Which style is most likely to NOT fail? Bikila Toe Fail

[aws140]

I have KSO(x2), Sprint(X2), Classic, Flow, and Bikilas. Unless at work, ROTC, or very wet weather I ALWAYS wear VFFs. I have "retired" one pair of KSO, my very first pair, after being my primary running/wearing shoes for about a year. I would wear other VFFs too, but these much more frequently.

I have ran very few times in my Bikilas, but still have noticable sole wear. I have sole seperation on one pair of Sprints that I haven't got around to fixing yet, but hopefully I can now in between semesters. My other pair of Sprints, that have been wore probably 2nd most of all, have a busted seem at the big toe, but I think that was from a tear, can't remember. All in all, they have been pretty solid, but I am not too sure about the Bikilas longetivity. I would really like a pair of Trek/KSO Trek, and hope they'd last similarly to the KSOs.

[kcfoxie]

First pair of KSOs I had the strap come apart on me. I think I was tightening it too much. Later I had a rip and fixed it. Tore the netting near my heel.

Second pair of KSOs has the seam on the big toe pop on the left foot witin the warranty. Not wanting to be without, I stitched them. Then the right shoe did the same thing. I've stitched both sides of the right shoe big toe and just one on the left. I also got a hole in them near the right ankle (stupid screen door...), the Classics had a popped stitch on the big toe on the right shoe I think.

All three have worn holes where I use my clutch. I'm not blaming the Vibrams for this, I think it's my use of the car (35-40k miles a year... easy...) and what part of my foot I use to depress the clutch with. However I am buying Bikila's with the hopes that the reinforced padding around the ball of the feet will help with this minor gripe.

I've bought one-two pairs every year and worn them out (but I'm down over 100lb from when I started, so I kind of expected this). I walk about 5mi/day on average (thats 1300mi/year... thats a lot for any shoe to contend with). I've run a good 300+ miles in the KSOs. I can't say I'm not getting my money's worth out of them. I buy a new pair every Feb... and tomorrow I am going to find my Bikila's and later in the month, another pair of KSOs.

[MegM]

ThomasBoyk-
Ironically, my longest-lasting VFFs are bikilas, which  are now 2 months old and have outlasted 2 prs of KSOs, 1 pr KSO Treks, 1pr of Flows (didn't even wear them--defective upon arrival).  I have discovered in my short journey through these various models that they all SUCK, with respect to pathetic build quality. Besides the Bikilas,  I currently have a pair of Trek Sports (about 3 wks old) and other than crappy stitching on the straps, they appear to be solid enough to make it past 90 day warranty---Wow!
In a perfect world, Vibram would get their act together and manufacture KSO's that don't self-destruct after one week.  I'd buy numerous pairs because they are comfortable and as other's have mentioned, they generate loads of WTF reactions--and make people laugh, which is a good thing.  Is there anything made in China that isn't deadly or defective?  Maybe Vibram needs to consider a continental shift in production.

What do you do with your shoes?
eat them?

hahahahahaha.  Actually laughed out loud at that one Zephyr...