Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek Review

KSO Trek Overview:

The Vibram Fivefingers KSO Treks are by far the most real-world work-appropriate shoes of the Vibram Five Fingers selection. I work in a standard office building with all the classic lawyers, doctors, accountants, and business men roaming the elevators.
So when I was looking for a shoe that would be an alternative to my standard, stiff, formal Men’s Warehouse dress shoes, Vibram Five Fingers was not the first brand name that crossed my mind… until I saw the KSO Treks at my local REI. With the black or brown leather color pallets, these shoes blend in and provide that small amount of normality that people expect in a shoe worn in normal work situations (I wouldn’t even think about wearing my good ol’ grey and green KSOs to work).

What Vibram says about their KSO Treks.

A rugged outdoor performer. Our KSO Trek delivers the agile performance and protection you need outdoors and on the trail. A more rugged version of our popular KSO, it features a kangaroo leather upper and sockliner that are soft against the foot, yet strong and tear resistant with outstanding breathability. The 4mm EVAmidsole offers plating protection from stone bruising, and a lightlycleated 4mm Vibram® performance rubber outsole delivers enhanced traction on trails and rugged terrain.

The absolute first thing I must mention about these Vibram Five Fingers is the fantastic feel of the new kangaroo leather. You do not know what you’re missing until you feel how silky smooth they are… these are the Vibram Five Fingers that you owe your feet. The KSO Treks are a revolutionary take on the standard Vibram Five Fingers glove model, with improved midsole padding as well as extremely comfortable and water-resistant (not waterproof) kangaroo leather.

My biggest beef with the KSO Treks is the amount of moisture that builds up in the toes, especially if you step in water (walking in the rain to work = cold wet toes for an hour or two). If you aren’t caught in the rain, running through small puddles and on wet ground is no big deal, and the shoes dry incredibly quickly with no foot stank!

After testing these shoes out for a few weeks in situations ranging from company meetings, entire days of walking around San Francisco, running on grass and asphalt, the KSO Treks have become my go to shoe for (almost) all situations. In fact, I have already ordered a pair of black KSOs to go with the other half of my closest (move over Chacos!).

Pros:

With the addition of the stylish kangaroo leather to their repertoire, Vibram has allowed even those in a more conservative work environment to finally incorporate their barefoot passion into their everyday routine.
Lightweight (Men’s size 43): 6.7 oz. each 13.4 oz. for the pair
Thicker 4mm EVAmidsole
Pro foot stank resistance!

Cons:

Not exactly the most ventilated of the Vibram Five Fingers lineup, I have had some wet toes for a while after stepping in water.
Less sensitivity caused by a thicker sole (negligible for me but still something to note)
The KSO Trek is not exactly cheap, running $125.00 in most stores

Fitting Tips for FiveFingers Minimalist Barefoot Shoes:

Step 1: With the single strap fully open, insert your foot while gradually aligning each toe with the appropriate toe pocket it’s often best to start with your big toe and work down to the little toe, gradually inching forward as each toe finds it’s place. Check to make sure one toe is in each pocket.

Step 2: AFTER each toe is in place, pull up the heel cup and nestle your own heel into the FiveFingers heel cup. It’s important to get your heel firmly seated in the heel cup.

Step 3: Pull the single strap closure across your instep and secure. Make sure the strap lies flat as it wraps around the foot. Wiggle your toes and adjust the strap to find your ideal FiveFingers comfort.