Be sure and check out the Five Fingers KSO Trek review!
The review covers the KSO Trek’s design (sole attributes and thickness), aesthetic, performance, fit, and more. You can read it by going here.
VFF KSO Trek trail run — First impressions
I did about a 30 minute run through a local natural park (a lot of doubling back and just messing around) in the fivefingers KSO Trek last night (Sans socks). Overall conclusion: the KSO Treks performed well thanks to a sturdier, more rugged and grippy Vibram sole, which conquered mud, gravel, and varied trail terrain. They are more water resistant than the KSO and seem to clean pretty easily (and dry over a reasonable timeframe). Further testing will, of course, be required!
Note: Vibram fivefingers “KSO Treks” below are referred to as “Treks;” standard KSOs just “KSOs.” This is to avoid confusion as below I make a number of comparisons are made between the two.
Specific tests and observations
Creekbed, gravel, water: I ran back and forth through a creekbed a number of times to get a feel for various gravel sizes and water absorption. Water got in fairly readily at the toes; however, water didn’t get in at all through the top. The kangaroo leather seems to do an excellent job keeping water out (KWO?). Overall, less water got in with the Treks than with the KSOs. More on this later.
As for gravel, the slightly stiffer and more aggressive sole seemed to glom together gravel a bit more: rolling gravel beneath your feet didn’t “pinch” as much. However, and I’m not a regular runner or a trail runner nor have I done a full barefoot run, it seems to me the trick in conquering gravel is less about the shoe and more about relaxing your feet and not tensing up your ankle, which goes for KSO and Trek alike.
Trail debris: I hopped up large fallen trees and over logs. Grip seemed a bit improved though this is too close to really say. Roots and one-off ground protrusions were a bit more forgiving though still felt.
Ascents and descents: I ran up a couple steep ascents. Here is where I noticed a big difference: the KSO Treks got me up one ascent (50% grade? Maybe more) that I’m pretty sure would have owned the regular KSOs. It was muddy and soft, but the Treks dug in and got me up without me falling flat on my face and sliding down the muddy slope.
As for descents, both low grade, fast descents were confidence inspiring. High-grade descents that I took slower (angling steps downward) also felt stronger than with KSOs.
Mud: In both cases, there was definitely mud uptake from the lugged soles; nothing too bad and it seemed to clear fairly well on its own accord.
Asphalt: I also ran on asphalt (streets) for about a quarter mile at the beginning and end (gotta get to the park!); Treks handled the asphalt fine.
Cleaning and more on water resistance: After, I went ahead and washed them with water in a sink. I ran water from the sink straight into the top of the Treks with my hand inside to feel for permeation. Water was not getting through though the kangaroo suede was turning darker. Next test: I just started filling the Trek up with water to see what would happen. Sure enough, water started blowing up the Trek like a balloon (Reminded me of a bota bag) with points of seepage at the seams and then a sort of bubbling out of water through the synthetic side material (on the left and right of each toe).
This waterproofing made removing the little debris from the inside of the Treks very easy to remove: just fill up the Treks with a little bit of water and then pour it out like rinsing a glass. Big difference here as compared with the KSOs. They seemed pretty easy to clean (though I didn’t bother getting too “granular” on getting all dirt out of the tread).
Finally, after the drenching I gave them at around 6pm last night, I hung them to dry in the laundry room. As of 9am this morning, they were dry.
Initial test conclusion: Initial testing of the KSO Treks was positive and I think anyone who wants to use them for trail running or hiking will be pleased.
Long-term use and long-distance use will, of course, require a good deal of further testing and feedback!
Previous posts on the KSO Trek
- Unboxing and first look of the men’s Vibram fivefingers KSO Trek: initial impressions, photos, and video of the KSO Trek.
- Pre-Order the KSO Trek; covers general info and details of the men’s KSO Trek including stock photos and item description (Also includes the Vibram fivefingers Moc and fivefingers Performa).
19 replies on “First trail run in Vibram fivefingers KSO Trek”
Would all leather toes made the Trek more waterproof?
It seems that they would. I’ve been thinking about this — why not all leather toes? And though I have no insight or information as to the design iterations that Vibram went through to create the Trek, my thought is that full leather toes would make it so that water that inevitably gets inside the Treks would not be able to escape (except up the heel).
Don’t know if that is why they went this route — just speculation.
Couldn’t water escape from the seams? Short of stepping in a creek or big puddle, with all leather toes, water really couldn’t get in except through the top or seams if you’re standing still long enough, right?
Just a thought. I think all leather toes would make the Trek almost perfect.
Oh did the leather stay buttery after drying? Was there any hardening or stiffness because of water exposure?
The little that gets out of the seams is very little — so on the one hand, why would a lot of water get in (forging a creek perhaps?)? On the other hand, it would have a very hard time getting out once it was in.
As for hardening – none! Of course, I’d expect it to be ok after just one soaking! A lot more testing will be required!
Great write up Justin. From the sounds of it, when my current KSOs wear out, I’ll be upgrading to Treks. Though, I have to say, it’ll be for the leather rather than the tread. I like the sounds of the Mocs, but it doesn’t sound like they are as rugged as the KSOs. A design that marries the ‘roo leather with the simple sole of the KSOs would be perfect. Guess I need to figure out how to make suggestions to Vibram. 🙂
Hey Justin … Love the site … 2 questions
1. Any idea when the Treks will be available at retail shops like REI or on VFF’s website (not sure what inside scoop you have :)?
2. From the video it sounds like a KSO size will match the sizing of the Trek … after a few days do you still feel that way?
Thanks!
Bill
Do you have any idea if the treks will be made for women as well, and when they would be available?
I think Vibram had announced these would be up on their website in October (but as of today, they aren’t there yet). As for REI, I haven’t heard (that I recall) when they’ll be carrying them.
@mary,
This will probably answer your question in depth (in short, no KSO Treks for women at this time):
https://birthdayshoes.com/why-isn-t-vibram-making-a-women-s-fivefingers-kso-trek
I’ve recently become interested in the idea of “barefoot shoes” and would love to check out a pair of KSOs or Treks but not sure which I’d prefer. I think the Treks look a little nicer and more durable than the KSOs, but I live in Australia and we’re coming up to Summer so breathability and coolness is an important factor for me. How do the different models compare from this aspect? Do you find that the water-resistant nature of the leather on the Treks keeps sweat stuck in there?
Thanks for your thoughts. =)
@Pete,
I find the water resistance of the leather to be separate from their breathability as they seem to breath exceptionally well — better than the normal nylon synthetic you get with regular KSOs.
I’m really keen to hear more about how much you feel stones and rocks through these soles over the regular soled VFFs – I’ve found that my feet can’t not get bruised running over rocks so am wondering if these will cut it or I’ll need to get some Adizeros or similar to handle the trails with long sections of sharp rocks.
Also – would be gret to see these soles on the classic upper – I’ve never had problems with the open desig – no bumps or scratches…
I would think that Vibram didn’t use all leather toes because a complete covering of leather would separate the toes too much…or at least more than normal. That is the only explanation that makes sense to me.
What do you guys think?
@Rohith,
I think the word I got was that they didn’t use leather on the sides b/c it would have been too “tight” on the toes — the leather not stretching much at all. They want the toes to have some give so they went with stretchy material.
Actually, as compared to my Mocs (or Flows), the Trek toes are more comfortable in my opinion. I don’t really like having stuff glued onto my toes though — and VFFs are generally big enough in the pockets not to be comfy.
Have you done any long runs in the KSO Treks or KSO’s? Like over 12 miles? Hoping to use these on long trail runs, so it would be great hear how they hold up.
Dave,
I haven’t, but a number of people have. See these links for examples:
https://birthdayshoes.com/barefoot-ted-mcdonald-running-the-leadville-100-in-fivefinger-kso-treks
https://birthdayshoes.com/leif-rustvold-covers-the-distance-as-minimally-as-he-can
https://birthdayshoes.com/juergs-puts-his-new-kso-trek-fivefingers-to-the-test
i did a three mile trail run for the first time in the kso. It was a difficult mountain bike trail. They performed well. The stones did a number on my feet. I think running form and stronger feet should help improve the next run. I’ve logged about 200 miles in this pair. I love them for running on the side of the road. They give you more feedback. Its like tasting for the first time. It takes time to strengthen your ankles, and my pinky toe gets sore. Buts its a small price to pay to not have any of the running injuries that you get from normal shoes. Overall, I highly recommend them, and they are awesome for hopping boulders.
Been trail running in the Treksports for about 3 months now. Lots of trail and bush-wacking, prefer it over the conventional shoes I used to run in. However, stubbing a toe in the the five-fingers is misrable!
I just got a pair of these off of eBay today and am just wearing them around and so far I really like them…
Do you have anymore links to these shoes here on the site? I would like to see if you have a more recent review!
Thanks in advance