beginner's guide to vibram five fingers

Black KSO Vibram Five Fingers in "Dress Mode" [modification]

By Justin on Jun 5, 2009 | In resources, kso, vibram mods and repairs, vibram five fingers | 6 feedbacks »

Tim Butterfield, who recently joined the Birthday Shoes Forums, has created a "dress mode" by modding his black KSO Vibram Five Fingers. Tim explains:

For the dress mode, I made a simple modification. I took a fine black Sharpie marker to the yellow logo on the top, the side, and to the top of the yellow padding in the back. The shiny logo thread of the top logo doesn't blend entirely, but it is much less noticeable than before. The side logo has a slight gloss, but almost disappears. The black on the top of the yellow padding fades over time, but is still an improvement and is partially hidden by the back strap anyway. ...

In the one picture, I am wearing some black Injinji performance crew socks. Though wearable, they are a tight fit. For a few hours it is fine. But, after a full day, they get uncomfortable. I'm going to check out some Feelmax toe socks to see if they are a thinner. Still, they do seem to be dress mode capable. And, in the rare case than anyone does notice and mention them, I wear them for health reasons. ;)

Tim's "dressy" KSOs are one of two pairs he owns. His other pair, which I can only assume he considers casual, are blue camo classics (as he noted in the forums).

Are "dress mode" modded fivefingers enough to meet business casual standards? Maybe so. And like Tim, you can always say you're wearing them for health reasons!

The Black KSO fivefingers modded to dress mode by Tim Butterfield
Tim originally posted these photos to his flickr page here.

Tags: black sharpie, business casual, dress mode, health, injinji crew socks, kso, kso vibram five fingers, logo, yellow

a message from Justin —

Buy Vibram Five Fingers at CitySports.com and get FREE SHIPPING with coupon code BIRTHDAY

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Jason Robillard of Barefoot Running University demonstrates barefoot running on the trails in Michigan.Ville shows off his pre-production FiveFingers Bikila. While not the final version, this photo makes clear the seamless upper design, which VFF fan Orlin recently confirmed via a third party source who met directly with Vibram.The Vibram Five Fingers Bikila is coming Spring 2010 (mid-April being a best guess). Right click this image and either open link in a new window or "save target as" to grab this 1000x625 VFF Bikila wallpaper based on existing pre-production or stock imagJosh kicks back and relaxes with his son on his hammock in his black KSO Vibram Five Fingers.Raymond running a 30K race in his black KSO Vibram Five Fingers (2 of 2)Raymond running a 30K race in his black KSO Vibram Five Fingers (1 of 2)Dave went on a couple recent snow runs in the countryside of the United Kingdom in his black KSO Vibram Five Fingers.Hiking in Vibram Five Fingers Flows, Andrew snaps a shot over some rocky terrain.Enjoying a bit of snow between the toes in his Classics, Andrew snaps a shot of a rose.
« J.J. Casuals "Shoes that look like feet"Christopher McDougall on his book "Born to Run" »
Comment from: Tim Butterfield [Visitor]
I just wanted to post an update. When I inquired of Feelmax about socks for this application, they forwarded my inquiry to Kris of www.giftsfromfinland.com, a US retailer. For their thinnest sock, he recommended the basic black and the charcoal models. I ordered both and have now received them. They are made with a thinner, stretchier material than the Injinji and, so far, seem more comfortable to wear with my KSOs.
06/08/09 @ 18:46
Comment from: Karen [Visitor]
I suppose you could get a pair of thin dress socks and just cut off the toe section.

I just got my KSOs 2 days ago. I already find it a little odd to have something between my toes. I can't imagine trying to wear a toe sock, too!
06/09/09 @ 13:30
Comment from: Tim [Visitor]
I wear vibrams all of the time in a similar way. I size my vibrams with socks on, and I never wear them w/o Injinji's. I will occasionally wear a cowboy boot or a work boot if I'm building something, but the rest of the time, its KSOs.
09/07/09 @ 22:59
Comment from: Matthew Lynch [Visitor] Email
So, in working at several large companies, the usual dress code statement is "Thou Shalt Wear Closed Toed Footwear." Vibrams fit the bill. Each toe is enclosed. They are not a sandal. They are a performance running shoe.

Currently, I am working at a fair-sized Northeastern-based printing device manufacturing company (very well established in the Fortune 500, they are a verb for photocopying). I wear VFFs to work everyday. Meetings, lab work, whatever. No hassles, nothing.

I've noticed the trend that people who wear their VFFs to work daily feel the need to compulsively include that they work in a very liberal work environment. With the three pieces of information at the end of the first paragraph, arm yourself and wear them to stodgy old Corporate America.
09/11/09 @ 13:54
Comment from: Todd [Visitor]
It's interesting to hear that I wasn't the only person that took a black marker to the yellow Vibram logo on the top of my KSOs to make them a little stealthier.

However, since I wear VFFs for everything I've just picked up a pair of KSO Treks in black to complement my KSOs and Classics. The Treks come with "dress mode" built in; no external logos and 100% black with beautiful kangaroo suede uppers. Perfect for wearing to work or anywhere else.
10/07/09 @ 15:58
Comment from: AndrewS [Visitor] · http://paleosnow.com
Vibram now has the MOC (for men) and Performa (for women) that are intended for mostly-indoor use. They have an open top like the Classic and Sprint, vs the closed KSO. Anyone have a pair or seen them in action? They might be better suited for wearing to work!
12/11/09 @ 15:25

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