Speed XC Shoe - Men's Black/Yellow 43 by Vibram FiveFingers

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Speed XC Shoe - Men's Black/Yellow 43 by Vibram FiveFingers Review

Being the first of the VFFs to be un-insulated and water resistant (the Lontras are insulated) and considering how much I've asked for Gore Tex (or similar) from Vibram, I felt obligated to buy a pair.

First, they're really stiff with the treated fabric layers they use and the Trek sole.

Next, there's a seam before the toes that is met by another central seam. This creates a rise or ridge under the bend of your toes. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but when you first put them on you notice. On the two middle toes of my left foot it creates a slightly smaller opening to the toe pockets than the pockets' width further in.

Most importantly, the Speed XC is definitely sized small. I tried a 41, which I've only ever purchased VFFs in and the Speed XC was extremely tight and was obviously never going to stretch out. The pinkie toe pocket, in particular, was a no-go. The whole length of the foot felt constricted. With the 42 that arrived, the pinkie toe pocket is as small as it could comfortably get with this level of curl to the toes. There's available length in that pocket, but my little toe would have to bend up instead of down. My big toes have a little room at the end that is essential to bend them upwards without the capacity of the shoe to stretch, and my middle toes have the most length available. All my toes fit in fine and don't slip out on their own.

Most VFFs have the capacity to stretch, both the sole and the upper, and with the variation in size within a stated size that I've found with VFFs, it's usually not that big a deal. The larger ones I use with toe socks. The smaller ones I use without and they fit snug but not uncomfortable, eventually the shoe stretches to conform to my foot. Those initially tighter ones end up being my favorites later. The Speed XC is just not a shoe you can do that with. This 42 pair fits like the larger of one of my 41 KSOs. I spent an hour once trying on VFFs at REI in every mens model they had from 40 to 42, and 41 was the right size in all of them. My feet are 10.25" long, Vibram recommends a 40 for me, and again, I only ever buy 41. Until now. The new styles are changing the sizing.

I have a pair of Lontras, as well, and they are borderline at 41. They're a bit snug with toe socks, but are fine without them. They are not any more stretchy from the perspective of the outside upper and the sole than the Speed XC (they too use the Trek sole and water resistant treated fabric layers), but the accounted-for (in the sizing, that is) extra insulation allows some margin for conformity. Possibly I should have sized up on those, too, but I've worn them around and cannot return them. They are not as undersized as the 41 Speed XC was, though. Lontra might be half the difference, and the insulation gives that aforementioned range, even if by-design and considering the reduction in warmth compressing the insulation you should probably not be intending that.

Time will tell concerning the durability of the shoe, but it seems well constructed so far. I'll give it an average rating and increase it later as it wears. I am thrilled Vibram has introduced these two models and I'm glad I bought them in spite of their quirks.

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