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Are you an eco-consumer looking for a shoe that's kind to the environment and your feet?
Look no further…my 2024 Vivobarefoot review is here!
I've been slowly transitioning to barefoot shoes for a couple of years, and I'm now at the point of no return. But is Vivo the best brand to choose if you want to do the same?
I've tested the leading Vivobarefoot shoes for comfort, durability, value for money, and sustainability.
Read on to find out whether they made the grade...
Renowned for their stylish, minimalist design, incredible breathability, and Amazonian durability, Vivobarefoot shoes are a big hit among athletes and environmentalists.
Transitioning to barefoot shoes can strengthen your feet AND your eco-credentials.
After more than a year's use, my toes have spread, and my feet have strengthened to the point where squeezing them back into my old shoes and sneakers is unpleasant.
Luckily barefoot shoes have come a long way since the freaky Vibram Five Fingers, and I can now wear barefoot shoes all day, every day, without being 'that weird barefoot guy'.
Vivobarefoot is one of the brands I return to again and again, and I now have Vivos I wear daily across the following scenarios:
Later in this article, I'll discuss all the eco-friendly ways Vivobarefoot is crushing it as a powerhouse in the world of sustainable shoes.
However, before I get to that, I want to get to the good stuff and run through my favorite Vivos.
They Say: Train hard while treading lightly on the planet. The Primus Lite III is our hero trainer, and its minimalist design lets your feet move in the most natural way possible. Building strength for every run, walk, and workout.
We Say: The Primus Lite III was the first Vivobarefoot shoe I ever owned…and it's still one of my favorites.
I initially used it for road and trail running, but that didn't feel quite right. Road running was a bit hard on my feet, and trail running was a bit too slippery.
However, when I started using my Primus Lite III's for gym work, I knew I'd found their perfect purpose…workout shoes!
The ultra-thin sole and wide toe box gives incredible stability when doing cardio and strength work with weights. It also boosts my balance for recovery work such as stretching and yoga.
When I started wearing Primus Lite III for my gym work, I kept the recycled insole in for extra comfort. However, now my body has fully adjusted to the different demands of barefoot living, I've removed them for extra feel and stability.
I chose the Obsidian color option and love the look of them. But if you want to express your personality more, there are brighter options, such as Rush and Bright White.
On the subject of looks, thanks to its lovely wide toe box, the Primus Lite III does look slightly different from your average sneaker (of all the pairs of gym shoes I've ever worn, these give my big toe the most room to spread). It might not suit everyone's fashion tastes, but I like it!
The Primus Lite III is an incredibly durable shoe. I've put them through some punishing gym sessions (as well as the initial road and trail running), and they still look pretty box-fresh.
I've no doubt this pair of gym shoes will serve me faithfully for many years.
They Say: Rewild and reconnect. Primus Trail All Weather III FG is durable, flexible, and vegan. Made using a recycled all-weather mesh textile to create high-performance footwear that's at home in colder conditions on untouched terrain. Letting you move naturally on the trail, closer to nature.
We Say: As mentioned above, I started my barefoot running journey in a pair of Primus Lite III, and while they felt amazing on my feet, they didn't offer quite the right level of padding for road running or grip for trail running.
The Primus Trail III All Weather FG is the perfect shoe if you want to stay connected with nature and explore new terrain, regardless of the weather conditions.
The waterproof technology and all-weather mesh upper make the Trail III All Weather FG super durable and flexible so you can move naturally in any environment.
Plus, it's made from more sustainable and vegan materials that reduce its environmental impact.
One potential negative point to note is the lacing system. The Primus Trail III All Weather FG utilizes a toggle and thin laces rather than conventional laces. It's a system I like the functionality of, but not necessarily the look.
The wider design allows for natural stability, while the thin, flexible construction keeps your feet light, responsive, and connected with the ground.
The extra grippier sole makes all the difference for me. It's the perfect combination of being grippy on trails and more cushioned on roads while giving me an extraordinary ground feel.
It's an impressive road and trail running shoe that will power my running adventures with Millie for many years.
I'm currently testing new options for the following categories and will update this article soon:
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Galahad and Asher Clark, two seventh-generation cobblers, founded Vivobarefoot in 2012 to promote health through barefoot footwear.
Their designs highlight the regenerative power that comes from connecting directly with nature.
Vivobarefoot has three core beliefs that perfectly sum up its approach to the restorative power of nature:
Switching to barefoot shoes can have many health benefits, including improved posture, increased flexibility and strength in the feet, lower stress on joints and muscles, and improved balance.
Your feet are the foundation of your body, connecting you to mother nature and providing a powerful connection between the brain and movement.
But when encased in modern shoes (cushioned, narrow, and rigid), their natural strength is inhibited, which can lead to physical problems from walking gait issues all the way up to back pain.
Barefoot shoes allow a reconnection with nature by being wide (so as not to squish toes), thin (ensuring tactile feedback), flexible (offering unrestricted mobility), and flat (zero-drop).
Barefoot shoes are now more popular than ever, and there are many brands to choose from. So what sets Vivobarefoot apart as one of the best?
Vivobarefoot is dedicated to creating sustainable and planet-friendly designs. Some of the eco-friendly and innovative materials they use include:
With over 24 billion pairs of shoes created yearly (around 90% often end up in landfills within 12 months), the need to reduce their environmental impact is clear.
I believe there shouldn't be any reason to dispose of well-loved footwear just because they have reached the end (or middle!) of their life span…and I'm delighted to see that Vivobarefoot agrees.
Its ReVivo service allows you to return your favorite pair of Vivos for repair and rejuvenation.
Breathing new life into an existing product is way more sustainable than tossing it in the trash and replacing it.
Unfortunately, this service is currently only available in the UK, but there are plans to extend it to the U.S. soon.
Vivobarefoot is a Certified B Corporation, so you can rest assured that its eco-credentials and business practices are as good as it gets.
Vivobarefoot is trying to revolutionize the footwear industry with its Livebarefoot Fund, an in-house impact program that drives research and innovation for regenerative shoes and experiences.
The fund is active in three main areas:
Vivobarefoot is so confident you'll love your new barefoot shoes that it offers a 100-day trial.
If you're not impressed, simply return them within 100 days for a full refund.
Vivobarefoot ships its shoes worldwide. Standard shipping to the U.S. is $5 (free for all orders over $120).
I'm now a complete convert to the world of barefoot shoes, and Vivobarefoot is most definitely one of my favorite brands.
However, if you're considering transitioning to barefoot shoes, you should do so slowly to avoid discomfort and potential injury.
Give your body time to adjust to this new (actually very old! 😉) way of walking and running by following these simple steps:
You'll love your Vivos so much that you'll want to wear them everywhere.
So, it's inevitable that they'll get dirty (especially if you punish them on muddy trails as I do).
Cleaning your Vivos is a simple process. There are just a few things to keep in mind:
A zero-drop shoe has a sole that has the same thickness at both the heel and toe areas. This allows your foot to remain flat, as it would be if you were barefoot.
Some like the extra cushioning of socks, while others prefer a closer connection to the ground.
Experiment and see what works best for you. I like socks as it keeps my shoes smelling fresher for longer. My barefoot socks of choice are Injinji.
So, do Vivobarefoot shoes live up to the hype, and are they worth buying?
For me, it's a resounding yes and yes!
There's no escaping from the fact that Vivobarefoot is a premium brand with a premium ticket price, and there are other barefoot sandals for men available that are cheaper. But you most definitely get what you pay for here.
I'm sure that once you go Vivo…you won't want to go back!
I hope this article has helped you decide if Vivobarefoot shoes are right for you. Thanks for reading, and happy barefooting!
Are you new to wearing barefoot shoes? Or are you a barefoot pro? Do you own any Vivos? Which ones are your favorite? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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