Vibram 5 finger replacements for rocky terrain?

I like the Merrell All Out Blaze Aero shoes. They're a step up in cushion from the Trail Gloves, quick dry due to their positioning as a water shoe, and very flexible. I don't get much debris in them when I synch them up tight but gaiters always help there. I'd rather empty my shoes than faff with gaiters.

They don't have a rock plate and you still feel the rocks but protection vs. feel is always a compromise. Depends on how much protection you're looking for.

It's hard to gauge what level of protection you want, but give the Merrel trail gloves 3's a look at.

The all out blaze shoes have an arch in them… very bad.

I use the Spyridon for day hikes but I prefer using traditional shoes (Altra Lone Peaks) when carrying a pack. I'm a bit clumsy and have smashed my toes too many times, plus the Lone Peaks are better around camp (I would piss myself if I had to get those five fingers on in the middle of the night).

Dirty Girl makes a gaiter attachment for five fingers. I've never used them, nor felt the need to since the fit is snug over my ankle.

My trail runners are just some discount New balances I had around, nothing special. They certainly dont have a rock plate and seemed to handle the terrain pretty well, besides a blister and a ton of debry in my shoes. Its just hard to go back to such a padded shoe and a big drop. I guess something low drop with a rockplate is what I am looking for.

So far the Inov8s intrigue me with their wider toebox. I will have to take a look at the merrels as well.

I'll throw my hat in the ring for inov-8 f-lite 195. Awesome grip, quite flexible, and lightweight. I don't think they're on inov-8's wide last though, but the upper is quite soft, so it probably wouldn't bother your toes.

I saw recently that New Balance is re-introducing the MT101. It's got a rock plate, but the uppers are quite minimal. I really liked them back in the day. I'm not much of a fan of the MT110 replacement model. I think you'll find shoes with a rock plate to be too stiff though, coming from VFF.

The New Balance MT10 minimus line was very comfortable too, but I think the inov8 f-lite is a similar style and much superior shoe.

The vibram sole on the trail glove is very similar to that on the 5-fingers. If you look at the sole you can see treads for the toes. The shoe has a large/wide toe box that lets your little piggies move around and flex like they’re supposed to when you walk or run. The shoe also has a rock plate that i haven’t had any issues with and a stretchy scree collar that prevents trail debris from entering the shoe. I like the trail glove so much that it’s become my everyday (when I’m not at work) shoe and has replaced my adidas pool slides for pretty much everything but going to the beach.

You might look at Topo Athletic shoes if you like Vibram. The ex CEO of Vibram started this company a while back. The philosophy is similar (but maybe more ‘traditional’?) to Vibram.

I’ve had Vibrams since 2009 and just recently got a pair of Topos and have been very impressed. This is a link for a model that has some sort of plate rock protection:

Topo Athletic

You can look at the Vivo Trail Freaks as well. No rock plate but great toe box and fit. I just did 100 miles in them last week, much of it on rocky tallus. You do need to toughen your feet with these. But less than with 5 fingers.

Michael, how does the traction look on them after 100 miles? I think I have like 120 in them, the traction doesn't look as worn as the old neo trails did. But I still have lugs completely ripped off.

Oh, I have seen zero improvement in the durability of the lugs. I think it is the exact same rubber and mold, as far as I can tell. Already a number of lugs are partially ripped off. I think until you have at least 40% or so degradation of lugs, though, you really don't notice it much because there are so many. But there is no good excuse for why they are so fragile. I've pointed out to their customer service folks that brands like Altra and Inov-8 do not have this problem with their soles. Although, I must admit that the proprioception on the Vivos is superior than even the Inov-8 Trailroc 150s, of which I have about 4 pairs, but none of which have ever suffered a torn lug.

But again, I will continue to hike in the Vivos, because nothing else feels so good on my feet. I will admit that after 103 miles and 20K' vertical that my feet were tired and somewhat beat up. Nothing serious, as I have done trips like this in my Breathos multiple times before. But, I can noticeably tell I am strengthening my feet. My calves and ankles and feet look entirely different today than they did a few years ago.