Anyone have experience buy VFF's through the mail?

[Erin.S]

Hi Everyone,
I live in New Zealand and to the best of my and Google's knowledge, no one sells Five Fingers here. Does anyone have any experience with buying VFF's through the mail? I know fit is a prime concern when getting these shoes. I'd be really concerned about getting a pair that work well for me.

If anyone can help me out, I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers,
Erin

[SlowLizzie]

The size chart and measuring my foot against the wall thing worked perfectly for me. I was exactly between sizes (39 and 40) and was told by VFF vets to go to a 40 and it worked fine (again, for my case).

[iamcam]

Justin has like 3 pairs and he's ordered them all online, so he'd be a good one to talk to.

[Hawkeye]

Most people buy their shoes online because few retailers carry. My advice to you is to order two different sizes, if you choosing between 41 and 42 order both at the same time and save on shipping. Then you can sell the pair that doesn't fit you or return them, but it's probably a better idea to sell them.

P.S. What kind of VFFS were you interested in? KSOs, fit differently from classics. Let us know what you're interested in and people on the board can help you decide.

[koffeekev]

Hi Erin. I have purchased 6 pair through the mail , four pair for me, one for my sister in law and one for my future son in law. We haven't had a problem yet. Use the sizing chart and if the size looks exact order them. If the size is between two sizes or one of you feet is slightly larger, go with the larger size. If one foot is a 38 and one is a 47 you might have a problem. Kevin

[AlanT]

Not be repetitious, but I too have bought through the mail, and have been pleased with the results. I used the sizing chart on the Vibram Fivefingers site, and ordered my KSOs from FastTrax, a running shop in Edmonton, Canada. If I were U.S.-based, I expect I would have placed my order through KayakShed, as others in these forums recommended it.

Sizing can be an issue, as has been noted.

Alan (whose feet are the same size)

[Jambo]

I'm in the same boat, I'm in the UK but a part where my only option is to order VFF's online. I only have two pairs of classic's, but the Vibram sizing chart worked perfectly for me.

I want to get a pair of KSO's, but I have quite a high instep and I'm afraid they won't fit...

[justin]

There's always a risk to mail-ordering, but it definitely can be done. 

My feet are 10 and 7/8s inches long, which puts me squarely between sizes.  As it goes, I went with the size down for the Classics and Sprints, which is about as snug as it can be in the toes and a size "up" in the KSOs, which really is just to say that all my pairs are 43s at the moment.

What is the length of your foot?  Are you between sizes or close to one or the other?  If you're close, then you're very likely to have good luck online.  If you're between, sizing up should be ok.

But I'm sure it's a bit anxiety-inducing to order by mail from NZ!

[desaulniers]

I actually found that I was more honest with myself when I ordered my VFFs from the website. After I placed my order I found that I had a local store that carried them so I went in to try them on while I waited for mine to arrive. I ordered exactly what the sizing chart online said I needed, but when I was in the store I thought I needed one size larger so I purchased a pair there as well. At the time I was used to wearing Vans classic slip-ons that were a little loose on my feet, so when I tried on the size larger than what the sizing chart recommended I thought that was what was most comfortable. Once I got home though, and the other pair arrived by mail, I realized the sizing chart was dead on and the ones I thought fit in the store were actually rubbing my foot because they were slightly too large.

[RobbieD]

Hi Fellow VFFers,

Ditto, I purchased got my 2 pairs through ebay so in effect that also is online, My first pair was a black pair of KSO's and my largest foot was 10.50 so that would have been a 42 but as per the sizing chart I went with a 41 and they fitted perfectly.
My only problem was when I bought a pair of sprints which should have been a 42 these were too big (Both in Length and strap length over my arch) so I exchanged them through a nice member on here for another pair of KSO's size 41.

I am now hopefully getting a pair of Sprints in a size 41 but feel I may need a 40, when the 41 sprints turn up I will let people know how they compare to the 42's.

I am also in the UK and in a rural location, so our best option is to try and buy through ebay - like I do as this saves money on the inflated retail prices here.
(Just means waiting until the correct size appears!)

Robert.

[AlanT]

I want to get a pair of KSO's, but I have quite a high instep and I'm afraid they won't fit...

I too have a very high instep. I bought my KSOs online, according to the VFF sizing chart. While they're snug, they aren't too tight.

Alan

[Hawkeye]

Jsut be careful of what color KSO you buy. The black ones are tighter than the grey/green ones for people with high insteps. So get the grey/green KSOs and you should be fine.

[justin]

Jsut be careful of what color KSO you buy. The black ones are tighter than the grey/green ones for people with high insteps. So get the grey/green KSOs and you should be fine.

I'm not sure we can say with certainty that *all* black KSOs are tighter than *all* grey/green KSOs.  Suffice to say that there is variability in the KSO covering, which can make tightness different from pair to pair and color to color. 

I think you're better served with the understanding that, if your feet stray from the average -- higher insteps, arches, morton's toe, crooked toes, bunions, etc., the more important it is to try on the pair you want to buy (conversely, the more difficult it is to order online).

[Erin.S]

I'm definitely interested in the KSOs. I'm interested in trail running and like the idea of keeping stuff out of my shoes.

[Quijibo]

Jsut be careful of what color KSO you buy. The black ones are tighter than the grey/green ones for people with high insteps. So get the grey/green KSOs and you should be fine.

I had the same problem. I have high, wide feet. I ordered 2 pairs of black KSO's, 41's per VFF website, and 42's. Neither fit me. The 42's were close, but the strap only overlapped the velcro by about 1" (2-3cm) and the fabric across the top was very stretched. I plan to try a Grey pair if I can find some locally.