FiveFingers is the latest example of the relentless commitment to research and product innovation at Vibram.
While we continue to aggressively prosecute counterfeiters, we think it's important for you to know how counterfeiting impacts you directly, and how it undermines our dedication to quality products and fair business practices.
In the case of Vibram FiveFingers, "counterfeiters" refers to the numerous companies that are deceptively using our name to sell fraudulent and inferior products to unsuspecting consumers.
Counterfeiters continue to refine their process to better deceive consumers. They utilize stolen imagery and text from our Web site and those of authorized retailers. They advertise heavily on Google and focus on high search engine rankings to confuse consumers. Your best defense is to stay educated and be wary of deals that seem "too good to be true" they probably are.
Authentic Vibram FiveFingers KSO in black.
Counterfeit KSO -- advertised as "New KSO Toe Sock" from Chinese internet seller for$30. Construction of "anti-skid rubber" and "cordura" with a "highly supporting doormat" insole.
Advertised as KSO (incorrect model) and style, the shoes are accompanied by a Vibram branded box. Some retailers have claimed to get FiveFinger shoes in "large containers without packaging and minor scuffing" -- buyer beware.
Compare the authentic $100 FiveFingers from Vibram (left) with the $30 knockoff (advertised as KSO) from China (right).
Note the white, not Vibram gold insole on the counterfeit.
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