I have pretty much lived in my Vibram FiveFinger KSO since I purchased them just over a year ago, until my husband gave me my first pair of Inov8 Bare X180 for Christmas.
I love the look of the Inov8 and was amused that I could roll them up in a ball in the palm of my hand.
When I put them on my feet, the first thing I said was the Inov8s are comparable to the Vibrams in the minimalist feel you get when you are wearing them. I have been wearing the Inov for trail & road running, my CrossFit WoD’s and for general running around.
The Inov8 Bare X-180 have a 3mm sole where the Vibram KSO have a 3.5mm sole. Not much of difference but surpisingly the Bare-X 180s are heavier weighing in at 5.75 ounces and the Vibrams weighing in at just a hair under 5.50 ounces.
The Inov8 will run you around $110. The FiveFingers, $85.
My opinion is the Inov8 Bare X-180 & the Vibram KSO are totally comparable. They both are awesome for off road running, in the gym and for your everyday running around. The biggest things to consider is the $25 price difference and personal preference. Let me help you with this:
I am huge advocate for the barefoot/minimalist movement because I understand the human body does not require shoes to for stabilization and that wearing shoes actually inhibits the body’s natural ability for optimum performance. I am very happy to indorse the Inov8 Bare-X 180 as a fantastic barefoot/minimalist shoe that allows the body use it’s natural biomechanics during physical activities while still offering protection from modern surfaces, providing the best of both worlds to those looking to take th more natural/primal route to enhancing their health and performance while minimizing risk of injury.
As for me, I enjoy them both! I will most likely rotate them wearing Invo8 in the fall and winter months, so I can wear socks, and the Fivefingers during Spring and Summer…
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Another minimalist option that you might want to review is Invisible Shoes sandals — way “more barefoot,” at a much lower price.
Stephen, I have never seen anything like that before! What a trip! We’ll certainly check them out!
Hi Anitra, great post. Just wondered if the inov8 bare x 180 would be much good for footpaths that have small loose stones (I would not be using them for hardcore off road trails!) I know they are sold as more of a road shoe. I have some Nike Frees at the moment which I love but small stones get stuck underneath sometimes and I am looking for a zero drop shoe.
John, thanks for the compliment. I only do off-road running and have yet to get any stones stuck. In my opinion this shoes I ideal for footpaths!
Cheers Anitra. A lot of the trails around where I live in Durham (UK) are a mixture of road and footpath. I am also planning to do the Kielder Marathon (here in the UK again) for the third time in October which is a small man made loose stone type surface. Sounds like they would be ideal for me! incidentally inov8 HQ is based just ten mile away – shame they don’t have a factory shop!