I finally got my hands on a pair of the new Vibram fivefingers Moc (in blue!). The Moc, a men’s style VFF whose sister counterpart is the Performa, is a new, kangaroo-leather-clad, indoor-only, minimalized, and extremely flexible foot glove — in fact, we originally thought the Moc was going to be called the Glove.
Before I jump into my written first impressions of the fivefingers Moc, here’s a video unboxing and first look. Check it out:
Apologies for the intrusion by the cat (Zeke). He has a penchant for being on YouTube.
Photos of the new Vibram Five Fingers Moc
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First impressions
Like the new Five Fingers KSO Trek, the VFF Moc is clad in smooth, and expensive-looking/feeling kangaroo leather. From a materials standpoint, the Moc is little more than leather a smidgeon of Vibram rubber — seven rubber “pods” (A pod for each toe, heel, and midfoot).
Swapping a full-coverage Vibram sole for a seven-paneled one means that the Moc is the most flexible fivefingers model yet. And by flexibility, I mean that you can wave your toes freely and easily flex your foot in either direction (open or closed). Without a sturdy structural, full-foot Vibram sole, the Moc doubles over when held up. Without a foot inside, the Moc is flimsy.
Interestingly enough, the lack of the structural base I’ve been accustomed to in all other VFFs, it was actually a bit tricky getting my toes slotted. A bit of practice should clear up my toe clunkiness.
Another new feature brought on with the Moc is that the elastic pull-tab has a small bit of velcro underneath it that allows you to attach it to your heel. This simple solution makes a lot of sense and I imagine Vibram has considered implementing it with Classics (Just speculating!).
Finally, fit for the Moc is like a snug version of the Classic. A leathery and stylish Classic, that is!
Of course, most of the above could be said about the fivefingers Performa, as the only difference between Moc and Performa, aside from color options, is that the Moc has a higher front “vamp,” which is the part of the VFF that covers the front top of your foot. For comparison purposes, here’s an animation that shows the two for comparison purposes:
Overall, the Moc is an impressive manifestation of a functional and elegant “foot glove”. And as such, it further blurs the line between bare feet, socks, and shoes.
As for use, I could see VFFers using it in activities such as weight lifting, bodyweight exercises, certain CrossFit WODs, yoga, Pilates, and martial arts. What will be interesting to see is what other uses the VFF community finds for the Moc and Performa. In black, it is easily dressy enough for slacks and a tie — unorthodox and classy at the same time.
As I put it to more use, I’ll be sure to update you all further!
Previous posts on the Moc and Performa
- Pre-Order the Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek, the Moc, and Performa! — photos of all colors and stock information regarding the Trek, Moc, and Performa
- The Skinny on the FiveFingers Moc and Performa a.k.a. “Glove” for men and women
28 replies on “Vibram FiveFingers Moc – Unboxing and First Look [Video and Photos]”
Have there been any female bloggers to review the Performa yet? The Moc looks absolutely amazing!
Not that I know of – will definitely keep tabs on that front though!
I’m really looking forward to getting a pair of Mocs.
I hope they’re durable enough for really nice, clean, asphalt. I’d like to run in them too.
I’m with Grok…
Justin, once you have an idea of the durability beyond kicking it around the house, please let us know! (Though, I know you were going to do that anyways, it makes me feel special to actually say it. 🙂
Certainly will do!
How does the sizing compare to the other models? I think you’re the same size as me (43), did you get the same size in the Moc?
Sizing should be the same as Classics. If you’re a 43 in Classics, grab a 43 in Mocs!
I’m hoping they are a little tolerant of the outside world. I’d like to make a black pair of these my everyday shoes for the office and walking about town.
Nice job again Justin.
They look pretty cool.
Here’s hoping you get some bikila’s soon!
Ha given that the Bikilas aren’t due out until February of 2010 … well let’s just say it’s gonna be a few months! Which is good because I have a lot of VFFs to experiment with at present!
Great job with the videos, very informative. Zeke’s a cool cat. He’s a good co-host.
I’m looking forward to sticking these suckers into my pockets. So when I do have to wear ‘shoes’ I can jus’ slide these guys on. When do you think mocs will start shipping out to customers? Thank you for the video.
I want these. PRONTO.
STAT.
when they shipping?
MizFit, I think they are shipping *now* — as in, your local retailer may be carrying them now or should be carrying them any day now.
I’ve seen what I’d call a “stub” sales page for the Performas on travelcountry.com, for example (not sure if that means they have them now or what).
Do you have to hand wash this particular model being that they are mostly made of leather?
I think Zeke makes a nice addition to the video. Very interesting footwear!
They look very nice, but I’m not sure I see the point of an indoor-only model. What do you plan to use them for mainly? I suppose weight training and such, but what’s the advantage over any of the other models?
Hey Justin. Have you by any chance taken the Mocs for a spin outside to see how they fare in that setting?
@Peter,
I have — just for walks though. They fare fine on a walk, though I’m sure sustained use would ultimately do them in!
Just got a pair for my, um, birthday, ha! They feel great, through the pull tab setup is a little different than the KSOs. These will be great for work.
Best,
Skyler
Hi,
Greetings from Germany.
Luckily, found this great resource just before I wanted to order from a fake dealer in China.
Looking for a VFF for Yoga. Didn’t have any VFF yet. I like the idea of the Moc made 100% of leather. My only issue is that I have heavily sweating feet with which I’m sliping back and forth on the mat if doing Yoga barefooted. How does the Moc behaves if I have wet feets? Or is maybe the classic or KSO better?
Thanks for an answer.
Matthias
Any update on the wear and tear on these shoes?
Those do look good but the question that comes to my mind is “What is the point?”
I have a pair of VFF for outdoor use but when indoors (in my own home) I go barefoot.The moc strikes me as “shame” shoe in that you will end up using it indoors ONLY if you aren’t allowed to walk around barefoot or are ashamed to do so. As for yoga, pilats, etc you can do those things barefoot without any problems (physically).
These look incredible, and I’m sure are outrageously comfortable. But I can’t find them for sale anywhere anymore. Did Vibram discontinue them?
These were discontinued, but some stores are still clearing them out. I think it was the 7 pods that did them in. If these only had the classic heel, they’d be great for running errands on a lazy Sunday. As they are now, they’re very prohibitive (much like how thin driving gloves are only good for driving, and even then, they are completed form over function).
The problem is finding a middle ground of minimalism and practicality. The KSO Treks look okay, but they are more like boots than loafers, which is what these would be ideal for. Unless they remake the model with the full sole so the material on the arch of the foot is protected, these will go the way of the dodo (or the Surge).
Hey, thanks for the great review! I only with they carried them in smaller sizes. Being a male and having small feet really has it’s downsides. Would it be totally unacceptable if I were to get a pair of the Performas in black? I’m not quite sure how much a difference the larger vamp in the Mocs make, and I would love to get a pair.
Just bought a pair of Performa Janes in black (I’m a guy). Was at first sceptical about the size, since I had to get a size larger than my Vibram KSOs, and their possible “girlishness,” so I set them aside for a few weeks. But now I’ve been dancing around a little in them and I think I like them and like the larger size too (a little more breathing room).
I’ll plan to post more after more experience with them. My primary complaint about the KSOs is they cause my feet to get really clammy and smelly; I’m curious to see if these will be any better.
Kev
Greetings,
I have searched for a black pair of Vibram Fivefingers Men’s Moc in a 41 without luck. Maybe you can help me locate a pair.
Thank you