Why I visited Vivobarefoot in London
I have been wearing mostly barefoot shoes for over two years now, and I own multiple pairs of Vivobarefoot shoes and love them. While I was in London for a few days, I wanted to visit their flagship store and see the shoes in person. I was also intrigued by their scanning and 3D-printed shoes, as I love how Vivobarefoot is innovating in the barefoot shoe space. I didn’t go to buy; I just wanted to take a look and choose what shoes I would buy later.
TL;DR: My Vivobarefoot Store Experience
Overall experience: 5/5. I visited Vivobarefoot’s London flagship store and was genuinely impressed by how helpful and knowledgeable the staff were, without any pressure to buy.
Free foot scan and pressure test: The 3D scan confirmed that my feet are quite symmetrical, with normal arches and narrower-than-average heels. It also helped confirm that EU size 40 is my best fit.
What surprised me: The pressure test showed that most of my weight was going through my heels, with very little pressure under my big toes, which may be related to my bunions and toe alignment.
Shoes that caught my eye: The Tracker Pioneer boots, Tova collection, Gobi styles and Sensus were among my favourites.
My verdict: Absolutely worth visiting, even if you’re not planning to buy anything. I left knowing more about my feet and appreciating the brand even more.
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What happens during a Vivobarefoot foot measurement?
As I looked at the foot-scanning machine, the assistant, Mark, approached me and asked if I wanted my feet measured. Of course, I said yes, and we started talking. I explained what I do and that I already have 5 pairs of Vivobarefoot shoes. I really loved how educational it felt, and even though I already knew a lot about barefoot shoes, I learned so much.
Mark helped me use two different machines. One was a 3d foot scanner that showed how different my feet are, and at the end I could see the exact size and the best models for my feet.
The scan revealed that my feet are quite symmetrical in size; I have normal arches and have narrower feet and heels than average. It showed I should wear size 40 in Vivobarefoot shoes; I was happy with that, as I have 3 pairs in 40 and 2 pairs in 39, and 40 definitely feels a bit roomier.
What my foot measurements revealed
The shape of my feet makes it clear I have bunions; I’ve known for a while. Bunions (Hallux Valgus): A bunion isn’t simply extra bone growing on the side of your foot. It’s a structural change in the alignment of the big-toe joint, where the bone shifts inward and the big toe angles towards the smaller toes, creating the bump.
Several factors can lead to bunions, including genetics, foot structure and footwear. Narrow shoes can aggravate symptoms by squeezing the toes, although they aren’t necessarily the original cause.
Mark also introduced me to Wolff’s Law, which describes how bones adapt to the mechanical loads placed on them. I found this very interesting because I was already familiar with it from strength training.
We then moved on to the foot-pressure machine, which showed how my weight was distributed across my feet.
Interestingly, my results showed that most of the pressure was concentrated around my heels, with very little under my big toes. Mark explained that my bunions and toe positioning could be affecting how I distribute my weight.
The big toe plays an important role in balance and pushing off when we walk. However, pressure distribution varies depending on whether you’re standing or walking, and having more pressure on your heels isn’t necessarily a problem on its own.
I would love to improve my big-toe strength and function, so I’m planning to start doing foot exercises again alongside wearing my barefoot shoes. I used to do these regularly but stopped once my feet started feeling better.
I’m curious to see whether I notice any changes over the next year, although I know that exercises and barefoot shoes won’t necessarily correct the structural changes .
Why I was advised against barefoot running, for now
I explained to Mark that I stopped running barefoot because one of my calves would really hurt the next day. Mark suggested I build foot strength and big-toe function before trying barefoot running again, especially since I’d previously had calf pain. For now, I’m sticking with cushioned running shoes.
Which Vivobarefoot shoes caught my eye?
Honestly, I love many Vivobarefoot models and would love a pair for each occasion. I already own 5 pairs of Vivobarefoot shoes and sandals, including Primus Lite Knit and Tracker Boot.
I love how light they all feel and how much detail they have. I normally go for vegan shoes, but the leather options felt nice and soft, so I might check out Revivo to see if I can get a good deal on a Gobi sneaker or boot.
For me, Vivobarefoot still leads in barefoot shoe design and innovation, and it was great to visit their flagship store.
As the weather gets colder, I definitely want to pick up a pair of Tracker Pioneer boots; they look warm and easy to put on for winter dog and forest walks, but I also love the new Tova boots and sneakers because they would go with more outfits. I also love Sensus’s shoe-grounding concept. I love walking barefoot as much as I can, and I am really intrigued by the grounding concept through the shoe (they also look very sleek).
Basically, I want all their shoes, and it’s hard to choose just one pair. Vivobarefoot is one of the shops where my minimalist part switches off completely, and I want to buy everything.
If I lived in a warmer climate, Sensus would feel amazing; what a beautiful shoe, and I didn’t even mind the brown colour.
Vivobarefoot shoes that stud out
What impressed me about the experience
What I loved most was how helpful the team was and how they focused on education rather than upselling. This approach really builds loyal customers like me. I never felt rushed or pressured to buy, but after learning so much, I know where I will get my next pair of shoes. I only expected to look around, but I spent a good half hour, if not more, in the shop and really loved it.
FAQ
Can you wear barefoot shoes with bunions?
Yes, you can. I have bunions, and since I started wearing barefoot shoes, my feet feel so much better. Barefoot shoes have much wider toe boxes and are more flexible, so over time your toes gain strength, and the pain improves.
Can barefoot shoes cause calf pain?
Barefoot shoes did cause calf pain for me when I started running. So make sure your feet are ready for barefoot running. Everyone is different, but walking with barefoot shoes is absolutely fine.
How long does it take to transition to barefoot running?
Everyone is different, and it depends on your feet’s health and strength, as well as how long you wear barefoot shoes day to day. I am not an expert, so I would recommend speaking with one and getting your feet checked before you start running
Does Vivobarefoot offer foot measurements in-store?
Yes, they do. You can scan your feet to find the size and style that fits you best.
Are Vivobarefoot shoes good for wide feet?
Yes, but if you have very wide feet with toes pointing outward, you might want to visit the store and speak with an assistant. I have narrow feet and find Vivobarefoot shoes very comfortable, so I am not sure how they’d work for very wide feet.
Is a Vivobarefoot store visit worth it?
Absolutely, getting your feet measured and your pressure points assessed is worth the trip, and feeling the shoes is so much better than buying them online. It takes me ages to decide what shoes I want, but if you are in the shop, you can feel how they fit and get an education I don’t think any other brand offers. I don’t remember the last time I left the shop feeling so uplifted and having learned so much. If you are around, definitely go in; you don’t feel pressured to buy anything, and people are very helpful.
I loved the experience; it was free and so educational. I learned so much and wasn’t disappointed. This experience makes me trust the brand and the people who work there even more. I know people have been complaining lately about Vivobarefoot shoe quality and a lack of customer support, but this experience made me want to buy more and more shoes from them because I learned so much. And I generally had an amazing time learning about my feet.
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Silvija Meilunaite, PN1-NC, CSMC, is a certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist. Combining current scientific research with her own experience of perimenopause, she writes evidence-based articles, practical guides, and in-depth product reviews to help women over 40 make informed decisions about nutrition, strength training, recovery, supplements, non-toxic living, and wellness products.
