Would be interested to know more of the differences between v-trail and v-trail 2.0. I'd like to send for v-trail 2.0 but seeing quite a bit of negativity about them versus the original model (not just the colour).
Good job on this video. A little tip on the wind noise; you can buy "fuzzy dead cat" mic covers that stick on, over the camera mics and they kill the noise by about 90%. We shoot with a DJI OSMO Action and have 2 of the fuzzy's on that camera. My daughter and I have logged thousands of miles in the Spyridons, and I still buy them and run in them. That waffle tread sole harkens back to Nike's original waffle trainer, back in the 70's, when Oregon State University CC/Track Coach Bill Bowerman started making the soles using waffle irons. My daughter now runs in the Trek Ascents because she likes the slightly thicker sole. both models are what we run R2R and our recent Rim2River at the Grand Canyon in. We'll be running a half this weekend, on the local paved roads, in them. Neither of us like to road run, but we're doing this for the heck of it, and shooting more video for the channel of course. I have that blue pair of V-Trail V2.0, and don't really like them because the "tape" on the toes makes the toes too tight for me. We get the rocks down the top of the shoes fairly often. Sometimes we'll deal with it then, and there, other times will run with it until we can't stand it, and then deal with it. Kinda silly, but that's how we roll.
I love those blue & orange Vtrail 2.0’s and unfortunately I cannot find them in my local stores here in Australia. Nor can I get the Vtreks in the military colours. If they had those to models in those colours you hate, I actually love & would buy them today if I could.
I don't have any of the regular V-treks, though I have the insulated ones. But they're similar to the Trek Ascent that came before them, and I know they are great. I haven't tried the V-trek primarily because Vibram describes them as more of a hiking shoe than trail running shoe, and I wanted to stick with better running models. But I've heard from several that they're great.
You mentioned in the video that you wear gaiters with VFF, what brand do you recommend? I ask, because I hear so many people have issues with gaiters to their barefoot shoes, because they're so low to the ground and flat on the top (close to the foot/skin). Many thanks in advance, looking forward to your response!
I have the exact same issue, but with my big right toe. I've managed to run without socks in the vtrails for a while but not very far. Its perfectly fine with socks tho. I also got some new Vruns but they gave my a blister on the achilles so definitely wearing socks from now on. Gonna try replacing my cheap toe socks with some injinis
The V-Trails are tight on my big toes also, so I don't like them. I keep buying the Spyridon model with the laced up front (not the model with the velcro strap, or the model with the big plastic wrapping thing) and they fit my toes really great. They are on ebay/mercari/poshmark all day long, in both new, and used-like-new condition, and very inexpensive. I think you'll like them much better than the Trail2.0.
Thanks for the reviews. What gators do you wear? The only issue I have with v-trail 2.0 is the amount of stuff that gets in them. I've been looking at Dirty Girl gators to try and help with this.
Honestly, I just bought the cheapest ones I found on runningwarehouse.com a few years ago. I'm actually in the market for some new ones cause I've worn through the straps.
So, ... how do you know when to reduce your mileage in vff? How much foot soreness do you ignore, and when do you take time off the vff? Building mileage in these shoes isn't that easy to do. I run only on very rocky desert ground. I do get bruises in these shoes. But mostly my feet just get sore. I run in the first V-trail. Also the latest V-trek. Also, where do you buy yours?
That's a tough question. I think one of the hardest aspects of running is learning the difference between soreness and injury. But if you're just ramping up with Vibrams, I would say definitely back off a little if you feel pain. You don't want to force a stress fracture in your foot. I buy most of mine from Vibram's website. Amazon or other retailers online occasionally.
What I've found helpful is a little mantra: Shoes are not a religion, they're a tool. Choose the right tool for the job, just like any other tool you would use. I've been running/racing/training/backpacking/hiking/casually wearing FF's since July 2012. At work I wear Vivo Barefoot Primus Traills, 9hrs a day, standing on concrete as a mechanic. The trails here are loose nuggets, over hard packed soil and by late Summer and into Fall, before the first rains, many of the trails get so full of exposed nuggets that the FF's simply can't be worn. The other shoes that I switch into are New Balance Minimus 10v1's, and Merrell Trail Gloves or Vapor Gloves, and I still have 2 pair of New Balance MT101's from 10yrs ago. IMO, the point with the FF's is to retrain your brain so that your muscle memory is to run in the barefoot style, in order to avoid injury. They are a great shoe to start making that transition in, and IMO, they are much more effect of a tool at doing that (getting you to run in the barefoot style) than if you were to put on some "regular" fitting shoe. Once you get the muscle memory developed, IMO, you should feel free to blend in a few other "minimalist" style shoes, so that you have different tools to select from, depending on the kind of running that you'll be doing. For example, me switching into Trail Gloves when the trails are just to strewn with nuggets, or into 10v1's for a race, because the FF's are not really a fast shoe. As to your question about training and foot pain; the transition into FF's is largely a factor of your age. The younger a person is, the sooner they can bring up their mileage and frequency. I was 49 when I started running in them and it took me a year, and at times, it hurt a lot. My daughter went right into them at the same time, age 13, and that was it, she was just running in them and wearing them as casual shoes, even in school. Take your time, blend in other shoes, REALLY work on your running form, and make it fun. Be patient, otherwise, you'll likely become one of those folks that I run in to all the time, "You wear those things? Huh! I tried those (my friend tried those) and got hurt. They don't work." Meanwhile, I'm wearing mine on 99% my runs, including the runs in the Grand Canyon that take 5-7hrs.
Only problem I have with v-trail is, here in the south not breathable. My foot cook in them. Plus while running hill repeats off-trail I broke my big toe. That was my fault
I just ordered a pair of the green v trail 2.0. My question is are they good if I get the lake to fish and streams? I got them for backpacking and I plan on getting them wet.
