xero / Invisible Shoes Review 1000km update

An update to the post earlier this year on the 4mm Contact Invisible Shoes. So now at the 1000km mark how are they fairing?

Since getting the Invisible Shoes my running has been somewhat 50/50 between Barefoot and Invisible shoes. I run twice daily through the week logging between 70 - 100km a week, so normally do one run BF and one with the Invisible Shoes.

The 4mm contacts are very light and give great feedback, run heavily on them and you'll start to think you are truly Barefoot. Sharp stones will let you know they are there. Which is great at keeping your running style honest and light. Some other shoes provide too little feedback, allowing your style to slip and enter into injury territory.

I'm on my second set of laces, and the current ones are ripped out of some old Huaraches and are not as kind on the skin as the ones that came with the Invisible Shoes. I'll be sure to order a couple of extras next time I buy.

In use I have little complaint. I had one shoe failure in a muddy trail run where the bed became slippery and folded, pulling the knot at the front of the shoe through. Thankfully my mini-roll of Duct Tape round 1/2 a pencil I keep in my Camelback got the shoe re-attached to my foot! Side-note: a few wraps of Duct Tape round 1/2 a pencil is great to carry out running, something I learn't from my mountain biking days - a lightweight portable, fix-it kit, emergency band-aid. Seriously throw some in your running pack.

Since then I've been aware of the possibility of this on wet runs and have had no repeat - on the plus side I've found the bed dries quickly if you are out and about amongst the puddles or streams.

I'm in the dilemma of wanting to order in some of the 6mm shoes to try out, but as yet can't justify it as the current Invisible Shoes are showing little sign of wear at 1000km. Sure some of the 'tread' pattern has worn away now, but this doesn't seem to have affected grip in any way. Though it has to be said that without the 1/2mm - 1mm of tread you do get even more ground feedback.

In summary I'll be grabbing another pair soon, but am also looking to investigate some alternative styles that may offer more off-road side stability. I might add a pair of Unshoes to my try out list in the near future.