Let the Vibram Five Finger KSO Trainer shoes keep your feet strong and stop you from heel striking when you run.
Turns out that the old advice on running shoes isn’t true: the more cushioning, the better and safer you will run. According to new reports, this is far from true. Now, runners are advised to run in more barefoot-feeling footwear because the thin sole sends form-correcting signals through the feet, prompting you to land on your forefoot, not your heel when you run.
But, what’s more comfortable than a running shoe that feels like you aren’t wearing anything on your feet when you run? One of the most popular barefoot-like minimalist shoes is the Vibram KSO is perfect for forefoot running because it is as close to feeling barefoot. These shoes have less padding than the KSO EVO, keeping your feet more engaged with the ground.
Vibram Five Finger KSO Trainer Review for Forefoot Running
The FiveFingers KSO has a 3.5 mm rubber outsole that provides an ocean of sensory feedback for enhanced foot strike monitoring during running.
The KSO is also extremely durable because of its abrasion-resistant polyamide upper. I’m also a big fan of the Velcro closure which helps the shoe mold to your foot. Not to mention the KSO was voted the most popular for its versatility.
Other notable features of these shoes:
- Non-marking 3.5mm outsole
- Grippy on wet and dry surfaces
- Prevents back pain
- Reduces knee and hip pain
- Great for strengthening ankles
- Forces the body to use its own support
- Toes gain better range of motion because they are able to spread out and flex
- Even though they lack padding, they still feel cushy enough on any terrain
- Great for building calf strength
- Can be worn with or without socks
- Highly durable. Shoe will hold up for years
- Machine washable
The Vibram KSO can be used for:
- Walking
- Hiking
- Cross-Fit
- High intensity training
- Kickboxing
- Karate
- Casual wear
- Obstacle courses
- Golfing
The KSO provides greater stability than most minimalist shoes because they are tremendously barefoot-like and they train your toes to spread, aiding in better balance.
- The ultra thin sole also unlocks the full potential of the foot’s innate proprioception, therefore optimizing dynamic balance.
The KSO have zero cushioning and arch support that ordinarily interfere with our foot’s function. With that said, you’ll develop stronger feet in the KSO which decreases the likelihood of an injury.
Here’s a more in-depth review of the KSO in my YouTube video:
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Bretta Riches
BSc Neurobiology; MSc Biomechanics candidate, ultra minimalist runner & founder of RunForefoot. I was a heel striker, always injured. I was inspired by the great Tirunesh Dibaba to try forefoot running. Now, I'm injury free. This is why I launched Run Forefoot, to advocate the health & performance benefits of forefoot running and to raise awareness on the dangers of heel striking, because the world needs to know.
Very interesting. First time I’ve heard of this and I thank you. I’d like to learn more. I’ve only been running for 5 years, my feet and especially my heels hurt very often. Also, I experience hip soreness on longer runs. Actually just finished my first marathon and am hoping to better my running technique. Thank you