Lace-up Vibram Five Fingers? New Models Speed and Bikila have sneaker-like tops (Coming in 2010). UPDATED!
By Justin on Jul 27, 2009 | In general | 23 feedbacks »
05.06.10 - The Vibram Five Fingers Bikila is out!
- Vibram Five Fingers Bikila (red/grey) — Review and Photos
- Vibram Five Fingers Bikila (blue/yellow) — Video and Photos
- Also see the just-released Vibram Five Fingers Speed — Review, Video and Photos
- Subscribe by email to get inventory alerts from Top Online Retailers of Vibram Five Fingers!
Attention!
This post is over a year old and now the Vibram Five Fingers Bikila and Five Fingers Speed are OUT, so though the below post is interesting from an historical perspective, you should cruise on over to the initial review of the Vibram Bikila and the review of the Five Fingers Speed for tons of photos on the production models that were released Spring 2010.
The original post
If you ever wondered what you'd get if you mixed the uppers of sneakers with the minimalistic soles of Vibram Five Fingers, wonder no further, as (once again) Voy Contigo is on the case with their snapshot of new fivefinger models slated for 2010 taken at a German Outdoor trade show in Friedrichshafen, one of the new models makes use of traditional shoelaces and the other, while still using a velcro strap like the KSO and Sprint models, employs an upper that looks like the top of a regular trainer or running shoe. A picture here is worth a few hundred words:
I think it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: these new models are funky — they sort of make my brain hurt as I try to meld the sneaker/laces concept with the VFF toe shoes design. Worlds are colliding!
What are they? Well, let's see what we can glean from a translated version of the post at voycontigo.de:
There are the models Bikila Vibram Five Fingers, Vibram Five Fingers Performa Performa & Jane, Vibram Five Fingers Moc, Speed Vibram Five Fingers, Vibram Five Fingers Trek & Glove. The Bikila are similar to the KSO, however, from a different material, almost like stretch and still breathable. The speed is slightly padded interior and cords. The trek, Performa and Moc are made of leather, the trek from the Performa suede & Moc from Kangarooleder with buckle and snap.
Based on the above translation, it seems that the brown and pink laced fivefingers are called the "Speed" — Update: The Speed is out! You can read (and see, and watch) all about the Vibram Five Fingers Speed via this review. The "Bikila," which is likely named after Olympic runner Abebe Bikila, is the velcro-strapped grey/green VFF in the center. Both models are slated to be available in March 2010 — Update: the Bikila is also out! Read our initial review of the Vibram Five Fingers Bikila here.
We're still unclear as to what exactly are the models Performa and Moc though we've got a pretty good "grip" on the upcoming fivefingers Trek
Hat tip to xz123 and Notleh for letting us know about this exciting (and interesting) Vibram fivefinger news!
What do you think of these new models? Are we one step closer to mimicking Al Bundy's "God's shoes"? Tell us what you think about the Speed and Bikila fivefingers models by commenting below or in the ongoing forum discussion in the birthday shoes forums!
Update 1 — fivefingers Bikila: I've gotten indication that not only is the Bikila named after the 1960 Olympic Marathon winner Abebe Bikila (who ran that race barefoot!), but that the Bikila's are so-named to honor his memory on the 50th anniversary of Bikila winning that historic race, which happened to have transpired in Rome (And lest we forget, Vibram is an Italian company!).
Furthermore, in a similar line of thinking to the Trek's use of a very minimal amount of EVA (4 mm) at key points of impact in the sole, the Bikila's will have similar "spots" of a minimal amount of EVA support (1 - 2 mm) to aid in their use on concrete and asphalt.
I'm hopeful I might get my hands on a photo of the fivefingers Bikila from underneath, so stay tuned!
Update 2 — fivefingers Speed: Word is that the laced-up fivefinger Speed will only be available in Europe (This doesn't affect the Bikila though!).
possibly related posts
- Introducing the Five Fingers Performa Jane, and a better look at the Five Fingers Bikila sole, and more on the Five Fingers Speed
- Photos of Bikila and Speed sales models (Pre-production versions)
- Vibram Five Fingers Boston Barefoot Running Clinic and Boston Marathon News Round-up
- Hiking in Vibram Five Fingers Bikilas through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado
- Vibram Five Fingers Bikila First Look Photos and Impressions
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| « The Skinny on the FiveFingers Moc and Performa a.k.a. "Glove" for men and women | Latest Vibram Five Fingers Reviews 7/26/09 » |
23 comments
I wonder when they'll be announced officially - aren't they coming out relatively soon? That probably means we'll have to wait a while for info about the Bikila etc.
http://kayakshed.blogspot.com/2009/07/outdoor-retailer-day-2-vibram.html
Thanks for the heads up! Incorporated your helpful photos in the news on the Moc and Performa post!
@Chad,
I don't think they are a hoax! Knowing the Speeds are likely to be a limited European release might help swallow the aesthetics. The whole fashion scene in Milan might go for something like that.
As for the Bikilas, I think they might actually make for an intriguing addition to the VFF line-up. For one, I'd imagine the slightly thicker material around the ankle could do wonders for absorbing sweat. For another, I'm curious how the additional smidge of EVA will affect the asphalt/concrete running experience.
Aesthetically speaking, neither look all that sexy in this photo -- but then again, most VFFs look pretty bad when they don't have feet in them giving them their structure. Hard to imagine what they'd look like on actual feet!
Sure wish the Speed would be available in the US. I wonder how much extra it will cost me to purchase it from Europe.
Then, on another site, I read that products in Europe are usually marked up about 50% due to them having more levels of marketing and distribution. If true, that would put the cost of the Bikilas in the U.S. at right around $91. That is pretty close to the cost of the KSO.
I can't wait for the Bikila.
I personally think the Speed looks slick and am going to try to get me a pair.
And someone please tell me there will be another color for women besides that awful pink/orange!
http://lmm.yodar.us/post/624482424/v5f-speeds-its-unusual-that-the-first-time-i-see
Received the Speed yesterday from Purefootwear. Took 7 days from dispatch. I am a 39 in Sprint and 40 in KSO, but the Bikila 40 was too big for me. Bought the 39 in Speed and noticed the comfort factor before standing in them. Am on my feet between 10-16 hours a day. Have been in the Speed for over 7 hours now. Still feel great. Have received many compliments.
Yes, the VFFs are expensive. But I did not have to buy a new mattress, nor go to the chiropractor for my back pain. Nor to the foot doctor because I began walking on my toenail (very painful). Nor did I have to look for another job because I could not walk for extended periods of time (I like walking) . Nor depend on anyone else when I started losing my balance. Nor do I have burning, throbbing, aching feet at the end of the day like my colleagues.
Ask yourselves these questions: How important are your feet to you? Do they carry you where you need to go?
So, yes, I overlook the expense of the VFFs because the health benefits to me are priceless!
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