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.
Showing posts with label REI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label REI. Show all posts
19 August 2010
23 May 2010
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).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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).
04 May 2010
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.
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.
07 April 2010
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:
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.
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