Vivobarefoot Review | Barefoot Shoes for Every Occasion
Written by Christopher Ioannou, BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise Science
Reading Time: 7 minutes
The video version of this post:
VIVOBAREFOOT™ is a long standing company in the barefoot shoe game. They have taken all types of footwear, from running, hiking, casual shoes to sandals and converted their designs to conform to the functional needs of our feet.
In the past, we really only had one true barefoot shoe in the form of Vibram Five-Fingers.
While the five-fingers are excellent training shoes, they never filled the needs for every occasion.
I mean, imagine going to work with a pair of five-finger shoes. For some, going anywhere with these shoes would not be an option.
I wonder why.…;)
Vivobarefoot set out to change that by making seemingly normal looking shoes but, with subtle design qualities necessary to make them ‘functional, minimal, barefoot style.’
Vivobarefoot Kids Shoes
Figure 1 - Vivobarefoot has a wide variety of Kids and Toddlers shoes
The company also makes kids’ shoes, which are important, since youngsters have soft malleable bones and require more space within their shoes to allow proper development for their feet.
Research shows that kids who spend a lot of time barefoot before the age of six are far less likely to develop flat feet later in life.
For those of you who are unaware of the many reasons why barefoot shoes are necessary for good health, check out this video. In that video, we also discussed the rating system we will be using to review these shoes today.
Barefoot Shoe Design
Alright, let’s see if Vivobarefoot shoes have the four design qualities which barefoot shoes must have:
1. Zero Drop Soles
Figure 2 - Vivobarefoot Zero Drop Soles
All the Vivobarefoot shoes are flat and have no raise in the heel in relation to the forefoot. Giving them a 5/5 in this category.
2. Thin and Flexible Soles
Figure 3 - Vivobarefoot Thin and Flexible Soles
Vivobarefoot have a patented ultra thin, puncture resistant sole which not only gives good sensory feedback from the ground, but also protects the feet from harsh terrain which are abrasive to the skin.
Their soles range from 3-8mm thick which is the norm in the barefoot shoe world.
Personally, I have noticed that the robustness of their puncture resistant materials do curb a bit of my feeling with the ground compared to other barefoot shoes I have tried but, I think they managed to find a good happy medium between function and resiliency.
For these reasons they get a solid 4/5.
3. Thin and Flexible Inner Soles With No Arch Support
Figure 4 - Vivobarefoot shoes do not have Arch Support
Many of their models like the Primus light and Primus trails come with an inner sole which is very thin, flexible and has no arch support.
Additionally, the inner soles can be removed for those who are between sizes or have very high arches and need the extra room that the shoe can provide.
The ability to remove the inner is also an advantage, as it gives extra ground feel to the wearer.
In this section we are awarding a 5/5;
4. Wide Toe Box
Figure 5 - Vivobarefoot Wide Toe Box
A wide toe box is necessary to accommodate toe spreading during the push off phases of walking and running.
Figure 6 - 1:1 scaled drawing of foot on Vivobarefoot shoes
This is simple to check by tracing the outline of the toes, while spread out on a piece of paper. Then, cut out the drawing and overlay underneath the shoes’ toe box to compare.
I found the Vivo’s toe box to be a fraction narrower than my 1:1 scaled drawing of my toe spread.
By the way, It is important to mention that I don’t have particularly wide feet.
However, compared to traditional shoes, VIVOBAREFOOT™ show a substantial improvement in toe box width.
But, since we are looking for the best barefoot shoe design I may need to be a little harsh with my rating here and give a 3/5.
Vivobarefoot’s Sizing
Figure 7 - Vivobarefoot's website helps you to find the perfect fit for your feet
I have sometimes found inconsistency in sizing across various barefoot shoe companies. With Vivobarefoot, this inconsistency spans across their various products too.
Some models like the Primus Lite fit true to my original size, while the Gobi II ran a little large for me.
My advice is to check the sizing guide on their website and even reach out to the support team through their online chat service to make sure you select the correct size.
Vivobarefoot do have a 100 day satisfaction return policy, but you are liable for the return shipping cost.
Natural Toes Spread
Figure 8 - Silicone toe spreaders help create space between the toes
However, if you are a first time wearer of barefoot shoes then you will feel like the shoes are a bit large even if they are in fact the correct size. This could be because your toes have been conditioned to stand in a narrow toe box.
The extra space in the barefoot style shoe will cause a lot of wiggle room. The more you use barefoot shoes though, the more spread out your toes will become, ensuring a more snug fit in the front.
My wife and I have experienced this first hand since we transitioned to this improved design a few years back.
To speed up the process one can also buy silicone toe spreaders (Europe or USA) which, when used daily, help create space between the toes.
Another tip for getting the best fit from your shoes is through using elasticated laces. I use flat minimally designed ones (Europe or USA) which fasten neatly on the inside of the shoe and give a nice clean look.
The benefits of having elasticated laces is that once you have adjusted them to your preferred fit, it’s just a matter of slipping the shoes on everyday.
Now for the bonus points, split into three additional categories:
Eco Friendliness
Figure 9 - Vivobarefoot shoes are partly made from bio-degradable, organic materials: algae, corn and natural rubbers.
Vivobarefoot make many of their shoes from recycled plastic, and have even developed shoes partly made from bio-degradable, organic materials like algae, corn and natural rubbers.
The Cork and leather used in some of their models are also organic materials which are not harmful to the environment. The company claims to have ethically sourced the hides, used in their leather shoes, from free roaming cattle.
Vivobarefoot is actively involved in organised beach and city cleans, as well as planting trees.
When it comes to being environmentally conscious, Vivobarefoot get a hi-five from us as well as five bonus points, 5/5.
Price
Figure 10 - Vivobarefoot Adult shoes price range
Vivo’s are not cheap. Their shoes range between $115-$250.
Nevertheless, I do feel that they are high end in terms of quality, design and their use of eco friendly materials, so it kind of justifies the price, especially when you factor in the free shipping on all orders over $100 in most countries.
This being said, there are better value for money shoes in the barefoot shoe space. For this reason, I give them a 3.5 out of 5 in this regard.
Aesthetics
Figure 11 - Vivobarefoot shoes range cater for most occasions
Vivo’s are good looking shoes, they cater for most occasions and have many designs and colours to choose from in each category.
For this reason, they get a 4/5.
Barefoot Shoe Review Rating
Figure 12 - Vivobarefoot Overall score by Exercising Health
Vivobarefoot’s Final score tallies 30.5/35 which is a 87% rating.
Overall, Vivobarefoot is taking amazing strides towards changing the way we feel about barefoot shoes and I am excited to see what they bring out next.
If you want to grab yourself a pair Vivobarefoot shoes, the company has offered our audience a 12% Dicount Code on any purchase using ‘EHEALTH12’ on checkout on their website.
Additional Info
If you are new to Barefoot shoes, check out our Barefoot Shoes Transition Program which is designed to turn anyone into a barefoot athlete without risking injury.
For more Health Science Made Simple, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and join our Newsletter.
