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

Ted_S [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Ted_S [Visitor] — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:24:16 +0000

It is possible to slightly stretch the Speed XC. I did this on mine to make room for bunions.
Stretching individual toe pockets is more
challenging in that there is no device marketed for this purpose. You'd need to find or make something the right size and clamp it in place, using enough pressure to stretch the fabric but also being careful not to puncture it or to rip a seam. You're probably better off purchasing a larger size when they're on sale.
If you want them for the style, you might like the almost identical-looking Speed LR. REI had these, and they are still available in their stores. The stores can order them for you from any other store that has them in stock. They only came in men's sizes, but they might have come as small as a 40.
Another option is the Speed XC Lite, which will likely be available in a short while.

Meagan Carey [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Meagan Carey [Visitor] — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:58:49 +0000

i bought my speed xcs a while back from my local vibram store to prepare for running in the cold, wet weather. i had been training for a half marathon and really didn't want to skip out on road training because of ice and slush, so i was all set to get myself the lontras (even though i really couldn't stand the look of them - they really need to come out with better, or at least muted, colorways). when i went into the store i spotted the xcs, and after hearing that they were water resistant and cold-weather resistant, i picked up a pair in W40. they're definitely more aesthetically-pleasing than the lontras, so i was thrilled.

i'm a W40 in every pair of my vibrams, but sometimes i have problems with my ring finger toe on my left foot getting used to the whole idea of being inside toe pockets. the shoes felt completely fine in the store, but trying to wear them around is a nightmare - i definitely should have sized up to a 41 as the toe pockets are far too snug, but i (stupidly) kept thinking that they would break in and fit perfectly. once while i was out in colder weather just walking around the city, i took my left shoe off to give my toe some reprieve to find that all of the color was completely drained from just that toe. took me a good half hour or so of sitting indoors and working on my feet to get the color back. fast forward to nearly 6 months later, and the shoes have not broken in at all despite multiple 5+ mile runs in them when i had to due to the weather. it should be noted that running in them does not appear to affect my toes and feet as much as just sitting around or casually walking does, which doesn't really make any sense to me, but.

i really love these shoes and they're the most "normal"-looking and aesthetically-pleasing vibrams i own apart from my silver paillettes, but i fear that they might wind up getting tossed unless i can find a good solution for stretching them. as always, any advice is welcome ;)

Jon [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Jon [Visitor] — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:36:37 +0000

I have a problem where the seam at the Achilles heel eats into my feet on the Speed XC (literally scrapes through skin). It's not clear why the seam is exposed on the ankle side (more lateral thread showing than with other fivefingers). Curious if my pair were incorrectly stitched this way, or if others are having a similar issue? Also, this shoe does not seem to breathe as well as others -- I assume due to the water resistant fabric. The fit in the toes is small, similar to what others are saying -- but my typical size is working, even with the Smartwool PhD toe sock.

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

Reticuli [Visitor] — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:31:40 +0000

Bought a 41 in these. Never had issues with 41s in authentic VFFs before. Left foot's little toe pocket is substantially tighter than the right's, and yet I know my right foot is the larger foot. Just looking at them, it looks to me like the right little toe is slightly visibly shorter. Anyone else notice such sizing irregularities? I also notice the trend of the KSO and Trek soles (the latter used here and on the Lontra that I also got) are not sized larger than other 41s anymore. They're exactly the same on these two new waterproof models as the Bikilas, Sprints, Classics, etc. So Vibram seems to have standarized their sizing now, but the slight irregularities that must happen during normal manufacture seem to be a more serious issue with these Trek soles that are obviously not going to stretch over time let alone conform to your foot right off the bat. If they're too tight on any spots, you'll really notice it. For the record, though, my Lontras seem to be uniform and perfect.

Anonymouse [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Anonymouse [Visitor] — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:52:13 +0000

By the Vibram sizing chart, I'm an M43 in both KSOs and Speed XCs. I have a pair of the M43 KSOs and they fit fine, with some space in front of the big toes, and quite a bit in front of the little toes.

So I ordered a pair of M43 XCs. They fit quite snugly, and my big toe bumped into the front when walking downhill. I didn't want to send them back, so I wore them anyway for the first snow of the year.

I'd been planning to stay out for 4 hours, but after 2 hours the backs of my ankles were stinging and I had to go home. Turns out they were bleeding into the fabric on both sides and the shoes now could not be returned.

I got a pair of the M44 XCs and took them out for a 4.5h walk the other night. These are more like the proper size and didn't bother my heels, although I did have moleskin on them. I'll try it without the moleskin once the cuts have healed.

The toe pocket for the right little toe rubbed on the top of the toe and took off a layer of skin there, although it seemed to be partially dependent on how I was walking, and between getting used to the fit of the new shoes, and them wearing in a bit, it stopped doing that after an hour or so. If it comes back, I have more moleskin.

You can barely move your toes in these, due to the stiffness of the material. The feel of the shoe makes the epithet "foot coffins" which people apply to traditional shoes quite ironic, although they still feel more sure-footed than my Vivo Neos (M43 fits fine there) due to how these are molded to the foot.

They are warm, and don't breathe much. After walking for 4.5h in 32F weather with no socks, the skin on my feet was well wet. I used a ThermicDryer to dry the shoes out afterwards; a Peet dryer would probably work too.

I'll see how they go from here on.

There should be versions of the KSOs with,
- Everything the same except rubber on the sidewalls of the toes instead of mesh. They would breathe almost as well, and you could wear them on wet pavement without instantly getting groundwater in your shoes. Practically speaking, I never have water "drain" through the sidewalls, I just have it seep in, and they never dry because it seeps in continually.

- Rubber on the sides of the toes plus a tighter hydrophobic mesh on the top, like the Neos have. As it is, I have to switch to the Neos as soon as the wet season starts anyway.

Kirk Haines [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Kirk Haines [Visitor] — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:14:27 +0000

I think what this shows is that feet come in a wide range of configurations. I find the heel cup on the Speed XC's to be very comfortable, and have used them with and without socks on runs as long as half marathon length, with no blister issues at all.

Lucius Verinus [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Lucius Verinus [Visitor] — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:38:37 +0000

I just got mine. The stiffness is comparable to the Lontras. It is much easier to get on than the Lontras and doesn't cause the chafing at the top of my foot like the Lontra does.

The only negative part is the heel cup is extremely uncomfortable, it is causing blisters. I will have to figure out a way to fix it.

Gene [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Gene [Visitor] — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:44:41 +0000

Well, I just couldn't reconcile with the stiffness of the XCs. I really wanted to like these VFFs, but I couldn't convince my feet. Although, they were a very welcome solution to the desire to wear VFF's outdoors all winter long, they were just too uncomfortable to wear. And I don't think they will limber up enough to be significantly more wearable -- at least for me. For work, I have found new love in KSO Treks. KSOTs are probably the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. For work and for casual, they can't be beat.

Kirk Haines [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

Kirk Haines [Visitor] — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:28:53 +0000

Mine have loosened/softened a bit with wear. I wear them both with and without socks, depending on the weather. The relative lack of breathability in these shoes does mean that if you wear them without socks, periodic washing is especially important.

MJ [Visitor] in response to: Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

MJ [Visitor] — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:30:44 +0000

Just got my Speed XC today. I have worn them in the house only at this time. Putting them on with no socks are no problem. The toe pockets are snug, but not uncomfortable. When I put them on with Injinji socks the toes are real hard to get into the toe pockets. I have to use force scuffing the front of my toes on the carpet into the pockets. Once I get the toes in, the toes feel very, very tight. Will the toe pockets loosen up at all?