looking for my 2nd pair

[yosemitesamiam]

Hey all...been around here for ages.  I've finally worn out my classics...1000 miles at least later, they are pretty well done.  Many times stitching between toes, now on my 3rd fix of shoe gooo on the holes in the soul...and the last time they went through the wash, the hard parts of the soul started to separate from the top.

Anyway...not bad for a pair of fingers I bought Feb 2010!  I wear them literally 5 days or more a week, all day.  They go everywhere; pool, running/jogging, gym, market, mall, baseball field, you name it, they go there.  I only switch to dress-casual shoes (a pair of dr martins) for the few hours a week that I absolutely have to.

So...on to other things.  I'm thinking KSOs mostly for the fact that well, they keep stuff out.  LOL.  Baseball fields have always been my nemesis for dirt/rocks.  I was looking at the TrekSports as well, but judging by how all of you reacted to the soul being thicker, and the fact that I've been in classics so long...I'm thinking of sticking with the original KSO.

Any thoughts here from the group?  I've always valued each and everyone's opinions here. 

Lastly...I've been wearing a size 44 in classics.  Anything I need to know?  Or just order another 44?

Thanks all...from the guy who couldn't at first spread his toes...to the guy who can barely scrunch them together anymore!



Sam

[yosemitesamiam]

PS-with KSOs....I will really miss the funky shaped tan line of the classics. 

[Horse Rider]

Well if you want the same ground feel, KSO, Sprints, an other pair of Classics or I hear Seeyas. I see you are in California, so any of them is fine for you all year. I am partial to Classics and Sprints, but it all depends on how important it is for you to keep stuff out and how you like them visually.

[yosemitesamiam]

WOOPS!  Looks like someone needs to update their profile!  I'm in Spokane, WA now. 

Well if you want the same ground feel, KSO, Sprints or an other pair of Classics. I see you are in california, so any of them is fine for you all year. I am partial to Classics and Sprints, but it all depends on how important it is for you to keep stuff out and how you like them visually.

[Horse Rider]

Good to know! 

[Mr. Leigh]

If you do go with KSO, you should size down one size.  If you are fortunate to have a store near you, try them on at least.  Some people say they size the same across the board, but I believe they are few and far between.  According to Vibram, you figure out your KSO size with your foot measurement and then go up one size for Classics.  If you were a 44 in Classics, you should be a 43 in KSO. 

I have not had an opportunity to personally try on the See-Ya, however it might be the best of both worlds.  It is rumored to have a thinner sole or at least a thinner feeling sole than Classics and the upper seems as though it would also keep stuff out. 

[UpNorth]

Allow me to put in a bid for the SeeYas.  Before I got them, I did most of my non-winter, non-trail running in my classics. But I did sometimes want to keep things out. I like my KSOs as well, but I find the SeeYas feel even less there.   I love them.

If you get a chance, Try  both the KSOs and SeeYas as some
 models fit people better than others.  

FYI: I wear a M42 in classics, KSOs, treks, SeeYas and just about everything.  The only model I had to size up for were my sprints.

(*sorry about all the typos earlier. I was rushed and on my iPhone.)

[Mr. Leigh]

I am 40 in KSO and I can fit into a 40 in Classics, however the elastic digs into the top of my foot.  If I had removed the elastic I am sure I could have handled the 40s just fine. 

I agree with UpNorth that you should try on both pair, the KSO and the See-Ya and then decide.

[yosemitesamiam]

hmmm, very interesting!

OK...so question now is, who has the best deal?  I had a 20% REI coupon and all that and no money a month ago...now I have money and no coupon.  I don't want to spend 90-110 if I don't have to.

Thanks all

[UpNorth]

I think you are more likely to score a deal on KSOs than the newly released SeeYas.  But I thought I saw an alert that travel country might have a deal on even the new models.

Good luck!

[lochnessie]

I've seen rumors that REI's anniversary sale starts on Friday and that they'll be having another coupon and possibly a sale on some Vibrams - so maybe sit tight for another few days and see what their deals look like, especially if you go for the KSOs?

[yosemitesamiam]

Done deal!  REI, 20% Anniversary sale...plus a $8 and some change benefit from last year's purchases equaled a pair of size 44 KSOs grey/grey for $65.  How can I go wrong? 

I have to say, out of the box they are more comfy than the Classics were...I remember the Classics digging into the top tendon on my big toe till I got used to it. 

Here's to another 1,000+ miles!

[Mr. Leigh]

Congrats.  I never had an issue with any of my old pairs of Classics, however I got the Navy/Aqua/Camo Classics and had the same digging you are referring to.  It almost feels as though the elastic is tighter/shorter in the newer Classics.