Men's FiveFingers EL-X Athletic Shoe

Amazing shoes, husband said they improved his workouts. Going strong, no rips. Very comfortable and true to size.

First, a bit about me: I am a barefoot runner, and by barefoot, that's what I mean: no shoes. I've been running this way for about a year and a half, after experiencing my fill of running-related injuries that, as it turns out, appear to have been directly related to those thick, cushioned boat anchors that the salespeople insisted I needed because of my particular foot structure. To be fair, I have a mild case of Morton's toe, but the traditional running shoes were recommended to "correct my pronation" (becoming a barefoot runner tends to make you recognize the silliness of that sort of diagnosis). In any event, I say this only to demonstrate that I have a background with traditional running shoes, then ditched them completely. I didn't do the "minimalist transition to barefoot;" I am doing the barefoot transition to minimalist, because sometimes I just want a little bit more protection under my soles. A wise barefoot guru once told me that if you can run barefoot, you can run in everything, and he's absolutely right. Now, as to the VFF EL-X: I have a pair of size 43 (too large VFF Bikila, sized for me by a running shoe store - my shoe size is a US 10). Then I bought another pair of VFFs whose name I can't recall, sized at an REI salesperson at size 41, and they fit nice and snug, comfortable even with my Morton's toe. I like most everything about them except the lacing system, which tends to bind the top of my foot if I don't get it just so. When I saw the EL-X, with their super-thin soles and no laces, I thought what the heck. I am training for a half-marathon in a few weeks and don't want to run this particular one bare. So, I bought ordered these and they arrived yesterday. Put them on straight away and spent the day in them, just walking around, and they felt great. A bit snug, but new shoes always do. The real test would be on my morning run. Took them out this morning on a hilly 8-miler on mixed pavement, from concrete to chipseal asphalt to graveled roadside, and I have to say, I absolutely loved the run. Was able to maintain the same high cadence that barefoot running encourages, the same leg spring, the same full foot flex, all important components of good barefoot form. I was able to focus less on the conditions and more on the run itself, but still had quite good feel for the road beneath my feet. I finished the run feeling exactly the way you want to feel after a run, refreshed and stronger. I knew I'd finally found the right shoe for those times when I want a bit more foot protection. I highly recommend these for experienced barefoot or minimalist runners. Do NOT buy these shoes if you aren't willing to undergo a lengthy and patient transition period, hopefully guided by an experienced barefooter. These shoes are so unlike a standard running shoe that it's almost a certainty that you'll hurt yourself if you don't do it right. True barefoot running utilizes dormant muscles and connective tissues you never knew you had, and these shoes are an extremely close approximation to that experience. But if you have some barefoot or minimalist miles under your belt, and you want an ultra-thin sole, slip-on ease, and a highly responsive experience, the EL-X is the VFF for you. I'll be ordering a second pair.

These are the ultimate sock shoes. Very flexible like socks but more protection from the ground! I usually get a size 12 men's shoe and the size 12 of these five finger EL=X shoes were too big. I exchanged them for size 11.5 and those fit like a glove! I never wore five finger shoes before this pair of EL-X and wasn't sure how to put them on at first. I watched videos and they gave me hope, but the five finger shoes with laces seem easier to put on than these pull on shoes. At first it took 10 minutes to put on each shoe. I realized why after a couple days-these pull on shoes should not be pulled on. Get your big toe lined up and started but push your foot slowly into the shoe while manipulating your toes into each slot. I can now put each one on in about a minute. I found that my one pair of toe spacers that are more hard plastic than the flexible ones I have do fit over these shoes to stretch out your toes more than these shoes. So, I included a picture so u can see that see how far these toe shoes spread to.

If your considering this shoe at all then you are aware of the benefits of barefoot or something like it, so we nee not get into that area. This shoe, with it's thin sole, makes for a pretty good tool if your looking for foot strength or to transition to completely,honestly barefoot hiking. It provides adequate protection from hidden stones and pointy things that would make a normal barefoot hiker spew multitudinous obscenities, but not so much protection that the foot does not get effected and become a bit tougher from the pain. They completely fail in two areas however; leaf covered hills and wet surfaces. You want to stick to fairly even and dry terrain, which is not to say avoid all hills and wet conditions. Just wet rock and dry, leaf covered hills. They are also definitely not a water shoe, lack of wet rock grip aside, they're just not made for it. After many miles in these shoes they are falling apart, so I would not recommend them based on lack of durability. These shoes would however, be excellent for a runner who knows how to run barefoot, IMO. Sizing: Check the Vibram five finger homepage for decent guidelines. I went one size larger than recommended...wish I had gone two. Still a bit tight on second toe. So they're overall good, just not for me. Even though I still like 'em.

I have owned and ran thru 5 pairs of KSO in the past. I was going to get a new pair for the weight room and saw they recently re-launched the original KSO in blackout color scheme for $75. At the end of the day even though I loved the KSO shoes, they were not exactly perfect. I have to say that I am really glad I read the review here stating these as being superior to the KSO in every way. I listened to this advice and you should too. I wear a 44 in KSO and based on the other reviews saying to get these a size up, ordered them in a 46. They were wayyyy too big, basically loose across the bridge with about an extra inch in the heel cup, no way. I returned them for a 44 which is my original KSO size and they fit perfectly. Took about one session of an hour to break them in entirely and now they feel the same every time I put them on. These feel a lot more like what I originally expected from the KSO. The ground feel on these is amazing. They are so light and flexible and strong it is really quite amazing. They breathe so much easier than the KSO and do not absorb nearly as much sweat and funk. The lack of hanging tabs at the heel, tightening strap across the bridge and doubled over fabrics at various points reduces the weight and overall drag on your foot significantly versus the KSO. That being said I would not wear these outside hiking on a trail or playing disc golf or anything of that nature. A stray twig or branch would surely and immediately puncture right thru the very thin material that makes up the body of the shoe. I only wear them inside. I find them perfect for lifting weights, particularly for squats and deadlifts. I work out in them 3 times a week and I clean them in the sink with cold water and a little laundry detergent and set them outside to dry on Saturday. I bought these for $59 and at this price even if they fail and delaminate after a year I would still buy them again. I love everything about the way they feel and function, absolutely perfect.

I love these shoes they have been super comfortable, grip well and fit perfectly, the only problem is i noticed today on both shoes on the big toe they are falling apart and will be totally unusable in another week these are marketed as cross training shoes, i played pickle ball in them twice and have had them < 2 weeks, worn < 10 hrs, walked < 5 miles, they either messed up in the factory or these are not cross training shoes.

***UPDATE 9/10/14*** I have skated the heck out of these shoes and they are holding up extremely well. Visible wear is close to zero. I longboard an average ~ 24 miles per week. I remain very pleased and will buy them again if they ever wear out. ****** I'm a skateboarder. I ride a 48in x 16in ungripped homebuilt wooden fish board. These have replaced my beloved Merrell Vapor Gloves as my favorite longboard shoe. The Merrells are great, but these are better. I don't run, although I have used them on the treadmill at the YMCA and have walked a bit in them. I believe I 'd want more cushioning for any serious running or walking, but for longboarding these are the absolute best I have found. Sizing is a bit problematic: I typically wear a size 10.5 shoe and have a wide foot. The sizing wizard on the manufacturer's site suggested a 42. I ordered a 43 and am very glad I upsized. I initially thought these were too small, but am now very pleased with the fit. They broke in over a few weeks and now slip on easily and aren't too tight and feel secure on my feet. Love the slip on design sans laces or straps. My application is a bit specialized: I want an absolute minimal barefoot shoe to help me emulate surfing. These are the best shoe I've found for this app, and it's difficult to imagine a better shoe. I don't like grip tape and these shoes provide all the grip I need. To sum up: I love these shoes, and recommend them, but give size selection some thought and understand that the EL-X is very, very minimal footwear.

Size 43 was loose in the heel. Exchanged for a 42. Initially felt like a glove fit, but wearing for any length of time is irritating. I think the issue to be with the upper material that seems to have little stretch to it. Perhaps the painted-on rubber straps that wrap across the forefoot add to the restrictive feel. In comparison, the material on the KSO's is more soft and flexible, like a cotton/spandex blend. The material on the ELx feels more rough and less stretchy. Initially drawn to the thin soles (compared with most of the VFF offerings) and unrestricted toe movement (thanks to the rubber on the toes NOT wrapping up the sides), I really wanted to love these. The upper just feels too restricted and cheap.