V-ALPHA / vibram barefoot shoes for hiking and trail running

[@AndrewFolts]

*Barefoot Trail Shoes* (referral links) all barefoot trail shoes - - - bit.ly/3RBllQd vibram v-alpha - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3PaDpAa vibram v-trek - - - - - - - - - - - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-TaJehhNGii5Y vibram v-neop - - - - - - - - - - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqK9Z2CpprlqfqM injinji toe socks - - - - - - - - - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZaZc3Zoq8ufatk *Best Barefootwear* (referral links) casual shoes - - - bit.ly/3Smg8gx road shoes - - - - - bit.ly/48XEOBz trail shoes - - - - - bit.ly/4250J7B trek boots - - - - - - bit.ly/3SCgP5V winter boots - - - - bit.ly/3RRbI0X sandals - - - - - - - - bit.ly/4b2tfLu slippers - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3tNYvNz website - - - - - - - - www.barefootwear.org

[@kameronkeene6159]

Hey Andrew, I love that you review FiveFingers! No one else seems to and it is a shame. They are the only shoe I see worth putting on my feet. Would you be open to trying the EL-X Knit?

[@AndrewFolts]

Beats me why, they're my favorite brand. If they made waterproof shoes for winter I'd probably never wear anything else, ha. El-X's are def on my list. Cheers!

[@dewy3288]

Have you ever thought of trying the Vibram Moc LB? They are probably not for everyone, but I wonder what the "ultimate" barefoot shoe for summer hikes and rail running would be.

[@AndrewFolts]

IMO the V-Trek is the best do-it-all barefoot shoe of all time for summer, both roads and trails. The Moc could work too, but I'd rather have the security of a lace upper, especially for trail running, where you're sliding around going up and down hills. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-TaJehhNGii5Y

[@ymer2501]

basically it's a KSO Evo but with 'additional lugs' and were meant for water stuffs before other water models...i've been running with v-run, v-trails 2.0 & KMD and always eyeing on KSO Evo & Alpha but both always hard to get from where i am, sadly...v-trek for 7 years?? mannnn i envy you..my vibrams only lasts max for 6 month (i pretty much beat them everyday hahahha)

[@AndrewFolts]

Woah, that's a great arsenal of Vibram's! They'll wear with heavy use, obviously, but one trick that's really worked for me is making sure I'm never twisting or scuffing the soles, because actually rolling straight down creates very little friction. Most of the wear comes from twisting and scuffing.

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

I am loving my KSO Evos but use them only for indoor workouts and squatting. These alphas look amazing for trails.

[@marcvanderlinden7618]

Fab review as ever! What about the evo spyridon? Light, grippy as hell but not sure how they'd compare to these, and which conditions are most suitable for which?

[@AndrewFolts]

The strap is nice for more security, but it's 100% synthetic vs a wool blend for the Alpha, which is much more breathable and antimicrobial.

[@angrycatalan325]

⁠@@AndrewFoltsthe strap is awfull for tighten then up properly. Worst upper ever, only for casual wearing adviced.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@angrycatalan325 Yea, seems unnecessary, since Vibram's usually fit nice and secure anyways.

[@weew0e767]

Hey andrew you should try the v-trail they seem more durable than these since the upper is not durable

[@AndrewFolts]

I probably will at some point, although I prefer a wool blend upper. My feet tend to sweat too much in synthetic, which is what the V-Trail has, I think.

[@weew0e767]

@@AndrewFolts ah okay

[@weew0e767]

YES Omg i bought myself a pair of these a couple months ago

[@AndrewFolts]

Niiice! It's ridiculous how light and flexible they are, even for Vibram's!

[@christiansipherd8032]

The big question is how do they smell compared to other models?

[@AndrewFolts]

They run true to size, but I normally size down for Vibram's, because you can comfortably wear them with your toes touching the end, unlike other shoes.

[@theflorencesoffgridjourney2960]

First one oh yeah!

[@AndrewFolts]

A fast comment for a fast shoe. (:

[@moisemayhew]

Hey Andrew! loved the video, I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts comparing the V ALPHA and the V TRAIL because I’m having some trouble spotting the differences. 😂

[@AndrewFolts]

The main difference I think is the Alpha has more breathable wool blend where the Trail has a polyester sock liner, which is less breathable. I'd go with the Alpha, imo.

[@moisemayhew]

Thanks! that’s really helpful :)

[@weew0e767]

Hey andrew about the water ive heard these also work as water shoes so they arent water proof but they drain pretty well

[@AndrewFolts]

It's been too cold to test them for that fully, but yea, I think they might work well with the thin upper and breathable wool. I'll make sure to test that for the full review. Obviously the V-NEOP's are the best for water, but the Alpha might be more versatile overall.

[@RC-qf3mp]

Nice video. How’s the tread on slippery rocks for hiking compared to all other minimalist hiking shoes you e tried? Which shoe is the best for that feature (really sticky and grippy), and how’s this vibram model compare? Thanks

[@AndrewFolts]

The Vibram Megagrip tread is by far the best I've ever tested for all-terrain. It's extremely grippy on wet surfaces. My Softstar Switchback's have it as well, and they're fantastic for slippery rocks and boardwalks, etc.

[@kingandkongo]

Whats the difference to the spyridons

[@AndrewFolts]

The Spyridon has a strap for more stability and a polyester upper, instead of wool. I'd go with the Alpha, which is much more breathable.

[@kingandkongo]

@@AndrewFolts makes sense!

[@austinado16]

Great job on the review, and it looks like a fun version. I trail run year round in either Spyridons, or V-Trail 2.0. I just ran in the Grand Canyon with the V-Trails again, a couple weeks ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJndaGWNlMaNgck

[@AndrewFolts]

I've yet to try those, but every Vibram's been super for me so far. The trail looks amazing. Lucky you for getting to taking your FF's out there. I'll have to go sometime!