I would really love more companies to develop regular shoes considering toe-friendly space. Something I can put crampons on without squeezing my toes, for instance. And the same with every single sport-specific shoe. I don't always want or need the "barefoot" feeling but just a shoe that respects the natural shape of my feet.
Yeah I have the same problem. I found the Mammut Trovat Guide boots have a wider toe box than most if that's helpful and I also use the scott cosmos tour boot for skiing
consider wearing five finger vibram insulated vtrek with XOSKIN wool socks, and then Neos insulated overboots (that you could slip into with the Vibram shoes) for camp or when it gets really cold. Or instead consider Steger artic muckluks for extra warmth and much better walking experience than heavy hiking boots
We seem to share a preference in footwear. I have the Tracker 2 FGs and the Primus Lite SGs. Only my Trackers are the obsidian colourway. Sucks your injury took so long to heal. I use boot polish on my Trackers, and I haven't had any issues with water permeation myself. I use a matte black wet weather paste that works well. I also really like Saphir Beaute Du Cuir, it's a French polish that includes some dye, so it restores the colour. I find the Primus Lite Soft Grounds well suited to field sports. I use them anywhere I would have used cleats before, so baseball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, stuff like that. I think, if you haven't found them already, that the Vivobarefoot Magnus' may suit your desire for something between the tracker and Primus SG. Your trails look awesome. Happy hiking.
I wish I saw your video before I wore my vivo tracker boots on a long distance autumn hike in Denmark. Just got home yesterday. They got soaked inside despite a good layer of nikwax. Had to cut my trip short because of this. So they're claim being 'waterproof' after nikwax and such treatment doesn't hold up. I never had such an issue with my army Lowa's. (no GTX) So Lowa and the likes, please make a zero drop boot, high shaft, with a wide toe box! I never cared for the weight of my Lowa's, so no issue there. I love the way the Trackers fits and walks, don't get me wrong, will be using them for shorter and DRY walks. I had a similar issue with a big toe, but it vanished after a couple of days. Perhaps Barefoot and Lowa should join forces and create a boot that has the best of both worlds. Wishful thinking. Thanks!
I fell off a chair and changed everything. I couldn't wear long skirts was in walking cast too long and had to train for yr to walk normal again. Now my feet are always cold and need support. But I don't like shoes. I have bad circulation too and have to layer. I'm figuring out how to get outdoors in winter in better footwear. I mountain bike too and need toe guard to protect me from trees and roots or I bang up my toes. I want to retire my blocks too lolol
Thanks for your review and thoughts! I own some Vivos and usually do my hikes in the Magna Trail Shoes. I just ordered the new Tracker Forest ESC Boots and am curious, if I'll like them. What I'm really interested though, is, where you hiked in Sweden? I'm searching for a trekking Route (about 1 week) in Sweden for Summer and I'm quite interested about the opions on the different Routes, or "Leden" 😀Do you have a favourite?
We were hiking in the southern parts of Sweden in the area around Gothenburg. A few times we spent two nights in the tent and then one night in a town. Than we used the public transport and continued somewhere else. We had the best experiences on official trekking routes. For example on the Vildmarksleden. Once we tried to just set a point on the map and get there somehow. But that wasn't a very enjoyable tour. Here in Switzerland we have hiking paths everywhere. Really everywhere. But that wasn't the case there and we ended up walking on roads for hours. So I highly recommend looking at some official trails.
Sorry about your toe injury. I injured my foot tripping down the stairs and spent a year wearing ‘blocks’ too. I used infrared light therapy and grounding and it healed. Back in my Trackers FG since last year and it feels amazing to be reconnected with my barefoot shoes / boots. So glad I didn’t throw / give them away! 🙏🏻
Lems have some barefoot boots that have a thicker insole with more cushion. That might be a better option for your injury. I started doing that with running shoes where I need more impact cushioning but still wide toe box and zero drop.
I had a pair of Tracker FG for three years, wore them year round but i find they aren't perfect for winter. I live in Sweden and it can get quite snowy and cold and the soles on the Tracker FG is too thin and flat in my experience. Feet got cold, despite triple socks, and they get very slippery on ice and packed snow.
I really liked mine but they are separated from the sole in exactly the same place as yours and in my case that is where they are leaking in. They’re probably the least durable pair of boots I’ve ever owned, I would have expected them to last much longer given the price. Shame because I really liked wearing them but I won’t be buying another pair. 😢
Hey, the same thing happened to me with Burpees... I wore normal shoes the whole time before generally but now I have bearfoot shoes. I heard from my Doc, that Barefoot shoes would be great for healing and that I need to get more movement and strength back into the toe. I don't get why you couldn't use them anymore? Maybe when the injury is really fresh you shouldn't but otherwise ?
I wore my magna forest esc on a 8 day trek and realized they were too narrow and developed some corns and callous on outside of pinky toe. It’s a shame becuase I love them and are very well built. I ordered the tracker to see if they are wider. Not sure why the Vivo shoes are so narrow when they are suppose to allow the feet to expand normally. Been wearing the primus trail for over a year and love them, wear them everyday as my main sneaker just wish they were wider in the front area.
My $250 Vivobarefoot Tracker FG II started to disintegrate after my first 6 km. walk and they went straight back to where they came from. Would not touch that brand with a barge pole.
Their ESC models and some others have stitched soles now which also have amazing grip. Don't be so closed minded because of one bad experience. Literally every brand and product ever has bad batches.
I've switched to zero drop shoes and love them, but have been curious about using barefoot boots. I have hallux limitus in my left large toe. It sounds like you may have had the same issue. I have to wear stiff soled shoes as well to let my toe rest. Meanwhile, my foot loses strength being in heavy, stiff boots. I don't know if it's worth buying a pair of bare foot styled shoes if I only wear them about half the time?
It is, wearing barefoot shoes ensures that your feet are still be used and not being put in stiff shoes that act almost more like a cast to let your foot rest. Using both will be helpful in the long run, generally barefoot shoes or being barefoot is quite healthy and usually involves less injuries overall, but if you find yourself being injured that is okay. Use the stiff cushioned boot to act almost like a resting period for your feet. I hope this helps, I'm not a doctor but barefoot shoes won't work perfectly for everyone even if our bodies are designed better for them.
Thanks for this video! I am currently on a multi year hike from Norways south point to its northest. After I switched my daily shoes to barefoot, I am now considering getting theese, but I am afraid waking an asfalt, rocky terrain ( those large rocky parts 1500 meters above sea level in Scandinavia) and wett swamps might get the best of my feet. After this years trip I noticed my feet was hurtig less and my ancle a lot stronger after mostly using barefoot shoes for six months. How was your experiance with these kind of terrain for a mulit day hike with heavier backpack from 15-20 kilos?
I had no issues carrying a heavy backpack 15-19 kilo's with these shoes. I was surprised by that! Unfortunately, these boots are not suitable for a long distance hike, see my comment above. To add to my comment, the leather is rather thin, which can be an issue on rocky terrain. I leave that to your own imagination. Pity Barefoot jumped on the lightweight shoe wagon too easily. More research for them is needed to make a good strong waterproof long distance hiking boot (no GTX, please!) which can stands the elements. I hope this helps for you, happy hiking!
mich hät a detige schuhe immer gnerft dassd, wennd über spitzi stei laufsch du die immer im fuess gspührt häsch... isches bi dene hiking boots nöd de fall gsi? muss säge, dassi au nur bis jetzt die version fürs training gha han.
Bi dene barfuessschue mit meh profil a de sohle meksch d Stein scho es biz weniger, aber sie sind immerno gspürbar. Aber ich empfinds nöd als störend. Mängmal ischs wie e chlini fuessmassage.
Does anyone know of some "barefoot" boots / hiking shoes with really, really strong puncture resistance? Tree thrones are quite nasty 'round here, I usually wear military boots with thick soles and metallic rock shield, I *really* would like to have a pair of wide toe box, zero-drop boots instead, even if dropping the nice ground feel of actual barefoot shoes.
That insole is NOT good for warmth at all. I have no idea why vivo advertise as such. I had to borrow insoles from a Whitten runner shoe for my feet to stay warm. And they barely did with that. I love the 'barefoot' concept, but i find the vivos barely fit my foot shape and width. We shall see if they bust out like my other shoes do. My only chance for a shoe to fit widthwise is a muckluck, and now making my own shoes to fit me properly. No more $$$$ spent on over advertised hype.
Glue your soles, water problem solved, if not, immerse your shoe into a bucket of water and see where the water leaks, glue that place. Are people these days just lazy?
![My Guide to Barefoot Hiking Shoes [Time to Switch?]](/img/1.gif)
I would really love more companies to develop regular shoes considering toe-friendly space. Something I can put crampons on without squeezing my toes, for instance. And the same with every single sport-specific shoe. I don't always want or need the "barefoot" feeling but just a shoe that respects the natural shape of my feet.
Exactly. Very difficult to find
Yeah I have the same problem. I found the Mammut Trovat Guide boots have a wider toe box than most if that's helpful and I also use the scott cosmos tour boot for skiing
For me also wihtout too much of a heeldrop preferrably, I just trip now when my shoes have a heel because I'm not used to it anymore.
It's easy. Just order wide shoes. It goes from E to triple E. Plenty of wide show companies out there too. Just do a little research.
There are low heel to no heel, flat and wide shoes out there, people...
consider wearing five finger vibram insulated vtrek with XOSKIN wool socks, and then Neos insulated overboots (that you could slip into with the Vibram shoes) for camp or when it gets really cold. Or instead consider Steger artic muckluks for extra warmth and much better walking experience than heavy hiking boots
We seem to share a preference in footwear. I have the Tracker 2 FGs and the Primus Lite SGs. Only my Trackers are the obsidian colourway.
Sucks your injury took so long to heal.
I use boot polish on my Trackers, and I haven't had any issues with water permeation myself. I use a matte black wet weather paste that works well. I also really like Saphir Beaute Du Cuir, it's a French polish that includes some dye, so it restores the colour.
I find the Primus Lite Soft Grounds well suited to field sports. I use them anywhere I would have used cleats before, so baseball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, stuff like that.
I think, if you haven't found them already, that the Vivobarefoot Magnus' may suit your desire for something between the tracker and Primus SG.
Your trails look awesome. Happy hiking.
I wish I saw your video before I wore my vivo tracker boots on a long distance autumn hike in Denmark. Just got home yesterday. They got soaked inside despite a good layer of nikwax. Had to cut my trip short because of this. So they're claim being 'waterproof' after nikwax and such treatment doesn't hold up. I never had such an issue with my army Lowa's. (no GTX) So Lowa and the likes, please make a zero drop boot, high shaft, with a wide toe box! I never cared for the weight of my Lowa's, so no issue there. I love the way the Trackers fits and walks, don't get me wrong, will be using them for shorter and DRY walks. I had a similar issue with a big toe, but it vanished after a couple of days. Perhaps Barefoot and Lowa should join forces and create a boot that has the best of both worlds. Wishful thinking. Thanks!
I fell off a chair and changed everything. I couldn't wear long skirts was in walking cast too long and had to train for yr to walk normal again. Now my feet are always cold and need support. But I don't like shoes. I have bad circulation too and have to layer. I'm figuring out how to get outdoors in winter in better footwear. I mountain bike too and need toe guard to protect me from trees and roots or I bang up my toes. I want to retire my blocks too lolol
Thanks for your review and thoughts! I own some Vivos and usually do my hikes in the Magna Trail Shoes. I just ordered the new Tracker Forest ESC Boots and am curious, if I'll like them. What I'm really interested though, is, where you hiked in Sweden? I'm searching for a trekking Route (about 1 week) in Sweden for Summer and I'm quite interested about the opions on the different Routes, or "Leden" 😀Do you have a favourite?
We were hiking in the southern parts of Sweden in the area around Gothenburg. A few times we spent two nights in the tent and then one night in a town. Than we used the public transport and continued somewhere else. We had the best experiences on official trekking routes. For example on the Vildmarksleden. Once we tried to just set a point on the map and get there somehow. But that wasn't a very enjoyable tour. Here in Switzerland we have hiking paths everywhere. Really everywhere. But that wasn't the case there and we ended up walking on roads for hours. So I highly recommend looking at some official trails.
Hi Andy, take a look to Teva boots, Grandview are WP and near barefoot.
Meindl comfort fit range feel great for those with wider feet wanting protection of a traditional hiking boot
Sorry about your toe injury. I injured my foot tripping down the stairs and spent a year wearing ‘blocks’ too. I used infrared light therapy and grounding and it healed. Back in my Trackers FG since last year and it feels amazing to be reconnected with my barefoot shoes / boots. So glad I didn’t throw / give them away! 🙏🏻
Great visuals for this vid
Lems have some barefoot boots that have a thicker insole with more cushion. That might be a better option for your injury. I started doing that with running shoes where I need more impact cushioning but still wide toe box and zero drop.
What running shoes did you get?
@uli3119 altra lonepine 7 are a good option.
I had a pair of Tracker FG for three years, wore them year round but i find they aren't perfect for winter. I live in Sweden and it can get quite snowy and cold and the soles on the Tracker FG is too thin and flat in my experience. Feet got cold, despite triple socks, and they get very slippery on ice and packed snow.
Maybe try getting some wool felt. Cut yourself some insoles. I did that with a different pair of boots. You can make them pretty thick.
Use their ESC or SG models. They have amazing traction and thicker soles.
I really liked mine but they are separated from the sole in exactly the same place as yours and in my case that is where they are leaking in. They’re probably the least durable pair of boots I’ve ever owned, I would have expected them to last much longer given the price. Shame because I really liked wearing them but I won’t be buying another pair. 😢
Hey,
the same thing happened to me with Burpees... I wore normal shoes the whole time before generally but now I have bearfoot shoes. I heard from my Doc, that Barefoot shoes would be great for healing and that I need to get more movement and strength back into the toe. I don't get why you couldn't use them anymore? Maybe when the injury is really fresh you shouldn't but otherwise ?
I wore my magna forest esc on a 8 day trek and realized they were too narrow and developed some corns and callous on outside of pinky toe. It’s a shame becuase I love them and are very well built. I ordered the tracker to see if they are wider. Not sure why the Vivo shoes are so narrow when they are suppose to allow the feet to expand normally. Been wearing the primus trail for over a year and love them, wear them everyday as my main sneaker just wish they were wider in the front area.
My $250 Vivobarefoot Tracker FG II started to disintegrate after my first 6 km. walk and they went straight back to where they came from. Would not touch that brand with a barge pole.
Their ESC models and some others have stitched soles now which also have amazing grip. Don't be so closed minded because of one bad experience. Literally every brand and product ever has bad batches.
Quality has gone down a lot over the years, but try Altra lone peak in the 3 seasons and the goretex version in the winter.
Nice video
My pair went after less than a year. They get damaged in very rocky terrain.
I've switched to zero drop shoes and love them, but have been curious about using barefoot boots. I have hallux limitus in my left large toe. It sounds like you may have had the same issue. I have to wear stiff soled shoes as well to let my toe rest. Meanwhile, my foot loses strength being in heavy, stiff boots. I don't know if it's worth buying a pair of bare foot styled shoes if I only wear them about half the time?
It is, wearing barefoot shoes ensures that your feet are still be used and not being put in stiff shoes that act almost more like a cast to let your foot rest. Using both will be helpful in the long run, generally barefoot shoes or being barefoot is quite healthy and usually involves less injuries overall, but if you find yourself being injured that is okay. Use the stiff cushioned boot to act almost like a resting period for your feet. I hope this helps, I'm not a doctor but barefoot shoes won't work perfectly for everyone even if our bodies are designed better for them.
Thanks for this video! I am currently on a multi year hike from Norways south point to its northest. After I switched my daily shoes to barefoot, I am now considering getting theese, but I am afraid waking an asfalt, rocky terrain ( those large rocky parts 1500 meters above sea level in Scandinavia) and wett swamps might get the best of my feet. After this years trip I noticed my feet was hurtig less and my ancle a lot stronger after mostly using barefoot shoes for six months. How was your experiance with these kind of terrain for a mulit day hike with heavier backpack from 15-20 kilos?
I had no issues carrying a heavy backpack 15-19 kilo's with these shoes. I was surprised by that! Unfortunately, these boots are not suitable for a long distance hike, see my comment above. To add to my comment, the leather is rather thin, which can be an issue on rocky terrain. I leave that to your own imagination. Pity Barefoot jumped on the lightweight shoe wagon too easily. More research for them is needed to make a good strong waterproof long distance hiking boot (no GTX, please!) which can stands the elements. I hope this helps for you, happy hiking!
@@lp5913 Thanks, it sure does! I have Crispi skarven boots with a relatively wide toe box and loads of protection for the situations you mentioned.
Injury happens. Even the experienced yogi can slip up. Learn from your failure , and tread carefully.
mich hät a detige schuhe immer gnerft dassd, wennd über spitzi stei laufsch du die immer im fuess gspührt häsch... isches bi dene hiking boots nöd de fall gsi? muss säge, dassi au nur bis jetzt die version fürs training gha han.
Bi dene barfuessschue mit meh profil a de sohle meksch d Stein scho es biz weniger, aber sie sind immerno gspürbar. Aber ich empfinds nöd als störend. Mängmal ischs wie e chlini fuessmassage.
Does anyone know of some "barefoot" boots / hiking shoes with really, really strong puncture resistance? Tree thrones are quite nasty 'round here, I usually wear military boots with thick soles and metallic rock shield, I *really* would like to have a pair of wide toe box, zero-drop boots instead, even if dropping the nice ground feel of actual barefoot shoes.
Maybe something like Sokaido Safety Spike Tabi Bag I-778G or Soukaido I-887 Waterproof Steel-Toe/Spike?
Jim Green African ranger barefoot? And Belleville Minimalist Boot tr102
That insole is NOT good for warmth at all. I have no idea why vivo advertise as such. I had to borrow insoles from a Whitten runner shoe for my feet to stay warm. And they barely did with that.
I love the 'barefoot' concept, but i find the vivos barely fit my foot shape and width. We shall see if they bust out like my other shoes do. My only chance for a shoe to fit widthwise is a muckluck, and now making my own shoes to fit me properly. No more $$$$ spent on over advertised hype.
Glue your soles, water problem solved, if not, immerse your shoe into a bucket of water and see where the water leaks, glue that place. Are people these days just lazy?
Check out the Vivo magna esc for mountain hikes
The magna esc are surprisingly satisfying