Initial Review Vibram FiveFingers Speed XC

I need a pair of water resistant VFFs as my Komodo LS are useless when it rains. I’d like to see the Lontra LS and decide between the two. The regular Lontra holds no interest for me.

These look good, like the brown/yellow combo.

Good review. Thanks for dunking them to test water resistance.

Maybe a better real world test is to put on some gray or tan Injnji socks, pit the shoes on, stand in 1 inch of water, then see how wet the socks are when you take the shoes off.

Yes Justin. The other thing the socks would show if there was any water anywhere, like on the very edge of the 3rd toe for example.

Just a thought for the next review.

Meanwhile, I guess I will have to wait. Did a quick check and no one that I can find has the XC in brown size 43.

Not a huge deal for me just yet, but I’d like to get them before holiday travels. That is normally when I have to deal with rain. Living in SoCal, not so much. 🙂

my guesses about why vibram used the trek’s sole is, well, hmmm, because:
1. it’s a very practical outdoorish sole
2. they just got stuck with many trek spare soles
???

hi,

The only reason the Trek sole is used is that it offers the most thermal protection so making it the best option for colder climates. With 4mm of EVA and 4mm of rubber it creates the best thermal barrier, very focuses shoe for cold wet climates.

I have a pair of Speed XCs that I received the day after they came out.

I have worn them in 30 degree, wet weather with mud and light snow, and in 45 degree weather with brisk (20+MPH sustained) winds and rain while running a 1/2 marathon.

I really like them. They keep the cold out admirably well, are easy to wear, and are comfortable. And while the Trek sole is something of a behemoth, especially fresh out of the box, it absolutely excels when one’s running enters rugged terrain with a lot of rock and gravel.

During more serious cold weather, I will probably wear my Lontra pair more, but the Speed XC is so easy to get on (the Lontra, for my feet, is NOT), and comfortable, that I can see mine getting worn very heavily this winter, especially when I am running.

how many chinese factory workers does it take to make one pair of vibram FIVE fingers….?

I *love* the Trek soles. I think these will be great for trail running in the mountains! Especially in the winter (in Northern California) when it’s rainy.

@Gene, I would agree with @chad. The Speed XC, if anything, runs a little big. I normally upsize my shoes, because of my foot shape, but I think I probably upsized too much with my Speed XC pair. On the other hand, the Lontra is quite snug, and if I had not upsized as much as I did, I would be unable to wear them.

For reference, by the sizing chart, I’m an M40, but most of my shoes are M42, especially if I intend to wear them with socks. I have a pair of M41 KomodoSport shoes that are comfortable and well broken in (the tread has worn smooth in places), and they fit like a sock already, so wearing socks with them gets snug. With the Speed XCs, though, I’m sure that I could have gone with an M41.

@Justin, it’s completely a consequence of having a high instep. Some VFFs work better with that than others.

Anything with laces works fine, though I have to cut out the speed lace system and replace it with normal laces, as they speed laces just aren’t long enough. The shoes with straps, though, are more tricky.

The KomodoSport works well with a high instep. The Trek is more challenging. I cut the strap off because it wasn’t long enough, but the material, after a little break-in, is comfortable, secure, and fits well to my foot.

The one saving grace is that the women’s Speed XC design aesthetic has relatively muted color selections, compared to most of the shoes in the “women’s” sizes.

I’ve had the Speed XC for a few weeks. They fit my wide bunioned feet much better than the original Speed. In these I can wear the appropriate length, whereas in the Speed, (and only the Speed), I have to wear a size larger to accommodate my foot width.

I dislike the knobiness of the Trek sole, and would far prefer that these use the same sole as the Spyridon. On trails the knobiness is fine, (not that it helps any, and it has no traction on rock or wet logs), but it’s uncomfortable walking on hard floors or sidewalks (which is probably where these will get the most use).

For wet or snowy trails I’ll probably use the Lontra with its tight-fitting gaiter-like neoprene cuff. In my experience, low cut waterproof shoes typically end up full of water which is then trapped inside the shoe.

I wore them a few days ago when I spent a quiet day sitting at a meeting. After a couple of hours my feet felt too warm even though the air was cool enough that I wore a jacket.

Wetness from perspiration when doing multi-hour mountain hikes is a potential concern. Eventually I’ll test this, but until the weather deteriorates I’ll continue to use a pair of the Spyridon.

Would love advice from the community here. I would like to purchase a pair of Vibrams for hiking. I love the sole on my Speeds but feel they are a little thin for hiking terrain, plus I hate getting my feet wet when crossing streams and mud puddles. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the Trek Pros but I’m wondering if these would work well for hiking. I’m also open to the old model Trek but thought the water resistance was worth waiting for. Thanks.

P.S.- I don’t like the look of the Lontras so I have crossed them off my list.

@passanis,

I’m right there with you; I spend a great deal of time outdoors hiking off-trail + scampering through streambeds. For me, the trek sole is essential – period. The Bikila/thinner soles simply are not durable enough for underbrush + rock faces; also the grip on wet surfaces can be very tedious. In these situations, I find increased ground sensitivity to be a hinderance + a practical mismatch w/wilderness usage.

I wear VFF everyday-all the time for over 1.5 years, workday through weekend. My KSO Treks + TrekSport Multisports are great for outdoor activities; however I too am interested in these Speed XCs + the Lontras (still waiting!) for increased insulation + water-resistance. Even w/Injinji socks – even the Outdoor weight – my feet get COLD! Depending on your use + activities, I encourage any VFF fan to consider this. The philosophical concept of “barefoot running” does not negate the reality of cold weather! As Justin mentions, the Trek sole does also alleviates conductive heat loss by raising the foot from the ground (relative to the other soles).

Although I understand some folks prefer across-the-board minimalism, I for one am excited that Vibram is trying to address everyday, pragmatic situations for footwear both on the pavement AND off. I love the outdoors, so I’m thrilled these + the Lontras are coming for cold weather – and, later in the year, the Maiori + Signa for the beach!

I have a love/hate relationship with my Speed XC’s. Most of my 16 pair of FF’s are KSO based with the exception of SeeYa, Classic and these.

I love the fact that they are warmer and drier than any others I own. I sized up as Justin recommended and there is plenty of room. My toes feel as if they are spreading more and I really like it. However this feature also falls into the “hate’ category.

I hate the fact that they feel as if I’m a mile off the ground. There is almost no ground feel due to the thickness of the soles and insoles. They don’t seem to be breaking in at all which gives the toes a stiff feel. I’m sure it has to do with the materials needed to make them water proof/resistant.

I love having them as an alternative to my Vivo BF Aguaeos boots for the cold wet weather here in CT and i’m sure I’ll grow to love them with Injinji Nuwool socks but cold wet weather is all i’ll wear them for. They feel like snow boots.

I FINALLY got my Speed XCs after waiting for 3 different online retailers to come through. I just put them on a while ago. I got a pair of W38 and W39 to compare, in light of Justin’s experience. I also own W38 in KSO & Bikila, and W39 in Komodos. I tend to like my VFFs to fit snug all the way around as long as my toes have enough room to move. Wearing the SpXC 38 on my left and the SpXC 39 on my right walking indoors, I can immediately feel the increased ground feel of the SpXC 38 over the 39, and I do indeed like the snugness of the 38. The 38 felt a bit cramped initially, but over the first hour, it no longer feels cramped, it feels more like the second skin that my KSOs feel. The stiffness of the Trek sole is noticeable, but not bothersome just for walking around. I have more comparing to do, but I’m leaning toward the 38s just like I did with my KSO’s. These are destined for use at work (hospital) and cold weather hiking/short runs.

Mine have loosened/softened a bit with wear. I wear them both with and without socks, depending on the weather. The relative lack of breathability in these shoes does mean that if you wear them without socks, periodic washing is especially important.

I just got mine. The stiffness is comparable to the Lontras. It is much easier to get on than the Lontras and doesn’t cause the chafing at the top of my foot like the Lontra does.

The only negative part is the heel cup is extremely uncomfortable, it is causing blisters. I will have to figure out a way to fix it.

By the Vibram sizing chart, I’m an M43 in both KSOs and Speed XCs. I have a pair of the M43 KSOs and they fit fine, with some space in front of the big toes, and quite a bit in front of the little toes.

So I ordered a pair of M43 XCs. They fit quite snugly, and my big toe bumped into the front when walking downhill. I didn’t want to send them back, so I wore them anyway for the first snow of the year.

I’d been planning to stay out for 4 hours, but after 2 hours the backs of my ankles were stinging and I had to go home. Turns out they were bleeding into the fabric on both sides and the shoes now could not be returned.

I got a pair of the M44 XCs and took them out for a 4.5h walk the other night. These are more like the proper size and didn’t bother my heels, although I did have moleskin on them. I’ll try it without the moleskin once the cuts have healed.

The toe pocket for the right little toe rubbed on the top of the toe and took off a layer of skin there, although it seemed to be partially dependent on how I was walking, and between getting used to the fit of the new shoes, and them wearing in a bit, it stopped doing that after an hour or so. If it comes back, I have more moleskin.

You can barely move your toes in these, due to the stiffness of the material. The feel of the shoe makes the epithet “foot coffins” which people apply to traditional shoes quite ironic, although they still feel more sure-footed than my Vivo Neos (M43 fits fine there) due to how these are molded to the foot.

They are warm, and don’t breathe much. After walking for 4.5h in 32F weather with no socks, the skin on my feet was well wet. I used a ThermicDryer to dry the shoes out afterwards; a Peet dryer would probably work too.

I’ll see how they go from here on.

There should be versions of the KSOs with,
– Everything the same except rubber on the sidewalls of the toes instead of mesh. They would breathe almost as well, and you could wear them on wet pavement without instantly getting groundwater in your shoes. Practically speaking, I never have water “drain” through the sidewalls, I just have it seep in, and they never dry because it seeps in continually.

– Rubber on the sides of the toes plus a tighter hydrophobic mesh on the top, like the Neos have. As it is, I have to switch to the Neos as soon as the wet season starts anyway.

I have a problem where the seam at the Achilles heel eats into my feet on the Speed XC (literally scrapes through skin). It’s not clear why the seam is exposed on the ankle side (more lateral thread showing than with other fivefingers). Curious if my pair were incorrectly stitched this way, or if others are having a similar issue? Also, this shoe does not seem to breathe as well as others — I assume due to the water resistant fabric. The fit in the toes is small, similar to what others are saying — but my typical size is working, even with the Smartwool PhD toe sock.

It is possible to slightly stretch the Speed XC. I did this on mine to make room for bunions.
Stretching individual toe pockets is more
challenging in that there is no device marketed for this purpose. You’d need to find or make something the right size and clamp it in place, using enough pressure to stretch the fabric but also being careful not to puncture it or to rip a seam. You’re probably better off purchasing a larger size when they’re on sale.
If you want them for the style, you might like the almost identical-looking Speed LR. REI had these, and they are still available in their stores. The stores can order them for you from any other store that has them in stock. They only came in men’s sizes, but they might have come as small as a 40.
Another option is the Speed XC Lite, which will likely be available in a short while.

I am interested to buy but I need an important information: they stink like the other models?

I’ve always wondered, what does “XC” stand for?