The Speed LR is a more rugged version of the original Speed. Built on the Trek outsole, the 4mm TC-1 Dura cleated rubber outsole delivers traction on various terrain while the EVA midsole provides exceptional plating protection. The kangaroo leather upper and sock liner are soft against the foot, yet strong and tear resistant with outstanding breathability. Designed for the casual wearer, the Speed LR will accommodate a wide range of foot widths and instep heights, thanks to the traditional lacing system. Machine Washable. Air Dry.And below are the high-res stock photos of the FiveFingers Speed LR. You’ll recall the LR was a possible Fall 2012 FiveFingers release for men only (though with orange accents). Later, I heard rumblings that it wasn’t even going to make it to production, after all. That news, in conjunction with the discontinuation of the KSO Trek, Trek LS, and Bormio, would mean that leather Vibram FiveFingers in the U.S. would be no more. Thank the toe gods for REI. Seems that someone at everyone’s favorite outdoor retailer decided that they had to have the Speed LR, made the call, and voila, they’re here. Mind, short of some surprise news (and this release was a surprise already), what I’ve heard indicates that only REI will be carrying the Speed LRs, that they’re a limited run here in the U.S., and well, this is it. What’s the difference between the Speed LR and the Trek LS? It looks like Vibram made a few subtle design changes. Lace eyelets are fabric on the LRs and face in compared to rivets on the Trek LS and a round lace replaces the flat lace of the Trek LS. Also, it looks like they got rid of the two outermost leather seams on the big and little toes, lending the LRs a slightly more refined look. Where the tongue ends has also been refined in the LR design and the LR has a flat black sole instead of the camouflaged black/grey sole of the Trek LS. More on the differences can be seen in the forums here. Initial indications by a couple lucky folks who have picked them up are that they are a little more comfortable than the Trek LS. The $130 pricepoint on these puppies is about where the original Trek LS was when it released a year ago (it was $140 so ten bucks more — still available here, incidentally). Note that the Speed LRs aren’t water-resistant like other offerings coming out this Fall (The non-leather Speed XC, for example). If you’re angling for some all-leather FiveFingers, you know what to do.
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Speed LR Vibram FiveFingers Out!
In what appears to be an exclusive release at REI,
http://birthdayshoes.com/index-ssc.php?a=edit&s=REI_SpeedLR
In what appears to be an exclusive release, the Speed LR — an all leather update to the FiveFingers Trek LS — has just hit the shelves of REI. Don’t take my word for it, check out the Speed LR’s product listing page at REI.com (and note I just ordered size 43s!).
The Speed LR is only available in an almost entirely black leather upper (with subtle grey accents and Vibram logo’ing). It’s selling for $130. More information and photos after the jump!
The official description of the Speed LR we got back from the Spring preview went like this:
12 replies on “Speed LR Vibram FiveFingers Out!”
These are a no go for me. I am not interested in anything with the trek sole. I think these look good from an aesthetics standpoint, but I will not buy them because of that darned Trek sole. If they had put a Spyridon sole on them, then we’d have a serious shoe worthy of consideration. I am glad they did away with the orange accents and went with a more muted gray.
what kind of insole is it? if its like the regular speed, then i won’t like them much. i wish they had leather insoles.
They are leather insoles.
like completely leather on the inside?! not like the trek ls where the front is fabric? thanks! that makes me want them even more!
IMO the trek ls is probably the best looking vff ever. This is a step backwards. Maybe it’s different in person, but from the pictures, the leather looks lower quality (not sure if it is, but it looks that way) and the big bright labels don’t help. Not sure in what way this would be considered an improvement on the trek ls. Let’s not have change for its own sake, Vibram.
Having fewer seams in the toe pockets and over the instep than the Trek LS, these might conform more easily to different foot shapes. Seams usually resist stretching, and tend to rip if forced.
The finish on the tops of the toe pockets, where the rubber sole meets the leather, looks a lot cleaner than on other leather models. I wonder if the finish inside the toe pockets on the seams is also cleaner, i.e., does not have excess leather jutting out past the seam, potentially snagging toenails. This was a problem with the KSO Treks, at least on the first production runs.
looks interesting..not digging the color hehe
I like they got rid of the orange, but not really happy to see a giant yellow logo on the tongue. That pretty much takes this back down to sneaker level and removes any formality the colorway might have otherwise had.
Also not a fan of the Trek sole. It’s really too bad you can’t somehow choose your sole as an option. I’d pick the original TC-1 all… day… long…
Then again, I’m not spending very much time on anything other than dry grass, asphalt/concrete, carpet, or hard flooring (wood/tile/etc).
twitteling my thumbs waiting for the XCs.
I liked the orange.
Look great, if I didn’t already have two pair of Trek LS (black and brown) I would hit up REI for these. Thanks for the review!!
The all-new VFF Speed LR’s are nothing more than an updated version to last year’s Trek LS. The shoes look the same except the half-moon at the beginning of the toes pockets of the Trek LS have been replaced w/ a nicer more subtle looking squared shape on the new Speed LR’s. The soles on both shoes are exactly the same as is the placement of the Vibram logo. The ring eyelets for the shoe laces of the Trek LS have been replaced w/ a gray fabric loop. The flat cloth laces of the Trek LS have been replaced w/ a rounded, nylon lace that appears extremely long. There is a gray accent piece where the heel cup meets the shoe.
Overall, I was disappointed in the Speed LR’s. The few changes/upgrades does NOT justify spending another $140 for basically the same shoe.
I am getting sick of Vibram dropping lines and colors so quick. The entire LR has already been discontinued! I picked up a pair of LRs at REI this weekend for $32. Was fortunate they had my size. Normally the only VFF on clearance are 45’s and up. The smaller sizes never seem to make to to clearance.
Also snagged a black pair of KSO Treks in my size for $30. First and only time I’ve ever seen my size on clearance and got over $230 of shoes for less than $65.
Still irritates me that my favorite VFFs are no longer made. (KSO Treks, Classics, KSOs in something besides black, etc.)