Which shoe??? Advice needed

[liamsquire]

Hi all,

I really like the Vibram's and would love any advice of those of you who are lucky enough to have tried/worn some of the various Vibram shoes available.

I would likely be using the shoes for weightlifting and running.  I was thinking the Bikilas, but maybe there are a more appropriate pair?  Unfortunately I've no store handy to try some on so will have to order online.

Any advice or help is much appreciated.

 

[Natural runner keyes]

Well for weightlifting you want alot of contact with the floor I would try the kso its a god pair to start off with.but it depends on wear your running if your doing trail running i would go kso trek but just running on pavemtn i would look at kso there durable and good floor contact

[liamsquire]

Well for weightlifting you want alot of contact with the floor I would try the kso its a god pair to start off with.but it depends on wear your running if your doing trail running i would go kso trek but just running on pavemtn i would look at kso there durable and good floor contact

Cheers Natural runner.  I'll mostly be running on a treadmill or pavement.  I like the thought of the Vibrams for doing deadlifts and squats.  My current shoes are heavily padded at the back and I can feel like my weight is pushing forward, whereas as small heel will help with balance and correct technique.

[dopie]

I've always wondered why weight lifting shoes always have a heel. Its all on a hard platform, but theres always like a quarter inch heel.

My vote is for KSO or sprint. KSO has a heel 'strap' that is continuous with the above foot strap, so the tighter that is, the tighter the heel is. The sprint has an over the foot strap, plus two individual velcro straps for the heel, so you can adjust them individually.

[zapsurf13]

I always use my KSO's for the gym, and mill running. I keep my Bikilas for the road and my Trek's for the trail. $.02

[tak555]

i'd recommend the bikila's, BUT they are having pretty severe quality problems...  just do a search on "bikila toe fail".

so, actually i WOULDN'T recommend bikila's. 

i think for what you are doing, you really can't go wrong with KSO's or sprints.  i have a pair of KSO's and i really like them... but sometimes i feel like the extra protection isn't necessary.  in retrospect, i wish i just went with sprints, because all i really do is run in them, and occasionally lift lite weights.  but if you do see yourself perhaps hiking in them, or stuff like that, KSO's or even treks might be your best option.

[liamsquire]

Some great info there.  Thanks very much guys.  I'll do a bit more reading and let you know when I make a decision.  I'm not likely to be doing any trekking.  Likely to be solely weights and running.  I play a lot of football (soccer) but the vibrams wouldn't be suitable for that.

That's a bit disappointing in regards to the Bikila toe fail - I saw some of the pics.  Off to read some more now.

[whiteknight]

I have sported the kso, trek sport, sprint, and classic models.  If I had one pair to live with it would be the kso, super versatile.  The sprint is a bit too uncomfortable for me on the heel, it rubs on me alot.  The trek sport is awesome but not as much fun as the kso because of the extra thickness of the sole.  But the Trek sport, along with the Bikila, are the most polished when it comes to looks.

[liamsquire]

I have sported the kso, trek sport, sprint, and classic models.  If I had one pair to live with it would be the kso, super versatile.  The sprint is a bit too uncomfortable for me on the heel, it rubs on me alot.  The trek sport is awesome but not as much fun as the kso because of the extra thickness of the sole.  But the Trek sport, along with the Bikila, are the most polished when it comes to looks.

Thanks whiteknight.  Even more options into the mix!

[kuo34]

I prefer the KSO for all workouts.  I've tried the Bikila out and while I liked the fit and feel (smoothest VFF interior ever), I didn't like the lack of flexibility and loss of ground feel when compared to a standard sole.  Manufacturer defects aside, the Bikila is great for road running, but I was uncomfortable wearing them as anything other as a running shoe.

The classic would also be a great option at the gym, though I've found the Achilles tab to be a bit much for rugged exercise.  Everyone is different in their VFF preference, but I'm sure you'll find one that works for you.  Welcome to the madness!

[mactarkus]

I would go with the KSOs since they have much better floor contact and grip for indoor activities.  Bikilas are awesome for running, but I wouldn't want to be lifting weights in them.  I use my KSOs for P90x workouts and they really have made things easier for me.  My balance is much improved over traditional cross-training shoes.

[Jacksonian]

I have KSOs, KSO Remix, and Bikilas (well, the Speed version).

I'll second the post above that the Bikilas sole is too thick for weights or cross training as you lose that flexibility and touch with the ground (especially for core/balance work). 

My Remixes are my favorite.  They fit tighter up around the opening to your ankle and that feels like it provides a more glove like feel for my foot.  They aren't just different color from the KSO.

I'm intrigued about the upcoming Komodo, but I don't think I'm going to like it because it uses that thick sole like the Bikila.  That defeats the main advantage for core/balance stuff, although it might be great for a crossfit workout if you're doing suicides in a parking lot.

[mr_webfoot]

My Remixes are my favorite.  They fit tighter up around the opening to your ankle and that feels like it provides a more glove like feel for my foot.  They aren't just different color from the KSO.

Hey, I've noticed that too. The KSO Remix is much harder to get into than my black KSO and my blue/camo KSOs because of the smaller opening.