Table of Contents
About VivoBarefoot
VivoBarefoot is looking to revolutionize the shoe industry by creating sustainably sourced, zero-environmental impact shoes.
VivoBarefoot has been featured in notable media outlets the likes of British Vogue, Business Insider, and FashionUnited UK. They have an impressive fan base of over 370k followers on Instagram. But even with all this online coverage, could this brand be trendy over good quality?
In this VivoBarefoot shoes review, we’ll focus on the brand, a selection of their bestselling shoes, what customers think of their purchases, and other important details to know as a potential buyer to make your next shoe purchase decision.
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Overview Of VivoBarefoot
VivoBarefoot was created based on three core values: to think on your feet, innovate sustainably, and move as nature intended.
VivoBarefoot shoes are unique in their purpose to have as little shoe as possible, so that your feet can connect with the ground beneath them.
Launched in London, England in 2012, the brand is not only preoccupied with foot-friendly designs. They produce sustainable footwear with zero impact. It all comes full circle as VivoBarefoot’s mission is to forge a change in thought and approach to life by inspiring people to live by eco-friendly values.
VivoBarefoot has been awarded status as a Certified B Corporation, which requires “addressing social and environmental factors is a key component to building healthy communities.” In other words, VivoBarefoot doesn’t just talk about helping the environment, they do it and they do it with a variety of top-quality shoes.
Pros & Cons
Before we get into some of the brand’s top sellers, take a look at the pros and cons of the brand in this VivoBarefoot shoes review:
Pros
- VivoBarefoot shoes are designed to allow for natural foot movement and maximum sensory feedback.
- The brand is a Certified B Corporation with sustainable products and practices.
- More time spent barefoot, or in VivoBarefoot shoes, can help promote minimalist movement and overall foot health.
- VivoBarefoot shoes are available in a variety of styles for men, women, toddlers, and children.
Cons
- Some people may need time to adjust to the unique feeling of wearing VivoBarefoot shoes.
- VivoBarefoot shoes can be more expensive than traditional shoes.
Features
VivoBarefoot offers “barefoot shoes” that which are designed to allow your feet to do their natural thing, reduce injuries, and improve your balance, strength, and flexibility. Here are some of the key features of VivoBarefoot footwear:
- Thin sole: The sole of VivoBarefoot shoes is thin, which allows your feet to feel the ground beneath them and gives you a better sense of balance.
- Wide toe box: The toe box of VivoBarefoot shoes is naturally wide and foot-shaped, allowing your toes to spread and grip as they would if you were walking barefoot. This also helps to promote natural foot movement and reduce the risk of foot deformities.
- Flexible design: VivoBarefoot shoes are designed to be flexible, allowing your feet to move naturally and giving you a more natural walking experience. This can help to reduce the risk of injuries and improve your overall foot health.
- Sustainability focus: VivoBarefoot is sustainability-focused and uses plant-based foam, recycled plastics, and wild hide leather in their shoe designs. This makes their shoes more environmentally friendly and reduces their impact on the planet.
- Comfortable: Despite their minimalist design, VivoBarefoot shoes are lightweight, comfortable, and provide enough arch support to keep your feet feeling good.
- 100-day free trial option: All VivoBarefoot shoes come with a 100-day free trial option. They also have a 6-month sustainable guarantee and a 100-day refund policy.
Materials
Vivobarefoot footwear is made from various materials, including plant-based foam, recycled plastics, and wild hide leather. The shoes are designed to be sustainable and eco-friendly. In fact, the company has a “no-waste” policy in which it reuses or recycles all of the waste created in the manufacturing process.
The plant-based foam used in Vivobarefoot footwear is made from natural rubber and other eco-friendly materials. The foam is used in the insoles and midsoles of the shoes and provides cushioning and support while still being thin and flexible.
Recycled plastic is also used in the manufacturing process of some of the shoes. For example, the company has a line of shoes made from recycled PET bottles, which are transformed into a lightweight, breathable material that is used to make the upper part of the shoe.
Additionally, the company uses wild hide leather in some of its shoes. This is leather that is sourced from free-roaming cattle in Ethiopia that have not been treated with any chemicals or antibiotics. The leather is naturally scarred and marked, making each pair of shoes unique.
Overall, Vivobarefoot strives to use eco-friendly and sustainable materials in the manufacturing of its footwear while still maintaining the quality and durability of the product.
8 Best-Selling VivoBarefoot Footwear
This VivoBarefoot shoes review will at three boot models, three shoe models, and two kid’s shoes for individuals with different needs reflecting diverse styles.
If you want to become a VivoBarefoot hiker there’s a ready-to-go classic hiking boot, a pair that’s designed with fewer mountains and more cafes in mind, to a boot that you can travel the world in.
VivoBarefoot running shoes come in two functional categories: road running and trail running. While the shoe construction varies between the two types, the style and appearance are similar throughout: a streamlined, performance-driven design that won’t slow you down.
VivoBarefoot Tracker FG
One of the bestsellers of the VivoBarefoot boots family, the Tracker FG comes in both men’s and women’s styles. With a tough leather exterior, the boot is designed for wearing in wild and rough terrains, backed up by a firm ground sole.
The lightweight boot features thermal protection and a waterproof lining ideal for outdoor adventures—you’re covered even while hiking in the rain or passing through mud, and your feet will stay warm when wearing them in the winter.
While the Tracker OG is made for roughin’ it, the minimalist boot can go straight from the hike to the bars (give them a quick wipe if they’re dirty, though). If you plan on wearing it in more laidback settings, you may want to switch out the bright red laces, though the brown on black would also be a cool contrast.
Priced at $250, these VivoBarefoot boots have solid value since it’s like you’re getting two pairs in one.
VivoBarefoot Scott II Utility
The Scott II Utility is a lightweight vegan boot made from durable Cordura fabric. Small flashes of color, including on the very handy thumb tab at the back, add a different dimension to the boot.
Don’t think that just because it isn’t a purist hiking boot it cannot handle the snow and winter: the hexagonal bottom provides good traction whether you are trekking through snow, mud, cold or wet surfaces. Simply put, this boot can handle whatever the city throws at it.
Designed and styled with the city more in mind, those extra panels and detailing on the side are reflective so wherever you step you’ll stay visible. At $220, that extra paneling on the ankle gives the boot a unique aesthetic that is sure to stand out compared to other boots.
VivoBarefoot Gobi II Hemp
The Gobi II Hemp boots are a stylish, yet minimalist take on the classic desert boot, available for both men and women. The clue for the core material used is in the word, natural hemp, which is the canvas for the upper element of the boot.
Combined with one of the thinnest barefoot outsoles that VivoBarefoot shoes have, you’ll feel connected to the ground and there’s an organic cotton lining for breathability.
The splash of color allows these boots to work with basically any pants you choose—dress them up or throw them in your bag as a backup plan and you’ll be ready for whatever plans crop up.
These boots will take you anywhere every single day, and not compromise on style one bit. At around $170 a pop, this style represents great value in the boots department.
VivoBarefoot Primus Lite
Here is one of the best-selling shoes on the website, the VivoBarefoot Primus Lite.
The shoe is a vegan creation, made using PET plastic bottles recycled into durable performance materials. The shoe is lightweight and breathable, suitable for a run, walk, or workout.
The best thing about the Primus Lite II is that it is perfect for workouts, yes, but its stylish design means that it is so versatile.
With the colors available your feet can be a flash of color as you speed past someone, or they can be a bright spark that you can throw on to go to the shops for $150 a pair.
VivoBarefoot Primus Trail
The Primus Trail is slightly different from its Lite brother above, and you can see that straight from the outset, it is a little chunkier, looks a little more supported and the sole is obviously thicker than the Primus Lite.
This shoe is available for both men and women as an FG Firm Ground style and an SG Soft Ground. There’s also a Primus Trail Kids version as well for some serious juvenile style.
The Primus Trail is made of recycled plastic bottles that gives it a durable yet breathable structure.
While the Primus Lite could be more versatile, the Primus Trail model is best suited for those rugged trails.
As the designs of the FG and SG are remarkably similar, the outsole is the major difference here, with low-profile lugs incorporated into the FG style to help with traction on trails and rocky terrains, while SG style is perfect for muddy or wet terrain. Both clock in at around $170.
VivoBarefoot Ultra III
The Ultra III is VivoBarefoot’s best-selling water shoe designed for women, while there is also an Ultra Bloom Kids version as well.
It’s lightweight and vegan, designed for land and sea wear. What sets this shoe apart from competitors is the Bloom’s algae-based alternative to the synthetic components that make up most other water shoes.
If you are going on a land meets aquatic, this is a go-to shoe. There are a few different colors available, from Obsidian (pictured) to Algae Green, Electric Blue, and a classic Black/White.
Flexible and comfy with a synched drawstring instead of laces, the VivoBarefoot Ultra III can be rolled up and shoved into the bottom of a bag to take wherever you go. At just a shade over $100, it won’t break the bank either.
VivoBarefoot Ababa Leather Sandal Kids
VivoBarefoot Sandals have a simple purpose of reminding kids, to an extent, of how their ancestors walked. A no-nonsense, simple sandal, handmade in Ethiopia with Ethiopian Wild Hide, it is naturally scarred.
A great little addition is that it has a flap at the back to prevent the sandal from sliding off of your kid’s foot—for those of you that are parents will know, this can be a recipe for a tantrum if your little one’s foot slipped out of the sandal while on the move.
This isn’t your classic kind of nerdy sandal, it looks trendy and a Velcro snap across the ankle provides support.
For your little style icon, it comes in a Botanical Green or Navy so there is little not to love about this $60 leather sandal that supports local communities in Addis Ababa.
VivoBarefoot Ultra Bloom Kids
Now not every kid wants to match with their parents when it comes to clothes and shoes, but the VivoBarefoot Ultra Bloom Kids is a great choice for the little ones.
Available in two bold colors of Wave Blue or Bio Lime, the shoes are suitable for water and land adventures. Much like the adult version it is vegan and composed of Bloom, an algae-based alternative material.
A fear for any parent is that their kid is going to be out having fun, running from wet to dry whether it’s on the beach, the poolside or wherever, and their shoes become slippery causing a tripping hazard.
That isn’t a fear with the Ultra Bloom Kids—it’s quick drying which gives it added traction over different terrains. At around $76 it is certainly not an inexpensive purchase, but its durability and traction pads on the sole add to it as a worthy investment.
Who Is VivoBarefoot Footwear For?
VivoBarefoot footwear is designed for anyone who wants to improve their foot health and experience the benefits of natural movement.
The brand aims to provide shoes that allow the foot to move naturally and freely, promoting good posture, balance, and overall foot strength.
While some may be hesitant to try barefoot-style shoes, VivoBarefoot offers a 100-day free trial option, making it accessible for those who want to try it out without making a commitment.
VivoBarefoot also has a focus on sustainability, using eco-friendly and recycled materials in their products, which may appeal to those who are environmentally conscious.
VivoBarefoot Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
By and large, VivoBarefoot reviews are positive across the board as of May 2023.
It’s fair to say that they’re not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. There are lots of shoe companies out there and VivoBarefoot shoes tend to be at the higher end of the spectrum, which turns away some consumers. That being said, those who bought into the idea of VivoBarefoot love the shoes.
The overwhelming majority of comments on consumer review websites like TrustPilot are along the lines of “Awesome shoes. Would love a slip on option but otherwise will keep buying vivo barefoot and would think twice about buying any other brand now.”
One particular reviewer had a particularly impressed youngster with his purchase of a pair of VivoBarefoot shoes, writing, “After a full day at school and almost 2 miles walk there and back I asked my 4 yr old how his shoes were. His reply was “they feel lovely, they’re just like socks”. I’m so pleased with these shoes, I’ve been eyeing up some for myself for years and I think I’ll treat myself after this review from my little person”.
A handful of customers were also disappointed that VivoBarefoot only allows returns, not exchanges.
While VivoBarefoot claims to have a no-hassle return process, some find it rather frustrating either in terms of wait times and, in some cases, paying for the cost of the shipping returns.
Negative comments aside, VivoBarefoot has a rating of 4.5/5 stars based on over 7,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with 75% of respondents rating the company & shoes as “Excellent”.
Is VivoBarefoot Worth It?
This VivoBarefoot shoes review has a lot of different elements all geared towards whether you as the would-be consumer should buy their shoes, whether it be a VivoBarefoot Primus Lite, a particular style of boot, sandal, or more.
The Certified B Corporation company prioritizes sustainability, regenerative practices, and making the world we live in a better place for everyone. The fact that they make quality shoes that look good, and have a large variety of styles just further cements the fact that VivoBarefoot shoes are worth your money.
That being said, the price is not something to ignore, and there are other shoe companies out there that make similar styles to VivoBarefoot that will cost you considerably less.
It is also important to bear in mind that this style of shoe (as close to barefoot as possible) is not for everyone. It will certainly take time to adjust to this kind of footwear.
If you simply want to ask “Are VivoBarefoot shoes good for your feet?” The answer is yes and there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the footwear, provided the shoes are within your budget (there’s no need to stress about shoes you can’t afford).
The ethos of the company, the construction of the shoes, and the plenty of options for all ages are all important factors in this VivoBarefoot shoes review.
VivoBarefoot Promotions & Discounts
For this VivoBarefoot shoes review, I hunted their website for deals and turned up some promising ones:
- Free shipping is included wherever you’re located as long as the cart is above a certain price, which changes depending on the location of delivery
- There is a VivoBarefoot sale section that includes shoes in the Men’s, Women’s, and Kids
- By logging on to the website, you’re offered 10% off of your first order if you join the mailing list–which of course also enables you to get future promotions and exclusive updates.
- If you Refer A Friend then both you and your friend will get 20% off your next order
Keep checking the brand website and their social media platforms regularly for a VivoBarefoot promo code or a VivoBarefoot coupon.
Where To Buy VivoBarefoot Shoes
The primary location to order the footwear online is on the brand’s website, VivoBarefoot.com. Other sellers include:
- VivoBarefoot Amazon
- The Foot Collective
- Zappos
- MEC
Note that the above independent retailers may not offer delivery to certain countries and stocks are less reliable due to the third-party nature of the sites.
If you plan to buy online, the best practice is likely to just stick with the official site, that way there is much less hassle and confusion if there is an issue with your order.
Alternatives
Looking for the perfect shoe? Here are a few more options to consider:
- Lems Shoes: Lems Shoes offers minimalist footwear designed to promote natural foot movement and flexibility. Their shoes are lightweight and have a wide toe box to allow for natural toe splay. They also use eco-friendly materials in their products.
- Xero Shoes: Xero Shoes offers a range of barefoot-style footwear, including sandals, shoes, and boots. Their shoes are designed to be lightweight, flexible, and zero-drop, meaning there is no difference in height between the heel and the toe. They also offer a 5,000-mile sole warranty on their shoes.
- Merrell: Merrell offers a range of minimalist and barefoot-style shoes, including hiking shoes, running shoes, and casual shoes. Their shoes are designed to be lightweight and flexible, with a wide toe box for natural toe splay. They also use sustainable materials in their products.
- Vibram: Vibram is a well-known brand in the barefoot-style shoe market, and their FiveFingers shoes are a popular choice for those looking for minimalist footwear. Their shoes have individual toe pockets, allowing for natural toe movement, and a thin, flexible sole for a barefoot feel.
- Feelgrounds: Feelgrounds offers a range of minimalist sneakers that are designed to be lightweight, breathable, and flexible. Their shoes have a zero-drop sole and a wide toe box for natural toe splay. They also use eco-friendly materials in their products.
FAQ
Do you wear socks with VivoBarefoot shoes?
While the shoes are designed with bare feet in mind, if you prefer socks, then go for it. If it’s a bit chilly out, VivoBarefoot offers thermal insoles that can keep your feet warm. If you’re going with socks, the best bet is to pick out a non-restrictive or lightweight sock.
What sizes does VivoBarefoot have?
The wide variety of VivoBarefoot sizing means that they make shoes for every kind of foot, going from Toddler size, through Kids and Junior sizes to Women and Mens sizes.
Men’s shoes start at a US 7, Women’s start at a US 5.5, Juniors a US 2, Kids a US 9, and Toddlers a US 5.
The VivoBarefoot sizing chart proves to be a simple but handy conversion table if you know your shoe size in UK, EU, or CM sizes.
What is VivoBarefoot’s Shipping Policy?
Great news in this VivoBarefoot shoes review: the brand ships globally. There are two shipping options to choose from, Standard and Express, both of which come with tracking capabilities provided by Global-E.
Pricing varies depending on the country they are being shipped to. Choosing the Standard is free on all orders over a certain price depending on your location, and can take up to 10 business days.
The alternative is the Express option will deliver your package to you in 3–5 business days.
What is VivoBarefoot’s Return Policy?
Due to the nature of VivoBarefoot shoes, it is not possible to exchange sizes or styles after orders are placed.
However, if you don’t like the shoes, something is wrong with them, or you simply change your mind for whatever reason, you can return the shoes for a full, no-stress, refund within 100 days of ordering.
If you purchased your VivoBarefoot shoes from an independent store or website, you’ll have to contact the store directly as return policies will vary.
How to contact VivoBarefoot
If you have questions that weren’t covered in this VivoBarefoot shoes review, there are several ways to get in touch with customer service:
- Telephone Number: +44 (0) 207 048 0600 (Mon-Sat 8:00am – 2:00am)
- Email: [email protected]
- Fill out the Contact Form on the VivoBarefoot website (requires your name, email address, telephone, order #, and country)
If you’re not set on VivoBarefoot, check out some other brands:
You claim to use natural products that dont leave a footprint on the invironment. You claim to produce honest products and materials. Yet you have your shoes manufactured in Vietnam??? Cheap labor country? Your shoes are damaging to feet, The syntetics used in your shoes burn the skin away.