Dipping My Toes Into the Vibram FiveFingers

V-Run Retro

By far the most ‘conventional’ pair of the bunch due to its laced system and mesh construction, I began my VFF adventure with the V-Run Retro. It’s also one of the more padded pairs in the range, with a 2mm-thick insole and 4mm of Vibram Trek XS rubber. While this relative plushness sounded good, it was still a remarkably minimalist experience – once I figured out how to put them on, that is. Thankfully, Vibram provide Field Guides on just how to get used to the shoes.

For FiveFingers first-timers like me, one of the biggest challenges was slipping my toe into each designated pocket. After using a technique akin to reverse parking, each phalange was soon safely tucked. The next major adjustment was the sudden lack of heel drop (most conventional footwear is designed so that the heel sits higher than the forefoot, and it’s what most wearers are accustomed to). VFFs are zero-drop, meaning the heel and forefoot are on the same plane. With the shoes on, I suddenly felt like my heels were ‘digging’ into the ground. I was definitely planted.

After a few days in the V-Run Retro, starting with short slow walks down to the local cafe before progressing to brief jogs, I noticed some changes. My steps were more deliberate and focused on midfoot landings – I wasn’t just smashing my heels against the ground – and my gait was more stable. I suspect this is in part due to my toes being more splayed out as well. Putting VFFs on became second nature, and I think I’m ready to try the other pairs now!

V-Aqua

It’s starting to heat up in my part of the world, so I’ve been hitting the beach to cool down. Along for the ride is the V-Aqua, which is optimised for water use. This is thanks to the Vibram Megagrip soles and stretch mesh upper for quick drying. There are even drain holes through the bottom. This is especially important considering that this model is made to be worn sockless, evident by the neoprene footbed and silicone heel grip strips.

Vibram Megagrip soles have a particular stickiness on both wet and dry surfaces, helping grip onto uneven textures where it would normally be difficult to get any good purchase, which is why they worked well for river crossings and along the beach. Another useful feature of the aggressive sole pattern is they easily shed loose dirt and rocks because of how flexible the tread is.

I quite liked the stretchiness of the mesh upper, and it was particularly breathable in hot conditions. The minimal hardware was a bonus, too. Unlike the V-Run Retro I was wearing previously, the V-Aqua simply cinched up with a strap running across my step and forefoot. Sure, I’m not gonna run my local 5K in them, but they offer more than enough support for normal use in and out of water.

Spyridon EVO

The Spyridon EVO is the off-road cousin to the amphibious V-Aqua. It shares Vibram Megagrip soles and a similar tread pattern but without the drainage holes. This is because the model is designed for trail use, so keeping stuff out is paramount. The 3 mm insole and 3.5 mm-thick outsoles make it the most protected of the pairs I’m testing, and the protection doesn’t stop there. Woven underneath the tread is the Vibram 3D Cocoon, a sheer layer of fabric that disperses impact and dulls any pointy surfaces for a more comfortable trail experience. You can see it peeking through the outsole window.

This feature showed its strength when I was moving across some cracked earth at a nearby park. The dirt would crumble and slide under my feet at some parts, while other sections were rock hard. Despite being in super minimal shoes, I stepped with confidence and didn’t feel any sharp edges poke through.

I enjoyed how versatile the Spyridon EVO was across different applications. It excelled off-road and was pretty good on regular tarmac surfaces, too. Like the V-Aqua, I also appreciated the convenience of just a single midfoot strap, which I used in conjunction with the Vibram 5TOE socks to keep things nice and snug.

Personally, I think I’d use this pair the most for my Vibram FiveFingers experience. They’re the most rugged of the set, and the extra padding is appreciated for someone who’s still relatively new to barefoot shoes.

V-NEOP

The V-NEOP was the final stop on my tasting board of Vibram FiveFingers. I was now pretty accustomed to wearing the other models for athletic and performance pursuits, but this model posed the ultimate challenge. Could I rock them casually with a fire ’fit? With these, I think I could!

This pair stands out from the bunch due to its mid-ankle cut and neoprene upper (from which it gets its name). While Vibram themselves market it as a water-adjacent shoe in a similar manner to the V-Aqua, I totally see them as a ‘tech ninja’ option. The stark-black upper and bare white sole is a strong look, and I had to muster up the courage to pair them with my street clothes. But upon finding the right pair of pants, they actually look pretty cool!

Practically speaking, I enjoyed the extra snugness of the taller ankle and stretchy neoprene. This pair also came packaged with an additional set of insoles – complete with toe slits! – to really dial in the fit. After all, the V-NEOP has no laces or closure systems besides its upper material. It’s kinda like a Chelsea boot with a FiveFingers sole.

After some time in the Vibram FiveFingers, I think I’ve graduated from rookie status. Once they stay in the rotation, I’ll be well on my way to becoming a barefoot shoe master!