Treksport , spyridon, or bikila???

[BearFooted]

The Spyridon LS offers a very smooth "ride" I find it smoother then the Bikila.  The mesh helps distribute the force.  I notice it even when I am walking on pavement.  I really like it.  I think the grip is better on smooth or wet and smooth surfaces.

[limeoasis]

The Spyridon LS offers a very smooth "ride" I find it smoother then the Bikila.  The mesh helps distribute the force.  I notice it even when I am walking on pavement.  I really like it.  I think the grip is better on smooth or wet and smooth surfaces.

oh i see i see. I guess in your opinion. the spyridon isnt just a trail running shoe ?

[toh-shu]

so for just normal trail running if i could swap my trek sports for the bikilas i should do that because the bikilas are better for general overall wear and i dont really run on trails that are super rocky or muddy.

[Jeepman]

so for just normal trail running if i could swap my trek sports for the bikilas i should do that because the bikilas are better for general overall wear and i dont really run on trails that are super rocky or muddy.

It really depends. Pea sized rocks on the road can hurt if you step on them with the white area of the Bikila sole. I'm kind of with BearFooted on recommending the Spyridon LS unless this type of thing doesn't bother you. When I run trails in my KSOs I except some discomfort. However, when I ran trails in my Bikilas, even though they don't have plating protection, I was mentally less tolerant of rocks. I guess it messed with my mental expectations, thus making me less tolerant.

[limeoasis]

so for just normal trail running if i could swap my trek sports for the bikilas i should do that because the bikilas are better for general overall wear and i dont really run on trails that are super rocky or muddy.

It really depends. Pea sized rocks on the road can hurt if you step on them with the white area of the Bikila sole. I'm kind of with BearFooted on recommending the Spyridon LS unless this type of thing doesn't bother you. When I run trails in my KSOs I except some discomfort. However, when I ran trails in my Bikilas, even though they don't have plating protection, I was mentally less tolerant of rocks. I guess it messed with my mental expectations, thus making me less tolerant.

i see i see, most of the trails i run are park trails so theyre usually asphalt, but have gravel/ dirt roads sometimes. Either way if i were looking for protection even on pavement, spyridon ls would be the way to go? im always paronoid about thorns or glass going through the sole of the bikila

[JustinB]

I've run on glass with the Bikila... no issue.  The only issue you will have with the Bikila sole is if you get on a real technical trail with sharp rocks, and all that is going to do is tear up the white EVA section. 

[PB Junkie]

The Spyridons definitely give the most protection of any of the models I have.  I have had goatheads (thorns) come through my Bikilas and Treksports but haven't had any problems in the Spyridons.

[paulr]

so for just normal trail running if i could swap my trek sports for the bikilas i should do that because the bikilas are better for general overall wear and i dont really run on trails that are super rocky or muddy.

It really depends. Pea sized rocks on the road can hurt if you step on them with the white area of the Bikila sole. I'm kind of with BearFooted on recommending the Spyridon LS unless this type of thing doesn't bother you. When I run trails in my KSOs I except some discomfort. However, when I ran trails in my Bikilas, even though they don't have plating protection, I was mentally less tolerant of rocks. I guess it messed with my mental expectations, thus making me less tolerant.

Yikes that really worries me - Im still trying to decide on my 1st pair of VFFs and was moving towards Bilika LS - maybe I should revert back to my original 1st choice of one of the Treks ??  I wanna enjoy being in them not having to constantly scour the area for pea sized pebbles

[JustinB]

so for just normal trail running if i could swap my trek sports for the bikilas i should do that because the bikilas are better for general overall wear and i dont really run on trails that are super rocky or muddy.

It really depends. Pea sized rocks on the road can hurt if you step on them with the white area of the Bikila sole. I'm kind of with BearFooted on recommending the Spyridon LS unless this type of thing doesn't bother you. When I run trails in my KSOs I except some discomfort. However, when I ran trails in my Bikilas, even though they don't have plating protection, I was mentally less tolerant of rocks. I guess it messed with my mental expectations, thus making me less tolerant.

Yikes that really worries me - Im still trying to decide on my 1st pair of VFFs and was moving towards Bilika LS - maybe I should revert back to my original 1st choice of one of the Treks ??  I wanna enjoy being in them not having to constantly scour the area for pea sized pebbles

I only run in my Bikila and do not have this issue.  i run streets, chopped up sidewalks, fields... I have run over rocks, glass, loose asphalt and have not experience at all.

[Jeepman]

I only run in my Bikila and do not have this issue.  i run streets, chopped up sidewalks, fields... I have run over rocks, glass, loose asphalt and have not experience at all.

Everyone has a differnt tolerance for what is comfortable for their feet. The metatarsal protection is great on the Bikila. The arch protection not so much.

[BearFooted]

Yikes that really worries me - Im still trying to decide on my 1st pair of VFFs and was moving towards Bilika LS - maybe I should revert back to my original 1st choice of one of the Treks ??  I wanna enjoy being in them not having to constantly scour the area for pea sized pebbles

I prefer the Spyridon LS over the KSO Treks hands down.  The sole has more flexibility.  The mesh layer does a better job at dispersing impact.  The Spyrdion LS is also smoother was you walk/run on flat surfaces.  IMO is is the smoothest ride out of any of the models. 

If you are on flat pavement you can feel the lugs on the bottom of the Trek sole as you walk.  The lugs eventually soften up and you notice them less.  I notice them when i walk on to my hardwood floors though.  The Trek sole can kind of feel like walking in soccer cleats in the beginning till it softens up. 

[toh-shu]

thanks for the feed back on the bikilas vs treksports guys! i just went and swapped my trek sports that were a size too big for one size down. i remembered the reason i got the treksports in the first place was for rafting (even though i didnt get to use them for rafting last year) and wanted to keep the thicker, more grippy sole.

Yikes that really worries me - Im still trying to decide on my 1st pair of VFFs and was moving towards Bilika LS - maybe I should revert back to my original 1st choice of one of the Treks ??  I wanna enjoy being in them not having to constantly scour the area for pea sized pebbles

no, for this reason V

If you are on flat pavement you can feel the lugs on the bottom of the Trek sole as you walk.  The lugs eventually soften up and you notice them less.  I notice them when i walk on to my hardwood floors though.  The Trek sole can kind of feel like walking in soccer cleats in the beginning till it softens up. 

for your first pair i would suggest something that will be comfortable, smooth, flexible, and light for all types of wear, and you can certainly feel the trek sole when you are wearing them for casual use. the trek sole is definitely thick and not as flexible as many of the other models. so get something that is thin and flexible so you get the most barefoot feel during all types of use. 

[Peter]

It really depends. Pea sized rocks on the road can hurt if you step on them with the white area of the Bikila sole. I'm kind of with BearFooted on recommending the Spyridon LS unless this type of thing doesn't bother you. When I run trails in my KSOs I except some discomfort. However, when I ran trails in my Bikilas, even though they don't have plating protection, I was mentally less tolerant of rocks. I guess it messed with my mental expectations, thus making me less tolerant.

Yikes that really worries me - Im still trying to decide on my 1st pair of VFFs and was moving towards Bilika LS - maybe I should revert back to my original 1st choice of one of the Treks ??  I wanna enjoy being in them not having to constantly scour the area for pea sized pebbles
[/quote]

It's funny ... another thing that you find out when you start going minimal/barefoot, is that:  It turns out that your brain is really good at spotting tiny obstacles on the ground and avoiding them without much thought.  Think about it this way:  If your running route was scattered with the occasional golf ball-sized rock, you would, in most cases, easily see them and avoid them.  It's the same thing with the pea-sized rocks.  You see them and avoid them. It sounds tedious, constantly looking for rocks on the ground, but your brain actually just kinda ... does it.  Almost as if it was designed that way. 

[limeoasis]

It really depends. Pea sized rocks on the road can hurt if you step on them with the white area of the Bikila sole. I'm kind of with BearFooted on recommending the Spyridon LS unless this type of thing doesn't bother you. When I run trails in my KSOs I except some discomfort. However, when I ran trails in my Bikilas, even though they don't have plating protection, I was mentally less tolerant of rocks. I guess it messed with my mental expectations, thus making me less tolerant.

Yikes that really worries me - Im still trying to decide on my 1st pair of VFFs and was moving towards Bilika LS - maybe I should revert back to my original 1st choice of one of the Treks ??  I wanna enjoy being in them not having to constantly scour the area for pea sized pebbles

It's funny ... another thing that you find out when you start going minimal/barefoot, is that:  It turns out that your brain is really good at spotting tiny obstacles on the ground and avoiding them without much thought.  Think about it this way:  If your running route was scattered with the occasional golf ball-sized rock, you would, in most cases, easily see them and avoid them.  It's the same thing with the pea-sized rocks.  You see them and avoid them. It sounds tedious, constantly looking for rocks on the ground, but your brain actually just kinda ... does it.  Almost as if it was designed that way. 
[/quote]

hey bud, i jst wanted to let you know i picked up a pair of bikila ls for my running on pavement/ park trail. I tried on the trek sport and spyridon as well, didn like the trek sport cuz of the lugs at the bottom and the spyridon was too much grip for me on smooth surfaces. I dont like to feel the treading on my toes, but it is more protective. Im very happy with my purchase of bikila ls, and took them over some gravel and it was fine, but yes ud hvta watch out for pea sized rocks. Not that its gonna poke through or hurt you really, you'll jst feel a slight nudge of discomfort, im fine with it. overall im very happy with it!