A month ago my dad sent me a link to Kigo Footwear and suggested I try their shoes as a great Vibram Five Fingers
On weight, the Kigo’s are very comfortable and light, they weigh less than my Five Finger KSO
On durability, the Kigo stitching and glue seems to be holding together much better than any Five Fingers I have owned. I tend to put my footwear through water, mud, rocks, long term unwashed conditions etc…
On traction, both the Kigo’s and the Five Fingers have about the same amount of traction (or lack thereof). I experienced some very slippery trails while testing. They held up great on rocks and dry areas, but I was skiing on the mud. Like any shoe without tread, it is all about how you approach the trail. We have come to expect the shoe to grip for us, but a slight adjustment in form and footwork makes all of the difference.
On keeping stuff out, the Kigo’s do an excellent job of keeping sand and rocks out. The shoe forms to your foot and does not leave much space for debris to get in.
I really recommend these over the Five Fingers in cold weather. I wore them for 28 hours while volunteering for the Rocky Raccoon 50-100 miler a few weeks ago. Because my toes were together, they stayed much warmer than in Five Fingers. The cloth is also a bit thicker and provides more insulation.
At $49.99, the price is right for a minimalist shoe. They are also made from recycled and eco-friendly materials and come in a recycled box. For more information, or to purchase a pair of these awesome shoes, check out the website at www.kigofootwear.com.
For those in Austin, I will also have a few pairs to look at during the REI Natural Running & Minimalist Footwear Clinic on March 29th.
