I love my Flow Treks.  They served me well running on the slick ice in AK and now they work great on the sandy beaches here in HI.  I dont think i'd like them as much though if i hadn't ordered the Flow Trek though.  They just have so much more grip than the traditionals.  Cost an arm and a leg to get them from UK but well worth it.  Agrre about gettting really hot but if your around the water with them they are awesome. 

Nike just came out with one that can be used with or without the Pod.

I got them in December of 2010.  i looked at my receipt for the shoes and it was exactly the same as you are saying they quoted you.  I can't imagine the dollar changed that much in the last 2 months.  Hope it works out for you.  I am moving from AK to HI today and i am looking forward to getting to wear the Speeds more.  Kinda hard to wear them when it is -40F outside.

i got mine from pure kit for 125.00 USD shipped to Alaska and we have some of the highest shipping out there.  I'd look at what conversion rate your going off of

I noticed the same thing.  I've always had really large calves but since I transitioned they are way more toned then when i was running in traditional shoes.  I didn't even know the calve would tone the way that mine has and i find myself looking at them all the time. It's awesome

Must have been a good conversion day, plus it was during the holidays; don't know if they had cheap shipping or not

$170.00, don't know where you were looking at to buy speeds but i got mine from purekit (see birthdayshoes store) for 125.00 shipped to Alaska.  Might be something to look at

I live in AK and the only store is 6hrs away.  Online is only option

I don't get why you people that WANT speeds don't go GET speeds!!!  Purekit footwear from the UK shipped mine for 132.00 US and that was to Alaska where shipping is higher than anywhere in the US.  Is 30.00 really all that is holding you back to be able to buy them?  Mine should be here any day now and I am stoked but you guys act like they cost 250.00 which is simply not the case.  Go check it out and order your self a pair, the website can be found in the Birthday shoes store page and it's one of the ones with the Brit flag. 

Just bought Komodo's for ME and Jayas for the wife.  Thought the speeds would be for men as well for a stateside release but i've got mine coming from UK as we speak.  125.00 US shipped from Purefit

size up from the size of KSO, especially if you are going to wear socks

Depends on what you need them for.  KSO is more of an overall shoe, something you can do almost anything in.  The flow is more for water sports or cold weather.  I have both (KSO, Flow Trek) but for overall use i'd go with the KSO.  JMHO.  Hope this helps

They'll stretch but over time they'll shrink back to the original size IMHO. 

I have very wide feet (Strap barely snags on velcro, but my flow treks were exactly the same size as my KSO's.  they are initially tight but after a minute or so they conform to your foot and fit like a glove, i'd say if the length feels good the tightness will subside.  They work great up here in Alaska but it i TOO cold to be running outside right now, we've been -40F all week.

The Black KSO are infamously smaller than their same size counterparts, I wear a 40 in Black/camo KSO and they fit like a glove but the black KSO ran small on me and I ripped two seperate pairs at the seams.  Defiantely size up.  BTW with anything new they are run similar to bikila sizing.  I wear 41 in both bikila and trek sport.  Hope this helps