By Mary Webb
Vibram’s Spyridon LS shoe can go the distance. This is Vibram’s first trail running-specific design and they did a superb job incorporating extreme comfort with all-day durability. The Spyridon LS Fivefinger design gives plenty of good reason to book a weekend excursion to Utah, hoping rocky trails and running your heart out in clean-open air.
XS Trek Vibram rubber outsole allowed me to jump like a sure-footed lioness along stony trails. At 3.5 mm of rubber, the rugged-traction design made it possible to climb the rocks like a naturalist, without feeling the harder edge of stones on my feet. I felt as though I was walking barefoot; but, thanks to the rubber outsole, there was no pain of sharp rocks digging into the ball of my foot, as one would experience with the naked foot.
Bulldozing my way down the dirt-lined trails of McCloud, California, I was relieved that the rubber outsoles wrap up the tip-top of my toes, allowing full extension of my steps through debris and rubble. My toes did not feel bunched up in the shoe, even on steep, downhill descents.
The durable, treaded outsoles are all the rave of the shoe, but another important Fivefinger element is the breathable fabric on the upper. Coconut Active Carbon is a natural, fibrous material that offers an air-like characteristic, providing comfort on long-day excursions through mountainous terrain. Slightly meshed around the sides, moisture inside the shoe was able to evaporate more effectively.
This fibrous fabric on the upper is one reason the Spyridon are so easy to dry. They are also simple to clean as well. One day I hosed them off a couple times after muddy trails and let them dry outside in the sun. On another occasion, I washed them in the washing machine and they did nicely. I like the quick drying aspects, especially when I hose them off. There are many times I like to slip them on after a hike to walk my Maltese around the neighborhood after dinner.
I’m thankful for the Anti-Microbial Dri-Lex sockliner in the insole. My feet can get pretty sweaty and wet while I’m running and I’m glad there is some protection against odor. Another important feature inside the shoe is the 3mm Polyurethane insole, providing comfort and shock absorbency, imparting support to my posture with better foot positioning.
Molded into Spyridon’s midsole is a nylon mesh. Shown in the diagram below, this mesh acts like a “rock block” and will disperse impact over a wider area of the outsole.
Easy to pull on the Spyridon with sewn-in loops at the back. The loops helped me use my finger to get the Fivefinger up and over my heel.
There is no slipping out of the Spyridon when picking up speed along the river trail. An adjustable hook and loop closure, working with tie up laces, seal my foot and the tongue of the shoe firmly in place.
I took the Spyridon out on northern trails that are shared by mountain bike enthusiasts as well as runners. As the sun thought about disappearing for the night, the 3M reflective applications were a great safety feature to me, alerting cyclists of my comings and goings. Reflective details are primarily located on sides and back of shoe.
The rock-like texture motifs and contrasting stripes at the front of the shoe are fun. I felt like quite the trekker out amidst open-air runs.
It is so nice to take a break from the normal tennis and cross-training shoe and wear a shoe that makes you feel like you are wearing nothing at all. Viewing nature in a natural way is what it’s all about for me on the weekends, and the Spyridon LS Fivefinger shoe by Vibram helps me accomplish this.
Specifications
Weight: Women’s size 38 – 5.11oz. each, 10.22oz./pair
Machine washable. Air dry.
Cost: MSRP $120.00
Color Ways:
- Military Green/Grey/Black
- Orange/Grey
