Why did you even buy them in the first place, seems like all your complaints could have been figured out just by reading some product descriptions online (for the record I think that yellow looks cheesy online already, doesn't surprise me in the least that it's even more garish in person). To make a shoe lighter, well the upper has to get lighter and thinner and less durable for comparable materials.

I'm still confused by your post. So you didn't like the shoe, that's fair. But none of your complaints actual "issues" with the shoe, just that it wasn't for you. Not all shoes are the same and not all feet and people have the same needs and desires in foot wear. Not the shoes fault that it wasn't designed for you in mind. Now if you had actually worn them outside and the sole fell apart in the first 5 miles, THEN you could comment on how "cheap" the shoes were constructed, but without that actual testing your impressions and negativity are unwarranted assumptions based on conjecture and bias (you may still be right, but so are broken clock twice a day).

As for inov8 not having enough grip...have you looked at their product line? It's only recently that they started making road shoes, most of their tread patterns have been incredibly aggressive and many shoes have rockplates...especially the line that one product line that has a confusing name of "roclite"...

Hi Dustin,

First off, I'm sorry. I should not have said review; I should have said Initial Impressions. If I have wasted your time, that's all on my conscience. When I run into useless reviews, several times a day, I try to move past them as best I can with a brief meditation, and some positive thinking. I also try to learn how to be more useful to other forum members, so I will internalize your critiques as if they were whispered in my ear as a dying declaration.

Secondly, what the other forum member and I were noticing about the Inov-8 was misinterpreted by you as a critique of the shoe. I didn't buy the shoe for the trail, and I'm well aware that it's not a trail shoe. I merely wanted to praise a durable minimalist shoe while acquiescing the fact that it won't suit my needs right now. I love the Inov-8 Bare-X 180, it's my town shoe and my bar crawl shoe and my bike touring shoe and my car camping shoe.

I tried on a lot of shoes at my local EMS: Brooks, Salomon, New Balance... Settled on the Vibram 5 Fingers. I don't remember which variation I have, but I know I like them. I was professionally sized by the very helpful employee, so I've got a great fit.

Looking forward to seeing how my feet adjust.

Just be clear, declaring you settled with the Vibram FiveFingers toe gloves throws out any credibility you may have in regard to footwear, or your original first impressions of the Brooks.

First off, I don't need or want "credibility."

Second off, I don't exactly know how discarding the most minimalist trail running shoe produced by Brooks for something with like 2mm less of padding and the same amount of traction is a disqualifier.

But hey, if the people want a scapegoat... These shoes seem good so far. My only reluctance to going full minimalist was fit, an I seem to have addressed it. Is there something I don't know about five fingers?

This is definitely my last footwear review ever, people are just getting pissy.

Eugene.

Settled on is not a negative phrase. Settled for.... Perhaps


Never seen such a bunch of bitching on about a review.

Take it or leave it, but you guys are being a bunch of whiny little beeps on this.

This thread is hilarious.

First off, I don't need or want "credibility."

Yes you do, if you want people to take you seriously.

You have not been here for long. You proclaim the Boreas to be the best pack ever for you though you have not been backpacking all that long. You talk about breaking backcountry rules for your own reasons.
You have an issue with one foot that puts you into a weird category when offering advice on shoes to others.

We can see that you are a intelligent, passionate person, Great. Keep swinging. But expect some criticism.

"Just be clear, declaring you settled with the Vibram FiveFingers toe gloves throws out any credibility you may have in regard to footwear"

I ask this out of my own ignorance of footwear, and is a genuine question: Is there something that negative about Vibram FFs or is it the complete switch between types of footwear of the OP that warrants this comment? I also ask because I enjoy hiking in FFs when the terrain and weather permit.

@Max,

I was being a facetious little turd. Don't take any stock in my drive by comment.

Whether or not someone uses FiveFingers is not by business. Your feet, not mine. The FiveFingers debate has been pretty well hashed out, no need to go there. Some make them work, others don't.

Carry on.


*Fwiw, I do believe there is a significant difference between the Brooks PureDrift and a pair of FiveFingers. You'll figure that out in short order.

Edited by Eugeneius on 02/03/2013 21:41:25 MST.

Listen, maybe the vets here put a lot of stock into credibility out of some misplaced desire to be seen as an expert, or the illusion of credibility based on the opinions of strangers. A lot of people really are experts! I was born in the digital age- I know better.

I come to the forums because it's useful, and because post-surgery I have a lot of time and I need my outdoors fix. I contribute MY opinions because I try to give back when I receive. I'm not afraid to be wrong, and i'm not afraid of losing a reputation that is nearly worthless.

If you wouldn't dream of dropping casual opinions or reviewing an item without the backdrop of having tested everything, that's your choice. I'm doing things my way- i'm not that intent on being perfect, and I'd rather give too much and be useless occasionally than never give and be useless constantly.

I like this forum. I make jokes with people. I picture myself having awesome new experiences. I learn. And maybe, I occasionally help someone else- it's why i'm a teacher, a student leader, and the oldest of four brothers- this is me!

I'm gonna keep being me.

On topic:
I put FF in the same category as the other minimalist shoes. The big turn of opinion you guys are talking about is news to me. I'll read up on old threads. Wasn't intending to derail. They really do fit nice- i like forgetting that i'm wearing a shoe, and I couldn't do that with the Brooks' upper.

P.p.s: I'm in the top four percent of post-undergrad writers in the United States. Verbosity is an unintended consequence, these essays take me minutes. Sorry about all the text, guys ;)

Edited by mdilthey on 02/03/2013 22:33:55 MST.

"Listen, maybe the vets here put a lot of stock into credibility out of some misplaced desire to be seen as an expert, or the illusion of credibility based on the opinions of strangers. I was born in the digital age- I know better."

Is that the it's on the internet so it much be true crowd?



"I come to the forums because it's useful"

Why is it useful? Is it because of the credibility of information you can find here?


We had a fire at the tortillaria. So I have extra time for here too. Hope you procedure went well.

I said it before, actually, here: I use what's useful and ignore what isn't, and that doesn't mean I ignore what I don't agree with.

Procedure did go well, I was on crutches for a couple weeks and now i'm recovering, so no hiking till mid february. I have a vein malformation in my right foot. My left foot is a 10.5 D and my right is an 8 EE, it's a nightmare to size but my issues with the Brooks were independent from shoe length.

The tiredness of walking in barefoot shoes is miles better than the pain of a swollen vein tumor. Moving it around increases circulation, so the more muscle I build in my foot, the better I feel. One year ago, I was sure i'd never run or hike in my life; today, i'm on a quest to fast thru-hike in the Northeast. I'm proud of overcoming.

Three surgeries down, maybe 1 more to go- maybe not!!

For anyone wondering, the feet don't look that different, you might not notice. The length difference is a centimeter. I thought I was a size 12 until today's visit with the professional... Yeesh!

I don't know which size my Vibram's are. I don't even know what model. I tried on like 6 pairs before whipping out my credit card in triumph, and lost track. Because there's a strap behind the heel, i've got a snug fit on both feet. My feet look as different in these as they do barefoot, a good indicator of correct fit.

This is the first pair of shoes i've ever owned where i'd consider buying two pairs to get two different sizes. For now, this'll do.

Edited by mdilthey on 02/03/2013 23:09:24 MST.