|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 12 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 These Are WONDERFUL! Jan 18, 2009
By bobthedog
I did quite a bit of research prior to choosing Rikio jikatabi, and I'm glad I did. I wanted something for my feet to complete my summer hot-weather ensemble of juban + yukata + obi. With these and some lightweight cotton tabi socks I am cool and look it as well, even in the hellish summers here in America. I only wish they made a size which is accommodating to my thick Gaelic calves and ankles. Still, with a bit of stretching on the lower four tabs I am able to put them on with relative ease. Strongly recommended!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Full Jikatabi Review Jan 28, 2012
By PlatinumWolf
So here is my full review on the Jikatabi:
(quick side note, I jump around a lot in this review, but it really is a mound of knowledge on the product and it's usage)
First off, you need to know your size. To find your size, have a family member or friend take a rule with centimeters and measure from the very back of the center of your heel, in a diagonal plane or line to the tip of your big toe. Whatever the measurement is add 0.5 centimeters to get a comfortable size. Or if you are like me, get the exact size of your foot, but be prepared for some mild pain. Note: by pain I mean you need to break in the toes of the Tabi, this can take anywhere from a couple days to a week or two.
Okay so you have your size, great. Now you know what size you need to buy. I had a hard time figuring out how to size my feet, so I thought I'd write that really quick so others know what they are doing when it comes to finding their sizes.
Okay now lets start the actual review:
The package arrived quickly for me and in great shape (awesomeness) I ordered a size 26 Jikatabi (because that's my true size, no 0.5 centimeters extra added) and as expected I needed to break them in. I wore them around town, ran in them (yes you can run in them, however, please understand that these shoes conform or mold to the ground like bare feet, so if you can't walk or run barefoot outside, then these shoes will take awhile to get used to and they will hurt more than likely, shoot I do free running in these because they work so well and I am comfortable running in them) and I even worked in freezing rain with them (that last one is not recommended as the Jikatabi are NOT waterproof, so buy waterproofer if you are going to use it in wet or snowy conditions) It took me 3 days to fully break them in and get them to stop rubbing my toes fiercely. But now that they are broken in, they are as comfortable a shoe as anything I have ever worn (like cloud walking). They squeak when you first wear them, so make sure to wear them a lot to make that go away, once they stop squeaking though, be careful, you'll sneak up on people on accident. I currently own a Velcro style Tabi and these new Jikatabi which have the metal tabs. Now, as expected, I did not know how to use the metal tabs at first, but I do now, and to anyone who reads this, here are a couple tips:
the metal tabs are easier to adjust from the bottom up
the metal tabs are easier to connect if you flex your foot upwards
The metal tabs are a pain in the but until you get used to them, so be prepared to be frustrated at first
the metal tabs need broken in just like the rest of the shoe
so there's some hopefully helpful tips on the tabs.
As I said above the shoe is made of a canvas much like an All Star or Converse shoe. They are not water proof, however the stitching is magnificent, and they should under normal care last quite some time. The rubber on the bottom seems very durable to me, and is slip resistant. The buts have a tight fit around the legs or calves I should say when properly adjusted so they won't slip down or fold over on you. I would recommend Tabi Socks which will make them more comfortable.
Overall this is an amazing product. Five Stars, A+++, the only recommendations are buy waterproofer and socks.
Any other questions, or even comments, tell me or ask me and I'll answer the best I can
I hope my review helps,
Ian
PlatinumWolf
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Solid but... May 14, 2009
By Brandon Donnelly
"The media mogul"
I got my pair of Jikatabi in today, I'd give them about 2 months in training to hold up due to the cloth loops but I will report on this!
Pro's:
-Concealed pocket on the inside of each
-Fits quite nicely
-Cloth material is excellent
-Stitching is top notch
-Metal ribs are top notch
Con's:
-Rubber used is rather weak, I would've suggested something a bit more sturdy
-Cloth loops to connect the metal ribs will come apart easily, you'll most likely have to restitch.
-The glue is already starting to pull which means you'll have to break out the hot glue gun every now and then.
Pleased with minimalist shoe Jan 21, 2012
By el_nath
I've been wearing minimalist shoes since my first pair of Vibrams a couple of years ago. I had purchased my last pair of Vibrams, the Bikalas in September 2011 and was disgusted to find out that while they more expensive than the Vibram Classic, they wore out twice as fast. Thus my interest in checking out other minimalist shoes.
After very extensive research into the many alternatives to Vibrams, I decided to give Jika-tabi a try. I was concerned about the sole (it didn't look as durable as the Vibram's Classic sole made of vulcanized rubber), but the price made it worth a try.
The Rikio Fighter Jika-Tabi are extremely comfortable and very light weight, qualities that are not at all dissimilar to Vibram Classics. The kohaze (metal tabs) are a unique and effective method of fitting the canvas shoe to the ankle and calf. Though slow to hook up (they unhook quickly), they are a low profile closure method, unlike velcro straps. My wife who compare my first Vibram Classics to gorilla feet, thought that Jika-Tabi were actually quite stylish. In fact many strangers in the subway have commented the same, when they do look down at my feet. Unlike the Vibrams that scream out, "LOOK AT ME", the Jika-Tabi are quite subdued, and can usually go unnoticed in a crowded subway.
Walking in the Jika-Tabi is the same as in Vibrams or any other minimalist shoe; fore-stike or mid-strike as opposed to heal-strike. As such flexibility in the shoe becomes critical and the Jika-Tabi do not disappoint. They are just as flexible in the main sole as Vibrams, except for the lack of individual toes, save for the big toe. However, in my case this is a positive, as I found that I wore out my Vibrams primarily at the second and third toes. Since these toes are merged in the Jika-Tabi, my initial guess, that at these specific toes, the sole will wear out less faster than in the Vibrams, has so far proven correct.
I have given the product 4 stars and not 5, because of the sole material. The rubber sole is quite flexible, however the rubber material is not as durable as the vulcanized rubber sole of Vibrams. After a month of daily use, there is wear. The shoes are cheap though (the shipping from Japan is a different story), so the wear is acceptable. I would be willing to pay a little more for a Jika-Tabi with a vulcanized rubber sole.
All-in all though, I am more than satisfied, and will be purchasing more Jika-Tabi in the near future. I've recommended them to another minimalist shoe enthusiast (who is wearing the Adidas). However, I will be looking out for a vulcanized rubber sole.
el_nath in Brooklyn, USA
Excellent! Dec 12, 2011
By Denise Thompson
Ordered directly from Japan through Amazon on Thursday, recieved Monday! Talk about super fast shipping! Since it's a Christmas present I cannot say the product is flawless but I am sure it is. Thank you!
See all 12 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
