Classics, rare colors

[Horse Rider]

Hi,

Can someone tell me if all the good classics color options are becoming discontinued. I can't find the grey/orange/black women classics anywhere, others are becoming rare, smartwools are almost extinct, on the vibram site there is almost no colors left in sprints and classics; are those colors coming back or are they gone? Are there new colors coming up?

[dirkverelst]

That`s a good question, and the answer is rather alarming. Vibram apparently has decided - judging from the S/S catalog - to discontinue almost every color option for the Classic/Sprint. That is the situation in the US, the situation in Europe is  bit better, `we` still have the choice between several different Classic and Sprint colors, including the very awesome navy/white and paillettes for women.
So what once was their flagship has now become secondary to having 5 or 6 Bikila color options (not including the LS), and a lot of Komodosport/Speed variants. It must be easier to keep stock supplied if you only have to take care of black pairs of course. Maybe Vibram wants to stimulate the other models - a retailer will only get in so many different styles, we can only guess. I am curious to see what they will be offering in the Fall Winter collection, but Classics/Sprints being summer models, there is no much hope of seeing new colors appear by then.
If you were planning on getting one of those `old`colors: better be quick, or else you risk having to order them from Europe; which will cost you at least twice including shipping.
It does make my extensive Classics collection  much more vintage , of course.

[JustinB]

Dirk,

I would agree they are probably catering to other styles, but for a different reason.  An open top shoe like teh classic will be much more popular in Europe.  In the states men don't wear shoes like that, so if they are going to target a more general population you need to go with a closed top shoe that likely has laces (the reasoning for more Speeds in different colors and materials).  For the women, I bet they will still have a few options available but they are also reworking the original with the fresca update and they also have the option of the Jaya and Jaya LR which are similar to a classic but a little more closed.

If the classics were still teh top seller , I guarantee there would be more colors available, but the introduction of other models has definitely moved the classics to the bottom of the pile.  When I first say VFF's years ago, there was really only the classic available and, while I liked the concept of toe shoes, I was not interested in a mens shoe that looked like a ballet slipper.

[Horse Rider]

Thanks guys, all this is really depressing. I already have chili/peach/chili, stormy sea/agate/silver and Smartwool classics, but I am wondering if I should not try to get an other pair of Smartwools before they disappear, and I really was keen on those Grey/Orange/Black ones, so quite disappointing  . To me the Classics are the best casual ones, even though I am in frosty Canada.

[Stefanie]

Thanks guys, all this is really depressing. I already have chili/peach/chili, stormy sea/agate/silver and Smartwool classics, but I am wondering if I should not try to get an other pair of Smartwools before they disappear, and I really was keen on those Grey/Orange/Black ones, so quite disappointing  . To me the Classics are the best casual ones, even though I am in frosty Canada.

It's not all that bad.  If you didn't already have a good reason/excuse to travel abroad... you now have one!  Start saving  

[Horse Rider]

I have been abroad quite a bit already, however I was planning to go to Italy soon, and no excuse needed for that  but still even in Europe they don't have the grey/orange/black anymore as far as I can see, I would have been ready to order from there otherwise. The others I can still get here if I hurry.

[dirkverelst]

I like that color, too, it used to be their `welcome` model. Truth is, it has been unavailable for women for quite some time now. I know of one store that still has it in sizes 36 through 39, I might order from them soon for myself (another model). I don`t know how much you would be willing to pay, shipping from EU is expensive, but perhaps it might be possible to arrange something. One caveat, it might be the 2005 model that has a different tightener. Let me know, perhaps in a PM...

[Horse Rider]

Very interested. I sent you a PM. I know they have been around a long time, but I have only been aware of Vffs since June and I could not buy them all at once, you know, money wise. And they were probably already unavailable by then.

[BearFooted]

Thanks guys, all this is really depressing. I already have chili/peach/chili, stormy sea/agate/silver and Smartwool classics, but I am wondering if I should not try to get an other pair of Smartwools before they disappear, and I really was keen on those Grey/Orange/Black ones, so quite disappointing  . To me the Classics are the best casual ones, even though I am in frosty Canada.

They have GREY / ORANGE / BLACK classics there http://www.appoutdoors.com/vibram_fivefingers_classic_barefoot_shoes_mens_mclassic_c_p55686.htm  don't think they are your size though

[Horse Rider]

Not in W39... I am a girl...

Updated Dec.27th: I was lucky enough to order them through Dirk, thanks a bunch