Which Style Should I Choose? [Guide]

Which Style Should I Choose ?

We created this guide to cut through the confusion and make it easier to choose your next pair of Vibrams. With so many styles built for different activities, the key is understanding Ground Feel — how much barefoot feedback you’ll get versus how much protection you’ll need. This blog breaks it all down into simple categories with clear examples, so you can match the right style to your training, running, outdoor, or everyday needs. It’s designed to help beginners make the right first choice and give experienced Vibram wearers confidence to explore new options.

Understanding Ground Feel

Every Vibram model is built around a level of 'Ground Feel' — how much sensory feedback your feet receive from the ground beneath you.

• Max Ground Feel → Ultra-thin sole for the purest barefoot connection.

• Medium Ground Feel → A natural balance of sensation and protection.

• Moderate Ground Feel → More cushioning and grip for tough terrain.

Think of it like tuning your shoes to the environment. Pair your activity with the right ground feel, and every step becomes more natural, efficient, and enjoyable.

As a beginner please stick to our recommendations of ground feel based upon your intended use. Once you become more familiar and proficient with Vibram, shoes you can start to explore different options.

Shop By Ground Feel for Beginners

Below we offer these suggestions as a bare minimum for beginners. Shop in these categories if you are a newbie - This will offer you the right level of protection, flexibility and grip for your chosen activity whilst allowing for gradual adaptation to barefoot shoes.

Find your intended use →  Take note of Ground Feel → Then shop by Ground Feel in our Main Menu on our home page.

➡️ Training

• General workouts & Plyometrics → Medium Ground Feel

• Yoga, Pilates, Functional, Circuits, Strength → Max Ground Feel 

➡️ Running

• Road Running → Medium Ground Feel 

• Trail Running → Medium to Moderate Ground Feel 

➡️ Outdoor

• Light walks → Medium Ground Feel

• Rugged hikes → Moderate Ground Feel

• Water → Medium Ground Feel

➡️ Lifestyle & Casual

• Daily wear → Medium Ground Feel

• Travel-friendly → Medium Ground Feel 

• City Stomping → Moderate Ground Feel 

Vibram Activity & Ground Feel Comparison Table

Choosing the Right Model for Your Activity - Guide

Here we explain a little more and offer some suggestions for you to click straight to and check them out.

Training

• Functional Fitness / Cross Training 

  • Medium/Moderate ground feel for stable and connected HIIT, circuits, plyometrics, on hard gym floors or outdoor areas (e.g. V-Train 2.0, KMD EVO).

  • Max Ground Feel - For Strength workouts(e.g. V-Soul, KSO EVO, Graspifier).

• Yoga, Pilates, General Weight Training
  • Max Ground  Feel  to offer sock-like flexibility with pure barefoot feel (e.g. V-Soul, KSO EVO, Graspifier).

Running

• Road Running → Go light, flexible but protected.

  • Medium/Moderate Ground Feel  to help absorb impact without losing natural cadence. e.g. V-Run or KSO EVO  for more experienced barefoot runners

• Trail Running → Looking for Rugged grip and protection for uneven ground 

  • Medium Ground Feel for more speed and agility (e.g. Trailope, V-Trail 2.0) 

  • Moderate ground Feel for more confidence on roots and rocks. (e.g. V-Trek, Scramkey.)

Outdoor

• Hiking and Scrambling 

• • Medium Ground Feel  Durable grip and extra protection for shorter and lighter day hikes and trail running (e.g. Trailope  ,V-Trail 2.0 

  • Moderate Ground Feel Aggressive and thicker soles for more comfort on rough terrain. Ideal for longer Hikes and more extreme adventures(e.g. Scramkey, V-Trek  - KMD EVO is also a good alternative choice for longer hikes on more predicable and dry ground.)

• Water Sports & Activities

• • Medium Ground Feel  For ultimate confidence in the water - (V-Aqua for best feel and grip - V-Neop offers more warmth for general water activities)

Lifestyle & Casual

• • Max Ground Feel - Comfortable, versatile, easy to slip on & great for packing light when travelling (e.g. KSO EVO ,V-Soul, Furoshiki).

  • Medium Ground Feel -As above but for longer days sometimes a little more is better - (e.g. KSO Vintage)

  • Moderate Ground Feel - For ultimate comfort all day long. Ideal for City stomping and weekend sightseeing (e.g. KMD EVO, Roadaround 2 and Roadcozy)

Do I need socks with Vibrams?

Not required — but highly recommended. Socks can:

• Prevent blisters on longer runs or hikes

• Keep your Vibrams fresher for longer

• Add warmth in colder weather

We suggest Injinji or Vibram toe socks, designed to fit perfectly inside Vibrams, wick away sweat, and give your toes individual freedom.

View all socks HERE

Hopefully this guide has helped you to understand the range a little more and what styles are best for different activities. (yep, it can be confusing)

If you are after a bit of an all rounder, then please check out our Allrounders from the main menu. These will be good for a multitude of activities, but there will be a trade off.  For example, the KMD EVO is designed to be a solid workout shoe with moderate ground feel. This may be good for running on asphalt to start with but the sole compound will wear quicker than the specific road running shoe - V-Run.

This Guide is here to help you better understand the range and to help you choose the correct style for your purpose. We are of course always on hand weekdays 9.30-5.30 to answer your questions 

via email - Sales@barefootjunkie.com

Via phone- 01302 955880

Via the chat button - bottom right of your page titled HELP