Five Fingers- a great little present

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INfiniDIE
INfiniDIE
WA
478 posts
WA, 478 posts
27 Nov 2010 5:19am
I was thinking of hitting up that mystery bay spot in mandurah considering WA winds tomorrow being offshore most of the day and was worried about the crabs, but then I remembered my Vibram Five Fingers and now I can kite without a worry!

Just thought I'd share the word, they are a freaky little pair of shoes yet they are amazing and I use them for all kinds of things, surfing, rock climbing, cliff jumping, rock fishing, running, parkour etc...

There is now an Australian website for them, recently there was a counterfeit page with fraudulent offers available, this one is legit. This isn't shameless self promotion, just sharing the love.


barefootinc.com.au/
Bigwavedave
Bigwavedave
QLD
2057 posts
QLD, 2057 posts
27 Nov 2010 7:41am
I tried them and they are awesome. Better than surf booties from other brands.

I would un-ashamabley pimp the store that sold them if I knew one.

I had a friend who lent me some.

40 bucks on ebay from China

99 bucks from Sydney
Mr float
Mr float
NSW
3452 posts
NSW, 3452 posts
27 Nov 2010 9:07am
Bigwavedave said...

I tried them and they are awesome. Better than surf booties from other brands.




blatant pimping
Mr float
Mr float
NSW
3452 posts
NSW, 3452 posts
27 Nov 2010 9:08am
condoms for your feet " giving protection whilst still retaining incredible feel"

Seriously tho will they handle walking on a spikey coral reef?
INfiniDIE
INfiniDIE
WA
478 posts
WA, 478 posts
27 Nov 2010 7:03am
They have handled Granite, Limestone, Coral, Onyx and Hematite cliffs so I'd say yeah. Don't go to the stores to get them though, get them sized up there then buy them off ebay for $60 cheaper.

(I have cliff dived off Blackwall reach, walked over the mussels and rocks, then scaled the cliffs back to the top )
tatkins
tatkins
QLD
344 posts
QLD, 344 posts
27 Nov 2010 10:31am
$180.00 lot of money for foot condoms

Globe Trekker in Brisbane is about the same price as the web site.
dusta
dusta
WA
2940 posts
WA, 2940 posts
27 Nov 2010 8:45am
tatkins said...

$180.00 lot of money for foot condoms

Globe Trekker in Brisbane is about the same price as the web site.


i picked up some authentic ones from the silk markets in beijing for $5 AUD :)
Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
27 Nov 2010 12:08pm
I can't help thinking that these things are the new Power Balance.

They are outrageously expensive. They make all sorts of dodgey claims. You can't try them out anywhere. Certain parts of the design are all wrong for the claimed purpose (ie. a low ankle booties close snugly around the ankle to keep the sand and shells out and you can tuck the leg of the wettie in to avoid flushin.)

I would love to try them out but I can't help feeling I am being scammed.
default
default
WA
1255 posts
WA, 1255 posts
27 Nov 2010 9:16am
Do you also use them for base jumping? lol

Might also take this opportunity to remind you about forum etiquette regarding mentioning/advertising secret or semi secret spots on the net ie. Don't do it!!

Surely you can chat about your favorite pair of socks without all the prior details?
stabber
stabber
NSW
1114 posts
NSW, 1114 posts
27 Nov 2010 1:27pm
dusta said...

tatkins said...

$180.00 lot of money for foot condoms

Globe Trekker in Brisbane is about the same price as the web site.


i picked up some authentic ones from the silk markets in beijing for $5 AUD :)


should have bought 100!... where's ya entreprenurial spirit?
SlicerDicer
SlicerDicer
179 posts
179 posts
27 Nov 2010 11:04am
BE WARNED!! wear them fulltime you can never go back to another type of shoe without pain. I have been wearing these fulltime for a year now.

I love them and am going to get a few more. I want the treksport for kiting.
Mr float said...

condoms for your feet " giving protection whilst still retaining incredible feel"

Seriously tho will they handle walking on a spikey coral reef?

They are great on reef.. I fell off a SUP over the reef and plowed full speed into the reef with my heel.. hurt like hell in the jarring.. bruised my foot but had I been barefoot I would have needed stitches I bet.. maybe sharkbait

Gorgo said...

I can't help thinking that these things are the new Power Balance.

They are outrageously expensive. They make all sorts of dodgey claims. You can't try them out anywhere. Certain parts of the design are all wrong for the claimed purpose (ie. a low ankle booties close snugly around the ankle to keep the sand and shells out and you can tuck the leg of the wettie in to avoid flushin.)

I would love to try them out but I can't help feeling I am being scammed.


Well I have been wearing them for a year and I buy them directly from vibram. If you have any questions I will be glad to answer from a non biased point of view. Other than I refuse to wear anything but them now.





default
default
WA
1255 posts
WA, 1255 posts
27 Nov 2010 11:24am
SlicerDicer said...

BE WARNED!! wear them fulltime you can never go back to another type of shoe...I have been wearing these fulltime for a year now.


That's fantastic but I'm not sure I could get them past the bouncer down at the local...
Surfer62
Surfer62
1357 posts
1357 posts
27 Nov 2010 11:40am
$39 on ebay and free delivery, merry xmas
SlicerDicer
SlicerDicer
179 posts
179 posts
27 Nov 2010 12:01pm
Surfer62 said...

$39 on ebay and free delivery, merry xmas


there is counterfeit ones out there something fierce be careful :/ vibram soles last eternity fake ones do not

INfiniDIE
INfiniDIE
WA
478 posts
WA, 478 posts
27 Nov 2010 1:19pm
Hehehe. I dont think anyone realllllly noticed that besides you Default, And no, I go BASE jumping barefoot.
Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
27 Nov 2010 4:22pm
SlicerDicer said...
..... If you have any questions I will be glad to answer from a non biased point of view. Other than I refuse to wear anything but them now.
....


Which model do you wear for kiteboarding? I want something that comes up to at least the top of my foot and does not let sand and shells get in.

They say on the web site they need to fit properly. How do you choose your size? By measurement I am a size 10 but I wear US size 12. My left foot is a half size smaller than my right (most people have odd sized feet.) Your photo looks like there is a lot of slack in the heel.

Can you exchange if the size is not right?

My experience of split toe booties is that the toe seams give out with the pushing and pulling exerted by the foot straps and my foot getting rammed into the toes. How to the 5-fingers stand up to the strain? Similarly once my foot gets pushed down suction keeps the heel bagged up (similar to your photo).

I am guessing you have had no warranty claims. Is that right? Do you have a feel for the service they offer? (I have bought stuff on ebay and they send new things without wanting the old stuff sent back.)
sirstomp
sirstomp
VIC
98 posts
VIC, 98 posts
27 Nov 2010 5:45pm
Obviously none of you guys work in construction, or do these things come out in a steel toe version?

INfiniDIE
INfiniDIE
WA
478 posts
WA, 478 posts
27 Nov 2010 3:05pm
They're not designed for that purpose Sir. I work in Public Service yet wear Steel Toed Blundstones...

I Imagine you could go into one of the stores listed as a supplier on the website, go into said store, feign genuine interest in the shoes, get them sized up, say you're going to get the funds from an ATM then go buy the same size on eBay...
I don't fit perfectly into my pair, but they are that comfortable that it really doesnt matter.
BennyB12
BennyB12
QLD
918 posts
QLD, 918 posts
27 Nov 2010 10:37pm
they look creepy...
TurtleHunter
TurtleHunter
WA
1675 posts
WA, 1675 posts
28 Nov 2010 11:57am
Sounds like a great product for a shop to stock. Lucky people don't do the same with kite gear or we wouldn't have any shops
the gibbo
the gibbo
WA
776 posts
WA, 776 posts
28 Nov 2010 1:10pm
can you buy these anywhere around the exmouth area, ha, ha

hey turtle hope things all good up your way in paradise
myusernam
myusernam
QLD
6158 posts
QLD, 6158 posts
30 Nov 2010 3:35pm
hey slicer dicer which model do you use? I am thinking of getting the KSO

Has anyone bought them from ebay in china?
Are they genuine?
dusta
dusta
WA
2940 posts
WA, 2940 posts
30 Nov 2010 2:01pm
myusernam said...

hey slicer dicer which model do you use? I am thinking of getting the KSO

Has anyone bought them from ebay in china?
Are they genuine?


everything comes from china, what makes you think it's not genuine
INfiniDIE
INfiniDIE
WA
478 posts
WA, 478 posts
30 Nov 2010 11:59pm
This are actually made and designed in Italy (the five fingers name is called so because in italian the word for fingers is the same as toes).
China did actually have a faux site that routed funds through the Agricultural Bank of China for the shoes.
You can purchase them for around $90+ postage from Newcastle on eBay. I have the KSO and they're still going strong.
If anyone in WA would like to see them or see how they work PM me and ill show ya at pinnas or Citys.
TurtleHunter
TurtleHunter
WA
1675 posts
WA, 1675 posts
1 Dec 2010 12:05am
the gibbo said...

can you buy these anywhere around the exmouth area, ha, ha

hey turtle hope things all good up your way in paradise

Nah maybe give it 10 years and we might see them. Who wears booties any way. A bit of concrete and peroxide is all you need.

Edgeguts
Edgeguts
WA
69 posts
WA, 69 posts
1 Dec 2010 5:04pm
the crabs are harmless in the estuary, you should try dealing with a cobbler sting on your ass crack! now that doesnt tickle
colinwill78
colinwill78
VIC
1395 posts
VIC, 1395 posts
1 Dec 2010 9:33pm
i got el cheapo booties, they aren't comfy but they protect my feet.
be fked if I'm paying more than $15 for that.
myusernam
myusernam
QLD
6158 posts
QLD, 6158 posts
1 Dec 2010 8:41pm
looked into it and apparently almost every five fingers you can get on line are copies. no idea if they are as good as the genuine ones but they dont allow anyone to sell online. even the $99 ones from sydney are fake. unless the retailer is listed on the website as a distributor (and they only sell them in shops not on line) then they are fakes.

If you are keen for fakes then you may as well get the cheapest ones form china rather than pay twice the price for fakes from australia.
zenithtrips
zenithtrips
3 posts
3 posts
2 Dec 2010 4:44am
We've been using them for the last three months kiting off the catamaran on Caribbean reefs and they're great. Don't be put off when you first try them on - it took me hours the first time - but the next day I got the hang of it in minutes. Highly recommended.
Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
11 Dec 2010 8:32am
The KSO are poor surf shoes if you have to walk across a sandy beach or through a shore break.

They don't seal snugly around your ankle and sand splashes into them. The heel cups around your foot so you can't easily rinse the sand out.

The soles are fairly thick and stiff with articulation points under your toes. I can feel a bit of an edge under my big toe joint where the flex point merges into the harder part under the ball of the foot. It's not uncomfortable, just noticable.

The stability on the foot is pretty good and grip is fine (so far. I have only kited in them on a strapped twint tip)

Because of the sand splashing I would rate them 3-4 out of 10 (being generous) as a surfshoe. I rank my Neil Pryde low ankle booties an 8.

The Flow look like a better model for surfing. Even those ones look a bit dodgey. You really need a little height in the ankle and a draw string bungy to close them snug around your ankle.

Like these


vs

Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
11 Dec 2010 6:02pm
Bump. Curious to get a response from the five fingers fans.
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