VibramMen's El-x Fitness Shoes

Ok so I have to say that the fit and feel of theses shoes is absolutely amazing, they are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. In fact once you have worn them you don’t actually want to put your “normal” shoes back on.Having said that they are an unconventional looking shoe so you are pretty limited to where you can use them without people thinking you are an oddball.Personally I use theses for walking and jogging in the country side on grass paths. They are perfectly suited to this terrain and on it are the most comfortable shoes you will ever wear. They protect your feed really well and even in pretty muddy conditions they do a good job of keeping your feet clean. You do need to wash them after they have got wet, but a bit of soap and warm water is all that’s needed.On the downside they are quite thin soled so any form of uneven rocky surface can be unpleasant to walk on. Also if it’s very hard and uneven underfoot then they are pretty rubbish.In short if you are wanting something for countryside grassy/muddy walked with few rocky areas theses are perfect. When the ones I have are finished I’ll be ordering another pair without a doubt.

I’m a size 11 so ordered the relevant size. However, i was sent size 11.5 - 12.5 which were too big. Try as I might, I just couldn’t get my little toe into it’s space. The size on the box also doesn’t tie up with the sizing chart on the Amazon website.I sent them back and got a size smaller which fit ok. However, they can be areal bind to get on correctly with toes going where they shouldn’t. Once day, it took me 10 minutes to get them on properly.They seem well made but I’ve only used them for a week whilst I was on holiday last month so an’t speak to long term durability. The reason I got them was to save space and weight in my suitcase for training whilst on holiday. Nice that they’re machine washable as I don’t wear socks with them, but I have to say they didn’t get overly smelly. I wore them whilst skipping, indoor rowing and weight training and they did their job admirably. The only negatives I’ve found so far are the incorrect sizing chart and the fact It’s really tedious to get them on properly.

I've been a fan of vibram 5fingers for a while having used a pair of "sprints" the last few years. These are a return to the orginal goals, a very minimal shoe, thin (but very grippy sole) and no complications. If you get a size that fits (and getting that right is the trickiest bit) then these are snug, comfortable and ideal for daily use (being black they draw less attention) or for gym workouts.If you are using barefoot style shoes for the first time they do take a while to get used to. Your feet will feel tender after walking in them for any length of time but they will get used to it. Just don't get a new pair, throw them on then try and run a half marathon as your feet and body need to adjust to the shoe and if you don't give them time you will end up in a lot of pain.

I've worn my El-X for about a year now. The design of the shoe is almost more like a sock. There's some very thin elastic fabric along the top of the shoe and an extremely flexible and thin rubber sole on the bottom. That's it.The sole separated from the upper along the sides of the shoe relatively quickly, but the damage hasn't gone any further than that with continued use. It's not the most durable shoe in the world, but it has lasted well considering its inherently fragile design, and I wear them every day.Having worn mine exclusively with no socks, I can confirm that they do indeed get pretty stinky. I'm not particularly fussy with the smell, but they're machine washable so a once a week cold wash does keep the smell at bay and my loved ones happier to be around me.I'm a size 7, brought a size 7, and they fit absolutely perfectly. They are in no way shape or form water-proof, but they will dry almost as quick as your feet after you've taken them off. This is definitely not a winter shoe - your feet will freeze.This was my first pair of Vibrams. Overall, I'm extremely happy with them. Wearing these is as close to being barefoot as it's possible to get whilst still having the protection (well, a little bit) of a shoe. They're not suitable for every activity, though there are more specialised designs of Vibrams to fulfil those needs, but for everyday use walking around towns and villages, and low impact activity at the gym they've been great.I wouldn't recommend them without warning you that transitioning from a regular shoe to a pair of these, particularly the El-X (because they are so minimal), can be a bit jarring at first for your feet and calves, particularly whilst running. Take it slow and steady and if you experience any pain or discomfort then rest and allow yourself to heal before trying again. It's worth it though if you want to be strong from the ground up and a much better, more conscientious mover.I'm now a full Vibrams convert and wouldn't really choose to wear anything else on my feet, owning several pairs for different activities.

Perfect. It was a gift to my brother and he absolutely loves it!