Vibram FiveFingers KSO vs. Bikila - Concerns, Nuances, and Quality Control {mailbag}

I get a lot of questions emailed my way about Vibram Five Fingers.  Which model to get, this model or that model, sizing nuances, and any number of other random queries come my way.  So in the interest of answering some of the more common questions, I'll be posting some emails I receive as well as my responses in the hope that others might benefit from the exchange.  Finally, if anyone has anything to add to my response, or wants to take me to task for my response, please do so in the comments!

Hi Justin,  Awesome site, love all the info.  I am researching the Vibram's as I am new to running but love being bare foot.  I am kinda leaning toward the KSO's to get me started, but have read a lot about seams tears, straps breaking and soles wearing out in about six months.  So I thought I would ask the expert straight up!  How long has your KSOs lasted, I would want to use them for everyday use as well as running/walking.  Have you had any quality issues with them or any other Vibram five finger products.  What is your take on the Bikila's are the they a better shoe all around?  Sorry for so many questions, I just want to make the right choice for the money being spent.  Again way awesome website!  Cheers, Aaron

Aaron,  KSO FiveFingers certainly have their quirks.  Seam tears typically happen around where the mesh upper on the top of the foot meets the rest of the toe shoes (pic).  Though I've never had a seam tear on my KSOs, from what I've seen around the web, these tears seem to happen early in the life of a pair of KSOs, which tells me that they're primarily related to one-off quality control issues.  Mind, KSOs that are advanced in age can see seam tears anywhere.    The strap breaking problem usually happens where the strap bends in the plastic ring on either side of the foot.  The solution here can be to preemptively fortify this point of stress on the KSO FiveFingers with tape.  But my straps haven't broken — so this, like seams tearing, isn't an issue for everyone.  How fast Vibram Five Fingers soles wear out is a function of mileage and walking or running form. If you're light on your feet, meaning that you don't feel a lot of impact running up your body when landing your foot on the ground, and minimize abrasion, meaning you don't push off the ground, drag your feet or otherwise scrape your foot against the ground, you'll find your Vibram soles lasting quite a long time.  Note: you'd naturally minimize abrasion if you were actually barefoot, which is another reason to incorporate barefoot walking and running into your training to improve your walking or running technique!  Anyway, I'd say 500+ miles on any given pair is standard and some users will get 1000+ or even 2000 miles on a pair*, though these high-mileage pairs will likely have very beat-up uppers.  So a pair of KSOs can last a long, long time.  I have a handful of pairs of KSOs, and have yet to wear through any of them, but I also don't wear them exclusively.  My original pair of Classic Five Fingers are still looking pretty rock solid after hundreds of miles (the grey-orange ones in this pic — bought in May 2008).  There are definitely some quality control concerns with Vibram Five Fingers. It's hard to say for sure just how high the frequency of problems is generally.  For one, when you're the hub of info on VFFs, you hear a lot more from folks who have problems than from those who do not.  Second, every pair has its manufacturing nuances (My anecdotal observation is that more complexity in design leads to a higher chance of QC problems).   The bottom line is that the chances you are going to get a well-made pair of any given model are better than the chances you'll get a lemon.    Specific quality control problems for KSOs and Bikilas include the mesh-seam issue of the KSO, some KSOs fitting tighter than others (All black typically being the tightest), and some KSOs (and other standard soled VFFs) having what I call "thin toes," which means that the rubber at the toes is noticeably thinner than normal (which is a blessing and a curse in my opinion - reduced long-term wear sacrificed for increased toe flexibility!).    What looks like the most pervasive QC problem to date is that the FiveFingers Bikila sole can detach from the upper fabric — some kind of glue problem, apparently.  This glue problem appears to happen early in the life of a new pair of Bikilas.   The TPU toe protection on a pair of Bikilas (aka plastic VFF toenails) can sometimes start peeling back at the edges.   Anecdotally, I have three pairs of Bikilas and haven't lost a sole (yet).  One pair has seen a bit of toenail peeling though.  It seems quality control issues become apparent early as opposed to late, so the real hassle should you run into any issues is in sending them back to your retailer and getting a replacement pair.  I've observed that most retailers are pretty good about taking back pairs that have quality control problems.  As for picking between KSO Five Fingers and Bikila Five Fingers, I think the KSOs are an excellent choice for everyday wear, walking, and running. The KSO can do just about anything you throw at it and is $15 cheaper than the Bikila — the KSO retails for $85 and the Bikila for $100 (Find an online retailer of Vibram Five Fingers via the store directory!).  It also has a more breathable upper than the Bikila, a bit more barefoot feel than the Bikila (though less barefoot than Sprints or Classics), and will "keep stuff out" better than the Bikila, which has a larger opening at the top.    Bikilas win hands down as far as feel on the top of the foot. The interior of the Bikila is lined with drilex, which feels very soft on the foot.  Bikilas also lack the seams of the KSO, so you're less likely to get blisters on your feet when running in Bikilas as opposed to KSOs.  That said, Five Fingers Bikilas are less barefoot as they have a slightly thicker sole, so ground feel is reduced.  It's still world's better than any shoe out there — including shoes like the Nike Free that market themselves as being barefoot — Bikilas are just not as good as a pair of Classic Five Fingers.  And of course, if you really want the barefoot experience, you're going to have to lose your shoes and go actually barefoot!  Finally, I'll say I like the Bikilas aesthetically better than the KSOs — especially with shorts.  So for casual wear, I'd sooner don Bikilas or Classics than KSOs.  KSOs look like ankle socks when worn with shorts (just my opinion!).  Really, I don't think you can go wrong between a pair of KSOs (read more about KSOs including links to reviews here) and a pair of Bikilas (more Bikila info, reviews).  Both provide a unique experience that your feet are sure to love.  Sorry for the long response, but you did ask a lot of questions!  Good luck —  Justin  * I'm pretty sure I've heard of 2000 miles on a pair, but I can't recall from whom.