BirthdayShoesThe Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek (The “KSO” stands for “Keep Stuff Out”) is the more aggressive, big brother to the Vibram KSO (Jump to posts on the KSO Trek below!). The KSO Trek’s lugged sole and kangaroo leather upper make it the most trail-worthy Vibram Five Fingers model to date, providing added traction on loose terrain and snag-protection against low lying brush.
The Five Fingers KSO Trek has no arch support and only a small amount of cushioning or padding — sporting a 4mm EVA midsole, the KSO Trek is thicker than the KSO or Flow, both of which have a 2mm EVA insole. However, despite the extra thickness and the cleated sole, the KSO Trek still transmits a great deal of ground feedback, making it a fantastic “barefoot” shoe for outdoors wear.
Model specifics
Here are the technical specifications of the Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek straight from Vibram:
The KSO Trek is a more rugged version of our popular KSO. The kangaroo leather upper and sock liner feels soft against the foot, yet is strong and tear resistant, with outstanding breathability. A 4mm EVA midsole offers plating protection from stone bruising, and a lightly cleated 4mm Vibram performance rubber outsole delivers improved traction on trails and over more rugged terrain.
KSO TREK IS BEST FOR: Light Trekking, Trail Running, & Travel.
The standout features of the KSO Trek include:
Closed top providing a fairly tight “seal” around the ankle. The KSO Trek manages to “keep stuff out” by way of this seal.
The KSO Trek has a lightly cleated Vibram sole that provides added traction running on loose, natural terrain.
The KSO Trek has a 4mm midsole, which reduces “barefoot feel” as compared to less built-up models like the Classic, Sprint, or KSO.
The KSO Trek has a kangaroo leather upper which is tough enough to withstand stray trail debris that might otherwise rip into the upper of the toe shoes. Additionally, the leather provides both a luxurious feel on yoru bare foot and a fancy look to the Five Fingers from an aesthetic perspective. A few fans even wear their KSO Treks to work!
Sizing and fit
If you’ve never sized your foot for Vibram Five Fingers, you need to consult the Vibram Five Fingers sizing chart (image) and measure the length of your feet as presecribed. Vibram sizing does not correspond to standard shoe sizes!
If you’ve sized in Vibrams before, note that KSO Treks size slightly larger than the same size in the Classic or Sprint models. So a 43 KSO Trek will fit larger than a 43 Classic or 43 Sprint. For this reason, Vibram prescribes you size down in the KSO Trek compared to the Classic or Sprint models.
Generally, it is better to size up if you’re in between sizes per your foot measurements and the Vibram sizing chart — you don’t want your toes bending out of lack of room! Also, the KSO Trek’s closed-top design means that if you have particularly high arches or “high feet” the KSO Trek may not fit properly — also the KSO Trek is a little less stretchy on the top of the foot than the standard KSO.
Read (and see!) more about the Five Fingers KSO Trek via these reviews:
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek Review
Unboxing the KSO Trek (Video)
Running a marathon in the KSO Trek Five Fingers
Running a 50K in Vibram KSO Treks
Modifiations
Using tape to increase the durability of the ankle strap of the KSO and KSO Trek
Okay, I want some KSO Treks. How much are they? Where can I get them?
The KSO Trek retails for around $125, making it the most expensive Vibram Five Fingers model available. That said, it can almost always be purchased with free shipping from online retailers. Find the Vibram Five Fingers Trek Sport in stock via the Store or subscribe by email to inventory alerts.
Looking for something else? Try one of these other Vibram Five Fingers models:
Of course, there are other barefoot shoes worth checking out!
More Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek posts below —
Above, a wintry update by way of photos from Patrick (forums @linuxracr | blogged previously) who is enjoying his KSO Treks (and bare feet) during a random snow in Dallas, as well as going down an ice slide:As it doesn’t snow much in Dallas, Texas, I w…
Jason (birthdayshoes forum member jcarneytx) recently posted a few photos showing off his Five Fingers KSO Treks in action on Ken’s Trail in Austin, Texas. Gotta love the mid-air photos — you’re looking might nimble there, Jason!
Recent G.I. Joe, She’s the Man, and Stop-Loss star Channing Tatum has been spotted wearing KSO Trek Five Fingers while on his way to workout. TMZ had a video segment titled “If the shoe fits” on the VFF-sighting that aired on television on January 1…
It seems a number of “nice” boys and girls got the Christmas gift of free feet from Santa this year! Above at the top of the collage is Sandra sporting her new Sprint Five Fingers:Here’s a photo of my Christmas present VFF’s! At first I was morti…
Got an update from Chad Randolph (twitter) who just ran the Thunder Road marathon in Charlotte in his KSO Treks (plus two layers of Injinji socks!).You might recall Chad shared his initial thoughts, which were mixed, on the KSO Treks here.Here’s…
Vibram Five Fingers fan sends in photos of him running in an Aquathlon.
A drawback to the hook and loop Vibram Five Fingers KSO strap design is that the bend in the loop can cause friction that may ultimately degrade the nylon and break the strap. Use tape to add style and strength to your KSO Vibrams!
Shawn is quite possibly the biggest Vibram Five Fingers fan I’ve encountered so far as he has a whopping twenty-five pairs of Vibrams!
Runner Chad Randolph provides some initial thoughts on the Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek based on his first experiences running trails with these “barefoot running” trail shoes!
BirthdayShoes breaks the news that Vibram will be producing a Women’s KSO Trek Vibram Five Fingers by late Spring 2010, as well as the full range of sizes for men!
