Vibram V-Trail 2.0 Review

Vibram knows a thing or two about producing quality outsoles — you will find their rubber on the bottom of many top-quality trail runners. The V-Trail 2.0 is no exception, as a barefoot running shoe supported by a thick, heavily lugged outsole ready to stand guard against rocks or roots that try to penetrate the bottom of your foot. The upper comfortably wraps the foot and is secured with a fast-lacing system that evenly distributes pressure across the top of the arch and forefoot through sewn-in tension straps that are welded to the sole. Achieving a delicate balance of lightweight and burly design, this shoe gave us maximum confidence to strike out onto trails at full speed — a quality not often associated with minimalist shoes.

Performance Comparison

Ground Feedback

Design considerations of trail running shoes — constructed to protect our feet from rough terrain — often don't follow the same principles coveted by barefoot and minimalist footwear. The V-Trail 2.0 is an impressive trail runner. Due to the tread design on the sole, which aides in this pursuit, it doesn't have quite as much ground feel as some of the thinner, flat-soled contenders. The relatively thick 3.7mm outsole is great at blocking rocks from penetrating your foot but not the most sensitive at relaying feedback from the terrain.

While the V-Trai 2.0 may not rank as highly in terms of barefoot accuracy, it still falls solidly within the natural running category and is a top competitor in terms of running performance. The natural toe dexterity that the design confers can't be overlooked by those looking for the most natural running experience. We enjoyed speeding down trails in this shoe, from sandy arroyos to high-alpine ridges. With zero drop and a slight stack height, your foot is right on the ground and feels incredibly stable moving over varied terrain. When it comes to longer runs — particularly on mountain trails that inevitably include long sections of downhill — we appreciate the inclusion of a non-removable EVA insole that provides 2mm of cushioning.

The FiveFingers design is intended to allow for maximum freedom of movement — namely, allowing your toes to splay and flex independently — as if you were running barefoot. Overall, the V-Trail 2.0 is quite flexible in all directions, but that flexion is inhibited by the thick rubber that wraps the front of each toe. While the midfoot is wider than other FiveFingers models, it is actually tighter in the forefoot and toes of this shoe. You will notice that your toes still have the ability to mold to the terrain, but the proprioception of your foot position is what fails as a result of this added protection. We actually found ourselves tripping over our toes on a few occasions.

Stability

Considering that toe movement carries a large weight in this portion of the test, the FiveFingers got five stars. We really enjoyed the feeling of independent mobility in our toes as they gripped and pushed and climbed our way to the tops of trails.

The tiny rubber pyramid cleats help you cling to the ground, which aids in stability on softer ground, but can also feel strange and less stable if you're running on a hard surface like pavement. It's best to stick to the trail in these shoes and look for something else if you're running on pavement.

Traction

With a heavily lugged base, the V-Trail 2.0 is clearly designed as a shoe to grip and climb rugged terrain. This shoe is awesome for scrambling — particularly on sandstone — and we were comfortable making 3rd/4th-class moves thanks to the sticky rubber of the outsole. These shoes also perform particularly well on uphills, where the toes can easily flex, grip, and push off with graceful power.

However, on downhills, these have a surprising lack of traction on certain surfaces. Upon a closer examination of the lug pattern, all of the raised, triangular lugs are oriented in the same forward-facing direction. This supports what we felt on the trail, where we could feel the outsole catch but not brake in the same way other lugged designs would. That said, while moving downhill over rock, we found the Vibram rubber plenty sticky to descend confidently.

Weight

In spite of its overall tank-like construction, the V-Trail 2.0 is not as weighty as you may expect. Staying true to the lightweight intention of the original FiveFingers design, these weigh a mere 7.3 ounces per shoe. The light swing weight, combined with the slightly rockered midsole, contributes to a very natural stride that feels like gliding.

While the power of the V-Trail 2.0 is highlighted in the mountains, it does not perform as well when it comes to city life. Even though they are not heavy, these shoes feel clunky and less agile when pulled out of their element and put on the road. Thick 3D Cocoon Mesh sacrifices a bit of breathability for water and puncture resistance, leaving our feet hot and sweaty when exposed to direct sunlight over hot pavement.

Durability

The V-Trail 2.0 is a tank of a minimalist shoe. A tough, abrasion-resistant upper is supported by laminates of TPU in key spots across the toes and around the heel pocket.

Additionally, the majority of the upper is braced with Cordura-like nylon. The 3D Cocoon Mesh is woven directly into the outsole, which is further laminated around the toes to help prevent previous issues with seam-splitting. We put this shoe through the wringer, and it came out practically unscathed — we cannot imagine many issues with durability.

Should You Buy the Vibram V-Trail 2.0?

Built for adventure, the V-Trail 2.0 is a rugged option for a barefoot running shoe. Whatever situation you might find yourself in, this shoe will certainly do its best to keep your feet protected from anything you throw its way. While it won't be the first choice for someone looking for a pair of street runners, and it may seem intimidating if you haven't worn a pair of FiveFingers before, this shoe scored high in every category and is consciously constructed to ensure that you have a lot of fun running the trail.

What Other Barefoot Shoe Should You Consider?

While the V-Trail 2.0 excels on the trail, it's not the best choice for road running. If you spend most of your time on hard surfaces, check out the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III. If the price is a factor, check out the Whitin Cross Trainer, which utilizes a similar trail runner design. If you're looking for good trail tread and stability in a non-FiveFinger offering, check out the ultralight Merrell Vapor Glove 6.