I was amongst the many who likely encouraged you to review the V-Alpha. So glad you and I are in the same camp. It’s easily the Swiss Army knife, jack-of-all-trades and master of some barefoot shoe. My universal go-to. Incidentally, VFF has a model that has a bit higher stack height but an impermeable water-resistant membrane called the Speed XC. It’s an older model but you should def check them out. Has the XS Trek outsole.
Yea, multiple people have mentioned that one, unfortunately it seems to be sold out everywhere I look. My life will be complete the day Vibram masters waterproofing, ha!
"dirty UA-cam" Ha, love it. I once got a comment from a guy who was incensed that there was dirt on the soles. It was a trail shoe and I was like...what do you think happens when you take a trail shoe out onto trails?
I just got a pair of v-alphas for gym/climbing and I like them a lot. I am wondering if I should get another pair for running outdoors. But I am worried that the upper might get torn because there are a lot of gravel paths where I live. Do you know if this will be an issue? Especially in between the toes.
Generally it's thorns that are the problem for the V-Alpha, because the sole is quite protective. If you're out on open ground mostly, then they're fine. If you want more upper protection, tho, then the V-Trek is very similar but tougher. ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html
Thank you for the review. I was wondering about the versatility of the Alpha and you answered my questions. I own kso evo and vtrek insulated for winter season up here in Quebec. Will the 4 seasons I had to go back to my Altra for many winter runs so I have the re-adapt partially my body to vff on road. The V-run is rarely available in Canada 🥺 and I would go with the Alpha which seems to be a very versatile shoe so I could use it on light trail, asphalt, track, dirt road
Another great video Andrew! A couple of questions: Do these run true to size or do you need to size up? Also, how do you rate these for running on roads/sidewalks in comparison to the Lono Flow and the Freet Vibe?
I'd either go with your normal size or size down, since Vibram's feel great snug, due to the stretchy upper and separate toes. Vibram's are by far my favorite road shoes for durability, protection, ground feel, flexibility, lightness, width, and pretty much everything else. The one advantage of Lono and Freet is that they're much better than toe shoes for cold cold/wet conditions.
He's saying what category of his shoe database they fall under. As the toes are separated like with toe socks, there's no edge pushing your toes together for either. If you're looking for wide barefoot shoes, I don't remember the channel, but there's a guy with the widest shoes video. In the comments he says the only reason the video is missing Realfoot is they weren't as known at the time of filming.
They both do, thanks to the separate toes. I mention this for the V-Alpha after the Mad Max sequence, ha. ua-cam.com/video/YXKwgWkkTZk/v-deo.htmlsi=JAk8uR1CfJu3gUhd&t=38
Never. With thin, flexible barefoot shoes you're able to sense and respond much quickly as soon as your foot makes first contact with the ground, so that your foot can roll smoothly and your knees can bend to distribute the shock gradually throughout your whole body. With cushion shoes you can't feel the ground and so they actually end up causing more wear and tear on your body. If you listen to someone in barefoot shoes they're virtually silent, while cushion runners go "CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP." Listen the next time you see people running and you'll see what I mean, ha.
It seemed similar to my V-Trek's in length. But maybe the toe shape is a little different, or something. That could affect things, depending on the shape of your toes.
Depends on the terrain. If there's lots of large loose rocks and/or brush that could tear the upper, then I'd go with the V-Trek, ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html which has a slightly more protective sole and upper. If it's a mix of firm and soft ground without too much chance of tearing the upper, then go with the V-Alpha-which are also better if the weather is super hot, since the thin upper is very breathable.
I honestly think the worst part about these shoes is the upper material which should be slightly thicker IMO since they can just rip on you out of nowhere like they did for me but besides that which they should honestly fix 😅 These are the ultimate barefoot shoes
Yea, the V-Trek is a bit tougher, but I do like the thin Alpha upper for hot heather and faster runs. Maybe they could make a hybrid with the Trek upper and Alpha sole.
Hey Olivier, the best options would be the V-NEOP. It's basically like a wetsuit. Won't keep your feet dry, but does provide some warmth. That, no Vibram's are really practical for conditions much below 40º. Something like the Vivo Magna Lite WR SG ua-cam.com/video/p1Ufraxz7z8/v-deo.html would be a lot more water resistant.
Been searching for other minimalist/barefoot shoes for technical scrambling that have Vibram Megagrip and all that I can find are these and the Softstar Primal RunAmoc's. Are there any other out there that you know of?
Softstar Switchback's also. bit.ly/45JCFYm Paisley Sandals have it also and I really want to try those this summer. www.barefootwear.org/paisley/the-hiker
How does the retro compare to the alpha? I am looking for a shoe that I can mostly use for running 3 - 4 times a week and occasional hiking and camping ect...
Do you mean the V-Run Retro? That's designed mostly for roads, whereas the V-Alpha has a more aggressive tread for trails. The V-Trek is my favorite due to being versatile for both. bit.ly/3uvrLss
Man those are some nice looking 5 fingers shoes. I am trying to get me a pair but I just Wonder if they will fit my extremely wide feet 🦶 I have with very chubby fat wide toes that I have. But I will try because I love 5 fingers shoes.
Probably like 40 I think. It would be nice to give some away, but people are always asking me sizing/fit/comparison questions and I feel obliged to keep using them longterm to see how they wear out. Maybe I'll start a barefoot museum, ha.
*Barefoot Trail Shoes* (referral links)
all barefoot trail shoes - - - bit.ly/3RBllQd
vibram v-alpha - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3PaDpAa
vibram v-trek - - - - - - - - - - - ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html
freet vibe- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ua-cam.com/video/TBJeliX7zIk/v-deo.html
be lenka trailwalker - - - - - - ua-cam.com/video/Vi76P4_OnFI/v-deo.html
injinji wool socks - - - - - - - - ua-cam.com/video/_e6BC2vfl4w/v-deo.html
*Best Barefootwear* (referral links)
casual shoes - - - bit.ly/3Smg8gx
road shoes - - - - - bit.ly/48XEOBz
trail shoes - - - - - bit.ly/4250J7B
trek boots - - - - - - bit.ly/3SCgP5V
winter boots - - - - bit.ly/3RRbI0X
sandals - - - - - - - - bit.ly/4b2tfLu
slippers - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3tNYvNz
website - - - - - - - - www.barefootwear.org
I was amongst the many who likely encouraged you to review the V-Alpha. So glad you and I are in the same camp. It’s easily the Swiss Army knife, jack-of-all-trades and master of some barefoot shoe. My universal go-to. Incidentally, VFF has a model that has a bit higher stack height but an impermeable water-resistant membrane called the Speed XC. It’s an older model but you should def check them out. Has the XS Trek outsole.
Yea, multiple people have mentioned that one, unfortunately it seems to be sold out everywhere I look. My life will be complete the day Vibram masters waterproofing, ha!
I love that you show your shoes with dirt stuck to the sole. It shows well how the sole grips. Yes to more dirty UA-cam 😅
"dirty UA-cam" Ha, love it. I once got a comment from a guy who was incensed that there was dirt on the soles. It was a trail shoe and I was like...what do you think happens when you take a trail shoe out onto trails?
told ya these rocked. They make me want to buy more VFF models to try.
Yea man, they're stellar. Easily my fav trail running shoes ever...except for cold/wet, ha.
These shoes are fantastic, great upload man.
Yea, they're killer for hiking and trail running. Can't wait for summer!
I just got a pair of v-alphas for gym/climbing and I like them a lot.
I am wondering if I should get another pair for running outdoors. But I am worried that the upper might get torn because there are a lot of gravel paths where I live. Do you know if this will be an issue? Especially in between the toes.
Generally it's thorns that are the problem for the V-Alpha, because the sole is quite protective. If you're out on open ground mostly, then they're fine. If you want more upper protection, tho, then the V-Trek is very similar but tougher. ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html
@@AndrewFolts I see, thank you
Thank you for the review. I was wondering about the versatility of the Alpha and you answered my questions. I own kso evo and vtrek insulated for winter season up here in Quebec. Will the 4 seasons I had to go back to my Altra for many winter runs so I have the re-adapt partially my body to vff on road. The V-run is rarely available in Canada 🥺 and I would go with the Alpha which seems to be a very versatile shoe so I could use it on light trail, asphalt, track, dirt road
Yea, the V-Alpha is fantastic for everything but cold/wet weather. Hopefully some day Vibram will crack that code. (:
Another great video Andrew! A couple of questions: Do these run true to size or do you need to size up? Also, how do you rate these for running on roads/sidewalks in comparison to the Lono Flow and the Freet Vibe?
I'd either go with your normal size or size down, since Vibram's feel great snug, due to the stretchy upper and separate toes. Vibram's are by far my favorite road shoes for durability, protection, ground feel, flexibility, lightness, width, and pretty much everything else. The one advantage of Lono and Freet is that they're much better than toe shoes for cold cold/wet conditions.
At 3:19 you said the v-trek has extra wide toe box, does that mean the v-alpha don't?
They're both about the same since the seperate toes :)
He's saying what category of his shoe database they fall under. As the toes are separated like with toe socks, there's no edge pushing your toes together for either.
If you're looking for wide barefoot shoes, I don't remember the channel, but there's a guy with the widest shoes video. In the comments he says the only reason the video is missing Realfoot is they weren't as known at the time of filming.
Dont you ever get knee pain from walking and running on concrete?
They both do, thanks to the separate toes. I mention this for the V-Alpha after the Mad Max sequence, ha. ua-cam.com/video/YXKwgWkkTZk/v-deo.htmlsi=JAk8uR1CfJu3gUhd&t=38
Never. With thin, flexible barefoot shoes you're able to sense and respond much quickly as soon as your foot makes first contact with the ground, so that your foot can roll smoothly and your knees can bend to distribute the shock gradually throughout your whole body. With cushion shoes you can't feel the ground and so they actually end up causing more wear and tear on your body. If you listen to someone in barefoot shoes they're virtually silent, while cushion runners go "CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP." Listen the next time you see people running and you'll see what I mean, ha.
Is it me, or does the V Alpha run quite small compared to other standard FF models?
It seemed similar to my V-Trek's in length. But maybe the toe shape is a little different, or something. That could affect things, depending on the shape of your toes.
Great review dude!
You got it, Adam. Thanks for watching!
Hi Andrew, thank you so much for all your videos ! Would you recommend this pair for long hikes (few days up to a few weeks) ?
Depends on the terrain. If there's lots of large loose rocks and/or brush that could tear the upper, then I'd go with the V-Trek, ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html which has a slightly more protective sole and upper. If it's a mix of firm and soft ground without too much chance of tearing the upper, then go with the V-Alpha-which are also better if the weather is super hot, since the thin upper is very breathable.
Thank you ! Truly appreciate.
I honestly think the worst part about these shoes is the upper material which should be slightly thicker IMO since they can just rip on you out of nowhere like they did for me but besides that which they should honestly fix 😅 These are the ultimate barefoot shoes
Yea, the V-Trek is a bit tougher, but I do like the thin Alpha upper for hot heather and faster runs. Maybe they could make a hybrid with the Trek upper and Alpha sole.
hey, what 5f shoes would you recommend for a wet and cold weather?
Hey Olivier, the best options would be the V-NEOP. It's basically like a wetsuit. Won't keep your feet dry, but does provide some warmth. That, no Vibram's are really practical for conditions much below 40º. Something like the Vivo Magna Lite WR SG ua-cam.com/video/p1Ufraxz7z8/v-deo.html would be a lot more water resistant.
@@AndrewFolts alright, thanks!
Been searching for other minimalist/barefoot shoes for technical scrambling that have Vibram Megagrip and all that I can find are these and the Softstar Primal RunAmoc's. Are there any other out there that you know of?
Softstar Switchback's also. bit.ly/45JCFYm Paisley Sandals have it also and I really want to try those this summer. www.barefootwear.org/paisley/the-hiker
How does the retro compare to the alpha? I am looking for a shoe that I can mostly use for running 3 - 4 times a week and occasional hiking and camping ect...
Do you mean the V-Run Retro? That's designed mostly for roads, whereas the V-Alpha has a more aggressive tread for trails. The V-Trek is my favorite due to being versatile for both. bit.ly/3uvrLss
Best barefoot reviewer
Aw thanks, Jacob! Appreciate you hanging out. (:
Man those are some nice looking 5 fingers shoes. I am trying to get me a pair but I just Wonder if they will fit my extremely wide feet 🦶 I have with very chubby fat wide toes that I have. But I will try because I love 5 fingers shoes.
The fabric is quite thin, so these would probably be the most roomy one's to try.
Any current code for Vivobarefoot?
FOLTSY20 for 20% is active right now. You can use FOLTSY10 any time of the year. (:
my good sir you must have 1000 pairs of shoes
Probably like 40 I think. It would be nice to give some away, but people are always asking me sizing/fit/comparison questions and I feel obliged to keep using them longterm to see how they wear out. Maybe I'll start a barefoot museum, ha.