I have a pair of Magna ESC’s and they’re my absolute favourite hiking shoe for aggressive terrain. I’d love to try the Regular Magna’s with the less aggressive tread for day to day use and easier hikes. They look so freaking comfy!!
Yea, the whole Magna series is killer. Being able to slip the shoes on saves a lot of time and the breathability's great too. ESC and FG are def a dream team for hardcore and casual.
@@artfulstationer I've done down some biking down streep trails with roots, etc, and it never seemed to be an issue, but I've never gone full on mountain biking. I'd guess, just like running, that barefoot shoes would be great, as long as you were mindful in how you landed-with knees bent to absorb shock gradually throughout the body.
thanks for this. I' got a pair of these through Revivo in Good condition. They are great but they do let water in or get damp in constant rain or walking through wet grass after some time
I've already got over 400 miles on mine after getting them around February. I absolutely love them. Unfortunately, I've worn down the heal tread to almost nothing already. I also had separation of the sole, but fixed that with Shoe Goo. For the life of me I can't see how you're just slipping these on and off without untying. I have a very flat instep, so maybe that's the difference. I definitely have to lace/unlace every time. Fantastic shoes and I love the color. I'm looking to get the Magna Forest Esc once they have a non-black/black version again.
I do tie them quite loose, since the stretch collar does a good job of keeping my foot from sliding. Maybe that's it? As for the tread, you might want to check for scuffing/twisting in your stride, because my tread looks almost brand new, despite daily walks and hikes. Rolling down creates very little wearing, so usually those two issues cause 90% of the wear. That said, the ESC is def more rugged if you're on extreme terrain.
I think the tread wear has a lot to do with the rough, sandy and rocky New Mexico trails I primarily use these on. Now that they offer resoling here in the US, I'll just have that done over the Winter. Thanks for the reply.
Still my favorite shoe, but I want this exact shoe (or leather) in SG. All the SGs I've tried here in New Mexico are perfect for all conditions I use them for. I did get a pair of Magna Forest ESCs. They are great, but heavier than I need. Vivo, give us this shoe with an SG sole! The Magna Lites are great too, but I much prefer leather.
Hi Andrew, thanks for the video. I got the Primus Lite III as you recommended for my Achilles tendon rehab and loved them so much that I bought another pair to match my outfits! I’ve sold all my regular shoes (about 20 pairs!) and switched entirely to Vivobarefoot shoes for life. Now, I’m considering the Magna Leather FG for winter. How does the Magna FG's sizing compare to the Primus Lite III? I wear EU 45 for the Primus Lite III because they run wide but I usually go for EU 46 in other Vivos because of my wide feet.
That's awesome! Great work taking your health into your own hands (or feet in this case, ha). The Primus Lite was also a lifesaver for me with plantar fasciitis. I wear a 44/11 in both the Magna and Primus Lite, although I can also fit into the Lite 43/10, since I like my running shoes a bit tighter and don't need thick socks. The Magna is a bit wider than the Lite, if that helps. Also, FOLTSY25 for 25% off is going until tomorrow (Dec 5th). Happy barefooting out there!
Got excited and was about to order a pair but the Magna FG is no more. The only options is the Magna FG Leather. :( (Thanks for the review, by the way! Your channel is super useful.)
I've been looking at barefoot boots, but am wanting a breathable waterproof boot, but that can work for cold weather, I'm in Canada... ( Don't like the textile) I'm thinking winterized gobi, magna FG or Vivo Magna Lite WR SG. I don't need them for trails or anything, just warm and breathable, don't need deep thugs, just for going to high school and going around town etc
Hey Liam, if you want waterproof I'd got with the Tracker FG. ruclips.net/video/ZkOLb1FbLLw/видео.html That thing's a tank for cold weather, but still has some decent breathability and great flex. The Gobi Winterized is not quite waterproof, but close, and also a boot I use a lot for urban terrain and light trails. ruclips.net/video/pP93IHsQua8/видео.html. The Magna FG is a solid option too if you're ok with maybe 80-90% waterproofing The WR SG is not that resistant or warm.
I own three pairs of Vivos. This particular model being my oldest. I got it in 2020. if I’m not mistaken. I usually walk a lot. 10k steps/day is a minimum for me, but usually it’s way more. Due to work and family obligations my free time walks happen mostly on concrete. That being said I tend to drag my feet when I walk. I worn down these shoes almost completely through. The insoles are also almost completely gone. Nowadays I use them when I have some manual work around the house where I don’t have to bother if I’ll destroy the shoes that I’m wearing. Other two newer Vivobarefoot models I own didn’t get worn down almost at all. Idk but in my opinion this particular model isn’t as good.
Well, you've said it yourself ("I tend to drag my feet"). That scuffing will make a sole wear down 10x faster than just rolling down smoothly, so it'll save you a lot of money to work on not dragging. At 5.5mm the FG sole is nice and flexible, but also more susceptible to friction, like dragging, so that's likely why it wore out faster than your other Vivo's.
Hey Andrew. I've been thinking about getting these because I love the look and because of it's versatility. Thing is that I have the primus trail II and I'm gonna be honest, I find them awful. Very curved toe box, stiff and tight fit. Is the fit and feel very different with the magnas? Thank you.
Yea, the Primus Trail FG is one of the few Vivo's I don't like. The Knit FG is way more comfortable, IMO. Magna FG too, although it's more geared toward hiking, rather than running. Either are wider than the Trail FG with a more squared toebox.
I have the tracker with these sock-style slip-on collar. It's pretty good, but unfortunately it's not water resistant. It's not a problem if it's just raining. Crossing a puddle or a stream that is deeper than about 5cm (2 inches) is simply not possible. That sometimes limits me, but otherwise vivobarefoot hiking boots are great!
Yea, that's the tradeoff for improved breathability. For super wet conditions, I use the Vivo Tracker FG ruclips.net/video/ZkOLb1FbLLw/видео.html, which is fully waterproof.
I love the look of the Saltics, but they don't have distribution in the US. How did you get yours? Did you just pay for international shipping? How is the sizing?
Bummer, I asked for a pair to test, so they just sent it. If your heart's set on them, you could use a service like Reship, so Saltic can send the shoes to that address in Europe and have them forwarded to the US. Might be taxes/duties, tho. The Magna FG's a great alternative, if not.
I got a pair of obsidian magna leather fg and the leather collar part of the shoe that’s stitched to the wool liner cuts into my ankle. Got a blister on my right foot and left foot is sensitive. Does this sensation go away? Just wondering if the leather stretches or gets softer over time. I did wear thin socks, taking the insole out, the sensation goes away as my ankle bone sits lower. Thicker socks also help.
Yea, they do create some pressure. It got better for me as the leather softened, and now for some reason I only feel it slightly on my left foot, but not my right. Thick socks do help, and I wear them without the insole, as well.
Btw, Andrew, found a bug on your website - when one goes to Best Lists, chooses say Winter as filter, enters a list, but when goes back the filter doesn't stay on "Winter" but changes by itself back to "Brands". I assume that's not supposed to happen. I hope you understood what I mean. Let me know if not.
By "back" you mean clicking the browser (Chrome, etc) back button, right? I didn't code a feature to save the List select in the URL bar, since it was such a simple form and wasn't worth the effort (as opposed to the Finder tool, which has much more complex filters people would want to save). Maybe at some point I'll have time to add that feature tho. Thanks for the heads up!
@@AndrewFolts Yeah, yeah, the back button in the browser. This is just my opinion, obviously, but I see no logical reason why it shouldn't stay at the filter that was chosen. Because, basically I set the filter to say Winter instead of Brands, it gives me 3 different best lists/articles. I open the first list/article, I read it, then I go back to read the second, or the third. Except that the filter value changed back to Brands, for no reason really. Anyway, I'm sure you already understood what I meant, but just to explain better.
If I'm completely honest, this is the opposite experience of nearly everyone who's only these boots, I've been through nearly 5 pairs of these in three months, they split at the toebox, the laces come undone a lot because of the round nature. So I disagree with everything in this video
"5 pairs in three months" Wow that's insane, ha. Why would you keep buying them? The probability of five pairs being that defective is basically zero, so I wonder if something is going on in your use case? For example, do they feel tight? Do you have high arches? Are you getting them wet a lot? Are you scuffing your feet? I've never had a single person report these issues with the Magna FG, so it seems like there must be some outside factors.
I'd go with the Tracker Forest ESC. ruclips.net/video/DrN3PmsR5oc/видео.html The lugs are super beefy and deep, but there's still a lot of flex, so it doesn't feel stiff/clunky and the breathability's pretty good for a wide temperature range.
*Barefoot Hiking Boots* (referral links)
vivobarefoot magna fg - - - - - -- - - - bit.ly/45XCrO3
vivobarefoot magna fg leather - - - bit.ly/4aBJyOU
xero shoes denver - - - - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/45zV8q1
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saltic vintero - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3HV7boa
injinji merino wool toe socks - - - - - bit.ly/3dvdcgk
wool felt insole - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/46EsKEu
*Best Barefootwear* (referral links)
casual shoes - - - bit.ly/3Smg8gx
road shoes - - - - - bit.ly/48XEOBz
trail shoes - - - - - bit.ly/4250J7B
trek boots - - - - - - bit.ly/3SCgP5V
winter boots - - - - bit.ly/3RRbI0X
sandals - - - - - - - - bit.ly/4b2tfLu
slippers - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3tNYvNz
website - - - - - - - - www.barefootwear.org
Thanks for the long-term review, Andrew! Good to hear that they held up so well. 👏🏼
You got it, Chris! I slept on them the first couple weeks, but they've been excellent ever since.
I have a pair of Magna ESC’s and they’re my absolute favourite hiking shoe for aggressive terrain. I’d love to try the Regular Magna’s with the less aggressive tread for day to day use and easier hikes. They look so freaking comfy!!
Yea, the whole Magna series is killer. Being able to slip the shoes on saves a lot of time and the breathability's great too. ESC and FG are def a dream team for hardcore and casual.
I was really curious about the Magna FG so thanks for the excellent review, I think I am sold on this boot.
You're welcome, it's def the most versatile boot I own. Hope it brings you some excellent adventures too!
@@AndrewFolts Curious if you’ve ever mountain biked with a barefoot shoe. I would think that would not be a good match.
@@artfulstationer I've done down some biking down streep trails with roots, etc, and it never seemed to be an issue, but I've never gone full on mountain biking. I'd guess, just like running, that barefoot shoes would be great, as long as you were mindful in how you landed-with knees bent to absorb shock gradually throughout the body.
@@AndrewFolts Awesome, I appreciate the feedback!
thanks for this. I' got a pair of these through Revivo in Good condition. They are great but they do let water in or get damp in constant rain or walking through wet grass after some time
Yea, they're not 100% waterproof, but using some leather balsam can help.
I've already got over 400 miles on mine after getting them around February. I absolutely love them. Unfortunately, I've worn down the heal tread to almost nothing already. I also had separation of the sole, but fixed that with Shoe Goo. For the life of me I can't see how you're just slipping these on and off without untying. I have a very flat instep, so maybe that's the difference. I definitely have to lace/unlace every time. Fantastic shoes and I love the color. I'm looking to get the Magna Forest Esc once they have a non-black/black version again.
I do tie them quite loose, since the stretch collar does a good job of keeping my foot from sliding. Maybe that's it? As for the tread, you might want to check for scuffing/twisting in your stride, because my tread looks almost brand new, despite daily walks and hikes. Rolling down creates very little wearing, so usually those two issues cause 90% of the wear. That said, the ESC is def more rugged if you're on extreme terrain.
I think the tread wear has a lot to do with the rough, sandy and rocky New Mexico trails I primarily use these on. Now that they offer resoling here in the US, I'll just have that done over the Winter. Thanks for the reply.
Thanks for the review .. really useful to know the good bits 🥰
Cheers, Gill! Always appreciate you dropping by. (:
@@AndrewFolts wouldn't miss it .. great channel 🥰
Still my favorite shoe, but I want this exact shoe (or leather) in SG. All the SGs I've tried here in New Mexico are perfect for all conditions I use them for. I did get a pair of Magna Forest ESCs. They are great, but heavier than I need. Vivo, give us this shoe with an SG sole! The Magna Lites are great too, but I much prefer leather.
Yea, it seems like a natural companion to the Magna FG. The upper's perfect for everything, except maybe running.
Hi Andrew, thanks for the video. I got the Primus Lite III as you recommended for my Achilles tendon rehab and loved them so much that I bought another pair to match my outfits! I’ve sold all my regular shoes (about 20 pairs!) and switched entirely to Vivobarefoot shoes for life. Now, I’m considering the Magna Leather FG for winter. How does the Magna FG's sizing compare to the Primus Lite III? I wear EU 45 for the Primus Lite III because they run wide but I usually go for EU 46 in other Vivos because of my wide feet.
That's awesome! Great work taking your health into your own hands (or feet in this case, ha). The Primus Lite was also a lifesaver for me with plantar fasciitis. I wear a 44/11 in both the Magna and Primus Lite, although I can also fit into the Lite 43/10, since I like my running shoes a bit tighter and don't need thick socks. The Magna is a bit wider than the Lite, if that helps. Also, FOLTSY25 for 25% off is going until tomorrow (Dec 5th). Happy barefooting out there!
@@AndrewFolts "The Magna is a bit wider than the Lite." Yes, that helps a lot! Thank you so much! I'll be following and keeping up with your videos!
Got excited and was about to order a pair but the Magna FG is no more. The only options is the Magna FG Leather. :(
(Thanks for the review, by the way! Your channel is super useful.)
Yea, hopefully they bring it back, because I like the matte version, although the more sheen leather is probably more waterproof.
@@AndrewFolts Yep, makes sense!
I've been looking at barefoot boots, but am wanting a breathable waterproof boot, but that can work for cold weather, I'm in Canada... ( Don't like the textile)
I'm thinking winterized gobi, magna FG or Vivo Magna Lite WR SG. I don't need them for trails or anything, just warm and breathable, don't need deep thugs, just for going to high school and going around town etc
Hey Liam, if you want waterproof I'd got with the Tracker FG. ruclips.net/video/ZkOLb1FbLLw/видео.html That thing's a tank for cold weather, but still has some decent breathability and great flex. The Gobi Winterized is not quite waterproof, but close, and also a boot I use a lot for urban terrain and light trails. ruclips.net/video/pP93IHsQua8/видео.html. The Magna FG is a solid option too if you're ok with maybe 80-90% waterproofing The WR SG is not that resistant or warm.
I own three pairs of Vivos. This particular model being my oldest. I got it in 2020. if I’m not mistaken. I usually walk a lot. 10k steps/day is a minimum for me, but usually it’s way more. Due to work and family obligations my free time walks happen mostly on concrete. That being said I tend to drag my feet when I walk. I worn down these shoes almost completely through. The insoles are also almost completely gone. Nowadays I use them when I have some manual work around the house where I don’t have to bother if I’ll destroy the shoes that I’m wearing. Other two newer Vivobarefoot models I own didn’t get worn down almost at all. Idk but in my opinion this particular model isn’t as good.
Well, you've said it yourself ("I tend to drag my feet"). That scuffing will make a sole wear down 10x faster than just rolling down smoothly, so it'll save you a lot of money to work on not dragging. At 5.5mm the FG sole is nice and flexible, but also more susceptible to friction, like dragging, so that's likely why it wore out faster than your other Vivo's.
Hey Andrew
If you need working boots, you should try the Baak Phoenix 3S3.
The world's first barefoot safety shoe. 😊
Thanks for the suggestion, Airo, will check them out!
Hey Andrew. I've been thinking about getting these because I love the look and because of it's versatility. Thing is that I have the primus trail II and I'm gonna be honest, I find them awful. Very curved toe box, stiff and tight fit. Is the fit and feel very different with the magnas? Thank you.
Yea, the Primus Trail FG is one of the few Vivo's I don't like. The Knit FG is way more comfortable, IMO. Magna FG too, although it's more geared toward hiking, rather than running. Either are wider than the Trail FG with a more squared toebox.
@AndrewFolts Sounds good thanks👍
I have the tracker with these sock-style slip-on collar. It's pretty good, but unfortunately it's not water resistant.
It's not a problem if it's just raining. Crossing a puddle or a stream that is deeper than about 5cm (2 inches) is simply not possible. That sometimes limits me, but otherwise vivobarefoot hiking boots are great!
True. The wax helps a little. Did you try applying it?
Yea, that's the tradeoff for improved breathability. For super wet conditions, I use the Vivo Tracker FG ruclips.net/video/ZkOLb1FbLLw/видео.html, which is fully waterproof.
I love the look of the Saltics, but they don't have distribution in the US. How did you get yours? Did you just pay for international shipping? How is the sizing?
Bummer, I asked for a pair to test, so they just sent it. If your heart's set on them, you could use a service like Reship, so Saltic can send the shoes to that address in Europe and have them forwarded to the US. Might be taxes/duties, tho. The Magna FG's a great alternative, if not.
I got a pair of obsidian magna leather fg and the leather collar part of the shoe that’s stitched to the wool liner cuts into my ankle. Got a blister on my right foot and left foot is sensitive. Does this sensation go away? Just wondering if the leather stretches or gets softer over time.
I did wear thin socks, taking the insole out, the sensation goes away as my ankle bone sits lower. Thicker socks also help.
Yea, they do create some pressure. It got better for me as the leather softened, and now for some reason I only feel it slightly on my left foot, but not my right. Thick socks do help, and I wear them without the insole, as well.
@@AndrewFolts thanks for the tip and your great reviews Andrew, you were the only reviewer reporting this so glad I came across it
Jim Green Barefoot African Ranger all day
Yea, I'd love to review it, but I haven't been able to get any reply from their customer service.
Can I ask you what's the name of the last model (the Monster/tank)? Thank you! :)
Hey Michela, it's the Freet Mudee. bit.ly/3yzSEOc
@@AndrewFolts thank you! :))
Btw, Andrew, found a bug on your website - when one goes to Best Lists, chooses say Winter as filter, enters a list, but when goes back the filter doesn't stay on "Winter" but changes by itself back to "Brands".
I assume that's not supposed to happen. I hope you understood what I mean. Let me know if not.
By "back" you mean clicking the browser (Chrome, etc) back button, right? I didn't code a feature to save the List select in the URL bar, since it was such a simple form and wasn't worth the effort (as opposed to the Finder tool, which has much more complex filters people would want to save). Maybe at some point I'll have time to add that feature tho. Thanks for the heads up!
@@AndrewFolts
Yeah, yeah, the back button in the browser. This is just my opinion, obviously, but I see no logical reason why it shouldn't stay at the filter that was chosen.
Because, basically I set the filter to say Winter instead of Brands, it gives me 3 different best lists/articles. I open the first list/article, I read it, then I go back to read the second, or the third. Except that the filter value changed back to Brands, for no reason really.
Anyway, I'm sure you already understood what I meant, but just to explain better.
@@MaximC Yea, I gotcha. The finder tool works this way I just haven't had time to add the same functionality to the lists.
If I'm completely honest, this is the opposite experience of nearly everyone who's only these boots, I've been through nearly 5 pairs of these in three months, they split at the toebox, the laces come undone a lot because of the round nature.
So I disagree with everything in this video
"5 pairs in three months" Wow that's insane, ha. Why would you keep buying them? The probability of five pairs being that defective is basically zero, so I wonder if something is going on in your use case? For example, do they feel tight? Do you have high arches? Are you getting them wet a lot? Are you scuffing your feet? I've never had a single person report these issues with the Magna FG, so it seems like there must be some outside factors.
What's your top choice when carrying a heavier load hiking / more secure for heavy uneven ground? 🫡
I'd go with the Tracker Forest ESC. ruclips.net/video/DrN3PmsR5oc/видео.html The lugs are super beefy and deep, but there's still a lot of flex, so it doesn't feel stiff/clunky and the breathability's pretty good for a wide temperature range.
@@AndrewFolts Thanks Andrew! Cheers 🍻 brother.
@@The508rangeryou won’t regret the tracker esc. I love mine! The most comfortable hike i’ve done in a long time.
@@re-de much appreciated. Thanks for the insight and durability of the model.