OR: VFF Spyridon MR trail shoes - Kurt Papke

Please accept my OR for editing.  It is located here:


http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/VFF%20Spyridons%20-%20Kurt


or: http://tinyurl.com/ptnfcr3


Text below:


Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon MR Trail Running Shoes
 Owner Review by Kurt Papke
January 21, 2015
 Tester Information  Name: Kurt Papke  Age: 61
  Gender: Male  Height: 6' 4" (193 cm)  Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)  Email
address: kwpapke at gmail dot com  City, State, Country: Tucson, Arizona USA
My backpacking venues have included a combination of Minnesota hikes where
I have lived most of my adult life, and Arizona trails where I moved to
take a new job about five years ago.  I have always been a "comfort-weight"
backpacker, never counting grams, but still keeping my pack as light as
easily attained.  Since moving to Arizona, I have transitioned to running
and hiking in minimalist style shoes.
------------------------------
Product Information




  *Manufacturer*
 Vibram
  *Model*
 FiveFingers Spyridon MR
  *Year of manufacture*
 2014
  *MSRP*
 US $120
  *Manufacturer website*
 http://www.vibramfivefingers.com
  *Color*
 Grey/Orange
Also available: Black/Grey
  *Weight*


*s (one shoe only) * Listed: 5.64 oz (160 g) for men's size 43
Measured weight:  8.0 oz (227 g) for men's size 45
  *Material*s
 Uppers: Polyester
Insole: 3mm Polyurethane + Antimicrobial Drilex sock liner
Sole: 4mm MEGAGRIP + 3D Cocoon technology (Vibram proprietary)
Manufacturer's listed features include:


   - Speed laces (no need to tie)
   - 360 degree lug pattern
   - Zero drop from heel to toe (important for minimalist shoe wearers)


I bought the shoes on the recommendation of the sales person at REI - she
recommended them as having the best protection for Arizona trail conditions.


This was my third purchase of Vibram FiveFingers shoes.  The first two were
both running shoes, and I had been very satisfied with their performance.
 Test Conditions *Some pictures of the Vibram Spyridon MR shoes on the
trail*
















*Date *
*Location *
*Trail *


*Distance *
*Terrain/ trail type *
*Weather *
*Altitude range *  April 5-6, 2014 Santa Catalina Mtns, near Tucson,
Arizona Romero
Canyon
 10 mi
(16 km) Mountain canyons Sunny, 38-68 F
(3-20 C) 2600-4800 ft
(790-1460 m) August 9-10, 2014
 Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona
 Samaniego Ridge 7 miles
(11.3 km) Mountain ridgelines
 55-75 F
(13-24 C)
Sunny, dry 7700-9100 ft
(2350-2770 m)  August 16-17, 2014
 Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona Romero Canyon 10 miles
(16 km) Mountain canyons
 65-95 F
(18-35 C)
Humid, overnight rainstorms 2600-4020 ft
(790-1225 m)
  August 24, 2014
 Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, Arizona Ramsey Canyon 5 miles
(8 km) Mountain canyons
 72-75 F
(22-24 F) 5500-6300 ft
(1680-1920 m)  October 12, 2014


 Saguaro National Park, Tucson Arizona Sweetwater 7 miles
(11.3 km) Mountain ridgelines
 Sunny, 85 F
(29 C) 2800-3800 ft
(850-1160 m)  October 16-19, 2014
 Gila Wilderness, near Glenwood New Mexico San Francisco Hot Spring and Box
Canyon 12 miles
(19 km) Tree-covered mountain trails + water-filled canyons
 Mixed rain showers and sun, 32-75 F
(0-24 C) 4600-7200 ft
(1400-2200 m)  November 13-14, 2014
 Coronado National Forest near Tucson Arizona Romero Canyon 12 miles
(19 km)
 Mountain canyons
 Sunny, 40-75 F
(4-24 C) 2800-4500 ft
(790-1370 m)
This is a total of 63 miles (101 km).
Outcomes and Experiences on the Trail


I really liked wearing these shoes on the trail.  Though it took me several
years to adapt to minimalist shoes, 18 months for running and about an
equivalent period for hiking, once I made it through the transition they
are great.  The FiveFinger shoes have prevented me from ever getting a
blister on the trail, even though I am prone to nasty foot blisters.  The
soles have phenomenal traction - felt like I could walk up boulders with
impunity.


As can be seen in several of the above photos, I normally wore them with
very lightweight gaiters.  The FiveFingers are quite low on the ankle, and
Arizona trails are nothing but sand, gravel and rocks, many of which would
end up in the shoes if I did not wear gaiters.


*The bad news:* on the Gila trip I began to notice I was ending up with a
lot of sand in my shoes.  On the  Romero Canyon hike the approach/exit
trail section is about a mile of fine sand, and on my last hike there when
I returned to my car I noticed my shoes were filled with sand.  Upon
inspection I found several very large holes between the big and second toes
as can be seen in the photo at left.  The holes were in the identical place
on both the left and right shoes.


My thinking is that the holes are caused by the substantial sewing seam
between the fabric between the toes and the soles that is somewhat visible
through the hole.


I was totally disheartened by this.  I *really* liked these shoes, but this
is a fundamental design flaw, and I simply cannot afford to replace shoes
every 63 miles (101 km).


While I was taking the pictures for this report I spotted a second failure
while photographing the soles.  As can be seen in the photo at right,
several of the traction lugs are separating from the soles.  The fibers
visible in the photo must be what the manufacturer calls their 3D Cocoon
technology, molded in to attempt to keep the soles from breaking apart
under stress.


Though the soles were still functional, clearly they would continue to
break down if I proceeded to hike with them.  This is really disappointing
from the manufacturer that is vaunted to make some of the best shoe soles
on the planet.


Summary Good Things


   - Great trail feel
   - Superb traction on rocks and boulders
   - Never a blister


Areas for potential improvement


   - Durability of the fabric between the toes
   - Durability of the soles


Unfortunately, these are going in the garbage even though there is life
left in the soles.  I can't see how I can easily mend the fabric in a
fashion that I could have any confidence that it would be reliable.  I am
unwilling to hike in the backcountry of Arizona with shoes that have such
substantial holes in them so close to the ground.