What is a Vibram sole and is it worth having?

Who Vibram are

Vibram is an Italian company founded in the 1930s by Vitale Bramani, whose name gives the brand its name. It became known for lugged rubber soles for mountain boots, which replaced the nailed leather soles of earlier climbing boots. Today it supplies outsoles to a large number of footwear brands, including many walking boot makers such as Scarpa, Meindl, Lowa, La Sportiva and Hanwag on various models.

Not every boot from those brands has a Vibram sole; some use their own rubber or other suppliers.

Compounds and tread patterns

Vibram makes a range of rubber compounds, each balancing grip and durability differently. A stickier compound grips wet rock better but wears faster; a harder one lasts longer on rough paths. The tread pattern, the shape and spacing of the lugs, is a separate choice and is often designed with the boot brand.

Some names you will see on listings and spec sheets include Megagrip, a compound known for grip on wet and dry surfaces, and branded tread designs such as Meindl's Multigriff or Scarpa's Energy and Presa soles made with Vibram. Exact compounds and claims vary by product, so check the boot maker's details.

What the yellow badge does and does not tell you

The badge tells you the rubber comes from Vibram. That usually means a known supplier with consistent quality. It does not tell you whether the sole suits your ground. A shallow-lugged approach sole with sticky rubber grips well on rock but clogs in mud; a deep-lugged trekking sole sheds mud but feels firmer on rock.

Plenty of boots without Vibram soles grip well too. Brands such as Salomon use their own Contagrip rubber, and some makers use Michelin or in-house compounds. Judge the tread for your terrain first, then the compound.

• Mud and wet grass: deep, widely spaced lugs.
• Rocky paths and scrambles: stickier rubber, flat climbing zone at the toe.
• Long trails and mixed ground: a durable compound with medium lugs.
• Winter: lugs that do not pack with snow, plus traction aids where needed.

Vibram soles and resoling

Many leather boots with Vibram soles can be resoled when the tread wears down, because replacement soles are widely available to cobblers. Some boot makers offer factory resoling, and independent resolers in the UK fit Vibram soles to many models. Whether a particular boot can be resoled depends on its construction more than on the badge.

Our article can you resole walking boots explains how to tell, and our guide to the best walking boots you can resole lists models built for it.

See resoleable walking boots →

Is a Vibram sole worth having?

It is a good sign, not a guarantee. Most boots in the mid and upper price ranges from established brands use quality rubber whether it is Vibram or not. If two boots fit equally well, a well-chosen Vibram tread for your ground is a reasonable tie-breaker. If one fits better, choose fit over the badge every time.

Our best walking boots for UK hills guide lists the sole on each boot so you can compare.

Note:No sole grips on everything. Wet rock, wet grass, mud and ice are slippery in any boot. Adjust your pace and route to conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Are Vibram soles good? Vibram is a respected supplier, but grip depends on the specific compound and tread. Choose the tread for your terrain.

Do Merrell boots have Vibram soles? Some Merrell models use Vibram soles and others use Merrell's own rubber. Check the listing for the specific model.

Do Vibram soles wear out quickly? Stickier compounds wear faster than harder trekking compounds. Wear also depends on your weight, gait and surfaces.

Can I replace a Vibram sole? On boots built for resoling, yes. A cobbler or the boot maker can fit a new sole.