I was thinking about getting a pair of the vibram 5 finger shoes (despite my enthusiasm for them as running shoes) for decent/ walk-offs. They seem like they would be much easier to carry and less noticeable when climbing. Anyone have experiences with them for this use?

Tried it, hated it. Have la sportiva vertical K's now and enjoy them much more.

Yeah they are pretty legit. I've had like 3 pairs and loved them, but I kept blowing out the side of the big toe. And they are a pain to put on. But they are really compact and light for bringing up long climbs w/ walkoffs.

www.newbalance.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-newbalance_us-S>>>
These shoes are the same thing but way better. And you don't look like a kook.

I tried them and was not impressed. Easy to stub your toes, have to move slowly on talus, slow to put on (or maybe my toes just aren't very coordinated.

I went back to my lightweight Tevas.

I used mine for longish approaches at Red Rocks. Day one no problem. Day two slight ouchy. Day three felt like the bottoms of my feet had been attacked with a baseball bat. A compromise. I have the ones with no real sole texture or padding. Good for shorter distances and way light of course.

As someone who has tried both, I second the Vertical K comment. The Vibrams are slightly less bulky, but not nearly as good for scrambling/down-climbing on third class terrain. Vibram demerits: the rubber isn't very sticky, dirt gets into them, and they offer virtually no protection against the occasional loose rock rolling over your foot. Might as well be barefoot (which I've foolishly been known to do). The Vertical K's are super light, very sticky, and make a great approach/decent shoe. I've also run 20 miles in mine without a blister. Love 'em!

The Vertical K's are awesome. They have replaced my clunky and heavy approach shoes and are great for long approaches. My only complaint is that because of the slip-last, they need to be ordered much larger than other approach/trail runners. I went 1/2 size up from my street shoe.

I love my Five fingers for just about everything. I've brought them with as my appoach shoes and I think they do the trick on most stuff. However the best shoe for descents that I carry up is the Evolv Cruiser. Won em at competition and love em. Totally forget they're even on my gear loop until I'm walking down with my feet protected, comfortable, and sticky.

I really want a pair of those new balance shoes. but can't bring myself to pay 100 for some walk off shoes.

good to know about the 5 fingers. thx for the info.

I got a pair of 5 fingers for that exact purpose (walk offs). I'll keep using them, but when they die they'll be replaced with Evolv Cruisers or something along that line--the Vertical K looks cool but pricey. Maybe even a "barefoot" shoe without separate toes like the Vivobarefoot.

I'm relatively clumsy on descents (once technical portions are over), so I've stubbed my toe in them a little too often. Also once got a little cholla cactus ball stuck in the mesh between my toes for a few steps--OUCH. But you can't beat the weight/size! I've had no problems on 3rd class with them, but keep my climbing shoes on for 4th.

Not a fan of five fingers. Your feet get really beat, especially on sharp talus. Like the minimilist way better

when i first got a pair of 5F i was psyched for the same reason, but i found that I often stubbed my toes really badly, and they don't climb well at all if there's some sketchy 4th classing, yeah they are super lightweight, but thats about all i liked about them...

The New Balance MT00 Trail Zero is a bit more protective and comfortable than the 5F, at least for me. Really light, and they can roll up pretty small. I'd be wary of going far in them unless you got used to them very gradually, though. But that goes for the 5F as well.

Here's something funny:

Check the weight of five fingers barefoot shoes (the stupidest term in the history of marketing to morons). Now check the weight of 5.10 Guide tennies (for one example).

You might want to gullibility one of the items to cast away in your minimalist lifestyle.

Apologies for the cynicism but my BS meter is redlining tonight.

I like them. For approach and decent. But you do have to concentrate on foot placement more if the ground isn't solid.

I had some, I used for the same thing plus trail running. I loved them. BUT after 2 broken pinky toes from bashing rock running on the trail I returned them to REI (after almost a year!!) and got the merrell version of the barefoot running shoe. I like the big toe bumper, plus they're superlight.

For for approach/descent you probably won't have to worry about the toe thing so much.