Two weeks ago a light and small package from fitnessfootwear.com landed on my doorstep. In it I found a pair of Vibram Five Fingers KSO in Ninja Black (what else?!), Size 41, weight 300 grams for the pair. Since then a new relationship has started, and wearing any other shoes is something I don't look forward to.

Chillin at the lake. And yes, you can swim in them!

The first time I read about Vibram Five Fingers "shoes" was on the Red Yeti's blog, and earlier this year LAUFBURSCHE and Ultra Knilch went for a hike and run with them. All of them were of the highest words about them, and so I decided to get a pair.



I was thinking a bit about which VFFs to get - the Bikilas looked tempting, but as they weren't yet available I went for the KSOs. The strap around the top of the foot for some extra support is useful, and the abrasion-resistant stretch nylon/ mesh upper is warm when wet wet yet airy, so no overheating. The problem with the mesh is that it lets a bit of tiny sand through, and worse, allows mosquitos to bite you.


Perfect grip on rocks, wood, mud, forest floor, moss and anything in between...


... thanks to the super grippy Vibram sole.

So, how is it walking "barefoot"? I love it. As I said above, after wearing my VFFs it is difficult to put other shoes on. My gait in the VFFs is more natural, I love the "massaging" effect of them - no worries, you're not getting hurt when walking over sharp stones, gravel, glass or similar sharp objects which usally would feel painful when walking barefoot. My partner tried them on last Sunday, and came home with a smile on her face and told me that it was the first time she felt she'd like to go for a run, and decided to get a pair herself!


Feels so soft and great, walking on moss!

During the IWG Forest week I wore the VFF KSOs for the first time, a whole day straight, including offtrail navigating through dense forests, bogs, clearings, up and down hills with small climbing passages, and never did I feel scared to hurt myself, twist my ankle or similar. The perfect sole protects your foot so well that I didn't even bother looking where I walked. Last week I was wearing them when we went to search mushrooms, and this week - BCU Canoe and Kayak week - I will wear them every day as they're perfect for that. Even hiking with a good 10 kg on my back they were perfect, I didn't worry I might injure myself - which I think is the biggest worry people might have.

That worry comes from the brainwashing Meindl, HanWag & Co. are sending out (of needing boots to protect your ankles, etc.) and after decades of brainwashing the idea that hiking = hiking boots is firmly in the minds of the majority of hikers. But with the VFFs your feet are moving the way evolution intended them to, your five toes give the best grip - better than any sole ever will (that includes, I am afraid, the Inov-8 Roclite sole). Your gait is natural and you strike ball first, instead of heel first - the latter sends a shockwave through your joints and spine and is very unhealthy.



Well, what is the conclusion? I will continue to use my Inov-8s, yes, but my number one go to footwear till the snow is here will be my VFF KSOs. They feel just to comfortable, natural, healthy, relaxing and good to miss an opportunity to use them. On the coming Russia expedition we apparently are "required" to take Wellies to cross bogs and rivers - I will take my KSOs at a fraction of the weight and triple the comfort. After all, wet feet should be embraced instead of feared. In my opinion they are perfect for the lightweight and UL backpacker, as with our small loads and our open minds we are ready to take the next step of going barefoot! Finally, I'll follow this first look up with a long-time review after I walked few more hikes and trips with them, but so far I haven't been that excited to put my shoes on since I learned to tie my laces!

In case you now are ready to try barefoot walking, visit the Vibram Five Fingers UK stockist FitnessFootwear.com and choose a pair for your needs. I'm getting a second pair for when the first is in the wash =)

Another exciting yet busy week at school is over, and again a bunch of interesting articles were written in the outdoor blogsphere. So while my teacher last week - who knows Ray Mears and Mors Kochanski - taught us all about skinning, butchering and preparing lamb and other foods, this is what happened online.



Jörgen is back from Virihaure where he was walking and packrafting in one of the most remote parts of Sweden - a must read for those who search wilderness!

James and his partner went for a walk in the Peak District after she suggested it. Great photos, and sheep!

Chris' photos from his last escape from Tokyo are a must see!

Comet is less than 300 miles from the Canadian border.

Fraser went canoeing on the Spey and kept up his humour - even after capsizing!

Maria and her daughter went listening to the sound of the sea on Kaunissaari.

Pig-Monkey went to the Goat Rocks and brought back great photos from his trip.

RioLeichtsinn went on a 48 h trip with quasinitro and Andi and the guys definitely had a lot of fun! Recommended read!

Sabine is back from her packrafting and backpacking trip in Greenland and her photos and story are worth your time. Really great to see that UL and lightweight gear also deliver in these environments!

Steven went to Ben Lomond and his superb photos make me envious! He currently is doing a Wainwrights Coast to Coast with his dad for which I wish them much fun and good weather!

Dave writes up the hours 68-93 on Seiland.

The Jolly Green Giant listens to his readers and gives us a AT & South River Falls trip report which is full of wildlife - a must see!

Roman Dial gives us the Andrew Skurka - who is set to finish his epic journey this coming week! - video compilation.

Finally, Part 2 and Part 3 of the Beuteltiere's Alp crossing á la Hannibal is online, go read their exciting adventure.



Geoff wrote a review of the Visor Buff so if you look for a multi-use headwear item for the summer, read this.

The Velo Hobo reviews the Thermo-Lite 2.0 Bivvy Sack and explains us how to stay warm in a hammock - I should have read that before my hammock tryout a week ago!

Die Beuteltiere review their gear used on the Alp crossing. It is a very interesting write-up of UL gear used on a two-person trip, so especially interesting for those who travel with their partner.

Maz also did an excellent gear review of his Mont Blanc tour and I also recommend that you check this out. I find these kind of write-ups - pioneered by PTC, I reckon - very interesting as they give a good, brief look at all the gear used on a trip.

Richard decided Old Gear Out - New Gear In - likely after reading all those excellent reviews online!

Roger looks at the Evernew Sidewinder.

Robin received after much trouble a ULA Ohm and shares his first impressions on his newest acquisition with us.

Benjamin aka hrXXLight reviews the Kupilka 21 cup.



Mike takes a look at the Ontario wildlife.

Wired has a DIY article for a Altoids Mini-BBQ, definitely something for all the MYOG folks out there!

Also for the MYOG folks is minimalgear's MYOG pot lid.

The Wood Trekker explains how to make a Buck Saw in the field.

And last, but certainly not least, Gustav explains what to do if you'd like to take your kids on the mountains and this is something every backpacking dad and mom should give a good read if they'd like to go out before the kids are older.

After a week in the forest, learning how to make fires, orienteering through the forest and doing some fishing as well as the obligatory sauna, I found over 400 RSS items in my reader. Here's what I thought was most interesting.



Die Beuteltiere are back from their Alp crossing á la Hannibal, and the first part of their trip report is online. A must read for everyone who wants to go hiking the Alps!

Marks trip report from the Badlands has spectacular scenery to show.

Bob from Backpacking Technology went on a scout trip in the Titcomb Basin in Wind River Range, Wyoming.

Christian from 1001miles wrote a good trip report from his hike in the Dovrefjell, Norway.

Also from Norway, Astrid shares some photos from her hike in the Hardangervidda.

Maria went on a Sunday walk in Viikki, close to Helsinki.

Patrick's trip to the Shining Rock Wilderness shows that all(most all) hikers are laid back people, relaxed and flexible.

Sharkey walked the The Greenburn Horseshoe before the football season starts.

PTC didn't turn right on his last trip.

Vladimir shares some beautiful photos from Nokogiriyama, Mount Nokogiri in Japan.

Mikko took beautiful photos on his last trip to northern Finland, go check them out!



Rio takes a look at his new StickPic.

Markus compares the GoLite Shangri La 1 and Shangri La 2 and ponders which one to take on his trip to Norway.

Martin from Summit and Valley reviews the Pacific Outdoor Ether Elite Regular.

UL goes Mainstream as Osprey comes out with the Hornet Series Ultra-Light Backpacks. They're of course not UL but only lightweight, but a good move nevertheless.

PTC has another episode of his Gear Diary-ette up.

Andy Howell goes completely geeky as he dives into the topic of lightweight stuff sacks.



James is pondering on the meaning of Solitude and establishing the Misanthropic Backpackers Association.

Laufbursche shares his packing list of his trip on which he is at the moment.

The Jolly Green Giant shares his thoughts on emergency kits and cordage with us.

Dave the Ultralighter defines a dehydrator.

Roman is watching movies while his wife and kid are away.

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