How to Fit Vibram Five Fingers: One Fitter’s Opinion
Lets be honest, running around town barefoot can be a bit scary at times. The Vibrams give you 4mm of confidence, which if you ask any barefoot or minimalist runner, is plenty. Getting them to fit however can be a little more difficult. VFF’s come in full European sizes. There are more European sizes than American sizes. What this equates to is that you need help! Trying these puppies on is very important.
Ideally you should get fitted at a specialty running store. As of November 2009, over 115 running specialty stores are Vibram dealers. If your local store doesn’t have them, then ask them why not or find a running store that does.
As an owner of 5 pairs of Five Fingers and someone who has been wearing and selling them for over 3 years now, I thought I might shed a little light on the Five Finger fitting process:
First off, nearly every exchange we do at our store is someone trading their VFF’s up to a bigger size. Most people buy them too small! People try to confine their feet in VFF’s the same way they do in their shoes—it’s not good in shoes and it’s certainly not a good idea with these babies.
So how should they fit? I was told directly (in person) by a Vibram Five Fingers corporate rep to fit the toes just BEHIND THE TOE CAPS or right in that area—obviously with different toe lengths there is going to be some fudging here! That means there is a decent amount of room between the toes and the end (close to 1/2″) and there may be some bagginess in places depending on your foot volume. Keep in mind that your foot will swell while you are running so any snugness you feel in the store should be a red flag.
But it feels too loose you say? Well just remember, it’s a barefoot shoe (what a contradiction!) and anything that feels the slightest bit restrictive or tight is pretty much defeating the whole purpose of having footwear that is supposed to be simulating barefoot!
Although this isn’t about how to put them on, I thought I’d share one trick to actually get these little guys on your feet the first time (as it can sometimes be a challenge): Put them down on the floor, line your toes up behind the pockets and slide your foot slightly medially (to the inside), then slowly creep up with your toes (making sure to line up with the pockets as much as possible) and spear out your pinky toe with your finger as it likely won’t line up quite right if the others do. If you do this and you’ve selected the right size, they should go on pretty easily. If you are having a hard time getting them on, they’re probably a bit tight.
So that’s about it. 1) Don’t get them too small. 2) Get them big enough 3) Try them on in store and make sure they feel relaxed and not tight anywhere. 4) Don’t get them too small
Five Fingers Size Chart Craziness:
Note how many stipulations on sizing...confused yet???
Advice: Every foot is shaped differently and these guidelines will only get you in the ballpark—Trying them on is a must. Fit them with plenty of room and then walk around the store for 5 or 10 minutes to make sure they feel right. Keep in mind that in general, KSO’s fit longer than sprints (yet tighter in the heel) and sizes can even vary from color to color (i.e. for some reason the Blue KSO’s seem to run a bit bigger than the other colors!)
November 28th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Beware, for these types of footwear are for expert barefoot runners, not beginners.
It is really sad, how many people are coming to my website, telling me that they tried running “barefoot” with the minimalist footwear, and broke, sprained, or strained something in their foot/feet, so that now they cannot run for several months until they heal.
The problem with the extra confidence that minimalist footwear gives to beginners, is the difference between running reasonable amounts (listening to your bare soles) and building gradually, OR running unreasonable amounts (over-confidence provided by minimalist footwear). It is pretty simple logic – If you are wearing minimalist footwear so you can run further and faster than your sensitive bare soles are ready, then you’re running further and faster than you are ready to run barefoot!
When you no longer need protection (because you have learned to run gently enough not to be a threat to your tender soles) – then and only then are you ready to use minimalist footwear…
December 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Ken Bob,
I agree with you that running barefoot is ideal for proprioception and learning how to run softly yet I do believe that minimal footwear can successfully be used by everyone. It’s about educating people to use all the various options available in a wise and prudent manor. Our website is dedicated to helping people run natural by educating them. Barefoot running is the most natural form yet there are multiple options in training your feet and body. For example, with winter coming on it’s impractical to run barefoot yet we would both agree in the toxicity of the corporate shoe companies. Therefore improvised minimal shoes or VFF are the best options even for beginners to learn how to run more naturally.
As an ultra trail runner I run in improvised minimal trail shoes most of the time and run barefoot the rest (I rarely find the need to use the VFF). I love your enthusiasm and we agree on so many things, yet I politely disagree on the hardcore approach (totally respect it though). Keep spreading the barefoot LOVE.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
It’s a tribute to how good it feels to get rid of clunky sneakers that so many of us have a hard time taking the time to adjust to VFFs. I’m exactly the kind of person Ken Bob is talking about but I did hang in there despite an initial injury, slowed down, gave my feet time to strengthen. Well worth it.
December 17th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I read all this … and then I went to the store today (there are a few in London). And completely forgot what the guideline says.
On feel ended-up with Sprint M45. M44 were touch uncomfortable.
Came home and measured 10 3/4 inches. Which will be M43. Now how did that happen? M45 feel comfy w/o being too snug or too loose.
Since I am wide fit I suspect I am compensating on lenght with the arch and back straps.
But do I want to feel constricted width-wise?
Suggestions???
December 19th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I have a pair of KSO’s – I am a true beginner, but I never really pushed myself further than a 30 minute run (and even those are usually run/walks) while wearing my VFF’s but I noticed that after about 10-15 minutes I start to get a pain under my second toe on my left foot. It feels like the tendon is going to pop or snap – do you have any idea what this might be? I sometimes run at the gym in my socks (on an elevated track) and I have never had this problem, it only happens when I run in the VFF’s. I wonder(ed) if this is a sizing problem – I purchased mine at a specialty store and twice measured my foot on the big VFF shoe size “thing” and both times I was a 44 – so I went with that. Then I read on another blog (not sure where) that KSO’s should go down one size.
I will say this, I LOVE wearing them around town, or just walking around…they are much more comfortable than wearing regular sneaks or shoes.
December 21st, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I want to purchase a pair of KSO Treks. I am currently wearing a regular pair of KSO’s in a womens size 42’s. But I measure for a mens 41. Any thoughts?
January 7th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
your sizing guide is different to the one found on the vibram five finger site…for example you suggest size 40 (KSO) for foot length 10 1/4 inches…whereas vibram suggest size 41
January 7th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
update…it would appear that there are different sizing charts for europe and North America ?? are the shoes different sizes demographically ?
January 30th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Great question Jasoe. The only thing I would stress to people is to forget the sizing guide and get the pair that feels loose, relaxed and barefoot like regardless of size. There should be about 1/4″ (6mm) of space for your toes if they are to be used for running. If they don’t feel slightly big, they’re most likely too small. You can get used to relaxing more, but your feet will never get used to being restricted.
A few notes:
M41 and W42 are pretty much the same thing.
There appear to be different sizing charts.
KSO’s tend to run bigger than Sprints.
March 25th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I Recently Stumbled On A Site That Has VFF Sprints, Which I Have Been Looking For, I Have Two Pairs Already Which I Love, Just Looking To Get Another Pair Or Two, I Measured My Foot And Im Exactly 10inches, I Wear A Size 9 US Shoe, All That Said And Done Im A 40 In VFF Sprints, Well My Delima Is, This Sizing Chart That Doesn’t Help Out One Bit, If You Can Help Out With Some Sorta Advice, That Would Be Great, Which Size Should I Choose?
Please Choose:
US5=UK3.5=EU36
US6=UK4.5=EU37
US7=UK5.5=EU38
US8=UK6.5=EU39
US9=UK7.5=EU40
US8.5=UK7.5=EU41 2/3
US9=UK8=EU42 1/3
US9.5=UK8.5=EU43
US10=UK9=EU43 2/3
US10.5=UK9.5=EU44 1/3
US11=UK10=EU45
US11.5=UK10.5=EU45 2/3
Which Size Would Be Best For Me, Should I Follow The European Sizing Of 40, Is Vibrams Sizing Chart From European Sizing?
March 27th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
If I were you, I’d probably get a 41 as I’m a 9.5/10 and wear a 42 which is almost too snug to run in…
May 10th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
[...] They’re a little snug after all. I wish I read this article before buying. (See Barefoot-running.com.) [...]