Vibram V-Alpha

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

Overall

#142 in

Trail Running Shoes

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score71% positive
5
2
0

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Jun 14, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit IconHooVenWai
3 months ago

I have quite narrow feet, below average volume. V-Run's upper was extremely unwearable tight. Going up a size to get enough volume made it extremely long in toe. V-Trail was my regular size, fit well. Very cushy for VFF. Good traction on rock, packed dirt and wet dirt (not slushy). Pavement wears out outsole in no time though. V-Alpha is also regular shoe size for me. Very lightweight and super flexible. The most barefoot feeling -- can be not the most pleasant on loose rock and other hard pointy surfaces. Lugs are minimal -- good for city or very tightly packed dirt hiking. On wet ground or loose soil you'll be sliding all over the place.

Reddit Iconilianto78
5 months ago

Plus 1, plus 2, plus 3!!! 👍❤️😁 Best shoes ever for me!

Reddit Iconmellispete33
5 months ago

Try the v alpha . The trek are way too thick it defeats the point of being barefoot style. Try v alpha , you will never look back trust me

Reddit IconEndlessMike78
10 months ago

La Sportiva's have the best grip on wet rock. After that any shoe with Vibram Megagrip. Followed by Salomon's ContraGrip. They all work well. Best bet, go to a store and try a bunch on. You have recommended shoes from a bunch of people. Now go see how they fit YOUR feet. Go with the ones you like/fit best. Also as others have said skip the waterproofing. It'll only make your feet hot and sweaty. Gortex is for the winter.

Reddit IconAvatarOfAUser
9 months ago

Assuming you are overpronating, try Vibram Fivefingers or something else with a thinner / firmmer sole, narrow heel, and wide toe box. The video below explains why. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv11eo4DslI&t=80s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv11eo4DslI&t=80s)

Reddit Iconbdhiker
5 days ago

Absolutely love zero drop shoes. I usually hike in Vibram Fivefingers unless I know there will be briars. Then I wear normie zero drop shoes. I got my feet adjusted to Vibrams before hiking in them. Not gonna lie sometimes I step wrong on a smallish rock and it hurts like hell but get over it pretty quick.

Reddit Iconeasedownripley
11 months ago

5 fingers are good but bear in mind they have no stubtoe protection, so a stray rock in the path can really mess up your day (ask me how I know). I’d favor a shoe with a toe box, like vivos.

Reddit IconKittyBoi2012
5 days ago

I did around 400 miles on the PCT in Vibram 5 fingers, but I’d been wearing/working out in them for two years. I’ve never worn anything but zero drop since. It takes a long time for your body to go back to natural motion after we’ve worn unnatural shoes all of our lives-everything in the chain of movement works differently.

Rankings by Use Case

Top recommendations from others in the same boat

Other Reddit Recommendations: