KSO vs Bikila?

Dirtbag

Dirtbag

Barefooters
Oct 17, 2010
204
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#1
I have worn out the toes on my KSOs. I now require a new pair of VFFs. The primary use of the replacement shoes will be triathlon training/racing. I love my KSOs, love the ground feel, love everything about them. But the Bikilas are supposed to be The Vibram Running Shoe. I hesitate to switch, but if they are a better option...I've heard that the inside is smoother so no more raw spots on sockless runs. This is a plus for the Bikilas, but my feel adjust and toughen in the KSOs and that problem goes away.

Thoughts? Halp!
 
#2
I think they are very

I think they are very differently constructed. KSO's destroyed my shins and really messed up my form because with the molded arch touching my arch I tend to "reach" towards it. With the Bikila, the fit is totally different for me and the sole is more or less flat and does not mold up into the arch. They just fee like different shoes to me, so definitely do alot of trying on if you are happy with the KSO'.
 
#3
I think this might be a you

I think this might be a you have to decide on your own type of thing. Everyone is going to have a different opinion on them, because everyone is different. I love my KSO's and have never had raw spots on my feet from them. The Bikilia's are a little thicker so less ground feel. I ahve never tried them on so I can't say either way.
 
#4
I prefer the Bikila's to the

I prefer the Bikila's to the KSO's. Mostly for the internal seams. I could never wear the KSO without socks or I'd get blisters. I never wear socks with the Bikila's with no prolem and no blisters.

The Bikila hasa better tread. It is more grippy, less slippery, but it is also a little thicker. Not like regular shoe thick, but you will notice it is slightly thicker and hence slightly less ground feel than the KSO.

Also, I think the Bikila runs slightly smaller than the KSO. I wore a 45 KSO with a sock, and a 46 Bikila with no sock.
 
#5
I actually just did a review

I actually just did a review of the Bikilas (specifically vs. the KSOs) a week or so ago on my blog:

http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2011/03/bikilas.html



I had run in my KSO's for about a year and a 1/2 and now was trying the Bikilas. For me, there were + and - to each, but the Bikilas were a much better choice for me - Mostly due to being completely seamless inside and the glove like fit.
 
#6
they do have a thicker sole

they do have a thicker sole but i much prefer my biks to kso. now if the sprints could be made in biks style then we'd have something to talk about. i loved my sprints. don't understand the hype for kso.



Mike
 
#7
Preferences are different for

Preferences are different for everyone, that's for sure. I grew to prefer barefoot and barefoot only. I don't run in VFFs anymore, save for the occasional bit on the indoor track with my Sprints when the weather is bad. My KSOs are strictly a street shoe for me, and the Sprints also pull street duty 98% of the time. My Bikilas were originally my road running and track shoe, but I found that I much preferred racing flats to the Biks for that. So the Biks sat around doing nothing except for the occasional trail for many months. I've finally discovered they're a decent group sports shoe, like casual soccer. So if I go out and play in the park with some friends, I'll wear the Biks. But other than that, they don't have much of a job. Between the KSOs and the Bikilias, I prefer the feel of the KSO. But I don't run in either anymore.
 
#8
I would just use the Kso's

I would just use the Kso's with the wore out toes until the Altra Adams show up...then try those. I only have Kso's for trail running/hiking...they are over kill on the pavement to me. I tried on the Bikilia's but they just didn't feel good at all on my feet.
 
#10
I had an issue with the

I had an issue with the Bikilas. I used them as a starter shoe because I started minimalist running just as it started snowing here. I found that the sole has a traction pad that is directly under the joint of my big toe. That pad does not allow my toe to bend and has caused some significant pain and swelling in that area. I first thought it was just transition pain so I stopped running in them and let it heal. After 21 days of healing time I tried again and the pain returned. I've since switched to KSO's and have had none of the pain issues. The KSO's feel better on my feet but the Bikilas have better traction. I recently took a short trail walk in my Bikilas and the joint pain returned for a few days. It sucks because I like the styling and the feel of the Bikilas. Check out the video. Maybe it'll explain better than I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-frNYMObfvg
 
#11
You explained it very well,

You explained it very well, Chuck. Our feet are so sensitive. It's amazing how something that seems so minor can really mess with a person, ruin their runs, and cause injuries.
 
#12
Have you tried the Komodos?

Have you tried the Komodos? I've run in both the Bikilas and the Komodosports and I much prefer the Komodos. The back strap does it for me. More secure in the glove. My right foot is slighly smaller than my left, so I would slide a little in the Biks, but I'm snug in the Komodos, but still have the 4mm sole. I wear them everywhere, lift, run,etc. I also run in them sans socks or with Injinjis...no blisters either way, just takes longer to get smelly with socks! LOL
 
#13
The Komodos were just brought

The Komodos were just brought to my attention Monday. I hadn't seen them before. Looks interesting and they would be a fine substitute/replacement if I can't find the Biks.

But I literally went to nearly every shoe store on the island that has them and no one had my size to try on. Lame! And I don't want to guess, I'd rather put them on my feet with shoes that fit like this.
 
#14
I can tell you, at least in

I can tell you, at least in my experience, the Bikilas and the Komodos are the same size. I wear a 43 in both, where I have to have a 42 in the KSO, I think because of the more stretchy top cover and a smaller right foot requiring a snugger fit. The Bikilas lostened up on me by my 3rd run, where I was able to cinch up the Komodos with the straps. Either way, hope you get it figured out. -Jonny
 
#15
Ok, I think I should update

Ok, I think I should update my last post with a tid-bit of info. My Bikilas did not, in fact, losten up on me. What happened was I was running wrong in them. The back strap on the Komodosports is quite handy for snuging up for cross training and such, when the glove needs to be tight on the foot to stay in place, however, when I run correctly, I don't slide around in the Bikilas. When I scuff, paw and push off...I do. I also noticed I geel a little bruised at the back of my heal where the back strap on the Komodos is after running in them or just wearing them around with the strap snugged up instead of loose till needed. I do not have this issue with the Bikilas. ...for what ever this info is worth.

-Jonny
 
#16
I run in both Bikila LSs and

I run in both Bikila LSs and KSOs. KSOs are strictly for good running surface conditions. Bikilas have handled any terrain I've tried to run on. I prefer the Bikila LSs. Both are 42 (normal street shoe is 43.5 or 44) and in my experience, of equal sizing.
 
#17
i just yesterday went to my

i just yesterday went to my local REI store to pick up the bikilia LS's..... the lady had brought out every five finger they had..... i put on the kso's and they felt nice the bikilias were wonderfull... but then i strapped on some komodos, and i went with the komodos.

I went for a run yesterday and wore them to work for an 8 hour shift. They feel great they are wonderfull to run in, and so far no foot pain.

I will go back and still pick up some Bikilas, but i def went for the komodos first and i think it was a great choice
 
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