The Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon MR Elite is a high-performance, trail-specific barefoot shoe that is super thin, yet aggressively grippy, allowing you to navigate stably over any terrain, even in soggy conditions. 
The Vibram Spyridon MR Elite is armed to handle obstacle course races, mud races and endurance trail runs in all-weather conditions, and is the reason Vibram is now THE official footwear sponsor of the Warrior Dash.
The Spyridon MR Elite is a hybrid of the Vibram Sypridon LS and the Vibram KomodoSport (which are also built for endurance trail running). Essentially, the Spyridon MR Elite is the KomodoSport on steroids, with having more tread, a more protective upper and fits higher up the ankle to ensure debris stays out!
The Spyridon MR Elite has better rock protection than the Vibram KSO and Vibram Trek. Because of its durable, protective upper, the Spyridon MR Elite breathes less than the Vibram KSO, so the MR Elite is a better choice for cooler running.
Aside from running, the MR Elite is the perfect hiking minimalist shoe, and they especially handle well in slightly wet conditions thanks to the water-resistant upper, keeps your feet dry. The upper also features a velcro cuff that keeps mud out!
The MR Elite may look clunky and heavy, its not! Like all Vibram shoes, the MR Elite is a true minimalist shoe that’ll give the results you want in improving your forefoot running form while revitalizing your foot strength. Here’s how:
Sole Specifications
The Spyridon MR Elite sits on a zero-drop, 2-mm EVA insole plus a 5-mm thin rubber outsole that grips well on wet rocky surfaces and wet grass.
The sole employs lugs made of enhanced rubber that are well dispersed from heel to toe, and delivers a grippy, yet smooth ride on everything!
Despite the full-coverage traction lugs and extra underfoot cushioning, the sole provides excellent flexibility for enhanced ground adaptation, so you don’t lose control of your power steering. The sole also delivers enough ground-feel to make it super easy for you to connect properly on your forefoot when you run!
Upper Specifications
The water-resistent upper is what makes the shoe so reliable in wet, sloppy weather. The instep brace also locks the foot securely in place when the shoe is wet, so you don’t have to worry about in-shoe slipping or sliding.
All in all, the upper is like a exoskeleton, armed with extra strength and structure for extra rock protection and stronger durability, but even with all the added structure, the upper still has ample flexibility to allow the shoe to move whichever way your foot wants to go.
The segmented toes and stretchy forefoot are one of the best features of the shoe because it gives a fully adaptable fit that not only accommodates a wider foot shape, but allows the toes to do their part in spreading, flexing and bending for helping you stay more balanced on uneven grounds.
Also, the MR Elite fits even more securely when paired with toe socks, however the inside lining is super comfy, so you can wear them without socks, too!
Final Thoughts
According to hardcore obstacle course racers, the Vibram Five Fingers Spyridon MR Elite works as expected thanks to having rock solid structural durability, more coverage of protection and improved traction while maintaining Vibram’s popular barefoot features!
But the MR Elites just aren’t for extreme trail adventurers, they’re super fun to wear for relaxing backyard country walks, wintery strolls along the city streets or for just plain every day use!
Bottom line, like all minimalist shoes, the Vibram Spyridon MR Elite is a shoe for everyone because it allows clinically meaningful improvements in functional movement and foot strength.
If you’re interested in the Spyridon MR Elite, you can get there here!
If you’d like, you can support Run Forefoot and help keep it going by making a donation in any amount of your choosing:
Or, you can also support Run Forefoot by shopping at the following top minimalist shoes brands, and be sure to bookmark the links:
Be Lenka: https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-7600968-14330828
FeelGrounds: https://www.feelgrounds.com/?p=RunForefoot
Xero Shoes: https://xeroshoes.com/go/Run_Forefoot
Iguaneye: https://www.iguaneye.com/?ref=8tfXVc92
Soft Star Shoes: https://shrsl.com/3mp1b
Wilding Shoes: https://bit.ly/3lIygQP
Earth Runners: https://earthrunners.com/?rfsn=6763579.f7f9c9
Vivobarefoot: https://shrsl.com/3kvih
Zappos: https://goo.gl/J1CeAd
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.
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