Day Two with the Treks

So, I got to wear the Treks out and about a bit today, making a run out to do some errands.  While they certainly feel different than the standard KSOs, I still like them a lot.  They transmit much less tactile information, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing considering that sometimes you want more protection and these won't get your feet wet as easily when you walk through puddles.

As you can see to the right, the tread on the Treks is much more aggressive, which I think I would prefer on rougher trails or in situations where I might be walking over grating,  such as in the city (Indianapolis has a surprising amount of grating and rough pavement, go figure).  I think I would still prefer the KSOs on asphalt, grass or on crushed limestone, however.

Another thing which has come to my attention is that it is now quite easy to get these on and off.  The leather seems to have stretched a bit and the added rigidity of the soles allows for easier entry and exit from the shoe.  They still do feel a bit more glove-like though, which I think has more to do with the material.

I also noticed that there is a small tag which is attached to the insole just under the heel.  While walking around this wasn't uncomfortable, but it was noticeable.

The overall construction of the shoe seems well done, although I did notice some stray dangly threads and there was a touch of extra adhesive here and there, but nothing that seems to impact the performance or the aesthetics of the shoe.

I do have some concerns around the funk factor with these, so I might try out some of the Injinji socks with them, still haven't decided on that front yet...

New Fivefingers have arrived: Initial impressions

I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I got home today to find my new Vibram Fivefinger KSO Treks waiting for me.  As my attempts at repair of my worn-through KSOs were just a stopgap, I was really looking forward to trying the treks, with their leather uppers and thicker soles, out for a bit.

My initial reaction to the aesthetics was very positive, as was my wife's, daughter's, a family friend's and the dog's.  They certainly are the most "conservative" Fivefingers and will draw less attention in public.  Honestly, my biggest concerns were around the leather and the soles, so I immediately decided to try them on and walk around a bit to test them out.

First, I replaced one of my original KSOs with one of the Treks.  I have to say that the fit of the Treks is much more glove-like and they are tougher to slip on due to the fact that the leather doesn't stretch as readily as the nylon on the KSOs.  Once I got the shoe on, I noticed that it has a completely different feel on the foot that the standard KSOs do.  My initial reaction was that it felt heavier and more constricting.  I took a walk around the house with one of each type on and it is a totally different foot-feel to the Treks.  The thicker sole certainly doesn't transmit as much tactile information, but it doesn't feel bad, just different.

I then put on both of the Treks and I have been wearing them for an hour or so.  They seem to be adjusting to my feet as I wear them and I am getting used to the change in foot-feel.  I would have to say that, initially, I am very positive about them but I would really like to see how they are on breathability and over the long-haul.  With this pair, I might try out some of the toe socks that REI sells as these are much more useable for casual wear in public and I really don't want them to be all funky...

I'll post some pics and will do further reviews as the situation dictates or as I think of worthwhile (fsvo "worthwhile") things to say...

Hope this was of use.

tldr:  Vibram Fivefinger KSO Treks feel more shoe-like, initial impressions still very positive.

Good news and bad news on the Fivefinger front...

So, it would seem that my shoe repair utilizing "shoe goo" holds okay for a couple of days of normal walking/driving.  So, as a long-term repair option, I would not rate this as a winner.

That being said, it is holding well enough until my new VFFs arrive, which they should do tomorrow.  On another totally unexpected and pleasant note, I also got a note back from Vibram with regards to the comment I submitted on their site asking about the normal life of the shoes.  They informed me that this was unusual and I provided them with the pictures of the wear.  They are letting the designers know and are also shipping me a new pair, which was totally unexpected and is greatly appreciated.  You simply must love good customer service :-)

Also, We can expect kids sizes in Q1...  This will make a certain 6 year-old princess very happy :-)

So yeah, I am even more of a fanboy now.

I refuse to accept the death of my Vibram Fivefingers...

I have opted to try and repair the VFFs for the time being.  While I am cautiously optimistic that the "Super Goo" athletic shoe repair adhesive will hold up for awhile, I have also ordered a new pair of KSO Treks (the ones with the thicker soles).

Mishel used this goop to create the soles of the slippers she made me for Burning Man one year, and it held up really well for the entire week on the playa, so I will test this repair out over a few days on the streets of Indianapolis.

I shall keep the VFF world (well, at least my little part of it) informed...

Insert witty title about the failure of my Fivefingers here...

I am a total fanboy of my Vibram Fivefingers.  I admit this about myself.  I tell everyone who asks that they are very comfortable, totally awesome, and one of the best footwear investments I have ever made...

worn spots behind 3rd toe...

However, now I am depressed.

After somewhere around 250 miles in them, my wife noticed a spot where one shoe was worn through.  It was an unusual spot, between the ball of the foot and the toes, not where I would expect them to wear out, but they did.  We decided to check the other one.

Oh, the horror!

Almost exactly the same spot!

I am so depressed.

I still love these shoes, so we will try to repair them with some "Shoe Goo", but I am not hopeful.  I am also planning on ordering a pair of KSO Treks, which have a more rugged sole than the normal KSOs.  However, I am also probably going to get another pair of KSOs as well as I really like the feel of these.

I will now go off and be sad for my shoes...

Innovation is Cool, Adoption is Essential

This is a repost from my now-defunct corporate blog...
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In the realm of product design and product management, we tend to talk a lot about innovation as a component of  “The Next Big Thing” from our engineering shops.  This is a good thing.  Without innovation, nobody would buy our stuff and we would all be out of work, which would be a bad thing.  So, while innovation is important, there is actually a component of product design that I don’t think people talk about enough…  Adoption.

Oh sure, in sales we always talk about selling more stuff, or getting more customers, but we are more concerned with the transactions themselves rather than with the adoption of our product.  I think it’s important to take a step back from the transactions and think about how people (and companies) adopt new products or technology.
To give us something to use as an example, let’s talk about my new shoes…

“Ummmmm, your shoes?,” you ask, suspiciously.

Yes, my shoes.  I am talking about them because they represent innovation from a technological sense and an adoption challenge as well.  I say this because I am talking about Vibram Fivefingers shoes:

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_footwear.cfm
Basically, they are a pair of toe socks with a really thin rubber sole.  From a technological standpoint, they are pretty incredible.  They mold to your feet and actually transfer the nuances of the ground to sole, so you actually feel what you are walking or running on.  Wearing them is like going barefoot after a few steps as you don’t feel any weight and you have that sensitivity.  Finally, they allow your legs to absorb impact, as they were designed to do.

So, from a technology perspective, pretty cool stuff.  Innovative, even.

Which leaves one to wonder why there is an adoption challenge.

Well, the challenges I had to overcome before I was willing to try them were pretty clear:

1)  Will they feel weird?
2)  Man, they look dorky.
3)  Will they fit?  [I wear a size 14]
4)  Cost

Of the four primary challenges, cost weighed in pretty heavily.  List price on the version I wanted was $85, which is a lot for an untested (by me) technology.  However, I have dropped more money on stuff I was less sure of in the past, so I was able to get around that, plus, I had a 20% off coupon.

To address the “feel”, I went online and read user reviews, the majority of which were very positive.  I then went over the sizing chart multiple times and decided I had a decent chance that they would fit.

Which leaves one challenge.  The dorky factor.  Oh, it is totally there.  These things are goofy looking but I am goofy looking too.  So, it all balances out (not that my wife agrees with me).

So, what happened here?  Well, I went through the standard buying process that we go through for every purchase, be it technology or a new pair of jeans.  I identified the challenges, I researched my options and I came to a buying decision without the involvement of a single sales person, might I add.  However, have I adopted the technology?

Not yet.  I own the technology, but I am still deciding if I will be doing my daily regimen utilizing the technology.  So, how can the manufacturer or reseller help me in my adoption of the technology so that they have a customer for life?  That’s easy, follow-up.  Unfortunately, I will lay odds it will not happen.

So, let’s imagine that a week from now, I were to get a call, email, facebook posting or a mention on twitter from Vibram (the manufacturer) or REI (the reseller) asking me how I like the shoes.  They could offer suggestions as to different adoption techniques, they could offer a discount on a second pair or they could invite me to provide feedback to make changes to future versions.  This would make me a happier customer and would incite me to keep working with the product in my daily life.  It would enable them to engage me in conversation on a personal level...

What if I hated them?  Could you imagine my loyalty and willingness to try again if they took them back and refunded my money (or offered me their value against another pair of shoes at REI)?  I would be a total fanboy and I would certainly recommend them to friends.  Even though I didn’t adopt the technology, I wouldn’t reject it out of hand if the opportunity arose again.

So, we must continue to think about innovation, we must continue to think of sales, but shouldn’t we also, and just as importantly, think about the adoption of our products?  This is where we will see real innovation in our businesses and I think we will be able to accomplish it through the leveraging of our existing communications channels to better drive adoption.

Just something to think about.  I will now put on my dorky shoes and take the dog for a walk (I can tell he is embarrassed to be seen with me).
 

100 Miles, one blister, awesome calves...

Well, according to my log, I topped 100 miles of walking/running in my Vibram Fivefingers today.  So, I thought I would provide a "century review" of them for those who were interested in them, but didn't like the risk of getting them to try out...

So, overall I would have to say I absolutely love these shoes.  So much so, that I am getting one or two more pairs (more on that in a bit).  After 100 miles of mostly asphalt walking/running, the soles look brand new, with the exception of the black "dirt" on them from the asphalt.  I have noticed no wear and they feel like the day I got them.

As far as getting used to them goes, it cost me a couple days of sore calves when I pushed too hard and a blister as I adjusted my running style.  That happened in the first week or so.  Since then, I have gotten no blisters and I recover much quicker from walks/runs that I push it on than I did when I wore boots or shoes.

The feel of these shoes is incomparable to anything else I have worn.  You sense the nuances of the surface you are walking on and you feel much more sure-footed on uneven surfaces.  I am thinking these would be great for recreational climbing, would defer to a climber on that though.

Another positive note is their impact on the tone of your legs.  Since you are absorbing more impact through your musculature, as opposed to transmitting it up bone to your hips, you will quickly find that your calves turn into rocks very quickly and the rest of your leg muscles quickly start to define.  I have a lot of slacking off to compensate for, but I am seeing marked improvements in the toning of my legs.

Now, it isn't all rainbows and unicorns.  There are some negatives.

My particular model, the KSO version in grey, black and camo, make me look like I have gorilla feet.  They are seriously dorky looking.  However, I like them enough not to care.  The other negative is the fact that you really need to clean these regularly.  They don't smell as bad as regular shoes, but if you don't wash your feet before putting them on, or if you have problems with dead skin on your feet (my feet have been messed up since the military, lots of dead skin) you build up "funk" inside the shoes it the natural eddies formed where your foot doesn't apply pressure.  You will want to throw the shoes in the wash at least once a week.  Now, while that is a negative, it does illustrate how easy the shoes are to clean.  Just toss them in with a load of clothes and hang dry overnight.

Which brings me to why I am purchasing a couple new pairs.  First, I want to get another pair of the KSOs like I have so that I can rotate them for use and cleaning.  While the shoes will dry overnight, sometimes I sleep less or I forget, so having a second pair would be nice.  The other pair I want to get is a pair of the KSO Treks, which are made of brown kangaroo leather.  They seem like they would look a bit less dorky in public.

So, long story short, if you have been wanting to try out the Vibram Fivefingers, I would suggest popping into REI and trying on a pair.  If you order them online, make sure the place has a good return policy if the fit is off (follow the directions for fitting).  However, I highly recommend them and give them an 9 out of 10.  They only got an 8 because they are so damn weird looking.  That aside, I would put them at more like a 9.8 out of 10.

Hope it helps...

Oh, if you are going to purchase, please support one of my favorite stores, either REI or Erehwon.  You can get more info on the shoes from Vibram.

Poor puppy...

I think I have been walking Reggie too much.  Today I was going to up the mileage to 6 miles (3 2-mile walks).  However, at the end of the second walk, Reggie was limping a bit.  We have been concerned about his hips for awhile, as they seem really loose, but I think I will have him take a couple days off from the walks.  I know my legs are sore, so his must be too.

Anyway, Threw the fivefingers in the wash, they are hanging dry.  Considering running to REI tomorrow to get a pair of KSO Treks to wear to CO later this week.  You know, to annoy my coworkers :-).

An Update on the Fivefingers...

So, it has been a couple weeks and I have been wearing the fivefingers a lot.  I must say that I am a fan.  My calves are getting used to the extra punishment, the shoes are lightweight and comfortable, caring for them is easy and the only negatives I have, at this time, are the dorky looks and the "getting used to them" thing.  But, like any new technology, there is an adoption path (for more on this, see my work blog here).

I started running in them more today during my walks by alternating running/walking and lengthening the amount of time I'm running.  I have to say, I am way out of shape :-).  But, so far, it is going well.  My calves certainly feel it and I am still struggling with the stride a bit, but I will eventually get it down, I think.

So, if you have been thinking about trying them and have hesitated for concern about the comfort, or the performance, I say go for it.  The fit is the most important thing.  So, be sure to try them on and make sure they work for your feet.  I have to warn you though, people will look at them funny.

Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions.

And on the Fifth Day, Andrew Rested...

So, five days into having the Fivefingers and I kind of hurt.  The balls of my feet are a little angry, my calves are screaming and I still have that blister to heal up.  So, tomorrow I am going to throw my boots back on when I take Reggie for his walks to give my dogs a day to heal up a bit.  I probably should have done so today, but I was thinking I was all tough and shit.

Still loving the shoes though.  So much so, that I think I will grab a pair of the KSO Treks when I get a chance.  You know, for business casual situations :-)

Dork Status... Confirmed

So, I wore the Fivefingers for a quick run to my local italian grocery store (Caputo's, great produce) and there was a guy standing in the produce section that looked like he just walked off the set of "The Soprano's". Shiny eggplant-ish color mob suit, the black shirt, big gold medallion... You know the guy I am talking about.

Anyway, he looks at my shoes and kind of chuffs a bit and nudges one of his worker guys to point out the shoes. He kind of laughs and asks, "Hey, what kinda shoes are those you got on?"

I reply, "They are called Vibram Fivefingers."

"Well, they sure look weird."

Now, usually, I would have just nodded and wandered off, thinking of snappy retorts much later. This time though, this time it was perfect. In my best imitation of Marisa Tomei from "My cousin Vinny" I was able to reply, "Oh, and you blend."

It was awesome.

I also had a very good conversation with another patron who had been thinking of getting them too. They agreed that they are very dorky shoes :-)

Pseudo-Barefoot and Dorky

I picked up a pair of Vibram Fivefingers KSO shoes today. If you are not familiar with these, they look like toe socks:

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_KSO_m.cfm

I picked up mine at REI (I went with the black with the urban camo sole) and have been wearing them around the house to test them for comfort before I go outside and make them non-returnable. So far, they feel far less weird than I anticipated. most of my toes don't even come close to the end of their "finger" but that doesn't seem to be an issue so far. I can say that you feel what you are walking on through the sole, which is an interesting sensation. It is like you are walking around in dress socks (from a sensitivity standpoint). That's the best way I can describe it.

I will try them out over the next few days as I begin my trail work. I already know I will have to adjust how I walk in them, just from walking around the house. So, it should be interesting. Worst case is I have a pair of really nice water shoes, but I think they will be okay.

One thing I should point out... They look really dorky :-)

Stay tuned.