Our verdict

This pair relies on its incredible flexibility, breathability and ground feel, making us fall in love with its unique style. We think it's one of the best if you need to travel or move from one place to another constantly. Its slip-on design and barefoot-like construction hug our feet so every stride feels natural. Just as if we had no shoes on! This attractive and minimalist model is ready to stand out not only because of its different aesthetics but also due to its fair price!

Pros

  • Barefoot-like experience
  • Super lightweight
  • Easy on-and-off
  • Adjustable fit
  • Easily packable
  • Machine washable
  • Incredibly unique
  • Comes with a bag and a cool tag

Cons

  • Not suitable for wide feet
  • Not comfortable for long periods
  • Not plush for being a walking shoe

Audience verdict

90
Great!

Who should buy

Befriend this one-of-a-kind pair and let it meet your other shoes if you're looking for:

  • A sock-like and slip-on fit with that barefoot feel
  • A minimal and unique-looking shoe
  • An incredibly lightweight and breathable option
  • Something that isn't high-maintenance

Vibram Furoshiki closure

Who should NOT buy

If you want a pair that accommodates wide feet and lets you enjoy the barefoot feel, we suggest going for the Merrell Vapor Glove 6. It has that extra space that wide-footers love!

This pair is ideal for weightlifting, but if we talk about sports, that's pretty much it. If you're looking for something that you can use for jumping, going to the gym, or just activities that require some agility, we recommend having a look at the Allbirds Tree Dasher 2.0.

Vibram Furoshiki who should not buy

Breathability

The queen, king and everything in between of summer days! The Vibram Furoshiki is ready to enjoy warm weather next to you with its impressive 4/5 score on our breathability test!

Vibram Furoshiki (on the left) vs. Skechers GOWalk Joy (on the right)

The Skechers GOWalk Joy got a 2/5 on this same test. So... we know your feet would become professional swimmers on a sunny day because of how much sweat there would be.

But forget about that and look at all the smoke easily coming out of the Vibram Furoshiki's upper. When we say this shoe is HOT, we don't mean your feet will be!

To learn a little bit more about its material, we used our microscope to see if the shoe actually had any ventilation holes.

Vibram Furoshiki Breathability

But... no? Check out this close-up!

Vibram Furoshiki Breathability

The nylon is tightly woven, but the material itself is so breathable that the shoe does not actually need any extra gaps for the air to go in and out! Pretty cool, right?

Just in case you're still not convinced, look at our transparency test.

It doesn't have any pores, but the light is coming through literally everywhere! The Furoshiki took the "rise and shine" motto way too personally, didn't it?

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 4
Average 2.8
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Breathability and durability have long been enemies and this case is no exception. When breathability wins, durability loses. And that's exactly what we can see in the Vibram Furoshiki.

It got an underwhelming score of 1 out 5 in our toebox durability test. Look at the Dremel completely destroying the hopes of this shoe to become a war hero!

The damage at the toebox was absolute, as our tool completely destroyed the layer of nylon this shoe has. That's the price to pay for such a stretchy upper! Bye-bye!

Vibram Furoshiki Toebox durability

Side note: When you look at the picture, you might think there's one extra white layer under the nylon. But there isn't! That's just a white piece of material that we put inside our shoes to see how deep the damage is.

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 1
Average 3
Compared to 20 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

We moved our Dremel all the way back to the heel of this pair. Once we turned it on, we could already tell that it could not put up much of a fight.

With another 1/5 on our heel padding durability test, this shoe got absolutely wrecked. Dremel 2 - 0 Vibram Furoshiki!

Vibram Furoshiki Heel padding durability

But even after these 2 low grades, we are actually going to bat for the Furoshiki here. By just looking at it once, one can clearly see that its design does not focus on resistance!

You wouldn't ask a fish to climb a tree, right?

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 1
Average 2
Compared to 19 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

As we were saying, this shoe does not focus on durability. Still, its outsole did not do that bad when we checked its hardness!

Using our durometer, we measured its hardness at 68.4 HC. And that's quite close to the average!

Let us tell you that there are many walking shoes that basically rely on exposed foam. To see what this looks like, you can have a look at some Skechers models.

But the Furoshiki is totally different! This one-of-a-kind pair has a full-length rubber sole that is way stronger and will wrap around your foot accommodating to its shape.

Do you know Iron Man? Well, just imagine something like that!

Vibram Furoshiki Outsole hardness

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 68.4 HC
Average 75.8 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
50.1 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

Remember we compared this shoe's sole to Iron Man? Well, it's more accurate to say that this is Tony Stark's improved version!

After drilling its material for 22 seconds at a speed of 10K RPM, the Furoshiki basically did not even care. We used a tread gauge to measure the depth of the damage, and it was a mere 0.7 mm. Not even 1 mm!

Vibram Furoshiki Outsole durability

Just look at that. It feels like the damage is playing hide and seek with us!

No Avengers' spoilers, though. Just saying this pair would be a damn good member!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 0.7 mm
Average 1.4 mm
Compared to 19 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

We used one of our calipers to measure this pair's outsole thickness and... holy guacamole! We got 4.4 mm!

This is way higher than the average. When we compared this sole to an armour, we were definitely not wrong!

Vibram Furoshiki Outsole thickness

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 4.4 mm
Average 2.6 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.9 mm

Weight

When durability and breathability are at war... lightness sides with breathability!

When the Furoshiki jumped into our scale, we only got 6.3 oz (179.0 g). This is just amazing, it is the lightest shoe we have tested in our lab!

Vibram Furoshiki Weight

You'll totally forget it's there! And with its lightweight construction and wrap-around feel, who needs socks?

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 6.31 oz (179g)
Average 9.59 oz (272g)
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
6.17 oz (175g)
Weight
14.25 oz (404g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

It feels like the uniqueness of this shoe never ends!

Walking shoes usually have a tall heel stack, as they are focused on comfort. The average is around 31 mm, so we would expect models of this category to have a similar score.

Using a caliper, we measured the Furoshiki heel stack at 11.2 mm. Brace yourself... this is 64% lower than average! Talk about minimal!

Vibram Furoshiki Heel stack

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 11.2 mm
Average 32.6 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
11.2 mm
Heel stack
45.7 mm

Forefoot stack

Following the heel's steps, this pair's forefoot is also different from other walking shoes. With a height of 5.5 mm, you'd even need to squint to see if it's really there!

Once again, way lower than average.

Vibram Furoshiki Forefoot stack

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 5.5 mm
Average 21.7 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
5.5 mm
Forefoot stack
31.2 mm

Drop

The drop of a shoe is the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot. The greater it is, the steeper the angle between these two parts.

Vibram Furoshiki Drop

Typically, in walking shoes this score is around 10 mm. But... the Furoshiki is no ordinary walking pair, we know that well! Vibram is a well-known brand due to its FiveFingers collection. This group focuses on mimicking the feeling of being barefoot while still providing protection and grip.

The Furoshiki has the same goal: to provide you with an incredible ground feel and contribute to natural motion.

With a drop of 5.7 mm, it does its job pretty well!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 5.7 mm
Average 11.0 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
5.7 mm
Drop
21.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

When we tried running and walking around with this shoe, it felt incredibly unique.

Even though it's not plush at all, we still felt supported but... more in a kinesthetic way. It bent with our every move, following our foot's shape accurately. Walking with it on was as natural as it could get, and the slip-on plus loop-and-hoop design made it feel like a second skin.

Get ready to close your mouth, because at 7.8 HA, this sole is 223% firmer than average!

Vibram Furoshiki Midsole softness

If this is definitely not your thing and you're looking for a light shoe with "plushness" written all over it, try the Skechers Summits.

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 7.8 HA
Average 25.0 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
7.8 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
32.9 HA

Difference in midsole softness in cold

Even though the Furoshiki's midsole is already incredibly stiff, it became even firmer after keeping it in the freezer!

We repeated the durometer measurement and saw the score had changed to 14.8 HA.

Vibram Furoshiki Difference in midsole softness in cold

So we already said that this shoe's sole is firm and that it becomes even firmer when temperatures drop, right? But... firmer as in... exactly how much?

Well, 90.3%!!

There, we said it. 50% more than average!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 90.3%
Average 33.2%
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in midsole softness in cold
100%

Insole thickness

This model does not come with any extra cushioning in the footbed, as that would mean losing some ground feel.

Nevertheless, we measured its thickness at 7.0, which is higher than average!

This material adapts to the shape of your foot. So not only did we feel comfortable in our strides, but also supported!

Vibram Furoshiki Insole thickness

Cool fact: this makes the shoe ideal for weightlifting but unsuitable for intense jumping, agility activities or heel stickers!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 7.0 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
3.5 mm
Insole thickness
10.3 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Just by looking at the video you'll see this is not a stable pair of shoes... did anyone say crème caramel au feet?

We decided to try the Furoshiki with and without socks.

It's already really wobbly without them, because even though it adapts to your feet it doesn't have any structure.

But with socks... Oh, wow. Just wow. Our feet kept slipping and slipping inside such a small model! The shoe's and our socks' materials did not get along at all.

We suggest you don't try this at home unless you feel like your feet should go tango dancing!

Torsional rigidity

This shoe is just as flexible as a shoe can be.

With an unbeatable 1/5 in our torsional rigidity text, the Furoshiki moved in every single direction without any problems.

Should we suggest 0 becomes a grade on this test just for this pair? It would be pretty accurate!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 1
Average 2.7
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We were not surprised to see how pliable this shoe's heel was.

With another 1/5, the Furoshiki would even beat Simon Biles at gymnastics!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 1
Average 2.2
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

According to the official site of this pair, its design was improved and is now sleeker. And let us tell you... they did not lie!

We measured the widest part of the midsole at the forefoot at 98.8 mm, which means it's narrower than average!

We did expect this from a Vibram pair, though.

Vibram Furoshiki Midsole width in the forefoot

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 98.8 mm
Average 111.4 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
98.8 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
124.1 mm

Midsole width in the heel

And same thing goes for the midsole width in the heel! With a score of 75.6 mm, it's more than 10 mm narrower than average.

As we're talking about barefoot-style shoes, the Furoshiki do not need a wide platform to land for you to feel surefooted, as your feet are almost as close to the ground as they can get!

But... wide-footers are not gonna like this.

Vibram Furoshiki Midsole width in the heel

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 75.6 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
75.6 mm
Midsole width in the heel
102.2 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

If this was a flexibility competition, the Vibram Furoshiki would have taken the gold from the GOWALK Joy!

Would you believe us if we said that this pair is 1536% more flexible than the average?

Yep, that's right. No, no, you didn't read it wrong. It's more than a thousand!!

If you think we're exaggerating, check out this video and the number our tread gauge shows on its screen.

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 1.1N
Average 20.4N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1.1N
Stiffness
52.7N

Difference in stiffness in cold

It's true that after putting this shoe in the freezer it became stiffer.

But the score of our tread gauge was literally just 1.5N higher so... it's still incredibly lower than average!

When we tell you that this shoe stiffened up by 139.1%, you'll probably think that we're not talking about Iron Man but the Thing!

It does sound like a lot, but it's still (by far) the most flexible pair we have tested in our lab.

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 139.1%
Average 52.2%
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in stiffness in cold
139%

Grip / Traction

Even though the Furoshiki's outsole is definitely a toughie, there were some battles it just couldn't win.

When we wore the shoe around town, at the beginning we had no problems. Asphalt and concrete were just fine! We were happily showing them off until we decided to try them walking on cobblestones... then, we really did feel the barefootness.

First of all, its sole is already really narrow and the insole is not shaped like a human foot. So, once again, getting used to these unique pals was not an easy task.

Then, even though its outsole is mildly grippy in many urban areas, we would not recommend this pair for any intense activities (such as jumping), for trails, or for treks in the city.

Its traction is not the best and it does not have the support or stability characteristics needed to keep you completely safe no matter where.

Vibram Furoshiki Midsole softness in the forefoot

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

Just by looking at the pictures, we can tell that this shoe has a very narrow profile. Still, as its material is very stretchy, you would think that it accommodates wide feet, right?

Well... so did we.

We used our caliper to measure the toebox width, and we got 96.4 mm, which is around 1 mm and a half narrower than average.

If you have regular feet, it will fit just fine. But if you have wide feet... this is not your armour, Mr. Stark!

Vibram Furoshiki Toebox width at the widest part

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 96.4 mm
Average 98.5 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
89.5 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
103.1 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

But definitely, the most intriguing part of it all was the tip.

We measured the toebox width at the big toe at 82.0 mm, which is around a couple of mm wider than usual. If we think logically, the conclusion for this would be: Ah, so it's fine if we have big toes!

Well... once again... nope.

This shoe has an inner layer at the toecap made of inflexible material. This means that if you have either wide feet or big toes, you will most likely find it uncomfortable.

Vibram Furoshiki Toebox width at the big toe

But, wait, wait! Don't give up just yet!

Do you want to enjoy the barefoot feel but your feet are more on the wider side? Don't worry, we're here for you! Have a look at the Mererl Vapor Glove 6 and thank us later.

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 82.0 mm
Average 77.5 mm
Compared to 21 walking shoes
Number of shoes
73.7 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
82.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

We cannot say this shoe actually has a tongue. With its quirky and peculiar design, it has a first layer that covers the toe box. Then it has two wings that you wrap around it, just like a burrito.

Vibram Furoshiki Tongue: gusset type

With its sock-like fit, it hugs your feet comfortably and easily adapts to their shape. All you gotta do is pull and attach the Velcro parts... and you're ready to go!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki Sock like

Comfort

Tongue padding

As we mentioned before, this pair does not have a tongue, so we measured its wrap-around pieces' padding instead.

We kept in mind that it's a minimalistic shoe, very light and foot-hugging. But, come on, our caliper showed 0.3 mm. Yes, 0.3 mm! Once again we cannot believe our eyes with this kick. This is pretty much the thinnest it can get!

Vibram Furoshiki Tongue padding

Better recheck your feet every morning before you leave. You'll definitely forget you've put this shoe on!

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki 0.3 mm
Average 4.9 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.3 mm
Tongue padding
11.5 mm

Heel tab

As we can see in the picture, it does not have a heel tab. With such an easy on-and-off construction, it doesn't really need it! It would just add extra weight to the pair.

Vibram Furoshiki Heel tab

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki None

Removable insole

It does not have a removable insole either.

As these types of shoes focus on the natural stride and ground feel combo, they do not have any unnecessary pieces between your feet and the floor. And you'd typically not need to put any extra plushy insoles, as that's not the main goal of this kind of footwear!

If you need a pair with one and you don't mind getting rid of the barefoot part and its advantages, then maybe you could try the comfortable and light Allbirds Wool Runners.

Vibram Furoshiki Removable insole

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki No

Misc

Reflective elements

The Vibram Furoshiki doesn't have any reflective elements.

You are the one who's gotta shine when you put them on, not them!

Vibram Furoshiki Reflective elements

Test results
Vibram Furoshiki No