ted, but the problem feels like the shoe is too short at the last/little toe. It's not that the compartment is too small width-wise, or that there is not enough space in it. The issue is that unlike all the other FFs I have, there seems to be less length.

The fabric (just looked) appears to be fine in the area you're talking about.