As someone who loves walking barefoot and dislikes the discomfort of cramped shoes, I’ve always been curious about barefoot footwear. My journey began when my bunions became unbearably painful, even in trainers. After trying popular options like Birkenstocks (which only worsened the pain), I discovered barefoot shoes and decided to give Vivobarefoot a try.Â
After two months of wearing them daily, here’s my honest review – the good, the bad, and whether they’re worth it.
Choosing the right VivoBarefoot ModelÂ
Vivobarefoot has many different models for different occasions, from strength training to hiking to road and trail running trainers to more day-to-day wear like pumps and sandals.Â
As a digital nomad who no longer has a lot of stuff, I wanted a shoe that is good for all kinds of walks and gym training. I was torn between PRIMUS LITE KNIT, PRIMUS ASANA III, and PRIMUS LITE III.Â
I wanted a vegan shoe that wouldn’t hurt my bunions, and in general, I prefer the design, so I settled on PRIMUS LITE KNIT WOMENS in Bright White.Â
Vivobarefoot shoe sizing
After choosing the model I liked the most, the next thing was to choose the size. As the barefoot shoes are much wider, I was not sure if I should get the shoe my size, down, or upsize. The Vivo barefoot website has a great tool where you can scan your foot, and they suggest the size so you don’t need to guess. My regular size is 6 UK or 39 European, and it suggested I go to size 40.
The Style And Fit of the Vivobarefoot shoes
As the toe box is much wider than other shoes, it definitely takes some time to get used to it. Because the sole is only 2mm, the shoe proportion also makes your foot look way longer than with normal sneakers. So I would definitely say, prepare to not like how they look from the beginning. It takes a few days, and your eyes get used to them. I might say that now, after two months of wearing them, I kind of find my PRIMUS LITE KNIT beautiful.Â
When I first got the shoes and tied them on, they looked way too big on my foot as I have quite narrow feet. The sock design of the PRIMUS LITE KNIT WOMENS shoe makes it quite difficult to tie them up without the fabric wrinkling on top. After a few hours of walking with them, I decided to keep them. The shoes feel a bit too wide still and I wish they would have slightly different shapes for narrow feet. I would also like to have them just a bit smaller in size, so half sizes would be great.Â
One tip I would give if you want to take complete advantage of a wide-toe box is to wear split-toe socks or, if you are comfortable, no socks at all. If it will let your toes spread even more.  Â
The Quality and durabilityÂ
Overall, I love the quality. As the shoes are knitted and white, they get dirty very quickly. I need to wash them pretty much weekly. I wish the fabric would be a bit more dirt-resistant, as I used them a lot outdoors. I wish I had gone for PRIMUS LITE III instead of PRIMUS LITE KNIT so they don’t get dirty so quickly, or gone for a more forgiving colour.Â
Vivo Barefoot recommends using a LIQUIPROOF PREMIUM PROTECTOR to ensure the shoes stay clean for longer. Unfortunately, I did not get the spray when I bought the shoes, so I am the one to blame for them getting dirty so quickly.Â
I know I should probably not wash the shoes in a washing machine, but I am a busy woman who wants my shoes cleaned quickly. I wash them at 30 Celsius for quite a short time, and they come out white again. So please do not take care advice from me, but read the instructions before buying your specific Vivobarefoot shoe model.Â
Going back to the quality of the Vivobarefoot Shoes: after two months, there are only a few signs of wear and tear.Â
- Unfortunately, the Vivobarefoot logo on the sides of the shoes came off with the first wash. As they were very subtle, I really don’t mind.
- The back hold detail is starting to tread a bit, but again, it might be because I wash them in a washing machine.Â
The Comfort of the Vivobarefoot ShoesÂ
I was a bit nervous that Vivobarefoot shoes would not be comfortable and would make me feel hurt after a long walk in the city. The first week, I got them, and after wearing them for a few hours on the beach, I walked 20,000 steps in one day. I am not going to lie; the calves were sore, but other than that, my feet were absolutely fine.Â
They are very comfortable while exercising and give me way more stability during weight training or cardio. However, I do not feel comfortable running with my bare feet shoes, as I normally run 6 to 7 km, which would be too much. I will update this section after I do a few runs with them.Â
Overall, they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned, and I do not want to wear anything else anymore. The old sneakers feel like feet in prisons.Â
Are vivobarefoot shoes good for bunions?
I would say YES! Before wearing barefoot shoes, my bunions would be inflamed after a few hours of walking. I would also feel so uncomfortable that I would have to take the shoes off, especially when on a long trip in a car. With my PRIMUS LITE KNIT, I can walk pain-free all day. I’ll update this article in a few months to share my progress.
Other Improvements after wearing the shoes for 2 months:
Vivobarefoot shoes improved not only bunions.
- I feel more strong and don’t have knots in my feet.
- I also feel more stable when exercising.
- I became more aware of my feet’ health and tried to activate them way more often than I used to before
- I also noted that my posture is better, and my shoulders are not so round anymore, but this could also be because of back exercises, so I am not sure if barefoot walking is fully responsible for that one.Â
Cost and Where to Buy:
Depending on the model, Vivobarefoot shoes cost from £100 to £210. The model I got, PRIMUS LITE KNIT, cost £140, but I was lucky to get them with 30% off. If you really want to get a pair of Vivobarefoot shoes but don’t have the funds, I would recommend waiting for their next sale or checking out their second-hand shoe website REVIVO, for better deals.Â
If you’re wondering why barefoot shoes are more expensive, check out my guide: ‘What Are Barefoot Shoes, and Are They Good for You?’ It explains the benefits and why they’re worth the investment.
You can buy the shoes on Vivobarefoot website. I bought the shoes when I stayed in Spain, and the parcel arrived within a week. What I also loved about buying on the Vivo Barefoot website was that you could subscribe to a free Human Potential in a 60-day course where you can learn about the benefits of barefoot walking, the importance of sleep and de-stressing, and more.
Vivobarefoot also has a second-hand shoe outlet called REVIVO, where you can find cleaned and repaired pairs of barefoot shoes at a more affordable price.Â
Why Vivobarefoot?
Vivobarefoot is an amazing company that wants to create the best shoes for your feet and the planet.Â
When buying Vivobarefoot shoes, you feel a part of a movement that is so much more than just a natural way to move your feet. Buying Vivobarefoot shoes comes with a whole different lifestyle that makes you feel like a better person. You should check out Vivobarefoot’s company values, story, and sustainability. You will leave the website inspired and definitely with a pair of shoes.
Final Verdict:
Are Vivobarefoot shoes beautiful and stylish? Probably not, but that is not a barefoot shoe point. I also feel that the more people buy barefoot shoes, the more collaborations and cool designs we will see.
Will The Vivobarefoot shoes last a very long time? PRIMUS LITE KNIT, probably not, but I am sure there are a bit more sturdy options for hiking and rail running.Â
Are Vivobarefoot good shoes, and are they worth the money? ABSOLUTELY YES, at least for me! My feet never felt so good, I want to buy more pairs, and I wish I had started wearing them sooner.Â
That’s it for now, and I will update this blog in a few months; happy barefoot living 🫶.
If you love your barefoot shoes and would like to get some toe socks to enhance the benefits, check out The Best Toe Socks And Where To Buy Them
If you love barefoot shoes, you can read about Vibram Fivefingers shoes, the newest trend in the wellness community and the fashion scene.Â
Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you buy through them at no extra cost to you. For more details, please check out my Affiliate Disclosure.
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
