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Vibram FiveFingers Komodo Sport Review

Sprinting, Cutting, Weight Lifting and How the KomodoSport Stacks Up Against Other FiveFingers (KomodoSport vs. KSO, Bikila, TrekSport)BirthdayShoes first reported on the Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport (say that five times fast!) in Fall of 2010 with o…

Sprinting, Cutting, Weight Lifting and How the KomodoSport Stacks Up Against Other FiveFingers (KomodoSport vs. KSO, Bikila, TrekSport)

BirthdayShoes first reported on the Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport (say that five times fast!) in Fall of 2010 with our sneak preview Komodo review. Everything I wrote in that review still stands today. But now that the production, final KomodoSport has been out for a couple months, I wanted to do an updated review and video, as well as compare the KomodoSport to specific other models of Vibram FiveFingers — plus a healthy dose of photos!

More after the jump!

What is the FiveFingers KomodoSport?

The FiveFingers KomodoSport, or “Komodo” for short (rhyme!), features a brand new Vibram outsole and footbed. Here’s an official shot of the KomodoSport sole from Vibram:

Look at all those jaggedies! The stated goal of the KomodoSport is to raise the “intensity” via an “aggressive multisport design [that] inherits what we love about the KSO with functional improvements that appeal to the most active fitness enthusiast” (I’ll get to a specific KSO vs. KomodoSport comparison below). The most obviously different feature of the KomodoSport is it’s aggressive 4mm rubber outsole (the bottom you see above — note the arch is EVA). This outsole features grooved tread to provide additional grip when engaging in more tenuous, stop-and-go, laterally cutting exercises or recreation—think sprints. Here are some more shots:

The KomodoSport outsole is paired up with a removable “footbed,” which I think of as an insole, that lays on top of the rubber outsole, thereby eliminating any of the bottom seams — namely the ones at the toe pockets. Just look at this photo of the inside of the KomodoSport and note that you see zero stitching at the heel and the fabric doesn’t pop up at the base in the toe pockets:

Follow the edge of the yellow footbed and note: no seams!

The seamless KomodoSport footbed is also incredibly soft, and if you do the math, a 3mm footbed plus a 4mm outsole gives you 7mm of total thickness give or take a millimeter. I’m getting ahead of myself here but by comparison the FiveFingers KSO has a 4mm (The KSO sole is just smooth/flat with razor siping vs. raised/lowered portions like the KomodoSport) and a 2mm EVA midsole — 6mm.

Note: I don’t recommend removing the FiveFingers Komodo footbed as it’s pretty hard to get back in. Also, if you’re wondering if you could remove it to get a bit better ground feel, well, you could, but given the inside portion of the KomodoSport outsole is rubber covered with a gritty mesh, it’s clearly not intended to be worn without the footbed in place. Maybe sans footbed plus socks it’d be okay — if anyone tries it let me know!

While the FiveFingers KomodoSport may look beefy in the sole, it still provides a great deal of ground feel and toe flexibility. I’d estimate it’s marginally better than the Bikila and Trek-styled soles and marginally worse than the KSO. The upside is that the KomodoSport is considerably more functional for recreation and fitness activities that require launching across a field or stopping on a dime.

The FiveFingers KomodoSport for Sprinting, Weight Lifting, and Lateral Cuts

The FiveFingers KomodoSport’s outsole/footbed combo is designed for traction (1) and (2) being able to cut laterally. Think: chasing after a launched frisbee or launching into a sprint. Raise your foot if you’ve ever launched after a frisbee in Sprint FiveFingers and attempted to stop only to find you couldn’t stop? Maybe it’s just me.

Another recreational example is kickball. First off, kicking a big squishy ball (as with kickball — not sure about soccer) works remarkably well in FiveFingers. Take away the shoelaces you get with a standard shoe and add the wide, flat surfaced base that is a foot in it’s close-to-natural condition—a.k.a. wear a pair of Vibrams— and you get a pretty accurate kicking foot. The sting isn’t terrible and you can really nail the ball — or bunt if you like that strategy. Directional kicks are much easier, to boot. That said, as I noted a bit over two years ago, rounding bases in KSO FiveFingers is difficult to impossible. You just can’t stop. Thankfully, the tread design of the Vibram KomodoSport goes a long way to providing stop and go traction — both for kickball and chasing frisbees. Win.

Straight up sprints work just fine in the KomodoSports, as expected. I’ve been doing a weekly hill sprint routine on asphalt (5×10 yard sprints, 4×20 yard sprints, 3×30, 2×40, 1×50) and haven’t found any fault with the KomodoSport design. They perform wonderfully — sprinting close-to-barefoot is just an awesome feeling. I believe I can fly.

Weight-lifting in KomodoSport FiveFingers is great, too. Mind, for most weight-lifting activities, just about any pair of FiveFingers will do. I personally love doing squats in all FiveFingers, and as it’s been pointed out everywhere, Arnold Schwarzenegger was known for training barefoot. I wonder if he has a pair of VFFs … Hmm.

That said, the KomodoSports actually perform a better than other FiveFingers in certain, admittedly niche weight-lifting endeavors. First, take a look at the KomodoSport here:

A left and right look at the yellow/black KomodoSport — this is my preferred color combo, actually.

I’ve been following a weight-lifting and nutrition protocol designed by my buddy Martin Berkhan around intermittent fasting called Lean Gains, and while I won’t delve into that here, one of the exercises is weighted chin-ups. We don’t have a weight-chain belt in my office gym nor do we have a weighted vest, so my workout partner and I make do with using a dumbbell placed vertically below the bar and lifted from the ground by our feet. This works fairly well, and I clearly have better “hold” on the dumbbell than my sneaker-shod buddy Rudy. However, the lack of padding on the top of my Bikilas, Sprints, and KSOs can make that iron really dig into my foot. It can seriously hurt.

If you look at the KomodoSport upper, you’ll notice that in addition to some fairly beefy straps, there’s a mesh fabric underneath the top strap. This mesh has the slightest bit of thickness and padding to it — probably intended to disperse the strap pressure. The added benefit for weighted chin-ups is that I get just a bit of cushion right where that dumbbell levers against my foot. Obscure-likely-unintended-FiveFingers-Komodo design FTW! Yea!

What else? A quick comparison to other FiveFingers models …

A close up of the dotted toe protection featured on the KomodoSport line-up — similar to what you get with the Bikila LS.
KomodoSport FiveFingers vs. the KSO

First, I need to disclaim that I still love my KSO FiveFingers. KSOs are “do-anything” (just about) and reigned supreme as the best-all-around, if-you-only-have-one-pair Vibram FiveFingers model for a long, long time. For that matter, they still may hold the title. In a nutshell, the KSO offers full coverage over the foot, an ankle enclosure to “keep stuff out” (get it?), the standard, original, razor-siped Vibram rubber sole, 2mm of EVA midsole, and a “hook and loop” enclosure system. It’s simple in construction and simply gets the job done in most applications.

That said, there are a few applications in which KSO FiveFingers struggle, and the one that matters most in comparison to the KomodoSport is in maintaining traction on slicker or less grippy surfaces. Rounding the bases in KSOs can be difficult and stopping on a base … well you might as well keep going! The Komodo FiveFingers’ sole just works better here.

The Komodo’s seamless footbed and lined interior make for an overall more comfy feel against your bare foot than the KSO, which has seams on the upper and seams in the toe pockets.

That said, the KSO benefits from being lighter than the KomodoSport, thinner in the sole (marginally) and thanks to a less complicated rubber sole, transmits more ground feel and is a bit more flexible than the KomodoSport.

KSO vs. KomodoSport Bottom Line — Go KSO if you want a more barefoot-like experience that will save you $15 over the KomodoSports and a bit of weight on the foot. Go KomodoSport if you’re going to need extra traction, don’t mind a heavier pair of toe shoes, and want a slightly more plush, soft ride for your foot.

KomodoSport FiveFingers vs. the Bikila

The FiveFingers Bikila is Vibram’s road (and light trail) barefoot-like running toe shoe. By comparison to the Komodo, the Bikila is more specialized and one-minded in it’s design: running. This running-specific design is best exemplified by the Bikila having it’s thickest polyurethane “cushioning” at the ball of the foot, which is intended to give a runner a smoother ride running with a natural forefoot “strike.” Comparatively, the Komodo is marketed (and designed) more for general activity, but also for high intensity sprinting or lateral cutting.

Both Bikila and KomodoSport offer a seam-reduced experience. The Bikila has fewer seams over the top of the foot whereas the KomodoSport has fewer seams at each toe pocket thanks to the footbed. Both KomodoSport and Bikila have a polyurethane footbed/insole though the Bikila’s insole is thickest at the ball of the foot as noted earlier. Overall, I’d say you get a smidge more ground feel in KomodoSports than Bikilas and a little more foot flexibility, as well. The difference in ground feel is marginal.

Bikila vs. KomodoSport Bottom Line — if you’re going to be mostly running miles in your FiveFingers, I’d go with the Bikila. If you plan to be incorporating running into a more generalized workout/training regiment, I’d grab the KomodoSport. Both are $100 so choose wisely!

KomodoSport FiveFingers vs. the TrekSport (or KSO Trek)

The FiveFingers TrekSport (reviewed here) is like a hybrid of the KSO Trek and the KSO in that it has a KSO-like upper (though made out of coconut fabric and having an added heel-cup for comfort) with a Trek sole. The Trek sole is designed for “off road” use featuring an aggressive tread and soft cleats. Thus, the comparison of the FiveFingers TrekSport to the KomodoSport comes down to, again, the distinguishing feature of the KomodoSport: the sole.

Since the TrekSport and KomodoSport both have a grippy sole that will readily “dig in” on cuts or loose ground, you can do a lot of lateral cutting and sprinting in both. It’s difficult to say if one rubber sole is better than the other for these purposes, but where the KomodoSport wins out is with it’s reduced-friction footbed. Though this amounts to just opinion at this point, I’d guess the KomodoSport will wear longer than the TrekSport if you’re doing a lot of intense cutting moves.

I have yet to run trails in the KomodoSport so I can’t (yet) comment on how they perform in this application, but I’d guess they’d do fine. The tread on the KomodoSport isn’t quite as deep or aggressive as the TrekSport (or KSO Trek — see the FiveFingers KSO Trek review here), so that’s a consideration. Also, I have had my fair share of dirt and debris slip into the upper of the KomodoSport — particularly sprinting around on a recently aerated field — the KomodoSport’s ankle enclosure isn’t quite as locked-on to your ankle as with the KSO, KSO Trek, or TrekSport.

TrekSport vs. KomodoSport Bottom Line — if your plan is to run trails, I’d go with the TrekSport or better yet pony up the extra $25 and get the leather KSO Trek for added durability and style. If you’re not planning on running trails often but want to have the option while still using your FiveFingers for sprints, workouts, etc., pick up some KomodoSports. Capiche?

Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport Overview/Review Parting Thoughts and Video!

Two more thoughts and I’ll cut you free. First, I want to clarify that the EVA arch cover on the KomodoSport is not arch support — at least, that’s not the intention. That said, as is the case with all FiveFingers, the arch curves up and in to hug the foot, and if that feels like support to you, then that’s that. The bottom line is that the sole of the KomodoSport (or Bikila, which is similar in arch design) isn’t supposed to support anything anymore than the innate structure of the sole will have some structure, and that structure will put pressure on your foot (Case in point: you can’t wiggle your toes exactly the same in VFFs as barefoot).

Two, I’m on the fence about the jagged, painted on lines you see on the upper of the KomodoSport line. I like them fine on the yellow and black KomodoSports for men as well as the purplish-y/indigo women’s KomodoSport. Where I’m less a fan is with the black versions as these lines have a metallic finish that is just a bit shiny for my taste. To each his own though! Overall, the KomodoSport line reminds me of Samurai swords and ninjas. What’s up with that?

And with that I’ll cut to the video review/overview …

KomodoSport FiveFingers Photo Gallery

FiveFingers KomodoSport in Yellow/Black (My personal favorite color combo) — more photos of the yellow, though a pre-production model, can be found here:

By Justin

Justin Owings is a deadlifting dad of three, working from Atlanta. When he's not chasing his three kids around, you'll find him trying to understand systems, risk, and human behavior.

52 replies on “Vibram FiveFingers Komodo Sport Review”

Any concerns about the durability of the painted silver/golden/black lines? To me they seem like cracking with time

my 16 year old wears his Komodo sports for track. He does Long, Triple and High jump, also runs cross country. He loves them and won’t run or jump in anything else!

Justin, that was a great review! Very smart move comparing it to the Bikilas and the TrekSports (both of which I currently use.)

I’m curious if the ability to turn quickly, rounds bases, and make sharp cuts will lead to an increase in sports injuries (ACL tears in particular), thus marring VFF’s reputation as a joint-friendly shoe. Obviously it’s up to the user to stay healthy, but I’m sure some people are going to say “Oh yea, I wore my Kimodos to play soccer and I sprained my ankle. Stupid shoes.” Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

Thanks for another great review. Cheers!

I love my Komodos. I have owned them for about 3 weeks and have over 100 miles on them. Wet trails are very ify, but on dry road they are the best Vibram when it comes to asphault. I ran 13 miles in them yesterday on pretty tough trails, and had no issues and they felt better on my feet than the Trec Sports.

Thanks for the review! I’ve been waiting for one on the Komodos for the past 3 months haha. How do you think they’ll do in indoor/outdoor basketball?

A minimalist shoe requires a minimalist design with simple esthetics. Any element without clear functionality shouldn’t be there… unless nowadays a “cool” look has become a practical function.

Does anyone have any recommendations for someone whose male feet are 10 inches long, yet the komodo sizing starts at 10.25? That .25 over 10 sounds like too big a gap given that these shoes are meant to fit fairly snug.

I’ve had my Komodos for about 2 months now:

– They’re great for indoor basketball. Outdoor, where there can be dust, you might have some traction issues. You might have those issues with regular basketball shoes as well, but it seems slightly more pronounced with the VFFs. (And yes, I play 3-4 times a week).

– I have the yellow Komodos and the black lines on the upper are already cracked and peeling off. Oh well.

Other than that, I love them.

Do you think they are any easier to put on than the Bikilas because I had such a hard time getting bikilas on my feet?

Justin, thanks for another great review. My Komodo’s have replaced my Treks as my “on the shop floor” shoes and for yard work. I do find them comfortable, but similar to my opinion on all the latest VFF’s, I still prefer the KSO’s thinner and flexible sole for my everyday wear and I’m still waiting for a replacement 🙂

I had my Komodo (Black/Gold/Grey) for almost a month, worn it for various occasions including running on treadmill, cross training and even grocery shopping (love the attention I’m getting, haha!)
Shoe feels great and it provides excellent lateral grip for my cross training. But I had to wear toe socks for that, else the insole will come loose and that really irks me after workout.
End of day though, 5 out of 5 for the Komodo 🙂

I bought my first pair of Vibrams yesterday and this is what I opted for in lieu of the KSOs (which they were out of). I really like them, but since the upper fabric doesn’t hug the ankle I find more grit and pebbles jumping inside.

Hey Justin. Love the review
I’ve had a pair of komodos for 2 months now and I have put them through their paces. I do a mix of Insanity and P90X 6 days a week and the only issue I have with them in that the second and third toe tend to rotate when you have a quick stop after a side-step. I love these shoes and they become easier to put on after they break-in.
What’s going on with the SPEED? I really want a pair.

I picked up a couple pairs of Komodo in M40. My black/silver ones feel perfect, while the black/gold pair feels just a bit tight. My VFF’s have all broken in for me, so I’m not worried about the tightness right now. I love my Komodos more than my Treksports at the moment, because they seem to be a little beefier between the toes, and there’s no seams at the end of the toe pockets. My current rotation is: Mocs at home, KSO’s to and from work (bicycle pedals don’t dig into the rubber like EVA on other VFF’s), and then Komodo’s at work. I need to get my Treksports warrantied for the holes that are about to be created. The Komodo’s are perfect for me, I just wish they had the TP dots like the Bikila LS’s.

I like my Komodos for gym use, but when it comes to being outside I take my KSO’s or TrekSports, I think the extra cushioning/insole will not respond will to damp conditions. I also think the additional heel strapping mechanism is a step back from the traditional kso strapping, I’m able to make my kso’s more snug around my heel then my komodos by pulling the inside strap before cinching down over my foot.
The insole also makes them feel more like a traditional shoe and like someone else posted, I can feel it move — bad vibram, bad!
I love the design, best graphics yet, hope mine don’t crack!!!
My bottom line if you’re shopping for 5fingers and don’t already own a pair: stay with the kso line.

Having worn the Komodos for about a month, they have unequivocally become my favorite Fivefingers for running and everything else(I’ve had pairs of the KSOs and Treksports, both of which I still like). I recently ran a trail half-marathon, and while the Treksports might have given me a little better traction, the overall feel of the Komodos is still superior for the shape my feet.
On that note:
@Joe: Yes, the Komodos are much, much easier to put on than the bikilas. I have really high arches, and basically could not fit into a pair of bikilas that were the right size for my feet. The ability to adjust the heel and arch straps separately contributes a lot to the fit of the Komodos.

Well i’m 15 and i play Football and wrestle and run a lot so for workouts these Komodo’s seem like the way to go, but i do not currently own a pair of VFF’s and i hear the KSO’s are better for newvbies. Help me out here, i’m not sure which one to get.

KSO trek would do better outdoors if you are planing on using them on outdoor football practice. If you use them exclsuively indoor then komodo would be the way to go. I have both and treks for me perform much better on wet grass.

Has anyone else noticed these seem to run a little large in comparison to some of the other VFF’s? I had tried on a pair of KSO M44’s and they were too small (big toe couldn’t lay flat), so I measured my foot and ordered a pair of K-Sport size M45. My last two toes pull out of the sockets VERY easily and the side adjustment strap is pulled all the way back to the point where the velcro is barely holding on and the heel cup is still loose. Should have gone with 44’s in this particular model.

Love the review. I havent been running in my Komodo Sports but have been teaching my bootcamps and doing some H.I.T Training in them. Running and dragging tires for resistance have been so much easier with them because I can feel the whole ground underneath my feet. Also box jumps are better because I know where my feet are landing.
Great shoes and cant wait to get my second pair once REI has their sale.

Is it worth getting the Komodos just for the lack of seams over KSOs? (I’m buying my first pair of VFFs soon)

I loved Merrell’s trail glove shoe but couldn’t wear it due to the persistent annoyance of my outside toes laying across the footbed seam and I’m wondering if I’ll have the same issue with other VFFs and therefore am limited to this model.

Scott: no, I’ve never noticed the seams on my other vffs, ironically, I do notice the insole on the komodo. the insole will move a very little amount, while the other shoes the insole is stitched/glued in.

Vince, I’m having a similar issue. I tried an M41 KSO and I couldn’t extend my left big toe all the way, so I ended up getting them in M42, which is a fairly good fit. Still a tiny bit bigger than I’d like them to be, but I couldn’t go any smaller. I can pretty easily pop my pinky toes out, but I have weird pinky toes anyway. I also got the Komodo Sports in M42, and they fit really well at first, but after wearing them during a few workout sessions, they’re REALLY loose. I can slide my smallest two toes out of the pockets very easily, and I think it’s partly to do with the soft liner and fabric between the toes. However, they’re all around looser than the KSOs, and no amount of strap tightening is picking up the slack. I’m going to return them and try an M41, but I might just stick with the KSOs.

These are awesome shoes so far.I spend a lot of time outdoors and at music festivals. They have taken me mile after mile of walking on pavement, gravel, grass, dirt, and through a severe thunderstorm in which we had to run half a mile to find cover and I have only had them for a week. Without a doubt, best pair of shoes I have owned.

Its the subtle little things that make these shoes so awesome. You can actually feel the ground beneath your feet and I hope that I am not the only one that thinks its satisfying. The space between the toes is porous and the holes are big enough to let little bits of grass poke through enough to feel it with your toes but not big enough to feel like your being poked. Walking around in shoes and feeling grass between your toes, that was a new one for me. Greatest pair of shoes I have ever wned.

I like to do most things barefoot and Vibrams are great for that. Overall, its probably the best designed shoe imaginable. In the whole idea of evolution, for a long way down the line there were no shoes. Our feet were there before we could figure out how to cover them. The natural shape and function of your foot is more than 4 million years in the making, so instead of adding an inflexible shell around it, Vibram designed it around the foot to add protection and support to something that on its own works really well,and the result is kind of awesome.

If this is your first pair of shoes with this design, realise that your going to be using different muscles than your used to with regular shoes that are probably not well developed and you might get a little sore if you wear them all the time in the beginning.

Great shoes for being in water as well. We were leaving a concert because of a thunderstorm, no taxis would stop and we were outside in 45mph winds making it rain sideways, rain was a torrent, sky lighting up every second or two. Soaked head to toe. Every part of me was uncomfortable except for my feet. They were wet, but they were still comfortable and dried in open air pretty quickly.

Look at the other styles depending on what you plan to do in them, but these are a great multi-purpose shoe and if you like them half as much as I do, you won’t be disappointed with them.

I love the yellow color combo, but I’m not sure I’m sold on these yet – primarily because of the insole and looser ankle fabric (not the keep stuff out concept). I have a few other VFFs each with a specific purpose – KSO (everyday wear), Trek (black w/ black injinji socks – dress shoes for work), TrekSport (hunting/hiking), and Bikilas (running). I’m becoming as much a collector as anything else and would love an excuse to get yet another pair, but I just can’t seem to justify where it would fit in…

Just got my Komodosports today!! AH! I’m so pumped! They feel INCREDIBLE! I have a pair of Sprints and I’m so excited to test out the Komodos. The feel great. Amazing cusion and little bit of arch support. Great great feel!

I’m a swimming coach standing on wet tile pool decks all day. How will the Komodosports handle the wet tile? I usually use Keens with their razor sipes, but want to try something different. My Chacos slide all over.

debating if i should get a treksport or a komodosport.. my question is can you hike with the komodosport? are they versatile as the treksport. i know that the treksport is good for rough terrain but it kinda takes out the barefoot feel to them. i was wondering if the komodosport can withstand water activities and a little trekking?

Does anyone else have their insole pop out when they remove their Komodos? (while wearing barefoot for a bit)

Thanks for the review, and the note on removing the footbed of the Komodos. I rather like them without it now! The 43 was too large, and the 42 was too snug after 1-2 hours of use, but without this bed, I feel much more comfortable in these.

I am about to get my first VFFs and I will be doing a lot of road running/trail running and hiking.

I like to run daily on the road, and then hit the mountain on the weekend.

My question is, would the komodo fit both purposes in one? Or would I be better off getting the KSO Treks and the Bikala LS and just use them for the seperate purposes?

Just curious if it is a good enough hybrid to fulfill all of my needs.

I just purchased my Komodo shoes and might I add, they have excellent support for the whole foot. The first time that I bought them I wore them to a water/amusement park. I wore my Komodos for at least eight hours straight without no irritation or aches and pains. Besides the comfort, they have a unique stylish look to shoe. I get question’s about the wonderful shoe’s every time I wear them! I would recommend these shoe to anyone whose very active and maybe stands on their feet for long periods of time. I think I’m about to order my second pair soon!

I have had my Komodo Sports for about 3 months. I also have 2 pairs of Bikila LS which I use exclusively for running. I use the Komodo’s for circuit training, weight training and general gym work.
I have a high instep and wide feet, and the Komodo Sports do not fit quite as well as the Bikila LS. The Komodo Sport LS kooks to be the ideal compromise for me.

I do kettlebell, krav maga and trail running in my VFFs. I used KSO’s and after 3 months the seams started to split. I went back to REI and exchanged the KSOs for a new pair of Komodosports and so far they are working very well. They seem to be sturdier and I expect they’ll hold up better to the sports I’m practicing.

I love this site for its proper honest discussion of these shoes! My own experience of the Komodo on the roads is a little disappointing, in that after only 2 months of wear (and about 120 miles) I found a hole worn right through one of the toes, and a lot of the tread pattern was worn away on the other toes (and in the forefoot/mid foot zones). My retailer has offered to refund so at least I’m not angry! If I reflect on my own purchasing decision, I bought the Komodo because I felt they looked fantastic, but I may have over estimated the durability of the compound they use on the sole. Since most of my runnings is still going to be on road/pavement I think I’ll try the Bikila with my refund money. Running off road with my Komodos was great, but I didn’t do it enough, and walking around in them was also really easy on my feet. I will add that I didn’t like feeling the thorns and other sharp things pushing through my Komodo uppers when I ran on a bush trail. The soles however were in my opinion faultless in that environment.

I use my Komodo’s for, believe it or not, Dodgeball. I’ve been using VFF’s for the last 4 years for working out, but I found that their use in my adult intramural dodgeball league is exactly what I needed. We play in an indoor arena and play on whatever material they use for indoor soccer. They allow me to move more freely and never have to worry about rolling an ankle. occasionally I have to watch out for teammates stepping near, or on, my feet, but that’s surprisingly only happened once.

Thanks for your detailed an dhonest reviews.

Keep up the great work!

Got the Black / Gold / Grey version today, threw them in the washer. When they came out, the lines were already coming off. They looked so ugly that I decided to rip them off completely. Turned out these lines are glued onto the fabric… How could Vibram expect them to last… I’m very disappointed by the poor design of these lines.

I sprained my foot pretty badly earlier this year playing ultimate frisbee. 7 tendons total, with one partially torn. 8 months later and it’s still not all the way healed. Still a slightly different size than my other ankle, too. I’ve noticed that my foot rolls more easily the same way it sprained, and it worries me, because I can no langer naturally land on my foot a certain way to change direction because the bottom of my shoes catches too early. These shoes should give that extra leverage I need to compensate for this handicap. Any thoughts?

I have Treksport size44 that were starting to get to snog on my feet, so I ordered a pair of Komodo size 45. But when I tried to put them on they were very tight. I had to take them off because they were cutting off circulation. The opening doesn’t have alot of stretch to them is that normal? Did I get a bunk pair of komodos?

I am planning on buying a pair of Komodosports. However I don’t know which one would better suit me. I am stuck between getting the LS or the straps. I have tried on the LS and it fit well, but I don’t like the colors. I have not been able to try on the strap as the stores don’t have them where I’m at. Which one keeps the shoe tighter to the whole foot ( mainly the top of the foot. I had space prior to tighting the LS and was wondering it the strap took up that space as well.)

Thank You

I purchased my Komodos last September (2011) with hiking/camping in mind, since my friends and I usually end up in places where we need to grip onto rock. Sometimes damp rock. And sometimes vertically climbing rock. The two main reasons I went with this model:

1) textured sole for gripping rock and whatever else we’re hiking/climbing on
2) heel strap to minimize any chances of the shoe slipping from my heel while climbing

I’ve only been able to hike in them once, but I love them and I wear them on a normal day. I cannot wait for warmer weather to put these to a true test, but I want to preserve them specifically for camping & hiking purposes so they last longer……… but I love Vibrams so much, I ordered the Classics from their site about 30 minutes ago so I can wear them everyday =)

If I could make only one suggestion for Vibram though, is that I REALLY wish they could do an option where the second toe is a little longer than the big toe. Other than that, I am completely sold!

I’m on the yellow komodos since dec 2011. They’re fantastic but the black sharp lines at the front and the side of the big toes are all coming off. they’ve actually started coming off about 1.5 mths into usage. I don’t run long distances in them. Max 10km runs and i run only on alternate days. i guess it might be due to the massive amount of flexing at the big toe area.

i just bought a pair of komodos and i absolutly love them.. i was caught beteween KSO’s and the komodo but i went with the komodo for the color combination.
i’ve heard that if you walk in them too much the traction on the bottom will shed.
i bought them for running and other athletic abilitys
but are they okay for just casually walking?

Confession: I’ve got 7 pair. So far, the Bik’s, Bik LS, and Jaya were my faves. Until I picked up a pair of the Komodo LS’s– it was love at first walk. But new love can’t last I guess… day 2, the insole comes out. Every. Time. I. Take. The. Shoe. Off. (tres’ annoying). And only on the left foot, and only from the TOES. The heel stays put. So toes out is even harder to get it back in. I don’t dare wash them. I”d take them back and swap for another pair, but I bought them while traveling. *sigh* So I figure I’ve gotta try my own fix, but I’m hesitant….

I’m thinking either carpet tape (double sided stuff), or super glue, or that glue stuff that we’d stick the rubber bumpers on our sneaks back together with. None seems like an ideal solution considering it’s fabricky-footbed stuff.

Anyone have any better ideas? Or invented this wheel already?

i recently went on a 4 mile hike in my komodosports, in the Appalachian Mountains, so it was pretty rough terrain. when i was finished i took the shoe off and the footbed at the heels had worn down through the yellow soft stuff. is that normal?

I find the KOMODO having a wider foot bed than the BIKILA and SPYRIDON : definitely given the same size the KOMODO feels shorter and wider( specially at their wider section, corresponding to the foot ball) than the other two models.
Also i wish to ask a question : why do the yelllow KOMODO SPORT come with the little arch in light gray or black, is there any difference btween the 2 colors than what meets the eyes?
Thanks

I’ve been looking for a pair of minimalist shoes for barbell training, sprinting (on asphalt), and ultimate frisbee…. These look like the perfect shoe!

Hated my Komodos. Well, love/hate.

Loved the feel and everything, but…

The insoles came out of both almost right away, very weak glue. From then on even just walking in them the heel would rise up along the side and be uncomfortable. Take them off, reseat them, go a little, they wiggled out again. Repeat. Not talking running here, just walking. Used all different manner of glues to hold it and nothing works well.

That and the pattern on the bottom completely fell apart on both the toes and the heels, mainly on the left shoe. A very thin rubber glued to the main shoe’s rubber sole – pretty bad

Not entirely sure why a ‘sport’ shoe would have an insole that slides around…

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