Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I bought a new pair of VFF today.. the Jaya LR, in a size 39. I am worried about the fit. I have a pair of Sprints in size 40. I originally bought my Sprints in a 39 and they felt too tight, so I exchanged for 40. Because of the strap system, I was able to tighten them and get a good fit. When I tried the Jaya on in the store, the 40's felt too big, so I ordered a 39. (I ordered online to get the color I wanted) I know these need to fit a little tighter because they don't have a strap system to tighten or loosen, but I am not used to the tightness on my toes. On my left foot, which is larger, the toes feel tight, they are touching the end of the toe pockets. If I go down a size, I am afraid the shoe will slip of the heel on my smaller right foot.

So how do your VFF's fit? Have I just gotten used to a loose fitting Sprint? Do your toes smush the ends of the pockets? Will I get used to the tighter feeling? I am currently wearing them around the house with the tags still on. I am afraid to cut the tags and wear them outside.

UPDATE Thanks for all the feedback. My gut was telling me they were just plain too small but my impatient side didn't want to deal with returning/exchanging. I ended up going back to the store to try some different sizes, the larger Jaya slipped way to much on my heel and that style has no way to tighten it. They had Classics for $60. I bought them in the 40 and they feel great. Thanks again for the fitting tips. :)

edited Sep 9 2011 at 15:47

asked Sep 8 2011 at 18:59

Andrea S.
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Jeff · Answer 1 · 2011-09-08 19:18:17Z UTC

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I noticed that different styles fit differently too, and had to return one pair I order online.

answered Sep 8 2011 at 19:18

Jeff
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that's what I am afraid of. Returning stuff and waiting for replacement is a pain. I'm too impatient! Wish they had the color I want around town. – Andrea S. Sep 8 2011 at 20:34

No more. · Answer 2 · 2011-09-08 19:24:51Z UTC

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My 41's were perfect and then my feet got fatter from bare footing so now I should go up to a 42.

answered Sep 8 2011 at 19:24

No more.
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	they got fatter? like wider from spreading out? – Andrea S. Sep 8 2011 at 20:35
	My feet got bigger by a size or two, also, from the bones spreading out. I was originally a 38 and now I wear a 40. – Sara S. Feb 3 at 13:08

WyldKard · Answer 3 · 2011-09-08 19:21:42Z UTC

I have a similar problem with the Trek KSOs - the fit is a tad loose on one foot in a 42, but dropping to a 41 means they're too tight on the other foot. I just deal with it, and occasionally wear socks to make up the difference. I have the same problem on my Mocs, and have to pull the draw-string on one foot to keep it from falling off if I'm active, because there's no center strap.

My first pair of VFFs were black KSOs in size 42. This model/colour combination was known to run small, and is a perfect fit for me. All my other VFFs are 41s or 42s, but the black KSOs are about a half-size difference. Maybe Vibram will consider half-sizes in the future.

FED at LiveCaveman.com · Answer 4 · 2011-09-08 19:37:16Z UTC

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I have a pair of KSO Treks that I use with Iniji toe socks and a pair of Bikila's that I wear with no socks.

Both have a little space at the end of the toe pocket.

I have worked out/walked/run in both models and the only issue that I've noticed is some blistering on my toe pads after hard sprinting or jogging over 2-3 miles.

Other than that, I find them extremely comfortable and like that there is an adjustable strap.

answered Sep 8 2011 at 19:37

FED at LiveCaveman.com
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	see that's what I'm thinking the fit should be...a little space at the end. but if they fit like that they are too big on the heel. I am wondering if I would just adjust to the tighter fit, but its a risk because they were so expensive and if I wear them out and about to try to adjust and it doesnt work, they won't be returnable or exchangeable. – Andrea S. Sep 8 2011 at 20:37
	How are you putting them on? I always snug my heel into the heel pocket before snugging the strap. – FED at LiveCaveman.com Sep 8 2011 at 20:47
	that's how I put on my sprints... but the Jayas don't have any straps- like a classic that comes a little further up the foot, and no heel bungie. I've been wearing them around the house today.. think I'm gonna return them for classics. They just aren't comfortable at all. – Andrea S. Sep 9 2011 at 0:39
	I think that returning them for the more comfortable classics is a good idea ;) If they don't work right off the bat it's not going to get better over time. Vibrams don't "break in" like other shoes! – FED at LiveCaveman.com Sep 9 2011 at 18:01

vdh1979 · Answer 5 · 2011-09-08 19:38:49Z UTC

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My problem is my much longer second toe (index toe?). My VFFs make it uncomfortable for that toe!

answered Sep 8 2011 at 19:38

vdh1979
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yup, I have the same problem on my second AND third toes. I've got a nice callous on the tip of my third toe now. It burned like hell before it calloused over though. I've found they do loosen up after a few runs as well. – Pete Sep 8 2011 at 19:50

If you have Morton's Toe, you should consider sizing up. – WyldKard Sep 8 2011 at 19:59

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There's also a mod you can do involving a vice grip and flame (quite paleo) to stretch out the toes (of the shoes) that are too short for your feet, assuming everything else fits well: birthdayshoes.com/… – Casey Sep 8 2011 at 20:02

I didn't know it had a name (Morton's Toe). I guess I will size up. – vdh1979 Sep 8 2011 at 20:07

Casey · Answer 6 · 2011-09-08 20:00:57Z UTC

Most of my VFFs fit fine.

My first pair was women's size 41, which the salesman convinced me was 100% the same size as the men's size 41. I believed him. He might be right, but I believe a manufacturing defect rendered my right shoe a bit smaller. I used to think my right foot was freakishly larger, but subsequent purchases have shown me that it probably isn't. My toes hit the front of the pocket in the right shoe, and it's rather annoying. I also think it's too narrow, which lightly compresses my foot laterally and I think causes me some pain near the ball of my foot.

I've got other 41s (Bikilas, Komodos) that are a great fit, with room in the toes. No lateral compression, and these are the styles I use for running.

I've got a pair of 40s in classics, from which I removed the elastic band. They're a little tight in the front of the toes, so I wear them less frequently. But I wanted them a little tight since I removed the elastic, I had just a little too much room in the classic 41s.

I'm pretty sure that what I've said above is pretty much the exact opposite from Vibrams official size chart for the various models, but that's my experience with them.

Lynn · Answer 7 · 2011-09-08 20:36:07Z UTC

My 1st pair was sprints in a 37, I ended up with blisters on my ankle back so I quit wearing them. Then I bought the classic in 38 & they fit me great, next I bought 2 prs bikilas in 38. They too fit great although most toes do not touch the end of the pockets.

lil' Richard frm tx fan · Answer 8 · 2011-09-09 09:36:12Z UTC

Mine fit okay on length but a little tight on width towards the front but not on the heel. Although that's to be expected with my fat indian feet. With other shoes I frequently buy shoes as much as two sizes larger (and wider) as well in order to fit me well. I always get positive comments when I hike a popular trail in my vibrams, I also get a kick out of leaving footprints for the other runners brave enough to run in snow.

Rockgrrl · Answer 9 · 2011-09-09 10:26:58Z UTC

When I first got my sprints they pressed a lot on the tip of my apparently freakishly oversized pinky toes, the way it sounds like all of your toes hit the end of your snugger-fitting size. I was able to use the strap to keep my foot as far back as possible and eventually they broke in (or I did) and they didn't bother the pinkies anymore.

A couple of weeks ago I got a new pair of KSO treks (slightly smaller size per following the VFF size chart) and, same problem-- painful and bruised pinkies after my first frolic. I was worried that I had ordered too small but otherwise they seemed to fit so nicely. 3 or 4 outings later, though, and my pinkies are no longer in pain-- hiked and ran sprints in them yesterday no problems.

This says to me that if you go with the snugger fit, they can break in if you can tolerate a painful beginning.

Mohamed Dessouky · Answer 10 · 2013-02-03 08:24:49Z UTC

great to hear this i'm a short guy couldn't find 39 in men's KSOs so i bought women 39 they fit quite snugg i had two problems with them first overall i think my foor is a bit big or high i couldn't get into them with the strap open i had to take it off from it's place all together all my toes touch the end of their pockets but only my left pinky hurt because that's the larger foot i couldn't return them and get the larger size coz i don't live in the US and i bought them through a courier service that will cost twice as much to return them so i had to make do

i had my first run in them and my left pinky hurt but glad to hear that they will break in good to know i'd hate that i had lost almost 120 dollars on the shoes and shipping :(

How do your VFF’s fit?

10 Answers