Men's FiveFingers KSO EVO | Barefoot Cross-Training Shoe for Balance and Stability

So, I’ve seen these shoes before on a few occasions being worn by various people and have always been very intrigued by them. Now in my early 30’s, being 6’ tall, living in the northern Midwest where it’s cold 9-10 months out of the year and my joints are always talking to me; I came across an audiobook a little while back called “The Primal Blueprint”. I’ve always naturally been a minimalist and naturalist of sorts. So the book really intrigued me! In listening to the book, it covered a section called “barefoot living,” where it basically discussed how primitive people didn’t have shoes and how they trekked across terrain barefoot and how since the dawn of shoes, not only have we as humans gotten away from our “natural” past, but we’ve also developed tons of issues within our feet, bones, joints and back; BECAUSE of our discovery(in millennia speak) and use of shoes. This REALLY interested me because I’ve had back and knee issues for years now. Basically since my late teens/early 20’s. The book discussed this “barefoot living” style and recommended “barefoot” shoes as a means of actually relieving pain in various areas of the body and helping to correct body structure over time. Wait... so you’re telling me this WHOLE time that I’ve been wearing ‘regular’ shoes they’ve been f’ing up my body?! Are you f’ing serious?! Apparently the issues are due to the raised heel on conventional shoes and how over time it affects the body structurally. Making it weaker... Needless to say from that moment on I became VERY interested in this “barefoot” living style! Remembering that I’ve seen these type of shoes before. First thing I did was jump on Google and searched “barefoot shoes”, and these came up! After looking at various styles I decided on these KSO EVO’s based on the amount of positive reviews. Well, I’ve had these shoes for a little more than a month now and I have to say, they do/will take at least a couple weeks of getting used to. Not only will they feel really weird on your feet, but your legs and calves will absolutely FEEL the difference of “barefoot” walking/movement. But once you get passed that initial couple of weeks of adjustment and feel, wow! It is still a bit weird to FEEL everything I’m moving on. But the shoes have conformed more to my feet and are VERY comfortable for being so minimal. Also, I can honestly say that I’m already noticing a difference in my ankles, knees and back! My ankles haven’t been popping as much. My knees definitely haven’t been popping as much especially when going up stairs. And my back is definitely less sore and stiff than it usually is! These shoes really do seem to be making a difference and I’ve been wearing them daily(all day) now for the last couple of weeks. I’m not a runner. So they’re worn consistently around the house and when I’m out and about. And, while my girl and stepdaughter think they’re “so weird!” I happen to think they’re actually unique and cool! And if they keep helping me feel better and stronger, they’ll stay on my feet! Quite frankly, I’ve never given a sh!t what anyone thinks... After the initial bout of fatigue in my calves and knees, it’s pretty minimal now and I see it as these shoes are helping to strengthen me from waist down. While also helping to almost eliminate my back soreness and tightness. They’ve essentially helped me to identify my weak points. It’s pretty awesome! Some notes... To help you adjust, you may want to purchase some toe socks to not only make the adjustment period more comfortable, but help the shoes loosen up just a tad and possibly conform to your feet faster. It seems to have done the trick for me. Fair warning though, initially wearing socks with these is going to make your feet(especially toes) feel really squished. Personally, I prefer the shoes without socks now. Even when the weather is in the 30’s and 40’s. I kind of suck it up and deal with the brisk breeze in the shoes because I’ve come to realize the benefits I’m getting from wearing them! And honestly if I’m not actively thinking about it, I barely notice it. In the winter months, I think I’ll actually try to see if Vibram or anyone makes a “barefoot” insulated shoe/boot of sorts and wear that. If not, well, I guess I’ll have to wear boots... but when I’m not working and the weather is anything above 30, I’ll be wearing my Vibram’s! I’ve come to appreciate them that much already! Oh, and make sure you purchase according to your shoe size! So long as your shoes actually fit your feet correctly! I initially ordered according to the guide provided on here and ended up getting confused and ordered too small! I’m a size 10 in shoes and initially ordered a 42(9-9.5) because of the guide. I exchanged those for a 43(9.5-10) and they fit beautifully! Happy “barefoot living”! 🤘🏻👍🏻

This is my second pair of VFF shoes. The first pair is so good I wanted to keep a pair for the gym and one for outdoor activities. The first pair is the V-Run Retro and this time I went with the KSO EVO. The KSO is even lighter weight with a more narrow sole. The sole grips well and is very comfortable. I highly recommend either model. The following is the review for the Retro which works for both models. **** And that's saying a lot because I've been around for quite a few decades. After dealing with foot pain for most of my life due to backpacking and running I have changed my thinking from protecting my feet at all costs to exposing my feet at all costs. My Morton's Neuroma and planters fibroma has been painful for many years and it has not gotten better even with very expensive shoes and orthotics. The only relief I get is my foot massager and some exercises that I do specifically for my feet but it may help but it doesn't heal. Coming across the barefoot community and the information that they had I figured why not give it a try. It seems to go against conventional thinking but I was desperate. I picked up four different pairs of shoes, these VFF being the most interesting. They are super comfortable, almost like being barefoot without the pain. I've been using them at the gym and have done some mountain climbing with them. For work I can't wear them so I wear a pair of Xero since they look more business like. Of the four pair of the VFF are my favorite. It's funny how people notice them even though they're black with a little bit of lime green around the toes. It's definitely a conversation starter. The build quality is good and I've been a fan for decades of the Vibram soles so these are no different. Good grip. So far in two months they have not shown any sign of ware. I picked up some toe socks but they're perfectly fine without them. They claim to be a machine washable and I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be. As for my feet, they have a new lease on life. They have never felt better. Eat right, exercise, and go barefoot. And if you can't go barefoot get these shoes. As of right now I'm looking for a pair of hiking or trail VFF to go on sale. Note: I followed the measurement guidelines on the Vibram website and ordered accordingly but unfortunately the first pair was too small. In small print on their Run Retro page it says these run small but unfortunately I didn't see it before ordering. I recommend for the Retro to order one size up. Highly Recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

These are way cooler and on top of that they are much easier to put on and are higher quality than the women’s pair. I just bought the material and the women’s pair seems cheaper and they assume we have thin little feet which is not the case. The laces on these are great I was able to put each one on super fast unlike my woman’s all black pair, these are going to be worn probably every day and I might have to buy another pair. I highly recommend and follow the sizing guidelines. And only people that should buy. These are women and the company should make their shoes for women more like the ones for women. This specific design is also a little more feminine this specific design is also a little more feminine than I would think and the look adorable on my feet. I review almost all of the products I get, and these shoes are one of the best items I have ever purchased on Amazon prime. Unfortunately, however I had to remove the shoebox and put it in recycling because it was so beaten up I review almost all of the products I get, and these shoes are one of the best items I have ever purchased on Amazon prime. Unfortunately, however I had to remove the shoebox and put it in recycling because it was so beaten up by the shipping process. hole in the bag, no joke and the box. Thanks UPS! there was even a hole in the bag no joke and the box. Thanks to UPS! however, I’m just glad they were not damaged. but they need to take better care of shipping as the shoes come in card board boxes that are very small! Hands-down, rockstar shoes love them I love walking barefoot, but I can’t do it out in public these shoes and my other pair allow me to walk, barefoot without being barefoot. I don’t think we were intended to wear shoes if I don’t have urge support, which do you have. I don’t think we were intended to wear shoes. If I don’t have arch support in my shoes I get rid of them or foot insoles in them. I would wear these out arch support in my shoes I get rid of them or foot insoles in them. I would wear these out to a fancy dinner that’s how much I care about what people think about me who is driving what kind of car on every occasion! I have three herniated discs, and one of them is I have three herniated discs, and one of them is now bulging and herniated, and I need to cane to walk as I cannot afford back surgery and the surgeon at Stanford would not perform surgery on me because he said it was congenital. So these are Lifesavers, and make me smile looking at them they so ugly they’re cute! I will be buying more in the future! I will be buying more in the future. From someone that has purchased a lot of items on Amazon I can attest that these from someone that has purchased a lot of items on Amazon I can attest that these shoes will not disappoint! Whether or not you’re a woman or a man purchasing them!!!! shoes will not disappoint! Whether or not you’re a woman or even binary, you will not be disappointed in purchasing these adorable shoes!!!!

I like the new KSO evo's much better then the old KSO's. They do require a shoe horn to get on the first few times as bit tight however after some use I've found they loosen up a tiny bit with normal wear and wash. I still use the horn from time to time though as it seems quicker and rather avoid a chance of stretching it. It does feel bit tight and that bothered me at first and until I got a pair to large and realized it gaped at the heel and I was stepping on cloth. I feel these are true minimalist shoes and I would recommend them. However buyer beware there is a known defect issue and vibram is being stubborn about fixing it. On the bottom between the toes there is sometimes a bit of white between the toes on the bottom side. If it is just a little it shouldn't be a problem it is where the sole was mis-cut I believe as that white isn't glue or some undyed toe section. That is the shoe that should be protected by the sole. If you notice a good portion of this I'd return it for an exchange. I hope Vibram corrects this soon and stops being lazy about it. It isn't the normal shoe providers fault, however if I were them I'd check my products and solve the problem before it reaches your consumers. It'll save you some shipping costs. I've sent back directly to vibram a few times at their expense as not my fault they are sending me defective products. I don't like waiting but they're good shoes so worth it. I've purchased two pairs if that tells you how I feel about it. Just buyer be aware and enjoy a great product. I've had my first over a month and totally love them.

For virtually my entire adult life (I just turned 71) I have gone barefoot around my home, and outdoors whenever possible (and permitted). I am living proof of the benefits, as I am still able to walk 3-4 miles daily with minimal pain in my hips, knees, ankles, and feet. What discomfort I experience from my hikes has always been from the shoes I wore. For whatever reason, it took forever for targeted ads for "barefoot" or "minimalist" shoes to find me on my various electronic devices, but once they did my curiosity took hold and I began to do some research on what was available. I selected these Vibram FiveFingers KSO EVO shoes because they were supposed to offer the closest thing to a truly barefoot experience. Having worn them for an entire day ever since they arrived this morning, including my usual 3-mile hike plus a trip to the local grocery store, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate those reviews turned out to be. If you can't go barefoot, these shoes are literally the next best thing. I love them! I have included a picture of my feet to help you decide if these are for you. If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you probably won't like the way these fit. And, as any number of reviewers have noted, putting them on does take some getting used to. It didn't take me long to find a method that worked well for me, and I highly recommend watching Vibram's own video guide to putting their FiveFingers models on properly. These shoes weigh next to nothing, fit my feet snugly but not too much so (really more like a sock than a shoe, which I love), the soles grip well, and are thin enough that you get almost the same amount of feedback from the surfaces you are walking on as you would if you were barefoot. I know some people recommend wearing socks with these, but if that is what you intend to do I would definitely recommend getting a size bigger than you think you need. Trust me, there is scant room for socks in the pair I have on, and I'm fine with that! I wouldn't even wear shoes at all if I didn't have to... Of course these will lack the sensual pleasures offered by walking barefoot on cool grass, or on warm sand or earth, but then there is no reason not to go barefoot on grass, or sand, or dirt trails. If you're like me much of your walking for exercise will take place on paved surfaces, and these shoes will definitely keep your feet from getting too torn up from those surfaces. In particular, I noticed that the small bits of gravel that are the bane of barefoot walkers everywhere are no longer a problem. You'll feel them, but not as painful, which means you no longer need to detour around them. I also tried these out on some rough bits of sidewalk, broken or uneven patches of asphalt, etc., and while you still need to be mindful of where you are stepping (walking barefoot is an outstanding mindfulness exercise, by the way, and these shoes will be a close second in that regard), you needn't worry about any sharp pains. Obviously you would want to avoid larger gravel, rocks, glass, etc., just as you would with any footwear. It is rare in my experience for a product to do exactly what it says it will do, but these "barefoot" shoes are the real deal, and I will soon add another pair or two in other colors to my closet. Highly recommended!

I've been a VFF customer and barefoot advocate for over 4 years now. I've owned 2 pairs of Bikila LS, and loved them wholeheartedly, wearing them literally down until the soles had holes. However, Vibram (for no apparent reason) ditched that model, and has moved onto EVA soles, replacing the original Bikila LS with the Bikila EVO and then the V-Run, both with much loftier pricing. So, when I saw the KSO at a good price, and read its description, I was initially very excited to try them out as an alternative. I ordered the same size 41 that I've always worn in the Bikilas, but upon receiving the KSO's, I discovered this to be completely wrong. It isn't merely an issue with over-all dimensions, but a change - specifically, narrowing - in the mid sole. These are so much narrower right under the arch that it rubbed my feet raw on a few short test runs, and pulled my feet into a constricting/clenching position due to the lateral fit. While I considered simply sizing-up, the length didn't actually seem much different from my 41 Bikilas - side by side they're essentially the same length. Because of this, I returned the KSO's and did NOT order up a size, for fear of ending up with a shoe that, though "bigger", would likely still be a poor fit. I don't have particularly wide feet, so this is not an unusual circumstance isolated to a few potential buyers. This shoe is simply modeled on a foot with incredibly narrow dimensions, as far as I can tell. I wish there had been options in my local shoe stores to try on multiple sizes and models before ordering online, but nobody local sells these. Be cautious ordering, especially if you think you know your Vibram size, as these will almost surely run narrow. The greatest disappointment here is that I utterly loved the style, amazing ground feel, and overall design - but they seem unwearable for people with average shaped feet.

I love these! I'm only wearing them in the house. I have a home gym, and I'm working from home so this is perfect for me to transition between desking and working out and cleaning. I am typically a women's size 9, my foot is about 9.8 inches from the farthest point of heel to tip of toe (as best as I could tell, measuring myself), and this "men's" shoe 8-8.5 fits with enough room to wear with toe socks, which is exactly what I wanted. I did wear them barefoot the first day, and that was great, but by the end of the day, I wanted my socks. I have a bunion on one foot; I hope this will help straighten it out. I love that these are all black. I'm looking at their running sneakers too, but those are so ugly. Hopefully, they'll make an all black one of those eventually.

Love the design and materials of this shoe. This is my 3rd pair and by far the best I've had so far. I get lots of compliments on my shoes and my feet feel amazing. I've even wore them hiking on sharp jagged rocks the other day and at 260 lbs I'm not exactly light on my feet. The shoes don't show any wear from the hike and I'm sure I scratched them pretty hard many times. I was really surprised on the traction on all surfaces except wet kitchen floors when they were brand new. I even swam with them and walked in the American River and was surprised how quickly they died out. The only downside is I have freakishly long toes and haven't ever had a pair that fit as well as I'd like but I'm not talking a star because they are still super comfortable. Also, I understand that peoples feet can very based on ancestry and I'm not sure which one I have but my second toe next to my big toe is slightly longer than the big toe. These shoes seem to be maid for someone who's big toe is the longest and gets smaller towards the little piggy. I bought a smaller pair than my last pair which prevents me from getting blisters as much as my old pair. I'm just hopping my shoes stretch and don't mess up my foot because of the toe thing. Sometimes it does feel like my toes are being twisted. I'm hoping that gets better once they're broken in. Typically they last me 2 years for a pair till holes get too big. I joke that they're minimalist shoes and get more and more minimal everyday. Great shoes.