My wife is so cool. She gave me the KSO Five Fingers by Vibram for Christmas. In Florida many paddlers use flip flops, or water clogs. Unfortunately those things never stay on my feet. I have even used neoprene boots. And neoprene holds a smell…
I was so surprised to find a set of KSO under the tree. She must have measured my feet while I slept. For they fit. I have warn them paddling several times since Christmas.
The thin abrasion-resistant stretch polyamide and breathable stretch mesh wraps my entire forefoot. And it successfully “Keeps Stuff Out.” So far the single hook-and-loop closure has prevented the shoes from falling off in the muck. And the secure fit is not putting pressure on my Achilles tendon.
I have also tested the non-marking Vibram TC1 performance rubber soles to see how sure of a grip they have on our slippery boat launches. So far I have not slipped.
I am very impressed by these shoes. And I thank the staff at Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure for helping my wife with this purchase. It is weird to have material between my toes. But they fit great, have not slipped off, and my feet have not stunk after wearing them for several days of kayaking. And my paddling buddies are very happy about that.
Filed under: Kayak Gear | Tagged: Bill Jacksons, Five Fingers by Vibram, KSO
Very interesting to read your experiences!! Would appreciate your comments as a user on this article that I wrote about Vibrams FiveFingers. As you know, not many people have experience with them, so your comments would be very helpful! I would also be willing to exchange links if that would be of interest to you.
http://www.squidoo.com/Vibram-FiveFingers
Hi G. Sol,
Within the last year every time I go paddling I have meet a new owner of the Vibram FiveFingers. This could be due to the warm waters in Tampa Bay Florida. People can paddle almost all year long with simple foot protection. I was very hesitant in getting a pair of KSO because I thought they would be difficult to put on, or they would be too tight, but they are not like that. Actually my pair of KSO is easer to wear than any of my previous foot wear. A few times I have forgotten that I was wearing them. I love the barefoot feeling. I am even thinking of wearing them into my office Monday.
I did wear them to work. LOL
It is now late February in Florida and I only have two negative observations about my Vibram KSO shoes. After a long day of paddling in winds gusting up to 20 knots I have noticed significant pressure on my feet where they touch the foot pegs. To remedy the pressure I have added padding to my foot pegs. I also have difficulty putting damp KOS shoes on when my feet are cold.
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