I’ve mentioned it before but I’ll say it again – when I first saw Vibrams I thought they looked ridiculous. I actually laughed when my friend told me how much he had paid for his.
Shame on me for being so quick to judge.
Fast forward a couple years. Then last summer when I was working in Las Vegas, Nevada, I was reading Christopher McDougall’s book – Born to Run (which I highly recommend). Not only is it a surprisingly entertaining and informative book. But he also makes a solid case for minimalist shoes which led me to research them online. I learned about how to make the transition from traditional shoes to minimalist shoes and then decided what the heck, I’ll buy a pair. Luckily, Vibram had recently come out with the Spyridon LS which is designed for trail running.
So, I spent the next couple weeks preparing my feet to make the switch.
Then on the weekend I was heading to Zion National Park, I woke up early to stop at the mall and grab a pair of the Spyridon LS.
A few hours later, I was hiking up Angel’s Landing with my new Vibrams on.
Spyridon LS Review
Specs
Upper: Stretch Mesh and Polyamide
Sole: XSTrek Vibram Rubber
Footbed: 3mm Polyurethane Insole Anti-Microbial Dri-Lex Sockliner
Machine wash.
Air dry.
Manufacturer’s Weight: Men’s size 44 – 6.88oz. each, 13.76oz/pair
I wear a 46, so they’re probably a little over 14oz.
Even worn out, these things have awesome traction.
Pros:
- Very Comfortable – the neoprene hugs my feet.
- Traction – These babies grip rocks, roots, and grass amazingly well.
- Durable – They’ve held up after over a year of hiking and a little trail running.
- Foot Protection – Reliable protection from rocks especially on the instep.
Cons:
- Abrasion Resistance – A thin layer of rubber should come up between the toes so they don’t develop holes in the material from rubbing together.
- Less Minimal – There’s a loss of that minimalist feeling.
- Less Air – Noticeably less breathable than other Vibrams.
- Debris – Could use a better tongue and upper to protect against pebbles and debris entering the shoe.
I’ve avoided walking or jogging on concrete since I bought these specifically for trail use. So, the tread has lasted really well. Like I mentioned, I’ve had these for over a year and I’ve hiked hundreds of miles.
They’re comfortable shoes to wear but you lose a lot of the minimalist feel you get with other models like the Seeya.
The tongue is kind of silly for a trail shoe, it’s too big and thick. Pebbles and debris sometimes sneak into my shoes, mostly from the sides around my ankles. However, this could be because I don’t like to tighten the laces too much because the shoes are already really snug on my feet.
I’ve found that even on steep trails, rocks and wet surfaces they maintain a solid grip. They work well crossing rivers and streams and tend to dry fairly quick.
Odor builds up more in this pair than my other Vibrams too. It’s not a big problem but you’ll want to wash them regularly.
I’ve really enjoyed my Spyridons. If you want a solid, minimalist trail shoe give these a serious look.
My Spyridon’s have taken me on trails all over America and Korea. The photo above is from my hike up Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Do you wear Vibrams or minimalist shoes? Let us know what you think by commenting below.