Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

I'm a die-hard FiveFingers wearer, and I needed some warmer shoes to get me through the cold and wet Seattle winter. I thought these would do the trick, but they really didn't. In fact, I didn't find them to be any warmer than wearing KSOs with wool socks. I should add that I am one of those people whose feet are always cold, so some people might not have as much trouble as I had with these shoes.

These definitely felt odd on my feet at first. The toes are really tight, and it took a while for my foot to squish around into the right place in the shoe. They are so tight that there is absolutely no way I could wear socks in them, even after I had had them for a few weeks and they had stretched out some. After a few minutes of initial discomfort, though, my feet did adjust and I found them to be quite comfortable.

These definitely don't keep out water at all - my feet get wet right away in the rain. However, I was hoping that the neoprene would at least keep me warm, if not dry. I found that if I was walking vigorously or running, my feet were quite warm, but only if I was moving vigorously.

The big problem is that they take forever to dry out. Once they are wet, it takes at least two days for them to get dry again. That means that I often ended up putting them on when they were already wet and cold, which meant I was beginning my walk or run with cold, wet feet, and had an uphill battle to get them warm.

I also couldn't wear them inside at all. Even if my feet were cold, they would sweat in these shoes, and then get wet and even colder.

I actually did a test: a 3-mile walk/run on a cool, rainy day. On one foot, I wore a Flow; on the other foot, a KSO with wool socks. Both of my feet were wet right away. Neither foot was noticeably warmer than the other during the whole walk. So I would rather just wear KSOs or KSO Treks with wool socks: they dry faster, I can wear them inside, and they're far more comfortable.

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

If you're reading this, you must be considering buying a pair. Just do it! (Move over, Nike, you've been bested.) These will change your life for the better.

This is my first pair of Vibrams. I chose the Flow model, as it's getting cold and I need something to run trails in the East Coast winter. The Flow is advertised as being warmer (Neoprene - like a wetsuit). Some reviewers here say that the Flows are not warmer than their other models. I don't know about that. What I can say is that I do have room in my pair for socks. I wore mine with the Injini sock liners (get some of these too!). I ran damp, muddy trails in DC November cold the first time out (running in hat, gloves, scarf as well). I did fine. I do think that I'll buy some Smartwool socks to wear with them as it gets colder and colder.

This Vibram concept is incredible! If you are considering the "barefoot running" option with Vibrams, DO IT! It's life changing and will make your running pleasurable. Suddenly running is fun! And also a whole lot *easier*. Imagine.

Two years ago I stared running (at 37 y.o.). Went to a reputable running store and got fitted for stability shoes using all of the high-tech devices (monitors to watch and measure gait, good sales people, bells & whistles). Got a great pair of shoes (Adidas Supernovas) and started to run. In the first week I was so crippled that I had to seek medical attention. (Note: I already was very fit when I stared this endeavor). Went to a sports doctor. He analyzed me and deemed me fit enough, strong enough, and with enough developed muscle to be able to support myself and run. He said that the problem was the shoes (but my brain did not comprehend that). (This was in Germany, and I just thought that my German was poor and that I had not understood correctly). The end result was, "if you're going to run in these shoes stay off roads. Only run on dirt." And so a Trail Runner was born!

After several weeks healing I hit the trails. Yes, it was better on dirt (and I'm thankful to have gotten steered off of roads. Trail running is fantastic.) I progressed very slowly, but managed to do it without injury. Two years later I decided that it was time for new shoes. (This was for no reason other than the hype that you're supposed to get new shoes after x miles. I was way overdue.)

I went to another reputable running store with high-tech gait-monitoring gear and got fitted for another pair of stability shoes (this time the Adidas trail running model) and custom orthotics. I have an extremely high arch and extremely flexible ankles. I "super pronate". Hit the trails in the new shoes. After the first run I was in pain. Two days later I did a second run on my "easy peasy 2 mile loop trail". I can run that trail in my sleep. Instead this time I could not even go! It was bizarre. It was like trying to drag concrete blocks (my feet and legs) up hills. I had to stop every 50 yards to gasp for breath and to shake my head in wonder. I painfully finished the run. Then, I took the shoes and the orthotics back! (Store had a no-hassle return policy).

Then, I got the Vibram Flow. They are fantastic! My first run out (I did a 2 mile run/walk, as the instructions say to go easy the first time out. Also, I'm still recovering from the "cement shoe incident") was like a ballet on rocks. It's so easy to run in these things! Your stride changes automatically (I watched it happen), and it feels so light and easy. Holy cow! Fantastic! I ran pain free. It was such a pleasure that I wanted to keep going.

In stability shoes I turn my ankles with some consistency on the trail. My ankles are very flexible, and so I've never injured them this way. (However, I have turned my ankle on a rock and gone down - bloodying knees or sliding down scree slopes.) I had some concern about this when running "barefoot". Instead, it was amazing. I would hit rocks (the trails are covered in leaves this time of year. You cannot see the rocks and roots as easily), and my ankle and leg automatically would instanteously readjust and recover. It was like having magic, cat-like agility. Fabulous! I guess this is running the way that it should be done. Get a pair!

I did experience some soreness the day after the run in my ankles and calves. I think this is from building up muscles in those parts that are not used when running in stability shoes. It's good soreness, not injury soreness. I'm happy as a clam.

In terms of fit: I wear a size 10 normal shoe; a 9.5 or 9 in high heels; an 11 in running shoes. In these I bought a 41 (based on measuring my foot and using the size chart). (I also purchased the Vibram Smartwool model at the same time and ordered a 42 in that one. I think that I got both of them correct in terms of sizing). In my size 41 Flow I do have room for socks -- the Injini sock liners are very thin. I had no real trouble getting my toes in. It is bizarre trying to get them on for the first time. It took a few tries to get all of my piggies in their blanket. You have to coax your toes apart and line them up with the right toe hole. However, it gets easier each time.

If you're also considering the smart wool model (I got these for around the house or maybe for city commuting. Honestly, I'm just a huge sucker for anything with Smartwool (I love that stuff!), so I bought those too), do order a size up.

Get a pair! They are fantastic!

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

This is my first pair of Vibrams. I bought these from a local running store because they were the only style in-stock in my size. Luckily the Flows ended up being very suitable for how I exercise: elliptical, some running, lots of hiking on the weekends, kayaking, and yoga.

My only hesitation with buying these was that I HATE things between my toes! And I'm not going to lie: they took a lot of getting used to. After years of high heels, my feet just weren't used to being in an anatomically correct position. My feet didn't exactly hurt, but after awhile they'd start feeling uncomfortable and sore (I think both due to anatomy and due to the pronounced seaming on the toes). The first few days I could only wear them for 15-30 minutes at a time (sitting or standing); I'd wear them on and off a few times throughout the day. Then the second week I started using them for my workouts (about 60-90 minutes total each day), which was more comfortable than just sitting around in them for the same amount of time. Now on the third week, I'm able to wear them for 2-4 hours of walking/standing/sitting. I don't wear them all day every day; I wear heels to work and will wear these for workouts and for a bit at night in order to try and train my toes to realign. I still don't like to sit in them for a long period of time; the seams press into my skin, causing weird pressure. Maybe this is something I will get used to, maybe this is related to the style; I'm not sure.

These shoes ended up solving more problems than I anticipated: I previously had problems with my feet falling asleep on the elliptical, but these seemed to have fixed that, plus it is easier/more natural to run and walk in these shoes. Probably the best surprise effect is that they seem to be helping my bunions! Maybe I am imagining it, but with my feet slowly getting into anatomically correct position, my shoes do no feel so tight across the ball of the foot. The pain I was having in the metatarsal region has basically gone away. For me, that in itself is a reason to buy these; even if I didn't use them for active stuff, I'd buy a pair just to "train" my feet to be normal again.

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

I already own the KSO Multi-Sport and thought they were as close to as perfect as a hiking shoe could get. Now that it's winter and raining, my feet started freezing and going numb in the KSO Multi-Sports when I went on my long hikes in the rain.

So I decided to buy this kind -- the Flow Multisport. I'd read on here that someone from Washington was still cold in them, but I live near San Francisco, so even though it still rains like crazy, it's less cold overall (maybe 40's at the worst).

I ordered two different sizes from REI, then went to the store, tried them both on, and easily returned the size that didn't fit. Strangely, my size in the KSO Multi-Sport was a 39, but in the Flow Multisport, my size was a 41. The reason was that the toes are much tighter in the Flow Multisport. I bought some injinji sock liners to wear with the Flow Multisports. (I recommend this if your worry is cold feet)

Then I went on a 15 mile hike in the POURING rain (with the Flow Multisports). My feet were soaked through and through, but they were WARM. I was so happy. Keep in mind, I am the kind of person with bad circulation who always has freezing feet, but my feet stayed warm for the entire hike. It didn't matter that they were wet.

There was also another pleasant surprise with the Flow Multisport: when I step on a sharp pebble or stub my toe in the KSO Multi-Sport, it KILLS. But after hiking all day in the Flow Multisport, I didn't notice pebble pain at all (and I was on a really rocky/pebbly path). They were so cozy and comfortable, and still maintained the barefoot feeling where you can feel the earth under you.

Like the KSO Multi-Sport, these don't have tons of traction, so when you're hiking up or down a steep muddy hill, there could be some slipping. I'm about to buy the Treksport MultiSport just for the hikes where I need extra traction.

In short, I am sooooo happy with the Flow shoes and like them even better than the KSO multisport.

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

Wore these shoes in for about a month and a half while road-tripping from Texas to Pennsylvania, and absolutely loved them! Comfortable and durable, they became increasingly easier to put on after multiple days (Toes find their places much easier after a while!)

The only issue I have with these amazing shoes is long distance walking over tough terrain. After hiking ~30 miles of the Appalachian Trail in these babies, my feet were bloody, raw, and just plain tired. Do not wear these without bringing alternate footwear on long hikes you've never done before! The terrain for most of the hike was rough, large, sharp rocks and big gravel underneath, which does not work well on shoes designed to let you feel the ground beneath your feet.

These shoes rock and I'd suggest them to anyone, but don't wear them on long hikes with unknown terrain. You'll feel every single pointy rock and rough bump!

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

I would buy these over and over again, that is, if and when they wear out.

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

I have owned several pairs of VFFs over the last few years and these are by far my least favorite. In fact, they're the only model I actively dislike. I originally bought them last winter when it started to get too cold and wet to wear KSOs in Seattle.

The foot part seems to be the same size and shape as KSOs in the same size, but the toes themselves are longer and FAR more narrow.

It was more of a struggle than usual to get them on for the first time, and wearing them for a half hour actually made my toenails ache unbearably. (And this was after about 8 months of wearing VFFs as my normal day-to-day shoes. I do not have this problem when I switch to brand new pairs of other models.) The toes loosened up very slightly over the next month of daily wear, but they were never, ever comfortable.

When the weather was cold but dry, they were tolerable for short periods of time. When the weather was cold and wet, they were miserable. At those times, most of my foot would be warm and wet (almost grossly sweaty feeling) but my toes would go numb pretty quickly. I think they were being squeezed so tightly that there wasn't much in the way of an insulating layer of air down there. And, like someone else here said, they would take forever to dry afterward.

Injinji doesn't make socks small enough for my feet, but there is no way some would have fit inside those toes without going at least TWO sizes up anyway. (And then I bet the foot box would be way too big.)

The ONLY positive thing I can say about these shoes is that the tread was better on wet pavement than the KSOs'.

If you have really long, really skinny toes, you may not have the same problems.

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

I absolutely love these shoes, and am not exaggerating when I say they changed my life! I'm 44, and have never been able to run. 10 feet and it felt like torture. I've got flat feet, pronation and I'm really strong (weightlifter and natural strength). Now I'm doing 1-3 miles a day with my dogs (combo run, walk, pause) and feel great! I put these on and feel like singing and dancing and like I could walk all day. About 8 years ago, my feet began changing and I had problems with pain, lack of flexibility, aches, etc. I went down the typical route of custom orthotics and ever more supportive shoes, until finally I couldn't go any further. I found barefoot and minimalist shoes and it made so much sense to not constrain my feet so much. I switched to minimalist running shoes and gradually over to these. Now I have to wear them about half of every day or my feet hurt. I feel so joyous to NOT be in pain any more. I don't even care how they look - I just feel too good. One thing - sorry in advance for TMI - they make my feet sweat to an uncomfortable degree. I'm looking at some of the other models for options and wearing socks helps.

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

After getting addicted to wearing my KSOs during the summer, I bought the Flows for the winter. They're behaving exactly how I expected them to. Just like with the KSOs, I can stay on my feet all day traveling with no problem, plus the neoprene allows me to run outside in the winter with no problem--the Flows provide much better insulation than regular sneakers. Definitely get moisture-wicking socks to wear with the Flows as they do make your feet sweat when not in the water, but that's expected as they're made of neoprene. Also because of the neoprene, they squeeze your toes a bit more than the KSOs do, but they also stretch very slightly after use to form fit your feet, just like neoprene dive gloves. I'll definitely be using the Flows through the winter.

Comments about Vibram FiveFingers Flow Multisport Shoes - Women's:

I love my pair of KSOs, and have only good things to say about the fivefingers concept. I looked forward to having another model that would stand up better to the cold and wet (as I hear these do). Alas, the toes on the KSOs will wick moisture just from a patch of damp grass.

Supposedly, the sizing on the FLOW model corresponds exactly to the KSOs, so 39=39, right? I found them *much* tighter. I could barely push my toes into the slots (something I now do effortlessly with my KSOs), and I soon felt the circulation in my toes was getting cut off. (This is without socks, although I comfortably use a pair of injinji liners with the KSOs) Forget neoprene warmth, my toes would go blue without even venturing outdoors!

While I could imagine that a size 40 might give me less feeling of pressure against the front of the toes, I can't imagine that the toes would be significantly less constricted *around*.

I'm a 5'7" thin person, so I don't think it's a matter of my toes being abnormally fleshy. But of course these shoes are necessarily more sensitive to anatomical difference than almost any other, so I certainly wouldn't discourage others from trying them on.

The soles *look* the same as the KSOs, but they're thicker; so I prefer the KSOs on that account also.